#cozy cardio

[solacescastleglow]

Creating a Cozy Corner

I am of the opinion that if you have a place to live long term, at least one section of it should be specifically designed to be as cozy as humanly possible. Preferably all of it, but hey, baby steps. Here's a step by step guide if you want to make one, but are unsure how.

1. Decide what you want to do in your cozy corner

What you want out of your cozy corner will determine where in your house it goes, how big it is, and what you'll fill it with. It can be a place to do a hobby or something you don't typically like doing, or to go to when you're feeling a particular way.

For me, it's a place I go to when I'm overwhelmed or scared, so I knew the atmosphere had to make me feel safe. I feel safest in small spaces and corners, where I can see the whole room but people can't see me from the door.

2. Find a place that suits your needs for it to go

Is your cozy corner for reading? maybe the bedroom or wherever your books are. Working out a la Cozy Cardio? Maybe somewhere in the living room. If you want to cozify your self care routine, make your bathroom cozy!

Mine is between the foot of my bed and the wall, because when I have nightmares the last thing I want to do is go to a separate room.

3. Structural work

Depending on how big your space is, what it's for, what the room already looks like, whether you're renting, and so on, this will vary wildly. Some ideas include installing bookshelves, painting the walls, or getting a kids' teepee style tent to get cozy in. Or, you could just decorate the whole room to be a sanctuary.

My dad helped me install a shelf and put a plastic board in between the bracket and the shelf top, then bent it down and attached it to my bedframe. This created a little cave-like space for me to sit in.

4. The fun bit!

Decorating!!! Put whatever you want in there. I would recommend at least 2 sensory things (such as lighting and scents), 2 activities, and 5 soft things for relaxation. Some ideas include fairy lights, sunset lamps, scented candles or wax melts, sensory tools, something soft to sit on, cozy clothes you can put on when you're in there, nostalgic toys, equipment for your activities such as a walking pad or a musical instrument, snacks, books, a projector for movies, the list goes on and on!

Since mine is on the floor, I got a large memory foam dog bed for the bottom, then stacked extra pillows and blankets. I set my weighted blanket nearby, and put some coloured pencils and my therapy journal off to the side. I finished it off with some stuffed animals and children's books about loving yourself and handling big emotions.

5. The takeover

I will warn you, though. Making a cozy place that makes you feel good runs the risk of you wanting to make your entire living space cozy.

I'm in the middle of cozifying my bathroom and reading corner, with no signs of stopping at that.

[mostlynatur3]

My pelo/office is so cute! My husband installed this amazing ceiling light that changes colors with the music!!

[voguegenics]

Fitness Takes Center Stage This December: Trends You Need to Know

🎄 10 Festive Fitness Trends to Keep You Active This December! From cozy cardio to strength training with a side of holiday cheer, find your new favorite workout. 💪✨ #FitnessTrends #HolidayWorkouts

Ah, December—a month of glittering lights, sugary indulgences, and a constant battle between “let’s be cozy” and “let’s be productive.” If you’ve been waiting for a sign to prioritize your fitness (between marathon cookie baking sessions and wrapping presents), this is it. The holiday season has a way of throwing routines out the frosty window, but fitness is here, not just surviving, but…

[mimikyufriend]

the fact that the today show took a story about an average sized woman creating a workout trend that prioritizes movement and feeling good over losing weight and made it about a celebrity fitness instructor's "sculpting" workout course is like cartoon villain levels of fatphobia

[honeycombhank]

5/24/23

Today I feel brave. Being vulnerable is hard to do but when you can be brave enough to have a conversation from the heart, it can change a lot of things in your life. Today I had a conversation I needed to have with someone I love very much, I needed to ask a question that I wasn’t sure I would like the answer to. That’s really hard to do especially when it’s a question about how you treat them and how your own actions have made them feel.

I feel like it went well and I took this opportunity to learn about myself and grow.

I also jumped rope for 36 minutes tonight! Yay!

Princess came to take a picture with me haha

[formulawolff]

“so soon” — d.r.

pairing -> fem!reader x daniel ricciardo

word count -> {typed this on my phone… oopsies!}

warnings -> fluff, light cursing, mentions of loneliness, mentions of long distance, excessive pet names

a/n -> currently suffering because my favorite driver isn’t even a driver anymore. this is my coping mechanism.

“you look so silly right now.”

the corners of his lips twitch, curling into a quaint smile. dimples follow in suit, his eyes squinting ever so slightly. in the low light, you catch the sparkle twinkling in his eye as he pans the camera down, showcasing his full outfit.

“do i really?”

headphones rest on his ears, paired with a black embroidered beanie. a windbreaker spans across his chest, the hue matching the beanie. it’s a shade or two lighter, but it complements his curls. the neon yellow drawstrings are tied together tightly, to shield him from the elements.

he’s wearing shorts, ones you wish you could see in person, the hem hitting mid thigh. his tattoos poke out, only reminding you of what was underneath. what was for your eyes only.

he’s prepping for a run, setting you on the island in the kitchen as he performs a few stretches, carefully preparing his calves for what was to come.

a giggle bubbles up in your throat as you snuggle into your pillow, nodding along.

“yes, you look a tad bit ridiculous.”

his brow furrows, accept seeping through his words as he shakes his head.

“no way.”

“you actually look extremely sexy right now,” you exhale, feeling a frown form, “if only i was there with you.”

“we’d be hitting cardio right now if you were,” he shoots you a wink, chuckling as you roll your eyes, “c’mon my love, that was funny. admit it.”

“i guess,” you huff, pulling the pillow against your chest even closer, “i miss you.”

“i miss you more,” you watch as his shoulders slump slightly, “did you do anything fun today?”

“not really,” you mutter, feeling your throat tighten as he tilts his head, gaze fixated on you, “i just went to the store to get a some things. that’s it.”

the lust laced in his tone has now dissolved completely, the australian’s words barely a whisper.

“i know how hard this has been on you, and i’m sorry. i just want to make sure that you’re still getting out and—“

“you don’t have to be sorry,” you voice trembles as your vision blurs, “it just fucking sucks. that’s all.”

“not too much longer now, yeah?” plucking the phone from the table, he brings the camera to face-level, so that your eyes meet with his.

“only two more weeks until i get to hold you. only fourteen days until you get endless kisses. only about three hundred and thirty-six hours until i get to tell you i love you a million times.”

you start to speak, yet you’re cut off by the sound of rain as it patters against the window-pane. a singular tear rolls down your cheek, your attention focused on the streams that slither down the glass, the rumble of thunder sending a shiver down your spine. you can feel him watching you, taking in the way the candlelight bathes your features.

“look at that,” he murmurs, “it’s raining here too. a little reminder that we’re under the same sky. the same sun, moon, and stars. we’re not as far apart as you think, baby.”

“c-can you show me?” you sniffle, wiping away your tear.

“of course baby,” he dips his head, tapping on the screen.

the camera angle flips, adjusting momentarily. he has it angled towards his skylight, the dull roar of the rainstorm flooding your ears. there’s a coziness that seeps into your chest, embracing your heart as your lids droop.

“see?” he comes into the frame, flashing you a dazzling grin as he gestures upward, “we’re not as distant as you think, sweet girl. same rainstorm. just a few states apart.”

situating your phone against your spare pillow, you burrow underneath your comforter, soaking in the warmth, “i love you.”

“and i love you,” he coos, “do you want me to stay on while i run?”

“yes please,” the words are a little slurred, exhaustion taking a hold, “this damn storm is making me sleepy.”

“good,” he chirps, “my pretty girl needs her beauty rest.”

“and my pretty boy needs to be here with me.”

“so soon pretty baby,” his voice is soothing, only encouraging you further and further into slumber, “so soon we’ll be underneath the covers, watching our favorite movie. we’ll be skin on skin, all comfy and cozied up. i’ll be showering you with endless kisses, and all of my love.”

“i can’t wait,” you mumble, lashes fluttering as the door to his apartment creaks, “be safe on your run, danny.”

“of course,” heat flourishes into his cheeks as he glances down at his phone, relishing the sight before him.

you’re buried underneath your comforter, half of your face shielded by swath of fabric. luckily, you blew your candle out, so he didn’t have to fret over that. he was more concerned with the fact that he was not there to hold you, to comfort you.

as he adjusts his headphones, he clicks his volume up, the sound of your breathing coming in through the ear pieces. sure, he could be listening to music. he could turn on a podcast, or find a youtube video so that he could reminisce on the days of the past. weekends spent on the track, dreaming of the taste of victory.

but nothing compared to the sound of you.

you could be doing anything, and he would listen, soaking in every second.

and fuck, how could he ignore how beautiful you were? so at peace. so content as you dozed off. if only he was there to brush the strands from your forehead, to ensure that you wouldn’t be disturbed from your slumber.

he hoped that he wormed his way into your dreams, just so that you knew there wasn’t a minute that passed by where he wasn’t thinking of you.

as his feet hit the slick pavement, the cool air flooding his lungs, he tucks his phone into the pocket of his windbreaker. there was no way he was going to let you get all soaked in rain. especially while you were sleeping. that just wouldn’t be fair.

sure, it was a little childish. a little trivial.

but as long as you were happy, it didn’t matter.

and as his pace quickens, he can’t help but let his mind wander.

of course, it only wandered to you.

oh, how he was ready to see you. his heart ached the thought. he yearned to touch you. to kiss you. to wrap you up in his embrace.

he could though, oh so soon.

he was anticipating that moment. the moment where he would get to sweep you up off your feet, lost in your own little word.

he would get to soon enough.

oh, so soon.

