#custom printed foam cups

[customprintingcups]

Unleash Your Creativity with Personalized Foam Cups for Every Occasion : Custacup

Add a personal touch to your events with Custacup's personalized foam cups, tailored to showcase your unique style and brand.

[ccoconutmall]

✐ᝰIF ONLY SHE KNEW

⪼ home

yuta sighed as he cleaned off the counters with the wet rag, toge was busy taking an order, his voice cutting through the soft music playing inside the cafe. they’ve had this job for almost 2 years, and it still feels like the same routine. clean, talk to rude customers here and there, clean some more, then go home. yuta looked around so he could find something to operate his time, seeing as he had already refilled the cups, pastries, and napkins. he even cleaned the tables. it felt like he cleaned this place 6 times to get ready for the rush that was bound to come soon.

but the sound of the bell ringing to indicate a new person walking through made him look up. a large gasp escaping his mouth as he ducked down to hide behind the counter. what were you doing there? out of all the people he had to see today, when he was covered in sweat, dirty from all the cleaning he did today and he even had stains all over him. you hadn’t even noticed him upon walking in, you were busy with your friends. once toge finished giving a customer their order, he looked down to see yuta covering his head with his arms, trying to hide. “what the hell are you doing? get up you dingus.” he groaned when he saw yuta shake his head nervously, but when he looked up, he could see the reason why he was hiding. “seriously..? yuta. just take the order.” yuta shook his head again as toge groaned, not so much that he had to take your order, but the reason he had to take it was because yuta was acting like a scaredy cat. again.

he gently moved him out of the way with his foot, not noticing yuta slowly walk away without trying to give himself away. “hello, welcome to the coffee bean, may i take your order?” there was a friendly smile plastered on his face, so you wouldn’t think he was as annoyed as he once previously was. putting on his best customer service voice. you hummed and looked up at the large tv menu mounted onto the wall before you started.

“can i get a vanilla bean latte with cold foam and a strawberry shortcake?” he nodded as he put in your order, looking towards your friends so they could put in their order. once he was done typing everything into the ipad, he looked back up at you “$12.50.” you nodded and handed him your credit card out of your wallet. he swiped your card and printed out a paper receipt with your order number on it, and with a smile, you were gone and went to find a seat with your friends. “see yuta, that wasn’t so.. bad?” 

he looked down at his feet, but yuta was nowhere to be found “oh you gotta be fucking with me.” mumbling to himself, he pulled out his phone while nobody was in line.

toge grumbled as he put his phone into his back pocket. yuta scanning the area before he fully came out and walked behind the counter. “go get the order ready.” toge demanded him pointing to the machine. yuta looked at him like a kicked puppy, but he silently did what he was told, and that was making your order. 

“ynnn…” nobara dragged out her words with a huge grin across her face. “is that the cute boy you wanted to see?” she giggled as the two guys looked at you as well, stopping what they were doing before. “oh my god… nobara, i didn’t come here because of a cute guy… i just wanted to hang out since we’ve been so busy with exams recently.” she sucked her teeth quietly and put her hand on her cheek looking over to the counter. she gasped loudly “what about him?!” her whisper yell made you jump a little and look over, there was a new person there. he was tall and skillfully fixing up your dessert, making sure he used the juiciest strawberries. you watched as he cut them up, his hands were delicately fixing up your stuff. yuji laughed at your reaction “oh, it has to be. look at how she’s watching him!” nobara quickly slapping her hand over yuji’s loud mouth. “shut up! we can’t let them know!” 

you rolled your eyes at them, but yuji was right, you were watching him use his hands a little intensely, like you could burn holes straight through his palms. would they believe you if you said it was just because you were watching him make your order? probably not. “guys. please, we’re not having another aaron situation!” you yelled in a hushed tone. all three of them deadpanned “bitch, aaron didn’t even know you, that’s different.” megumi groused, your mouth went slack, but he was also right.

 “how do you know he knows me?” you raised your eyebrow at him, megumi crossed his arms over his chest before he answered you again. “because yuta, was in our high school, and if he’s here, he probably goes to the same university.” you quickly turned your head to get a peak at his name tag, but before you could say anything, your order number was called out. 

“329?” yuta called out, his voice was sort of shaky, but he looked around. “bitch, go!” nobara pushed you out and you went up to the counter. “im 329.” you smiled at him, and he swore his heart started beating out of his chest, he could feel his ears get hot trying to swallow down whatever he was feeling in his stomach before handing you your stuff. “thanks yuta!” you gushed, your fingers gently rubbing against his as you took your order and went back to your table. 

he looked at his hands, dark red blush creeping onto his face as he suppressed the urge to go into the back alleyway where the employees normally take their lunch breaks and scream to the top of his lungs. he was over the moon to say the very least. it might’ve been a small gesture, but after knowing of you for 4 years and being shy to actually initiate anything, he thinks he did a damn good job at hiding how he really felt at that moment. a large, goofy grin was spread across his face. he could feel the ghosting touch of your soft, warm hands against his still. he quickly looked over at you as you talked to your friends and looked back at his hand. 

“why are you staring at your hand, you freak of nature?” toge quipped, but yuta didn’t even care. he just sighed dreamily and looked at him “she touched me..” toge’s eyes widened, he couldn’t believe that yuta actually was able to talk to you. even if it was just to call out your order. “and! she called me by my name!” toge could practically see hearts floating around yuta, it was like he was in a cartoony haze, and toge just nodded his head. “now, before she leaves, you should ask for her number. 

yuta nodded, honestly not hearing a word that left toge’s head, but he tried going along with it. toge watched as you went to the counter again, your friends leaving to wait for you in front of the store. “go! now!” toge pushed yuta to the counter again, which snapped him out of his thoughts. 

“hey, uh.. i wanted to give you a tip, the strawberry shortcake was really good.” yuta looked at you as you handed him a $5. he tried swallowing some spit, but his throat was dry. “it’s no problem.. uh,” he couldn’t stop stuttering but he continued on. “they’re my specialty, everyone always asks for them.” you laughed, then smiled at him “i see why!” he took the money from you, but before you could walk away he stopped you. “hey, i know you might not remember me.. but do you think i could.. maybe get your number?” 

your eyes widened as you looked at him, he was visibly blushing, you don’t even know how long he’s been waiting to ask you, and even though he was fully prepared for you to reject him, you smiled at him, and he swore he could die, right then and there. 

“sure!”

© property of ccoconutmall ‘24. please do not repost, copy, modify, or translate.

taglist;

@sunflowertingzzzz, @k0z3me, @mollzaj, @mixzimi, @chiefinvestigatoremma, @evieskibidi, @7nknown

≪ PREV ꒱ NEXT ⪼

[b0ng05]

Sam Carpenter x fem!Reader -

Coffee pt.1

Word Count: 1135

Summary: While at work, one of Y/n's regular customers, Tara, brings someone new to the cafe.

Also, Not Proofread💅

Master list/ Request list

Pt.2

Raindrops scattered down the big glass window of the cafe, the sky dark and gloomy with thundering clouds. The air smelt of fresh ground coffee and the small scent of cinnamon rolls baking in the back. Soft and quiet music played through the speakers as I leaned my arms on the frigid metal counter in front of me. My face resting in the palm of my hand as I looked around the emptying dining area. Chairs and booths void of customers, leaving my mind bored with the dull atmosphere. I sigh as I mentally pray for my shift to end faster, all I wanted to do was go home and sleep, between finals, work, and studying, I was beyond exhausted.

The ting of the bell above the front door goes off, jolting my eyes from their heaviness. I glance over to the door to see Tara enter the cafe, a usual patron of the cafe and someone I often saw around my college campus. She lifted the hood of her sweater off, her dark brown hair tied in two messy braids. As she walked over to the counter, her lips were perched in a smile that made her dimples apparent. Her once light gray hoodie now a darker shade with the absorbed rain.

