#but also next time I’m adding corn!!

[james-p-sullivan]

completely obsessed with this bowl of instant ramen i made a couple nights ago

[iammattswife]

20 year olds playing with kids toys (Matt’s daughter joins)

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DadMatt DadMatt DadMatt !!!

I haven't written in so fucking long please excuse how terrible this is.

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Also I named the daughter Kiara cus I like the name and wanna name my kid that, was literally so close to naming his wife after me.

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“This is the Fairy-Corn Princess Surprise, I didn’t think we needed this. This was one of the last things we grabbed but Matt thought we needed it because it has over 35 princess surprises inside” Nick states as he puts the egg-shaped toy down on the counter, prepared to start opening up their first toy.

“Well, I also thought Kiara would like it- she’s been obsessed with fairies recently, figured why not get it for the video then give it to her”

As they’re opening the egg, commenting on the unicorn inside Matt notices something on the instructions paper, excitedly, he gasps. “You can wear the wings!” he exclaims

“Okay hold on this is important- How do you get the wings off!?”

“This is about to get real. Hold on I’m getting Kiara”

“Sweetheart!” Matt can be heard in the background of the camera, calling out for his daughter as he’s walking towards the living room where his 3-year-old daughter is sitting on the carpet having a tea party with her mom, Ella (her soft, adorable, stuffed bear) and Ivy (the family’s cat).

“Hey cutie I have something for you” Kiara jolted up, excitedly, her dad always had the best gifts. She jumped up into his arms, him catching her with ease, used to her liking to be held. She had her legs wrapped around his waist and her face in his neck as he softly rubbed her back with his right hand, holding her up with his left.

He turned around going back to the kitchen but before getting in front of the camera he softly asked, “Are you okay with being in the video baby?” she nodded, excited for what her dad had for her. “You sure? I need words, princess, if you don’t want to be in it, I can show you after we’re done. There’s no pressure I want you to be comfortable”

“I’m sure daddy” she nodded her head to him. “I’m always comfortable with you” she added, making his heart melt and his smile widen, his eyes gleaming with content. “I’m glad baby, want nothing more but for you to be happy and comfortable” he says, kissing her head as he walks towards the counter where his brothers are waiting for him.

Usually, Matt and his brothers would film their Wednesday video earlier in the morning so Kiara would be in preschool at the time. However, she recently fell victim to the flu which resulted in her parents keeping her home for a few days. It was now getting later in the night and Kiara had gotten out of the bathtub a few hours ago, While she was getting dressed in her favourite pyjama set- long sleeve pink top with “princess” written on it with a cute sparkly crown and pants with the same design on the right leg, she had made both her mama and dada promise to have a sleepover in her room that night- as she always does when she’s sick.

Matt was not going to break that promise. So, although it was late, and an hour past the girls' bedtime, they let her stay awake until they finished filming.

“Hey pretty girl” Chris says to Kiara looking at her in Matt’s arms as he sits back down next to him, putting Kiara on his lap. “FAIRY WINGS!” Kiara exclaims, her eyes widening as she looks on the counter quickly snatching them as if a robber was going to come for them.

“Jesus Christ girl no one’s stealing them from you” Nick states as Matt laughs at his daughter’s excitement and possessiveness over the wings.

“You want me to put them on you?”

“Yes! Please I want to be a princess fairy” She quickly replies, dragging out the words. “Alright come on”

Matt grabs her from her hips and sets her up on the counter, her fuzzy socks keeping her warm from the cold. She turns around facing her dad ready for him to put the wings on her, so she could be a real princess fairy, with real fairy wings.

“Arms up” Matt tells her as he sees his wife leaning on the entry to the kitchen, watching her favourite people in amusement.

Kiara quickly puts her arms up causing her shirt to slide up with her- “you’re getting taller baby we need to get you big girl pyjamas” Matt says as he puts her shirt back down knowing the weirdos that are on the internet.

He’s careful with his words, most people would say “bigger” but he did not want his daughter to overthink his wording, even if she was only an innocent 3-year-old unaware of society’s criticism on “bigger” people.

“No I like these want to wear em’ foever’ and ever” she replies, absolutely shocked by the idea of getting rid of her super special perfect princess pyjamas

“We could get you similar ones baby just a size up since you’re growing up- you’ve had those for over a year baby you’re getting older” Matt says as he ties the string of the fairy wings around his daughter's chest, already planning the new pyjamas he’s going to get her.

“I don’t think it’s supposed to tie behind her, isn’t it?”

“Nick it’s wings dude”

“Yeah dude”

They all chuckle at Kiara’s agreement with her uncle Chris.

Matt ties a bow with the strings. “Is that good? Not too tight right?”  He asks not wanting the pressure tied around her to hurt his baby girl.

Kiara grabs the stuffed unicorn from the counter hugging it tightly around her chest as she jumps back onto her dad's lap. “Wait Kia here” her mama says handing her the tiara and wand, going to stand behind Matt with her arms on his shoulders “Thankyou mommy, now I’m a true princess fairy” she gleams happily.

“Wait who did we get?” Matt says looking over the paper that came with the toy as he leans back into his wife while another arm is wrapped around his daughter, making sure she doesn’t fall off his lap. 

“That’s Ruby”

“That’s clearly Ruby, Matt”

“Is it Ruby?” he says as he looks at the unicorn in his daughter's grip.

“Oh then they want you to collect them all so it’s a scam”

“There’s more? I want them all! Can I have more please?” Kiara asks hopefully giving her dad those eyes that he can never say no to. “I don’t think we can get them all sweetheart, there's too many but we can get another one next time we go to Target” Matt’s wife replies before he manages to, knowing he would’ve said yes and bought her thousands of dollars’ worth of these toys if she didn’t step in.

-

As the boys look over the next toy Kiara plays around with Ivy in the kitchen, getting bored from the lack of princess toys and wings. She can still hear her dad and uncles talking and looking over toys, when another toy comes up and her dad says, “Oh you got to turn her on” they all erupt in laughter.

She looks up, confused about what’s so funny about turning on a toy so you can play with it. “I meant like on the bottom dude, the actual power button- you guys are sick” Matt says as the laughter calms down, Kiara, confused, asks her dad “What other way would you turn her on?”

“Oh sweetie I think your dad knows plenty of ways to turn a woman on especially your mum” Chris gets slapped in the back of his head. “Don’t say that Chris” Matt says in shock, not wanting to explain to his daughter what they’re talking about. “Why?” Kiara asks, still confused.

“See Kiara when two people love each other very much” Chris starts only to be stopped by Matt once again. “Like my mommy and daddy?” she questions, Chris is unable to answer as Matt’s hands are over his mouth, blocking out his words.

“Exactly like your mommy and daddy”

“Nick!” Matt exclaims in shock.

“I’m confused” Kiara states looking at them annoyed.

“Don’t worry about it baby, Uncle Chris and Uncle Nick are being stupid as usual, ignore them” Matt replies hoping she’ll let it go.

“Do you turn mommy on?” She wonders trying to get to the bottom of this. Loud laughter erupts from the girls’ uncles. “Uhm- well you know when me and mommy kiss?” Matt says to her, trying to get around it without having to lie or keep something from his daughter, after all, it’s a normal thing. As she nods, he continues “Well- It has to do with that, okay? It’s only done when two people are in love and married” Matt is obviously aware that two people do not have to be in love or married to kiss or "turn eachother on" but he didnt want his baby knowing that.

“Oh okay” Kiara replies, pleased with the answer of knowing more about love.

She’s always loved love, especially when it has to do with her parents, she loves knowing they are in love, she loves watching them kiss, laugh and hold each other. She believes she got lucky to have parents so in love.

“Pretend this is my second kid, okay? You guys are uncles again and Kiara has a sibling” Matt says as he starts feeding the toy lamb its bottle.

He starts having déjà vu of when Kiara still drank out of the bottle, he misses those times but is so happy to see her grow up.

He starts to picture himself feeding their second kid, knowing the “pretend” would soon be real as the married couple found out the night before that they’re 6 weeks pregnant and expecting their second. He was so excited and couldn’t wait to start telling people he was going to have another baby, especially couldn’t wait to tell Kiara she was getting a baby sister- or brother, but he secretly wished it would be another girl.

-

As Matt is playing around with the Barbie doll he and his brothers opened he feels a tug on his pant leg, he looks down and sees his daughter who previously left to go potty back in the kitchen, he notices she has taken off her tiara and tried to tie her hair up, she always had issues with turning the hair tie, but she’s trying hard to learn to do her hair and he’s proud of that. “Yeah baby?” He asked her as he looked down at her as his brothers continued to play with the doll.

“Can you put my hair up please” she mumbles, getting tired.

“Yeah, baby of course” He lifts her, setting her down on his lap

“What do you want sweetie? Ponytail?” He asks her as he starts gently leading her curly hair back and grabbing it all together, untying some strands that got stuck on her fairy wings.

“Can you do a braid please”

“Yep” He replies, gently stroking his hand over her head as he kisses the back of her head, starting to separate the hair pieces for the braid.

He can notice she’s getting tired, it’s well past her bedtime now but what worries him is when he hears a sniffle “Are you okay sweetheart?” he asks in worry that she’s crying as he finishes up the braid. She wipes her nose with her long sleeve “Yeah daddy, just have to blow my nose” Matt sighs in relief, knowing she’s not upset just sick.

He grabs a hair tie from his wrist where he always keeps extras in case she or his wife needs one.

He ties the end of her hair, makeing sure to keep the braid secure.

He grabs a small packet of tissues that he stored in his pants in case she needed to blow, knowing how annoying a runny nose could be, he opens one up for her and holds it in front of her nose as she blows on it, he scrunches it up and puts it away on the counter to throw away later.

Matt continues with the video keeping Kiara snuggled up on his lap as she too starts to play with the Barbie dolls.

-

Kiara is now softly held in her mom’s arms as she walks back into the kitchen, “Hey you guys almost done? She doesn’t want to sleep without you there Matt”

He looks up, eyes gleaming as he sees his two favourite girls walk in the room “Yeah we’re practically done just have to do the outro” Nick replies as Matt leans closer to his girls, pretending to knock on both of their heads with the toy hammer, making both of them giggle.

“Daddy is like Bob the builder with the belt” Kiara states, laughing at her dad.

“Oh yeah?” Matt replies, starting to tickle her which causes her to laugh and her mom to giggle at them.

Matt grabs her out of her mama's arms and tightly hugs her close to him, grabbing his wife’s hand and pulling her into the hug as well.

“Family hug” he exclaims giggly, as he kisses his daughter's head, then his wife, and pretends to kiss his wife's belly knowing he can’t do that without striking suspicion.

“Also, just in case you guys are wondering we’re not throwing all of this away, my mom’s going to donate it to some little kids she knows” Nick tells the camera.

“Kids in need” Matt adds.

“Except unicorn and wings” Kiara chimes in.

They all laugh at her eagerness for the unicorn and its wings, “Except for the unicorn and its wings, Kiara wants to keep them” Nick adds to his previous statement.

“I want to keep everything, but I can share” The girl adds.

“So kids will have fun with these toys” Nick starts to continue talking directly to the camera but Kiara interrupts.

“Can we give the kids my old toys too? And the ones I don’t play with? I think some of them would like my toys”

“I think some kids will love your toys sweetie” Her mom adds, proud of her daughter for wanting to donate,

“Yeah Kia that’s great”

“That’s so sweet of you Kiara I’m sure they’ll appreciate it”

Matt gleams brightly at his daughter “I’m glad you want to donate Kiara that’s really good” He says proudly

“You’re so sweet and kind” he kisses her cheek.

“Sweetest girl in the world” her mama continues, kissing her other cheek.

Matt leans closer to his wife, pressing a kiss on her lips.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah baby?"

"Did that turn mommy on?" She asks referring to their previous conversation.

Lond laughter erupts from all of the boys.

"What!?" Matt's wife exclaims confused as they all continue laughing

-

“Okay, we’ll see you guys next Friday!”

“Bye!” Kiara says as she continues to drag out the word, waving goodbye to the camera.

-

Comments:

Fan1: OMG KIARA!!! MISSED SEEING HER IN VIDEOS

Fan2: came for the triplets, stayed for kiara

Fan3: MATTS SUCH A GOOD DAD?? AND HE KNOWS HOW TO BRAID???

Fan4: the way he holds her and is so gentle with her 😭😭😭 wish i had a dad

Fan5: the facr that he made sure zhe was okay being on camera is so so cute and adorable and hot and sexy

^iammattswife: so real for that comment

Fan6: Need more kiara content please

Fan7: THE TURNING HER ON JOKES LMAOSOO

Fan8: Kiara is so sweet u can tell shes being raised right

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Tags: @cindylcuwho @keerahsturn

[vodika-vibes]

Yes! An autumn no neccesary Halloween thement event. I knew you are my favorite because something!!!

Also congrats for the new milestone 🥳

May I ask, Fox, Corn Maze, Angst/Smut?

My Heart

Summary: Fox works a lot, he knows this, and he’s grateful that his cyar’ika is willing to go out of her way to spend time with him even if it’s at inconvenient times for her. Still, even when he’s with her, he can’t help but wonder how long he’ll be able to keep her.

Pairing: Commander Fox x F!Reader

Word Count: 975

Warnings: Smut, some angst

Prompt: Corn Maze

A/N: Sorry that this took so long, it's been half-written for well over a week, but I couldn't make it flow like I wanted. I hope you like it!

Click HERE to be added to my taglist

“How did you manage to pull this off?” Fox asks as his cyare pulls her speeder into the parking lot of the corn maze that she’s been raving about for weeks. “I thought they closed at 8 for safety reasons.”

“They do,” she grins at him, “I paid extra to let us wander the maze after hours. The owner gave me a map since no one else is going to be here."

“That was nice of them,” Fox murmurs, a small smile crossing his face as he sees her excitement.

“Wasn’t it?” She pushes the door open and tosses a bright grin at him, “I even brought snacks and flashlights!” She eagerly brandishes both.

His smile widens at her enthusiasm, “Well then, let’s get started.”

She shoves her snacks and water back into her bag, and then climbs out of the speeder and circles the vehicle to his side. Immediately she wraps her arms around his and she lays her head against his shoulder, a happy hum escaping her.

