#circular shaped wooden deck

[zatsmoopy]

Deck Pergolas in Ottawa

Deck - mid-sized traditional backyard deck idea with a pergola

[cjgladback]

[ID: Four photos of two sock-clad feet standing on an aged wooden deck in direct sunlight. The socks are knit from medium grey yarn in an intricate but mostly-solid lace pattern with alternating diamond grids of wrapped ribs and curves of increased and decreased stitches. They're approximately crew-length with a small area at the toes and the heel in stockinette stitch and only a few rows of *k1 twisted, p2* rib at the top extending the final row of the lace pattern. End ID]

Yesterday was my first time wearing this pair of socks I started in April-May last year! They were my first project back after not yarning for about five years--then I drafted my first sewing project mid-2022 (a pocket I finished this October), wove in the ends of a pair of fingerless gloves I'd been using con spaghetti, and cleaned out my old LYS tote with this yarn, a matching gauge acrylic, and my circular needle. And though I've definitely made a pair of socks before (accidental torture devices for their giftee with the sensory specifics of illusion knit soft cotton and wiry wool) I had completely forgotten and got to research all the techniques again. (If you know me, you know that's a sincere "got to." 😄) In April, I frogged half the foot of a first run with a bulkier cable and honeycomb texture combo that I hadn't planned with sufficient negative ease. And in the meantime ended up browsing the crafts shelf at my library; I checked out the two stitch bibles they had for daydreaming at home. Pattern 88 from "250 Japanese Knitting Stitches: The Original Pattern Bible by Hitomi Shida" (there's a slightly newer, prettier cover with 10 more stitches too but I haven't seen it in person to recommend) was both one of my favorites and relatively narrow at a repeat of 18 stitches. So! I swatched it and measured the swatch gently stretched this time; three repeats around was just about perfect, and I ended up doing one 56-row pattern repeat each above and below the heel turn. I had plans for increasing into the calf without breaking the pattern but was nervous about running out of yarn (the last of a mystery wool cone gifted from my psych professor's stash). If I could do it over, I'd probably knit the pair from the inside and outside of the ball simultaneously so I could have slightly taller socks with a wider ribbing cuff, but as is they're staying up way better than I expected. Guess that's the shape-keeping joy of wool!

[fraink5-writes]

In the Names of Freedom - Chapter 5

Another chapter and more poetry! How exciting...

Thanks, of course, to @leio13 for editing!

Summary: After confirming the death of his latest target, Xiao’s secret mission is interrupted by an eccentric stranger in green, who claims to be Xiao’s protector! But the reality is much more convoluted… What destiny could possibly link Xiao with Venti—an assassin of hitmen?

This chapter can also be found on Ao3 here. Without further ado, please enjoy!

A spread of cushions pressed gently against Xiao's back as they embraced his limbs, a cool pillow cradling his head.

Xiao sat up with a start. It appeared he was in a dimly lit bedroom. On top of a worn down wooden desk, there was a note conspicuously placed under the lamp. Xiao tentatively crept over to read it. 

Good morning,

If it's my fair face you seek, you can find me atop the highest peak.

-Venti

Xiao's heart rate dropped about 2 beats per minute. Given the decorative script, the rhyme, and even the mocking "good morning," Xiao was confident the author of the note was indeed the self-proclaimed bard, but, regardless, whether it was really written by Venti or not, Xiao had concerns to settle on top of the mountain.

The room Xiao woke up in was surprisingly unguarded. In fact, it was just a bedroom, belonging to an old-fashioned home in the heart of Qingce Village.

You couldn't be blamed for thinking Qingce Village was an entirely different town at night—all the tourists had disappeared into their hotels, leaving only the dim shapes of antiquated buildings. The mountain terraces were lined with functional lighting, but there were no glitzy attractions.

Luckily for Xiao, the mountain that towered behind the village had a small pathway that had been carved out for adventurous tourists. Still, there were no lights, so Xiao, also wary of an ambush, took his time. The official path ended at an observation deck. It was surrounded by dragon statuettes, each staring in the general direction of other landmarks—the Wangshu Inn, Dragonspine, etc. In the center, there was a circular plaque congratulating climbers on reaching the top. 

The actual peak was a bit further up, but since the final climb was steep and rocky, visitors were discouraged from going any higher. Xiao, however, was undeterred. His target was the top.

Sitting at the northern face of the cliff with a lyre on their lap was a moonlit silhouette singing a soft tune:

As an actress, the world is a grand stage.

You strut and flaunt your well-crafted disguise.

Conjuring emotions, you're like a mage—

With a pretty smile and bewitching eyes…

"What are you doing, Venti?"

Venti, wine bottle in his hand, twirled his head around. "Good morning, Xiao! Did you sleep well?"

Xiao just stared back.

"I didn't think you did," Venti laughed, but he quickly adjusted to Xiao's non-reaction. "I'm just enjoying the night breeze, but I believe you're the one who owes me an explanation for earlier."

This was inevitable. Xiao had resigned himself to that fact when he decided to meet Venti. But… Xiao had never made such an inexplicable failure before. He struggled to recount earlier events to himself. He could never admit what happened to his boss. And Venti was even worse—his smug face always had a way to deflect any and all shame in Xiao's direction. Still, Xiao needed information from Venti, and the starting price was his confession.

"After we split, I began searching for connections from Qingce Village back to Liyue Harbor. Evidence at the mail center suggests that there has been an uptick in deliveries to Liyue Harbor from a certain Dragon's Scale Hotel. Given the available information online, I concluded that it really is run by Treasure Hoarders. So, I decided to start my search there. First, I set off the fire alarm to evacuate the building. The staff room had a computerized lock, but I was able to deduce the passcode to open the door with information from my earlier research. The entrance actually led to a large underground vault of stolen goods. I was going to break into their computer to see what information they had…"

"...And then?" Venti prompted Xiao after a silence.

"...And then…" Xiao had no idea. Next thing he knew, he was waking up in someone's spare bedroom.

Venti's unrelenting stare suddenly let up with a sparkle. "Oh! Guess what I've got?" He reached into his lap and pulled out a pale blue flower, a glaze lily. "Granny Ruoxin gave it to me!"

Xiao had no idea who "Granny Ruoxin" was nor the importance of her floral gift, but he played along. "That's nice. Glaze Lilies are rare flowers these days."

"Right?!" Venti grinned. "Don't you want to see it? We did come all this way to Qingce Village, after all!" 

Xiao didn't need the close-up. He had seen dozens of glaze lilies at Zhongli's home. 

"You can't appreciate it from afar… Come on!"

"...Fine." Xiao picked the flower from Venti's hand. Zhongli probably could have pointed out the differences between the glaze lilies grown in Liyue Harbor and Qingce Village, but to Xiao, there was nothing special about the one in his hand. 

"Doesn't it smell lovely?"

"...Yeah." Xiao lied. He didn't even sniff it because there was no point. He couldn't smell it at all.

Venti grinned impishly. "You know…" He met Xiao with a serious gaze. "There was sleeping gas in that room."

When the truth clicked in Xiao's mind, shame crashed over him in two waves. The first disgrace was inexcusable. He had walked blindly into a trap against which he especially should have been wary.

For as long as he could remember, Xiao had no sense of smell or taste. A doctor had told Zhongli his olfactory system had been irreparably damaged by experimental drugs. To mitigate the risk of poisoning, Xiao only ate foods prepared by certain trusted chefs. By stupid luck, Xiao never had any mishaps with noxious gasses, so he had gotten careless. What would be a laughable trap to anyone else could've been fatal to Xiao, and yet he had walked into one without any precautions.

The second stinging mistake was letting Venti discover his weakness. Right after recovering from his first error, Xiao had stumbled into another one. If Venti hadn't already figured out Xiao's weak spot, his awkward lie with the flower must have confirmed it for him. 

"Then you found me there…" Xiao muttered.

"You're lucky I was the one that found you," Venti inserted. "You were completely defenseless."

"...And you saved me?"

"Of course. I brought you all the way back to Granny Ruoxin's house. You were a little difficult to carry, but it was only natural that I'd rescue you."

Xiao didn't see anything natural about it. Xiao was a temporary ally at best, a hindrance if honest, and quite possibly a target at worst. Not to mention, he had a few objections to Venti's idea of involving an unrelated old woman, but despite his gripes, he couldn't deny he was in Venti's debt now. "Sorry for the trouble…"

"That's not what you say at times like this."

Xiao nearly rolled his eyes. "...Thank you."

"Here. Sit down." Venti patted the rock next to him.

Xiao edged closer to the cliff, out of curiosity. "What are you looking at?"

"Mainly the night sky. It's rare to have such an amazing perch. Dark, high up… You can see thousands of stars. You know, the night sky has to be a poet's greatest fantasy. A boundless expanse that not even the birds can reach. No matter where you are, you're always under the stars, and there must be a star for everyone, right? Isn't that romantic?"

Xiao stared at the same view as Venti, yet he couldn't find anything quite so profound in it. He did, however, appreciate the silence.

Venti picked up the bottle of wine. "Want some?"

"No thanks."

"Suit yourself." With that, Venti put the bottle to his lips and chugged. "Ahh… Is there anything better than wine on a cool night under the stars? I can feel the poetic inspiration coursing through me." Venti returned to his songwriting as though Xiao wasn't there.

…Conjuring emotions, you're like a mage—

With a pretty smile and bewitching eyes.

People swarm to you as a fruit lures flies,

all coveting the title of your friend.

But they only seek gratifying lies—

Where, oh where, does the dishonesty end…

Xiao sat down by the cliff a few paces away, tuning out Venti's lyrics. There was something thoughtful about this place—the gentle breeze, the faint glow of stars, Venti's soft humming—it was oddly peaceful.

The moon had risen high in the North when Venti murmured, "Do you see that?" His eyes were firm on the horizon. "Over there, that's Mondstadt. Maybe in the old days, you would be able to see it from here, twinkling tirelessly like a fallen star. It's all dark now though; whatever light was burning inside has since been smothered."

"...Do you miss it?" Xiao whispered, lest he break Venti's wistful gaze.

"It's the only home I've ever known. Even now, I carry a piece with me. But I can never return, so yes, sometimes I miss it."

Xiao followed Venti's gaze, but he only saw darkness. No matter which direction he looked, he saw nothing. Did such a shining home really exist? 

***

Venti's limbs splayed carelessly all over the bed. His drunken grin pulled slightly with each small breath. To sleep so openly, either he must have not cared what happened to him or he placed an incomprehensible amount of trust in Xiao. 

Then again, maybe Xiao was the fool for not acting on the opportunity right in front of him. This could be his chance to rid himself of the persistent threat that was Venti.

But he couldn't do it. Venti looked so peaceful. Such a natural smile… Are you having a good dream? How enviable.

"Venti," Xiao spoke softly, not fully committed to waking him up.

"...Ven…ti…" The bard repeated with a groan.

Venti's mocking utterance immediately destroyed any peaceable sentiment Xiao was feeling. "Wake up already," he snapped. "We need to get moving."

Venti rolled over to face the wall and rubbed his eyes. "Sorry…" He yawned. "Give me a few minutes…"

True to his word, Venti, with a little prodding from Xiao, was ready soon enough. Then they snuck out of Granny Ruoxin's house.

This morning, they needed to be proactive. Xiao's infiltration of the Dragon's Scale Hotel had failed, and he and Venti had been discovered as a result. The only course of action then was to make sure the inevitable fight happened on their terms. To do that, they had a two-pronged plan of action: Venti would bait the Treasure Hoarders, and Xiao would prepare the site of the ambush—a small cave under the mountain. Xiao was uncomfortable with leaving a big part of the mission to someone else, but he couldn't deny that Venti was more suited for the role of the lure.

As it turned out, the Treasure Hoarders' envoys arrived at the cave before Venti. They were just a pair, a man and woman in black. Maybe they weren't Treasure Hoarders, after all. They must have been with the men Xiao and Venti had killed the other day.

"Who are you?" Xiao snapped, pulling out his spear.

"Who are we?" The woman retorted, stepping in front of the man. "It was you who invaded our private base!"

"Let's not play games." Venti dropped from the shadows behind them. "You already know who we are. You have been following us, after all."

"There's a misunderstanding here." The man chimed in nervously. "We aren't Treasure Hoarders. We aren't the ones running the hotel."

"Sure, but you are the ones collecting information, aren't you?" Venti's gun clicked. "Didn't the Treasure Hoarders send you here to clean up after your own mess?"

"Yes, we are!" The woman shouted, reaching for her own handgun. "So what do you want from us?!"

"That's our question for you." Xiao smacked the woman's dominant hand with his spear, sending the gun skidding across the cave floor. "I'll ask again—who are you?"

"Argh!" The woman grunted and yanked a knife from her belt. She charged clumsily at Xiao. Xiao parried then knocked her to the ground. She reached around behind her, searching for another weapon, but Xiao was faster. He grabbed her throat and lifted her in the air. For a bit, she struggled to pry his fingers from her trachea with one hand. Then she dropped the knife to use both hands, but it was in vain. 

