#built in bookshelves around fireplace

[rolandsbeanies]

Library Enclosed in Philadelphia

Family room library idea: large traditional enclosed room with medium-tone wood flooring and brown walls, a traditional fireplace, no television, and a stone fireplace.

[hibernas]

Library Enclosed Family room library - mid-sized mid-century modern enclosed light wood floor and brown floor family room library idea with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

[kosslowski]

Beach Style Family Room - Enclosed

[killthemwithyourawesome]

Enclosed - Family Room

Photo of a medium-sized, elegantly enclosed family room with a stone fireplace, beige walls, and a dark wood floor and brown floor.

[scofieldshumway]

Enclosed Family Room

Example of a mid-sized classic enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor family room design with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

[konigsblog]

What do you think about könig's house?

I mean, what do you think could be his house style?

i think könig would live in a two story, large cabin type house!!

könig grew up poorer than everyone else he knew, so he was always determined to become richer than everyone he once knew out of pure spite, and to pay his mother a large chunk of money for all the things she did for him growing up. he's grateful for his loving mother, and makes sure she'll never, ever have to worry again about deciding to pay the bills, or being able to afford food shopping.

könig's house has many, many built-in bookshelves around his fireplace, with books and picture frames of his loved ones and his adorable, ginger cat - spice. könig has a large, comfortable couch and an ottoman around, a lot of decorations, such as vases and precious ornaments that he values a lot.

perhaps, a rustic interior design? i'm not sure what type of interior design, but with lots of built-in bookshelves and darker colours.

[thesunloveschips]

Eye of the Storm - Chapter 8: Conflict

Summary: In the wake of Rhysand’s ascension as High Lord, the Bone Carver gifts a prophecy. More than five hundred years later, Azriel continues to wait for the one who is finally reborn as his High Lady’s sister. All it takes a dip in the Cauldron for things to start falling into place.

Chapter Summary: Powers. The fight between the newborn fae. Elain's first prophecy.

Click here to access the Masterlist of the Eye of the Storm

****

Nyra looked around. The room she had been given had crimson walls and her bed was a very large one—large enough that all four of the sisters could sleep and they’d still have space. Wooden nightstands stood on either sides of the bed and the large ceiling to floor window towards the left. The entrance to the room was at the farthest left hand corner of the wall to her right.

Empty bookshelves stood tall and proud on the wall facing her, flanking a fireplace with two armchairs for a casual evening. There was also a table with bare minimum stationary and a chair. She did not recognise the decorations hanging on the walls. Two of them on each wall.

Nyra removed herself from the bed and found a door leading to a very luxurious and spacious bathing chamber. She also discovered that the wall to her right was not actually a wall but had a sliding door. She opened the sliding door and found neatly folded clothes and gowns. She headed to the windows which had a handle opening to an unnecessarily spacious balcony with a few plants.

She walked towards the edge and found that the building she was currently in was at a great height. And down on the earth below, a city sprawled with structures of different colours with streets snaking between them. There were open spaces and she could actually see the fountains, street lights, shops and people as clear as though she was right there. She could even read the names of the shops and the contents of their display boards. Far beyond, she saw the sea.

“Lady Nyra.” At the sound of her name, she flinched and took a step back. Nyra looked back and saw Nuala.

“What is it?” Nyra asked, not knowing what to do now. Should she be afraid? Should she ask this lady something? But what should she ask? She didn’t even know the first thing about this place to be having doubts. But this lady had just told her that she was in Velaris and Feyre ruled the Night Court with Rhysand. Feyre was High Lady.

“Is that Velaris?” Nyra asked quickly. The fae smiled and joined her near the railing.

“It is, indeed.”

“Will you tell me something about it?”

“A city of dreamers built ages ago—for dreamers, built by a dreamer. There are different parts of the city where the arts are promoted but the most prominent is the Rainbow. The High Lady would probably give you a tour if you asked.”

Nyra remained quiet and then she looked at the fae. “You’re not Nuala, are you?”

The fae’s eyes widened just a bit before she composed herself. “My name is Cerridwen. Nuala is my twin. She stepped back for some work.”

“And what about my twin?” Cerridwen tilted her head in confusion. “Nesta Archeron, my twin. And Elain Archeron, my younger sister.”

“Your twin and the High Lady are waiting for you outside. Lady Elain is in her room right now.”

“Thank you.” Nyra turned and headed inside. As she marched towards the door, it opened from the outside to reveal Feyre. The youngest dashed towards her sister and hugged her but Nyra couldn’t find it in her to reciprocate. She felt her sister tremble and eventually start crying but Nyra felt far too empty to care for Feyre.

“Where are the others?” Nyra asked plainly. Feyre released her from the hug partially, horrified at the similarity between Nyra and Elain. Nyra repeated her question again and Nesta emerged at the door. Something sparked in her eyes as she saw her twin. “You…”

Nyra removed herself from Feyre’s arms and headed towards Nesta. She took her face in her hands and inspected her. The pointed ears, the sharper face. Nesta had become devastatingly beautiful. It reminded Nyra of the days when Nesta dolled herself up for parties just so she could enjoy the music and dancing. Once upon a time, Nesta was steel and now, she had been forged into a blade. And Nyra released her face.

“You’re fae.” Nyra's voice held her disbelief. She released Nesta's face, not understanding why her twin felt so unfamiliar. She did not know this person. With Nesta's appearance and amplified beauty, Nyra felt like she had lost her twin.

“So are you.” Nyra froze at that. Nesta panicked, not understanding what was happening. For the first time, Nyra seemed to be losing something personal.

“Why?” Nyra whispered. She had already started feeling like Nesta was another person. Like she had lost her twin to some strange world. And now, she was also there in that strange world. Nyra felt something come alive within her. Something that had never been there before but it felt like it had always belonged within her. And like a beast waking up after almost an eternity, it rumbled within her. The tears welled up in her eyes. Why are we in yet another place where we don’t belong?

Nesta gathered her in her arms and held her tightly. Nyra cried and the twins descended to the ground. They remained unbothered by the spectators, most of whom had retreated silently.

Nyra felt so exhausted. Everything was a mess. She had never belonged in the life she was born into. Never understood why she was born in a world where woman was limited to matrimony and breeding and child rearing.

And she did not even understand the world she was now forced into. She did not even want to understand but she would have to. To learn the way of life here. But she did not want that. She felt too tired for all of it. She did not even agree to this.

And the bloody Cauldron. It took something from her and gave her something else. It violated her. The woman in there gave her too much of everything she never wanted. She felt like she’d been in there for ages and maybe that was true. Nyra looked at her hand and summoned a bit of power. Lightning thrummed at her fingertips, exactly as much as she had summoned. She had been taught how to control the power by that strange woman in some strange way.

Nesta saw the lightning on Nyra’s fingers. “You have power?”

Nyra looked up at Nesta and then at her hand. She summoned the lightning again and raised her hand.

“I didn’t get this power. It got me.” Nyra spoke and stopped manifesting it. She then stood up, offering a hand to Nesta to help her up. “I want to know what you saw.” Nyra began. Nesta stepped back, removing her hand. “Please.” Nesta did not ignore her plea. She could never ignore Nyra. And so, she held out her hand and Nyra grabbed it.

There was so much. She felt so much. Like a thousand knives stabbing her and tearing her flesh apart. Like a fire burning her soul to extinction. But Nesta did not burn easily. She clawed at whatever force that had pushed her down. Her nails found something and she struck it hard. The flame subsided and Nesta loomed over that force, grabbed it by the throat and took a bite. She relished in the resulting scream, the taste of cold liquid in her mouth.

But then another scream pierced at her. Nesta looked around, thinking it was another prey to hunt. But it was something else. Someone else. Was that her? A body with long golden brown hair and that pale skin floating. Was that her? That person’s eyes were shut tightly as though she was in agony. The woman screamed again.

Nesta watched a figure rip the girl’s chest with her bare hands and a light was released. Upon closer inspection, the figure had an expression of cruel enjoyment. But the light that appeared out of the girl’s chest material into another figure—a woman of pure light. The girl struck into the one who tore her apart and ripped its head off and threw it away.

More figures materialised. The woman readied her stance like a warrior, preparing for a battle. A spear of some sort materialised in her hand and she used it for her first attack. Nesta watched as the figure eliminate everything and everyone and bathed in the black blood of her foes. Once she was done, the woman looked at her and came near. It was Nyra. Her twin's eyes were closed and she wore no clothes but the light her skin emitted ensured her nakedness was not all that visible. And that wasn't even light. It was just a faint glow with lightning crackling all around her. Nesta recognised her sister in awe and anger. Nyra gently raised her hand and placed it on her chest, pushing her down some abyss.

The next thing Nesta remembered was rising from the Cauldron. Threatening the King, pushing away Lucien, taking Elain, looking for Nyra and losing consciousness at some point after arriving at another location.

“That’s what I remember.” Nesta spoke once they had exited her memories.

Why was it so natural for her to use these powers? To control them was one thing but to use them was completely different. When she had lived her entire life as a powerless mortal with death looming far too close then why was power so real? As if it was inherent? The beast within her rumbled again.

"What was that?" Nesta asked. Before Nyra could say anything, Nesta had touched her bare hand. And she was suddenly transported to another place.

It was completely dark. Nesta looked around for a source of light. And two blue orbs lit up at the same time. Appearing as though they had been unveiled. The blue light blinked once and a deep growl echoed all around. Nesta looked at the orbs and silver glowed in her eyes. The roar of a beast made everything tremble. Nesta felt the smooth embrace of something like a blanket. It wrapped itself around her waist and tugged her back.

"What was that?" Nesta was now breathing heavily. Her eyes were still silver but she was back in the House of Wind. Nyra was in front of her, her blue eyes glowing. Nesta had the horrifying realisation that the blue orbs she had just seen were Nyra's eyes and the growl was hers. But what terrified her to the core was when she recognised the roar of the beast as her own.

"You know what it was." Nyra replied. The twins now sat on the ground properly.

Nyra had recognised the beast Nesta was the moment she saw the silver eyes. Gods, they were beasts now and not just fae. She didn't even know if there were any fae who were just fae. She sighed. "What the hell did we get dragged into?"