“Hey, your usual Tara?” I ask with a polite smile as I go to reach for a cup to write her name on.

“Yup, but I’m gonna also need a medium cold brew, I’m meeting someone here today.” Tara nods, reaching in her pocket for her wallet.

“Absolutely,” I nod, turning the tablet keypad towards her so she could swipe her card.

Once the receipt prints out, I slide it over the counter to her before making my way to the cups. Tara walks over to her usual booth in the corner where she would sit and study most weekday afternoons. I write her name on the papercup with sharpie before doing the same with the other. I make Tara’s frappucino first, adding extra whipcream and caramel, something I had done for her often. I move on to make the cold brew, adding the top with cold foam.

By the time I’m done, I notice Tara is no longer sitting alone in her usual booth. Across from her sat a woman with long black hair and dark brown eyes. Her eyebrows were furrowed in confusion as Tara rambled to her about something. I walk over to the table, holding a drink in each hand. As I get closer, I feel my heart start to race and butterflies fill my stomach. I place the cups gently on the table between them with a polite smile.

“Oh, thank you, Y/n,” Tara smiles joyfully as she picks up her straw and peels the wrapper off before taking a big sip of her drink.

“Of course,” I smile and nod. As I turn to walk back behind the counter, my eyes meet the mystery woman’s for a brief second, not expecting the icy glare that I got in return. I quickly walk back behind the counter, grabbing a rag and cleaning up to avoid the feeling of impending doom that came from the glare the woman gave me. A shiver ran up my spine as my hand grabbed the neck of the spray bottle, hoping she was focused on Tara by now.

As I wipe off the counter, I subtly glance back up at the woman, unable to help myself. The woman took a sip of her coffee, my eyes drinking up the sight of the prominent veins in her hand holding the papercup. My eyes drift along the sleeves of her black bomberr jacket, up to her defined jawline-

My eyes widen as our eyes meet once again, she squinted slightly in an intimidating manner. But what I didn’t miss was the small smirk that teased at the corner of her lips for a second before disappearing. I blush as I turn around to walk into the back office where my coworker had been on his break. My eyes wide and panic on my face as I wordlessly sit next to him at the small table where he was eating his lunch.

“Joey…” I say.

“Y/n,” Joey mumbles through a bite of his sandwich, taking out his earbud before looking up at me.

“Hear me out. If you let me take my break right now, I will totally pick up one of your shifts,” I offer, my eyes meeting his bright blue ones.

“Okay, why would you want that? I have like ten minutes till my break ends, take one then,” Joey asks, looking at me bewildered before he wipes his mouth and hands with a napkin before crumpling it and trying to throw it into the trashcan. Totally missing the shot by a few feet.

“I accidentally made eye contact with a woman out there, more than an appropriate amount,” I sigh, covering my face with my hands as I lean back in the chair.

“What do you think is an inappropriate amount of eye contact?” He laughs, leaning his elbow on the table and pushing his hair out of his eyes.

“We didn’t say anything to each other, it was one of those got caught staring moments.” I admit as I blush red in embarrassment.

“Oh so you find her pretty,” Joey teases playfully, reaching over and nudging my arm with his.

“She totally gave me the stank eye.” I switch the topic as I hold my hand across my forehead.

“Well, I will not be leaving my sandwich anytime soon, so you can go enjoy Ms. stank eye,” Joey chuckles as he puts his earbud back in, mere seconds away from decimating the sandwich before him.

I sigh dramatically as I get back up from the chair to go back behind the counter. As I walk out of the office, I notice that Tara and the mystery woman are already gone. I couldn’t tell if I felt more relieved I wouldn’t be glared at, or more sad that I couldn’t continue to gawk. I sigh as I rest my face in the palm of my hand again, realizing I’d have to continue the boring passtime of waiting for customers, restocking and cleaning.

As I reach for a rag and cleaner to go wipe off tables and booths, I couldn’t help but let my mind drift back to that woman, the small smirk of hers etched into my mind, I unconsciously bite my bottom lip as I thought about her dark brown eyes that glared into my soul. Despite being terrifying, I couldn’t help but enjoy the way her mezmerizing eyes felt on me, and I could only hope that Tara would be bringing her back here in the near future.

[b3ach-bunn7]

WET CIGARETTES

Gojo Satoru, your prettiest customer, insists on ordering the most insane drinks possible. As a barista, it’s your duty to fullfill them.

alternate!universe, fluff, happy ending

(This is a long one guys 🙈)

——————————————————————

You love your job. The truth is, the people who romanticise working at a coffee shop were exactly right. Yes, the hours can be long, and the occasional Karen can turn what should be a five-minute interaction into a half an hour one. And sometimes you go home with burns from a hot coffee pot, or spills on your favourite trousers. But you love every part of your job.

Except for Gojo Satoru.

Your most troublesome customer. You know he goes to your university, because you’ve seen him wearing a hoodie with its logo on it. You assume you both have different majors, because you don’t cross paths at all.

But he comes to the shop every day without fail. And he orders the most complicated, diabetes-inducing drinks known to man. He strolls up to the counter, blinking those bright blue eyes at you, with his perfect smile and his hair that looks so soft to touch and starts rattling off his order.

Okay, it’s not the worst thing in the world. Gojo is easy on the eyes, and it’s quite funny to see how far he’ll take it. You’re not exactly sure if he even consumes the stuff he buys. Maybe he’s trying to impress you. Maybe he’s trying to annoy you. You think he succeeds more with the second option, but it’s fine. You like the little challenge everyday.

Today, you’re wiping down the counter when you see him appear behind it and begin drumming his fingers against it.

“Hi, sugar.”

You look up, unamused. He’s wearing a black compression shirt that hugs his muscles and grey sweatpants. He’s probably come back from the gym, judging by the sweat that sticks some strands of his white hair to his forehead. He looks good. Whatever.

“Gojo. What monstrosity will it be today?”

He hums under his breath. He rests his cheek on his palm. His skin is so clear. For all the coffee he drinks, at least.

“I would like… A single shot, 4 pumps sugar free peppermint, nonfat, extra hot, no foam, light whip stirred grande white mocha.”

Your mouth gapes. “Gojo. What? That’s not- what even is that?”

He laughs, loud and boyish. The shop is quite empty, so, you can take your time to mock his ridiculous request.

“I don’t know. Thought I’d try something different, you know?”

“You try something different everyday. I think this one wins the stupidest order yet.”

“Don’t be like that, sweetheart. You know you like it. I bring some joy to the darkness that is your shift.” He pouts and leans forward.

You rolls your eyes. You turn and grab a cup to begin concocting his drink.

“Don’t call me that. And it doesn’t bring me joy. It does test my memory, though,” you pause, “How many pumps of peppermint was it?”

“Four. And what’s wrong with sweetheart?”

“I’m not your sweetheart, Gojo.”

He groans. He watches as you flit around behind the counter, going to steam the milk for his drink.

“Come on, what else am I supposed to call you? I don’t know your name.”

You point to the name tag pinned to your shirt.

“Yes you do.”

“That’s not your name.”

You nod and insist that it is. His eyebrows raise and he nods towards it.

“Your name is Brian?”

“Cute, right? I don’t like strangers using my real name, so they let me print a fake one.” You smile.

“It’s a shame, really. Brian suits you.” You stick your tongue out and Gojo grins.

The drink doesn’t take long. You make one of the fancy milk designs on the top, and slide it over to him.

“Here you go.”

He thanks you. He peers at the design at the top, eyeing the drink.

“I like this. You should learn how to draw my face on there.”

“Ah, yes. You’re right, that does sound like a great way to pass my time.” You nod sarcastically.