With his free hand, Fox reaches out and brushes a strand of hair out of her face. His heart aches when she turns her head to kiss the palm of his hand.

She loves him so much. It’s obvious in every look, every word, every touch. She looks at him like he’s the center of her galaxy, and it makes his heart ache.

He loves her just as much. More so, even.

But Fox has always been a realist. Eventually, he’s going to lose her.

Why would a human ball of sunshine ever settle for someone like him, after all?

“Fox?” He’s pulled from his grim thoughts by her voice. Her head is tilted slightly as she scans his face, “Everything alright?”

He smiles at her, “Perfect. How could I not be, I’m here with you.”

Her blinding grin returns and Fox can’t keep himself from leaning in and kissing her. He doesn’t want to stop himself from kissing her. 

When he breaks the kiss, her smile is dreamy, “If you keep kissing me like that we’re never going to get to the maze,” She warns.

Fox laughs softly, “Well then, I’d better keep my hands to myself.”

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” She hooks her arm with his and tugs him towards the entrance of the corn maze. She takes the first and second left turns and then she grins at him, “And now we’re in the maze.”

In truth, it wouldn’t be hard for Fox to find the exit. But she’s smiling at him so brightly, and she looks so excited, so Fox decides right then and there that he’ll let her take the lead.

45 minutes later, when they end up at another dead end, Fox kind of regrets that. But only a little bit. “Let’s take a little break here,” He says thoughtfully as he glances at a pile of hay bales that can be used as benches.

He guides her to sit on one of the bales, and then he sits next to her. Fox laughs slightly when her head immediately drops to his shoulder and she presses herself closer to his side.

“Clingy,” Even as he says that, though, he wraps his arm around her and tugs her closer.

“I like being close to you. You’re my favorite person.”

Fox melts and lightly tugs her so that she’s straddling his lap, “Your favorite person, huh?”

She wraps her arms around his neck and runs her fingers through his short curls, the look on her face so soft, so adoring, that Fox’s chest aches. “You didn’t know?”

He pulls her into a kiss, slow and deep, and she sighs as she presses closer to him. Fox doesn’t hesitate to slip his fingers under her sweatshirt and glide them up so he’s able to lazily caress her breasts, “No bra today, cyare?”

“I’m wearing a sweatshirt,” She points out, her forehead falling against his as he pinches her nipples.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you planned this.” One of his hands slides down her side to the waist of her leggings.

“I’m not half that clever.” She admits, “Just lazy.”

Fox chuckles and catches her lips with his, “I’ll take it.” He pats her hip, “I’m taking these off,” He adds as he lightly tugs on her leggings, “Stand up.”

She does as he asks and, swiftly, Fox strips her of her leggings and he releases a quiet laugh when he sees that she didn’t bother with panties either. To her credit, she doesn’t look embarrassed, just amused.

“I didn’t plan this,” She defends herself with a scrunch of her nose.

“No?” Fox slides his hands up her thighs as he tries to decide how he wants her. Ideally, he’d be over her, so he can watch her face as he fucks her, but hay will be very uncomfortable against her soft skin—

“Nope. I should have known that you did,” Her voice is teasing, even as her breath hitches as his fingers glide across her pussy. 

“Do you want me to stop?” Fox counters, his thumb finding her clit with ease and adding some pressure.

“N-no. I didn’t say that—”

He flashes a small grin at her and decides that he wants her to ride him. It’s not his preference, but he’ll at least be able to see her face. So Fox tugs her so she’s straddling him again, and his clever cyare clearly knows where his thoughts are, because she swiftly unfastens his pants and tugs his half-hard cock free.

He loves her. He loves her and he’ll always love her. She knows him better than anyone. It’ll kill him to lose her.

But, for now, she’s all his, so he puts everything else to the side as she slides down his cock with a soft moan.

@n0vqni

@bad4amficideas

@justiceandwar98

@tiredbi-peach

@dukeoftheblackstar

@trixie2023

@kimiheartblade

@padawancat97

@falconfeather23435

@etod

@bb8-99

@continous-mistakes

@yoitsjay

@cc--2224

@adriennelenoir

@cdblake1565

@sweater-sloot

@heidnspeak

@wax-birds

[photmath]

New Mate | Dominik Szoboszlai

Pairing: Dominik Szoboszlai x Female Reader

Summary: In which Dominik joins the reader's friend group and the two spark up a connection even though the reader doesn't want to acknowledge it.

Word Count: 7.7k

Warnings: brief drunk Dom, halloween party, kiss, corn field

Note: I just love friend groups and this fic goes through them doing friendship fc stuff but mainly fluff with Dom and reader. Sorry, it is fairly PG. It's a bit long because this will probably be the only fic I write within the next few weeks/months. I also really really love Halloween.

“This is Dominik,” Trent introduces Dominik to the group. Trent, dressed in his dark red training outfit stands next to Dominik, who’s brown, disheveled hair drips from the raindrops despite having an umbrella sticking out of his backpack.

Jude smirks, holding out his hand for Dominik to shake. Dominik makes a show of wiping his hand across his grey sweats before greeting Jude.

“He’s the one who’s suspended from training for a week,” Trent says.

Jude’s jaw drops, “Mate! You didn’t have to tell him that.”

“Well he heard all about this ‘Jude’ person today in training and was confused on why you weren’t there.”

Dominik chuckles at the guys, before turning towards you, Reina, and Marie. His eyes dance around the three of you and then settle with a shy smile as he holds eye contact with you.

“Y/N, Reina, and Marie, in that order,” Trent says.

The three of you shake hands with him and then he sits down in the empty seat next to you, a bashful smile on his face as he listens to Trent and Jude bicker.

You turn towards Reina, who eyes him suspiciously, and say, “I bet he doesn’t last four weeks.”

Reina smirks, “How much?”

“A twenty.”

“Ohh, that confident?,” she joked.

“C’mon, when has someone new ever lasted that long with us? They always end up leaving.”

It was true, the group was formed when you all were nearly ten years old. You had known Trent after beating him in a race at school. You had met Reina the same year, finding out that you were neighbors shortly afterward. As for Jude and Marie, you met them while playing pick-up footy a year later. Five was already a crowd, let alone adding another, but individually you all were close. There would be days where you would only hang out with Jude, or Trent, or Marie alone or some combination of whoever could make it. You all studied together as well, took some classes together, and as of recently, moved in together.

Moving in together was something different. You had already lived with the girls but allowing Trent and Jude to move in was them metaphorically signing a lengthy pact that they would be good roommates—and because they begged on their knees for a week.

Reina leans in closer to you, “I’ll take the bet. Something about him tells me he’s here to stay. I don’t think Trent would have told us to be extra nice to him and introduce us to him so fast if not.”

You nod in agreement, the situations were different this time.

You glance down at your phone for the time, “Oof, I’ll see you guys later, I have to head to class.”

“You have class right now?” Dominik inquires, glancing up at you as you stand.

Nodding, you put on your rain jacket, “Yeah, it starts in about twenty minutes or so.”

“Oh I have class too, here let’s just walk together,” Dominik suggests and stands up.

Reina lets out a snort while Marie waves at the two of you. Jude and Trent bid their goodbyes as you wait for Dominik to sling his backpack over his shoulder. Walking out of the library and through the elevators is quiet, but comfortable nonetheless.

“I still don’t know my way around campus if I’m being honest,” Dominik chuckles.

“Do you know the name building? Maybe I can help,” you offer, deciding to listen to Reina’s pestering voice in your head.

“If you could just point me in the general direction,” he says nervously. “It’s called ‘Glass Hall.’”

“Oh that’s where I’m going.”

Perfect.

“Really?” Dominik excites. He places his hand on his chest and lets out an exhale, “That makes me feel a lot better actually.”

As the two of you near the library doors, he holds them open and then slips his umbrella out and opens it up. He tucks it between the two of you so you stay fairly close to him even though you have a rain jacket with a hoodie on. He’s already gone through the trouble.

“Didn’t think you knew how to work your umbrella after seeing you come in wet.”

He laughs loudly in your ear, “I was in a rush meeting Trent and thought I’d be okay just running a little bit, but no.”

You laugh with him, bumping into his shoulder every so often but neither of you make the motion to step aside. As you make your way around campus to Glass Hall, Dominik looks around, his head seemingly constant on a swivel as he takes in his new surroundings.

His eyes catch yours, a shy smile riddling his face, “I’m trying to remember. The boys only showed me the way to the fields and the main part of campus behind us.”

“You’ll get it down quickly, don’t worry. It’s like one of those things that once you know, you don’t have to think about it ever again.”

He nods, “Fast learner, hmm.”

Once you reach Glass Hall, Dominik folds his umbrella and shakes it. His eyes scrunch up at the building, “Thought there’d be more glass.”

You stifle a laugh, “No, definitely not. ‘Glass’ just happened to be their last name.”

He shakes his head with a smile, holding the door for you again, “Thank you for helping me get here.”

“Of course, I have to go use the restroom now, but the room numbers are pretty easy to find. Just follow the signs, we’re on the second floor right now.”

He nods, “Got it.”

Somehow, someway, you don’t expect Dominik to find the classroom after you. You took your time in the restroom, knowing you had some minutes to spare, so once you scouted the room and didn’t see Dominik—not that you were expecting him to be in the class—you thought you were fine. However, the moment you glance up at the double doors, he makes eye contact with you and you feel your cheeks raise in heat. He eyes the empty seat next you and immediately makes his way to it.

A childish chuckle erupts from him as he plops down, “I walked in circles.”

You fight off any annoyance you had towards him. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to get to know him, it was more so that you had yet to know him at all. You knew exactly how Jude or Trent were in the classroom, knew that you couldn’t sit next to Reina or else you would talk to her throughout the lecture, but there was nothing for Dominik.

You furrow your brows, “Did you get lost?”

“No, it just was too early to come in, the class from before was still in here.”

You nod, “Maybe I should’ve asked what room number you were in.”

He laughs, “It’s okay. It would’ve been a surprise either way.”

Somehow, class goes smoothly without much interruption. Dominik pays attention to the lecture, jots down his notes in a journal and steals any glance towards you that he can get.

“Do you want to grab coffee?” he asks on his way out of the class.

“No it’s okay, I think I’m going to head back to the house, I’m not sure yet.”

He nods, “Ah, well it was nice meeting you.”

“You too, Dominik.”

----

Four weeks later, he was still sending you bashful smiles and trying to get you to crack. You engaged in conversation and his jokes, but he sensed that you still had some kind of wall up. Your responses were never too personal or sometimes downright vague. He would still ask if you wanted to grab coffee or lunch before meeting up with the group after class but you respectfully declined each time. On the other hand, Dominik cringed at the amount of times you had rejected him in the past weeks. Especially when you showed up to the library with coffee in your hand alongside Trent just after saying you needed to save money.

The class you shared with Dominik met for two days out of the week and each day the two of you would walk together to the library or you would split off somewhere else. The group would already be there in the study room, their classes either finished or were going to start in the next hour.

But it being the fourth week of class also meant that the group was due for doing something fun to take off the stress of studying and being in the house together. It was Dominik’s first time out with the group where you all were finally going somewhere other than a restaurant.

Now, squished beside Dominik in the backseat of Reina’s car, you had to let whatever metaphorical wall you had down because half of your ass was planted against his thigh.

“Oh fuck off!” Jude curses loudly, swiping his arm towards Marie who sat in the passenger.

“Hit me one more time, Jude,” Marie turns around and threatens. You can feel Dominik’s thigh tense underneath you at her outburst. The two of them argued before but Marie was never this upset.

“What?” Jude taunted, “what are you going to do?”

Marie reaches over and grabs a piece of Jude’s skin, twisting it within her pinch. Jude squirms onto Trent, Trent then pushing him onto your side that you fall more onto Dominik. Your head bumps against his, while your hand reaches for his other thigh so that you don’t slam into the door.

“Alright, both of you, chill the fuck out,” you tap Marie’s hand off of Jude’s calf while he groans. He folds his arms across his chest. His elbow stabs into your side that you have to lean more onto Dominik, who’s been quiet the entire time.

“This is why we don’t go bowling,” Reina mutters.

“I’m taller than all of you yet I’m in the back,” Jude huffs.

“Shut the fuck up, Jude,” you and Marie say in unison. He rolls his eyes, grumbling underneath his breath.

Once you all arrive at the bowling alley, you trickle out of the car, taking Dominik’s hand as he holds it out for you.

“Thank you,” you say warmly and he nods, closing the door behind you. Marie comes around from the passenger seat and gives Jude a side-hug, Jude’s annoyance doesn’t waver and you chuckle.

“Is he going to be upset the entire time?” Dominik whispers.

You shake your head, “I promise by the time we walk through those doors he’ll be smiling.”

Dominik raises his eyebrows, amused with your confidence, “Yeah?”

You hold out your pinky, “They’re fine.”

He takes it, promising the meaningless bet. His face squirms from the sunlight beaming down onto him, “Good, Marie is terrifying.”

Upon entrance, Dominik holds the door for everyone and like clockwork, Jude and Trent laugh loudly at something Marie says. You give Dominik a wink, him smiling brightly from the back of the group.

The six of you divide into two groups, you teaming up with the girls while the boys team up. Throughout the night, Dominik seems to always be at arm's length near you, always standing or sitting beside you between turns.

Of course he played as if there was real money on the line, easily getting strikes and spares. Even when Marie tried to distract him on the line, he got the spare like it was nothing. Trent was the one who usually was good at bowling amongst the group, but he was a solid ten points behind Dominik now.

That also meant that the girls were losing terribly.

“He’s too good,” Trent shakes his head as Dominik hits another strike. The ball curled right into the center pin at the last second, knocking them all down immediately.

You blew out a raspberry, impressed, looking back at Trent, “How does it feel to get knocked down from the one thing you're good at?”

He laughs, “Shush.”

Dominik comes back and sits down in the seat next to you, letting out a small sigh. Trent’s facial expression is still wide with shock. Jude, up next, immediately sends the ball into the gutter, cursing loudly.

You snort, “That kid.”

“How has he only hit 15 pins this entire game?” Dominik laughs.