"I'm sorry." Feyre's voice reached them. That was when the twins remembered that she was still there. "This is all my fault."

"Where is Elain?" Nyra asked. "Is she like us?"

"Yes. I'll take you to her room. Before that..."

Nyra looked at her, waiting for her to continue. Nesta spoke. "You're wearing a nightgown. Take a bath and dress up. We'll meet Elain soon. She's fine. Physically, at least."

Nyra frowned but she made no move to oppose. She stood up and entered her room. Nesta followed her in.

"I can't use that." Nyra whispered. She remembered how she pulled herself up to rise from the Cauldron. The Cauldron's liquid felt like acid on her skin, tiring her before she could even step out. Something had helped her get out. But before she could care for how she got out of the Cauldron, she was consumed by the thoughts of how she did not want to enter the bath tub. The image of it filled with water made her flinch.

"I know. There are buckets and mugs." Nesta headed towards the taps where the buckets and mugs were. While she waited for the warm water to fill the buckets, she watched Nyra look at her reflection in the mirror with the fascination of a child.

"I look young." Nyra poked her cheeks and grabbed them before letting go. She touched her arms and turned to see her hair. "My hair looks better." She grabbed them in her hands and admired how soft they had become. Her hair was a cascade of rich golden brown the Archeron sisters shared. Each strand seemed to catch the light and hold it for a moment, before releasing it in a warm, inviting gleam.

"You're healthy." Nesta spoke. "The healer said your body is completely fine. No illnesses. Everything is perfect. That's the only thing good about this situation." Her voice was soft as if she couldn't believe her own words. "My gods, you're okay." Nesta wiped her eyes before the tears could escape.

"I... I'm.. healthy." Nyra looked at her reflection. For so long, she had seen a sick face look back at her. How many years had passed since she had seen a healthy Nyra reflect in the mirror? She touched her cheek and held her hair. "I'm okay."

Nesta beheld Nyra as a fae. Her sister had become divine, glowing with health and power. Her eyes spoke of ancient mysteries and Nesta felt like Nyra's transition had been something different from what she and Elain had gone through. And she felt like she could not speak, not because her sister had rendered her speechless but because Nyra had become overwhelming in every aspect.

Nyra undressed and proceeded to bathe. Nesta sat at a distance now, handing her the bottles of liquids and gels for her skin and hair. Her twin had truly come into her element. She wore her beauty like a customised dress, measure to fit only her. Nesta had believed Nyra could truly attract suitors had her health permitted it. But now that they were fae, not only was she in good health but she looked ethereal. Once Nyra was done bathing, Nesta went to the shelf opposite to the bathroom mirror and took a towel and bathing robe.

"Dry yourself. I'll get a dress for you." But Nesta knew that Nyra was not that good at toweling her hair and that she'd have to do it herself.

She walked over to the sliding doors of the wardrobe filled with clothes for Nyra. Rhysand had provided Nesta and Elain with a similar room. She looked at the gowns and found a grey silk gown with leaves and flowers threaded in a darker shade towards the bottom. The skirts were not as wide as their gowns from the other side of the wall. It was a gown not too fancy but not too plain.

Both Nesta and Nyra looked at Nyra in that gown. She looked very different when she wore it. Like she was meant to be immortal. And then they looked at each other. "You look good."

"I wish I felt good." Nesta took her by the arm and made her sit on a stool before the mirror. She dried her hair and began brushing it gently.

The twins exited the room where Feyre and Cassian were waiting for them. They were talking to each other and leaning against the wall facing the door when they saw them. The pair immediately stood straight and ceased their whispers. Feyre moved forward. "Come with me."

And the four of them headed towards Elain's room. It was only two doors away. Feyre watched with bated breath as Nyra and Nesta entered the room. Elain sat on an armchair near the window, looking outside.

"Elain." At the sound of Nyra's voice, she turned to look at her immediately. Brown eyes widened and Elain stood up and walked over.

"When can we go home?" Elain asked hurriedly. "I have to get married." Her eyes glossed with tears. "I have to go home."

Nyra watched her sister cry in front of her and yet she couldn't find it in herself to hug her. Her own tears silently ran down her cheeks. Elain sobbed too loudly, too heavily, too much that she had started hyperventilating. Nyra did not process as Nesta took Elain's hands into her own and made her sit on the armchair. She was barely aware of Nesta leading her somewhere in the room and helping her sit.

Feyre and Cassian had been kicked out of the room and Nesta locked the door, walked over to Elain. Nyra was now looking outside the window, not caring about how Elain cried over getting married and wanting to go home.

"Do we even have a home left?" Nyra whispered, but her sisters heard it.

"What do you mean?" Elain cried out in agony.

"Fae and humans don't coexist. Even if we go back home, will we be welcome?"

They knew the answer to that. They had discussed that when Feyre had become fae. "Feyre had a home even when she had become fae."

"Feyre had us. Who do we have now that we're like this?"

"Father. Graysen. Lord Nolan. I'm sure they will understand." Elain sounded desparate.

"Father might. Graysen and Lord Nolan will not." Nesta shot back, logic taking over after her remembering her own analysis of these three persons.

"Why do you keep saying such things?" Elain had now raised her voice. "Neither of you want to go back. Why would you? You had nothing on the other side."

"We have nothing here!" Nyra shouted back. "What do we have here? Do we have anyone we can trust here?"

"We have Feyre." Elain retorted.

"They took us because they wanted to get to her. They took us because we hosted those meetings with the queens." Nesta snapped.

"At least, we're not dead!"

"Is this better than death?" Nyra asked coldly. She did not like Elain at the moment. She did not like anyone. "Is being tossed into that gods damned bathtub better than death?"

Nesta and Elain did not answer. They did clench their fists. Nyra watched them, wishing she could feel pity but she felt nothing. She compared their own situation with Feyre and realised that their younger sister had people and a future in Prythian to look forward to before she even became fae. Nyra looked at the moon in her palm. The three of them had no friend, no future, no home at the moment. And it slapped her in the face too many times for her liking.

"I don't know what either of you saw in there but I remember exactly what I saw. And I would've rather died than go through that." Nyra's voice had lowered. She had started spiralling into the whirlpool of her memories from inside the Cauldron.

"Of course, you'd rather die." Elain muttered, looking outside the window. The sea she could see remained tranquil unlike what was happening inside the room.

"Elain!" Nesta snapped. Nyra looked at Elain, waiting for her to continue. Challenging her to continue. She felt a tremor on her nerves, readying her for a verbal spat. The thrill of it shot down her spine and she watched her sister, like a predator poised to kill.

"Of course, you'd rather die." Elain repeated, louder and unafraid. "You were waiting for death ever since you fell ill." This was not enough. Elain only had to say more for Nyra to get the opportune moment.

"And why wouldn't I? With those disgusting medicines and chest pains and spitting blood at any given moment. Why wouldn't I choose death over all that?"

"You're a bloody coward." More. Nyra was waiting for more as she gave another answer, inviting Elain's words. Her words were still not sharp enough.

"Of course, I'm a coward. If I had any more nerve, I would've slit my own throat the moment I found out I'd probably never recover." Nyra knew that both of them were being selfish. And just a bit more and Elain would lash out.

"Enough!" Nesta shouted. Nyra glared at her for her interruption. Nesta knew exactly what she was doing. She was baiting Elain. Nesta was the one who struck first. Nyra was the one who waited for the right time. Both of them were different types of predators, but predators regardless. And Nesta knew that and felt this had to stop. "This is not what we need right now."

"I'll tell you what I need right now. I need to go back."

"To a place where you'll be hunted for being fae?" Nesta questioned, hoping Elain would see the reason she saw.

"To the place where I had a chance at a future."

"Graysen and his father are going to kill you." Nyra warned, not because she was worried about it. She would wield whatever power that her body housed against anyone who hurt her sisters but Elain had been sheltered far too long. She had to learn even if it was through the hard way. How much of a hypocrite was she at this moment?

"You don't know that. He wanted to marry me. I..."

"His affections for you are insignificant compared to his hatred for the fae." Nesta immediately began lashing out the moment she figured what Elain was going to say. About how she had given herself to her fiancé. Nesta paused and breathed. She wanted to stop but she didn't know how. The only thing she knew was to continue. "He wanted to marry you because you were the most convenient option. A face pretty enough for him to be smitten and the money from your dowry. Money to be used for Lord Nolan's fae-hunting quests."

Nesta only stopped speaking once the killing blow had been landed. She looked at Nyra, hoping that her twin would reprimand her like she had always done. Nyra did not and sat down looking at the skies.

"Say something." Nesta spoke.

Nyra looked up and met her gaze. "What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know. Anything!" Nesta wanted to be reprimanded. That was the only punishment for the sin she'd just committed.

"How about the fact that we don't have anything or anywhere to go, hm? All because we have pointed ears, meaninglessly amplified beauty and powers with no purpose and glowing eyes."

"No, no, no, no, no, no..." Elain kept on repeating that one word.

"We don't have a place to return to. We don't have a home. Is that what you wanted me to say?" Nyra attacked again.

The sound of the door being banged reached them. "Nesta! Nyra! Elain!" Feyre screamed. "Open the door! Please!"

"Go away, Feyre!" Nesta shouted back.

"Please! We can talk about this!" Feyre yelled desparately. Nesta marched over to the door, determined to give her youngest a piece of her mind. She opened the door to find a crying Feyre. Rhysand stood behind her solemnly and Nesta was quick to glare at him.

"Why are you here?" Nesta coldly asked Feyre.

"Nesta! Please! I'm so sorry about this. All of it. I-" Nesta raised a hand to command silence. Feyre stopped speaking.

"Why are you sorry?" Nesta asked.

"This is my fault. I am the reason why you were kidnapped and Made."

"We're not idiots, Feyre." Nyra spoke. Nesta moved to the side to reveal her twin. "We know you're not at fault for this mess." But Nyra did not sound kind. She sounded distant as she walked over to the door. "But we don't want to be here."

"You cannot be human again, girl." Another voice spoke. Nesta and Nyra stepped forward to see who it was. The twins noted Azriel, Cassian and Morrigan standing against the wall and Amren taking a step towards them. "We are the same. What is inside you is now trapped in this body, forever."