[isthattyra]

Sweet Beginnings

terry richmond x black reader

“I’m just saying, why should I have to go to the gym when I can get my workout done here?” you say, flexing dramatically as you scooped dough onto a baking sheet. The smell of vanilla and brown sugar filled the cozy kitchen, making your argument even sweeter.

Terry leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his broad chest, his lips twitching into a grin. “Baby, I’m inviting you to the gym, not drafting you into a strongman competition. Besides I never said you had to work out. I just want to see your pretty face, it gives me motivation”

You smirked, not missing a beat. “I can do arm curls here. You see me scooping this dough, don’t you? And kneading earlier? That’s a full upper body workout.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And cardio?”

“Mixing counts. Ever tried to beat butter and sugar by hand? That’s endurance right there. And don’t you think we get enough cardio done together?” You said recalling the last few nights spent with Terry that had you sweating and out of breath like you’d just run a marathon. 

“ I guess you got me on that but I didn’t hear any complaints from that so called workout” he said shutting you right on up.

“Besides, this dough won’t scoop itself. Speaking of which…” you motioned to the oatmeal cookies on a baking sheet. “You’d never have gotten these if I hadn’t saved you at the store.”

“Saved me? That’s a stretch.”

“Oh, come on! You were ready to give up eating plain old oatmeal like the old man you are for the week until I swooped in.”

Flashback

Your banter had started over a year ago, on the day you met. You had just started selling your baked goods to people besides your family. It was the week before you planned to work the weekend farmers market and you were trying to make sure you had all your ingredients ready.

It had been an ordinary afternoon at the grocery store, you had been searching for a bulk container of oatmeal for your iced oatmeal cookie recipe which was one of your best sellers. Finally coming across in it the aisle, seeing only one container. Barely paying attention as you scrolled on your phone, you reached for it at the exact same moment a large, calloused hand did.

“Oh!” you said, startled, looking up. The hand belonged to a tall, fit man with warm greyish blue/green eyes and a teasing smile. He pulled back slightly, letting you take the container.

“Go ahead,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m not about to fight you for oatmeal.”

“That’s very gentlemanly of you,” you replied, trying to hide your embarrassment. “But are you sure? It looked like you needed it too.” 

His dedication to maintaining his beautiful body had been evident in his cart full of proteins and veggies.

He large shoulders shrugged. “It’s for my meal prep. But I’ll survive.” He paused, then added with a sly grin, “If you promise me a batch of whatever you’re making and your name,I’ll consider it even.”

You couldn’t help but to laugh as you tell him your name “Brown butter iced oatmeal cookies. And… deal.” Not wanting to have to deliver to a random stranger, no matter how fine he was, you suggested he meet you at the local farmers market that weekend. 

“Here’s my card in case you can’t make it, you can send me an email to place an order”

Not only did he show up, he was there before you were. Even going so far as to help you unload your car and set up your tables and tent. It was nice to have someone to help since your best friend had bailed on you last minute. Bonus that the help was so nice to look at. You’d never been so jealous of a table, watching as he lifted it so easily onto his back not straining even once.

Terry stayed at your table until everything sold out, helping you to pack everything up too. He was only able to buy one oatmeal cookie even though you tried to argue that he didn’t need to pay.

“Now I feel like I owe you again, I appreciate all your help today and for taking up so much of your time” you stated feeling bad. All this man wanted was some oatmeal and now he’s been put to work

“It’s no problem at all, I enjoyed the cookies and I learned a lot about the baking business too” he said smiling showing all 32 of his pearly whites

“Well before you go I have something for you” reaching in the front seat of your car grabbing the specially wrapped box. “ I knew the cookies would sell fast so I made sure to put a batch aside for you, after all that was the deal”. the smirk growing on your face 

His smirk matching yours “It definitely was. Thank you, I’ll try not to eat them all in one siting” 

“Good luck with that,” you said. “They’re addictive.”

“I don’t doubt it.” He leaned back slightly, his eyes lingering on you for a moment. “You know, I think I got the better end of this deal. A whole batch of cookies, and nice morning spent with beautiful company”

You could help to laugh, shaking your head. “Well, now you’re just showing off your charm, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” he said, his grin widening. “But it’s working, isn’t it?”

You rolled your eyes, but the warmth in your chest was impossible to ignore. “Drive safe, Terry. And maybe I can get you to try one of my other cookies next time you’re here.”

“Next time, huh?” He opened his truck door but paused, his eyes locking with yours . “I like the sound of that.”

With that, he climbed into the truck , leaving you standing there with a smile you couldn’t seem to shake.

True to his word, Terry showed up at the next farmers market. And the one after that. By the third week, it wasn’t just a casual visit—he was there early, carrying boxes, helping set up your booth, and sticking around to take it all down at the end of the day.

“You know,” you said one morning as you unloaded your car together, “I didn’t realize free cookies came with a labor contract.”

Terry chuckled, setting down a tablecloth. “I think I got the better end of the deal. The cookies are a bonus. You, though? You’re worth showing up for.”

You couldn’t help but to feel butterflies flutter in your stomach and somewhere else, but you just  rolled your eyes to play it off. “Flattery will only get you more cookies, you know.” He didn’t have to know you also meant another set of cookies. 

“Good,” he said, his grin crooked and confident. “I’ll take them.”

By the fifth farmers market, his presence had become so natural that when he wasn’t there for a moment—late grabbing tea for you both—you realized how much you’d come to expect him by your side.

That day, while packing up the last of your supplies, you worked up the courage to ask. “So… I was thinking. Since you’re already giving up your Saturdays to help me here, maybe I could steal another evening from you?”

Terry straightened, his eyes bright with interest. “Are you asking me out, Y/N?”

“Maybe I am,” you said, smiling as you shut the trunk. “Dinner this Friday?”

“Absolutely,” he said, his grin matching yours. 

Flashback end

Now, a year and a new bakery storefront later, you were finishing up making a batch of your still best seller. Now renamed The Terry, you had to make double sometimes triple and would still sell out fast. 

Terry still helping out but now in the shop, had seen you struggle a little to lift the big bag of flour and had suggested showing you some arm strengthening workouts.

“Well if someone didn’t have my arms in a position they’re not usually in I would have been fine lifting the flour. Besides not everyone has the strength to be out here lifting tree logs.”

Terry laughed, the deep rumble making you glance up. “Baby, when have you ever seen me lift a log? And also it was your idea to try it out”

You shrugged ignoring the second part of his comment. “Maybe it happened in a dream once.”

He shook his head, amusement clear in his eyes. “That imagination of yours…” He leaned down to kiss your cheek while swiping a cookie on his way out.

You grinned and turned back to your task, the sound of the spoon scraping against the bowl filling the space.

[kathaelipwse]

hi! can i request stray kids + titjob?

Straykids - OT8

WARNINGS: MDNI 18+, Fluff, Jealousy, F.Reader as their girlfriend or wife.

Word Count: 1.0k

Authors Note:

After writing this, all i know is that i ain't going to heavens anymore lmao-

Ahhhh my apologies 🐥 this isn't titjob but it is still....18+ I will post the titjob one in a few days ♡☆

Bangchan

Setting: Bangchan's cozy bedroom, soft lighting and dimmed lamps creating an comforting silence between the two of you; Your husband had a day off AFTERALL. And you had been wanting to do a few thing together including asking him if y'll could try for a kid.

Bangchan is lying on his bed, shirtless and gazing at you with a mix of shyness and desire. "I've always wanted to feel your soft-," he admits shyly glancing at your chest. You straddle him, wearing a lacy bra that he unhooks, freeing your ample breasts. Bangchan cups and kneads them gently, his skilled fingers teasing your sensitive nipples. He takes one into his mouth, sucking and swirling his tongue around it, causing you to moan. His other hand continues to caress your other breast, making you arch your back in pleasure.

"channie- can we try for a baby? I think i am ready-" you say trying to stifle your moans. Chan looks up with a grin knowing all the hints you had been leaving around the house he was just waiting till you admit. "You want a baby hm?" he says kissing your neck. You nod as you fingers tug on his curly fluff hair. "Damn, Y/n you wrecking me just by the thoughts of the little one running around." He mumbles agast your neck going downwards kissing your shoulder.

"Sure sweetheart, lets make one," Bangchan murmurs between his licks and sucks on your sensitive buds.

Leeknow

Setting: At their penthouse, Leeknow pins you against the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city lights after all today was the day you completed being Mrs. Lee since 4 years now. And since he was too busy even at the party you two hosted as a celebration; you decided to flirt with hyunjin, your child hood bestfriend who reciprocated the teasing comments knowing your motive of getting minho's attention.

Leeknow, wearing a tailored suit, pushes you against the floor-to-ceiling glass window, his hands roaming your curves possessively. "You're mine baby; don't flirt with other men just to get my attention. If you want it you ask for it," he says against your neck before ripping open your blouse, exposing your lacy bra. He unhooks it deftly, freeing your breasts. Leeknow lavishes attention on your nipples, biting and sucking them as his hands grip your waist firmly. "Tell me sweetheart will Hyunjin be able the shatter you and brain fuck you just by touching you?" You gasp and moan, feeling Leeknow's hardness pressing against you through his pants; that was the moment you realized you are doomed.

"I want to mark every inch of your body as mine," Lino says with a deep voice between nibbles on your sensitive buds.