Xiao ignored her weak tugging. He had no intention of killing her, but he would subdue any resistance. "Answer my questions."

"It's already too late!" She spat. "The information is already on its way to our boss!" Spending the last of her breath, she passed out.

Xiao let go, and her unconscious body hit the ground. He hovered his spear above her forehead in case she came around.

"Guess it's your turn then." While Xiao was dealing with the woman, Venti had taken hold of the man, his arms behind his back and the point of Venti's gun to his chin. 

"W-wait! If you let her go, I'll talk!" The man pleaded.

"Talk," Xiao responded, unflinching.

"Promise me you'll let her go!"

"Why?" Venti interrupted. "What if you change your mind after she's free?"

"Th-then I'll talk first!"

"What if we kill her, anyway?"

Venti!! Xiao shot Venti a confused look. He had a plan with this, right?

"We are professional killers, you know?" Venti continued. "Why should we spare her?"

The man croaked, "That's why I'm—!"

"So we should save her just because you asked? Because you'll 'divulge your secrets?'"

"Isn't that fair?! What would you gain from killing her, anyway?! She's obviously not a threat to you. Or… Is killing just a sport for you?"

Venti's hand twitched. "For a spy, you have absolutely no idea how to appraise the situation you're in. 'Not a threat?' Your partner here has unknown information about us, so why should we let her go to spread it to anyone else?"

"Please! Take my life instead! You can torture and kill me if you want, but—"

Venti threw the man to the ground, gun to the back of his skull. "How vain. Do you think your life is really worth that much? That it's worth as much as your partner's? That either your life or your partner's life is worth my partner's and my security?!"

"I—"

Venti tapped the gun. "It doesn't matter what you think is fair. Life has never been about what's fair! If you want to protect someone, you need power—pleading and praying has never saved anyone! That's the difference between you and me—why you have a gun to your head. I'm never going to lose someone again, no matter what—"

"Venti!" Xiao knocked the gun from Venti's hand. "Enough!" He cleared him away from the man's defenseless body. "I'll do the interrogation from here."

The rage on Venti's face had dissipated into complete emptiness. Gone were the usual mischievous glimmer in his eyes, the cheeky smile on his lips. Instead, his green eyes were clouded over with a storm of nothingness. He turned around and spoke flatly. "I have a performance to get to. I promised the old lady." And with that he disappeared,

Xiao wanted to chase Venti down and question him, but he already had two hostages at his feet. The man below him was frozen in confusion, so Xiao prodded him gently with his spear. "Tell me everything you know."

---

Here's the full poem:

As an actress, the world is a grand stage. You strut and flaunt your well-crafted disguise. Conjuring emotions, you're like a mage— With a pretty smile and bewitching eyes. People swarm to you as a fruit lures flies, all coveting the title of your friend. But they only seek gratifying lies— Where, oh where, does the dishonesty end? Still, one man, above the rest, did transcend, Offering a life beyond the spotlight. But even his promises were just pretend— When she gave up fame, he swiftly took flight. For even an actress is just a pawn— Remove the façade, and the dream is gone.

[deckbuilderrochester]

Maximise Comfort and Style with Built-In Deck Seating in Rochester: Design Ideas and Benefits

A well-designed deck enhances your outdoor living experience, but adding built-in seating takes it to the next level. With deck built-in seating in Rochester, you can blend comfort, functionality, and style seamlessly. This guide highlights the benefits of built-in seating, shares creative design ideas, and offers tips to ensure your outdoor space is both practical and visually appealing.

Benefits of Built-In Deck Seating

1. Enhanced Comfort and Convenience

Built-in seating offers a permanent solution for comfortable outdoor seating. Unlike standalone furniture, built-in seating is designed to integrate seamlessly into your deck, providing a cohesive look and feel.

This option eliminates the need to move furniture around and ensures you always have a place to relax, host guests, or enjoy the outdoors without worrying about storage or wear and tear.

2. Maximises Deck Space

Adding built-in seating helps you make the most of your deck’s square footage. By incorporating seating into the deck’s design, you free up space for other features like dining areas, fire pits, or planters.

This is especially beneficial for smaller decks, where space-saving solutions can make a significant difference.

3. Customisable to Fit Your Style

With built-in seating, you can tailor the design to match your personal style and functional needs. From sleek modern benches to rustic wooden seating with storage compartments, the options are virtually limitless.

You can also incorporate cushions, throw pillows, and decorative elements to create a seating area that feels inviting and unique to your home.

4. Durable and Low-Maintenance

Built-in seating is designed to withstand Rochester’s changing weather conditions. When constructed with high-quality materials and proper finishes, these structures resist damage from rain, sun, and temperature fluctuations.

Compared to portable furniture, built-in seating requires less maintenance and is less prone to damage or wear, making it a long-lasting addition to your deck.

5. Increases Home Value

Features like built-in seating enhance your deck’s functionality and aesthetic appeal, which can boost your property’s overall value. In Rochester, where outdoor living is a significant lifestyle element, having a deck with built-in seating makes your home more attractive to potential buyers.

Design Ideas for Built-In Deck Seating

1. Corner Benches

Maximise your deck’s corners with L-shaped or U-shaped benches. These designs create a cozy seating nook and provide a natural gathering area for friends and family.

2. Storage Benches

Combine functionality and style with built-in benches that double as storage. These designs allow you to store cushions, outdoor toys, or gardening tools while keeping the deck tidy and organised.

3. Curved Seating

For a unique and modern look, consider curved built-in seating. This design adds visual interest to your deck and pairs well with circular fire pits or round dining tables.

4. Integrated Planter Boxes

Incorporate planter boxes into your built-in seating for a touch of greenery. This not only enhances the deck’s aesthetic appeal but also creates a calming, natural atmosphere.

5. Multi-Level Seating

If your deck features multiple levels, use built-in seating to connect the spaces while adding functionality. Each level can serve a specific purpose, such as lounging, dining, or enjoying a fire pit, with seating that complements each area.

Tips for Successful Built-In Deck Seating

1. Prioritise Comfort

Comfort is key when designing built-in seating. Ensure the seat height and depth are ergonomically suitable, and add cushions or padding for extra comfort.

2. Choose Durable Materials

In Rochester, where the weather can vary widely, selecting durable materials like pressure-treated wood, cedar, or composite decking is crucial. These materials resist damage from moisture and temperature changes, ensuring your seating lasts for years.

3. Incorporate Weather Protection

Apply a weather-resistant sealant to protect the wood from rain and UV rays. If your deck is exposed to the elements, consider adding a pergola or awning for additional protection.

4. Blend with the Deck Design

Built-in seating should complement the overall design of your deck. Use matching materials, colors, and finishes to create a cohesive look that feels intentional and harmonious.

5. Work with Professionals

Designing and constructing built-in seating requires precise measurements, structural expertise, and attention to detail. Hiring professionals ensures your seating is safe, durable, and visually appealing.

Why Built-In Deck Seating is Perfect for Rochester Homes

Rochester residents value outdoor living spaces that are both functional and beautiful. Built-in seating aligns perfectly with this lifestyle by providing a permanent, stylish solution for outdoor comfort. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, relaxing with a book, or enjoying the changing seasons, built-in seating enhances your deck’s usability and charm.

Conclusion

Built-in deck seating combines comfort, practicality, and style to elevate your outdoor living space. By choosing the right design, materials, and professional expertise, you can create a seating solution that complements your deck and enhances your lifestyle.For expert assistance with deck built-in seating in Rochester, visit deckbuildersrochestermn.com to connect with professionals who can bring your vision to life. Your dream outdoor space is closer than you think!

[topgearreview5128]

5 Essential Power Tools Every Homeowner Needs for DIY Projects

As a homeowner, you're bound to encounter various repair and maintenance tasks. Whether it’s assembling furniture, fixing things around the house, or tackling DIY projects, having the right power tools can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll go over the five must-have power tools that every homeowner should have on hand, ensuring you're prepared for any job, big or small.

1. Cordless Drill

A cordless drill is an absolute essential for any homeowner. It’s versatile, powerful, and can be used for a wide range of tasks, including drilling holes, driving screws, and even mixing paint or grout. Its cordless nature makes it convenient to use anywhere in the house or yard without worrying about power outlets.

Having a high-quality cordless drill will save you time and effort on tasks such as mounting shelves, assembling furniture, or installing curtain rods.

2. Circular Saw

Whether you're a weekend DIYer or tackling home renovations, a circular saw is a must-have tool. It's perfect for making straight cuts in wood, plastic, and even metal. With a circular saw, you can handle tasks like building a deck, cutting plywood for furniture, or trimming wooden boards.

When buying a circular saw, consider factors such as blade size, power, and weight. If you're looking for reliable recommendations, don't miss our best chainsaw for cutting trees guide.

3. Jigsaw

A jigsaw is ideal for homeowners who enjoy detailed DIY projects. This tool is designed for cutting curves, circles, and intricate patterns in materials like wood, metal, and plastic. It's especially useful for creating custom furniture, craft projects, or cutting shapes for home decor.

4. Cordless Chainsaw

If you have trees or large shrubs on your property, a cordless chainsaw is an essential tool for easy maintenance and pruning. These chainsaws are perfect for trimming branches, cutting firewood, and handling small to medium-sized outdoor tasks without the hassle of cords or fuel.

For homeowners looking for convenience and ease of use, a light weight chainsaw is a fantastic option. These models are designed to be easy to handle while still delivering powerful performance, making yard work and smaller tasks much more manageable.

5. Orbital Sander

For any finishing or refinishing project, an orbital sander is essential. It’s the perfect tool for smoothing out rough surfaces, prepping materials for painting, or sanding down furniture. Whether you're restoring an old dresser or giving your wooden deck a fresh finish, an orbital sander will help you achieve a professional look.

This tool is a lifesaver when it comes to reducing the time and effort needed for sanding tasks, making it a must-have for DIY enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Investing in these five essential power tools will not only make home maintenance easier but also enable you to take on a wide range of DIY projects. From a versatile cordless drill to a powerful but manageable lightweight chainsaw, having the right tools ensures that you're prepared for any task. Whether you’re cutting, drilling, or sanding, these tools will save you time, effort, and help you achieve professional-quality results. Make sure to choose tools that suit your specific needs and projects, and you’ll be ready for anything your home throws at you!

[achtformpoolfreistehend]

Poolbecken Freistehend: Elevating Your Backyard with a Stylish and Functional Freestanding Pool

When it comes to enhancing your outdoor space, a poolbecken freistehend, or freestanding pool basin, can be a fantastic addition. These pools offer flexibility, affordability, and convenience, making them an ideal choice for homeowners looking to create a refreshing and fun backyard environment. Whether you want to unwind after a long day, entertain guests, or provide a fun activity for your family, a freestanding pool can turn your backyard into a personal paradise. Check their site to know more details swimmingpool freistehend

The Appeal of Freestanding Pools

Freestanding pools have gained popularity due to their ease of installation and versatility. Unlike in-ground pools, which require extensive excavation and construction, freestanding pools can be set up quickly, often in a matter of hours. This simplicity allows you to enjoy the benefits of a swimming pool without the hassle and cost of permanent construction.

Moreover, freestanding pool basins come in various shapes and sizes, from compact circular models to larger oval or rectangular designs. This variety ensures that you can find a pool that suits your backyard layout and meets your specific needs. Whether you have a small patio or a spacious lawn, there's a freestanding pool that will fit perfectly into your outdoor space.

Types of Poolbecken Freistehend

Freestanding pools come in different materials and designs, each offering unique advantages. Understanding the options available can help you choose the perfect pool for your needs.

Steel-Walled Freestanding Pools: Known for their durability, steel-walled pools are designed to withstand the elements and provide long-lasting enjoyment. These pools feature a sturdy steel frame and are often lined with a protective material, such as vinyl, to ensure water retention and prevent leaks. Steel-walled pools are an excellent choice for those looking for a durable and reliable option.

Resin Freestanding Pools: Resin pools are lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and easy to maintain. They are often designed with UV protection, ensuring that they won’t fade or become brittle over time, even with extended exposure to the sun. Resin freestanding pools are popular for their sleek appearance and ease of assembly.

Inflatable Freestanding Pools: Inflatable pools are an excellent option for those looking for a temporary or budget-friendly pool solution. These pools are easy to set up and take down, making them ideal for seasonal use. While not as durable as steel or resin options, inflatable pools provide a quick and convenient way to cool off during the hot summer months.

Wooden Freestanding Pools: Wooden freestanding pools offer a more natural and rustic look that can blend seamlessly into your outdoor environment. These pools are often built with a strong wooden frame and lined with a waterproof material. While they require more maintenance than other types, wooden pools add a unique aesthetic appeal to your backyard.

Benefits of Freestanding Pools

One of the biggest advantages of a poolbecken freistehend is the flexibility it offers. These pools can be installed above ground without the need for excavation or permanent construction, making them an excellent choice for renters or homeowners who may want to relocate their pool in the future.

Freestanding pools are also more affordable than traditional in-ground pools. The reduced cost of installation and maintenance allows homeowners to enjoy the luxury of a pool without the significant financial commitment. Additionally, freestanding pools are easier to maintain, with many models featuring built-in filtration systems that keep the water clean and safe for swimming.