“Look look,” Trent leans over and points at Jude getting ready to take his second chance. He rolls the ball and it seems promising, until it takes a roll to the right and goes down the gutter—again.

The three of you burst into laughter, Jude’s huffing and puffing only exacerbating the laughs. You don’t realize your hand had wrapped around Dominik’s bicep to support your laugh until you let go. He doesn’t seem to be phased by it at all though.

“I’m done, I’m done,” Jude complains, sitting down. Reina gets up for her turn, ignoring Jude’s antics.

“Jude do you want to pick the restaurant then?” you suggest. Jude looks up at you from across the table and nods, taking out his phone and searching for places nearby. You almost felt bad that Jude was a sore loser, but he was good at other things and loved to boast about them, so emphasis on the almost.

With the girls losing by nearly 100 points as the final score, you shake hands with the boys, giving Jude a sympathetic hug.

“You are such a loser,” you whisper.

“We beat you though.”

“You got the least of points.”

“It’s a team sport, I just let the lads down.”

“God you are so dramatic,” you laugh and he breaks out of character, laughing with you. Midlaugh, you catch Dominik’s eye on the both of you, a faint smile on his lips as he stares.

“Good game, Jude.”

“You too.”

Jude ends up sitting in the passenger seat on the way to the restaurant because he ‘has to give Reina the instructions’ to the restaurant. Marie is on one side of you while you are still squished against Dominik. His arm is spread out around the seats. Trent is pressed against the window so you couldn’t complain much.

Jude characteristically picks a crowded restaurant that has a short wait time but you slither between the line to go use the restroom. The girls don’t come along, insisting you were good to go alone, but quickly realize you’d regret it fast.

“Hey,” the guy waiting next to the men’s restroom says. He’s a lot older, jet black hair with wide blue eyes. His rustic brown leather jacket reeks of sweat and grass.

“Hi.”

“How’s it going?”

“Um, good.”

“You’re really beautiful, you know?”

You purse your lips, “Thanks.” Whoever was inside the single girl’s restroom needed to hurry up.

“What’s your name?”

You give him a fake name, fighting the urge to roll your eyes. There’s a moment of silence before the men’s door opens, instead of him going inside, he stays still. Even though there’s music and the clatter of a busy restaurant in the background, it’s lethally quiet in the hallway. The second the man grabs his phone, a thumping feeling evades your stomach. You swallow hard, hands beginning to pool with sweat as you imagine trying to defend yourself.

“Oh, hey!” There’s a chirpy voice coming towards you, Dominik. You can’t help but to gulp as you look up at him, although his smile doesn’t waver. He wraps his hands around your head, pulling you into his chest, “I’ve missed you, babe.” He says it loudly for the guy to hear and you don’t hesitate wrapping your arms around him, realizing what he was doing.

The women’s restroom door opens and she walks out, the guy still not moving. After a couple of seconds, the guy finally leaves and Dominik pulls away.

“Are you okay?” His hands are reluctant to let go, scanning your face it seems for every and any expression.

“How did you know?”

“I was watching you.” He says it as if it was a casual fact, as if it wasn’t a big deal. You were used to the boys being protective but this felt different, none of them had noticed this time except Dominik. “Do you still need to use the restroom?”

“Yeah,” you let go of him and he nods.

“I’ll be right here.”

“Thank you, Dom.”

He nods, “No problem, édesem.”

Your cheeks burn as you close the restroom door, certainly not understanding his last word or even recognizing its spelling so you can’t search it up. You’d have to ask him later on what it meant, but for now you were going to ignore the creepy guy and enjoy your time with the group.

The rest of the dining goes without a problem for you and the group, you sitting next to Trent while Dominik sits across from you. The table is so small that you can feel Dominik’s knees bump into you from time to time but you pay no attention to it. He would send you small smiles throughout dinner, asking you what you were gonna get, and engage in conversation.

He was kind, much different than any other guy you had been introduced to by the boys or met in class. After the small debacle with the guy by the restroom, you realized just how far Dominik was willing to go to care for the group—or how far he had already gone. At one point, you had walked into the study room and he was shirtless as Trent and Marie used him to practice placing electrodes around his chest. Or when he stayed with Jude until the night to help him with his math homework. During the dinner nights that Dominik would join, he would help clean the kitchen afterward without having to be told, immediately helping whoever was cleaning.

“There’s a pumpkin patch!” Marie exclaims from the backseat as you all make your way back to the house. “You have to stop Reina, look, it's still open!”

“A corn maze,” Jude hums, “you know I’ve always seen those in the movies but I’ve never been.”

“It’s quite dark,” Trent murmurs.

“Makes it all better,” Dominik chimes. His low voice is right next to your ear and it sends goosebumps down your spine because you don’t expect to hear him at all. “Corn mazes in the dark—oof. Perfect.”

“See, Dom, that is some death wish type of stuff,” Reina shakes her head.

“You don’t like scary things?”

“No!” Reina pulls over anyway, intrigued with the twinkling orange lights. The area was still well-lit with people lingering around despite the night sky in full effect.

“Do you like scary movies?” Dominik whispers, tapping your shoulder.

You face towards him, your response at the tip of your tongue but it halts at his eyes. They’re set on your lips, a small smile plastered on his face as he looks up at you. He leans his head against the space between the window and headrest, that small smile turning smug.

“N-No,” you admit, cheeks going hot under his gaze. You slowly turn your head towards the front, trying to shake off his stare but to no avail.

Arriving at the pumpkin patch, you and the girls immediately head towards the pumpkins, searching through the smaller ones for the perfect one. You watch as some younger kids knock on a couple of them and then place them to their ears. Dominik chuckles, doing the same and sending one of them a goofy smile as he catches her stare.

“It sounds perfect.”

“How do you know?”

He shrugs, “I trust myself.”

“Ohh,” you gawk while he raises his eyebrows up as he bluffs. You laugh, pushing against his arm, glancing at the girls who had two smaller pumpkins at their sides. You keep on walking around the sections of the pumpkins, scanning them and holding them, before finally settling on one. As you search for the group, you notice Dominik is the only one waiting for you some steps away.

He nods to the start of the corn maze, “Come on.”

“They all went into it?”

“Yeah, it’s not long, I think.”

“Not long if you don’t get lost,” you grumble. It looked a little spooky, especially with the glow of the lights dimming the further you stepped into it. The soothing incandescent lights were replaced with fewer fluorescent ones.

Dominik smirks, adjusting the grip on his pumpkin, “It’s not scary. Little kids are going into it.”

“They also jump off playgrounds without caring.”

He chuckles, pushing you gently along.

“I can just wait out here.”

“Come on, édesem, then you never have to do anything.”

You hug the pumpkin a little tighter and step further into the maze. The leaves of the corn slap alongside your body as you and Dominik make your way through it, so far there were no scary pop ups.

“So bowling?” you say, trying to get rid of the eerie quietness. “How did you get so good at it?”

Dominik holds up some leaves so you can get through it, “We played it a lot at my old school. Me and my teammates. We had bowling lanes at our school too, and it was small, so they were always empty.”

“Oh so you’ve had a lot of practice?” you were shivering, trying to hold onto this pumpkin without making it obvious that the growing darkness was making you a little more scared. The corn crops were nearly Dominik’s height, and so looking up at the sky seemed so vastful when you only had a sliver of space to do so.

He chuckles, “I have. We competed a lot and I don’t like losing.” You laugh, it’s so strained that he sends you a look, “You okay?”

“It’s just a little scary.”

“There are signs! It would’ve been scary if we had none and we got lost in here,” he jabbered.

“We still can,” you turn towards the sign beside you just to make sure that you were going in the right direction. “They’re hanging by a piece of tape, what if it falls off? Or a kid rips them off—Dom?” Dominik’s presence beside you had suddenly disappeared. You hadn’t even felt him walk away or heard him squeeze into the crops. His body heat had still ghosted the skin of your arm.

“Okay, Dom, very funny,” you groan, spinning around in place. You knew he couldn’t have gone far. “I’m scared, you got me, now come out.”

Seconds in silence went by, and what seemed to scare you more was knowing that Dominik could see you but you couldn’t see him. The thought of other people lurking in the crops being able to do the same crept across you that you shuddered.

“Seriously Dominik,” you mumbled. “I’m getting scared okay, it’s not funny.”

You let out a groan of frustration, rubbing your temples with one hand. The light starting to flicker didn’t help, you looked up at it immediately.

Great.

“Dom—”

As you turned towards the path, you smashed into Dominik’s chest, recognizing his skull and bones necklace before you shut your eyes closed. You shriek and let go of the pumpkin in the process, him catching it midfall. His laugh fills your ears but you can feel your heart damn near beating out of your chest. You hadn’t heard yourself scream that scared in so long that you hit his arm.

“Jesus!”

“Okay, I won’t do that again.”

“You are such an ass!” you say through shielded eyes. His hand is resting against your back as he pushes you into the direction of the exit. Your heartbeat doesn’t calm down until you both stumble out, finally getting rid of the weight of the fear across your back.

Dominik still wears an arrogant smug as the two of you head towards the paying booth for the pumpkins. You pull out your wallet, glancing at your last twenty, “Oh darn, I was going to use that last twenty for Reina.” You shrug, taking it out.

“I can pay for them,” Dominik suggests.

“No it’s okay.”

“We can call it even, me scaring you in the corn maze and I pay for your pumpkin,” he says. “Really, it’s fine.”

“Okay,” you concede, slipping the twenty back into your wallet. As the two of you stand next in line, you search for the rest of the group, seeing only Jude, Marie, and Reina in a section. Trent had to be somewhere close by but you weren’t worried, just glad that they weren’t lost in the corn maze.

Dominik turns towards you after he’s done paying, “What were you giving Reina money for?”

“Oh, this dumb bet,” you chuckle, “I lost.”

“Yeah?” he muses. “What was it?”

You bite onto your lip, seeing his lopsided smile and glowing eyes. The tip of his nose had a barely-there red tinge to it from the cold. His hair combed over and gelled in a neat manner and his beard trimmed. He looked content. Content with walking around with you and being in the group over all.

Realizing he had been waiting for an answer, you let out a cough, “Reina and I bet you wouldn’t last four weeks with us.”

He laughs, “Why is that?”

“Because no one ever does, I guess they get intimidated because we are all so close to each other that they feel like they don’t belong.”

He nods, already knowing much of the friends’ history, “I can understand that. And you lost?” He stops in his tracks, his eyebrows furrowing as his smile slowly fades, “If you lost that means—that would mean you had to bet that I wasn’t going to last? Right? Because it’s been nearly a month.”

“Yeah, and you are still here standing strong—”

“But you didn’t think I’d be here.”

“Well, yeah because—”

“Wait wait wait, when exactly was this bet made?”

Dominik’s demeanor seems reluctant to hear the answer to the question that he already knows. Obviously it was early on, four weeks ago to be exact.

You bite onto your cheek, “The first day we met.”

His face scrunches as if he’s been let down—because in a way he has. He shifts his pumpkin to the other side of his hip, running his fingers through his hair not caring that he messed it up.

“So this whole time, it’s why you’ve been so superficial, why only you in the group have been so—just not wanting to hang out with me. Almost avoiding me. Rejecting anything I offer and being hesitant to say yes. You’ve been trying to push me out this entire time for a twenty?”

“No, Dom,” you say the moment he stops. You swallow the lump in your throat, not realizing what you had been doing that the entire time. Disgusted with the way he’s grossly misunderstood the situation, you try to reason with him. “That’s not what happened. It was a dumb bet, meaningless. It didn’t mean anything. You’ve fit into this group like you’ve known us our whole life.”

He shakes his head, licking his lips as he lets out a shaky sigh, “I fit in with everyone except you. You’ve always given me a hard time.”

“By not accepting coffee?”

“By not giving me anything. Everything I know about you is from either watching you or what the group tells me. I ask you where you work and you’re like: ‘Oh, it’s nearby.’ You never give me anything to grasp,” he pinches his fingers together. “I had to ask Trent when your birthday was because you said: ‘Not near.’ What was I supposed to do with that?” The laugh he lets out is almost bitter, absolutely gobsmacked with all the cues that he missed, only realizing them now. “If you didn’t like me, you could’ve just said that. I wouldn’t have taken offense.”

“Dom, that’s not true. I do like you, you’re a great guy and have been nothing but nice to my friends and I.”

“Where do you work then?”

“On campus, I’m a tutor.”

His eyes are riddled with hurt and skepticism. So skeptical that it tugs at your heartstrings because you know he doesn’t believe you. His tongue makes a noise against his teeth as he pulls out his wallet. He pulls out cash, “Here’s the twenty for Reina.” He doesn’t wait for you to grab it, shoves it into your hand so you have to hold it or else it'll fall onto the grass.

“Dominik.”

He shakes his head, “I thought I had finally found a group of friends besides my teammates, Y/N. Maybe the reason no one gets close to you all is because you’re betting against them to lose the entire time.”

The gnawing feeling from your chest travels to your throat, causing you to let out a cough. The feeling of betraying him made you feel so bad, like you had committed a crime. Hell, you might as well have after looking at the realization dawn onto him. His eyes were far from the tender and shy ones you met on the first day.

The car ride back to his apartment was quiet on your side. Dominik doesn’t say a word or laugh the entire time, and once you get to his place, he murmurs his goodbye’s to the group and goes inside.

----

“I thought Dominik was coming?” Jude says to Trent as he enters the kitchen. It had been two weeks since the pumpkin patch and Dominik hadn’t shown up to the library at all. He was either skipping class or found a new seat because he wasn’t sitting next to you either. However, he made it to training and his games without a problem so he was still around somewhere.

Trent shrugs, “He said he was taking care of his roommate. Roommate is hungover.”

Jude cringed, “Ouch.”

Reina bumps into your shoulder on the couch, “Have you got your outfit for tomorrow?” Tomorrow was Dominik’s Halloween party, even though you felt like shit, you had to go in order to talk to him. Hopefully your presence wouldn’t ruin the mood. Dominik had invited the group very early on, knowing that it would just be his teammates and their partners that would be there.

“Of course,” you smile. “Finally got Barbie’s pink hat yesterday.”

“Good!” Reina exclaims.