"Don't lump us in with the likes of you." Nesta snapped. "You can be released from your body. We can't."

Nyra's blue eyes shone with the power she now possessed and Amren took a step back. "The fact that we can see that your real form means that you can be released and regain it. On the other hand, we were thrown inside the world's most disgusting bathtub and our real forms were altered. Do you understand the difference? Your skin, the one that we see, is like a wrapping paper over your real skin. Our skin was ripped apart and remade."

Nyra felt rage, ready to take over, lightning crackling on her fingertips. What she did not notice were the shadows that had reached for her hand, dancing with the lightning, ready to strike wherever she commanded.

Azriel, despite his best attempts, could not completely control his shadows. Why the fuck was he even trying to control them when he felt every part of him wanting to accept her rage and hold her hand through it? To let her wield his shadows and strike anywhere and everywhere. Was that what she wanted? How easy it would be to hold her hand and raise it? To watch her lightning and his shadows dance. And why should it be restricted to their hands when every inch of their bodies could indulge in it?

Would lightning strike whenever she felt the mating bond? Would it strike if she were to ever accept it and offer him food? Would it strike during their first kiss? He would peel off her clothes and take his time before entering her. Would lightning strike him when he gave her an orgasm? The anticipation of it definitely struck him like lightning. His chest tightened. The leathers now felt stuffy. He had to loosen it before he ripped them off and grabbed his pretty little mate.

Meanwhile, inside her own head, Elain felt herself drawn into a black hole. She crumbled under the storm that had started. And under the gust of the winds and the thunder that rumbled all over, she found light and tried to walk over. She felt her hair and skirts be blown by the wind, fighting to be attached to her scalp and her dress respectively. But the closer she felt to the light, the more she felt warm.

Nesta and Nyra looked over to Elain who was now next to them. Their younger sister's eyes were now completely white as she spoke. Nyra was startled to see this for the first time while Nesta took a cautious step closer to Elain.

"Stars and night."

"Flames and steel."

"Lightning and shadows."

"Greens and fire."

"Elain!" Their sister's eyes fluttered and closed before her body dropped from where she stood.

****

TAGLIST:

@waytoomanyteenagefeels@impossibelle@esposadomd@starswholistenanddreamsanswered@judig92@bunnyredgirl@sh4nn@a-frog-with-a-laptop@kattzillaa@ronnieglennn@wallacewillow0773638@forgiveliv@justdreamstars@donttellthecats@cat-or-kitten@jojodojo02@wandas-dream@evylynny@weasleyreidstyles@stqrgirlies-blog@why4anne@acourtofdreamsandshadows @saltedcoffeescotch @mybestfriendmademe@macimads@footyandformula @noelli-smv @mqlfoyelf @thehighlordishere @slytherintaco @spideytingley @deeshag @footyandformula @nebarious @dream-alittlebiggerdarling @prettylittlewrites

[hometoursandotherstuff]

This is an okay 1918 Craftsman style home in Valparaiso, IN, for under $400K. It has 4bds, 2ba, and is $360K, reduced $9.9K, but Zillow estimates that it's worth $342,900. Therefore, it's overpriced.

There's a small enclosed porch.

And, a tiny foyer.

The living room definitely has the Craftsman flavor with the built-in bookcases, even though they're not low nor have the glass doors, like a traditional Craftsman. Also, it does have the windows above the bookshelves, but they're modern and not leaded glass.

The fireplace isn't brick, it looks non-functional with a painted white wood facade. It has a few beams on the ceiling and moldings around the walls.

Nice double doors to the dining room. Looks like there's a built-in cabinet on the right.

The kitchen was completely renovated. If you're going to redo a kitchen in a Craftsman, I think that it looks best with painted cabinetry.

They say 2 baths, but this is a powder room. I don't care for the barn door sink cabinet, but the floor is nice.

The child's bedroom actually has little roads inlaid into the floor. I've never seen that and it's permanent, so I wouldn't choose it.

Bedroom #2 isn't used.

Bedroom #3 is an other child's room. It has a nice bow window.

In the finished attic there's a dormitory style bedroom, but I guess it doesn't count.

This is pretty. The principal bedroom is up here.

There's a patio in the backyard.

And, there's also a side yard. It's a 5,793 sq ft lot.

A driveway to the garage under the house.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/107-Institute-St-Valparaiso-IN-46383/81527252_zpid/?

[tealeavesandtrash]

Of Book Shops and Floo Powder

Sirius Black/Remus Lupin Alternate Universe - Bookstore, Strangers to Lovers, mentions of minor character death, Minor Injuries 8.2k words

The floo was already installed when Remus purchased the old shop, tucked away on the far wall - a grand old fireplace with an ornate mantle that seemed to be slowly falling into disrepair from neglect or disuse from the previous owner. At the time, there had been too much to do with setting up the shop that Remus hadn’t bothered with it outside of tidying up the appearance of it.

He’d tried to test the connection a few times, to see if it was still functional and linked to the floo network, but it always ended in futility with him covered in dust and soot and still firmly planted inside the shop. After enough failed attempts, he'd simply given up - figured that as long as the floo in the flat above worked fine and no one was trying to use this one to break into the shop, then there was no issue.

It got to the point that, almost twelve months after Remus first opened the doors of his bookshop, even he’d forgotten about the abandoned floo. Faded to the back of his mind, to nothing more than an ordinary old fireplace. He’s built the shop up around it, designed the layout in such a way that the towering bookshelves create a twisting maze of aisles that all lead to a little reading nook at the back of the shop - a small scattering of mismatched armchairs surrounding the fireplace.

*~*~*

It’s a quiet September evening when it happens. Remus is sat at the counter finishing off his inventory checks, the shop long closed. It's silent, save for the scribbling of Remus’ pen and the Fotheringay album he has playing softly in the background.

It happens so quickly, so succinctly - a sudden whooshing sound and a loud crash - that for a moment Remus thinks he's imagined it. That it’s the wind or some animal from the neighbouring forest, just his mind playing tricks on him after living alone for so long because why would someone break into some small village bookshop? But a second later a voice curses.

Wand gripped tightly in hand, Remus edges slowly around the counter, making his way to the back of the shop while carefully avoiding each squeaky floorboard. Heart hammering in his chest, he holds his breath as he rounds the corner.

The stranger doesn’t notice him, is still facing the fireplace with his back to Remus and in the low light Remus can’t make out much of their appearance apart from dark hair and a dark jacket. They seem unarmed though, or at the very least they don’t have a weapon in their hand.

“We’re closed,” Remus announces loudly, hoping his voice is more steady and authoritative than he feels.

The stranger spins and Remus tightens his grip on his wand just in case.

But nothing happens. Grey eyes blink in confusion like he’s the one who’s surprised by Remus’ presence. “Who are you?”

Remus pauses a moment. “This is my shop. Who are you?”

The man just stares at him, before turning slowly on his heels. “Since when?” he asks, taking in his surroundings.

There’s a hint of confusion in his voice and Remus gets a pang of sympathy for him. “A year and a bit, I bought it after the old owners died.”

The stranger's head snaps back in an instant and oh.

There’s a look in his eyes that Remus is all too familiar with. The same look he recognises from his father’s eyes, the same look he still catches sometimes in the mirror. “I’m sorry," he starts, "Did you know-”

“Sorry for bothering you,” the stranger cuts him off before Remus can finish, turning on his heel and matching toward the front of the shop, leaving as quickly as he came.

The bell above the door tinkles as it slams shut before Remus can fully comprehend what's happened, alone again and standing in confusion.

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[valkyriepirate]

Newt Scamander x Reader One Shot- Sweet Calamity

Summary: You’re a Fifth Year at Hogwarts, peacefully reading in your common room one night. The peace is disturbed when a strange creature begins wreaking havoc, accompanied by one Newt Scamander. 

Warnings: none- just fluff! :)

Word count: 2.9k words

A/N: House neutral; (Y/H) = Your house; it’s somewhat implied that Newt and the reader aren’t in the same house, so apologies to all you lovely Hufflepuffs out there!

#2- Sweet Calamity

A cool wind ruffled the pages of your book, sending a ripple of goosebumps across the bare skin of your legs. You were so deeply enmeshed in the story that you hardly noticed it, but you curled up tighter, knees pressed to your chest. Autumn had arrived at Hogwarts, and it seemed as if the ancient stone walls soaked up the chill in the air and stubbornly refused to warm. Even in your house common room where you were now, sitting by the crackling fireplace, you could feel the cold emanating off the glass windowpanes.  

The (Y/H) common room was strangely vacant for a Sunday night. Usually by this time everyone had come back from their weekend Hogsmeade trips to get ready for bed. Curfew was two hours prior midnight, and no one wanted to be caught outside the dorms after then- at least, not if they wanted to avoid the embarrassment of a deduction to their house points. Yet tonight there were none of your fellow house members about finishing homework or practicing spells. It was just you and your book, and you reveled in the blissful quiet.  

The wind fluttered the pages of your book again, stronger this time. Briefly you wondered if the (Y/H) ghost was teasing you. When another impellent gust caused you to lose your place in the book, you looked up, bewildered. One of the windowpanes high on the wall behind you was cracked open, swinging on frosted hinges.  

Sighing, you pulled out your wand and whispered, “Colloportus.” The window squeaked shut, sealing out the pestering wind that threatened to further interrupt your reading. You settled back into the story, letting the words bring your imagination rushing over you like the first snowfall of winter, irenic and picturesque. That is, until something hard and heavy fell on top of your head and scared the gulping galleons out of you.  

You yelped and tumbled off the couch. You blinked at the object, startled. It was a large, leather-bound tome- one of the O.W.L study textbooks. You gaped up at the bookshelf behind the couch, puzzled and perhaps the slightest bit afraid. You’d never encountered one of the Hogwarts ghosts face-to-face, and you weren’t entirely sure what the proper reaction to one would be.  

Gripping your wand in one hand and your book in the other, you said in the most commanding voice possible, “Whatever prank you’re trying to pull on me, it isn’t funny, so cut it out.”

Your voice echoed through the common room only to be met with silence. After a minute or two you tentatively sat down on the couch again. You had hardly reopened your book when another tome hit you directly on the shoulder.  