Enhancing Your Pool Area

To maximize your enjoyment of a freestanding pool, consider adding accessories and enhancements that create a more functional and visually appealing space. Pool ladders, covers, and decking can all contribute to the overall experience. A ladder makes it easy to enter and exit the pool, while a cover helps keep the water free from debris when the pool is not in use. Decking can provide a space for lounging, sunbathing, or hosting outdoor gatherings, turning your pool area into a true backyard oasis.

Conclusion

A poolbecken freistehend is an excellent investment for homeowners looking to enjoy the benefits of a swimming pool without the complexity of traditional construction. With various types and designs available, you can find a freestanding pool that suits your needs, style, and budget. Whether you’re seeking a temporary escape from the summer heat or a long-term backyard feature, a freestanding pool can transform your outdoor space into a hub of relaxation and fun.

[usapalletwarehousing]

Why Is Wood Waste Recycling Important?

Effective waste management is crucial due to rising environmental concerns. When manufacturing pallets, it is important to consider environmental problems and concerns. Instead of throwing away old USA pallets, you can give them a new shape. This is where wood waste recycling comes in. This technique allows you to reuse old and obsolete pallets and give them a perfect shape. This recycling technique is very beneficial from the environmental point of view and from the cost point of view.

Benefits Of Wood Waste Recycling

Are you planning to consider wood pallet recycling for your business? The recycling technique is very impactful in saving costs and helps your business in a large number of ways. Here are a few benefits of using wood waste recycling for your business:

Reduction of Landfill Waste

Wood waste, on the off chance that it is not reused, frequently winds up in that frame of mind to the aggregation of strong waste and ecological corruption. By reusing wood squander, we can essentially lessen the volume of waste shipped off landfills, monitoring important landfill space and limiting the ecological effect of garbage removal. Waste recycling will help reduce your business's waste to a great extent.

Conservation of natural resources

It is very important to take into consideration the preservation of natural resources while doing your business. Reusing wood pallets decreases the interest in virgin lumber and timberland assets. Safeguarding timberlands is pivotal for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, soil security, and keeping up with natural equilibrium. Using reused wood items can mitigate strain on timberlands and advance maintainable backwoods the board rehearses.

Cost Savings for Businesses:

Reusing wood waste can prompt expense investment funds for organizations engaged with development, assembling, and carpentry businesses. Utilizing reused wood items or materials lessens the requirement for buying new materials, saving money on obtainment expenses and garbage removal charges. If you wish to get the pallet at a very low cost, you can choose the recycled one. Recycled wooden containers can be manufactured at a low cost.

The Bottom Line

The below are some of the best benefits you can avail of if you use the wooden recycling technique. Recycling is beneficial not only from an economic point of view but also from an environmental viewpoint. By redirecting wood pallets from landfills, rationing regular assets, lessening energy utilization, and making esteem-added items, reusing assumes a vital part in advancing a round economy and relieving natural difficulties like deforestation, contamination, and environmental change.

USA Pallets and Warehousing is a pallet manufacturer that specializes in recycling wooden pallets that are best in shape and design. They have the best types of pallets for sale, from recycled to wooden pallets. Get in touch with their experts and find the best pallets for you. Select from our existing inventory of reclaimed shipping containers, crates, and boxes — starting from $5.00 (subject to availability).

FAQs

Why recycling pallets is good for business?

Reusing pallets is helpful for organizations since it lessens garbage removal costs, advances natural sustainability, and supports a circular economy. By reusing beds, organizations can limit natural substance costs, demonstrate corporate responsibility, and possibly generate income from selling or reusing reused beds. Overall, bed reusing adds to cost investment funds, asset preservation, and positive brand notoriety.

What qualities should you look for when choosing the best pallets for you?

While picking the best pallets, consider factors like toughness, load limit, similarity with the care of hardware, maintainability (e.g., recyclability or reusable materials), and industry consistency (e.g., ISPM 15 confirmation for worldwide delivery). Also, survey bed aspects, plan highlights (e.g., open or shut deck), and cost viability to meet your particular stockpiling, transportation, and functional necessities.

[knifechased]

Pocky day was over. Almost a week. Still, Linn had a couple of boxes she just couldn't finish alone; hell, why not try to offer the blonde some? The biscuit sticks are conveniently shaped, fitting perfectly in his mask holes. Linn would bet her last bit of fur that Killer must like them at least a bit.

And so she drags herself nervously to the masked one, chocolate-flavored Pocky in hand - these are a classic. Can't be wrong with them. The doctor cleared her throat to get his attention.

❝ Killer? I still have some Pocky. And yes, before you point it out, I am sure Kid would help me eat them. I just think he had more than enough sugar for the next month already. ❞ The last sentence sinks into a whisper. White paws fumble one stick out, holding it in front of his covered face.

❝ I am sure you like them, no? It's chocolate. I also have other flavors, j-just in case you like another type. ❞

                    【 November 11 — Pocky Day. 】           @medicus-felini

          Admittedly, the Mink doctor has caught him at an unfortunate time. He's halfway through moving the band equipment from the stage on the main deck, back down to its usual home in the dedicated music room situated in the lower part of the hull. Nobody had bothered packing anything up after performing last night, which, he supposes, was fairly inevitable; with how much everyone had been drinking, half the crew hadn't even properly made it back to their beds and ended up passing out cold drunk on the wooden floorboards. Tidying up and putting away the instruments had been a chore best saved for when they were sober enough to carry heavy equipment.

Killer is supporting the weight of two amps when she approaches him, one under each arm. The wheels on their cases had mysteriously broken off and shattered recently, and though he has no evidence to prove his theory, he suspects it may have been the doing of a certain infamous duo using them for racing down the hallway again. Carrying the equipment was easier than troubling himself with fixing the busted transporters.

Peering at Linn's paws through the holes in his mask, Killer ceases his footfall, yet his grip on the amps remains. Though she may not have specifically stated that she would feed him, he has, without realizing, misinterpreted her suggestion. Unknowingly, he has taken this as an offer to give him the snack by hand, since he's obviously too busy to do it himself. And since she is correct in her assumption that he's a fan of the biscuit sticks, he's going to accept her invitation.

            ❝ Sure, the original is fine. I like most of them. ❞

He's immediately then leaning down towards the cat Mink, moving his mask to her face as he expects the delivery of the chocolate treat towards the circular coin-sized hole situated just before his lips.

Should she look carefully enough, she should just be able to make out the glint of ice blue eyes through the light filtering in through his helmet; his expression calm, nonchalant, expecting, as if this occurrence were typical for them.

He merely sounds casually conversational when he speaks again.

          ❝ Have you tried Pretz? ❞

[gtadecks]

Top Trends in Deck Design for 2023

As we step into the year 2023, homeowners and deck enthusiasts are eager to explore the latest trends in deck design that promise to transform outdoor spaces into functional and stylish retreats. Whether you're planning to build a new deck or renovate your existing one, these top trends will inspire you to create a stunning outdoor oasis that suits your taste and lifestyle.

Sustainable Decking Materials

Sustainability remains a dominant trend in deck design for 2023. Homeowners are increasingly choosing eco-friendly decking materials, such as composite boards made from recycled plastics and sustainable wood fibers. Not only are these materials environmentally responsible, but they also offer durability and low maintenance, making them an attractive choice.

Multi-Functional Spaces

Today's decks are more than just places to relax; they serve multiple functions. From outdoor kitchens and dining areas to cozy seating nooks and fire pits, decks are becoming versatile outdoor living spaces. Integrating these elements allows homeowners to maximize the utility of their decks and create inviting areas for both relaxation and entertainment.

Mixed Materials and Textures

Mixing various materials and textures adds depth and visual interest to deck designs. Combining materials like wood, stone, metal, and glass can create a dynamic and harmonious outdoor space. Consider incorporating textured surfaces like patterned tiles, pavers, or decorative concrete for added flair.

Deck Lighting Innovations

In 2023, deck lighting has evolved beyond simple fixtures. Homeowners are embracing smart lighting systems that allow for customizable and automated illumination. LED strip lights, recessed lighting, and solar-powered fixtures not only enhance safety and ambiance but also add a touch of modernity to deck designs.

Bold Colors and Stains

Bright and bold colors are making a comeback in deck design. Vibrant deck railings, furniture, and accents are being used to create eye-catching focal points. Stains in rich and saturated hues are also gaining popularity, adding personality and style to wooden decks.

Minimalist and Contemporary Designs

Minimalism and contemporary design principles are influencing deck aesthetics. Clean lines, open spaces, and uncluttered layouts create a sense of sophistication and simplicity. Floating or cantilevered decks with sleek, low-profile railings exemplify this trend.

Biophilic Design Elements

Biophilic design, which connects people with nature, is becoming a prominent trend in deck design. Click here to check this includes incorporating natural elements like living walls, vertical gardens, and built-in planters. These features not only beautify the space but also promote a sense of tranquility and well-being.

Smart Technology Integration

Home automation and smart technology are extending to outdoor spaces. From motorized retractable awnings to integrated sound systems and Wi-Fi-enabled appliances, smart decks are making outdoor living more convenient and enjoyable.

Low-Maintenance Decking

With busy lifestyles, homeowners are gravitating towards low-maintenance decking options. Composite, PVC, and aluminum decking materials require minimal upkeep, allowing more time for relaxation and enjoyment rather than constant maintenance tasks.

Curved and Organic Shapes

Curved and organic deck shapes are gaining attention for their unique and artistic appeal. Rounded corners, circular seating areas, and meandering pathways create a sense of flow and movement within the deck space.

Conclusion

In 2023, deck design is all about creating outdoor spaces that reflect individuality, sustainability, and functionality. By incorporating these top trends into your deck project, you can achieve a beautiful and contemporary outdoor retreat that meets your needs and adds value to your home. Whether you embrace eco-friendly materials, smart technology, or biophilic elements, these trends offer a wealth of inspiration for crafting the perfect outdoor sanctuary.

[homeimgs]

Tower Grove Drive Residence Beautifully Combines Wood, Stone, and Glass

This modern hillside house is designed by architecture firm KAA Design located on a southern flank of the Santa Monica Mountains, California. This lovely home is surrounded by trees.

The house is a hillside retreat for the home owners which welcome guests with a circular driveway. One can see a stone wall and a central highlighted tree.

The architecture of the house is unique featuring overhangs and expansive roof lines. Its usage of sleek lines and geometric shapes turned out really beautiful.

The interior of the house features floor-to-ceiling windows which add an abundance of natural light. There is also a fireplace with a stone surround. Wooden elements inside the house adds a sense of warmth to the living room.

Between the living room and the kitchen is the dining area. It used colors that tie it with the living area. It has been defined by the use of a colored rug.

The kitchen has two islands and walls of wood cabinets which creates plenty of counter space and storage. Purple counter height chairs add some pops of color into the space.

When gets to the top of the stairs, there is a walkway that connects to the sleeping areas. But it is not just a simple landing from the stairs. It has a large wood bookshelf that lines one side of the walkway. The other side looks over the living room and dining area below it.

This is one of the bedrooms of the house which has a wood headboard with built-in bedside tables and opens shelving. Isn’t this a nice way to display some of your favorite items near your bed? Since there are two reading lamps on both sides, you can just grab a book and read before you doze off to sleep! Read Also: The Stone Walls of the North Bay Residence in Washington, USA

The house has a spacious bathroom with a freestanding bathtub that sits in front of the windows. But that’s not all. It also features a make-up vanity and a large two-person walk-in shower with a wood bench. You can literally spend long hours in a bathroom like this!

A wood and metal spiral staircase leads up to the upper floor of the home. You can get a good look of the stairs here as viewed from the sides and from the top. The pendant lights bring a nice industrial appeal to this area with a stone wall backdrop.

The main living area and the backyard are connected by wood framed doors. The outdoor area features a lawn, a wood deck and a swimming pool. All of these areas offer a good view of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean beyond it.

The pool lounge also use colors that are seen in the interior of the house. This way, everything is tied together in terms of color and appeal.

Another part of the outdoor space near the pool area with pink outdoor sofa and white wicker chairs. Isn’t it very nice to spend an afternoon here while reading a book?

The house also has other outdoor spaces like this one. It is a small garden which features an interesting sculpture.

The upper floor of the home provides access to a green roof where there’s a small deck set up with lounge chairs and a fire bowl. This part of the house overlooks the neighborhood. Who wouldn’t want a green roof deck like this?

Read the full article

[izakvoros]

Izak lifted a brow in surprise when Matt's hand nestled into his, and the power it took from grinning like a fox could have choked a bear. However, he kept his expression composed, if not curious, and again, drowned out any affection that dared to bubble to the surface. Matt was so warm, a heat that diffused into his icy skin and dispersed in a sense of calmness and nostalgic nights spent pressed together. He really was a pathetic piece of shit, and gods, if anyone found out how much a simple act from one man could make his knees want to buckle....