The two of you talk some more, the boys and Marie joining in on the couch to watch a movie. Even though Dominik had been with you and the group for such a short time, his missing presence was more noticeable the longer he was away. The spot on the couch that everyone designated for him, hadn’t been touched or occupied since his last visit. It started to get sad staring at it being empty.

----

Dominik’s party seemed to be a lot more boisterous than what you were expecting. The players were loudly singing along to the music in the background, their costumes coming undone throughout the night as they partied. The party wasn’t at Dominik’s apartment because having a party in his apartment would’ve most likely gotten shut down immediately. Instead, it was at one of his teammate’s with Dominik’s car parked out in the front.

Dominik dressed up as a cowboy with a brown felt hat and brown boots. Dark jeans with a large belt buckle, white and gray long sleeve shirt that stopped at his forearms. His hair wasn’t gelled as it peaked out of the hat; he looked handsome in his well-thought outfit. He was talking to his friend when you all walked in, his eyes meeting yours and skimming your outfit. Despite him letting his eyes linger on yours, he never smiled or waved. You had to look away eventually, grimacing, waiting until the group went up to greet him. That was the only time you were able to mumble out a greeting as he bent down to give you a hug.

It wasn’t until an hour in that you went upstairs to go use the restroom and found Dominik in the hallway waiting for you. He pointed to a bedroom and let you walk in first.

“Hey,” he says. The lamp next to the door casts a shadow on his eyelashes that makes his eyes look blown and vulnerable.

“Hey,” you purse your lips. “Are you sure we can be in here?”

“It’s Harvey’s room, we told him to lock his doors,” Dominik’s arms are crossed behind him near the door knob but you can hear the small sound of the door locking before he releases his hands.

Dominik’s eyes still hold a dubious flicker in them as he looks at you, waiting for you to say something. He leans against Harvey’s desk.

“Dominik, I'm sorry about all of that. Firstly, it was only me. The group had nothing to do with the bet, they didn’t know about it at all except Reina but she was on your side the entire time. I was just,” you let out a small sigh, “the longer we stayed in contact, I started to realize that you were probably going to last more than a month and that you were a great guy. I didn’t want to be wrong, that me getting close to you was for no reason. I have nothing to hide, really, I’m just not used to opening up to people that much because I’ve known them my entire life. There is nothing to open up with them.”

Dominik nods, shuffling his hands alongside his belt buckle and pockets. His eyes don’t leave yours. The light makes them appear softer, and you can’t tell if he believes you or not because of it.

“I’m sorry for hurting you. It was selfish, very selfish. I should’ve thought about how that would’ve affected you if you were to find out before taking on the bet.”

“It’s okay, I—um—I believe you,” he says. “It just made me really confused because the boys, Jude and Trent, they talk about you a lot when you’re not around, and it was like the things they said weren’t adding up to the version I was with. But then I would see you interact with the others and it was like, that is you. I like who you are when you’re with the group, and I know it will take some time for you to see me as part of one of you guys because of the history, but I really wish you did. It shows sometimes, but…not a lot.”

You almost want to cry at his words, you have to blink rapidly to chase away the tears because they were near. Dominik simpers and you have to fan yourself, “I promised I wouldn’t cry in this makeup that Reina took forever putting on me.” Dominik only laughs as you turn away from him, it being the only way you can stop whatever is happening. “I do see you a part of the group, which is weird to say because I’ve never seen someone else like that, but you not eating dinner with us yesterday like you usually do on Friday’s, really made me miss you.”

Dominik steps forward with a smile the moment the first tear falls.

“Stop laughing, I feel like shit!”

His hat bumps into your’s that he takes both of them off and places them onto Harvey’s bed, “You should, well not anymore because I forgive you. I missed the group and you.”

He gently wipes away the tear that you missed and dries it onto his jeans, not caring if the makeup will potentially stain his jeans or not. “I’m so sorry, Dom.”

“Shh, it’s okay. I know I said I wanted to see the real you but your crying hurts my heart a little,” he says, his accent growing stronger with each word. “The tears keep coming, gah.”

You laugh throughout the tears because he’s being very sweet and gentle with you, even though you shouldn’t be the one receiving the consoling. It should be him that’s more upset but he doesn’t have a hint of anger in him at all. He’s been more focused on you even before you started crying, he was all eyes on you even when you weren’t looking at him.

“Barbie did have a crying scene, you know, so this is fitting.”

Dominik’s face contorts up with confusion, his hand resting on your shoulder as he thinks.

“You didn’t watch Barbie?”

“No.”

“You monster!”

He cheeses, “You aren’t crying anymore.” He throws a fist bump.

“No, because I can’t believe you didn’t watch that movie.”

“Maybe we can watch it together,” he suggests.

“We will,” you say without hesitation. Wiping away the last tears with force, he stifles a chuckle. His messy hat hair and cheeky smile, it made your cheeks warm up.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

You nod, “Are you?”

“Of course,” he wraps his arms around your shoulders and pulls you into a hug. He kisses your forehead and then tucks his head further down into you. He was a great hugger, making you sigh in content as you held onto his strong back.

Once you release, he grabs the hats and places his on top of your head. You’re too engrossed with the way his eyes seem delicate but focused to do such a simple task that you don’t notice the brown brim until he puts on your pink one.

“Hey!”

“We look good,” he says, pointing to the mirror that’s focused behind you. You turn around, his eyes beaming into yours once you find him. “I really like your outfit, the pink, it’s nice.”

“I like yours too,” you say as you turn back towards him. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows down, his lips parting slightly.

“What do you like about it?” He tilts up the brim of your—his—hat up so that he could see your eyes.

Caught off guard with the question, you glance down at his outfit, feeling his gaze follow your downcast. “I like the belt buckle, and the boots.” You let out a nervous laugh, it stopping immediately once his finger finds your chin, picking your head up to look up at him. You can’t make out the glint of his eyes but it’s intoxicating, drawing you in.

“Édesem,” he repeats. His finger trails to the side of your neck, resting it alongside there while his thumb ghostly traces against your jaw.

The nickname snaps you out of your daze, grounding you to your surroundings, “I still have no idea what that means.” Even though you were still, the urge to pull him closer was strong. It was intoxicating! Luring you in as if you had no morals. His lips and eyes were all you stared at.

His teeth break out through his smile, “It’s Hungarian.”

“I assumed,” you said, your hands finding his hips. Your touch seems to catch him off guard, his mouth eliciting a small gasp as you pinch the material of his shirt between your fingertips.

“Sweetheart, it means sweetheart.”

You can’t help but to break out in a smile, “This whole time you’ve been calling me ‘sweetheart,’ I bet you got a kick from that, hmm? Me not knowing?”

He laughs, throwing his head back, “I’m trying to kiss you right now and you’re ruining it.”

“Then kiss me goddammit,” you urge, gripping onto the sides of his shirts. He chuckles, tilting your head up a little more before kissing you. It’s soft at first, but then his belt buckle hits you near your stomach and you scowl. You block his bulging belt buckle with one hand and he groans, feeling the added pressure down his pants. He laughs within the kiss, pulling away and kissing your cheek before releasing you. Your hands remain tight on his shirt, and he sends you a mischievous glance.

“I told Harvey we were just going to talk.”

“We’re talking,” you say.

He raises his eyebrows, “You’re trouble, édesem.”

“No way,” you let go of his shirt, brushing off the wrinkles and sending him a wink. He shakes his head, bending down to kiss you one last time before unlocking the door and getting out before anything else can happen.

----

“Someone has to take Dominik’s car home, preferably with Dom,” Trent says, holding a drunk Dominik underneath his arm. Dominik clearly hadn’t thought through how his car would get out of here. It would be towed before morning if they didn’t move it, and they were the only lingering ones left from the party, “I’m not all that sober and it’s manual.”

“Like any of us know how to drive manual!” Reina groans. But you did know, having learned how to drive manual some time ago.

“I can do it.”

“Yeah?” Trent raises his eyebrows.

You nod, “Yeah, I got him.” You open Dominik’s car door and help him get inside.

“Just take him to the house,” Trent suggests and you nod, knowing damn well you weren’t about to drive all the way to Dominik’s apartment.

Both of your hats are underneath your arm as you get into the car. Dominik’s holding his head, trying to soothe the impounding headache that’s about to come.

You look towards him after putting the hats in the backseat, “Seatbelt?”

“The car is spinning,” he spurs your name, groaning. You reach up to grab the seatbelt across from him and buckle it for him. He dramatically looks up at you, “You smell good.”

“Thank you, Dom,” you roll your eyes. You adjust the seat and drive to the house. Dominik is fairly quiet for the ride, closing his eyes and nodding off. Trent and the rest of the group should arrive shortly after you.

Dominik leans onto you as the two of you enter the house, him immediately going to the toilet and throwing up, “God I haven’t been this drunk in years. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright, you can go to sleep here.”

“Can I shower?” The buttons of his shirt are undone, his chest peeking out from underneath. Sweat brimmed around his hairline, making a few pieces stick to his face.

You nod, “Yeah you can. I can find a set of Trent’s clothes for you, I think you both are the same size.”

As you enter the hallway, you can hear the clatter of the rest of them entering from downstairs. You get a set of clothes from Trent and take them up to Dominik, who’s mindlessly staring around in your bedroom.

“You creep,” you mumble.

That goofy smile he wears, you wanted to smack his face for being so handsome even when he was drunk.

“Thank you,” he murmurs, kissing your cheek and then going into your restroom and showering. You take that time to change out of your outfit and grab an extra blanket and pillow for Dominik to use on the couch.

Once he finishes showering, he steps out of the restroom, the shirt slinged over shoulder while he towels off his wet hair. It’s a battle keeping your eyes leveled with his, especially when his teasing smile only adds more flame to the fire.

“You have a nice room,” he says.

“Thanks,” you smile. He sits down on the bed and the moment he starts to lean down you shake your head, “No, no, you are not sleeping on my bed.”

He chuckles, “I’m just laying, resting my head!”

“Dominik, if you sleep—”

“I won’t.” He glances at the wall of pictures you have with the group, he fixes the one that’s crooked, before looking back at you, “I can’t wait to be up there.”

“I have my camera if you want to,” you point to the polaroid sitting on the bottom of your nightstand.

His curious eyes follow you and then look up towards you, “Yeah? I don’t have a shirt on.” His arms suddenly cover up his chest as if he were getting cold.

“We can take one tomorrow or another time if—”

He shakes his head, “It’s alright. Go for it.”

You point the camera in his direction, him cheesing widely and then you hand the photo to him as he waits for it to develop. You take that moment to freshen up in the restroom. You couldn’t have taken more than ten minutes, but that’s enough time for Dominik to have slumped over and fallen asleep. Low, rhythmic snores come out of his nose while his legs hang off the side of the bed. The polaroid is pinched tight between his fingertips.

You groan, accepting that he would be sleeping on your bed. Swinging his legs onto the bed is enough to make him stir but not wake up. Once you get situated on the other end, you turn off the lights and he flips over, his words are a slurred mess as he says: “I missed you, édesem.”

The next morning, Dominik wakes up before you. He looks at you confused, double checking that the rest of his clothes were on and then lets out a loud sigh, waking you up.

“Sorry,” he says meekly, “I got scared.”

“Of what?”

“That we—”

“Ugh,” you groan, throwing a smaller pillow at his shoulder. He laughs, and then immediately clutches his head as he falls back down onto the pillow. “There’s some medicine on the nightstand and water.”

It was still too early for you to wake up, especially with the way the rain pattered against the window. Your room was freezing but not underneath the blankets. You flipped over and faced the wall, closing your eyes while you listened to Dominik stir around. He got up and went to go use the restroom, coming back wearing a gray hoodie of yours.

“It fits,” he cheeses. A small smile creeps onto your lips, he looked so happy. A little goofy with his ruffled hair but handsome. You turn over as Dominik slips back underneath the covers. “Can I?”

You nod and he pulls you closer to him, letting his legs tangle with yours. He kisses your cheek and neck slowly, feeling you squirm underneath him with each ghost of a kiss. The palms of his hands sneak underneath the hem of your shirt and rest on your lower back. They’re so cold but they’re a nice contrast against your searing skin. He lets out a small hum as he closes his eyes, sleeping with you.

----

Note: eheheheh that man is so hot, love him and trent

[imagining-in-the-margins]

CM Meet Cute (or not) Challenge 📚☕️

The following are prompts including a Meet Cute/Ugly scenario (any first-time-meeting)! Reader or OC, Gen/Platonic, AND Character/Character fics are allowed!

This event is over (Masterlist of Fics here), but you are welcome to use any of these prompts. If you would like to be added to the existing Masterlist of entries, please check out the Rules below!

☕️ Generic Prompts 📚

Character gets locked out and their neighbor picks the lock for them.

Characters get the same coffee order. They both reach for it at the same time.

Characters get paired up at the work event icebreaker.

Characters both duck for cover under the same tiny storefront when it starts pouring.

Character is knocked into a stranger’s lap on the bus.

Characters are both stood up at the same date spot.

Character sits next to a stranger in the theater, but the two end up bonding when there’s a technical glitch.

On Character’s first day at the new job, they get stuck on the elevator with their new coworker.

Character breaks their heel/slips on the way into their new job. Their new coworker manages to catch them.

Character accidentally dumps their coffee on someone in a very dramatic fashion.

Character accidentally causes someone to slip and fall. They try to help them up, but they both fall down.

Characters are sat together on a long train ride.

Characters are on rival teams at a work event.

Characters reach for the same book at the library.

Character sits next to someone at an academic conference. They get way too excited about a topic that’s taboo/uncouth to normal people.

Character accidentally messages the wrong number. A stranger answers.

Character offers unsolicited fashion advice to a stranger in the dressing room.

Characters wear matching masks at a masquerade party.

It isn’t a meet cute at all. They know each other already but they don’t notice for an embarrassingly long time.

Character realized they left a piece of clothing in the laundromat but when they return, someone’s already started a load. The pair wait for it to finish together.

Character accidentally bumps into someone’s car in a parking lot. They are very upset… until they realize how cute the other one is.

Anything else you can think of!

🍄 Autumn Prompts 🍁

Character gets lost in a corn maze… meant for children. They begrudgingly ask a total stranger, for help.