He sips the drink carefully. His nose scrunches and he sticks his tongue out.

“Oh, that is not good. At all.”

You laugh. You reach over and grab the drink, taking a swig. Gojo protests, but you can tell his effforts to get it back are half-assed. You wince, the warm peppermint drink sliding down your throat.

“Yeah, gross. How did you even come up with this?”

He shrugs, “They just come to me.” He nods at the cup in your hand, “You know, we basically just kissed.”

You snort, “You can keep dreaming, Gojo.”

“Oh, you’re definitely in my dreams, baby. All the dirty ones.”

Oh, he’s feeling brave today. You turn to hide the flush that dusts your cheeks. You wipe down the steamer.

“Baby is gross.”

“Tell me your name then.”

You point at the name tag on your shirt. Gojo groans and runs a hand through his hair. You glance down at the ignored drink on the counter.

“Gojo, you haven’t even touched your drink.”

He shrugs. “Oh, well. It’s not like I can’t pay for it.”

You hum under your breath. Rich people.

The shop starts filling up, and your manager pops his head around the door to tell you to get a move on.

“Sorry, Gojo. You gotta get a move on.”

“Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

You wave him off, sighing as he drops his drink in the trash.

——

The next day, Gojo walks in with someone else. A girl, short brown hair and an unlit cigarette in her mouth. It’s the first time you’ve ever seen him with anyone else. Maybe she’s a girlfriend. Gojo seems awfully close to her, a smile gracing his lips as she says something to him.

You’re staring. You turn away quickly. It’s none of your business what he’s up to and you don’t care, anyway. Gojo could be married for all you care.

He bounds up to the front. Gojo has a way of taking up every space he’s in, and as he leans across the counter, he’s all you can see.

“Hey, cutie.”

“Hello. What can I do for you today?”

“Aw. No complaints. You like cutie?”

“Feels like something a 12 year old would call his discord girlfriend, but. Sure, let’s go with that.”

He laughs, but he straightens up quickly.

“Look, I’ve got no time for our cute banter today. I’ll have a Venti, triple-shot caramel macchiato, with three pumps of vanilla, two pumps of hazelnut, one pump of caramel, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and extra whipped cream on top.”

“No time for banter, but time for all of that.”

“Oh, and a mocha.”

You smile. “Who’s that normal order for?”

He points at the girl he came in with, who’s gone outside to smoke her cigarette.

“Shoko. Luckily for you, she likes normal people drinks.”

You turn to start making their drinks. Today’s order is much tamer than usual. It actually sounds like it might taste nice, and it’s sugary enough to satiate his sweet tooth. You wonder if he’ll ask that girl to try it for him.

“So. You got any plans today?” You say.

“Mhm. My friend and I are going shopping. She asked me to keep her company, but I think she likes my credit card’s presence more than mine.”

“Makes sense. At least she gets something out of the card.”

“Ha ha ha. Come on, she gets mean when she’s impatient.”

You shake your head, waiting for the milk to steam. “It takes as long as it takes.”

“Okay, Carla.”

“Wrong.”

“Bridget?”

You tell him he’s wrong again and laugh at his whining. You finish his drink off with an alarming amount of whip cream, to his request, and place it and the mocha on the counter.

“Done in record time.” You wink.

He tries it, and perks up.

“I’m impressed. This one actually tastes nice.”

He slides it over to you, and you take a sip.

“Yeah, you’re right. It is nice.” You say, incredulously.

“Can I have a sip?”

You look to the left and Gojo’s ‘friend’ has appeared. She smells a little like cigarettes but she’s so breathtakingly pretty that you don’t think anyone‘s really worried about that. She takes a drink before Gojo can protest, and she winces.

“God, it’s so sweet. You’ll die an early death if you keep going on like this.”

“Well, good thing it’s not for you.” He grabs it and passes her the mocha.

The girl looks over at you and smiles.

“Hey. I’m Shoko. It’s nice to meet you. Gojo doesn’t shut up about you.”

You tilt your head at the boy, who is looking away from the two of you, and coo.

“Aw, how sweet!” You awe, pressing a hand to your heart.

“He calls you Barista girl. Says you make the best drinks.”

You shrug. “I wouldn’t say best. I am the only one who will make his insane orders, though.”

“That’s true. He doesn’t even drink them half the time. Just throws them away the second he leaves. It’s like the only reason he comes here is so-“

“Okay! Okay, we’ve got to go.” Gojo claps his hands together, cutting off Shoko, and steering her away.

She grins, waving at you. She yells it was nice to meet you, and you say it back, much to Gojos dismay, and wonder what the real reason he comes here is.

——-

The next time Gojo comes in, he looks good. He’s wearing a black button up, the top few buttons undone, the sleeves rolled up to show his forearms. There’s a silver chain around his neck, and his hair is done up in a way that looks effortless and prepared at the exact same time. He’s also holding a bouquet of pretty flowers, pink and white and perfect looking.

God. You move away before he notices you blatantly staring at him. It’s almost closing, and you’ve got ten minutes before you’re free to go. You should be annoyed at his presence. You and Choso, the guy you were working with tonight, had just cleaned up, and you know Gojo’s order would probably need every appliance in the building. Any other customer would be shunned away, a quick point at the clock.

But Gojo’s not any other customer. Not that you’d ever tell him that.

“Hey, Gojo.”

He smiles. “Hey, gorgeous.”

Your cheeks heat up. God, if only he wasn’t so attractive. It would be so much easier to act like you don’t care when he calls you all those things.

“You look nice. You going somewhere after this?”

“Mhm. I’m going on a date.”

You pause to where you’re emptying out the coffee pots. A date? He was seeing someone else after spending god knows how long flirting with you?

You shouldn’t be surprised. He’s never asked you out, and Gojo is attractive enough to be someone who doesn’t care about girls' feelings. You know you should’ve seen this coming. It probably was just a little fun he had everyday, joking around with the oblivious, head-over-heels barista who allowed him to act like a dick with his stupid coffee orders.

Whatever.

“That’s nice. What can I get for you? You need to hurry up though, because we’re closing soon.” Your voice is flat, and your hand rests on your hip.

“Uh. Just a coffee.”

You frown. “No obnoxious order today?”

“Nah. I’ve got places to be. And I need to be awake tonight, if you get my drift.” He winks and you scoff.

You turn and fill the coffee pot, a little more aggressively than normal. You unfortunately do get his drift. Before you can say anything in response, Choso comes out from the back.

Choso is cute. He looks intimidating, always monotoned and looking sleep-deprived, but he was a sweetheart. He always ties his hair into little buns, draws cute designs on top of the lattes, and always makes sure you don’t close alone. Plus, he looks good in an apron. You think you’d like him if it weren’t for an annoying blue-eyed boy and his stupid orders.

“You okay if I clock out?”

You turn to him and smile. “Yeah, I’ll lock up. You working tomorrow?”

Choso takes his apron off and drapes it over his shoulder. You turn to face him, effectively ignoring Gojo.

“Nope.”

“What? Choso, come on, I can’t work if you’re not there, it’s so boring!”

He laughs, crossing his arms and leaning against the counter. It make the muscles in his arms stand out, and wow. Does he work out? Probably.

“You’ll be fine without me.”

“I won’t.” You pout.

“Goodbye.” He walks away, nodding at Gojo, who looks just peachy waiting for his coffee.

“So who’s that?”

You turn back to face him. “Choso. He works here.”

“Yeah, I figured. You like him?”

“Yeah. He’s great. My favourite coworker.”

Gojo nods slowly. A weird sort of quiet settles over you two. A part of you wants to ask who’s he’s going on a date with, but you respect yourself too much for that.

“What time do you get off?” He speaks up.

You pause slightly. “Me?”