He let the demon lead him on the deck and into the luxious parlor below, turning slightly bitter when Matt removed his hand. He sighed but cherished that the man humored him a bit. The furniture was bolted to the wooden floor, with enough seating space on a u-shaped, white couch that could comfortable fit a party of fifteen. Three circular coffee tables lined each section, all deeply cleaned from any remnants of his time in Europe. A lone attendant was still behind the bar, sparkling off the rest of the crystal glasses, but when he saw Izak and Matt, he quickly excused himself for the rest of the evening.

"Take a seat anywhere. Or have a look around. She's quite the beauty, no?" Izak then took his turn behind the bar, pulling out two glasses and choosing a '98 vintage merlot from the rack behind him. He popped the cork and poured two glasses, smiling as he listened to Matt. With a noncommital noise, he walked back over to him and placed the glass of wine in the other's hand before taking a slow sip of his own. "What a shame. I hate when I'm the only one suffering." He paused to take another sip. "So, now this is where you ask me why I came back or who made me want to."

the docks | izak & matthew

izakvoros​:

Izak tsked. “There won’t be a next time. Only because I know you’d regret killing me.” He rubbed at the spot where Matthew hit him, though the pain had ceased. He flashed a grin the demon’s way before letting his arm fall down to the side. “Y'know, that slap alone was better than hearing ’I missed you, Izak!’, but I will say I was slightly hoping for a kiss.”

He chuckled and jerked his head behind him, gesturing for Matt to follow. He pivoted on his heel and quietly lead the fallen deity to his luxury yacht docked in a secluded area of the bay. Privacy was good. Gods knew they needed it for more reasons than one, and when he reached the ramp that lead up to deck, he held out his hand for Matt to take.

He knew he was crossing boundaries, from the breezy demeanor to an action he would have done when Matt and him were on the edge of being too toxic to be love. But he couldn’t help it. His need for the demon’s attention was so deeply rooted that it was nothing more than an entangled mess. He ignored the way that it made him happy that Matt came, and he especially ignored the way his scent bewitched him as if it had never bewitched him before. Fuck, he was still head over heels for this one creature, and it simultaneously scared him, excited him, and pissed him off. But, he was a coward and it was easier to push all those feelings aside in lieu of actually trying to make Matt feel safe with him.

“Tsk!” Matthew hissed in return, rolling his eyes at the other man as he began to turn on the charm offensive. That ridiculous grin and those frustrating words had the fallen deity fuming even more as he followed Izak through the bay, not wanting to grant him the dignity of a response. 

It was only when they got to the yacht and Izak held a hand out towards him that Matthew balked. Blue eyes darted down to the offered hand that would be so easy to take, but he was supposed to still be mad at Izak and the mess he left behind for everyone else to clean up.

Still, the hand was still there waiting for him to take it and as much as Matthew’s mind was telling him to brush past it and get on the yacht, the more sentimental part of him, the same one who had known Izak for the last few decades did a good job at getting him to soften. The fallen deity was soon watching his own hand, the same one that delivered the slap, slide itself into Izak’s. And just like that, some of the tension that was drawn tight between them seemed to ease as they made their way onto the yacht and inside where they could finally be afforded some privacy together.

Matthew pulled his hand out of Izak’s the moment the door slid shut behind them and he swiftly slid it into his pocket so that he could savour the touch out of sight. “For the record, I did not miss you.” A lie. But Matthew was good at lying because he did not care to appear too vulnerable in front of the other man.

[brynwrites]

OUR BLOODY PEARL’s ebook is $1 for PRIDE!

(until June 19th)

After a year of voiceless captivity, a bloodthirsty siren fights to return home while avoiding the lure of a suspiciously friendly and eccentric pirate captain.

Highlights:

Fluff and adventure

Disabled, nonbinary siren protagonist who has all the sass

Asexual romance with the smollest freckly pirate love interest

Steampunk vibes in a Caribbean setting

The companion novel to a trilogy coming out in 2021

Also this is non-cis book written by a non-cis author so buying it will anger TERFs like JK Rowling ;)

Find the ebook here!

(Or add it to your Goodread’s TBR.)

You can also read the first page below the cut! 

And, while you're here, check out these fantastic mer-centered books by black authors, because we wouldn't have pride at all without black lives:

THE DEEP, an adult novella by Rivers Solomon.

The water-breathing descendants of African slave women tossed overboard have built their own underwater society—and must reclaim the memories of their past to shape their future in this brilliantly imaginative novella inspired by the Hugo Award nominated song “The Deep” from Daveed Diggs’ rap group Clipping. Yetu holds the memories for her people—water-dwelling descendants ...more

A SONG BELOW WATER, a YA novel by Bethany C. Morrow

Tavia is already at odds with the world, forced to keep her siren identity under wraps in a society that wants to keep her kind under lock and key. Never mind she's also stuck in Portland, Oregon, a city with only a handful of black folk and even fewer of those with magical powers. At least she has her bestie Effie by her side as they tackle high school drama, family secrets, ...more

RISE OF THE JUMBIES, a middle grade novel by Tracey Baptiste

Corinne LaMer defeated the wicked jumbie Severine months ago, but things haven’t exactly gone back to normal in her Caribbean island home. Everyone knows Corinne is half-jumbie, and many of her neighbors treat her with mistrust. When local children begin to go missing, snatched from the beach and vanishing into wells, suspicious eyes turn to Corinne. ...more

OUR BLOODY PEARL

[1] CHAPTER ONE: Swell Beginnings

There is one thing I know for certain: We were right to hate the humans.

HUNGER HAUNTS ME like a bull shark. With every roll of the ship, the gunk inside my stagnant tub sloshes against my waist, stinging anew. The tight wooden room's stale air burns my lungs.

Steam whistles in the pipes that run along the walls, their copper gleaming in the dim ceiling light. My wrists throb where the metal cuffs locking me to the tub dig into my silver scales. The gill slits along my neck are clamped shut after a year without seawater and my head fins stick to my scalp like barnacles to rock.

I try to anchor myself with the memory of home, of fine sands and vibrant reefs, but I can barely recall the rush of the warm current or the thrill of the hunt. Even a single wrasse sounds like a feast now. Or a few human fingers.

At least I can still smell the sharp brine of the ocean. When the ship rocks, the small, circular window to my left reveals the sea rolling in an endless stretch of deep blue, begging me to return. The silhouette of an approaching vessel forms a blur on its horizon.

I squint at the hazy shape, but Captain Kian’s roar of irritation from an upper deck makes me recoil. My captor’s harsh voice is so loud it seems to shudder its way down my spine.

The new vessel leaves my sight as the ship I’m captive on—the Oyster—turns toward it. The steam stacks clatter to life somewhere beneath me. Fabric and metal wings stretch out from the sides of the Oyster, and the ship bursts forward, riding just above the crests of the waves.

The sudden change in speed shoves me backward, tossing up my putrid water. As the liquid recoils, it grazes my largest tail fin, lying limp over the far edge of the tub. For all the pain I suffer, I nearly forget my tail exists, its iridescent gleam washed away by the filth and grime of the tub. It must still be impaired from the massive, anchor-like weight my captor crushed it beneath when she first locked me here. I can’t bring myself to focus on its lifeless form for long. I wasn’t meant for this.

I need the sea.

Read more with Amazon’s preview function!

[circular-time]

Dangit I was dreaming the intro of what looked like a promising Thirteen & Yaz video game, but I woke up just as the action started. You'd think my dream editor wasn't up to writing a plot. (It usually isn't; but every now and then it comes through.)

There was a whole planet to explore in the starting menu (mostly tropical, heavily forested settings, obviously bits of my memories of the Hawaiian islands combined with MYST/RIVEN and Final Fantasy XIII, X, and a little of Avatar). I click the thumbnail that shows just their faces nose to nose in an indoor-lit location with the loading screen suggesting some "not a bad date, am I?" UST although I know it won't be because the game was made before Flux aired.

They turn out to be standing in a Mos Eisley style bar if it were a beach town more like one of the resort areas in Thailand. There's varnished wooden beams, honey-colored lanterns, a circular bar around the middle of the main room and posts holding up a sort of cabana roof that opens onto decks and jungle patios.

There's a murmur of conversation, but it's not too crowded. Yaz and Thirteen are standing pnext to the bar, looking tall and accidentally attractive in that dorky-trenchcoat-and-butch-jacket-by-gaslamp manner they have. They seem to be having A Moment where they've both just turned to speak to one another, only to find themselves looking in each other's eyes. But then somebody who seems to be a friend hails the Doctor from behind, and she lights up, turns and runs off to the right.

As I pan the controller around (because yes, it's a 3D rendered game, if a rather cinematic one), I spot a couple sus characters in cartoonish black cloaks skulking away to the left crouched halfway to the floor. I really want to go with the Doctor, but that's a dangling plot thread/clue I can't ignore. So I have Yaz follow them outside in the opposite direction from the Doctor.

It's this warm lighting that can't decide if it's tropical sunlight or golden moonlight; maybe the sun's dimmer. Yaz follows the two skulking figures that have spy vs spy heads (think plague doctor, but more muppet-like) around the island on a steep slope with weird pot-shaped stubby trees or rocks. Eventually the sus pair — who start hiding too, as if they know they're being followed— creep towards a huge stone gateway sunken into the mountain that looks like the entrance to D'ni or a Final Fantasy castle before it went overboard with ornamentation.

While Yaz is hiding among the rocks/trees spying, an authoritative woman's voice declares: "Oh, she knows we know she's there." Explosive shells start raining down around Yaz's hiding place. Oops.

Yaz (ie the player) needs to figure out how to save herself quickly; this may be one of those choose-your-own-adventure games with Game Overs. I briefly entertain the thought the Doctor will put in a sassy appearance to distract the baddies, but I know she won't, because Yaz should be able to save herself.

And just as I'm scanning around the area looking for new hiding places or clues, I wake up.

Bugger.

[out-of-jams]

Across the Board || i || kth

(banner done by the great @kimtaehyunq )

↠ Across the Board ↞ You’d hit a low point in life. With bills piling up and your bank account empty, you were starting to get desperate. So when you got the invite to your oldest friend’s birthday party being hosted at the most popular underground casino in town, what did you possibly have to lose? You took what little you had left in your savings, put your card skills to use, and entered a private blackjack game.

And you’d won. And went back for more, and more, and more.

Until you lost.

And now you’re indebted to the city’s most dangerous mob boss, forced to pay your dues in blood one way or another. With a gun pushed into your hands and your life at stake; once you’re in, you’re in. You’ll never get out.

Word Count: 4k

Warnings/Genre: Set in the Roaring 20s! Gambling. Mature themes. Mafia!au. Mafia Don!Taehyung. Violence. Law breaking. Alcohol use. Death of minor characters. Explicit language. Enemies to lovers. Short series. 18+

                              || Next | Masterlist | |

Danger.

It was a word right up there alongside the definition for the term “stupidity.” While not next to each other in the dictionary, they were close enough that your brain was unable to pick out the subtle differences. Perhaps you’d just always had a habit for screwing your life up, or maybe it was just genetics. Who knew?

You should have listened to the warnings, should have stopped yourself before you got in too deep. Hell, you should have done a lot of things. But you had no one to blame for your current situation except for yourself. However, if you’d learned anything throughout your twenty-two short years of life, it was that life lessons didn’t mean jack if you didn’t get yourself into messes into the first place.

Though staring down the barrel of a revolver sure was a funny way of going about it.

The air in the dimly lit back corner room was tense enough to hear the sound of a casino chip fall to the ground somewhere beyond the shut door. None of the six men sitting around the round, green felted table spoke a word. Their attention — and yours, consequently — was fixed on the single man in the room who barely even batted an eye at the clear panic evident on your face.

He sat on the opposite side of you; the scowl pulling down his bow shaped lips and the narrowing of his fierce gaze had fear chilling your veins. That man was much like an exotic animal; beautiful beyond belief, but dangerous right beneath the surface. A carnivore staring down his prey. The single light above the table threw his shadow against the wall as he casually aimed his pistol right between your eyes.

“You were saying, dollface?”

His neatly parted, straight black hair fell across his face when he leaned forward as if the next words out of your mouth would seal your fate. Not that the thought of having to have your blood cleaned from the expensive carpet beneath his expensive shoes seemed to bother him in the slightest. In fact, he’d look almost bored if it weren’t for the dangerous gleam behind his espresso irises.

“I—” You cut yourself off, swallowing roughly and glancing back down at the table. A depleted deck of cards sat in the center, two hands laid out on the surface. One was yours — a ten of diamonds and a ten of clubs — and the other his. A red ace of spades and a black jack of hearts.

You were out of money.

Having bet more than you possessed, you were also out of chances.

“It’s simple. You owe me money as promised,” his deep, baritone voice spoke up casually over the noise of your heart beating through your chest. “Either hand it over, or you won’t be leaving this room alive. Your choice.”

You closed your eyes for a moment too long to be called a blink, and cursed yourself for ever getting into this situation.

                           One Month Ago

Final Notice of Payment

Ms. L/n,

This is a reminder that you have a balance of $20.54 that is past due. Please make a one time payment no later than—

“Oh, please.” The bill enclosed envelope hit the top of the small, circular dining room table. Or was it the kitchen table? It was hard to tell, seeing as how they were one and the same.