Character fight over a perfect pumpkin at the patch and explain why each of them needs it.

Characters show up in an accidental couples’ costume.

Character tries to scare their friend, but ends up spooking a complete stranger.

Character steps on a stranger’s shoe… and realizes they are dressed like Cinderella.

Character accidentally gets hurt in a spooky attraction and a scare actor breaks character to help.

Character gets scared in a haunted tour and jumps in the arms of someone they think is their friend—but it’s not.

Character thinks someone is in a costume and tries to guess what it is. They’re not in a costume.

🫣 Dialogue Prompts 😅

“Hey, sorry, can I give you my number?” “What?” “Oh, not like that—I lost my phone.”

“My kid thinks you’re a real princess. Would you mind taking a photo with them?”

“I think we accidentally swapped orders. By the way, what the hell is in this?”

“Hey, would you mind talking to me so this creep will leave me alone?”

“Is it possible to actually die from embarrassment?”

“I definitely would have remembered meeting you.”

“Watch where you’re going!” “… You ran into me?!”

“That diamond is fake.” “So is the engagement.”

“You aren’t some crazy serial killer, right?”

“Do you believe in fate?”

“This is way too cliche.”

Rules 📚

The fic can be a Reader insert, an Original Character, a character/character ship, a platonic ship, or a Gen fic. It can feature any Criminal Minds character. AUs are more than welcome.

Tag me in the fic, or send the link to me in a Direct Message. It can be already written, or you can write it for the challenge - I’m collecting both! You can also tag it “#mentioningmargins” which is a tag I track.

The fic can be any genre, but ONLY send me smut if your bio states you are 18+. I DO NOT WANT smut written by minors. Ever. At all. I will check. Platonic ships and pure, fluffy fics are 100% allowed.

Please include Content Warnings and a one-sentence Summary of the fic in your post.

Have fun!

Happy Writing!

[ghostheartfelt]

*:･｡☆ warnings: attempts at sexual assault/rape, gore and violence, blood and mentions of broken bones, undertones of domestic violence/relationship, descriptions of drowning. if i missed any let me know!

〔☆〕 desc: reader sort of gets jumped in an alleyway after work and it leads to her first encounter/interaction with venom! also, you guys are in a relationship with an asshole, but you’ll get rescued from that as well eventually <3 sorry! with fluff and love comes angst and brutality.

☆ .. next part | prev part

—✩ RUSH HOUR P. ii ✩—

word count — 2.2k

a/n: hi! i hope you guys enjoy this next part where we sort of get more in depth with the reader’s situation n such. i’m considering adding a tag list once this gets more popular:) but i also just want to get together and make a better layout 😭</3 anyways—requests for one shots and short series are open!

Six o’clock; you were burnt out and more than ready to go home.

All your belongings were together and you waved your boss, Richie, goodbye as you walked out the doors of the café.

You had some time to stop at Mrs. Chen’s for an ice cream and teabags - you adored the idea of slipping into a warm bath with candles surrounding you as you sipped hot tea.

Normally, you would’ve drove home, but you had your car in the shop for repairs and you couldn’t pick it up at the moment.

Not that you didn’t enjoy walking; but waking up an hour earlier than you’re used to was something that bothered you since you still had to do your makeup and pack your lunch, then leave at least forty-five minutes earlier than you would with your car just to assure you’ll make it in time for your shift.

You adjusted your bag on your shoulder and walked across the street - you could easily take a shortcut through a nearby alleyway.

It didn’t sound too safe to you, but your ankles were killing you and the nearest bus stop was still under construction from being totaled during the last run-in with that black monster with the bright white eyes.

You were at home watching the chase occur on T.V, your hair messy from barely just waking up as you stuffed your face with Corn Flakes.

It was incredible; the monster had picked up two parked cars—while riding on top of a city bus—like they were nothing, and threw them at six men riding motorcycles, shooting out tendrils from it’s body to climb buildings and fling itself from one to another at incredible speed.

Four of the men were hit by one of the cars, two of them coming into collision with the bus stop along with the car.

Never have you seen something along the lines.

You paused in your steps as you made it halfway through the agonizing tunnel, an uncomfortable feeling causing the hairs on the nape of your neck to rise.

For a few moments, your eyes scanned the area, then you took a few more steps forward before you quickened your pace.

Something or someone was on your trail and you just hoped they would eventually go away - you didn’t have a lot of money to spare.

It felt as if the alleyway walls were closing on you, your heartbeat pounding in your ears as your breath grew rapidly, feeling like tidal waves in your throat.

You felt your arm clutch your handbag as the back of your shirt was yanked, digging into the skin of your neck, tears stung in your eyes and you let out a croak.

A hand met your throat, leaning your head back aggressively as another searched the pocket of your dirty slack pants.

“What d’ya have to offer me, sweet thing?” a groggy and disgusting voice purred against the shell of your ear, breathing into it deeply.

A coin or two rolled out of your pants, causing you to flinch.

“Let me go,” you hissed, squeezing back tears from waterfalling down your cheeks.

“I could take you on right here right now,” he chuckled, gripping your waist over your shirt, you instinctively raised on your tippy toes as panic drew from your body.

“Don’t you goddamn touch me,”

His hand lowered to rub at your lower abdomen, ghosting your belly button.

“Stop!” you squealed and wiggled in his arms as he dug his uncut fingernails into your hips; it stung and definitely would cause bruising, which was something you didn’t know you’d be able to explain to your boyfriend.

You flung your head back and he stumbled backwards, so you took your chance to flee; his hand gripped your hair and you immediately reacted by letting out a painful cry.

“Let go, let go,” you pleaded, gasping as he tugged harder. You kicked your legs.

Your face slammed to the floor after you landed on your ankle and you screamed right then and there - a harrowing pain shot down to your ankle.

Tears streamed down your face as he pulled you by that same ankle, you choked out a tortured moan and turned on your back to thrash at anything that tried to get near you.

As you suddenly felt his grip release your body, you curled into a ball and wailed into your knees, your left eye throbbed as bruising slowly formed under your meek skin.

You flinched as you heard the male scream, causing your entire figure to tremble, your lip was swollen from biting down on it.

Sounds of squelching, muscles tearing and wet bones popping - you flinched against the floor as you felt a rich liquid splatter against your face. You felt you might vomit.

A sickening crunch caused you to let out a sharp whimper; then again, again, again…

Just when you thought it was over, a dismembered arm fell beside you, facing you, and you let out a croaked shriek, immediately jerking your body away, watching a black…arm? Sweep it up, the same gory sounds filling your ears once again.

Slowly, you adjusted to the sound; limp against the floor, scared that any move you made would cause you to be pinned to the floor with a searing sharpness plunged through your chest.

You halted your breathing as you were slowly lifted from the floor.

“MORSEL,” a cavernous voice that sounded like the darkness itself purred close to your ear. “WE WILL NOT HURT YOU.”

You felt something snake around your injured ankle, securing it in place so it wouldn’t dangle.

Everything felt hazy; head pounding, ankle burning and swelling, your heart booming with fear.

It didn’t take long for you to pass out in your rescuers arms - large, huge, muscled arms.

…

When you awoke, you were hooked up to an IV bag dressed in a thin blue hospital gown with the room spinning in your vision.

“Hello?” you croaked as you wriggled, immediately gaining a smack of pain in the back of your head.

“You’re awake,” a woman’s soothing voice caught your attention. “Don’t try to move so much, you suffered a concussion.”

“Where am I—how long have I been asleep?” Finally, you found her face - a young nurse with thick brunette locks cradling her face. She’s holding a tray of food; chocolate pudding, salisbury steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, and thickly sliced carrots, topped off with a grape sugar-free juice box.

“The hospital, dear - about three days,” she placed the tray on your lap, which you took with both hands. “It’s Tuesday.”

“I have work tomorrow, I can’t stay, I need to go,” you try to sit yourself up further, though she pressed a hand on your shoulder and pushed you down gently.

“We will have you checked out this evening - can you tell me why you’re here?”

Your eyes locked with hers, then at the tan tray.

“I don’t remember,”

“That’s alright, do you remember the man that brought you in?”

A man? You didn’t remember a man taking you in; however, you vividly remembered the one who had hurt you.

“Is he here?”

She shook her head, then grabbed a styrofoam cup, you grabbed it from her as she held it out and took a large sip.

It drowned your dry gullet in the cold liquid and it felt heavenly - never have you ever had such difficulty swallowing.

She took it back from you after you closed your eyes, leaning back in the adjustable bed.

“The doctor is going to come in for a small little check-in to make sure you haven't suffered from any amnesia - there’s a small button on the right side of your bed you can press if anything is needed, okay?” She removed her gloves and threw them in the trash bin, pulling out a second pair.

“Thank you,” you hum.

“You should be free to go if there are not any more issues; but, please try to eat,” she left the room after giving you a pleading smile, her eyebrows pinched together worryingly.

You didn’t have an appetite for someone who hasn't eaten in three days, but you took a small nibble out of the salisbury steak in pity.

Immediate regret coursed through you as you spat it out in a napkin.

Hospital food was definitely something you didn’t feel like eating for the first time in that small span.

Perhaps some Thai food, or some simple fruit. A thick ribeye.

You gasped.

Your boyfriend; he must be confused as to why you haven’t been home the past few days.

Even if it was a nice escape from him, you knew you wouldn’t hear the end of it when you got back. Where was your phone? Your belongings?

You had your credit card in your purse. Panic swarmed through your chest at full speed.

Two nurses rushed in at the sound of your heart monitor screaming from the adrenaline racing through you, causing your muscles to tense up.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” one nurse slid to your side and held your wrist reassuringly, the other stood back by the door in case she was to be ordered to request more assistance.

“My things, where—“ you breathed in heavily, then breathed out in an attempt to soothe yourself.

“Your bag is on the floor under the bed, everything was retrieved and nothing was stolen; the man who brought you in made sure of that.”

That was enough for you to relax, your breathing slowed which allowed the nurse to step away and for you to lean back.

“Phone, please,” you gave the ravenette a tiresome smile.

She bent down and grabbed it from your bag, then set it on the bed on top of your lap.

“Thank you, I’m sorry,” you glanced over at the other nurse.

“It’s our job, sweetheart,” she began walking towards the door, following her out the door.

You picked your phone up and scrolled through your missed calls, a whopping number sixteen above your significant other’s name.

It rang twice before he answered.

“Where the hell have you been? Where are you?” his voice was angry, pure rage in his voice.

“Vince—“ you blurted.

“No, don’t fucking say my name—I want you home, now.”

“I’m at the hospital, Vincent, I have to wait to be dismissed—“ you frowned.

“Hospital—what?” he scoffed. “Three fucking days?”

No concern was found in his voice, leaving you baffled.

“You’re shitting me,” he hung up the phone, which you somewhat considered a relief.

Your eyes narrowed as a man entered the room with a clipboard in his hand, his eyes dragging to yours with nothing but kindness. He calls your name in confirmation, you nod.

“Okay, so there are no other complications regarding your health or physical condition. You just are recovering from a minor concussion and a sprained ankle which we���ve treated with R.I.C.E. It’s now in a brace, and I’ve collected your prescription.” He pauses a moment, handing the orange bottle out to you, which you grab.

“One half of the pill in the morning, the other before bed. It will help reduce pain and swelling, however, making sure to also keep your ankle elevated above your heart as much as possible is crucial to your recovery. Any questions?” The doctor says everything in the simplest manner, allowing you to understand the circumstances.

“I have to return to work tomorrow, do you know if that would be okay?” You purse your lips. He lets out a small hum.

“It’s a possibility, but if you plan to be maneuvering around a lot, we prefer you stay home with the certification of injury. If not possible though, stay on crutches to avoid pressure on your ankle.” His lips curl into a polite smile, which you return.

“Will do, doc. Thank you.” You say gently as you lift your body up slightly.

One nurse comes in and detaches the sling holding your ankle up, setting your leg down with care. Another comes in with a wheelchair, and he stops it at the left side of your bed.

Carefully, you’re hoisted up by the arms of the nurses, and settled down onto the wheelchair.

You’re pushed outside of your room and down the hallway until your sat in front of the reception desk grabbing a clipboard.

Pinned to it, a “patient feedback form” and a pen clasped under the clip.

It doesn’t take you very long to fill it out, and once you do, you hand it back to the nurse at the handling desk, who offers you a small thank you before she picks the phone back up to answer calls.

You’re guided towards the exit, the doors automatically sliding open as you pass the weapon detectors.

Outside, Vincent’s Ford Bronco sits waiting for you. Somehow you can’t find comfort in seeing the side of his face through the passenger seat window.

You feel as if you were bracing yourself for the worst as you watch his eyes lock with yours.

You feel as if you were at the bottom of an open lake feeling water pressure against your esophagus and every ounce of air stored left in you disintegrate as you hear his truck door slam.

You feel as if there were pins and needles below you on an open platform as he walks towards you, hands in the pocket of his tattered old green flannel.

You feel a dry thickness in the back of your throat as his hands grip the hand rests of your wheelchair and push you towards his slate blue car.

[oldiesstationlover11607]

okok i may have gotten ahead of myself with the christmas themed ask LMAO even tho you totally killed it and may or may not have put me into a holly jolly mood- ITS OCTOBER I NEED TO SLOW DOWN (slowtown reference?)

in honor of spooky season, may i request tyler x reader on tour during october, where reader totally goes crazy with the spooky decorations?

stickers, fake spiders and spiderwebs, fairy lights, and other decorations allll over the tour bus, backstage, tyler's instruments, etc.

maybe a bit of that tiktok trend of people covering their partners car and face with cutesey stickers lol!!

imagine tyler appearing on stage in Serious Clancy mode with cute halloween stickers all over his face, arms, and mic 😭🥹

trust, this will not be the last halloween themed ask i conjure up this month 😌

i look forward to seeing this come to life!!

hope all is well 🫶🏼

🕸🕸🕸🕸

Haunted Bus - Tyler Joseph x Reader

Warnings: none! :)

Word Count: 2614

A/N: This was so much fun to write lol I had so many ideas - halloween is my favorite holiday so I was so excited to see this request. I made it a bit niche by adding that the reader is from NZ like me where we don't really tend to celebrate it which explains why she goes crazy :) also featuring debby and josh bc we luv them! can't wait to see the next request!