Gojo raises an eyebrow. “No, the other barista behind the counter. Yes, you.”

“Oh. I’m done in ten.”

“Okay, good. Our reservation is in half an hour, so we should make it.”

The coffee pot whirs to let you know it’s ready. Instead, you keep staring at Gojo, who’s looks all too serious for somebody speaking nonsense.

“What?”

“It’s a nice place, don’t worry. Thought I’d splurge, to impress you. These are for you, by the way.” He thrusts the flowers towards you.

“I- What? Gojo, what’s going on?” You laugh, a little hysterical, confused as to what the hell is happening.

He grins. He walks right over to the you, leaning over the counter, so you’re a couple inches away from each other.

“You really think I’d ask anybody else out? I’ve been asking for these stupid orders at for weeks now just to throw them out so I could talk to you, that wasn’t a hint?”

“Yeah, but I just. I don’t know, I thought you were just messing around!”

“Are you really that clueless?”

“Hey! You-“ You stop for a second.

You take the apron from around your neck and throw it behind you into the office. You cross your arms and you nearly laugh at the nervous look that crosses his face.

“Did you make a reservation and dress yourself up for a date you didn’t even ask me to?”

Gojo scratches the back of his head. “I-“

“And then come in here and just tell me when it’s happening, without even giving me time to prepare myself?”

“I- Barista girl, I can explain.” He clasps his hands together.

“And you still don’t even know my name.”

He sighs. “The mystery is part of the fun, babe.”

You smile slightly. You have no idea what went through his head, but it’s cute he tried so hard. Even if it was a little weird.

“What if I had plans tonight, huh?”

Gojo shrugs. “I was hoping you’d cancel them for me.”

“And if I didn’t?”

“Not too sure. Maybe throw the coffee I’m still waiting for in your face?”

You perk up suddenly, remembering the pot that was still bubbling behind you. You take a cup and fill it for him, fit it with a lid and give it to him.

“So. Are you going to ask me out properly?”

He nods. His face is determined and he grabs the flowers from your hands. He takes two steps back and he walks forward.

“Barista girl, will you do me the honours of going on a date with me tonight?”

You frown, sighing dramatically, “I don’t know. I’ve had such a long shift. I’m tired.”

Gojo grabs your hands, pulling you towards him. The counter gets in the way, but you don’t think he cares. The two of you are still close enough that if you moved a couple inches forwards you’d be kissing. He smells like something expensive, and it overwhelms your senses. His lips quirk up in a little smirk, and you think your skin is buzzing where he’s touching you.

“I’m sure I can help wake you up, baby. You just gotta say yes.”

“I- I kinda look like shit, though.” You whisper.

“Don’t say that, you look beautiful.”

You know you don’t. Your hair is being held up poorly by a claw clip, random strands falling out of it. Your mascara is slightly smudged under your eyes, and there’s a lovely new coffee stain on the shirt you're wearing, courtesy of Choso knocking into you before you got a chance to put your apron on.

But he’s looking right at you like you’re the most incredible thing that he’s ever laid his eyes on that you feel like you might actually believe him.

“Okay. Okay, fine. If you let me go home and freshen up. Put a dress on, or something.”

“Oh, I can get behind that.”

You snort a laugh, stepping back. The nervousness from before is gone, and he’s grinning at you excitedly. He waits the few minutes it takes you to lock up, and holds his arm out for you to take while he walks you to his car.

It’s seven in the evening and the sun is just starting to set. The sky is beginning to turn, seeping from blue to orange to pink, and the light is catching off Gojos face. He’s speaking animatedly as he talks about the restaurant he’s taking you too, oblivious to your staring. He’s planned every last detail, somehow remembering when you said that you loved Asian food about a month ago.

You don’t really know much about Gojo. You do know enough to say that he is so sweet it makes your teeth rot.

You say your name, then, softly enough that he nearly misses it. He stops mid sentence and turns to you.

“Is that your name?”

You nod.

“You have a very pretty name.”

You smile. “Thank you.”

He nods slowly. “You can call me Satoru, by the way.”

“Okay, Satoru.” The name feels nice on your tongue.

He groans when you say it, hand reaching up to cup your face.

“God, it sounds so beautiful when you say it. It’d sound even better if you were screaming it, though.”

You roll your eyes, face a fiery red, and let a laughing Satoru lead you into his car.

——————————————————————

AUTHORS NOTE

Gojo satoru the man that u r.. also that cosplayer is EXACTLY how I envision him in my brain.. so obsessed..

again, any requests r welcome! (I’m literally lost for ideas)

[porcelainseashore]

Coffee & Secrets (2)

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Rookie Cop! Leon x Barista! Fem! Reader

Summary: As a cozy coffee shop owner in Raccoon City, you’re no stranger to visitors seeking comfort, quiet, and warmth. When a rookie officer named Leon finds a kindred spirit in you, it sets in motion a chain of events that forever changes the course of your lives. An alternate universe set in Resident Evil 2 Remake and inspired by the game Coffee Talk.

Content & Warnings: Canon divergence, coffee shops, romance, slow burn, strangers to lovers, idiots in love, fluff, slice of life, swearing

AO3 Link

Chapter 2: Beginnings

“What kind of coffee shop only opens at night?”

Leon had kept his word, returning some time during the week after his work shift. However, Claire left you a postcard, delivered through him, with “I.O.U.” written at the back in an inky marker.

“My kind,” you quipped back, clearing out some of the cups and glasses, and wiping down the tables used by the previous customers who had left.

He shifted awkwardly between his feet, realizing the faux pas he had made. “Sorry, I didn’t mean any offense.” 

You looked up at him from the cloth rag on the table and smiled. “None taken, you’re just saying what comes to mind.”

“I like that,” you added for good measure.

Biting his bottom lip, his cheeks turned pink as he peered around the room before meeting your gaze again. “I-I… I guess I just wanted to know why?”

“Hah, she’s not interested in business! She’s rich!” a low bellow erupted from a ponytailed man sitting at the corner in an armchair. He laughed at his own joke, adjusting his spectacles along his nose bridge before guzzling down a thick, dark, syrupy brew from his cup. Then, he went back to reading his newspaper as if he had not uttered anything at all.

“Rude,” Leon whispered under his breath.

You chuckled as you gestured towards the older man. “That’s Ben, one of the customers I cater to. Enjoys coming here after dark. Says it helps him to think straight.”

“You see, I wanted to open a place where everyone could feel welcome,” you continued. “Even if it’s just the outsiders.”

“Hey, I heard that!” Ben called out again, though not once taking his eyes off the tiny print of the paper.

You smirked at his response. “Some people are night owls. So why not have a space for them too?”

Leon cocked his head to the side, staring at you contemplatively for a moment before replying, “That’s really nice of you.”

You looked away, unsure of how to respond. From the beginning, you had always accepted your role willingly, never giving it a second thought, so praise always came as a surprise.

“Mmm, why don’t you go make yourself at home, and I’ll be right with you?” you finally decided as an answer. 

Evasive, but polite—perfect for such a situation.

He did as you asked, heading over to the counter seat, and seeing you work your magic on his drink. It seemed like he had taken a note out of Claire’s book, inviting a little more spontaneity this time into his order. He wanted something warm yet cool, but not too sweet.

“It’s not too much of a hassle, is it?” he wondered out loud anxiously.

You huffed out a small laugh, saying, “It’s fine, relax.” 

As you served up the concoction before him, his gaze trailed across the amber swirls of the liquid, glinting under the pendant lights. They came to rest on the conical-shaped egg white foam you had whipped up on top.

“Gee, I feel like a kid in a candy shop,” he muttered. Taking a whiff of the mixture and upon finding it agreeable to his senses, he imbibed the rest of it.

“How do you—” he paused to recollect his thoughts before continuing, “How do you make such amazing drinks?” 