“Ow! What the-?!” You glanced above to see a small creature rummaging about the bookshelves. It had a pinkish pallor to its skin, and your first thought was that it was one of those hairless rats. But Hogwarts was far too magical to have ordinary creatures like rats running around.  

The creature pushed book after book off the shelves, sending them plummeting to the couch. You were contemplating whether you should wait for one of your house mates to capture it when the door to the common room cracked open and a boy with a ruddy mop of hair peeked in.  

He noticed you first. Instantly you felt heat creep across your cheeks. It was Newt Scamander, the Hufflepuff boy from your Potions class. He had been in your class since Second Year, but you had only spoken to him a couple of times. Yet even so you had built up a tiny crush on him over the years. Everyone knew him for his affinity for magical creatures and his desire to study magizoology, and suddenly his appearance made the presence of the rat creature make much more sense.  

“Hey,” you called. “Um- there’s a creature in here, I-I don’t know if it’s yours?”

He didn’t speak for a minute, just stood there like a deer frozen in headlights as if he were trapped in the threshold of the door. Finally he said in a quiet voice, “I’m not really supposed to be here.”  

The creature squeaked and chucked off the final book. It toppled sideways and knocked over one of the antique lamps, which plunged off the bookshelf and shattered with a CRASH!  

You cringed, hoping the hallway prefect hadn’t been nearby to hear. “For the record, I don’t think this thing is supposed to be here either.”

Newt, seeming to nullify his indecision, stepped into the common room and shut the door behind him. His yellow-and-black striped Hufflepuff House scarf was thrown askew across his shoulders, as if he’d been running and it had come undone. “It’s a Murtlap.”

“Oh.” You watched as the creature scurried along the shelves and hopped on top of the fireplace, sniffing the bricks. In this light you could see the anemone-like growth on its back, giving it the appearance of a porcupine and a naked hamster rolled into one. “Is it yours?”

“I’ve been doing research on his species. He was wounded on the shores of the Great Lake.” The Murtlap let loose a shrill scream like a battle cry and began trying to tear the (Y/H) crest from where it hung above the fireplace.

“He doesn’t seem wounded now,” you noted.

“Oh no.” Newt moved towards the fireplace, holding out his hand. “Come on now Murry, you sour rodent.”

Murry the Murtlap continued to gnaw the crest more viciously, ignoring Newt Scamander.

“I don’t think he liked that,” you said.  

Newt propped his foot on the fire grate and hoisted himself onto the ledge. He reached out and snatched the Murtlap, tugging him away from the crest. But the fabric was obdurately ensnared in the creature’s teeth, and you could hear it begin to tear. Before you could shout for Newt to stop, he pulled on the Murtlap again and the (Y/H) House crest ripped free of the wall. Newt, the Murtlap, and the crest all came tumbling to the floor.  

“Newt!” you cried, pushing the crest off him. As soon as you did, the Murtlap sprang free and lunged directly for your face, a whirlwind of snapping teeth and prickly claws. You shrieked and attempted to grab it, but it was scrambling over your head and shoulders, around your torso, down to your knees, and up again. Newt leaped up from the floor and came to save you, snatching at the Murtlap to no avail. At last it pounced on him and, taking his scarf in its teeth, ran down his leg and bolted across the floor.  

“How did he get loose?” you demanded as you and Newt raced after it.  

“Um, well, he’s a slippery one, as you can see,” he paused at the foot of another bookcase, craning his head up as the Murtlap hastily climbed to the top, Newt’s scarf in tow. “I was doing abstract drawings and he grew tired of sitting still.”

You waved your wand. “Can’t we use any spells?”

“I don’t want to hurt him,” Newt said. “Or destroy any more of your common room.”  

“What about potions? One of the non-combative ones Professor Wenlock taught us?”

Newt glanced at you, then immediately downcast his eyes. “I didn’t realize you knew we were in the same class.”  

“Of course.” We’ve been in the same class together for three years, you thought, but added nothing. Suddenly something was tossed by your head and you ducked. You looked down in horror to see the clay model of Hogwarts that your house leader had won points for was splintered at your feet.  

“Oh no, no, no, no, no,” you bent down, gathering the pieces. You quickly used a repairo spell to put it back together, but there was no disguising the hairline cracks that ran along the towers.  

“Murry, that’s it. No fish for two weeks!” Newt scolded.  

You carefully placed the model on a nearby table, shaking your head in dismay. Your house leader would murder you if they ever found out about this.  

When you turned around again, Newt was attempting to scale the bookshelves, his feet balancing precariously on the wooden boards.

“What are you doing?” you said incredulously.  

“It’s all right, I’ve almost got him...” He was a good six feet off the ground but still too far to reach the Murtlap, which had stopped to admire his ascent.  

“That’s not a good idea, Newt,” you cautioned, moving closer lest he fell.  

He didn’t reply. His focus was intense, but not quite enough, for when he stepped up to the next shelf, the pressure on the board caved in and it snapped.  

You screamed as Newt fell, breaking every bone in his body upon impact with the floor. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he was dead, dead, dead-

“(Y/N)?” His voice led you to pry open your eyes, shaking off the image. You hadn’t realized you’d squeezed them shut. You sighed in relief when you saw Newt dangling from the bookshelf, still intact. Then you started. Newt was dangling from the bookshelf!

Fervently, your gaze swept the room for something you could use to help him. At the far end of the common room, you spotted the rolling ladder students used to reach the top shelves. You wanted to smack your face in frustration.  

“Hold on!” You ran to the end of the room and swung onto the ladder. With one foot, you gave a strong push off the shelf and went flying. You and your house mates had done this countless times in a competitive game where you tried to grab as many books of a certain color off the shelves as possible. Yet tonight it was more like a game of Catch the Murtlap.

You corralled the wood panels to slow your speed and held out your hand to Newt. “Grab my hand!”

He looked over, eyes wide, and took your hand. Releasing the board made him swing and he collided with you on the ladder. His momentum sent it rolling, leaving you two clutching at each other to keep from falling. When it stopped, you realized you were gripping his arms hard enough to be painful.  

“Are you okay?” you asked, breathless.  

“Yes,” he mumbled, his ears turning red. He wouldn’t look you in the eye, but his stare had found its way to your lips instead. “Yes. Are-are you?”

You nodded. “Yes.”

An awkward silence ensued. You were suddenly aware of how close you two were- your knees touching, your arms pressed against each other’s. Your heart was smattering in your chest; if it was deafening to you, you quailed at what Newt could hear. This close, you could see the hazel flecks in his green eyes, like the light of sunset seeping through a forest canopy.  

A strange noise ripped through the air. You and Newt looked up. Murry had torn one of the metal wheels from the ladder and spat it down at you. You tucked in your head at the same time as Newt and you bonked your skull on his.  

“Ow,” you groaned, rubbing your forehead.

“Sorry,” Newt blushed deeper.  

Murry was making rapid work on the other wheel, gnawing at it with surprisingly robust teeth. Your stomach dipped when you realized what would happen if he tore it off. You raised your wand. “Newt, he’s-”

POP!  

The ladder wobbled, no longer attached to the top rim of the shelf. The wheels on the bottom legs bucked. The ladder tilted.

“Oh no,” you muttered.

And you fell.  

You squeezed your eyes shut, anticipating the force of your impact. But none came. You opened your eyes again to see that you were hovering three feet from the floor. You’d hooked one arm around the rung and the other around Newt, who had his wand in hand, aimed at the ground.  

A relieved breath escaped your lungs. Cautiously, you stepped off the ladder and untangled yourself from Newt, holding up the rungs so he could do the same.  

“That was magnificent!” you breathed.  

Newt smiled at his feet. “It’s a Hover Charm. Simple, really.”

“Well, thank you for saving my life.”

“You saved mine.” It didn’t seem possible for Newt to get any redder, and yet he pulled it off. It was unbearably cute. You had an urge to tug him closer, to fall into his arms again. Being that close to him had spiked a fuzzy feeling in your veins and you liked it.  

But before you could do anything ridiculous, Murry was on the move once more. He darted up the rope chord along the curtain and hurdled onto one of the window ledges. You tracked his path and gasped.

“Newt, he’s going for the dorms!” you cried.

“Merlin’s beard,” Newt cursed under his breath.  

“We have to use a spell. He’ll get away.”

He nodded grudgingly. Then he lifted his wand, pensively fixed his sight on the Murry, and said, “Accio Murtlap.”

The creature came reeling back. Newt had to lunge and grab him, but he was squealing like a newly-weaned piglet and wriggling like one too. "Quick, something to contain him!”

You searched the common room but saw nothing that could help. Then your eyes landed on the mug you’d left by the fireside.

“Hold on, I have an idea!” You darted over. You pointed your wand at the mug and whispered, “Capacious extremis!” Then you snatched it up and ran back to Newt. “Try this.”

He gave you a dubious look.  

“Trust me,” you ordered.  

Without argument, Newt shoved Murry into the mug. The Murtlap was about half a foot long and your mug was half the size of him, but the creature disappeared into its depths without conflict, screeching and thrashing in irritation. Swiftly, you grabbed one of the books Murry had discarded and placed it over the mug’s rim, effectively sealing him in.  

“Brilliant,” Newt said.  He set the mug on a table and crouched down to examine it. The Murtlap’s shrieks were audible but muffled, and the mug rattled with the force of its contents, but otherwise the uncontrollable creature was trapped. “An expanding spell. I’ll have to use that in the future.”

“I’d still be careful. There’s no telling what other havoc he’s capable of.”

Newt stood and surveyed the common room. Books were strewn about, the bookshelf was broken, the (Y/H) crest was in a heap near the fire, the ladder was draped on the floor, and shards of green glass were scattered across the carpet.  Newt glanced at you briefly and you shared a look. In silent agreement, both of you went to work, using repairo spells for the broken objects and manually rearranging what you could. Neither of you could properly reattach the ladder’s top wheels, so you shoved it back to the far corner and laid the wheels on the floor next to it.  

Amidst the cleaning process you found something underneath the table. “Newt?” you called.  

He looked over from where he was sliding the books back onto the shelves. When you said nothing more, he set the books down and came over.