It had taken everything in me to stay home while the boys were touring in October. Tyler knew how much I loved Fall and Halloween—it had become our thing. Every year, we’d transform our house into a spooky wonderland, with pumpkins lining the porch, fog machines hidden in the bushes, and skeletons dangling from the eaves. No matter how hard we tried to adjust the schedule, this time, it just wasn’t possible. The best he could do was promise we’d be home by October 14th, just in time to celebrate. But in the meantime, I was determined to bring Halloween with me, no matter where we were. By the time October rolled around, we were only a few weeks away from the end of the American leg of The Clancy Tour, and I was itching to dive into the spooky season. Debby, always my partner in crime, knew exactly what I needed. That morning, we woke up early, leaving Tyler fast asleep, and made our way to Target.

“Oh my god, look at all this!” I practically squealed as we entered the Halloween section, grabbing a red basket and darting toward the decorations. “This is like… heaven. We don’t have anything like this back home!”

Growing up in New Zealand, Halloween had never been a big deal, so the over-the-top decorations in American stores still blew my mind. There were aisles of fake skeletons, glowing ghosts, fog machines, and everything in between. It was like stepping into my dream version of Halloween.

Debby chuckled, shaking her head. “I still don’t get how you survived so many years without a proper Halloween, Y/N.”

“I have no idea,” I replied, pressing every button on the animatronic toys until they were all blinking, buzzing, and screeching. Halloween had become a serious obsession for me. The first year I started dating Tyler, Debby and Josh invited me to their legendary Halloween party, and ever since, I was hooked. Now I talked about the holiday year-round, planning decorations and themes months in advance.

“We should totally make the buses look haunted,” I said, grabbing a couple bags of fake spiderwebs and tossing them into the basket. “We could go all out.”

Debby laughed. “You know we don’t have that much space, right?”

“I know, but we have to get spiderwebs. At least those will fit!” I said, grabbing a few more packets just to be sure. Debby picked up a few boxes of orange fairy lights and handed some to me.

“We used these last time around Josh’s drum kit, and it looked amazing. He told me to pick up more. I’m sure you can find some use for them on your bus.”

Before long, our baskets were overflowing with decorations—candy corn, ghost window gels, pumpkin stickers, and all the spooky essentials. The thought of surprising—and slightly annoying—Tyler with a fully decorated haunted bus made me feel like a kid again. I was practically buzzing with excitement as we headed back, already plotting out how to turn our bus into a Halloween wonderland.

When we got back, Tyler was still fast asleep, so I tiptoed into the bus, trying not to wake him. I got straight to work, channeling my inner Halloween decorator. I stretched fake spiderwebs over the cabinets, stuck glowing ghost decals onto the windows, and placed a pumpkin spice candle on the counter. The bus was starting to look like a Halloween explosion, and I couldn’t help but grin as I imagined Tyler’s reaction.

Tyler eventually stirred, letting out a groggy groan as he reached out, his hand searching for me on the other side of the bed. I crawled beside him, watching as his sleepy eyes blinked open. His brow furrowed slightly, and I could tell he hadn’t noticed anything yet.

“I’m right here, hun,” I whispered, smiling as I leaned in closer.

“Good morning,” he croaked, his voice thick with sleep. His nose wrinkled, and he squinted toward the kitchen. “What’s that smell?”

“Pumpkin spice candle,” I said, biting back a grin. 

Tyler stretched and yawned before his eyes finally took in the scene around him—the fake spiderwebs stretched across the kitchen, the ghost decals on the windows, the plastic spiders scattered across the counter. His sleepy expression morphed into one of amused disbelief.

“How did you…?

“Debby took me to Target,” I said innocently, suppressing a giggle.

He shook his head, his lips curving into a small, knowing smile. “Of course she did. You just love spooky season, don’t you?”

“More than anyone,” I declared proudly.

Tyler sighed, running a hand through his messy hair as he surveyed the Halloween transformation. “You’re going to drive Josh insane with all this.”

“Josh will love it,” I shot back, hopping off the bed and heading toward the kitchen. “Besides, Debby helped me pick everything out, so he doesn’t get a vote.”

Tyler chuckled, rubbing his eyes as he padded toward the shower. “I don’t know what I’m more scared of—the haunted bus or how far you’re planning to take this.”

“You have no idea what’s coming,” I teased, winking as he disappeared into the bathroom.

Once he was gone, I pulled out the rest of the decorations Debby and I had picked up and headed to the venue. Debby and Josh were already there, decorating Josh’s drum kit with the orange fairy lights, while I set to work sticking pumpkin stickers across Tyler’s bass and even sneaking a few onto the piano keys. We scattered more fake spiders and webs throughout the dressing rooms and across the arena, adding to the overall spooky vibe. By the time Tyler joined us, he was stumbling across Halloween decorations every few steps, muttering under his breath each time he found another sticker or plastic spider.

But no matter how much he tried to act annoyed, I could tell he was secretly enjoying the chaos. Every now and then, I’d catch him peeling off a sticker, only for me to stick another one somewhere else when he wasn’t looking. His exasperation was growing, but so was that mischievous smile he couldn’t hide.

As the afternoon wore on, the whole crew had gotten into the Halloween spirit. Josh was drumming with little skeletons dangling from his kit, Debby was sticking glow-in-the-dark bats onto his drumsticks, and even the crew had added their own decorations to equipment cases and dressing room doors.

Tyler, meanwhile, was wandering the venue with a bemused expression, fake spiderwebs clinging to his jacket and tiny pumpkins stuck to his guitar case. I had to stifle a laugh when I saw a bright green ghost sticker on his shoulder that he hadn’t noticed yet.

“You’re really pushing your luck, Y/N,” he teased, giving me a playful glare when he caught me giggling.

I grinned, leaning back against the soundboard. “You love it. Admit it.”

He opened his mouth to argue but was interrupted by Josh shouting, “Tyler, look at your uke!”

We all turned to see Josh holding up Tyler's ukulele, now with a large spider sticker plastered right at the base of the neck. Tyler groaned, running a hand through his hair, but he couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips.

“How did I not see that earlier?” he muttered, shaking his head.

Debby and I exchanged a mischievous look before bursting into laughter. “You were too busy focusing on the tiny pumpkins I stuck on the piano keys,” I teased.

Tyler sighed dramatically but couldn’t stop himself from chuckling. As the evening approached and the fans started filling the venue, the spooky decorations spread everywhere. The stage, the dressing rooms, the buses—everything had a touch of Halloween madness. Fans even showed up in costumes, snapping pictures of the stage decked out in orange fairy lights and haunted decor.

When it was finally time for the show, Tyler stepped onto the stage, falling into his intense Clancy persona. The crowd erupted in cheers, and for a moment, he was completely focused. But then, mid-song, he noticed the bright orange pumpkin sticker I’d placed on his mic earlier. His lips twitched as he tried to maintain his serious expression, but I saw him bite back a smile. It got worse when he caught Josh’s eye. Josh, sitting behind his drum kit surrounded by glow-in-the-dark bats, was giving Tyler a look that screamed, What have we become? Tyler cracked—he turned away from the crowd, pretending to adjust his in-ear monitor, but I saw the laugh he was holding in.

As the night wore on, the decorations became part of the performance. Fans pointed out the tiny pumpkins and skeletons strung across the stage, snapping pictures and laughing at the haunted spectacle. Tyler, still fighting to keep Clancy intact, kept getting caught off guard by the random Halloween touches I’d added. His mic, his guitar, even his water bottle had tiny pumpkins and spiders stuck to them.

During the encore, he finally gave in. As he came back onstage for the final song, he raised his arm to reveal the black cat temporary tattoo I’d sneakily applied earlier. The crowd erupted in laughter, and Tyler just shook his head with a grin.

“You’ve really outdone yourself,” he said into the mic, holding up his arm for the audience to see.

The fans cheered louder, and I felt my cheeks flush with pride as I stood offstage, watching him with a satisfied grin. Tyler finished the set with the stickers still plastered all over his gear, and by the end of the night, I knew I had succeeded in turning the tour into the ultimate Halloween experience.

As the last notes of the encore rang out and the lights dimmed, Tyler came offstage, still shaking his head in amused disbelief. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close as we made our way back toward the dressing room. The sound of the crowd's final cheers still echoed in the air, filling me with a sense of joy that felt as electric as the Halloween lights strung throughout the venue.

“You're lucky I love you,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple, a sweet reminder of how special moments like this were to us.

“I know,” I replied smugly, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “And you’re lucky I didn’t cover your entire face in stickers.”

Tyler groaned dramatically, rolling his eyes. “Please don’t give them any ideas,” he said, nodding toward Josh and the crew, who were still cackling about the Halloween chaos. “I’ll be peeling stickers off my stuff for weeks.”

I shrugged playfully. “Totally worth it,” I replied with a wink, letting go of his waist to gather up a few stray decorations left behind.

We entered the dressing room, which was still littered with remnants of our Halloween takeover. Fake spiders crawled across the table, and a few pumpkin stickers had managed to find their way onto crew members' gear. The atmosphere was light and buzzing, filled with laughter and excitement from the show.

As I started collecting the decorations, Tyler leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching me with a smile. “You know, this has actually been kind of fun,” he admitted, a hint of sincerity in his voice. “Even if it is a total disaster.”

I shot him a teasing glare. “A total disaster? This is a masterpiece! Wait until next year; we’ll have the whole tour bus covered in cobwebs and pumpkin lights.”

“Next year, huh?” he mused, clearly already imagining the chaos I had in store. “You might need to start planning now.”

“Oh, I definitely will,” I replied, laughing as I tossed another handful of stickers into a bag. “I’m going to need an entire month of preparation for the ultimate Halloween tour.”

As we finished tidying up, Josh sauntered in, his hair still slightly damp from the post-show shower. “You guys seriously went all out. I can’t believe how many stickers you managed to get on our stuff,” he said, shaking his head in amusement.

“Hey, you’re just as much to blame for this,” Tyler shot back, gesturing toward the decorations that surrounded us. “You encouraged her!”

Josh held up his hands in mock surrender. “I’m just here for the fun, man. But next year, I’m putting my foot down. No more pumpkin stickers on my kit, alright?”

“Challenge accepted,” I said with a grin, leaning closer to Josh as I started to plot out my next Halloween invasion.

The conversation shifted to plans for the next few shows, but I could feel the warmth of Tyler’s arm resting around my shoulders. As he leaned in closer, I felt a flutter in my stomach. This was what I loved most about being on the road with him—the spontaneous moments, the laughter, and how easy it felt to share the chaos of life together.

After a while, as the laughter faded and we began to wrap things up, Tyler turned to me, his expression softening. “You know, it’s these little moments that make everything worth it,” he said quietly, glancing around the dressing room, now a blend of spooky decor and lingering laughter.

“I couldn’t agree more,” I replied, leaning into him, feeling his warmth seep into me.

With the decorations finally packed away, we made our way back to the bus. The excitement of the show still hung in the air, and I could see Tyler’s contentment reflected in the twinkle of the fairy lights strung up in the bus. He opened the door, and we stepped inside together, the cozy atmosphere wrapping around us like a warm blanket.

“Okay, but we have to leave a few decorations up,” I said, grabbing a couple of leftover spiderwebs and tossing them onto the couch. “Just to keep us in the spirit till we get home.”

Tyler chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?”

“Not a chance,” I replied, smirking as I sank into the couch, pulling him down next to me. “This is only the beginning.”

As we settled in, I snuggled up against him, the bus rocking gently as the night wore on. We spent the rest of the evening recounting our favorite moments from the show and joking about the fans’ reactions to the Halloween madness. With each laugh and shared glance, I could feel our connection deepening. The world outside faded away, and in this moment, it was just us—wrapped up in our own little universe, where the spirit of Halloween reigned supreme.

“I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble we’ll get into next year,” Tyler mused, a playful grin spreading across his face.

I smiled back, feeling a rush of excitement. “Next year? Just wait until we turn our house into a haunted mansion!”

“Bring it on, spooky girl,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “Just promise me you’ll let me get through one more tour before you unleash your full Halloween arsenal on me.”

“Deal,” I replied, biting back a smile. “But I can’t make any promises about the off-season.”

As the night wore on, we sat in comfortable silence, the glow from the pumpkin spice candle flickering softly around us. I leaned my head on his shoulder, soaking in the warmth of the moment. Halloween may have just begun, but this tour had already turned into an unforgettable adventure—one filled with laughter, love, and more than a few stickers.

And I knew, deep down, that as long as I had Tyler by my side, every season, every tour, and every moment would be just as magical, chaotic, and full of laughter as this Halloween had been.