Changbin

Setting: A gym day, Changbin taking you to a spot in the storage room where he had a few gym equipment's kept; you where as had been teasing him since the morning wearing the most revealing clothing you could find in your closet.

Changbin leads you into the dimly lit storage room, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I've been dreaming about these beautiful breasts since morning honey," he says, cupping your bra-clad mounds. He pushes you against the shelves, kissing your neck as his hands roam your body. Changbin unhooks your bra, freeing your breasts, and begins to worship them with his mouth and fingers. He teases and flicks your nipples, making you gasp and clutch at his hair. He comes back up kissing your forehead. "We could skip workout in gym today and try a different cardio you know? Since my lovely wife wishes for a baby~" He move down sucking your neck then your breasts again.

"Your breasts are like soft clouds, I just want to lose myself in them," Changbin whispers between licks.

Hyunjin

Setting: A dance studio after hours, Hyunjin teaching you some dance moves; pro's of having a dancer husband~

Hyunjin pushes you against the studio mirror, his hands griping your breasts through your tight dancewear earning a moan from you, you were still sore from last night. "I've been wanting to feel these beauties all night," he purrs. He slides his hands under your sports bra, freeing your breasts and squeezing them roughly causing you to yelp. Hyunjin leans down, taking one nipple into his hot mouth while his other hand continues to grope and massage your other breast. You feels yourself growing needier from Hyunjin's dominant touch though you were still sore.

"I'm going to make these mine, especially you mine all over again sweetheart," Hyunjin whispers before sucking hard on your nipple.

Felix

Setting: Felix's colorful bedroom filled with his paintings and drawings along with your stuff lying around the room as you were just in your bra; as his girlfriend it was a common thing honestly.

Felix pushes you onto his bed, a hunger in his eyes. "I want to paint a masterpiece with your body," he says, unhooking your bra to reveal your breasts. Felix takes a breast in each hand, squeezing and kneading them as he grinds his hips against hers. He takes a nipple into his mouth, suckling and flicking it with his tongue while his hands continue to explore her breasts. You moan loudly just to confirm that you aren't uncomfy, to lix earning a small chuckle from him, he kisses your jaw going back down to your breasts.

"Your breasts are a work of art, I could spend hours studying them," Felix murmurs between licks.

Han

Setting: Han's workshop, surrounded by tools and half-finished art projects, pictures of you guys as you are his girlfriend.

Han pins you against his workbench, his hands immediately going to your breasts. "These are my favorite tools," he jokes before unhooking your bra. Han takes a nipple into his mouth, sucking and biting gently as his hands continue to grope and squeeze your breasts. He grinds his hips against yours, letting you feel his hardness. Han's worship of your breasts sends jolts of pleasure through the your body making you grab and clutch on his shirt as he leaves kisses your neck and goes back up to your breasts.

"I could get lost in these perfect mounds forever," Han says between licks and bites.

Seungmin

Setting: A cozy cabin by the lake, Seungmin and the reader enjoying a weekend getaway.

Seungmin pulls you his wife, onto his lap on the couch, his hands immediately cupping your breasts through your shirt. "I love these beauties," he says before unhooking your bra and freeing them. Seungmin takes a nipple into his mouth, sucking gently as his hands knead and massage yours breasts. He switches between breasts, lavishing attention on each nipple. Seungmin's tender yet passionate touch makes you ache with desire.

"Your breasts are so soft and perfect, I could spend all day just holding them just like i did after our wedding night," Seungmin murmurs.

Jeongin

Setting: A karaoke room just you both after a night out, Jeongin wanting to have some fun as you his lovely girlfriend lost a bet with him.

Jeongin pushes you onto the couch, his hands going straight for your breasts as you had lost a bet and well this was a way he was getting back at you. "I've been wanting to get my hands on these all night," he says before unhooking your bra and you let him as you have been needy the whole night cause of his voice, those fingers honestly all of him. Jeongin takes a nipple into his mouth, suckling and flicking it with his tongue as his hands continue to grope and massage your breasts. He massages your waist while leaving kisses down your waist as he returns back up and mumbles in her ear.

"Your breasts are like heaven, I never want to leave. But we both know we ain't going to the heavens after this sweetheart"

[alchemyfreak321]

Bad Hunts

TLDR: Simon finds your reading lists and tries to surprise you.

CW: mostly fluff, primal play if you squint, Simon being bad at communicating, valentine surprise that goes sideways, and bad writing as usual

WC: 1.4k

Cross posted on AO3

When Simon finds out you might have a mask kink and that the last couple of books you read had characters that chased each other through the woods before doing things that made him blush and splutter, he decides to plan a little valentine surprise.

He takes you to a cute remote cabin by the lake surrounded by thick woods. You're excited thinking it's a cute little gateway where you'll both be curled up by the fire. He's nervous about the snow that's still on the ground. When you reach the cabin, you gasp and coo over how cute it is, exclaim over the view of the lake from the large windows in the bedroom and living room. Simon is frowning, thinking how much further the woods are from the cabin and how dense it looks. Were there wolves in this part of the country?

By the time you both start to unpack and settle in, Simon has already turned into a nervous wreck second guessing his decision. It's cold and the snow hasn't melted yet, but there's little snow in the woods and he can keep you warm, he reasons. Should he start the chase in the tree line, or from the cabin? It's a long stretch of ground before the woods what if he catches you before you reach the woods? You're not exactly a marathon runner but you do cardio on the treadmill, that's gotta count right? Shit, maybe he needs to give you a bigger head start, will twenty minutes be enough? Shit, what if you fall in the water, Simon panics trying to remember if you can swim.

It's noon by the time you've unpacked and settled in. Simon leaves you curled up on the day bed on the porch overlooking the lake. Wrapped up in a huge cozy blanket, steaming cup of hot chocolate in one hand and your latest read in the other. He sneaks back to the bedroom and pulls his mask out from the bottom of his bag, making sure to tuck the little ring box back. He tries to rub off the dirt and what looks suspiciously like a old blood stain, cursing himself for not cleaning it properly. Maybe it will add to the fantasy or maybe he should have made a pink one for valentines day, he chuckles to himself.

"Si, where did you go?" he hears you calling. Now or never. Simon pulls the mask over his head and shoves the bag away before he can talk himself out. He channels Ghost and stands taller, makes his steps longer as he walks down the hallway towards you.

You freeze when you see him from the front door. He's still wearing the soft sweater but nothing else about him seems soft. He looks bigger and more menacing as he strides up to you, covering the distance in a quick few steps. He stops just by the threshold, braces his forearms on top of the door frame and leans towards you. His normally soft, warm eyes look down at you with a sharper glint. You take a small step back, almost tripping on the edge of blanket wrapped around you.

"Si..?" he doesn't answer, instead he cocks his head to the side and rakes his gaze over you. Goosebumps break out over your arms and ice trickle down your spine as you stare wide-eyed at the figure in front of you. Tears prick your eyes and your heart beats in your throat when he continues to stare without a sound.

Ghost takes a step forward, his arms still stretching over the door frame, blocking any entry back to the cabin. You stumble back and this time you do fall, your feet tangled in the blanket. You stare up at Ghost in terror, he's also frozen, one arm stretched out as if to grab you before you fell . Your bottom lip trembles, "Simon?" you call once more before bursting into tears.

Simon wrenches the mask off and quickly sinks to the ground next to you. "Lovie are ya okay?? I'm sorry!" he exclaims pulling you into his arms. His heart falls to his stomach as you sob into his chest, terrified he hurt you.

"You-you scared me," you hiccup, clutching his sweater.

"I know luv, I know, I'm sorry" Simon whispers, stroking your hair, tucking you into his arms, "I'm so sorry". It was a bad idea, it was a stupid idea, Simon berates himself. Only now realizing he should have talked to you first instead of springing this on you.

You pull away, your fear turning into anger, "You scared me!" you hiss pushing him away. Simon looks at you wide-eyed and tries to pull you back only to be met with punches as you beat his arms away. "You giant asshole! I thought you were going to murder me!"

"I-shit-I'm sorry luv!" Simon apologized batting away your puny fists. "If I wanted to murder ya I wouldn't bring ya to the woods, too many people know where you are." Simon tries to joke only to be met with more punches.

"You" punch. "Giant" punch. "Asshole!" punch. "What were you thinking?!" you huff finally giving him a reprieve.

Simon gapes at you for a second before looking away, his face turning pink in embarrassment, "I saw the book you were reading before." he mutters under his breath.

Now it's your turn to be embarrassed. You didn't know Simon looked at the books you've read, the last novel did have a scene where the hero chased the heroine through the woods before catching her and doing all sorts of nasty things together for several pages. You may have even bookmarked a few of those pages. You look around at the woods surrounding you with the sudden realization. "Is this why you brought me here?"

Simon turns redder unable to meet your eyes, you bite your lips at how cute he looks, all flushed and bashful. "I thought I'd surprise you…".

"You surprised me alright." You huff, trying to stay mad at him. "We have to talk about things like this before hand, set boundaries and all that." you explain before you're hit with another jolt of realization. "Wait…is this one of your fantasies?" you ask.

Simon didn't think his face could get any hotter. Was it really your fantasy he wanted to fulfill or was it his? He had imagined countless times of taking you as Ghost. Ghost would be more rough, less giving, he wouldn't blush and whimper like Simon when you clenched around him. Maybe he thought he could pull different sounds out of you, turn into a baser version of himself. His silence answers your question.