You stood. “I believe this belongs to you.” Gently, you reached out and wrapped Newt’s Hufflepuff scarf around his neck. He froze as your fingers brushed his shoulder, his cheeks once again flushing bright red.  

He opened his mouth like he was about to thank you, but instead he just smiled. You felt yourself smiling back.

“I should be going,” he said to your feet. “I-I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“Don’t be,” you said. “It was fun.”

He furrowed his brow in astonishment. “Fun?”

“Sure. I mean, my common room nearly got destroyed, but who’s to know? It’ll be our secret.”

Newt blinked at you. “So you won’t tell anyone about-about Murry?”

You shook your head. “I won’t tell anyone about Murry.”

Newt shifted his feet and it seemed like he wanted to say something. He picked up Murry’s mug and paused. You held your breath.  

“(Y/N)?”

“Yes?”

He waited a beat. That fuzzy feeling was bubbling from your stomach again, making your skin tingle.  

He took a deep breath and said in a rush, “If you’d like, would you be my Potions partner? It’s okay if you don’t, I was just wondering if it’s something you-”

You stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Yes.”

He looked at you in shock as if you’d agreed to brush the teeth of a fire-breathing dragon with him. “You-you would?”

You laughed and nodded. “Yes.”

A bashful grin crept up his face and he clutched the mug closer. “I suppose I’ll see you in Potions then?”

“You will.”

Still grinning, he made his way back to the door. He stopped with his hand on the knob. “Good night.”

“Good night, Newt.”  

He stood there awkwardly for another moment. Then he bobbed his head once, opened the door, and disappeared into the hall, leaving you alone in the common room.  

You sighed giddily, flopping onto the couch. You thought about Newt Scamander for the rest of the night, long after your house mates returned and you retired to the dorms. Every time you closed your eyes you saw him smiling at you. You blushed when you remembered how close you’d been on the ladder, how you’d both clung to each other like a lifeline. In the darkness of your dorm, you snuggled deeper underneath your blankets.  

Potions couldn’t come soon enough.  

Masterlist

[fallenasleepyetagain]

Competing - Blue/Nightmare Fic

Media: UTMV/UTAU

Genres: Human AU, normal multiverse, homoerotic chess game, flirting or threats? who knows!

Characters: King Nightmare, Blue, Dream (mentioned), Ink (mentioned)

Pairing(s): Nightmare/Blue

CW/TW: Threats, Nightmare vaguely taking about his Evil Plans™️

Word Count: 1434

Read it on ao3!

"Have a seat."

Nightmare sat on the opposite side of the large living room from the main entrance. The room was large, and if Blue was there for any other reason, it would've felt homey.

The living room contained a multitude of different activities scattered around the place. There was a large fireplace on the far wall, large and ornate, no fire burning in it at the moment. The floor was a dark wood, but there was a variety of teal and black carpets around the room, specifically around the couches and chairs.

The walls were filled to the brim with tall, wooden bookshelves. On most of them, there were rows and rows of books, as to be expected. Large books with damaged spines and withering covers were located at the top, out of reach, and out of danger. On the lower shelves were magazines and books clearly deemed less important by Nightmare.

On others were rows and rows of video game cartridges, as well as music CDs and cassettes. If Blue had to guess, there were also VHS tapes and recordings of TV shows and movies, but he wasn't close enough to see the exact filmography Nightmare had.

Wherever there weren't book shelves, there were small tables with unfinished projects and board games on them. There were some whittling projects scattered about, as well as a board game with an obvious loser who wasn't willing to throw in the towel.

All of that pales in comparison to, truly, what was the star of the show. On the left side of the room was a beautiful and ornate chess table, built from a dark marble with silver accents.

The pieces were likely hand carved, no two pawns looked the same despite the similar shaping to them. One side was made from a dark metal of some kind, decorated with teal and blue gemstones, the other set being a light silver with orange and white gems.

"Pretty, isn't it?" Nightmare said as Blue stared down at the chess set.

For a moment, Blue forgot where he was, what the stakes were. He nodded, fidgeting with his scarf.

"Shall we play, then?"

"What?"

Nightmare gestured for Blue to sit on the opposing side of the chess table: the side with the silver pieces. He obliged, although his body tensing as he sits down, the bottom half of his face hidden in his scarf.

"Have you ever played chess before, Blue?"

There was some hesitation; Blue's eyes darted to the board, the beautiful chess pieces, before back up at Nightmare. "...Yes. Not recently, but I have. I know the rules."

"Oh wonderful, I was worried that I'd have to teach you. That'd be a lot less fun," Nightmare hummed as he ran his thumb across his nails. "I get to skip to why you're here, which is preferable."

"I'm here to negotiate Dream and Ink's freedom." Blue said, his teeth grinding together. He knew a diplomatic conversation was the only way to succeed. Fighting Nightmare and his gang on his own was out of the question, and he couldn't rely on stealth to free his friends.

Not when Nightmare could hear the quickening of his heartbeat.

"But that's so boring, don't you think?" Nightmare fidgeted with the rook on the far left of the chess board. "We could have an intellectual back and forth, and with you I always do adore it, but this will just be a whole lot more fun."

"I- I mean...I guess so."

"So glad we're on the same page. Now, let me tell you about the stakes of the little game we are about to play."

Fidgeting with his rook, Nightmare allowed the suspense to build for a moment. "It's simple, really. We're playing for Dream and Ink's freedom.

"You win, and you all get to go home! No fights, no stakes, you just get to leave this castle untouched." He sat back in his chair, a sly smile on his face. "We end in a draw, and you take their place. Dream and Ink will be forced out of this universe, and you stay with me."

Nightmare leaned against the table, getting as close to Blue as physics allowed him. "If I win, on the other hand, then you'll never see them again."

"What? What do you mean?" Blue's hand gripped the arms of the chair, his fingers twitching, ready to summon his sword. "You'll kill me?"

"Oh, no no no, you misunderstand. I have uses, for the both of them, you see. And they cannot fulfill those roles until I've got all of you in the palm of my hand."

"And what about me?"

"What about you?"

"They have..." Blue ground his teeth, "uses. I don't?"

"No." Nightmare answered simply, smiling at him. "You're incredibly handsome though and that alone makes me want to keep you."

A shiver of discomfort shot through Blue's spine.

"So, shall we play then? I'll let you make the first move."

"Okay."

Blue looked down at the pieces, there were only a few options for what he could choose as a first move. All of the pawns; he could start with a queen's gambit, and the two knights.

What was Nightmare expecting him to do? Do something classic? Something unexpected? Was something truly unexpected if someone was expecting that was what you're going to do?

"Take as much time as you need."

The knight on the left side of the board reached his hand and he placed it down in front of his pawns.

"Oh, I knew you would make this fun."

Each and every turn was agony. Barely any actual words were spoken, just small hums and the occasional curse word. Blue's heart was pounding the entire time, trying desperately to get into Nightmare's head, and to play unpredictable enough that Nightmare couldn't get into his.

Nightmare's poker face never changed, even as Blue would capture his pieces. Just the softest, saccharine smile on his lips.

"Checkmate."

With ringing in his ears and his heart threatening to leap right out of his chest, Blue glanced down at the board. His throat was dry and he gripped down on his thighs.

"What?" Nightmare looked genuinely shocked. His eyes widened slightly as he scanned the chess board, working through each and every possible move with the remaining pieces on the board. "...Would you look at that. It appears that you've mated me. Congratulations."

Suddenly, Blue felt like his life was on the line. Nightmare stood up, slowly walking to the other side of the board. His nails tapping against the edge of the board.

A shutter left Blue's body as Nightmare got closer, his eyes squeezing shut. He was expecting pain, a fight, something, but it never came. Instead, Nightmare placed a small, shiny key in his hands, his lips close to Blue's ear.

"This was fun. We should do it again sometime." Nightmare said softly, his hand gently caressing Blue's reddening cheeks. He paused after taking a few steps. "Go get your friends. No one will stop you."

"Wait-!" Blue staggered to his feet, clutching the key to his chest. "You were going easy on me, weren't you?"

"Was I?" Nightmare glanced back, a smirk on his face. "Come to me again some time. We'll play again, and maybe you'll know."

Blue watched as Nightmare sauntered away, heart fluttering in his chest. As terrifying as it was, knowing Dream and Ink, and his own livelihood were on the line, it was thrilling.

Thrilling. Exhilarating. No one had ever looked at him the way Nightmare had during their game. Even though Nightmare often referred to him as "mortal," Blue felt as if they were on equal footing.

Is this what Sherlock felt like when he came across foes who could keep up with him?

Nightmare's thought process was a mystery to him, and something deep within Blue's mind wanted to solve it. Nightmare had such power, such control over his magic, his abilities. Blue was almost jealous.

To know Nightmare's mind, every square inch of how his brain works, every part of Nightmare's body-

With a shake of his head, Blue turned on his heel and sprinted to the dungeon. He couldn't be thinking about Nightmare, not when Dream was his best friend.

But...perhaps...in the middle of the night, when Ink and Dream were fast asleep, he could escape to the castle, and play once more. Challenge Nightmare's wits with his own.

As his hands placed the key into the lock of the cell, he knew that he had to come back.

Shit.

[marvelwitchergilmore]

Last Minute Customer

Summary; Beau Arlen x Reader -> When you’re closing up the store for the evening, you have one final customer. 

Warning; Pure fluffy fluff, books, bookstore and snow. 

Snow had been constantly falling for the last 6 weeks. At first, it was light and melted almost as fast as it had come. But now it was 3ft high and sent everyone into a tizzy over being able to walk.

Why you hadn't moved out of Montana by now, you didn't know. You could have gone anywhere. California, maybe? New York? Perhaps Seattle.

But no. You had decided to stay in Montana, open up a small bookstore in Helena and stick with the snowy winters.

Yet, it was all worth it.

You had been stood behind the counter, having shut early due to the weather. You had been counting your stock making sure you had enough of the popular books in stock in time for the mad-christmas dash.

That was when a knock came to the door.

"Hello?"

Rushing over, you quickly unlocked the door and let the stranger inside. He was covered in snow, his fingertips were turning red and his cheeks were flushed.

"Are you okay? What are you doing out in weather like this?"