//

REQUESTS OPEN

[joe-spookyy]

Any tips on how to cosplay Undead Jack Goodman

( context plan on going to a Halloween party as him )

actually yes!!! i’ve gone through a fair bit of trial and error on this one so let me give you some tips!!

here’s how i did it.

so. first. the makeup.

you will need

- cotton balls/pads

- liquid latex

- scar wax (optional)

- paper towel tube

- tissues

- red base makeup

- eyeliner pencil of some sort

- fake blood

- black/brown/yellow/purple makeup

so, first, you’re going to want to block out the shape of the injury. i usually just draw it out with the eyeliner pencil (using a reference of course). you’re going to want to go all the way down your neck to the collar of your shirt and as far back to where your hair falls on your neck. if your hair doesn’t hit your neck well. then follow your heart. then, you’ll follow the guidelines you’ve put down with cotton and liquid latex to make it raised. you’ll want to tear up the cotton balls/pads and roll them into thin strips with your fingers. you can make them as long or as short as you want. i usually make them pretty short though, so it’s easier to make sure they follow the lines. once you’ve rolled them, you can place liquid latex over your guideline, and then stick the strip on. if that doesn’t make sense, check out my video tutorial and also the one i attached at the end. then, once you have that, you can start adding texture. i usually put one piece of scar wax on the side of my cheek like here. it should look somewhat like this (but with stuff on your neck too.) this is also the stage where i start attaching little pieces of tissue in shreds to my face with liquid latex to simulate the little floppy pieces of skin that hang off.

next, you can add the fake windpipe! for this, i cut a toilet paper tube in half and then adjust the size until it fits comfortably over my throat. you can attach it with liquid latex, then cover it with another piece of tissue to make it a little more seamless and use liquid latex again to hold it down.

now, you have to go in with the color. start with a red base, then add yellow and black highlights, with a little bit of purple if you’re feeling bold. but don’t use too much purple. then, go absolutely insane with the fake blood. the most important thing is to respect the lines you made before, cause in the movie all the wounds are isolated to one side of his face.

to modify this for the later stages of decay you’d want to use a green base for the rest of your face and use less red and more of the darker colors in the wounds. you could create texture on the rest of your face with liquid latex i think to sort of simulate the shriveled look but i’m not super sure - i haven’t tried anything past the initial fresh hospital look. i’d look up a few zombie makeup tutorials and see if you can figure anything else out!

i based all of mine off of this tutorial, so it might be a helpful watch if you’re confused at all.

next, the coat. i really wanted the blood to look fresh, so i had kind of a hard time finding fake blood that would work. most of it dries and soaks into fabric, and since the green coat is dark, it just ends up kinda looking like it’s been stained with an unidentified liquid. so i decided to make my own. i mixed gelatin powder, water, and corn syrup with food coloring - mostly red, but a few drops of blue to get a darker more bloody nasty look. in terms of amount, you just kind of have to follow your heart. then, i poured a little over the shoulder, let it drip, then laid it down and did some spot treatment and made sure the coverage was even and there was enough. i’d recommend doing this maybe two nights before you’re going to need the costume - it takes a while to dry but if you let it dry for too long it’ll start to crack when you move. however, it’s the only way i’ve figured out to keep the blood looking fresh. if you want, you can also cut holes in the coat in some places to match how it is in the movie, but i’ve found it honestly doesn’t need it.

then you’re pretty much set! get some dark jeans and hiking boots and boom. you’re jack. would love to see how your costume turns out!

[jowrites]

Accidents can Happen - 13. Happiest man alive (written)

Main Masterlist Here.

Prev. Next.

Disclaimer: Jake and Sunghoon are aged up, both 25. Reader is 24. Heeseung is 26.

TW: Cursing, sexual themes, sex in general? more to be added...

When YN woke up the next day, her head was foggy and her stomach was aching. She knew she probably had to eat something and eat it fast. She looked to her side and saw Jake still soundly asleep, his arm draped over her waist and she didn’t want to disturb him so she quietly and quickly snuck out of bed and made her way down the hall towards the kitchen. He had stocked up on all her favorite snacks here as well and she rolled her eyes and smiled to herself. How sweet he was.

She began to munch on a banana as she found some bread, avocados and all her cravings. She opened a can of corn and began to warm it up in a pan with some salt and pepper. She toasted some bread and cut up an avocado. When the corn was done and the avocado was neatly spread on the bread, she put some hot sauce and mayonnaise in the corn, with a dash of lemon, and to her surprise he even had cotija cheese. Perfect for her elote avocado toast. As she munched on her toast, she began to make breakfast fully for Jake.

Jake stirred in his sleep, feeling over to an empty spot beside him. He opened his eyes and he could  taste the bacon on his tongue. He checked the time and saw it was 10:24 am which he didn’t care for, he’s his own boss he can do work when he feels like. He needed to find YN first. He got up and made his way towards the smell, hearing the sizzling in the kitchen. YN was humming to herself as she stood with her back towards Jake and he just watched and stared in admiration. Once he snapped out of his daze, he went for it.

YN jumped slightly at the arms around her, coming up and caressing her belly, which was now growing bigger each day, and felt his chin on her shoulder. 

“How long have you been awake?” He asked.

“Not long, I had to seriously eat something, my stomach was hurting,” she began to rub her hands over his and he frowned.

“Are you feeling okay? You should sit down,” He told her trying to take her place by the stove.

“I’m fine, Jake,” she laughed. “I quickly ate some toast and I felt better. Thought I’d make us some breakfast though.”

“Oh, okay. That’s good,” he let out a sigh in relief.

“Go set the table, the bacon should be done soon and I already made some omelets,” she ordered and he nodded.

He quickly did as she told, getting some juice for her and a cup of coffee for him. He grabbed one of the smoothies as well to make sure she got all her nutrients for the day. She walked over with the plates of food and set them down and the two sat down with each other. She made omelets, bacon, toast and some fruit. There was a comfortable silence between them and Jake’s heart was bursting with fondness at how normal this felt. How right this felt.

“You didn’t have to do all this you know,” he said as he began to plate his food.

“You think I did this for you? I’m growing a human you know, most of this is for me,” She winked and he laughed.

“Ah, of course. The baby must get all her nutrients first,” he agreed.

“I wanted to do something nice while we talked,” she began to say, suddenly feeling shy and trying to hide the blush on her cheeks.

“Hm?” He encouraged her to continue as he began to eat.

“I agree,” she said.

“Agree?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Or like…accept. The past 3 months have really been the best time I’ve had with someone and I can sense your genuineness. I would be lying if I said I didn’t have feelings for you and…I want our baby to grow up in a loving home with loving parents too,” she said, rubbing her belly. “I didn’t quite have that and I would never want the same for my child.”

Jake leaned over and grabbed her hand, encouraging her to continue and she looked up and smiled.

“So yes, let’s try this and also I’ll move in with you,” She continued and Jake’s face lit up.

“Really? You’ll seriously move in?” He said in excitement.

“Mhm,” she nodded.

“Oh this is the best day of my life! Screw work, that can wait! We can do it today!” He got up and kissed her head jumping in excitement and she just laughed.

“You’re really strange, Jake Sim,” She said.

“I’m not strange, I’m just really happy. You’ve just made me the happiest man on this planet.”

[demonfox38]

Completed - Costume Quest

…Dad?

I was worried that my generation would ruin Halloween like my grandparents ruined Christmas. You know what I mean? In the love of the holiday, Christmas became an overblown mess, with family mandates and stress over gift-giving sapping the quiet affection one could experience on a dark winter’s night with their family. I thought Millennials would go too far with Halloween, put up one too many giant skeletons, spend hundreds of dollars on candy and booze and get blasted into oblivion all in the name of having a good time.

I can’t say that I saw a worldwide pandemic burying it. Could have seen Stranger Danger doing it in, though. Maybe it would help if my neighbors ever participated in handing candy out. Or, if a bag of good candy cost less than $20.00 a pop. Or, if it was ever over the freezing threshold here on Halloween.

The point is, Halloween in Iowa has become a raw deal. You should probably pray for all of the Iowa City college girls with their butts hanging out the bottom of their costumes. At least, if you are the praying type.

Is it too early to think about Halloween? Wal-Mart doesn’t think so. Neither does “Costume Quest.” As I was cycling through my Steam library, trying to pick what to work on next, it managed to boot itself up and go, “LMAO, loading drivers, idiot.” Which, fine, whatever. I’m behind on my quota of games to beat in a year. Might as well knock an eager one out.

“Costume Quest” is a turn-based, button-prompt style RPG set on a nostalgic Halloween night. Ya know, the kind of magical night where simple pieces of junk turn a child into a gigantic missile-launching robot or a vampire or a unicorn or whatever this sentient fry monster thing is.

Using the power of imagination and their smart mouths, protagonists Wren and/or Reynold (whichever you pick) sets off on a mini-journey around their suburban hellscape while their sibling (dressed as a candy corn, of all the indignities) is kidnapped by goblin-esque creatures. They pick up two additional teammates who also manage to get into trouble by their own personalities (being too brave and being a little science nerd, respectively.) Along their way, they discover how and why these monsters invaded their little town, as well as the motivation for all of their candy thievery. You know. When the adults aren't just freely handing it out, mindless of who is at the door.

In addition to the main game, a DLC bonus story called "Grubbins on Ice" is included with the game. This takes place a few months after the original adventure, following up on the twitterpation of Wren/Reynold's party members and the homeland/culture of aforementioned monsters. It mostly serves as a teaser for "Costume Quest 2" (and an ad for "Stacking", if you find it), but it does tack on a couple more hours of gameplay, for what that is worth.

Am I glossing over a bit with the writing? Probably. "Costume Quest" isn't on par with something like "Psychonauts", in terms of depth or ingenuity. It's not to say the game is entirely without charm or a few chuckles. It's just exactly what you'd predict for a story like this. Some Halloween nostalgia, lots of modern era cracks at mid-century suburban living, adults being unobservant dingdongs. That kind of stuff.

The gameplay systems are relatively standard as well. Most of your exploration boils down to knocking on doors, seeing if you are going to get treated (receive candy) or tricked (get into a monster fight.) Equipped costumes affect what attack styles and special abilities a character has in combat, to mostly predictable consequences. Except for the fry monster. That's definitely unique! Additionally, some costumes allow you to take special actions while exploring, like using a plastic lightsaber to light up dark areas, skating over ramps with roller blades, or luring people to new destinations using the scent of…french fries.

Look, the fry thing was really creative, okay? Maybe it's not the most impressive costume, but it is super unique. I'm trying to give credit where it's due. That, and using the power of liberty to restore health.

The nearest thing I can ballpark that to is "Parasite Eve"'s Liberation mode, and even that is in name only. (Although, someone should really have a deeper talk with these kids about the underlying and disturbing implications of "Manifest Destiny"…)

In terms of input style and numbers, this is very much a "Paper Mario" / "Mario & Luigi" style of RPG. Your health and levels will seem low-capped, although that is not without some humor as well. (Your max level is 10 in the main game and 14 in the DLC, which corresponds well to ages that kids often stop going out for Halloween. At least, that seems like the joke to me, at the risk of ruining it via dissection.) You will also have to time button presses, tap madly, or wiggle sticks to maximize both your offense and defense.

One to three hits are enough to take out members on either side of the field. So, don't be too surprised if your kids drop like flies early on. You can always bolt on a battle (even final ones), if you don't feel prepared to tackle it. Any time you exit a battle, you will fully restore everyone's health. So, get aggressive. Get cowardly. Do whatever works with your flow!

“Costume Quest” isn't the most complex of games. Like, I completed the game and its DLC within 8 hours, and that was including leaving the game idle while taking dogs out. The reason for this may be… not shocking at all, if you hang around the same circles of gaming journalism that I do. To make a short story shorter: AAA publishers suck; Double Fine needed some fallback game ideas for when their more lucrative deal fell through; an idea jam session resulted in the creation of a couple of games (including "Costume Quest.") So, this game didn’t have the kind of budget more renowned Double Fine games might have had. It was more born out of a need to do something small to keep the lights on. Which, hey. Understandable. Respectable, even.

Having said that, a little polish on the game’s levels could have been helpful. I’m not running the most cutting-edge gaming machine known to man, but it’s more than strong enough to handle games from over a decade ago. There feels like several spots where the game is lagging due to what I’m assuming is bad level occlusion or excessive detail rendering (I’m thinking tree leaves.) Additionally, some of the side quests are redundant, particularly the apple/eyeball bobbing mini game. I can’t say I was enraptured by the music at any point either, but that’s a matter of taste. The battle victory/defeat music could have wrapped up a little faster though. Like, chop chop. We’re out of that mode. Let’s go.

As of writing this evaluation, the Steam price for this game is hanging around $9.99 USD, which…Sure? Am I gonna be that picky on the price? If you catch it under $7.99, that’s probably a little fairer to you, but I’m not the person to tell you how to spend your allowance. I guess it’s at least cheaper than actual Halloween candy. And it’s coconut free! That’s a point in its favor!

Sometimes, friendship and/or civilization is all about finding the people that like coconut and hate almonds so that you can trade with them and make both of your lives better.

[rgr-pop]

meal plan text asmr

i normally have breakfast at work because of my proton pump inhibitor. tomorrow i wfh the morning to do a training so i’ll be having sesame toast with a boiled egg, feta, and whatever pickle and veg looks good. then for the rest of the week’s breakfasts i have one yogurt (lucas found me the icelandic coffee yogurt!!) and friday morning tbh, probably the last of my ezekiel toast with communal work peanut butter unless i pick up cottage cheese/yogurt. today i worked remotely at a coffee shop and i grabbed a bad scone, RIP. (adding to shopping list: ezekiel bread, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, bananas, the icelandic coffee yogurt but that’s only at whole foods.)

at work right now i’ve been having paramount (local brand) k cups that corey gifted me. i got him a gift card for the new downtown coffee shop so he can grab it between his bus job (he herds teenagers for the school public bus program. his real title is abussador :)) and he got me k cups for my work. i froth half and half to dress up the k cup, and my coworker brought in half and half she needs used up, so i don’t need to bring mine. (another week before i have to buy more.) i hate using the disposables and am considering literally committing to work french press like an absolute psycho—i just can’t get myself enough time before work to make and bring it from home and the refillable k cups will do but are gross. if you have to survive a keurig at work i recommend nasty refillables + steaming and frothing milk. i have half a bag of not great beans at home. I’ve been spending more on nicer beans for home and it has been worth it, but I am still not quite sure what I like. (on shopping list: coffee beans, decaf beans for winter evening treats.)

came home with a coffee shop noise pollution migraine and made myself cheese ramen with cilantro, sesame seeds, green onion, and a side of this week’s pickled carrot slaw. ramen made two servings for me. it was the last of my shin black and third to last slice of ramen cheese. my cilantro will last another weekend and i have at least week’s worth of parsley and green onions. (adding to the shopping list: shin black, cheese singles, frozen corn, and since i’m thinking about it, shredded mozz for buldak/corn cheese.)

for lunches wednesday-friday i will have dumplings from the freezer (the ones i made and some other ones i have), leftover ramen, and a carrot and cucumber salad (my last two fresh salad vegetables, but i will probably wait out purchasing more). to prep tonight: jar of dumpling sauce, salad. (dumplings are already on my shopping list when i see some that look good. adding dumpling wrappers—making and freezing them was so worth it, but i felt like making the dough wasn’t.)

complicating factor: i should make myself something sweet to keep me out of the vending machines at work. at home i’ve been having what i believe to be yaourti me meli (greek yogurt, walnuts, honey, cinnamon?) but i’m out. i’d like to make a second french yogurt cake to compare it to the other recipe, but again, out. i would also also like to make a coffee cake type food for someone coming over saturday afternoon. do i make a little loaf cake with what i have tonight to get me through the week and then a second thing then? do i have friday plans? if i bake a little quick bread or pound cake for myself tonight it will really cut down on my food ruminations. (adding to shopping list: greek yogurt, walnuts, honey, dried fruit, butter.. baking supplies need inventorying but i’m almost sure i have enough of the basics.)

what am i having for dinners? i need to minimize the chance that i spend any non-grocery money before next week—i will be having a crazy week and likely blowing money i don’t have. tonight i’m having leftover cannellini beans cacio e pepe (‼️ make this ‼️). i have enough beans (although running low) to continue having beans meals, but i really really really desire to put my beans meals on potatoes. (‼️ fusion jacket potatoes ‼️ make this ‼️). matias made these perfect black beans with pork and salsa verde and it’s all i can think about. can i pull this off with freezer bacon… i have enough of a serrano to get me through. (adding to shopping list: russet potatoes, garlic, sour cream, avocado, cheap canned black beans, decent looking dried black beans, slightly nice italian brand butter beans and cannellini beans, bell pepper, tomatillos, tomatoes, mexican oregano, sweet potato, pork?? i will put this on my list but never buy it.)

i would also like to make salmon rice bowls with avocado, pickled veg/carrot slaw, cucumbers, etc. to use up my freezer salmon. i would prefer to wait to do this til i’m keeping salad greens (leftover salmon for salads is key for a working woman…)

in two weeks i will make something for a certain someone’s birthday and batch up some granola. i’ve been wanting to try making coffee granola. i also have to make a lasagna before the end of winter this year or i must be executed.

what i’m bringing to work tomorrow for the rest of the week: salad, bags of dumplings, ramen, cilantro (packed separately), one boiled egg, one yogurt, dumpling sauce and any other condiments that look good, and a sweet if i can pull it off.

the question i can only answer for myself tomorrow at 4pm: am i going to the grocery store?