You can't help but soften at his embarrassment. You know it's hard for him to ask for things. He always projected a cool and collected image, but over the last few years you've learned it's a facade. Sure, Ghost is self-assured on the field and unruffled in the face of danger, but Simon, sweet Simon whose hands were sweaty when you first held them. Sweet Simon would let out soft gasps when you kissed him. Sweet Simon who only wants to make you happy.

You lean forward and cup his face in your hand and draw his gaze to yours. You see the sadness in his now soft eyes and can't help but lean forward and press a soft kiss to his lips. Hoping it lets him know all is forgiven. He wraps his arms around your waist and kisses you back. You lick his bottom lip before nipping it gently. He groans and pulls you closer, crushing you to his chest, sliding his tongue along yours. His hands sliding down your back and shoulders before cradling your face and kissing you deeply.

You're not sure how long you two sat there kissing on the cold floor before finally pulling away, both of you breathless. You take in Simon's flushed face, half lidded gaze and swollen lips and decide maybe some running in the woods would do you both good. With a groan you stand up and start walking back inside the cabin. "Come on Si," you call over your shoulder, "chase me through the cabin first and then we can think about the woods." You giggle when you hear Simon scramble to his feet.

"Oh and bring the mask with you."

Happy Valentines! Hope you guys liked this. Likes, Reblogs and Comments are always appreciated!

[gainercontent]

Thick & Thriving

I may be able to finish another story for Valentine's day tomorrow.... stay tuned.

On the evening of Valentine’s Day, Daniel and Ryan arrived at the tapas restaurant, the warm glow of candlelight flickered against exposed brick walls, and the air was thick with the scent of sizzling garlic, smoked paprika, and freshly baked bread. The place was called El Corazón, and Ryan had spent weeks hunting for the perfect spot—one that would remind Daniel of his year studying abroad in Spain, while still being a proper indulgence for their now bear-sized appetites.  

As they settled into their booth—a plush, red-leather seat near the open kitchen—Daniel’s eyes lit up. “Wait a second… You brought me to a tapas place?”  

Ryan smirked. “Surprise, babe. Thought you’d appreciate a little throwback to your Spain days.”  

Daniel practically bounced in his seat. “Okay, but you realize I’m about to order *everything*?”  

Ryan leaned back, rubbing his bearded chin. “Babe, that’s exactly the plan.”

*****

Daniel and Daniel met on a warm, humid summer night in Boystown, Chicago. The neon lights of Halsted Street reflected off their freshly moisturized, barely-legal faces as they danced shirtless at a bar packed with sweaty twinks and pulsing house music. Daniel was sipping a vodka soda when Daniel bumped into him, laughing apologetically as his own tequila shot nearly spilled.

They were both in their early twenties—thin, smooth, and wide-eyed with excitement for the nightlife. Daniel, with his shaggy blond hair and a crop top that barely covered his toned torso, locked eyes with Ryan, a dark-haired twink with an infectious laugh and tight jeans that left little to the imagination. The attraction was instant.  

A flirtatious conversation led to more drinks, then a first kiss under the orange glowing streetlights. That night turned into a weekend, which turned into a relationship, and soon, they were inseparable.

In their early 20s, they were the epitome of stereotypical twinkhood—lean, smooth, and perpetually clad in tank tops that clung to their toned frames. They were gym rats by day and party boys by night, dancing until dawn, brunching, and engaging in the occasional self-indulgent skincare routine.

They moved in together into a tiny apartment, decorating it together, and hanging pictures from a few vacations. But as their love deepened, so did their desire for something more grounded.  

As the years passed, their relationship deepened beyond the clubs and glittery chaos of their youth. Daniel traded his crop tops for slightly looser tees, and Daniel stopped counting calories every time they indulged in a delicious meal or Doordash haul. They still worked out but started skipping spin class for cozy nights on the couch.  

Then came a shift—Daniel let his body hair grow out, and Daniel stopped waxing his chest. They started lifting heavier at the gym, not to stay slim, but to build mass. Their wardrobe upgraded from Mediums to Larges.

One day, after a particularly indulgent Sunday brunch, Daniel pinched Daniel’s belly playfully. “Babe, I think we’re officially daddies-in-training.”  

Daniel smirked. “Correction: we’re bears-in-training.”  

They decided to trade their cramped apartment for a cozy two-bedroom in a neighborhood with a more mature scene—filled with more low-key bars, craft breweries, and a slightly slower pace. At first, they resisted the change, still attempting to cling to their past, but something was shifting. Their bodies, once sculpted by cardio and protein shakes, started craving comfort over aesthetics. The gym visits became even less frequent, and their love for food—good, hearty food—began to take precedence over calorie counting.

By this point, Daniel had grown out a scruffy beard, and Daniel followed suit, trading his clean-shaven face for a well-groomed but thick beard that complemented his increasingly broadening shoulders. Their tight crop tops were slowly replaced by plaid flannels and hoodies. Friends began joking about their “bearification,” but neither of them minded. They embraced it. Daniel learned how to barbecue on their new patio, Daniel developed a passion for craft beer, and their nights out at clubs were replaced by cozy gatherings at home with other couples, laughing and socializing.

*****

It had been a while since Daniel and Ryan had run into their old crew of twink friends from their early twenties. After dinner, they decided to stop by a familiar bar in Boystown, the same one they’d met all those years ago. The place still had the same lively energy, with music thumping in the background and laughter filling the air. They were barely through the door when they spotted them—old friends from their twink days, standing by the bar, looking much the same as they had when Daniel and Ryan first met.  

“Holy shit,” one of them, Alex, said, his eyes widening as he caught sight of the two of them. “*Look* at you two!”  

Daniel and Ryan froze for a moment, the weight of the moment sinking in. It had been years since they'd seen the group, and now they felt every pound of their transformation. Their bellies were fuller, their faces rounder, and their bodies definitely more muscular—but also softer in all the right places. Ryan’s chest had thickened with a soft layer of muscle, while Daniel’s love handles had expanded, adding a fullness to his figure that wasn’t there before.  

Alex grinned, though, walking up and slapping Daniel on the back with a hearty chuckle. “Damn, guys! Look at you two! You’re looking good! I mean, you’re... *thicker* now, but damn, thriving.”  

Ryan smirked, rubbing his own belly, which had grown comfortably round from their indulgent feast. “Yeah, we’ve definitely moved on from the twink phase,” he said with a grin. “Not sure if we’ve *quite* made it to bear status yet, but getting there.”  

Another old friend, Dakota, stepped forward, their eyes sparkling with warmth. “Y’all are absolutely thriving. Look at those arms, Ryan! Daniel, your chest... that’s not the body I remember, but I have to admit, I dig it.”  

Daniel chuckled, brushing a hand through his hair. “We’ve been enjoying our beatification. I definitely look different than back in the day, but we’re pretty happy with where I’ve landed.”  

“Happy doesn’t even begin to describe it,” Ryan said, giving Daniel a playful wink. “We’ve got this whole new version of ourselves, and honestly, it feels pretty amazing.”  

Alex laughed again, giving them both a once-over. “You guys are like... *Thick and Thriving*, huh?” he said with a teasing tone, but there was no malice in it. It was more admiration. “I’m here for it. You look so much more... yourselves, you know? Like you’re *living* now, not just trying to fit into something.”  

Daniel smiled warmly, a genuine sense of pride flooding him. “Yeah, I think we’ve finally learned to embrace the change. It’s not about fitting into some artificial mold anymore.”

Dakota stepped closer, their voice soft and sincere. “I’m so happy for you both. Honestly, it’s like you’ve grown into yourselves, and I can see it—*feel* it. It’s great to see you so… comfortable.”  

Ryan laughed, a low, deep sound that felt so at home coming from him now. “We’re comfortable in every sense of the word, Dakota. *Way* too comfortable sometimes.” He glanced at Daniel with a grin. “But hey, no regrets.”  

The group all burst into laughter together, clinking glasses and sharing a genuine moment of appreciation for where everyone was in life. It wasn’t about how much had changed—they were still the same friends, but better. Happier. Mature. And Daniel and Ryan couldn’t help but feel proud of their own transformation, knowing that the journey had made them more of who they were meant to be.  

“Thick and Thriving, huh?” Daniel said, glancing at Ryan with a playful grin. “I kinda like the sound of that.”  

Ryan wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him close. “Yeah, me too.”

*****

A few months later and one would say they were full-fledged bears, complete with furry bellies and an unshakable confidence in themselves. They still danced—but now, they didn’t feel the need to suck in their stomachs. Their love had only grown richer, a steady, warm presence that felt as solid as their new physiques.

“Do you ever miss the old days?” Daniel asked one night, curling into Daniel’s arms on their oversized couch.

“Nah,” Daniel said, pressing a kiss to Daniel’s forehead. “I love every stage of us.”

The transformation was complete. Their lean frames had filled out—muscle, a bit of belly. Their chins rounded out under full beards, their twinkish giggles replaced by deep chuckles. They became regulars at a local gay dive bar down the street with free popcorn, embraced their newfound love for craft beer, and found a circle of bear friends who threw the best gatherings.  

Their love hadn’t changed—it had only deepened. They still danced in the kitchen, still held hands under city lights, but now, they were thinking for the future—maybe even a dog, or a bigger home with a yard.  

By the next year, the transformation was complete. Their lean frames had filled out—muscle, a bit of belly, a whole lot of comfort. Their beards were full, their twinkish giggles replaced by deep chuckles. They became regulars at leather bars, embraced their newfound love for craft beer, and found a circle of bear friends who threw the best game nights.  