"I could ask you the same thing." He smiled. "Sorry if I scared you."

"It's okay. Are you here to buy some books?"

He nodded, dusting off the snow with your help. Only now did you notice his shape. He was broad and tall. 

"Actually, I am." He smiled. "Sorry, I should have introduced myself. Beau Arlen."

That's why he looked so familiar.

You had seen him around town every now and then, mostly making his way in and out of the coffee shop across the way, Dewell and Hoyt and some of the local stores.

"Y/N Y/L/N." you smiled back. "So, what exactly is it that you're looking for?"

"I don't know."

Your eyebrows knitted together for a moment before he pulled a piece of paper from the back of his jeans and handed it over to you.

"My daughter...she wrote me a list."

You took the list from his hands and opened it up. There was some good titles on it.

Emma, by Jane Austen.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.

Sherlock Holmes, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Dr Suess, Chronicles of Narnia.

"I think we have some of these in stock. I'll check in the back for the others."

"Thank you."

"I've still got the fire going if you want to warm yourself up." You offered, pointing over towards the two leather sofa's that sat paralle to one another beside the fire.

"Is it safe to have a fire in a bookstore?"

"The fireplace has been there since the place was first built. I only put it on in desperate conditions." You turned back with a small smile before disappearing into the back of the store to look for some of the less commonly stocked books.

Pretty much most of them you managed to find on the shelves, Beau helping.

"Whoa." You said aloud as the rolling stairs went a little further than anticipated.

"You okay?"

"Yeah."

"You want me to hold it still?"

You nodded. "If you don't mind."

You managed to reach the top of the bookshelves for the extra boxes, finally finding the last copy of A Christmas Carol.

"I'm usually banned from using this ladder." You told Beau. "Last time I was on it, I slipped from the fourth step and twisted my ankle."

Slowly, you climbed back down. Only, once you made it to the half way mark, you felt Beau's hands hold onto the back of your legs. They hovered just far enough from your skin to help you down but be close enough to catch you if you fell.

And it was a good job because just before you hit the bottom, your foot missed the step, sending you sliding down.

Thankfully, Beau took your waist into his hands and helped you safely to your feet.

"Thanks."

Beau smiled down, letting go of you once he knew you were okay. "You should probably get some safer ladders."

You smiled. "That's not the first time someone has told me that."

Beau gave you another smile and you found your words faltering in your mouth.

"Um," you stepped back and handed over the book. "Here you are. Is that everything? Not got another list in your back pocket, have you?"

Beau looked down with a soft chuckle. "No, not this time."

You rung up his order, asking if he'd like for them to be gift wrapped. "No, that's okay. Em's having me wrap them with her at home. She says I need the practice."

"It can't be that bad, surely."

Beau smiled and leaned onto the counter. "Whatever you're imagining, it's worse than that."

"Well, nothing can be worse than my parent's wrapping." You told him. "One year they just handed me a gift in a plastic bag with an upside down bow."

"What was it?"

"The gift? A vintage camera and record player." You smiled. "There up over there."

You pointed over towards the large wooden unit beside the fireplace.

"Did you take these photos?" Beau asked, looking to the postcards beside the register.

You smiled shyly. "I got bored one day and decided to go for a walk. There is a beautiful place by this canyon. There's a lake that runs just below it."

Beau studied the photo a little better. It seemed very familiar.

"Do you fish?"

"Sorry?"

You smiled, continuing to bag up the books. "I asked, do you fish? It's a good fishing spot if you ever wanted to try."

Beau clicked his fingers. "That's why I recognise it."

"Have you ever been on the hiking trail above it?" You asked.

"No, I- Uh...I haven't had the chance."

"Maybe, if you'd like, I could show you?"

Beau looked up and for a moment, he didn't know what you were asking. But the moment he did, he smiled, bowed his head to try and hide the texan blush on his cheeks, and nodded.

Finally he looked back up; "I'd like that."

"It might be a bit cold, but it's beautiful in the snow."

Beau smiled. "I'm sure it is."

"How about Saturday? If there's no big snow blizzard."

Beau nodded, paying his cash and picking up the bag of books from the counter. "Saturday it is."

Turning back around towards the door, Beau looked out to the snow.

"How long have you got left on your shift?"

You looked up to him, taping some boxes up. "Not long. Maybe about 10 minutes? Why?"

"Would you...would you like me to drive you home? With this snow and everything...I mean...what kind of Sheriff would I be if I let a citizen nearly die because of frost bite?"

You gave him a light smile and nodded. "That would be nice. Thank you."

Eventually, you closed the shop and followed him to his car. “So? How long have you been in Montana?”

“All my life,” you answered. “Mostly. I mean, I left to go to College but...I came back.”

“And the bookstore?”

You smiled as you explained the story to him on the way to your home. “It was something I always wanted to do. As a kid I had a vision board for my life - yes, I was that kid.” Beau smiled. “Anyway, I used to dream of owning my own bookstore and seeing kids like me find that place where they can go and just...be them. Pick up a book and...find another world. What about you? What made you want to be a Sheriff?”

“My dad,” Beau began. “We use to watch all these old westerns and he used to tell me all these cool stories of what he had done that day at work. About the people he helped.”

“He was your hero?”

Beau nodded and smiled. “Yeah.”

Finally, Beau pulled up outside of your home and you unbuckled your seat-belt. “I guess I’ll see you on Saturday?”

“I guess you will.” Beau smiled. 

He waited until you unlocked your door and walked inside before he pulled away. 

Maybe it was a good thing you stayed in Montana after all. 

[ichijager13]

Finally home

You finally convinced your boyfriend Oda sakunosuke to buy a house near the ocean and move in with the kids to start a new life together.

You were standing next to the step ladder on top of which he was, you looked up smiling at the tall man fixing the curtain rod. You handed him the ivory-white curtain you chose for the living room. You can’t believe you are finally done. You bought this cottage about a year ago and started renovating it step by step. With the money you both put aside it wasn’t that hard. You have done most of the work yourselves asking for professional help only for rebuilding the porch, changing plumbing and electricity. You have decided to take it slow and enjoy the process and some of his friends offered to help from time to time.

When he was finally done, he stood behind you holding you in his arms admiring the results of months and months of work.

“We’ve done it”. He breathed against your ear.

You nodded smiling, “Our house”. You whispered overwhelmed. You put your hands on top of his and embraced the sight offered to you. The red of the fireplace’s bricks, the chunky grey throw that rested on the ivory couch. Pictures of Kousuke, Katsumi, Yu, Shinji and Sakura decorated the wall next to your bookshelves. The room was spacious but that didn’t prevent it from being warm and cozy. The French windows occupying two walls bathed the place in soft light. Feeling the steady rhythm of your lover’s heartbeat you closed your eyes and let the moment imprint you.

You felt Sakunosuke’s head rest on your shoulder, you smiled and turned to face him. “Finally”. He sealed your lips kissing you softly. The sound of the waves crashing against the rock the house was built on top of, the smell of salt floating in the air and the sunlight drawing shapes and shadows on your frames. If heaven exists it must resemble this moment.

He was still kissing you when you remembered the kids haven’t visited your home yet. When you parted you turned and placed both hands around his shoulder. Faces merely close and lips reaching for each other, you let yourself melt in his embrace. When he kisses you again your heart skips a beat. No matter how many times you had him like this it will always feel like you are brought back to life each time your lips connect. “The kids will love it”. You spoke against his lips. “Especially the swing and the tree house in the backyard”. He nodded smiling as well.

“I’m glad I listened to you and purchased this cottage”. He rested his forehead against yours. “Thank you, darling. This all became possible thanks to your support”.

You buried one of your hands in his red lokes. “It became possible because of our hard work”. You emphasized the word ‘our’. “Besides, it’s you who gave me hope that both of us can have the peaceful life we have always sought. Thanks to you I know I deserve to be happy”. You hugged him tighter. “Thank you, honey”.

He shook his head, “You’re the one who saved me not the opposite”. The day you met Odasaku he was sitting at a table in the café you used to work at. He was lost in his thoughts after a brief exchange with a middle-aged man.

You placed a piece of cake on his table. “I haven’t ordered anything”. He said looking at you confused. The moment your eyes met, he felt butterflies all over his stomach and everything that surrounded him went slow.

You smiled kindly. “It’s a gift, nothing a good chocolate cake can’t fix”. Your smile was the most breathtaking thing his eyes landed on. Your smile must be one of the wonders of the world, otherwise, nothing would make sense in this dark twisted world. It was your smile that made him understand why the sun rises every day, why rainbows appear, why the sky is blue and why flowers blossom. All good things happened because in a café in the middle of some city in Japan worked a beautiful young lady with an angelic smile. “Do you mind if I join you?” you asked face blushing and eyes looking down. “My shift is about to end and I…”. you were stumbling over your words. “I thought you… you might use some company”. You looked up a shy smile adorning your features. He slowly nodded. You went to the locker room; you took off your apron and hung it. You glanced at the small mirror, you detached your hair and smoothed it. You took a place at the stranger’s table. His blue eyes were fixed on you, you don’t know why but you felt like the weight of the world was crushing the man’s shoulders. His eyes were cold and empty like there was nothing but void behind them. You wondered what kind of things someone as young as him has experienced to have such a vacant stare.

While lost in his eyes he pushed the cake into the middle of the table. “Care to share it with me?” his deep voice resonated through your soul. You accepted his offer with a smile. He told you about the book he spent the last months reading over and over. He told you about his new dream, he wants to be a novelist he said. He didn’t say what he does for a living or mention if he has a family or someone somewhere waiting for him to come back. All he spoke about was the world he wanted to write about and the stories he wanted to narrate. And you found it endearing how a stranger was telling you about his dreams and fears.

“Sorry I monopolized the conversation. I haven’t even asked what your name is”. Reaching his hand for you he spoke. “Let’s start all over again, I’m Oda Sakunosuke and I am pleased to meet you”. your hand met his at the middle of the table introducing yourself. He pronounced your name once, twice three times smiling the last time. “Such a beautiful name”. your chest felt tighter and your cheeks were burning, you darted your gaze away. You remained silent for minutes before he asked questions about you. what you like, whether you had dreams or not, family and what you do with your free time. And the conversation went on and on and on until you heard the owner clearing his throat.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation kids, but it’s late and I must close”. He spoke to Odasaku. “Make sure the young lady arrives home safe”.