Twirling the glass in his hand, he examined it, seemingly trying to figure out its ingredients. “It’s almost as if you read my mind.”

“I just listen to what people need,” you mentioned nonchalantly, playing down the compliment. Jerking your thumb towards the glass, you added, “I call it Midsummer’s Nightcap, by the way.”

“I’ll definitely remember that.” 

He handed you the glass and you immediately followed up with a “Can I get you anything else?” It had been ingrained in you from day one to do so.

His face scrunched up slightly as he furrowed his brows. “I don’t know, hmm…”

“Something simpler?” you offered. “A glass of water?”

At this, he flashed a toothy grin. “There you go again. Reading minds.”

You scoffed good-humoredly, shaking your head as you poured him water over crushed ice with a slice of grapefruit and lime at the end. “So how’s your first week at work been?”

An involuntary groan rumbled from his chest, though he tried to suppress it.

“Not great?” you asked sympathetically.

“No, it’s good,” he began, “it’s more than I could’ve asked for, but…”

You held back, giving him the time and space to process his emotions. He fiddled nervously with the glass, pressing his fingers into it and leaving temporary imprints on the condensation.

“I don’t wanna fuck things up, you know?” he sighed. “I did well at the academy, but this feels like a totally different ball game.”

“It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?” you observed.

“Yeah,” he agreed, throwing his hands in the air. “I left everything behind for this job. My family, my hometown, my friends, my—” 

All of a sudden, he stopped in his tracks abruptly, as though something had clicked and he instantly regretted what he had just said. “I’m sorry for dumping this all on you…”

“Hey, it’s okay.” You reached over, holding his hand gently as you gave it a little squeeze. His pupils widened and his breath hitched at your touch, but similar to the previous time, he did not pull away.

“You’re afraid of failing,” you murmured, already busying yourself with cooking up another beverage to soothe his nerves. “Maybe you’ve never failed before, and it scares you.”

He remained silent, watching you from across the counter with a grim expression on his face.

It was only after you offered him the warm, steaming cup that he spoke, “You ever get that feeling where you’ve waited for this moment your entire life, and when it comes to it, you’re paralyzed?”

A rueful smile crept onto your lips. “When I set up this shop, yeah.”

Your answer stunned him initially before he started laughing, and you joined in.

When he finally managed to catch his breath, he probed further, “And how has it been for you?”

“It has its ups and downs, but you’ll survive.”

Your eyes met his. “Leon, it’s okay to fail.”

He averted his gaze in embarrassment. “That’s not what she—my girl—uh, my ex would’ve said.”

“Sometimes, people say things because they’re hurt,” you sighed. “I guess she didn’t want to lose you?”

Shaking his head, he rubbed his face wearily as he exhaled a deep breath. “Yeah, she didn’t want me to move so far away.”

Then, he found the courage to look you in the eye again. “I thought she’d be the one. I… I’m an idiot,” he surmised self-deprecatingly.

“You felt deeply for her,” you pointed out. “It doesn’t make it any less real just because it didn’t go the way you expected.”

While he mulled it over, you motioned to his forgotten drink and he obliged, knocking it back as if it were a liquor shot. “Time,” you proffered. ”Everything takes time.”

His jaw slackened as he took a moment to savor the warmth and taste, but once that passed, he had yet another curveball to throw at you. “What if I’m not cut out for this job?”

“If it comes to that, you could either keep going until you are, or find a new path,” you countered, placing your hands on your hips. “Don’t limit yourself.”

“Anyway, I have a hunch you’ll do just fine,” you reassured him. “If you don't believe me, then ask your supervisor.”

“Wait, you know Lieutenant Branagh?”

You did not respond to his question, instead sneaking in a wink and a smile as you removed the cup and saucer from his table. That appeared to distract him as he dropped the subject and latched on to a new one. 

“My grandma used to make this for me,” he said, indicating at the cup you were holding. “She had a name for it. Dreamsleep… I think?”

“Are you trying to tell me that I remind you of her?” you teased as you placed the items in the sink with the other dirty dishes.

“God, oh no, I’m sorry!” he coughed out, his face contorting into an expression of shock and horror upon realizing what he had implied. “That’s not what I meant!”

“I’m joking, Leon,” you giggled as he rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh of relief.

But when he took a peek at his watch, he pushed himself away from the counter. “I must’ve lost track of the time, um, I should get going.”

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he glanced bashfully in your direction. “Thank you… for tonight.”

You waved it off. “Don’t mention it.”

However, when you opened your mouth to speak again, he shushed you with his finger and a fiery look of determination in his eyes. “And no, this time I’m paying.”

Dividers by @cafekitsune

[frozenfries]

Cozy Café : A VALORANT Headcanon

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written for this game, but inspiration struck at a random time. This totally hasn’t been sitting in my drafts since last January

Prompt: If the agents worked at a café, what would their roles and/or signature drink be?

Amidst the chaos of battle, a quaint café stands as a sanctuary for the weary agents. Here, they can take refuge from their high-stakes duels, and trade their weapons for aprons to pursue a different kind of mission: the art of brewing the perfect cup of coffee.

Phoenix: with his vibrant personality and quick reflexes, he’s the charismatic face of the café. Entertaining customers with his barista skills comes naturally as he conjures up dazzling coffee concoctions with a flair of his hand, a burst of flame and a confident grin. His signature drink, The Ignition Latte, is a fiery blend that invigorates even the most exhausted of patrons. Jett: agile on and off the battlefield, she brings her lightning-fast speed and precision to the café. With a swift motion of her finger, she effortlessly crafts delicate latte art, transforming each cup into its own masterpiece. Her Cloud Burst Cappuccino is a smooth delight, creating a moment of feather-light happiness for those who drink it. Viper: the formidable chemist brings her scientific expertise to the world of coffee. With a touch of her gloved hand, she infuses her creations with unique flavors and aromas, leaving customers in awe. Her Venomous Mocha is a mysterious blend that tantalizes the taste buds and leaves a lingering, addictive aftertaste. Sage: with her nurturing personality and herbal knowledge, she adds a touch of serenity to the café and its menu. Her Rejuvenation Tea is a calming infusion that restores both body and mind, providing a moment of tranquility amidst the chaos of everyday. Omen: ever the enigma, he brings an air of mystery to the café. With a flick of his wrist, he conjures up ethereal and smoky concoctions, leaving people wondering how he manages to capture such unique flavors. His Shadowy Cold Brew is a chilling experience that takes customers on a journey through darkness and light. KAY/O: the robotic agent assists in the day-to-day operations of the café, precisely measuring ingredients, ensuring efficiency, and maintaining the coffee shop's cutting-edge technology. KAY/O's presence adds a futuristic touch to the atmosphere, making customers feel like they've stepped into a realm where man and machine coexist harmoniously. Sova: a master archer, you can find him behind the counter carefully crafting his signature drink, The Tracker's Shot: a potent blend of espresso and a hint of blueberry syrup, topped with a delicate foam art of a wolf's paw print. Sova takes great pride in his creation, often using it as a conversation starter with customers, enthralling them with tales of his adventures in the wilderness. Cypher: the watchful surveillance expert provides security for the establishment. He has a keen eye for detail, which translates seamlessly into his signature drink, The Watchful Eye Latte: a meticulous combination of steamed milk, a shot of espresso, and a dash of vanilla spice syrup, served with a meticulous swirl of latte art depicting an intricate camera lens.

Chamber: the polished agent with a mysterious past has a taste for the unconventional, which is reflected in his signature creation, The Trademark Mocha: a rich concoction of dark chocolate, a double shot of espresso, and a hint of cinnamon, sprinkled with a dash of edible gold glitter that gives it an otherworldly shimmer.