Their love hadn’t changed—it had only deepened. They still danced in the kitchen, still held hands under city lights, but now, they were planning for the future—maybe even a dog, or a bigger place with a yard.  

*****

As February rolled around, Daniel woke up to find Ryan already in the kitchen, flipping pancakes.  

Ryan turned, grinning. “Guess what, babe? I got us a great dinner reservation for Valentine’s Day.”  

Daniel wrapped his arms around him from behind, pressing a kiss to his scruffy cheek. “And I got us tickets to a comedy show after.”  

Daniel had known the moment he tried pulling his jeans up before dinner that he was in trouble. The dark-wash denim had fit him *once*—back when he and Ryan were still clinging to the last remnants of their twink days—but tonight, as he stood in front of their bedroom mirror, struggling to squeeze his thick thighs into the stiff fabric, he realized those days were *long* gone.  

He grunted as he yanked them up, the material barely stretching over his powerful tree-trunk thighs. His quads flared out wide, the denim clinging desperately to their bulk, making every inch of movement feel restrictive. The seams at the sides looked strained, and the pockets, which used to lie flat, now flared outward awkwardly, warped by the sheer girth of his thighs and hips.  

Then came the real challenge: the button.  

Daniel sucked in slightly—not that it helped much anymore—and tugged the waistband together, but the button barely reached the hole. His soft love handles spilled over the sides, pressing against the waistband as he wrestled with the fastener. The denim groaned under the pressure, the tight fabric pulling against his round belly as he forced the button through the hole.  

The moment it was fastened, his stomach surged forward, pressing hard against the waistband, the metal button straining visibly.  

“Babe,” he called to Ryan, who was finishing up in the bathroom. “I think I’m in denial.”  

Ryan peeked out and immediately smirked. “Oh my god. Are you seriously trying to squeeze into those?”  

Daniel huffed, rubbing a hand over his bloated midsection, feeling how the waistband dug into his soft flesh. “They *technically* fit.”  

Ryan walked over and ran a finger along the waistband, grinning as he felt how painfully tight they were. “Babe, that button is one deep breath away from flying off.”  

Daniel sighed, shifting uncomfortably as the waistband bit into his stuffed belly. “I know. And the zipper won’t stay up.”  

Ryan looked down and noticed that, sure enough, the zipper had already slipped down slightly, unable to hold against the sheer pressure of Daniel’s packed gut. A sliver of soft, dark belly hair peeked through the gap.  

Ryan chuckled, giving Daniel’s side a playful squeeze. “Babe, why are you doing this to yourself?”  

Daniel exhaled, his belly pushing even harder against the unrelenting waistband. “Because I like these jeans. And I refuse to accept that they don’t fit.”  

Ryan raised an eyebrow. “Daniel. They don’t fit.”  

Daniel pouted. “They fit *enough*.”  

Ryan smirked but didn’t argue. “Alright, but if you explode out of those at dinner, I told you so”  

Daniel rolled his eyes, reaching for his sweater in the hope that it would at least hide how unforgiving his jeans had become. But deep down, he knew Ryan was right—this was not going to end well.

They wasted no time at the tapas place. As soon as the server arrived, Daniel, in flawless Spanish, rattled off an order that made the poor guy’s eyebrows shoot up. “We’ll do pan con tomate, gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas, croquetas de jamón, albóndigas, chorizo a la sidra, pimientos de padrón, tortilla española, pulpo a la gallega, and… oh, let’s do the tabla de quesos. And bring two pitchers of sangria to start.”  

Ryan snorted. “To start? We’re gonna need to be rolled out of here.”  

Daniel grinned, his eyes gleaming. “You love it.”  

Within minutes, the first wave of dishes arrived, and the feeding frenzy began.  

They tore into the pan con tomate first—thick slices of crusty bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes, drizzled in olive oil, and topped with flaky sea salt. The crunch echoed between them as they devoured piece after piece, their fingers glistening with oil.  

Next came the patatas bravas, crispy cubes of golden potatoes smothered in spicy brava sauce and garlicky aioli. Ryan scooped up a forkful, groaned, and shoveled more into his mouth. “Holy shit, these are even better than I remember.”  

Daniel was too busy inhaling a croqueta de jamón to respond. The crispy breadcrumb shell gave way to a molten, cheesy béchamel filling studded with bits of salty ham. He closed his eyes, savoring the richness.  

Then, the gambas al ajillo arrived—plump shrimp sizzling in a dish of garlicky olive oil, red pepper flakes dancing in the heat. Daniel speared one and moaned. “This. This is why I fell in love with Spain.” He grabbed a chunk of bread, dragging it through the golden oil, soaking up every drop before stuffing it in his mouth.  

Ryan, meanwhile, was working his way through the chorizo a la sidra, smoky slices of sausage braised in cider. The juices pooled on the plate, and he used his fork to chase every last bit. “Why don’t we eat like this every night?” he mumbled, already reaching for another bite.  

Their tabla de quesos came next, an indulgent spread of Manchego, Idiazabal, and Cabrales, paired with quince paste and honey-drizzled nuts. Daniel made a little sandwich of cheese and honey, stuffing it into Ryan’s mouth. Ryan chewed, eyes fluttering. “You’re *so* lucky I love you.”  

By the time the albóndigas—juicy meatballs in rich tomato sauce—arrived, their bellies were stretching against their shirts, but they powered through, taking big, bear-sized bites, alternating between meatballs and sips of sangria.  

And speaking of sangria, they were deep into their second pitcher, the fruity wine soaking into their full, happy bodies. Daniel leaned against Ryan, laughing as he swirled the chunks of orange and apple floating in his glass.  

“Remember when we used to survive on vodka sodas and chicken breasts?” he teased.  

Ryan exhaled dramatically. “We were *so* small back then. This is *so* much better.”  

Even after devouring nearly every dish on the menu, Daniel refused to leave without dessert. “Churros con chocolate* or bust,” he declared, slapping the table for emphasis.  

When the churros arrived—piping hot, dusted in cinnamon sugar, and served with a thick, velvety chocolate sauce—they dunked, bit, and sighed in unison.  

“Best Valentine’s ever,” Daniel mumbled, licking chocolate from his lips.  

Ryan smirked, reaching over to wipe a stray bit from Daniel’s beard. “And it’s not even over yet.”  

They clinked glasses, finishing the last sips of their sangria, stuffed, tipsy, and utterly content.  This was love. This was indulgence.Stumbling out of El Corazón, Daniel and Ryan felt the weight of their indulgence settle deep in their bellies. The cold, dry Chicago air hit them like a wake-up call, but it did nothing to counteract the food coma rapidly overtaking their bodies.  

Daniel groaned, dramatically cradling his swollen stomach. “Babe… I think we made a mistake.”  

Ryan let out a deep, satisfied burp. “No, we made the best decision. But holy shit… I don’t think I can move.”  

Daniel waddled forward, his tight sweater now riding up over his bloated midsection. “We need to go home. Now. There is *zero* chance we’re making it to that show.”  

Daniel’s sweater—once a perfect fit when they left for dinner—was now betraying him in the most deliciously unforgiving way. The snug fabric, stretched taut over his swollen gut, had inched its way up, no longer able to contain the sheer fullness of his belly. His bloated midsection pushed out proudly, a soft overhang spilling ever so slightly over the straining waistband of his jeans.  

His once-flat stomach, the relic of his twink days, had long since given way to the plush, solid mass of a well-fed bear. His love handles were thick and grabbable, pressing against the waistband of his jeans, creating a subtle muffin top that only accentuated the roundness of his gut. The hair that covered his stomach was dark and dense, a far cry from the smooth, waxed look he used to maintain in his early twenties. It curled slightly where his belly creased, thicker around his deep, shadowed navel.  

That navel—once shallow and barely noticeable—had stretched deeper into the soft flesh of his stomach, a testament to how much he’d grown over the years. Ryan couldn’t help but reach out, tracing a slow, teasing finger around it, grinning at the way Daniel’s gut tensed under his touch.  

Daniel groaned, half from the pressure in his overstuffed belly and half from how good Ryan’s touch felt. “Babe, I *swear* this sweater fit me earlier.”  

Ryan smirked, giving his belly a soft jiggle. “Yeah, *before* you ate half of Spain.”  

Daniel rolled his eyes, but his breath hitched as Ryan’s warm palm slid over the firm roundness of his stomach, fingers brushing against the soft trail of hair leading downward. “Okay, but seriously,” Daniel murmured, voice thick with amusement and indulgence, “how am I even gonna get this thing off?”  

Ryan grinned wickedly. “Oh, *I’ll* handle that.”  

Daniel just let out another satisfied groan, too stuffed and too content to argue.

Ryan didn’t argue. They ordered an Uber, and the second they collapsed into the backseat, Daniel unbuttoned his jeans with a relieved sigh. Ryan followed suit, his gut pushing against his hoodie. “Jesus, I feel like I just ate an entire restaurant”  

Daniel leaned against him, burping softly. “You basically did.”  

As Daniel and Ryan waddled out of the Uber, their swollen stomachs leading the way, every step felt like a struggle. Their guts were stretched tight, stuffed beyond capacity with tapas and sangria, and even the cold Chicago air couldn’t shake the sluggishness weighing them down.  

Ryan groaned, rubbing the crest of his overfed belly. “Babe, I don’t think I’ve ever been this full.”  

Daniel chuckled, his own stomach straining against his sweater. “I told you we didn’t need that last plate.”  