A sigh escaped your lips as you leaned back against the creaky wooden chair, fingers massaging your temples. That was the third bill you’d come across that morning and every single one of them was the final notice of payment. The last warning they’d give before sending someone to collect what was owed.

It hadn’t always been like that. You hadn’t always been in such an insurmountable amount of debt, not until recently. Two months ago your mother, the last bit of family you had left, died. Passed away clinging to the sheets of the hospital bed she’d been laid up in for the past half a year. Cancer, the doctors had said. From all of the cigarettes she’d burned through in the past decade or so.

Irrecoverable, they’d said.

No amount of “sorry’s” or meaningless condolences could fix the massive amount of money that the hospital billed you. Or the debt that your mother left behind, along with her slim-boned corpse that you’d had to bury in the corner of the city cemetery. Perhaps if you’d known who your father was, you could’ve laid her to rest in the space next to his own, but you didn’t. Weren’t fortunate enough to.

Bills had piled up. Rent for the tiny studio apartment the two of you had shared was demanded by the pigeon-toed old woman who owned the rundown, overpriced building. Her husband had passed away two years ago and ever since then, she’d been relentless. She pounded on your door at approximately eight in the morning everyday, shouting through the thin wood that you had until the week was up to pay what was owed. Otherwise you’d be tossed out onto the street with only the clothes on your back.

Combined with the utility bill and the fact that you still had to come up with the dough to feed yourself, you were trapped. The meagre pennies you got from your waitressing job at the diner three blocks away weren’t nearly enough. Nothing would be enough. Not unless you wanted to sell your body on the street corners in the late of night.

Which you didn’t. And you wouldn’t. You’d be more likely to end up dead in a ditch somewhere with your throat cut than out of debt. The city wasn’t safe for women, less so by those men who saw prostitutes as no more than an object to relieve stress onto. And you refused to become another headline in the paper.

Tossing the opened envelope across the table, you paused when familiar handwriting caught your eye on top of the rest of the mail pile. Addressed to you in a curling script that only ever came from someone who could afford a private tutor. You sighed, carefully sliding a knife along the top to slice it open. A waft of sweet, cherry scented perfume filled your tiny kitchen and you almost rolled your eyes at the unnecessary addition.

Jennie, your oldest friend since high school, always had an inclination for the unnecessary. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth and a gold digger for a mother, she’d had nothing else to waste her time on. How you’d even gotten on as friends with such a gap between tax brackets was still a mystery to you. Maybe it was because she’d always used her wealth and status to get the two of you out of trouble. Whether it was from breaking into the school late at night to get wasted in the halls with the rest of her friends, or to get away with slipping things from the corner store into your dress pockets.

She’d always been a rule breaker.

Which was exactly why when you read the contents of the letter, a laugh tumbled from your mouth. It was an invitation to celebrate her upcoming twenty-third birthday in three day’s time. That wouldn’t have been anything out of the ordinary, however, if it weren’t for the location. There wasn’t an exact address, there never was. Just a thin piece of cardboard the size of your hand that fell from the envelope. A playing card — a red ace. One that looked normal except for the center that had the name of a restaurant in the heart of the most rich part of downtown printed on it.

It was a ticket to the most popular underground casino in the whole city. No one knew how to get one, how to get your name onto the list that only catered to the rich and powerful. Located beneath a restaurant, it had grown to be infamous almost overnight since gambling and alcohol was outlawed. Even the coppers knew well enough to leave the establishment alone.

The only way to gain entrance was by flashing a ticket to one of the restaurant staff. That was what you’d heard, at least. You had no idea how May had managed to secure one, let alone enough to cover what you knew would be a large party of her closest friends.

Flicking the corner of the card, you couldn’t believe your luck.

Your mother hadn’t taught you very many things, had been too busy gossiping with her friends over a carton of cigarettes to bother. What she had passed down, however, was her ability to draw cards. To play blackjack with the best of them. That’d been the only thing she’d ever bothered to teach you; when she’d had too many sips of wine and her eyes had glazed over with memories of the life she used to live. 

She’d sit you down and make you memorize the names and faces of the cards until you could count them forward and backwards. Could predict what card would be drawn and when. Where she’d learned it, she’d never told you. But that didn’t matter now. Couldn’t, seeing as she was dead and all.

Grinning, you flopped back into your chair.

Maybe you’d be able to pay off your debts after all.

And you had. Paid off your debt, that is.

After clearing out your savings account of the last fifteen dollars you had left to your name, you’d dolled yourself up and gone with Jennie and her friends. Had left the group of flappers tittering and groaning drunk at the line of slot machines at the back of the casino. Calls of bets being placed, dough exchanging for chips, and illegal cocktails pouring into glasses played as a soundtrack.

None of the card tables scattered across the underground establishment held what you’d been looking for. Neither roulette, nor craps, nor slots. The bartender had been the one to tell you where the real games were, where the cash was. A door down a tiny back hallway led to a room where private games were held. If you managed to win at one, he’d told you, then you’d win not only the pot, but an invitation to come back and play again.

Which had been an opportunity that you just couldn’t pass up. No matter the risk.

You’d won.

And now you were addicted.

To the money, the lifestyle, the adrenaline that shot through your veins like a particularly harsh sip of gin. Which was exactly why you’d gone back. Again, and again, and again, every single week for the past month. It wasn’t your fault that it was so easy. So simple to swindle your way into getting your name permanently written down on the entry list.

Oh, and the men.

It was a different group every week, but they weren’t all that dissimilar from one another. They’d sit there and smoke their cigars and drink their whiskey, all while silently mocking you with their eyes. Like they thought they were better than you just because they had a dick between their legs.

You were addicted to that too.

To watching the way their faces would fall in disbelief every single time you cleared the pot and took their money. And how their voices would raise in pitch with their countless complaints about how some lowly broad conned them out of their pocket change. Because that’s all that money was to people like them.

Change.

They were rich. You could tell by the custom suits they wore, the cologne they bathed in, the way they carried themselves. The money they gambled with always had a cap, a max amount that they were willing to bet. And the games never got too crazy, didn’t escalate once they lost to you. Which was a shame really, because you wanted more. Craved more. More of what, you weren’t too sure, but the high that playing brought only lasted so long until you came crashing back down.

Which was exactly when fate decided to change the routine.

“Here to play again, miss?” Felix, the same teenage boy who always manned the door to the gambling room, asked with a slight tilt of his head. His light brunette hair was tucked beneath a bowler hat, different from the usual fedora. Back to the door, he was standing up straight instead of his normal slouch. And the way his mouth was taught around the edges was out of the ordinary as well.

The boy didn’t have a cigarette clenched between his teeth, which should have been enough to set off the bells in your head. But it didn’t. Because you were too bullheaded, had gotten too cocky in the terms of things.

“You know me too well, Felix.” You reached out a hand to pat the lanky boy on his suit clad arm lightly, a smile pulling up at your red painted lips. “Is the usual table ready?”

The volume in the casino wasn’t as loud either, nor were there quite as many patrons. But you’d just chalked that up to the heavy rain pounding a path into the concrete outside. Though the lack of customers did nothing to eliminate the permanent smell of cigarette smoke that lingered, hidden in the walls beneath the fancy looking wallpaper.

“I don’t know if you want to play today, miss.” Felix glanced away from you with his bottom lip caught between his teeth. You blamed the flickering light in the corner of the hall for the way his freckles stood out amongst his slowly paling cheeks.

You raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

He didn’t answer. Not at first. Silence lingered in the hall, drowning in the soft jazz music coming from the band on the stage near the back of the joint. It took the raising of your other brow for the underaged boy to finally answer.

“It’s just not a good day for gambling.”

Now that had you leaning forward until you could finally catch his flighty gaze, voice hushed in a playful whisper. “Oh really, how so? Is there a stool-pigeon running about somewhere? Should we be expecting the coppers to come kicking down the door any minute?”

“No. I—”

“Then why can’t I play, Felix?” You were starting to get irritated. The week had been long and you were ready to forget about it all for the next few hours. Buried beneath the weight of a handful of cards and glass full of gin.

Either Felix could see your growing impatience, or there really was something he was hiding, because he stepped even further in front of the door. “You don’t want to play with this group, miss. They aren’t as welcoming as the others are. It’d be best if you just went home.”

“You ca—”

“And what’s going on back here?” That wasn’t Felix’s voice and neither was it yours. You whipped around, surprised at the new addition.

The man behind you had honey brown hair parted and styled carefully until it was brushed back away from his heart-shaped face. Though some of it still hung in front of a single, dark eye. His other was uncovered, a scar running through his eyebrow and cutting it in half. Everything about him was angular, sharp. From his jawline to the slope of his nose and the corners of his full lips.

One look and you already pegged him for a cake-eater, a ladies man, if you’d ever seen one. Hell, he even dressed like he came right off the front cover of one of those Time magazines that littered the newspaper stands on every street corner. With a navy blue suit and perfect, unscuffed shoes.

“No, sir,” Felix attempted to pull the man’s attention from you unsuccessfully. “The missus here was just leaving.”

The Stranger hummed, tilting his head to study you with those sharp eyes of his. “Were you, bunny? Just leaving?”

You couldn’t help the twitch of your nose at the unfavorable nickname, squaring your shoulders and crossing your arms with a scoff. “No, I wasn’t. I want to play a few rounds, you see, but he won’t let me.”

Perhaps you should have felt bad for ratting out the kid, but you didn’t. Especially not when the Stranger huffed a laugh, a distinct ha-ha-ha! in amusement. Though there was something else in his eyes that you couldn’t name. Didn’t want to acknowledge. “You want to play a hand of blackjack, is that right?”

“Ab-so-lute-ly.” You raised an eyebrow at the man and waved a hand through the air. “I can play.”

“Oh,” He asked, taking a step closer until you had to crane your neck back to meet his imploring gaze. “Playing isn’t cheap.”

You shrugged nonchalantly. “I can pay too.”

He must have been waiting for that answer if the smirk that pulled at his lips was any indication. And he finally, finally broke eye contact to wave aside the boy behind you. “Well, did the dame make herself clear or not? She wants to play.”

You happened to turn just in time to catch the alarm that flickered across Felix’s face as he stepped to the side to reveal the door behind him. Felix reached out with a ringed hand to twist the brass knob of the door. It swung open without a sound and he gave you a quick, wide-eyed stare filled with a warning you couldn’t interpret, before looking away.

“Well?” The Stranger questioned from over your shoulder. You could smell his cologne now; husky with a hint of sweet orange.

His words were an invitation if you’d ever heard one. And you didn’t want to look like a bluenose, a prude, so you stepped inside without hesitation. Though perhaps you should have taken Felix’s unspoken warning, for you had no idea just what it was that you were walking into.

Inside the cramped room was filled with a haze of cigar smoke, which wasn’t unusual at all. What was, however, was the group of six men sitting at the circular table as you rounded the corner with the Stranger at your back. They were beautiful, all of them. A huge contrast to the usual rabble that came to play. Hell, even underneath the dim light you couldn't spot a single flaw on them.

No one noticed your entrance at first.  

Well, at least not until the Stranger cleared his throat. “Gentleman.”

His greeting sounded like it toed somewhere on the line between amusement and respect.

All movement in the room came to a halt as six men looked up from where they’d been bent over the blackjack table. If you’d been a little less prideful and a lot more careful, then perhaps the overbearing confidence that bled from their pores would have given you pause. But as it was, you stood standing, back straight and head held high. Even while their eyes roamed your figure like tigers behind a cage at the zoo right before feeding time.

A pause hovered in the air, lingering with a tension that crawled onto your skin. What seemed like hours passed merely in seconds before it was broken.

“And who’s this?” The question came from the fella who sat in the chair closest to where you stood. He was turned around with his arm propped up on the back of it, head tilted to the side in curiosity. His hair was styled similar to the Stranger’s, though his was darker and the gel pushed through the strands made it gleam silver beneath the dim lamp that hung above the table.

High cheekbones and skin the same color as molten honey, his jaw worked around a piece of gum stuck between his teeth. A smirk pulled up at the corner of his mouth, dark eyes glittering with a touch of interest. With a black and white suit that complimented the shade of his hair, the man was nothing if not a billboard: flashy. Handsome.

“I found bunny here outside arguing with Felix. Something about wanting to play a few rounds of blackjack. Isn’t that right?” The Stranger placed a heavy palm between your shoulder blades. What might have been intended to come off as comforting, only succeeded in making you feel the opposite. Like you were being put on display.

You didn’t let it show on your face. “That’s right.”

“Oh?” Gum Chewer’s smirk grew broader at that, but he said nothing else. Just leaned back in his chair.

“What do you say, should we let her play?” Blond hair, pink kissable lips and dangerous, dangerous eyes. The slim man sitting next to Gum Chewer was attractive in a pretty way that made you envious of his easy-on-the-eyes looks.