Astra: with the ability to infuse her cosmic energy into any environment, she can elevate even a simple drink into an otherworldly experience. The Celestial Brew starts with a base of rich, smooth espresso, followed by a fusion of steamed milk and vanilla syrup, creating a swirling galaxy effect. To top it off is a dollop of homemade lavender-infused whipped cream, a touch of stardust and a sprinkle of edible glitter.

[manicpixxiedreambitch]

Some creative gift ideas for all the uncreative people out there who are sick of giving basic ass gifts (budget friendly)

- Go to the store. Find your way to the candle aisle. Now what you’re gonna do is smell candles until you find one that has a smell that reminds you of the person you’re gifting for. Buy it. When you get home, get out your computer and get on canva. Make a custom label with the person’s name on it, the fragrance notes, and a short, sweet description of that person and why those smells remind you of them. Then print it out and make it into a sticker (you can easily make a sticker with large clear tape over the print, just look up DIY stickers). Take off the original label and put the hand made sticker on instead. If you want, you could even make a candle out of wax melts, a mason jar, and some wicks if you feel like it.

- If you are good with crafts, USE THOSE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.

-If you can knit or crochet, make a blanket, scarf, a pair of mittens, or a stuffed animal.

- Take a picture frame. Get a printed picture of you and the person. Press flowers (if you’re lazy, you can literally press flowers in the microwave in less than two minutes. Look it up.). Arrange the flowers and picture in the frame how you want (be sure to wear gloves and clean the glass first! You dont want there to be eternal fingerprints on the glass!) and grab the tacky glue. Gently apply a small dab of tacky glue to each flower and glue it firmly in place. Do the same with the picture. Close up the frame, wrap, and you are GOLDEN.

- Go to the store. Grab a travel cup or mug (or go to the person’s favorite coffee shop and buy a travel mug there). Go to the candy aisle. Grab a bag of their favorite candy, along with two king sized candy bars, and any other little knickknacks you think they might like. Put it all in the cup and put on the lid.

- Grab a box. Figure out the person’s favorite color. Go to Dollar Tree, Five Below, Walmart, Target, wherever you want. Just find things in that person’s favorite color. Socks, gloves, candy, drinks, accessories, gift cards, candles, soaps, anything. Grab some easter basket filler paper (idk what it’s actually called) in that color (or if it doesn’t come in that color, do black or white. Those will do.) and some construction paper in that color. Now, add the filler paper, then the knickknacks, then glue or tape the construction paper to the inside of the cardboard lid. Write a note if you want. Wrap it up and you are good to go.

-Make jewelry. Trust me. All you need is a chain, a clasp, some charms/beads, and a pair of pliers. The rest is kind of self explanatory but if you don’t understand this explanation for some reason feel free to ask.

- Put together a small thrifted surprise box for the person (wash the clothes first though and make sure they’re okay with that sort of thing!)

- Make something out of clay. Jewelry, room decor, etc.

- Go find one of those letter cutout boxes with the letter of their first initial. Find fake flowers in their favorite color (you can probably find this at dollar tree), then go find a bunch of small knickknacks like jewelry, candy, soaps, etc. Grab floral foam. Fill the letter box with floral foam (if you want, spray paint the box first) Stab the flowers into the floral foam. Grab kabob sticks, cut to desired length. Tape the knickknacks to the kabob sticks and stab them into the floral foam like you did the flowers.

- Go to a thrift store. First go to the basket section. Find a picnic basket. Then go find some teacups, a small charcuterie board, pretty plates, and maybe some pretty silverware (or if you think it would be weird to do silverware from a thrift store, grab it from walmart or target or smth) If you’re an adult, go ahead and find a wine glass or two. After that, you want to go to Walmart. Find a picnic blanket, or a picnic table cloth. If you get the picnic table cloth and have ametuer sewing skills, grab two. Then grab some of the person’s favorite snacks and drinks. Go home and put it all together in the basket. If you chose to grab two table cloths so you can sew, measure the interior of the picnic basket and (assuming it’s square) cut out the dimensions on one of the table cloths and sew them together into a “box” (pattern facing the inside of the box, fuzzy part outside) and put the “box” inside the picnic basket. Now it has a cute, protective interior inside, and the other tablecloth can be used as a picnic blanket. Once its all arranged, you have made a cute picnic set for the person!

- Find a book you like, reread it, and annotate it for them. Then wrap it up. Typically you want a new book for this.

- Go to a craft store. Buy a baseball cap or a cute hat with nothing on it, or if you want, grab a tote bag or something. Grab fabric paint. Custom paint the item for the person.

[acasualcrossfade]

It’s On the House

Written for @thefreakandthehair Sping Fanworks Challenge 2023, Prompt: Mud

Stranger Things, Steve/Eddie, Steve and Eddie

Words: 4326

Read this on Ao3 and find me at thunderously_halo over there :)

Summary: Steve works at Ungrounded, Hawkins’s new café in town next to the record store. When a person clad in all black bikes up with a guitar on his back, Steve is intrigued. Through many closing shifts, Steve learns more about the person, Eddie, and eventually helps Eddie after he gets caught in the rain.

--

“Large iced coffee and a chocolate chip loaf, warmed for Megan!” Steve called, holding up the bagged dessert as he slid the freshly made coffee forward. He turned back to the machine to foam milk for the cappuccino. He stepped to the side to let his boss, Keith, place a cup on the pick-up counter.

“Tuesday Special for Hannah!” Keith called.

As much as Steve hated closing shifts, he hated the company-mandated uniform a bit more. The uniform was no more than a tan-colored shirt and jeans, but the shirt was his least favorite. It had the words “Get Ungrounded” written in groovy letters on the front, and had a giant printed coffee bean on the back.

“I’m gunna go on break,” Keith said, scooting past Steve.

Steve sighed, already knowing that was code for I’m leaving, close up on your own . He was used to it by now, and as the last of the evening rush dwindled, Steve felt the familiar peace that came with the closing shift. A few of his evening regulars were already seated at their usual tables; the booths on the side were left empty except for one study group that sometimes came in around finals season.

The quiet of the café was his favorite. As the sun started to set, the streetlights glowed brighter against the dimming sky.

Traffic thinned and bikers were scarce.

Which was why when a biker whizzed past the window, Steve’s head snapped up in surprise. He abandoned all thought of cleaning the next table and watched as the figure on the bike, dressed in all black, gracefully dismounted. It wasn’t until the figure turned to lock their bike that Steve made out the hardback guitar case strapped to their back. The two seemed to move together as one, and Steve was sure if he strapped a guitar on his back, he wouldn’t look like that.

Steve finished wiping down the table before glancing up at the biker again. The figure had removed his helmet and was walking towards the coffeeshop. Their long hair flowed along with them, and Steve suddenly panicked.

Was it cooler to meet him at the counter or greet him at the door?

Why was he suddenly worried about that?

He was saved from having to figure it out as the man headed into the record shop next door.

A rush of relief seeped through Steve, and he went back to cleaning tables.

--

Steve was in the middle of bussing tables when the door opened and a customer walked in. He grabbed the last of the dirty mugs before heading towards the counter.

“One minute,” he called, before setting them all in the sink behind the register. And when Steve looked up, he immediately recognized the man standing at the counter.

It was the biker from earlier.

The biker stood patiently at the counter, taking his time to read the menu and glance at the dessert case. The man looked comfortable in his dark gray shirt and denim jacket, and his skinny black jeans were ripped in the knees. The light breeze from the coffee shop's weak AC blew the man’s flyaway curls around his face and made his features look soft and welcoming. The man carried his guitar case, and had set it down to lean against the counter.  

His brown eyes studied the sweets and he rocked back and forth slowly as he contemplated, then turned his interest to the snacks along the side of the counter.