Ryan opened his mouth to argue but suddenly froze mid-step. His face tensed, eyes widening slightly.  

Daniel turned, concern flickering across his face. “What—”  

Before he could finish, Ryan let out a low, rumbling fart that seemed to last forever. It wasn’t loud, but it was deep, the kind that only came from being absolutely *stuffed* to the limit. His face immediately flushed red, his eyes darting around the empty street as if someone might have overheard.  

Daniel’s eyebrows shot up before he clamped a hand over his mouth, stifling a laugh. “Oh my god, babe.”  

Ryan groaned, his free hand pressing against his gut. “I—I couldn’t hold it in,” he muttered, his voice tinged with embarrassment. “Sorry.”  

Daniel, still biting his lip to keep from laughing outright, patted Ryan’s back. “Hey, it’s fine. It’s *so* fine. Honestly, I’m impressed you lasted this long.”  

Ryan exhaled sharply, his face still warm. “I might explode.”  

Daniel smirked but took pity on him, rubbing slow circles on his back as they made the slow, laborious trek inside.  

The second they stepped through the apartment door, all energy left them. Daniel barely made it to the couch before collapsing onto it, groaning as his overstuffed belly surged outward, no longer constrained by standing. His sweater had ridden up so much that half his gut was exposed, his navel deep and prominent against the soft curve of his stomach.  

Ryan, too bloated to even aim for the couch, simply let himself fall onto the plush rug with a heavy *thud*. He lay there, sprawled on his back, his unbuttoned jeans pushed down just enough for his stomach to fully spill out, free from the waistband’s cruel grip.  

“Babe,” he mumbled, staring at the ceiling. “I literally *cannot* move.”  

Daniel sighed, rubbing slow, soothing circles over his taut belly. “Same.”  

For a long moment, they simply lay there, breathing heavily, their stomachs gurgling in quiet protest.  

Ryan groaned softly, shifting slightly. “God, I can still feel the sangria sloshing around.”  

Daniel smirked lazily, letting out a soft belch before muttering, “Best Valentine’s ever.”  

Ryan exhaled, still mortified about earlier, but when he glanced over at Daniel, who looked so content despite their mutual discomfort, he couldn’t help but smile.  

“Yeah,” he admitted, rubbing his stomach. “It kinda is.”

By the time they waddled through the front door of their cozy apartment, they were both groaning like two overfed bears preparing for hibernation. Daniel immediately flopped onto the couch, arms spread wide, his belly protruding proudly.  

Ryan stood in front of him, rubbing his own gut. “I feel huge.”  

Daniel smirked lazily, patting the empty space next to him. “Come here and suffer with me.”  

Ryan tried to sit, but as he bent forward, the pressure in his gut pushed out a deep, rumbling fart. He froze, blinking in horror. Daniel burst into laughter, which made him burp halfway through.  

“Babe, what the *fuck*,” Daniel wheezed, clutching his stomach. “You’re *so* gross.”  

Ryan grinned shamelessly, finally settling next to him with a grunt. “You love it.”  

Daniel poked Ryan’s belly, feeling how firm and tight it was beneath his hoodie. “Damn, you’re like a keg right now.”  

Ryan groaned. “So are you.” He lifted Daniel’s sweater just enough to expose his round, bloated stomach. He ran a warm palm over the stretched skin, tracing slow, lazy circles.  

Daniel shivered under his touch. “Okay, that feels amazing.”  

Ryan smirked. “I know you love belly rubs.”  

Daniel exhaled, sinking deeper into the cushions. “I *swear* I’m never eating that much again.”  

Ryan snorted. “I’ve heard that before.”  

Daniel gasped dramatically. “Okay, but this might be the fullest I’ve ever been. I feel like I’m carrying a food *baby*.”  

Ryan chuckled and leaned in, pressing a playful kiss to Daniel’s stomach. “A very delicious, very sexy tapas food baby.”  

Daniel lay sprawled across the couch, his overstuffed belly rising and falling with each labored breath. The shape of it was a perfect, round dome, firm from the sheer amount of tapas and sangria crammed inside. His gut spread slightly to the sides where it met his plush love handles, but the tight, overfed bloat made his stomach feel heavier than usual—pushing outward, stretching his skin taut. His deep navel sat at the center like a small, shadowed canyon, slightly puckered from the pressure inside. Dark, curly hair dusted his belly, thickest around his navel and tapering up toward his chest. His thick, meaty pecs rose above his gut, still strong but now layered with a soft cushion of fat, giving them a heavy, natural droop.  

Ryan, lying beside him, wasn’t much better off. His belly wasn’t as round as Daniel’s—it had more of a broad, weighty swell, stretching outward before settling thick over the waistband of his jeans, which were still unzipped to give his gut room to expand. He wasn’t as hairy as Daniel, but a noticeable dusting of fur covered his stomach, with a thicker trail running from his navel down past the waistline. His love handles spread slightly as he lay back, and his strong chest, once firm and solid in their twink days, now had a generous layer of bulk, his pecs resting heavily with each deep breath.  

Daniel groaned, shifting slightly and wincing as the movement sent another wave of fullness rolling through his packed belly. 

Ryan chuckled, moving his hand up to Daniel’s chest, kneading the thick muscle with his broad fingers. “This better?”  

Daniel let out a slow exhale, his heavy eyelids fluttering. “Mmm. *Much* better.” He reached out in return, running his hands over Ryan’s belly, feeling the way it curved outward, solid and packed tight under his touch. He gave it a slow, appreciative squeeze, feeling how the heavy weight of it resisted his grip.  

Ryan grunted slightly, shifting his thick, tree-trunk thighs to get comfortable. His legs were massive, covered in a layer of soft bulk but still strong from years of carrying their growing frames. Daniel’s thighs were just as hefty, pressing against Ryan’s, their warmth mingling as they lay there, completely stuffed and utterly content.  

“Babe,” Daniel murmured as he continued rubbing Ryan’s chest, his fingers tracing lazy patterns over the thick yet soft muscle. “We are so fat now.”  

Ryan smirked, letting out a deep sigh of relief as Daniel pressed into a particularly sore spot on his belly. “Yeah,” he chuckled. “And I wouldn’t change a thing.”  

Daniel grinned, rubbing Ryan’s gut one last time before letting his hand settle on his thick chest, his fingers idly playing with the soft hair there. “Same,” he murmured. “Happy Valentine’s, babe.”  

Ryan leaned in, pressing a slow, lazy kiss to Daniel’s temple. “Happy Valentine’s, big guy.”  

And with that, they drifted into satisfied, overfed bliss, their heavy bodies pressed together, warmed by each other’s touch.

Daniel groaned, shifting slightly. “Ugh, even moving is hard. I’m so *stuffed*.” He let out a quiet burp, covering his mouth, eyes widening.  

Ryan gave him a knowing look. “Babe. Just let it out.”  

Daniel hesitated for about half a second before he sighed, leaning his head back and releasing another deep, shameless burp.  

Ryan smirked. “*That’s* my man.”  

They laid there for a while, tangled together in their shared discomfort, exchanging belly rubs and the occasional lazy, open-mouthed kiss. Daniel ran his fingers through Ryan’s beard, murmuring, “This is the hottest we’ve ever been.”  

Ryan grinned. “Oh, for sure.” He gave Daniel’s belly a playful jiggle. “This? This is peak male performance.”  

Daniel sighed contentedly, his body warm, heavy, and relaxed under Ryan’s touch. “Happy Valentine’s, babe.”  

Ryan nuzzled against him, pressing their bloated bodies together. “Happy Valentine’s, my big, beautiful bear.”

[rod-tf]

New Gym, New Life

*This is my first story ever and english is not my first language so if there are any mistakes, I'm sorry. I hope you enjoy it!* -Rafi💚

Daniel and Alex had been together for five years, living happily in their cozy apartment in the city. Both in their late twenties, they prided themselves on staying fit and healthy.

When a new gym opened just a few blocks away, they decided to check it out. The gym, named "Sahara Fitness", had a unique and exotic vibe, with its rich gold and deep red color scheme, intricate geometric patterns, and Arabic calligraphy adorning the walls.

As they walked in, they noticed that all the staff and trainers were Arab men; tall, muscular, and radiating confidence and masculinity. They greeted Daniel and Alex with warm smiles, their deep voices resonating through the gym. Despite the clear cultural influence, the place seemed modern and well-equipped.

"Welcome to Sahara Fitness," one of the trainers, Malik, said in a thick accent. "You two look like you already know your way around a gym, but we like to offer something special to our new members. A gift to help you get the most out of your workout."

He handed them each a small, ornate container filled with a dark, powdery supplement. "This is a traditional blend, used for centuries to enhance strength and endurance. Try it out during your workout, and you'll feel the difference."

Daniel and Alex exchanged a glance. They were a bit skeptical but intrigued. They had tried all kinds of supplements before, so they figured it couldn’t hurt to try something new. Thanking Malik, they headed to the locker room to change.

Dressed in their usual gym gear, the couple mixed the supplement into their water bottles and sipped. The taste was strong, almost spicy, with a hint of something they couldn’t quite place. Shrugging it off, they began their workout routine, starting with some light cardio before moving on to weights.

As they started lifting, both noticed an unusual burst of energy coursing through their bodies. The weights felt lighter, their movements smoother. They exchanged a surprised look but continued their sets, pushing themselves harder than usual.