While the question may have been asked to the whole room, none of them answered it. Instead they looked towards one of the men sitting in the middle who had yet to speak. If you’d thought the rest of them were a sight for sore eyes, well, they had nothing on him. How your attention hadn’t been drawn to him the moment you walked through the door, you didn’t know.

He wasn’t even looking at you and you already felt tongue-tied. Busying himself with shuffling the cards in his hands against the green felt table, the expensive looking rings adorning his slender fingers caught your eye. He was what your mother would’ve called a timeless beauty. The type of handsome that meant he could walk the streets of the city in nothing but a sack and he’d have women throwing themselves at his feet.

Hair the same shade as a moonless sky made him look intimidating, like he belonged to the shadows themselves. A straight nose, cupid bow lips and long eyelashes that would make any broad jealous; he gave off the type of power that could make even the bravest of men cower at his feet. The longer he took to respond, the more the room grew still. As if your fate was in the hands of a man who’s name you didn’t even know.

Though perhaps it was.

A muffled thud echoed throughout the room as he tapped the deck of cards against the table once, twice, before sliding them over to the fella to his left. Plucking up the glass of scotch in front of him, he finally looked up. And graced you with the prettiest chocolate brown eyes you’d ever seen.

“What’s your name, dollface?”

tagged: @bewitch-me​  @jxngkooksthxghs​   @kaitswrld​  @clarissalance​  @namurkive​ @ifntelyinspirit​  @kotaevln​  @red--aren  @ggukkieland​  @moonlitmyg​  @i-like-puppy-mg​  @aianloveseven​  @drumsofheaven​  @figurativehoe00​ @wonhoandonly​ @wacdon​ @hear-me-growl​ @milaridez7 @1088x1088​ @alana-ba​ @vlntaeg​

[idris-hunts-the-mando]

Right place, Right time  \the departure pt.1/

Rating: Mature

Words: 6.1k

A/N:  this took me the bulk of a week to complete, i think ill make a few small bite sized works for a while, working on the next part in a week or so, once i get myself back together. give me all the love you as a reader can, I’m fueled by praise/hj 

pairings: none yet

Warnings: series typical violence, hard swearing, moderate gore

I woke up sore and hurt in the bunk room, the cold cot felt like frozen river stones under my tired bones. I could tell we arrived at our destination from the frostbite settling into my fingers and nose. The slow neutral hum of machinery was a tell tale sign that the ship was at ease, the noise usually deafening. Pulling my threadbare scarf up over my neck and chin, i started regretting choosing this particular cargo ship going to a frozen planet for a runaway plan. I braced for the aggravating beginning to the tiresome day and sat up from my cramped bunk space. sleeping in a room with a dozen oily work worn men didnt make any part of the trip to Maldo Keris easier, not to mention the fact they all saw me as more of a womp rat and less of a sentient being. keeping my eyes to myself, i shoved my tattered boots over my feet buckled my tool belt to my hip and hurried out of the barracks before the bulk of my crew mates woke up. stepping out onto the loading dock,i took a breath in. the smell of poorly filtered air irked my mechanics brain. It would be such an easy fix if they payed me to care. But alas, for this particular voyage, i was bunked out like a stowaway, giving in return my fix-it help around deck for passage off my planet of origin. Sighing out the musty air, i checked my stations. Navigating the hold was like a womp rat through a maze, you had to be rather nimble and graceful to get through the makeshift corridors without issue. Unluckily for me, I was neither nimble nor graceful. When i got to the panel, i took out my key ring and unlocked the rusted metal door to expose the intricacies within. the wiring looked tip top shape, but the fuel lines needed a bit more attention than the other tangle of electronics, so i took out my multi-tool to tighten the fittings. The liquid distilled Rhydonium that flowed through these particular lines was a less explosive substance than its pure form, but dangerous nonetheless. the multi-tool was a newer model, so it didn't fit this type of bolt all the way, but it was better than nothing. Better than allowing it to loosen over another voyage and have the ship explode mid hyper-speed.

  My mind was so stuck in its own world, the training I had over the many years in a scrappers shop spewing all of its knowings about rhydonium and fuel lines that I didn't have time to notice the first lieutenant Maegs stalking his way over to me. I jumped a moment before he spoke, tightening the last half inch of the bolt down maybe a bit too aggressively.

  "We the captains crew appreciate the helping you've been do'en for this ol beasty of a ship," he mentioned, one his independent eyes viewed me separably, while the second one was monitoring my work. I froze for a moment out of fear, but i didn't think he took notice. "You're more than welcome to stick 'round 'an see what else you can fix up for this rust-bucket." the first lieutenant never gave me much of a hard time, unlike most of the crew. But I had made up my mind the first night in hyperspace that I would haul ass out of this suffocating ship as soon as a habitable planet was spotted. I finished up closing and locking the wires box, shaking my head slowly and turning to face him.

  "I do love the sentiment, lieutenant. but maybe another time if our paths cross again." I forced an obligatory smile, avoiding making eye contact with him at all costs out of fear for not having the attention span to pick and stick to a wondering eye. If i could ever force myself to say something nice about the ship and its crew, it would be the acceptance of short interactions. A conversation rarely surpassed the 'how are you doing today' phase, by the moons it never got to that phase in the first place. And I was a person of not many words, and not much of a filter.

  Maegs nodded slowly, clasping two of his 4 arms behind his back and turning away. I felt the need to repay his unprompted kindness with some suggestions for the ship before I left it for good. Call me sentimental, but this ship, albeit mostly composed of literal blood sweat and spit, was my ticket into a new life. "don't let yourself get caught without changing the air filtration system, them new republic scouters are picky about what type of poison you use for cremates." I remark with a little smirk. Maegs paused, narrowing his eyes, amused by the backhanded remark. He had surely gotten complaints about the smell before. He gave a thoughtful nod toward me, and allowed himself a small smile. I looked down in my hands, the key ring still hanging off my index finger. I tossed it towards him and was relieved when he caught it. he turned with no further words needed. On his way to the control room, he pushed the cargo bay door release button. My line of sight was clear from the opening door to the nearby port town and when the frosty air stung my face, I knew in my soul that this was a good thing. Taking in a breath of the salted frozen air, my body naturally recoiled. I'm not one for cold. 'Ah well, way to go picking the nearest ice planet than idiot' I scolded myself, pulling my cloak back over my shoulders to take the first step out of the ship held together with sticker line and bantha spit. 'Good riddance'.

  Walking into town was harder than expected, the ice on the ground blended into the ice of the horizon, making spacial reasoning a thing of the past. The only anchor I had to the planet besides its heavy gravity was the stark grey buildings stapled to the sheets of ice about 10 meters in front of me. I never could have guessed the sky of Maldo Keris could get any uglier, but planets like these have a way of surprising a person. I tucked my hair and ears away with the hood of my raggedy travelers cloak, bracing myself from the heavy winds by retreating further and further into my cloths. I stayed on the worn path from the ship's dock port, hearing from previous crew mates that this was the warm season, that the ice was thinner and the creatures lurking underneath had no sense of remorse. Now nervous at the revival of that pleasant memory, I kept a close eye on my surroundings, not having the most faith in my feet for staying their course. The wind stung at my exposed skin, reminding me I was wearing only my work cloths that weren't  meant for the sudden change in climate. The cloak I had was best at protecting my human skin from the suns above. Beyond that, my tatterd outer layer didn't do much for the safeguarding of my body heat.

  I was relieved to have stumbled to shade from the wind so quickly, the heavy kit bag on my back was starting to feel more like a boulder taped to my body than a simple means of containing my tools and spare cloths. Paying attention to the signs overhead, i quickly located the nearest cantina and rushed towards it as fast as any human Popsicle can. Opening the circular doors with the press of a button took me into what felt like a summer time resort. Hiding my appreciation for the warmth from the patrons staring at me, i collected my composure and swiftly found an open table. The electronic doors closed rather harshly behind me. I recognized the sound of faulty pressure hinge and eyed the door for a moment when i took my seat. That door was a danger to customers who get caught in it, it could cause some serious injuries for larger species and even fatalities for humanoids.

  Sitting down at the frosty old wooden chair was a relief on the fatigue in my joints. It was neither a comfortable seat, nor a relatively stable one, but it gave me time to take off my pack and study the small, rather ugly, room I found myself to be in. It wasn't too long before I would have to order something, or I feared starvation. The crew mates on the cargo ship were kind, if the bare minimum counts. Food once a day (as per average in the parsec), and as much sleep as necessary per species or race. For humans in particular, that amount of time was annoyingly low. tired and hungry was a bad mix for me as it is, but add cold to that mixture, and the first person to get on my nerves would be the last. i checked the contents of my bag to make sure everything looked as it should and moved up from my chair, replacing the spot with my hefty bag. I was rather confident that if any Kung Nerfhearder tried to run off with it, it would be too weighted for them to get far. I may be rather small compared to other sub species of humans, but i pride myself on my strength often.

  Making my way to the bar counter, I lean up between two silent patrons sitting a few seats away from each-other. I get the barkeep's attention with a wave of my fingers, calling him to me. "What kind of meal do you have on the stove top right now?" I ask with my flattest low tone. In port towns like this its important to be as emotionless as possible in order to not draw attention to yourself. Colorless, shapeless, uniform and mad was always the role you had to play to make it through the galaxy.

  "We got a silver weed in the radiator, it'll be 3 credits." He replied, picking up a glass and wiping it out with his rag covered hand. I pulled the amount needed out of my pocket and set it down on the bar counter. he swiped his hand over the credits, picking them up quickly. nodding, he left the sight of the bar for only a spit second before returning to the table with a small bowl of mush. I tried my best to smile and be thankful for the meal, but as the bowl transferred to my hands I had to focus on not gagging. I hurried back to my private table in the corner and settled back into my seat, dropping my bag on the floor between my legs to keep it as safe as possible. The last thing I want is a soup that tastes like the scrapings of a persons shoe into street worn snow, but what can you expect on a planet such as this. Prodding the gelatinous mass in the bowl with my spoon, I ponder the ever growing question of 'what in the hell is in this shit'. my mind wonders deep into its personal wonderland while my environment continues to be less and less favorable.

     Hostile voices from the other side of the cantina rise louder and louder, as if at the warm up stage of a slowly progressing screaming match. The feeling of sourness in my heart rose with a predictable inclination. The tension in the air grows as yet again the same scene unfolds before my and all other patrons of the cantina's eyes. I strain my neck to see what was happening. At the far end of the room, closer to the door than I am, I saw the oddly familiar face of a poor amphibious creature's head being slammed on the table he was sitting at. The oldest and most primal of situations, the strong picking on the weak. Three tall imposing figures towered over the poor humanoid looking fellow who was obvious to any idiot to be lacking in intimidating features. Seeing this obligatory show of power for any insecure creature with anger issues never sat right with me. It reminded me too much of where I came from, the slums of sand and glass where bullies like these were treated like royalty without challenge from the ones they harassed.

     'Dank ferrik, don't do it' i challenged the assaulter internally, as if pleading with them to harm their victim any more so I would have a reason to put in use my blade skills. i had no idea where I've seen that face before, but as they say, curiosity killed the Cathar. And there it happened, the final action in the escalation. The largest of the assaulter lifted the poor guy to his feet and the ring leader lifted his knife to the throat of his victim. A cry of anguish and fear came from the poor fool being restrained, and that was my last straw.

     I stood from my chair, kicking away my bag and drawing my vibroblade from my thigh holster, walking over to the group across the tavern. I growl, squaring my shoulders and stiffening my legs to make me seem bigger. I must have looked pretty wild, my tattered cloak drawn over my body like a dark fog, and my scarf still pulled up like a mask over my nose with only my furious green eyes over the top. Just as I started my warpath towards the men, the heavy ring shaped door to the cantina opened abruptly, startling a few of the onlookers. I knew what type of situation I had put myself in and how important focus and intimidation was, so I didn't take any time away from the assholes with blades to gawk at who had happened to stroll in. With my attention solely married to the poor bastard and his assailants, I noticed all of their attention was stripped from their target and glued to the newcomer. Evaluating my surroundings, I saw most of the other patrons in my sight were enthralled too. This piqued my interest and I felt it safe enough to turn and check out the royalty.

     Standing soberly at the bar counter, the figure of a mandolorian stood in silence, facing the bar keep. My heart dropped first, than my jaw. Only legend, only in the oldest fables and the scary stories my nan would use to scare me into not stealing the sweets late at night, had I ever heard of the likes of him. from the bescar armor forged in the heart of a black flame forge (or so i've been told) to the galaxy known creed of mandalore, this being was the stuff of leadgeneds. To be feared and adorned wherever they so chose to walk. but not anymore. Not since the planet turned to glass a hundred years ago, destroying much of what was known of the infamous warriors.