“What can I get for you?” Steve asked politely, doing his best to keep his voice from cracking. It always happened when he was nervous. The man had this gracefulness to him, and Steve automatically felt pulled in by it. His apron suddenly felt crooked and he fought the urge to straighten it.

The man’s gaze traveled from the snacks to the small card of specials next to the register. His brow furrowed as a soft smile played on his quirked lips. “What’s the Tuesday Special?”

“It’s a java chip Frappuccino with strawberry and peppermint drizzle,” Steve explained. “And you can get it with or without whipped cream. It’s pretty popular.”

The man nodded approvingly and spent a moment debating before finally shaking his head. “Another day. But can I grab a chamomile tea instead? Large?”  

Steve typed in the order and then looked up again. “And what’s the name for the order?”

The man shifted to the other leg. “Oh, Eddie is good. E-D-D-I-E, though,” he said, standing on his tip-toes to peek over as Steve wrote on the cup. “Not E-D-D-Y.”

“Gotcha.” Steve wrote it on the cup. Eddie. The name fit him.

“And can you do me a favor?” Eddie asked, his voice going quieter. “Or, well, can I make an order in advance?”

Steve glanced around at the quiet coffee shop before nodding. The evening rush had died down, leaving the coffee shop in a quiet ambience. The evening regulars sipped their coffees and there were a few study groups gathered at some of the tables.

“Yeah, sure. I can also bring it to your table since it’s not too busy,” Steve mentioned.

“That’d be great.  I’m waiting for someone and I want to order for them.” Eddie thought for a moment. “It’ll be a medium hot chocolate with whipped cream with a bit of cinnamon sprinkled over it? And can you bring it in like, 20 minutes or so?”

Steve added a note about the hot chocolate before putting in the order. “So it’s one hot chocolate with whipped cream and a bit of cinnamon,” Steve repeated as Eddie nodded along. “Okay Eddie, I’ll have that ready for you in a bit.” Steve took a handful of crumpled bills from Eddie and handed him his change.  

When Steve handed him his tea, Eddie smiled once more before heading back towards the windows, taking a seat at one of the booths in the far corner.

A few more people trickled in, and Steve watched as a young kid headed to Eddie’s booth. In one hand, the kid held his windbreaker and in the other, a briefcase.

Steve hid his smile as he watched Eddie jump up to greet the kid, pulling him in for a tight hug. He placed a hand on the kid’s shoulder as he spoke to him and Steve watched the young boy nod a few times before hugging Eddie again.

They must know each other pretty well.

It wasn’t until the boy sat down and opened the briefcase that Steve realized it was a case of colored pencils.

The boy fished a few figurines from his jacket pocket and Steve watched as the two started exchanging pencils and erasers. Steve was sidetracked from his watch as a few more students came in for a light night caffeine fix. By the time he glanced back at Eddie and the boy, they were both sketching quietly.

Moving easily through his evening duties, Steve carefully rinsed the dirty mugs and closed up the sticky syrups. He snuck glances at Eddie’s booth more than he should, and each time he saw them, both were in deep concentration.

They pair worked in quiet tandem; the boy shaded something furiously as Eddie sketched quietly. They’d each turn the figurine every now and again to capture it in different stances. And Steve found that Eddie looked most comfortable with one leg hugging his chest, and his other stretched in front of him. There was a quiet, unspoken bond between the two; more than once, Steve caught sight of the boy holding up his drawing and Eddie giving him a high-five and a wide smile.

Work was busy enough to keep Steve at the counter, even though he burned with curiosity to see what they were drawing. Between drawings, they sipped their drinks and at one point, both of them dissolved into giggles at the kid’s whipped cream mustache.

Steve caught the boy’s name as they laughed. Will.

Steve’s finished stacking the clean mugs as laughs burst from the back table. Eddie and Will are giggling over one of Will’s drawings, both talking about something called a Thessalhydra.

Steve made a mental note to look up what a Thessalhydra was.

--

Steve just finished collecting the dirty mugs from the Tuesday evening rush when he caught Eddie walking through the door. Instinctively, he straightened his apron and headed to the counter.

“Hi, what can I get you?” Steve was glad his voice stayed even.

“I’m thinking I want something sweet. Is there anything you’d recommend…” Eddie paused and leaned closer over the counter to peer at the nametag clipped to Steve’s apron. “Anything you’d recommend, Steve?”  Eddie rocked back and forth as he studied the dessert case.

Steve’s ears warmed at the way Eddie said his name. Somehow, Eddie made it sound more melodious than five letters.

“Well,” Steve started. “That chocolate chip loaf is pretty popular, and we’ve got some good donuts, too.” Steve searched the bottom of the case, but shook his head. “Our iced raspberry lemon loaf is good, too, but it looks like we’re sold out.”

Eddie tapped his chin before pointing to the loaf at the top. “I’ll give the chocolate chip loaf a try,” he requested. “And also small mocha.”

Steve smiled. “Good choice.” He took Eddie’s crumpled bills and brought out the man’s order.

“Do you want your loaf warmed?”

Eddie’s face opened into surprise and playfully grasped his chest, pretending to swoon. “I think you just became my hero,” he sighed dramatically before smiling. “I am truly both thankful and amazed such a thing exists.”

Steve waited for Eddie to add an order of hot chocolate like last week, but instead, Eddie handed over a crumpled bill.

“I’ll have that right out for you, Eddie,” Steve said with a nod, and Eddie headed back to his usual table. Instead of colored pencils, Eddie set a worn notebook and pen on the table. Steve could tell that from the way the cover bent upwards, it had been folded and bent backwards multiple times. Eddie settled into his usual perch and started writing.

When Steve brought his mocha and warmed chocolate loaf, Eddie smiled at him with the pen cap wedged between his teeth and Steve felt something warm inside him at the sight.

Steve wondered what he was writing. Could it be songs? Or poetry? He couldn’t dwell on it for long as another few late night students sauntered in. Steve stole a last glance at Eddie, and found he was crossing something out on the page. Steve caught Eddie’s slight frown before turning back to his own evening duties.

Steve glanced up at Eddie once more and found that he’d started gathering his things. As a pair of headlights swung into the parking lot outside, Eddie rushed as he shoved the notebook under his arm and grabbed his guitar. He was almost to the door when he turned to Steve at the counter. “Thanks again for the dessert rec,” Eddie called, and lifted one hand to wave to Steve.

Steve’s ears went warm as he nodded and smiled, raising one hand to wave back.

--

Over the next few weeks, Steve picked up on Eddie’s schedule. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he biked in to teach guitar lessons (Steve saw him chatting with the kid and their parents outside one Tuesday). And Steve learned that Eddie had a specific drink depending on what he was doing there; art with Will meant a large chamomile tea and anything that dealt with the black notebook meant anything caffeinated paired with something sweet. Steve discovered that Eddie loved anything sweet, and it only took two weeks for him to nail down a favorite pastry. His usual was now the warmed chocolate chip loaf.

Steve found that he enjoyed picking up these small details about Eddie. Each one felt like collecting a piece of something special. And catching him writing, or better yet, pondering what he could be writing. The entire sight pushed Steve’s heart into overdrive.

Steve spent any free time of his shifts sneaking glances at Eddie as he sketched or wrote.

Was it creepy?  

Steve was no stranger to having evening regulars; he knew that Mr. Westler was recently divorced and Candice and her young son Grant were going to the movies on Friday.

Eddie as a coffee shop regular felt different. No other regular made Steve excited to come in for his closing shifts. And he found that he even hated the uniform a little less.

After a month of observations and a goodbye wave at each shift, Steve begrudgingly accepted that seeing Eddie and serving Eddie was something he looked forward to.

--

It rained hard the next Tuesday shift and Steve looked outside as thunder rolled across the sky. The darkened sky made the overhead lights in the coffee shop glow a warmer yellow.  The water on the window caught the headlights and lighted storefronts from outside, making the windows look like a watercolor painting.