“You can count on me, sir”. He answered. You wished your boss and co-worker good night and left with Oda. On the walk home, you picked up your conversation where you left it. By the time you arrived, you grew familiar with each other.

“That’s where I live”. You were shifting your weight from one foot to another wondering if he might kiss you before leaving. “I gotta go, thank you for walking me home”. You smiled; he doesn’t remember how many times you made his heart flutter smiling like this.

“Thank you for the cake and the lovely evening”. He was wondering if he should shake your hand. No that’s so awkward after all the time we spent together he scolded himself. Maybe I can give her a hug, or leave a kiss on her cheek. He didn’t know what to do. He knows he has to cease his chance but he wasn’t sure if you could cope with the life he leads. You were still standing looking up at him with soft eyes. He leaned and planted a kiss on your forehead. “Good night y/n, I hope we can meet again”. His voice was low and deep. You breathed in his scent and tried to memorize the tone of his voice. He didn’t leave until you got to your apartment. You turned one last time and waved goodbye before closing your apartment’s door.

One month later he showed up at your workplace holding a bouquet of flowers. You were in the back shop for your pause.

When the owner saw him, he smiled. “She’s eating, should I call her?” he glanced at his watch. “She will be back in minutes”.

Oda shook his head. “It’s alright I’ll wait”. You haven’t noticed him right away when you came back. You went to his table to take his order thinking he was a customer.

“Good afternoon, sir; what can I get you”. you asked smiling.

When he looked back at you your breath caught, holding a hand to your mouth you searched for your words but nothing came out.

“I would like to have a date”. He simply said handing you the flowers. “I’ll pick you up this evening if you don’t mind”. Still surprised you nodded eagerly.

After that first date came along other firsts. First embrace, first kiss, first night and love confessions. And now you were standing in the middle of your house in his arms savoring his lips.

“I love you Sakunosuke”. You whispered feeling him smiling against your neck. And sooner the smile became a kiss and the kiss became a soft bit. Regular breathing became heavier, heart rate faster and kisses slopier. His hands were everywhere, caressing, molding and kneading your soft skin. His hair became a mess thanks to your hands and the buttons of his black shirt discarded. He only detached his lips from yours to take off your blouse giving himself access to your cleavage. He freed one breast from your bra’s cup and rubbed the nub with his thumb and index causing you to gasp. Your hands were trailing up and down his large back and toned torso caressing and kissing each scar. He brought back his lips to yours and guided you to the couch. He laid on top of you after getting rid of both of your pants.

“We are finally home”. He spoke as you cupped his cheek and smiled at him. with one expert hand he unclasped your bra. He dragged his mouth from on top of yours along your neck, pausing to nibble your earlobe and earning a soft moan from your now glistening and swollen lips. Then moved to your shoulders leaving marks behind him down to your chest. He run his tongue in the valley between your breasts and then circled and tilted each nipple until they became hard. Lifting his head slightly ‘til your gazes locked he parted his lips and captured one of your nipples with his teeth.

“Sakunosuke”. You moaned when he started sucking your now sensitive nipple. The sound in the background and his mouth made the experience ethereal. With each swipe of his tongue, you felt like were dead and then brought back to life. Your cheeks were red and burning, your eyelids felt heavy and your breathing grow harder with each passing second. Surprised your back arched when two fingers slide past your wet folds. The movement caused your breasts to bounce in a way that caused him to twitch in his briefs.

“So pretty”. He breathed watching you reacting to his digits inside of you. “And so wet for me”. He curled his fingers brushing your sweet spot causing your last bit of sanity to shatter and wash away.

When you finally rode out of your euphoria you tugged at his arm. “Let’s stay here honey”. He pulled himself out of you, brought the blanket that was on the other couch and laid next to you. He shoved you closer until half of your body was on top of his after cleaning you. Chest pressed against his and one of your thighs placed between his legs, he covered your nudity with the blanket. You nuzzled his neck and closed your eyes. “When will you bring the kids to live here with us?” you inquired.

“Tomorrow morning, I wanna spend the rest of the day alone with you”.

“Let’s remain like this forever”. You asked.

“I’ll never leave your side”. He kissed your hair. “I love you”.

[helloitsdusk]

unwanteds rooms

as we already know, the rooms in the mansion do magically adjust to the people living in them. we can see this in the first book where meghan's room has clothing that matches her, the wallpaper changes color, there are instruments, etc.

taking that one step further, i think this magical adjustment continues...forever. the rooms never really stop changing to match the people in them. sure, it takes a little while, but eventually all the rooms are completely customized to the people in them. this can go from wallpaper colors all the way to room location and setup.

these rooms are closer to full on apartments, as evidenced by meghan saying that they're about the size of a necessary house in quill, which can house 4 people at once, even if it's pretty small! so these rooms have a lot of space and a lot of things in them! all of these rooms have 3 rooms automatically: a bathroom, a bedroom, and a living space where the person's blackboard is. they also always have a tube somewhere in the living space.

another thing: i think rooms move around the mansion quite a bit. why would meghan's new room be close to the front of the hallway and lani's near the end? shouldn't they all be added onto the end of the hallway? nope, because the rooms move around! this is especially true because of how the hallways work (moving from single rooms to the family hallways, genders getting removed from the hallways, etc.) and how they're set up (headcanon: the mansion has so many levels of roofs and things and staircases so some places might have higher ceilings vs some having the roof slant down below the ceiling; you know the kind of room im talking about, right?). all of this comes together and makes it so rooms are always moving around the mansion to suit the needs of the people living there!

so let's look at how different characters' rooms look. this is all headcanon, although if anything canon comes in i'll specify that.

a quick thank you to @ithinkthemooniscool as well, because they actually started doing this a long time ago and i'm surely stealing ideas from them.

meghan: we get a lot of description of meghan's room in the first book. she has a sitting area, a bedroom, and a bathroom with "pretty soaps, fluffy towels, and a bubbling waterfall bathtub." her bed is cushiony and raised up off the floor. the walls are blue/green and change with her mood and the time of day. she also has sheet music and a basket of instruments. there's not that much more to add here for headcanons; her room is very soft and cozy and the colors adapt to make her feel better.

lani: the only description we really get of lani's room is that there are several magical things awaiting her, and then she falls asleep in a big overstuffed chair. i think her room gives her bookshelves, more and more as the years go by; the trim is all painted blue around them, and there are little alcoves with beautiful wallpaper. she hangs paintings and sheet music from her friends. she lines the walls with stars, some glow in the dark ones on the ceiling, some painted in gold on the walls, some hung on strings. there are cozy places to sit and read, a fireplace, and big windows for the ultimate rainy reading day. again, the colors in the room change to match the daylight and her mood; sometimes it's bright and sunny in there, but sometimes it's dark and moody, with soft lighting.

alex: alex is interesting because he gets two different rooms: his room in the boys' hallway (which never fully disappears, even after he moves out of it) and the head mage apartment. his room in the boys' hallway is a bit cramped, and because he left it so quickly, it never fully figured out what he wanted from it. he was always avoiding clive's prying eyes, too, meaning he never spent that much time in the living space. -- the head mage apartment, since it was built specifically by and for marcus, also didn't really change to match his tastes. he has a desk and a bedroom and a bathroom, but he rarely uses the desk inside and prefers to work outside in the head mage's office. he has a balcony he can sit on, but that's about it. all in all, kind of a bland place for him, unfortunately.

samheed: samheed's room has huge windows, because he's not a big fan of the dark after his time on warbler. he has a huge closet, filled with old costumes and new clothing. there's a lot of clutter, all things considered; he really likes keeping things that others have made for him, and now that he's the theater instructor, he gets a lot of it from his students. he has a dedicated space away from the clutter, though, slightly raised like a little personal stage, so he can privately choreograph a monologue. he always has a nightlight. there's a few guitars lying around. he has a small bookshelf where he keeps scripts and sheet music and things of the sort.

sky: sky's room is very ocean-themed. whales and dolphins and squids are painted onto the walls. fake clouds cover the ceiling, adding a dreamlike quality to the entire place. there's a big lava lamp in a corner of the bedroom, that faintly glows throughout the night. she doesn't have all that much in it, really; she spends a lot of time out and about. there's a wall of rope with lights tangled into it and paintings hung from them. another wall is covered in old, weathered wood. the bathtub is shaped like a little boat. there's a faint sound of crashing waves.

kaylee: kaylee didn't stay in artimé for very long, and she didn't have much of an attachment to her room back home in america. that said, her room is a small one, with the ceiling slanting and the walls always changing color. the bathroom is the highlight of the place, with beautiful tiles and a huge bathtub. her bed is one of the ones where it's high above the ground with a desk underneath. she even makes a copy of the map of the real world and puts it on the wall down there, with a little pin in massachusetts.

aaron: aaron also didn't spend much time in his room, but we know for a fact that he covered up his mirror. his room ends up looking a lot like his home back in quill, and even mirrors the palace a bit. the windows are almost nonexistent and the walls are always dark. there are plants all over, although he has to move them out when he goes back to the island of shipwrecks. there's a little kitchen, so he can experiment with food without any judgement. there are small clay animals all over. there's a wall of vines and leaves that mirrors the jungle.

[salemsimsrender]

Blender Tutorial: Building a Scene Part 2: Creating the Room & Adding Lights

Welcome back!

Let's get started shall we!