After a while, they noticed something even stranger. Their bodies began to feel different—stronger, more powerful. Alex glanced at his reflection in the mirror and did a double-take. His usually slim frame was starting to bulk up, and his muscles were swelling with each rep. His fair skin seemed to be taking on a slightly tanned hue, and his facial hair usually trimmed and light, was darkening and thickening.

"Dan, are you seeing this?" Alex whispered, his voice sounding deeper than usual.

Daniel, too, was undergoing a transformation. His once smooth face was shadowed with a thickening beard, his jawline sharpening. His normally light hair was darkening to a rich, deep brown, and his skin was also taking on a more olive tone.

They both felt a strange warmth spreading through them, almost like a fire igniting from within. Their minds began to feel fuzzy, thoughts of their usual life together growing distant. Instead, they were filled with an intense, almost primal desire to lift more, grow stronger, and assert their newfound masculinity.

As they continued working out, their transformations became more pronounced. Their bodies grew more muscular, their chests broadening, arms bulging with veins as their biceps swelled. The hair on their bodies thickened, and their once soft features became rugged and masculine. The changes weren't just physical; their minds were altering too.

Daniel, now with a full, dark beard and intense eyes, glanced at a group of women working out nearby. He felt an overwhelming attraction towards them, something he'd never experienced before. The thought of Alex, his partner, seemed oddly foreign, replaced by a burning desire to dominate, to conquer.

Alex, too, felt a shift. His mind, once full of love and tenderness for Daniel, was now clouded with lustful thoughts. But he wasn't thinking about Daniel; it was women with soft curves and alluring smiles. The idea of being with a man seemed almost laughable now.

They both finished their workout, breathing heavily, sweat dripping from their now muscular, tanned bodies. The gym’s atmosphere, once just a backdrop, now felt like home, where they belonged and could be their true selves.

As they headed back to the locker room, they caught sight of themselves in the mirror. Gone were Daniel and Alex, the cute, loving couple who had walked in earlier. In their place stood two Arab alpha males, their bodies sculpted and powerful, exuding raw masculinity. Their eyes were dark and intense, their gazes filled with a new hunger.

Malik appeared behind them, a knowing smile on his face. "Ah, I see the supplement has worked well. Welcome, brothers. You are now part of our tribe, our brotherhood. The old you is gone. You are reborn, stronger, and more powerful than ever."

Daniel, now calling himself Daoud, and Alex, now Ali, looked at each other and nodded. They felt no fear, no regret only acceptance and excitement. They had been transformed, not just physically but mentally. The bond they once shared as lovers was replaced with a new bond, brotherhood. And with it came a shared obsession, a desire for women that burned within them like never before.

"Bro, I can't believe how good this feels. I don't even know why we were ever together like that," Ali said, his eyes flickering with a new, primal energy.

Daoud smirked, flexing his arms, feeling the surge of power coursing through his veins. "Yeah, man. What were we thinking? This is what real life is about. We were just... confused before." He looked at the women working out nearby, his gaze filled with hunger. "Now, it's all about the chase, the thrill."

Ali nodded in agreement, his thoughts aligned with Daoud's. "Exactly, bro. Chicks, muscles, and dominating life. That's what we were meant for."

Daoud clapped on Ali's back, their bond now one of brotherhood and shared desires. "Let's go, man. Time to show the world what real men are made of."

They dressed in new clothes provided by the gym. traditional but modern arab-inspired attire that accentuated their muscular frames. As they walked out of the gym, they felt like kings, ready to conquer the world outside. Women turned to look at them, drawn to their confidence and masculinity. And as they exchanged a knowing glance, they knew that their lives had changed forever.

No longer the gentle, loving couple they once were, Daoud and Ali were now straight, Arab studs, obsessed with their newfound masculinity and the thrill of chasing after women.

[mostlynatur3]

Christmas nails. Christmas workouts

[drmaddict]

Patchwork

Summary: Henry becomes a father... Just not how he thought it would happen.

Word count: 2.160

Warnings: mentions of domestic violence, lots of fluff

"Six?"

"Six."

"Six children?"

"Well not biologically, but.... yes."

(Y/n) looked uncertainly at Henry. The blue eyes stared at her in disbelief.

"You have six children living in your house?"

She sighed. That was always the point at which every guy ran away.

"I understand if that's too much for you," she began. 

Henry shook his head still in disbelief, but grinned. "Do you ever sleep, or do you just get used to  sleep deprivation?"

She smiled cautiously. Didn't trust the peace yet, though. "To be honest there are two kids one 9 and one 12 and four pubescent teenagers."

He regarded her quietly across the restaurant table. "Are you okay?" he asked, "Did I say something wrong? I know my reaction may have been a little surprised, but I didn't mean to cut you in."

She relaxed a little. "It's just... Most guys run away as soon as they hear that, and that would really be .... a shame."

Henry smiled and shook his head. "I don't run away. I hate cardio."

That made her smile.

"But you'll still have to tell me how you get to adopt six children and teenagers.... And that as a single woman in her mid-twenties."

"It's like cats. Somehow I guess it doesn't stay with just one." She tipped her wine glass. "The first one was Jason. He was the son of my neighbors at the time and would come by my apartment every so often in the afternoon until his mother got home. One night he showed up at my door bleeding. His father caught him with make up and beat him black and blue. It took a while, but then he could move in with me. He's graduating from high school this summer. He has even been accepted to a make up school. He wants to go into film as a makeup artist." She smiled softly. "He's come a long way."

Henry curtsied in shock at the story. "Fatima is 16 and has been disowned by her family for not being a virgin. She has ambitions to study law. I don't think anyone will stop her from going to Oxford. Mike is almost 16 - next week - and grew up without a father and even though his mother tried everything, she has high level schizophrenia. She has been institutionalized and now lives in care. We visit her whenever her condition allows it. Mini - Emilia ran away at some point. We don't really know what happened. She is 14. Kamon is 12 and comes from a refugee family. His parents have been sent back to Thailand. We are trying to get a visa for them. Until then, I'm kind of his foster family. He and Mike are not officially adopted. Both love their family and do everything for them, even if they can't always be there. And Lilly. She is 9. Her family died in a car accident. No family member has been found."

She was silent for a moment and continued to contemplate her wine before looking up and looking at Henry.

"Henry... I understand if this is too much, but.... they've all been through enough in their lives and every single one of them has their reasons for making it hard for new people in our family. So if, against all odds, you say yes to this circus, know that it's not so easy to get out of it either." Her gaze became insistent. "If you leave me, that's one thing, but I won't do that to the kids."

Henry, who hadn't said anything all this time, took one deep breath and reached for her hand lying on the table. He smiled. "If they're willing to meet me, so am I."

Henry stood in front of a gigantic house. His house was already big, but this one surpassed it. Despite its size, however, it didn't seem ostentatious. It looked cozy and inviting. The word 'home' popped into his head.

Shouts and frantic footsteps sounded from inside. 

He pressed his thumb on the doorbell. Immediately, everything went silent.

The door opened with a jerk. A dark-skinned boy stood before him, beaming at him. From the colored eyeliner, he concluded that it must be Jason.

"Hello Mr. Cavill." he said in a noticeably loud voice.

Immediately, frantic footsteps sounded and he saw scattered bodies running through the background.

"Hi. Henry will do." he smiled.

"Come on in. I'm Jason. Ehhm... (Y/n) isn't here yet.... Mike had... They had to go to the hospital."

"Is he okay?"

Jason shrugged. "Normally, he is. Boxer you know... Tea?"

"Gladly."

He stepped into the house. It was swept as if empty, yet the traces of life could be seen in it. Self-painted pictures. Photographs. Various equipment for hobbies. Shoes in different sizes. And that was just the hallway. Henry let himself be led into the kitchen and sat down on one of the chairs. None matched the other.

"Mike had a match this morning. (Y/n) said he's already patched up. They're already on their way here."

Henry smiled. "With something like this, you should take your time."

Jason set the steaming cup down for him and sat with him.

Henry accepted it gratefully. "It's very quiet."

"Be glad." was all he said, sipping his tea. "I don't want to chase you away, but it's like human history here. The periods of absolute peace are relatively negligible." He ran his index finger over the rim of his cup and grinned. "And I'm one of the worst divas here. Just a warning."

The front door opened and a rumble sounded, followed by an amused giggle. "Sorry about that." a boy's slurred voice rang out.

"That's okay big guy. Come on off to bed." he heard (y/n).

"I'm fine!"

"That's because they drugged your ass off so you can't feel your face."

"Where's Ammy?"

"Mike you need to rest now. You can call Amber when you're in bed."

"Who are you?" A blond boy in a gray sweatshirt and swollen face looked at him from the doorway, aghast. "Who's that?" he turned to (Y/n).

"A friend Mike. That's a friend. Jason stop filming him!"

Still grinning, Jason put the phone away and turned to Henry. "Welcome."

"What's the dog's name?", Kamon asked him.

"That's Kal...like Superman." he smiled at the shy boy.

"I like Batman."

Henry rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh yeah, why?"

"Batman watches out for kids nobody else wants. Like (y/n)."

Henry smiled.

"I told you not to rummage through my things!" yelled Emilia down the hall.

Henry and (Y/n) sat in the garden each holding a book.

"I wasn't rummaging. I was getting MY eyeshadow, that you stole from MY room!" shouted back Jason. "It's not my fault you leave your lovey-dovey fanfictions lying around in the open like that!"

"You have no business in my room!"

"That being said - Tom Holland? Really?"

A splintering sound rang out.