     I don't think the aggressors saw me and the dangerous piece of weaponry clasped in my hand, instead they looked drunkenly amused at the new patron, like sly cats with a new toy. surveying his surroundings, the warrior's expressionless visor swept the room. He inspected the threat levels of the patrons, the bullies, the amphibious humanoid sucker that was caught under it all. The mandolorian made no comment as he momentarily swept over me, with my clenched fist around the vibroblade. Rather he ignored me entirely, leaning against the bar counter and staring absentmindedly at the wall ahead of him. The scum saw this as an odd mandolorian intimidation tactic and took it to heart, growling a string of multilingual insults. I couldn't quite understand all the words from their  chosen dialect, but something about a drink spilling and how it was somehow the mando's fault.

     when they didn't get a response, they snorted, puffing their chest out and stalking towards the armored newcomer. Continuing to talk in another language I didn't understand fully, the bar keep attempted to translate, feeling the tensions rise in the air. "He says you spilled his drink." a moment of silence, with the smell of anger wafting from the half intoxicated bantha shaggers, And the barman attempted to diffuse the situation by offering the men drinks to hopefully get them to settle down. And by the two suns it did not. The drink slid from the barkeep's hand and down the table. The mandolorian took it out of its trajectory and started the assault, smashing the creature's head on the counter to his right and simultaneously twisting the louder man on his left arm until the knife in his hand stabbed himself in the ass. As the third attempted to run out the front door, mando caught him with his grappling wire and pulled him back. The tangled creature got his blaster from a thigh holder and shot a round at his would-be captor. The blaster fire ricochet off the bescar Armour, bringing the mando's attention to his own firearm. With the tangled assaulter in the right position, mando fired a single shot at the door of the cantina, Forcing the wiring to go into hyperactive shut down, closing the doors around the alien. The doors struggled for a moment, and so did the thing caught in it, but nothing stopped the metal and electricity from slicing through the meat of its body. The legs of the now dead man fell to the ground at the door with a sickening thump.

     After this, the silence in the room was so thick you could swing at it with a hatchet and not make a dent in the shock factor. unsurprisingly enough, every patron went back to their own businesses with each other as if nothing had happened. A pair sitting at a table close to the door went swiftly to the half body to move it away to continue the flow of traffic as they then scurried out the doors, carrying the top half between them. Scavengers i bet, black market womp rats' i thought, sighing at how quickly the circle of life can flash before your eyes. death isn't something to be dewlled on in a universe like this, now back to the issue at hand.

     recollection hit me like a half ton of bricks when I remembered where I saw the face of the teal looking bastard with a knife previously on his neck. Spite flooded in my blood as I narrowed my eyes at my next target, shoving my vibroblade back in my thigh holster aggressively and stomping towards the useless excuse of flesh. "You're a dead man now, Mythrol." I said to myself. he must have heard me, or possibly sensed all the rage walking swiftly at him. His eyes upturned towards me, full of fear, but I now remember there is an ugly smugness to him too. I made it to the table, putting my hands down in front of him, leaning my top body weight on my palms. "You better have a divine excuse for not meeting me at that port you Druk Nerfhearder, or you'll be seeing the wrong side of the ice ocean outside in 30 seconds." I could barely contain my frustration with this sniveling worm, he was the reason i had to bunk with the disgusting oiled engineers for a week in hyperspace. The reason I had only 12 credits in my tech vault and less than that on hand. He scammed me out of a decent ride and my entire years savings. It was a genuine miracle how well I kept myself from not leaping over the table he sat at and giving him a new meaning to crazy bitch.  

     "H-hey, hey you, long time no see huh, man am I sorry for missing out on that meting we had that one time, sorry pal I kinda slept in-" but before he could make up any more exuces, any more lies, my vibroblade was at his throat right where the other man's was just a moment ago. He hissed and recoiled back in his seat, opening and closing his mouth a few times, trying to breathe, to speak. whichever it was, it wouldn't matter soon. He had talked enough in his lifetime to anger hundreds of poor victims throughout the parsec, letting him one last word would be a dishonor to all of them.

     Before I could press the blade into his flesh, a firm leather covered hand wrapped around my forearm, pulling it away carefully. I looked at the arm, attached to it was a shoulder, and atop the shoulder sat a gleaming bescar helmet. I felt my heart sink into the depths of my stomach, the anger switching places with feral panic that I tried my absolute best to contain. No words came from the mandolorian, a simple shake of his head was all i got. he loosened the grip on my arm, letting it recall back to my center of gravity.Ii looked down at the arm, looking for any obvious signs of damage, but his grip was closer to gentle and firm than harsh. A soft metallic thud brought my attention to the table, where the mando has tossed a puck. A bounty puck. Today was certainly a day for emotions, because T felt as pleased as a jawa coming across the flashing screen of Mythrol's face on the holographic screen projected by the puck.        Mytrol looked between me and the mandolorian a few times before painting his face with a fake smile, the wheels in his head turning into overdrive trying to make a lie up to get himself out of this one. "Is that me?" he questioned, the forced denial barely hiding the fear in his eyes. "Aw come on, I can pay you more than that pitiful bounty, a whole new cruiser," he pleaded, bargaining for his life. "on me, waddaya say."

     The mandolorian doesn't waste a breath to reply, his electronically filtered voice filling the getting-to-be awkward silence. "I can take you in warm." he placed a hand on his hip holster, bringing attention to the deadly gun strapped in it. "Or I can bring you in cold." Mythroll's face turned pale with fear, looking like a sort of pale blue spirit. Gulping down what could have been vomit, or another plea for life, he couldn't move at all, just staring at the mandolorian's unfeeling visor.

     The mandolorian slaps restraints on mythrol's wrists, pulling him up and out of his chair in one swift motion, the disparaged lump following along with his hands bound together. He seemed resigned to his fate as he was pulled out of the cantina, leaving in his wake and eruption of whispers and a few sobs of relief from the clientele of the bar. I myself was in a state of shock by what had happened and the intense speed at which it had occurred, Standing in front of a table with drops of blood on it not knowing what to do next. Mythrol had cheated me out of a lot of money, and he was just walking away, atoning for crimes he didn't commit against me. that in and of itself felt somewhat fair, fair to any of the galaxy he had screwed over so far.  

     My body flew back to my table mostly on its own, smashing into the chair at which I had just been sitting less than a minute ago. I hauled my ridiculously large bag over one shoulder, the extra strap free in the wind. I knew i had to at least try. for myself. Running back to the door panel where the halfed creature had met his end, I slammed the controls urgently, opening the door back out to the wild wind of Maldo Keris. Scanning the nearby environment was hard without protective goggles to shield me from the dust and yuck in the wind, but I spotted a pair of hulking figures 15 yards from the cantina, moving at a steady pace away. Try for me, I can do this one thing for myself. I sprinted as fast as I could with the pack over one shoulder, making me surely look like some sort of lame bantha to any possible onlookers. "Wait! wait please!" I called out to the mandolorian, my tone accidentally becoming demanding, but I think that helped to get the mandolorian's attention. They stopped and Mythrol looked at the mando, as if he was pleading to get him away from me in fear I had came back just to fight a mandolorinan for a chance to stab him again. As tantalizing as that thought was, the actions I were taking were purely selfish. I deserve justice just as much as any poor sap sad enough to cross paths with the scamming womp rat or the mystery person who called for the bounty.

     "Please let me come with you for when you collect his bounty." I asked somberly, stopping my chase a few paces away from the pair standing together. "I swear I wont take the credits from you, I just want to see him pay for what he's done." Tiny beads of sweat pearled at my brow, my breath was labored in my throat. Even walking with my bag was hard, but I had just chased down a bounty hunter and his captive. Strands of my hair stuck to my forehead and I wiped them away with the back of my forearm once they crept into my eyes.

   Mytrhol had to get his two cents in of course, holding the bounty hunter by the cape and making his eyes go wide with worry. "I don't know who this person is, don't let them come along, they could try to hurt me!" He plead, tugging on the cape like a whiny child. Now the anger came back, a cold rage in my fists, ready to start brutalizing someone at the drop of a pin. I narrowed my eyes at Mythrol, who didst bother to return the look. the mandolorian stared for a moment, looking off behind me in thought. The worry then set in, a fear whispered in the back of my skull 'You'll never get your closure and die alone on this hell planet.' My eyes went to the obsidian visor of the mando, creasing my brows together, subconsciously chewing on my lip as he made his decision. Loosening his shoulders, he slumped his head downward, as if morally defeated. I was taken aback by the conflict he was having about weather or not to let a weird stranger aboard his ship or not. oddly enough I understood his seeming frustration, I wouldn't let me go if I were him. He picked his head up after a second, looking me up and down as if to study me entirely. I felt eyes over my body, it was weirdly intimate. When he made his way back up to my eyes, he stood in silence for a moment before asking. "Do you have any weapons on you besides the blade?"

   Certainly a different question than what I thought was going to be asked, so for the answer, I had to think about it for a moment, mentally going through my bag and person. "n, no. I have my vibroblade. and a sack full of my electrician's tools, but they arn't traditional weapons." I responded earnestly, my tone going flat again. Another moment of silence, Mythrol looking quickly between the bounty hunter and myself.

   "If you truly wish to see the bounty delivered, I can take you to the trade. In exchange for the ride there, my ship needs mild internal repairs. If you try to cross me," He paused, a hand went to his blaster as a warning. A flashback to the cantina entered my forethought, the image of his hand on his blaster the same way as it was now moments before a man got cut in half. The warning was received properly, I felt thoroughly intimidated. "You'll be dead before you could pray to any gods." damn. That was intense. thoroughly intimidated, to the core. i took a breath in, almost allowing myself time to rethink my request in its entirity. but i responded with a quick nod. I knew my way around most ship interiors, if the ship wasn't rusted and breaking in half on take off, i knew i'd be able to mend it.

   The mandolorian gave no other word to me and turned, walking towards the ice flats docking crew. I allowed myself a cheeky smirk, fulfillment at the succession in my pursuit gave my heart a good warm squeeze. Following along behind the mandoloian a pace, he negotiated with the docking crew, asking oddly enough for a live pilot, not a droid. Some harmonic whistling came from the ferryman, hailing over a rust bucket of a speeder. As the speeder came to a stop to collect its haul, rusted pieces of under backing fell from the rear, clanking to the ice annoyingly. We all loaded into the speeder, I sat in front with the driver, the mando and his bounty in the back, a gloved hand around Mythrol's bicep at all times. We reached out frozen destination, the driver of the speeder calling one last warning to the three of us after collecting his dues and puttering off towards the port.

   I took a moment to asses the hull of the razor crest, it wasn't too bad for a pre new republic vessel. Some battle scars here and there around the landing gear, a charred blaster fire mark on the windows of the cockpit. This was truly the ship of a bounty hunter. Turning to follow the speeder's course, I couldn't help but feel a deep unease, he had warned about the ice planet's personal creature of death, Ravanack. Just then, the entire rusty hull of the speeder and its driver were swallowed whole in a single angry bite. The ravanack retreated back into the ice just as Mythroll let out a girlish scream of terror. He booked it twords the mandolorian who was opening the hatch to the belly of his ship, screaming for dear life to let him in. The ice where the speeder was swallowed started cracking in the direction of the ship, very quickly speeding directly at Mythrol.

   My instincts kicked in and I hopped out of the way, swinging myself onto the floor of the cargo hold of the ship with the momentum of my bag. Just as i got out of harms way, the mandolorian swung himself out of the ship to grab the petrified blue idiot only moments before the jaws of his early death lunged out of the ice, driving sickeningly deep into the landing gear of the razor crest. I winced at the damage done, scrambling back away from the flying Mythroll the mando had haphazardly chucked at me. The mandolorian seemed to ignore me entirely, herding his bounty into the cockpit with him. As the engines revved and the propellers blasted their heat down towards the ice at max capacity, the beast clung tightly to its prey of metal and paint, determined wholeheartedly to bring the ship down to its frigid death. The mando hopped down the ladder, rushing to the cargo bay door with his riffle. he stabbed the bayonet into the beast's head, sending a current of electricity into its skull. the beast roared furiously, releasing the ship and sinking back into the inky ocean.

   I collected myself and scrambled up off the floor. the cargo bay doors closed quickly, leaving the mandolorian and myself in the ambient humming of the bay. His breast plate rose and fell, getting less an less noticeable as he calmed down. turning towards me. He nodded at a upturned metal basket with a weather worn blanket tossed over it. I took the hint and put my bag on top of the makeshift stool, retrieving from it my more universal tools. Going from one job to another wasn't my ideal, but this was a more opportunistic adventure. My original goal was only ever to get off the sun bitten planet i was from, beyond that was up to fate, and I can't really complain about where it took me today. Now i'm headed to gods know where with a mandolorian and his bounty who single-handedly ruined the last year and a half's hard work I had done. turning my head towards the mandolorian, I saw him stand in the hallway between the cargo bay and the cockpit, eyeing his bounty.