[justfacilitatinglife]

Small Container Veggies for Table Decor – Update: A Burst of Color and Flavor

This time around, I decided to step it up with some vibrant additions to my small container veggies for table decor. I’ve planted pink amaranth, purple mustard, rhubarb, and even white corn. Each of these plants brings a unique pop of color, and their eye appeal has been incredible!

The pink amaranth has this stunning magenta hue that instantly catches the eye. The purple mustard’s rich, deep color adds a bold contrast to the greens on the table, and the rhubarb’s sturdy red stems bring a rustic, earthy charm to the whole arrangement. But the real showstopper has been the white corn—it’s starting to outgrow its container, and now, an ear is forming! I never expected the corn to do so well, but it’s been a wonderful surprise, adding height and a striking visual element to the table.

What’s been really exciting is how well this idea has been received by guests. I've even seen posts about it popping up on social media, with people sharing photos and asking me about how I came up with the idea. It’s great to see others getting inspired by these container-grown veggies—not only do they make beautiful decor, but they’re also functional, giving us fresh produce straight from the table.

I think what makes this idea so appealing is how it blends style and sustainability. Guests love the thought of picking fresh greens or an herb garnish right from the table. It sparks conversation, adds a personal touch, and connects people to the food they’re enjoying in a unique way.

With all the social media buzz, I’m already thinking about what to plant next! Maybe some dwarf tomatoes or colorful peppers to mix things up a bit? We’ll see where this journey takes me, but one thing’s for sure—these veggie-filled tablescapes are here to stay!

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

[Steve Brodner]

* * * *

I didn't watch the political hate-porn last night on CNN, but I caught enough clips this morning to see that it was a trainwreck for which the network should be ashamed.

They won't be. But they should.You could dig in anywhere you want, and hit Trumpian venality - lies, distortions, offense, cruelty, filth, hate, and narcissism - but the sharp gravel that sticks in my craw this morning isn't him, it's network's audacity to bill this as a "Townhall."

The whole point of a townhall is that EVERYONE IS WELCOME. The doors of the townhall are thrown open and the entire community is welcome to ask questions, participate, interact with the speaker, and have their own voices heard.

That is NOT what happened last night.

Last night, the audience was Trump supporters and MAGA-adjacent Republicans - which gave the Tangerine Tyrant what he craves most: An echo chamber for his viciousness and petulant cruelty - which CNN surely understood they were creating when they gave him the format he desired.

To understand where we're headed for the next few years, understand that first: CNN, a business entity that is also, supposedly, a news organization, MADE A CHOICE to give Trump the kind of room he wanted to work, the kind of room where he is the chief bully and the toadies and acolytes cheer on his diabolical ego and rage because doing so fills their hearts with vicarious warmth.

To understand where we're going, recognize and wrestle with the fact that CNN could have said no.

CNN, had they wanted to do an actual "townhall" could have invited those of us who are disgusted by his . . . his totality. They could have opened the doors to an audience that represents the nation as it truly exists. But they did not. Instead, they chose to play his game, because Trump would not have agreed to a room wherein he might be meaningfully challenged, and if he said no, then they'd lose the audience, and the ad sales, they generated last night.

He makes them money, simple as that, and all they have to do is help murder what's left of our decency as a nation to cash those big, fat checks.

It's allllll a choice - made by a CEO, made in a boardroom, made to service shareholders, not the public, not the truth, not the news. THAT is a great and impactful tragedy for our nation, but ignoring it won't make it go away.It is where we are, so we better get ready for more.

I'm disgusted by the whole sad affair. I don't want to emotionally descend back into the septic tank of Trumpism. It has been a joy, of sorts, to have had the volume of this sex-offender and serial liar dialed back since early 2021, but that's gone now so gird your loins, grab the barf bag, and let's get ready to chunk this motherfucker back into the fires of hell one last time, just don't expect any help from CNN to do so.

They're here for the paycheck. They're here for the eyeballs, and they don't give a damn if Swastikas, mass-shootings, and potential Kristallnachts are what bring the heat and light to those glowing, Children of the Corn, lily-white scleras. When it comes to Trump - and therefore when it comes to ANYTHING - CNN will do whatever makes CNN money.

No journalistic integrity, nor morality. Dollars.

Last night was a perfect example. Last night they didn't host a townhall. They broadcast a Klan rally from the edge of town and made bank at the concession stand.

Welcome to 2024.

Michael J. Tallon

[kkolg]

Heya pals!!!😃😁 I jwust discovered a new and wevowutionary way to make pasta!!! wags fake tail aggressively at the speed of sound shit flies out of hole and is propelled in the air everywhere by the tail wags staining the wall behind a dark greenish-brown I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW Y'ALL!!!! Owo uWu Howls so loud in excitement and blows out all the windows and kills all of the closest passerbys😊😊😊 Instwead of using boring and smwelly overpriced old spaghetti that we have to buy at a crummy store, we could use the free products that come from within us… TAPEWORMS!!!!!!!! OWo >W< Or any other booty worms are just fine too!🤤😊🤤

It's very simple, eat some uncooked meat like pork and wait awhile! :p ^o^ Once you start feeling itchy n scritchy and your waist line is slimmer you'll know it's ready! my "chocolate milkshake brings all the boys to the yard😊"~ Once your little wormy is ripe and ready, drink some pepto bismol and some dewormers! You can flavor the pepto bismol with some blended up cockroaches to improve it's taste!!! It's SOO good trust me uwu!!!!!! tee hee heesnort~ ^W^

Once it's finally out you may have to pull it all the way out manually or have a friend help you teamwork makes the dreamwork!🥰 just strain it from the diahrrea save the diahrrea for later! and place it aside! See how long plump and plentiful it is 😍😍😍 Twake your time to run your fwingers through your new beatiful creation, feel the slime trickiling through your fingers and admire it… Next cut it up into how long you'd like, you may also notice chwunks of poop and corn stuck to them It's SOOOO YUMMY Uwu 🤤, those will be the meatballs!!!

OOOOOH and make sure not to cook your little booty worms as to not kill them so they can live again and you can have free fwesh pasta! It would SUCK if they all died >~< cries and has explosive diahrrea on motheroh sorry uwu tee hee~ oh gee golly gosh~ Get the diahrrea from earlier and boil it down a bit since it'll be watery from the toilet and cook it down slightly until your preferred consistency! Howls and licks out extra from the toilet like a cat licking churu Now pour it on your tapeworms and poopy corn balls!

Be sure to eat onions before the clean out if you want any bits of onions in your sauce! Popcorn if you want any kernel shells for added texture. If you're lucky and have pin worms you can use them as parmesan and sprinkle them on top of your dish! If you don't have any pin worms on hand scratching off some dandruff onto the food has the same effect! pants and helocopter farts in nearby cat's face One last thing you can add is a sprinkle of pee pee poo poo dust as just a little enhancer!☺️Tee hee~ Bone apple feet!

I know what I said about these asks but I’m pretty sure you’re the same furry anon so you get a pass

[shadowbroker]

A garden update that is just picture. Lost a couple 18 trays to sprouts I probably moved too early. No harm no foul, they will be reborn in my next and last 50 tray. The ones outside are doing well.

I have 0 luck with herbs so I went to Home Depot and procured herbs and marigolds from them to my dismay. I wanted to start from seed for them but I needed some companions for the ones outside.

I’ve got a beautiful batch of peppers almost ready for outside in my room, taking great care of them. The grapes have been managing themselves for the most part. I water them between rainy days and they have all sprouted except for 2, which I expected. Otherwise I need to get more dirt and pots and move watermelons outside.

I’m also keeping a particularly close eye on the corn. I was told it didn’t like transplanting and I’ve transplanted them 2 times. So far there doesn’t seem to be any issues but I plan to lose all four (just to I’m not disappointed if they don’t make it).

These pictures don’t have the 4 garlic I added or the raspberries I also moved outside. But they’re out there now. Thunderstormed last night so they’re wet and wild out there

The ones in little black boots that seem dead, I think they will die but I figure if they wanted to prove me wrong this was their chance. A couple have a couple haven’t. Looking forward to them making a choice.

[tia-amorosa]

Keon & Javier (Part 3)

In the last part, Javier said that he often prayed, even if he is not a believer. He prayed for good weather, a good fishing catch and often against loneliness. Now comes the sequel.

“against loneliness? Praying doesn't help with that... I'm a lone wolf now and can no longer wish for my family back from God. I don't even know where I'm supposed to go. This island here..."/ ", as I said, you can learn to adapt, there's plenty of fish, the vegetables are always fresh... And when the moon is full again, you'd better think carefully about what you do"/ "say not to me, but to my inner beast.”

Suddenly a gurgling sound was heard, followed by an agonized deep squeak. „oh, hehe“/ "Excuse me, please. But it's been almost two days since my last meal, I had fasted before I wanted to go hunting. But unfortunately that didn't work out yesterday"/ "I can make you something to eat, but it won't be fish today, the weather isn't playing ball"/ "that's okay, something to keep things quiet in there again," Keon looked down and held his stomach.

While Javier prepared something to eat, Keon looked around. “You paint pictures…”/“Yes, more or less. But I prefer to bang on a large block of wood or a block of stone and create a few works of art out of it. When I paint, I often lack inspiration... And motivation too... It was just an attempt, again"/"Can I finish it?"/"Uh, can you even paint?"/"I can do a lot of things"/" well, okay If you want".

Keon stood at the easel and began to finish the picture of Javier. “I'll probably try it here for a few days first. And I'll get an idea of what the wildlife population is like here"/"I'll tell you right now, you'll be disappointed, but... That shouldn't stop you from staying here."

“I’m done…”/ “What, already? I haven't even got the food off the oven yet." Javier glanced back over his shoulder and paused for a moment. “You were quick… And you even added a few clear lines”/ “I said yes… I can do a lot of things. That smells very good”/“the spices make up everything, the rest is just corn, corn flour and water, a nice, tasty mush, but it fills you up”.

“Here, I know it looks like you've eaten before, but it's really better than nothing. And about fasting... As a wolf, you shouldn't do something like that. Because once he's really hungry, there's no control anymore"/"I've often wished I didn't have him, but rather that I was a normal man"/"You're a normal man, Keon, and... Here , take".

Javier definitely believes in other beings. He has already read many books about mystical and mythical figures. There were some books that could be saved, and there were also other useful reading materials. But the fantasy stories often inspired him very much. But there was never any mention of werewolves there. Curiosity is greater than anything else at the moment - he would like to see him in his wolf form. But what will Keon's nature be like then?

Keon tries to organize his own thoughts. He still has the terrible events clearly in his head. Professional hunters who stormed his village and murdered everyone but him in cold blood. He was able to escape, but at some point he was pushed into a corner, or rather the cliff, so that there was no turning back for him.

"Is the weather always this bad here? It's been hailing non-stop since I woke up"/ "well, it's actually summer, normally the sun shines for many hours every day. But it shouldn't be a bad sign"/ "maybe I've brought bad karma with me to the island"/ "I'll show you everything here tomorrow"/ "I'm sure people will be surprised at me"/ "you're not the first castaway here".

"I didn't come with a ship…"/ "I know that, but the others don't. So you should think carefully about what you say. You're my… roommate now. You went overboard somewhere and floated on the water for days. You must be a fast swimmer, otherwise you wouldn't have come so far in such a short time. We don't know where the next island or the next mainland is."/ "I've lost my bearings too …"

“the orientation… I've lost mine too, or let's say… I want to go in a certain direction, but I don't know… if it's right to go where I want to go"/ "and where do you want to go, Javier? If I were stuck here as long as you are… I would have strong wishes at some point"/"hh, I have them, but they are difficult to implement"

“You started praying… Then pray for them to come true”/ “I do that… Every night before I go to sleep. I just never had the feeling that it would do anything, but this morning...I experienced a miracle...I saw how you found your way back to life on your own."/ "That was a miracle for you? Then just wait until the next full moon.”

In fact, there has never been so much hail here before. Maybe for a few hours, but not the whole day. “And I…should really sleep in your bed?”/ “Sure, I don’t mind sleeping out here in the living room. I often couldn’t make it to bed…”/ “Well, okay… thanks”/ “not for that…”.

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End of part three