I built out my set behind the scenes using the same process as in Part One, so for Part Two I'm staring with this:

Some things will need to be moved once there are walls, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

If you want to create the same scene, here's the objets/cc used:

Sofa, loveseat & small globe (base game)

Fireplace (vintage glamour)

Hand & hanging plant (paranormal stuff)

End table (realm of magic)

Rose vase by Natalia-Auditore

Crocus rug by Wondymoon

Step 1: Adding a Room

I'm sure there are "better" ways of doing this, or ways that'll result in thicker walls that more closely mimic real ones, but for my uses, this quick solution has worked really well without adding too much render time onto my work. So let's add in a room the simplest way possible, by adding a cube:

Adding it in gives us this mess, but it's ok! I'm going to size it up and move it around using the axes keys (x, y, and z) so we get this:

The shape and size of the room doesn't super matter for this specific render because there are no windows or built in bookshelves or anything like that, but that said - Make sure your floor is at 0 (on the grid) and the back wall is right behind the fireplace so you don't get any weird shadows when you render, like this:

Now, adding texture to this style of room can be a little tricky, but once you learn this process it's not too bad. First, we have to separate the pieces. Scroll/zoom out until you see the whole cube and select it (it'll outline in orange), then press the Tab key to go into edit mode:

Points appear at each corner of the cube, this is what we want. Select the four points that make up the ceiling using shift+click until only the top face is highlighted orange, like this:

Then press P on your keyboard to bring up the separate menu, and select "Selection," this will separate the ceiling from the cube so you can adjust its textures independently

Do the same for the bottom of the cube to separate the floor. Be sure to stay organized by renaming the pieces in your outliner! Now let's add the floor texture first, select the floor We're going to follow the same process we use to texture objects, but with an additional step. So go into the materials tab and select "new"

Like with any other object, add in an image texture node, but this time we're going to use a floor texture. You can get these from Sims 4 Studio by selecting CAS from the main screen then saving down the .png files. After adding in your nodes and switching to alpha hashed, you should have something like this:

It's a floor texture alright, but it's way too big, let's fix that. I like to adjust the sizing and rotation with vector mapping, which is way easier than it sounds! In our shader editor, we're going to add in a vector map node, like this:

Then we're also going to need a texture coordinate node, added like so:

Arrange them like this:

That will appear to have done nothing:

But that's because we need to adjust the values! I adjusted mine (as pictured below) and now I have this:

For floor textures, it's super simple because you only have to adjust the scale. For walls, it's a little more complicated, but follows the same steps. So let's add in a wall texture. I follow the same steps, and, yikes:

This is obviously not what we want, but we can adjust it with texture mapping! The most important step is to adjust the Z axis rotation by 90, so that the pattern is vertical instead of horizontal. After that it's a game of adjusting the scale value until it looks how you want it to, like this:

Look at that we have a scene! I'm going to change my floor texture to match and add in the painting I just realize I forgot to add, so now I have this: Now I have this:

Step 2: Adding Lights

Adding physical lights (like the wall sconces in my original render) works like any other object, we just need to add in a point light to actually light the space. Usually I would fight these to make them transparent so I can put the point light inside the fixture, but for this simple scene I'm content to let the point lights hover just in front of the fixtures, like this:

I accomplished this by adding in point lights (shift+a -> light -> point) and using the axis keys to move them where I want them, then I adjusted the light values like this (please note that I'm set to Cycles):

There's a long and tedious process to add real fire (which I'll cover in a separate tutorial), but because we don't actually see the fire in the fireplace, I'm going to mimic it with area lights (which will also shorten render times) Add in an area light in the same way as a point light - Shift+A -> Light -> Area:

Then it's a matter of using the axis keys to move it inside the fireplace and rotate it

I like to rotate the lights to be facing outward and down, and I do duplicate the area light and make one more orange and the other more yellow. Then I added in a point light and placed it inside the fireplace so it all looks realistic. I ended up with this arrangement, but you'll have to play with it to find what's right for you!

From the front (my camera view), it looks like this:

I learned early on in my render journey that using "realistic" room lighting isn't always possible, so I'm also going to add a point light and move it up closer to the ceiling, to mimic a chandelier or ceiling light Now we have a bit more even lighting:

From here, all you have to do is add your sims and run your render! I hope this helps! Please comment here or send me an ask/submission if you have any questions!

Render School Homework

Your homework, should you choose to accept it, is to build your own scene and run a render of it! You can include sims or not, but if you do it and post it please tag me so I can showcase it!

[stardustndreamsofsilver]

Almost

Part Eight

Jake x Reader (f)

Warnings: None

Find All Parts Here

Carefully placing a stack of wrapped plates in the cardboard box, you ease your hands out and close the flaps, taping them shut. With a huff, you blow the stray hair out of your eyes and lean on the top of the box. You take a look around the kitchen and across the counter into the living room. Boxes had been scattered everywhere. Each one labeled for the room they’re meant to go in once at the new house. Bookshelves that were overflowing with books now sit empty. Everything but this box had already been taken to the new house.

You look beside the box and grab the black marker and sprawl the word ‘Kitchen' across the top and side of the box of plates. Putting the cap back on the marker, you turn and lean against the counter. Spotting your coffee from this morning by the stove, you walk over and grab it. Taking a sip, it’s long grown cold, but it’s still caffeine. You take another sip and lean against the stove and sigh. You start to think about the weeks that had led up to this moment. 

Jake had been very eager to find a place for the two of you and had you going to open houses almost everyday. The houses were all beautiful but nothing was feeling like home. House after house you would like certain things of each one, but nothing that just spoke to both you and Jake. That is until on a rainy afternoon, Jake’s realtor Kathy gave him a call and said a house just came on the market and she thought it would be perfect for the two of you. She said if the two of you could get there in twenty minutes, you’d be the first to view it and could be the first to put in an offer if you liked it.

You and Jake practically flew off the couch and threw on some shoes, not caring that you were both in sweats and baggy shirts. Putting on your jackets, you ran out to Jake’s car and headed over the address that the realtor sent Jake.

You pulled into the driveway fifteen minutes later. Getting out of the car, you looked up at the house. It was a beautiful Queen Anne style house. The veranda stretched across the entire front of the house and off to the right, it featured an octagonal extension similar to a gazebo. Then to the left side, it had a three story tower. The brick exterior wasn’t exactly what you would have gone for, but you couldn’t discount the beauty of this house. 

Looking over at Jake, you held out your hand. He took it, and you walked up the steps and to the front door. Just before Jake could knock, the realtor opens the door with a smile.

“Hey you two! Come on in!” She says, opening the door wider and extending her arm out as a sign to come in.

You walk in first and are met with the beauty of the entryway. A large staircase is directly across from the door and to your left is what you assume is a sitting room. Without even thinking, you find yourself walking over and exploring it further. A beautiful semicircle window takes most up the outer most wall, a custom built in bench extends the width of the window. A fireplace is featured on another wall, with built in bookcases on either side. You walk around the room taking it all in. Running your hand along the fireplace mantle, you catch sight of Jake.

Jake has his hands in his pockets and is grinning as he watches you admire the room. “Hey, there’s more rooms to see babe. Let’s go take a look at the kitchen. I have a feeling you’ll love it.” He chuckles.

You nod your head and let him lead the way. Walking back through the entryway, you walk through the formal dining room and into the kitchen. The original custom cabinetry immediately takes your breath away. A large table sits in the middle of the room, to serve as additional counter space. The kitchen is quite big and has a large pantry. A beautiful gas stove grabs your attention next. It’s the exact one you’d dreamed of having. 

Turning to Jake with a huge grin, you say, “Well, that settles it. We’ll take it!”

Jake throws his head back and laughs. “We haven’t even seen the rest of the house.”

You shake your head and say, “Don’t need too, it’s perfect.”

Jake shakes his head and chuckles, “Come on, let’s just look around a little more before making a decision.”

You pretend to pout and say okay. You and Jake walk through the rest of the house. Each room is more perfect than the last. Everything about the house is exactly what the two of you wanted. There’s one last room to see before heading outside and seeing the guest house. Jake opens the door and you gasp. It’s a library. Bookcases fill each wall, only leaving space for three windows that stretch from the ceiling to the floor and an enormous fireplace. 

“Jake!” You gasp, covering your mouth.

He grins and says, “I know. It’s perfect. Our own little library. Kathy told me about it while you were exploring the sitting room down stairs.”

You turn and look at him. “Jake, you can’t deny it. This house is our house.”

“I'm not denying it. I already had her put in an offer for us.” He laughs.

“Did you really?” You ask excitedly.

“Yep, we should know in a few days if they accept it.” He smiles and walks over to you, wrapping his arms around your waist. “I have a feeling they will though.”

“I hope so.” You sigh.

Jake kisses you and says, “Come on, we still need to go see the guest house. I need to see if I can have it converted to a home studio.”

You and Jake go out and look at it. With quite a bit of remodeling, it can be turned into the home studio of Jake’s dreams. Heading back inside, you thank Kathy and the two of you leave. On the drive home, you talk about the house and all the things you love about it. Growing more and more excited and nervous. A couple days later, you got the call that your offer had been accepted and you would have the keys in hand as early as two weeks from then.

You smile and the memory. The sound of footsteps pulls you back to reality. Jake walks in and clears his throat. You look over at him and grin.

“Is that the last one?” He asks.

“Yep! That’s the last of it.” You say with a sigh.

Jake walks over and lifts the box off the counter. “Do you want to take a look around before we leave?” He asks.

“Yeah, I just want to make sure we got everything.” You say.

Jake nods his head and leans over to give you a kiss on the cheek. Turning away, he carries the box out of your old apartment and down to the car. Taking a deep breath, you dump the rest of your coffee in the sink and rinse it out. Grabbing the marker you’d been using and your purse, you take one last look around the apartment. Finding nothing else that needed to be brought with you, you walk back into the living room. 

Jake is already standing at the door waiting for you. He smiles and asks, “Did you find anything we missed?”

“Nope, we didn’t miss a thing.” You say.

“Are you ready then?” He asks.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” You say.

The two of you walk out and you turn to lock the door behind you. With the door secured, you and Jake head down stairs. Jake goes on to the car and you go to the office to drop off your keys. Once you’ve left the keys at the front desk, you go to meet Jake at the car. Getting in, you get settled and buckle your seatbelt. 

Jake turns to you and asks, “All ready to go?”

You smile from ear to ear and say, “Yep. Let’s go!”

Jake grins and starts the car. Pulling out of the parking lot, he heads to your new home. Reaching over the middle console, he takes your hand.

“I love you.” He says, bringing your hand to his lips.

“I love you too.” You reply.

It doesn’t take long before you’re pulling into the driveway. Turning off the car, you and Jake sit there for a moment. 

“Welcome home.” Jake says softy.

“Welcome home love.”

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