   Words hung on the end of my tongue, ready to ask millions of questions out of pure adrenaline fueled thrill. But I stopped myself from spilling over, taking notice of the details in the mando's body for the first time. For the most feared warrior in the galaxy, this man looked as any other bounty hunter. His armor was chipped and dented, highlighting the flaws in the outer most shell of himself. A deep rooted curiosity took roots just then, desiring to know more of what laid under his iron and bescar plates. "Where should I start working first?" I asked as politely as possible. feeling a need to use respective words when in the presence of a man who just stabbed a water beast in the head. This got his attention away from the bounty if only for a moment. He paused for a second, going through the archives of his mind to see where needed the most urgent attention. Turning 180 degrees, he lifted a gloved hand to point at the panel of buttons and levers at the end of the metal room. It looked mostly in tact, but only mostly. There was blaster char at the center of the damage, near the bottom left hand corner of the panel itself. "Yikes." I whispered mostly to myself, reaching in my bag for a clean oil rag. Acknowledging the mandolrian's request with a glance and half nod, I got to work at the station. It looked to be the control panel for the gun hold under the main cargo bay. The possible stories tied with the maiming of this piece of equipment swarmed my mind, finding my own way of theorizing any number of adventurous tales.

   A few minutes go by, tweaking the damaged area as best I could to fit my hands into the circuitry. Mythroll passed by quickly, entering the open door of the munitions hold to the ladder down. I got nervous for a moment, than I heard him calling back to the mandolorian pilot, talking about molting and stellar seasons. What an odd being. Slimy thieving nerfhearder. Going back to work, not questioning the reasons tmythroll went down there. so wrapped up, figuratively and literally, in the wires of the control panel, i hadn't noticed mando sneaking past me, silent as death. I hadn't noticed him, that is, until I heard the thumping and crashing of combat and the pitiful yelps of the bounty rise to draw my attention toward the lower hold. Mythroll's shout cut short with an angry metallic hiss. The fear now taking a hold of my stomach, I pulled my hand out of the tangle to look nervously down the ladder, seeing the mando start his ascent. "carbon freezing." he said simply. I know his intention was to explain what had just happen in hopes to ease my worry, but no. it worried me more. Drawing my thought to the intense reality that I was willingly trapped on the ship of a proven dangerous bounty hunter. I felt rather idiotic in that moment, the crushing weight of the situation bringing me to a moral defeat. The mando slid by me, his body language more casual than it should have been seeing as how he had just half killed someone in the hold of his ship. He paused momentarily, looking over my work. nodding, He left in silence, returning to the cockpit.

   After a second, I gathered my thoughts and took a deep breath into my lungs. The reality of my life now was flipped upside down and tossed into a spinning vortex of crazy, but I know my strengths. I know myself and what i can handle. This? was obviously odd and scary and new, but the skills I cary can get me far. Exhaling, I focused my mind at the task at hand. Knowing my entire world was going to be changing from here on out was more calming than expected. The determination I felt towards my own new chapter of life soothed my aching back and fried nerves. This was going to be epic.

   A/N: i'm so glad to have finally finished this, holy hell ;-;    

[sanghyukstattoos]

Glaze of stars

Characters: Lee Sanghyuk I Dawon x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Words: 2156

Summary: Warmly, the trees and the animals blurred into the shadows of the forest, making way for you and Sanghyuk whose fingers gently grasped the softness of the night. 

A/N: Heyyy, How is everyone??? This was a really sweet request which I smiled all the way through while writing~~~ When describing the places, I deliberately made sure to not mention any specific names (of the place they went to) because I wanted you to be able to imagine a place by the descriptions (like a fantasy land or a far away place- it’s up to you!). I also left the description of the reader ambiguous as I do for all my fics as we are all different people so when you read it, you can imagine yourself with ease. I truly hope everyone loves this fic (also, should I make a second one?) 

Hand in hand, you stood on your private deck with Sanghyuk admiring the night sky. On the deck, the wooden lodges formed a barrier and at every lodge was a lit candle, hugging the holder. If it weren’t for the candles scattered across the deck, you would have been shrouded in incomplete but oncoming darkness. The sun was setting and pastel colours of fading pink and purple had managed to settle in the sky. Looking like a postcard, the clouds were scarcely littered across the sky and bathed in opulent tones of dark blue. The forest that laid miles beyond from where the two of you was not to be seen however, you could faintly trace the uninterrupted outline. Looking up, you could see that hints of the light blue morning still existed, yet to leave and make way for the night.

Rubbing his thumb in circular motions on your knuckles, Sanghyuk smiled at the nature that encompassed the two of you. To his side was the section of wood that branched to guide their line of vision to the site ahead of them. Although the stars hadn’t set, the two of you could still settle into the bath behind you. Ceramic and adorned with gushing foam, it stood in the near centre of the deck capturing your focus as you walked up the stairs. To its right, three bottles, each containing a different aroma were interlinked by a brown, polished medium. On the opposite side, two adorably- shaped wooden tables rested, one holding a bucket of champagne while the other held two glasses. 

Each carried a candle but the candles were so much more important than tourists thought. Without the presence of the bright, glaring light of the sun, the burning wick helped set a soft atmosphere where your worries disappeared from the moment you entered this place. Still holding your hand, Sanghyuk bought his hand over your head, pulling you into his chest wrapping you in his arms. Feeling the heat radiate from him, you nestled closer and turning to meet his eyes, he gently pressed a loving and light kiss to your lips. As you leant apart, he swooped a kiss to your forehead in one smooth motion whispering, ‘’Let’s go and take a dip’’ into your ear. Shivering from his close proximity, your arms found his waist as you cheekily whispered back, ‘’I think we’ll be staying for longer than a dip to be honest’’. 

He scrunched his nose at your mention, finding you intensely lovable. Replying with, ‘’I hope the water is warm’’, your arms left his sides as the two of you found your way to the back, shedding all your clothes. Returning to the bath, your hands found his as he hesitantly dipped a toe in the water, relaxing when he felt the warmness envelop his skin. ‘’It’s warm’’ he spoke with lightness in his tone and you laughed feeling excited at the prospect of admiring the night sky from a bath. Waiting until he climbed into the tub, you followed suit, nestling in between his legs and resting your back against his chest. Surrounded by foam, the two of you found the bubbles fascinating, smiling at the way they moved. His arms wrapped around your centre and you held his hands, leaning your head back on his shoulder. 

The wind was not at its high tonight and you were immensely thankful for this. Not only did your hands feel warm, but the water had remained the same hugging your bodies as you watched the stars. Sun down and stars up, the sky was completely covered in a pretty shade of dark blue and tiny dots adorned the expanse of the vast summer night sky. If there was anywhere the planets met, the blending of their colours pooled and the reflection formed the sky above you. Back home, if you ever looked to peak out of the window and admire the sky (which was rare), you wouldn’t find it so bright that it illuminated the nature below it. Lakes, trees and little rocks weren’t shadowed by the approaching darkness like they would usually be. 

Shifting your eyes onto Sanghyuk, a smile lit your face as you saw his focus fixated on the sky before him. Entranced, the beauty of the sky mirrored itself in the dark brown orbs of his eyes and you could see how graceful he looked. The night sky did nothing but add to his features from the arches to the curves. Gracefully etched, the elements of familiarity eased you and a deep sense of gratefulness blossomed from within you. In his arms, you felt relaxed knowing that you could spend an obscene amount of time in them and the only things that he would joke complain about would be the pain from remaining in a single position for so long. ‘’Seriously, this place is really pretty. At home, this would all be darkness and the stars would be a luxury...’’ he spoke gesturing to the sky above us. 

Laughing, you agreed saying, ‘’Literally, we never even look out of the window’’ and mirroring your laugh, he said, ‘’Yea, we were saving it for this day, but for real though, how is this place so beautiful?’’. Glancing into his eyes, you spoke, ‘’I don’t know but we could always ask’’ raising an eyebrow. You laughed as the most flat look ever crossed his face, unimpressed as you gave him the answer that you had on repeat since the day he’d met you. ‘’You know those things that couples have?’’ he asked, to which you nodded your head in agreement. ‘’See, this is our thing. When I make a statement and you say that. It’s like you have it out on repeat just to annoy me?’’ causing you to crack up the moment you heard his words. ‘’They are NEVER going to tell us’’ he said exasperated and if his earlier words made you laugh, these sent you flying. 

A relationship needed work and seeing you laugh was one of the most satisfying things but mainly because it made him crack up as well. The sweetness in your tone when you laughed magnified the love he felt when you responded to his quirks. You accepted all of him and he was glad for that. In the same way, this trip had been renowned for its marvellous and striking beauty and it had delivered. The distinguished environment made you ironically feel like passer-bys when you were in fact, right in the centre of it all. You had no idea how far it stretched but the two of you greatly relaxed knowing that you were left alone for the night. Taking your hands in his, he squeezed his arms around your waist and peppered a tender kiss to the side of your head. 

On the inside, you squirmed from the amount of love you were receiving. Given his form, you were always swooning but he just didn’t know it. Once or twice and it depended on his mood as well, but his teasing grew endless because he knew your agenda. Whenever appropriate, you would give him love just to watch his cheeks turn a little pink and seeing that meant that you had won. Pecking him on the cheek, you smiled at him saying, ‘‘You know we’ve forgotten about this right? If it wasn’t for me, I don’t think we were ever going to eat it’‘ motioning to the food. If it wasn’t the water, it was the thought of the food that had struck you cold. Covered with a container, the two of you froze with widened eyes. Cocking your eyebrows, you questioned, ‘‘I wonder if it’s warm because there is absolutely no way we can leave such precious food till morning. Can you see it crying because we abandoned it?’‘. ‘’I see your point’‘ he inquisitively replied, hands already reaching out to pluck the container from the plate. 

Setting it aside, the smell invaded your nose, going straight to your brain. ‘’Oh, that smells good’’ you said, genuinely feeling hungry. Agreeing, the hunger was looming in the air as your stomach lowly grumbled. Whatever it was, hunger was not the way to go and the two of you would only be grumpy and have the managers shaking their heads in disdain wondering where the food was. ‘’How are we going to do this- okay, you grab the plate while I pour the champagne’’ he stated. Reaching for the plate, you held it out of reach while he filled the glasses careful to not drop anything. Handing you a glass, you said, ‘’thank you’’ before you handed him to the plate. Risky business over, you settled into his chest once again as he fed you a bite of the snack. 

As you sank your teeth into the crispiness, you were instantly met by the soft and fluffy texture on the inside. Deep- fried, the irregularly-shaped snacks were spongy and filled with tiny pockets of air bubbles. They had been dipped into cinnamon powder, the flavour colouring the inside of your mouth as you turned towards Sanghyuk nodding. He had been watching your reaction and upon your confirmation, heartily dove into the snack, smiling brightly as his face lit up, he nodded absolutely loving the taste. Appreciating the snack, you moved over to the champagne, taking a sip. As you set the glass down, he glanced at you questioning the taste to which you replied, ‘’It’s sweet’’. Taking his own taste, his mouth savoured the velvety texture that coated his tongue. 

Bringing his knees up at your sides, you were now enclosed in heat as you held the glass to your chest. Steadily, the both of you watched as the sun set, finishing the champagne in your glass, bit by bit. You left his embrace as you sat up, sitting on your knees and turning to face him. Now out of the water, droplets of water beaded your skin, gently running down and joining the bath. Gripping the sides of the tub, you lifted yourself forward so that you were now right above him. Tilting his head to the side you pressed a slow and deliberately steady kiss to his lips, asking as you pulled away, ‘’Let’s go?’’. Whispering a ‘’yes’’, he observed as you got out of the bath, stretching your limbs. 

Clutching the sides, the muscles on his arm momentarily tightened as he swung a leg over the side. The water gently cascaded down his back, flowing towards the floor and beginning to pool at his feet. The moonlight illuminated your bodies, outlining your figure against the jagged wooden logs that protected your forms. Water trickled down seeping into the wooden floor as you clasped his hand in yours, making your way to the bathrobes; slipping them on, you looked up, catching his eye. He softly smiled when he met your eyes, hand grasping the back of your head and pulling you in for a hug. Surprised, any questions you had slipped away as you threw your arms around his waist, pulling him in closer. 

Breathing in, the smell of cinnamon lingered between the two of you. Trees, plants and even the water stood still while the birds flapped their wings but no calls were heard in the distance. There were no watches or the rustling of leaves to keep you cautious and on your toes. Peppering a kiss to his jaw, the corners of his eyes creased as a trio of butterflies made their way past the horizon. One could only see their shadows but their presence was known and enough for you to mirror his bright, white smile as his gums peeked through. Still smiling, you clasped his hand in yours and tugged him in the direction of the bed. Bouncing as you made your way there, the two of you plopped onto the bed, a gracious and tired sigh escaping your lips. Bathing in warm water had exuded the energy from your bodies as the night kept its perpetual hold on the sky.

Laying on the bed, you asked, ‘’Are we going to sleep in these robes? I’m pretty sure that we were meant to dry ourselves with them’’ eliciting a laugh from him. He extended his arm, allowing you to place your head over it, replying, ‘’Let’s lay here for a little while’’ while adorably scrunching his nose at the same time. ‘’You’re tired aren’t you?’’ you questioned, giggling at the cuteness etched all over his face. Turning his head so that he was now face to face with you, he murmured a ‘’yes’’ watching as you poked his side laughing. This was not before you also admitted yourself that you were tired as well, the ‘’same’’ making him question why exactly you were laughing. A pout on his face, the charming atmosphere continuing as you both gazed upon the stars in the fetching sky.