"I guess that was the vase, then," (Y/n) sighed.

"I would have thought she was more of a Sebastian Stan type," Henry reflected loudly.

"How long has she been sitting there?" whispered Henry to (Y/n).

"Since this morning. She hasn't looked up from that book in five hours."

Fatima sat at the large parlor table surrounded by books, writing notes and index cards.

"That's impressive. Scary, but impressive."

Kal walked over to the table and nudged her.

"I have to study! Sit!" Kal obeyed immediately and sat next to her chair.

"She'd make a good drill sergeant," Henry grinned.

(Y/n) sipped her coffee. "You've never seen her in exam stress."

"This isn't exam stress?"

"This is relaxed studying."

Henry looked in shock at the girl with noise cancelling headphones. (Y/n) grinned into her cup.

 "They need more glitter!" determined Lilly.

Henry reached for the can of edible glitter and sprinkled more of it on the unicorn cookies.

"Like this?"

The little girl looked thoughtfully at the tin. "Like this."

Henry bowed theatrically and slid the tin into the oven. "All for your majesty." The girl giggled.

(Y/n) just watched with a smile.

Jason and Mike sat on the sofa grinning together at a tablet, each with headphones in their ears.

This wasn't normal. Even Henry knew that by now. He wondered if they were both watching porn. He'd been that age once, too. He knew what that was like.

(Y/n) came into the living room and looked over there shoulders at the two of them. She laughed uncontrollably grunting, but immediately suppressed it and came over to him.

No porn, he concluded.

"What about these two?" asked Henry, pulling her to him on the sofa and onto his lap.

"Just a movie," she grinned.

"What movie?"

She continued to shake her head with a grin and waved it off. Henry was very reluctant to be shut out. So he sat (y/n) down next to him on the sofa and stood behind the two teenagers. When he saw his younger self in a black hoodie grinning and holding up a tarot card, he groaned in annoyance.

The boys snorted indignantly. Henry looked defiantly at the display.

"Oh come on Sweet Cheeks! What's wrong?" asked (Y/n) with a laugh.

He looked at her with an intensity that promised she would pay for this yet. She could hardly wait.

"What's with the hair?" laughed Jason.

"It was in back then!"

Henry stood in the kitchen making coffee while there was the familiar bustle around him. Kamon couldn't find his second shoe, Lilly needed a certain T-shirt, Jason occupied the bathroom, Mike shoveled eggs into his mouth, Fatima just drank the coffee straight out of the pot, and Emilia hid behind a book.

He could hardly believe that over a year should have passed already.

They had grown close to his heart. He didn't want to miss the chaos at all. The last time he left for a job, it seemed almost eerie how quiet it was that night. He had told (y/n) about it over Skype. She'd just grinned and said those feelings liked to sneak up on one.

"Do you think they want me in their life?" he had asked her uncertainly.

She had only smiled. "Wait a minute." She disappeared and came back a moment later with a piece of paper. She held it up to the camera. "Lilly drew this for you today." It showed eight roughly drawn people. Under each one, in capital letters, was the name.... except for (y/n) and him. It just said Mum and Paps. Henry stared wide-eyed at the screen. "Please act surprised when you come back. It's supposed to be a gift.", she put the paper back down. "Are you crying?"

Henry had remained silent. He had only nodded.

He smiled at the memory. The picture hung framed in the hallway. It had become Henry's favorite picture.

"Car one go!", (y/n) called down the stairs.

The three mismatched teens got up from the table and walked to (y/n)s car.

Henry packed the last of the snacks into Lilly and Kamon's lunchboxes before he, too, packed them into his cat and drove them to school. Jason had a little break from make up school and stayed at home.

Henry came back earlier than (y/n). He waited patiently for her in the kitchen. Looked at the mismatched chairs and the photos on the wall. Photos that now included him. (Y/n) came shortly after him and dropped into her usual seat next to him. She reached for the waiting cup of coffee and dropped her head on his shoulder. "How did I do this alone before?"

Henry laughed.

"I mean it. Don't you dare leave! I can't take it anymore!"

Henry just smiled at her. He got up from his chair and knelt down in front of her. He pulled a small box out of his pocket and held it in front of him. "I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life anywhere but with you and the kids. (Y/n) will you marry me?"

She looked at him with shocked eyes. "Are you sure?"

He nodded with a smile. "I want to take Lilly to her dance lessons. I want to be there when Jason gets his first jobs. I want to see Fatima come top of her year at Oxford - in law AND medicine." They both laughed. "I want to cheer Mike on in his competitions. I want to watch Emilia find the romance she secretly wants. I even want my heart to break when Kamon is reunited with his parents. I want to be with you. I want to be with the children. I don't want to run away. I want to be part of this family."

"You already are," she smiled, crying. She pulled him close and kissed him.

"Does that mean yes?" he grinned.

"Yes you idiot." she laughed.

[pascalpvnk]

february fic recs list

hello! welcome to the third installment of my end of the month fic recs posts, sorry it's late, my bad :') listed in no particular order, just as each fic was read! [once again, if your fic has found a cozy home on my tbr blog, don't fret! i will work through each one slowly but surely xx (divider by @saradika-graphics)

heed all warnings according to each fic. if there's something on here that isn't your cup of tea and you don't want to read it, then scroll past. thank you!

HOW TO SUPPORT PALESTINE // IMPORTANT FOR TLOU READERS & WRITERS

fic recs masterlist // main masterlist // most recent fic

a * denotes smut (18+ MDNI!!)

oneshots

Joel Miller

keep it squeaky* - @joelscruff (j.m. x f!reader) in a feud with her neighbor* [bonus scenes] - @proxima-writes (pre-outbreak!j.m. x f!reader) morning cardio* - @joeloverture (dbf!j.m. x f!reader) mornings like these* - @joelsgreys (post-outbreak!j.m. x f!reader) psyche and cupid* - @macfrog (jackson!j.m. x f!reader) jet stream* - @strang3lov3 (soft dom!j.m. x f!afab!reader) it''s your turn for choosing - @familyvideostevie (j.m. x reader) hard pill to swallow.* - @cerridwen007 (j.m. x f!reader) unbelievable* - @joelmillerisapunk (mechanic!j.m. x f!reader) fade in to you - @studioghibelli (j.m. x tommy's gf!reader) nobody's son, nobody's daughter. - @fragilefable (j.m x f!reader) tell me more - @endlessthxxghts (j.m. x f!afab!reader) wildflowers - @tightjeansjavi (j.m. x f!reader)

Frankie Morales

liquid gold* - @endlessthxxghts (f.m. x afab!reader) something right* - @sweetercalypso (f.m. x afab!reader) full* - @endlessthxxghts (f.m. x afab!reader) stupid cupid - @hellishjoel (best friend!f.m. x f!reader) comfortable* - @endlessthxxghts (f.m. x afab!reader) perfect fit* - @lowlights (f.m. x plus-size!f!reader) plus one - @always-andromeda (f.m. x f!reader) valentine's day* - @polaroidpascal (f.m. x f!reader)

Misc.

tres besos - @mrsmando (javier peña x f!reader) solo round* [dating start!] - @futureman (josh futturman x f!reader) keep it* - @jksprincess10 (marcus pike x f!reader)

series

hippies & cowboys* - @cowgurrrl (joel miller x art teacher!reader) ongoing the rite of movement* - @tightjeansjavi (husband!pornstar!joel miller x f!pornstar reader x pornstar!tommy miller) ongoing bark! bite! bleed! [part I*] [part II*] - @cherubispunk (fwb!frankie morales x afab!reader) ongoing

[dekariosclan]

Apologies if this has been asked before! What do you think are Gale’s preferred ways to exercise? (For the record, I think I’m on the side of folks who use the mod to get rid of his defined abs - I’m all for believing he stays trim, but the abs are a bit too much, and he honestly looks better without them)

I’ve been wondering about this myself because I’ve been jotting down ideas of some AU stories where Gale and his partner get transported to a modern world, and one of these ideas was they go to a soul cycle class - I can’t decide if Gale would be really good at that kind of cardio right away, or if it would be new to him (I do personally enjoy knowing that it’s low impact for those with knee problems, something our poor creaky wizard would appreciate haha)

Lovely Anon, rest assured you and I are on the same page regarding Gale’s (lack of) defined abs! It’s totally valid if people love ‘em, but I think he looks so much better without. I love soft cozy Gale pajamas and soft cozy Gale tum, I want my wizard to be snuggles incarnate.

As for your ask, my immediate and strong impression is that Gale would be down with any exercise that allows him to read while doing it (and is easy on his troublesome knees, as you mentioned.)

Therefore, while I totally agree he would be drawn towards using a stationary bike, I feel it would only interest him if he could cycle alone and at his own pace, reading a huge book while doing so. And perhaps with some earbuds in to listen to classical piano music (or the llyrian suites?) while he reads.

I personally think a SoulCycle class would be a bit much for Gale, especially with the instructor and the adrenaline-pumping music. I can see Gale being flabbergasted by all the bustle and intensity. I can also see him airing out his frustrations at not being able to keep up by being a smidge critical of the instructor during the class: “Young man!” (The instructor is 32) “*gasp* As someone who has *gasp* a wealth of experience in teaching a classroom, I can *gasp, pant* assure you that this is not how to do it!”

…actually anon, now that I wrote all that out—I hope you DO have Gale go to a SoulCycle class in your AU story, because seeing him try to lecture the instructor in the middle of a cycling session would be absolutely delightful 😂