Steve appreciated rainy days. The evening rush wasn’t as busy since people wanted to stay out of the rain, but, there was always a possibility of a rush for people to escape the rain. There’d been a slight rush in the afternoon, and Steve realized as time went on that Eddie most likely had stayed home. A bike whizzed past as Steve handed out a small Americano to a student. He watched curiously as the back wheel flicked up water, causing it to patter against the window. Steve’s brow furrowed.

Biking? In the rain?  

The figure hurried in and it’s clear that they weren’t just wet from the rain. They’re soaked .

Water ran off the sides of the jacket sleeves and some of the patrons stared offensively at the dripping sight. It’s not until the man swiped back a handful of plastered curls when Steve blinked in shock.

“Eddie?” Steve’s heart stuttered, trying not to focus on how wide and innocent Eddie’s eyes looked as he slogged towards the counter. Questions bounced around Steve’s mind, but he cleared his throat and grabbed a few clean rags from under the counter.

It’s the closest thing to something dry that Steve can think of.

“They’re clean,” Steve explained. “And we’ve got some more in the back.”

Eddie immediately pressed the towel to his face and shrugged out of his guitar to lean it against the counter. The water droplets pearled against the hard casing of his guitar case and dark flecks decorated Eddie’s shirt and jacket.

“What….What happened?” Steve asked slowly. He suddenly wished the coffeeshop had bigger towels.

“Caught in the downpour,” Eddie replied quickly as he toweled off his neck and chin. “I never saw it coming,” he sputtered sadly. Eddie shook slightly and Steve realized the flecks on Eddie’s shirt weren’t the design, but were flecks of mud and sediment. Water is caught in his hair like crystals, and they shine down his curls and pearl at his ends. Some of the heavier drops  splash to the floor.

“My uncle would have driven, but he’s already at work.” His face disappeared into the towel again before moved on to his jacket sleeves. “And I didn’t want to cancel the lesson.” He shivered, swiping the towel down the front of his shirt. His hair hung in soaked strands. “But I did not plan to be soaking wet like this. Fuck, it’s cold.”

It isn’t until Eddie starts patting the back of his jacket when he abruptly stopped. He twisted to look at the back, and then turned again, trying to see it better.

Steve suddenly envisioned a kitten chasing its tail.

Eddie cursed quietly. “The mud got sprayed up my jacket,” he moaned. He held up the handful of soggy towels. “Can I get these dirty? Is that okay?” He rotated around  again, trying to get a better look at his back. “Actually, do you mind telling me how bad this is?”

Steve tried to keep his composure, but he was sure that his ears were fire-engine red. “I, uh, it’s not…” Steve thought of skirting around the question, but then he saw that Eddie’s back was splattered with mud. He winced out of sympathy. “It’s pretty dirty,” he finally settled.  

Eddie groaned and studied his jacket. “Do you mind getting some more towels? I think I’ll need a few more.”

There aren’t any more towels under the counter, but Steve grabbed the few stacked next to the sink. “Here, try these.”

Eddie took them and dabbed at his soaked sleeves. “Guess this is coming off, too,” he sighed. The wet denim fought him and he yanked it to free his arm. When he turned to look at the back of his shirt, Steve caught a glimpse of Eddie’s quarter sleeve tattoo. An outline of a wing peeking under his left sleeve.

The weak breeze of the AC did nothing to help Eddie as he shivered in his black short sleeve shirt, and Steve suddenly wished he could wrap him in something warm and dry.

Steve paused, checking the coffee shop. There were only a few people that sat around, and all of them looked served. Steve lowered his voice. “We actually have extra uniforms in the back,” he offered. “It’s not the most stylish…” He glanced down at his own tan monstrosity. “But they’re dry.”

“Are you sure it’s okay? I-I,” Eddie started before shivering. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“Keith is gone for the day,” Steve explained. “Besides, he can’t do much more than tell me off a bit.” He shrugged. “We gotta get you outta those wet clothes, come on.” He lifted the counter and it opened like a drawbridge and Eddie stepped carefully behind the counter.

“It’s kinda…fun to be back here,” Eddie mused as he took in the view from the café. “I feel like the king of the café.” He twisted to look at Steve as cleared away the few carts in front of the storage door. “Is this how you feel every day?”

Steve couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Eddie, soaking wet but serving coffee to other evening regulars. “Not exactly, but now that you mention it, Café King does have a nice ring to it.”

Eddie’s squeaky converse followed Steve’s sneakers into the storage room. Steve had only been back there a handful of times, but he didn’t remember it being such close quarters. Eddie felt attached to his back, but Steve found his presence surprisingly warm, despite the man’s shivers. He searched the shelves, certain there were extra shirts somewhere.

“Oo, it’s a little creepy back here,” Eddie whispered. “Looks almost haunted. Have you seen ghosts back here or like, felt cold spots?” He peered at Steve through one of the shelves. “Or have you seen anything out of the ordinary? Something you can’t explain?” Another smirk played at Eddie’s lips.

Steve gave him an intrigued look. “There was that one time I tripped over a sack of beans that were back here.”

“A bag of beans?” Eddi repeated.

“Yep, it was on a cart but I didn’t see either.” Steve nodded towards the wall. “So I redid some of the lighting.”

Eddie’s brow furrowed. “You...what?”

“Here, flip that switch on the wall?”

Eddie kept his brow furrowed curiously as he slowly flipped the switch by the doorframe. Instead of the expected harsh lighting of a storage room, the lighting of the storage room was done up in yellow Christmas lights that hung, strung from the ceiling.

“Okay, wait,” Eddie paused, looking around. “This is the coolest storage closet I’ve ever seen!” His hair flicked out cold droplets of water as he turned in a slow circle to take it all in.

“Yeah, I sometimes get migraines so this room is a bit darker than the coffee shop ones,” Steve explained. His cheeks heated in muted humiliation; why was he talking about this?  

“It feels so cozy in here,” Eddie replied. “And if anything, you could keep the lights out if you’re sensitive to low lights, too.”

Steve nodded. “Exactly.” He turned to Eddie to ask how he knew about migraines, and immediately was reminded the man was soaking wet. “You must be freezing.” Steve went back to searching the shelves.

“Will gets them. Migraines,” Eddie explained. He hugged himself as Steve searched the next shelf. “Kid’s a trooper, though. He’s better at catching them early.”

“Yeah,” Steve agreed. “Sucks that they can start so young, too.” He moved to the next shelf. “Found ‘em!” Steve called, holding up a tan shirt that smelled faintly of stale coffee. “And looks like they left behind some chef’s pants.” Steve held up the black and white checkered pants, holding  back a laugh. “Is small okay for the shirt?”

“This’ll do,” Eddie responded gratefully as he took the shirt. “Thank you so much, Steve. I also did not expect to be doing any of this.”

Steve felt another strong urge to wrap Eddie up and watch him sip warm chocolate. He pushed away the thought. “You can change back here, and if you want, there’s some hangers and such back here if you want to hang up your clothes.”

Eddie looked down at the clothes he held. “That’s so great, thank you. And I can get my clothes back when I return them.”

Steve nodded. “Sounds like an even trade.”

Steve nodded once more before turning out of the room to let the man change. He couldn't help himself as he took one more glance at Eddie, dripping wet under the soft lights.

Eddie emerged from the storage room looking considerably drier. There was more color in his cheeks and he wasn’t shivering.

“You look better,” Steve smiled.

Eddie’s lean frame swam in the shirt, but the tan brought out the chocolate in Eddie’s eyes. Even with the tan shirt paired with the checkered chef’s pants, Eddie looked… cool . His curls were more damp than wet, and some of his usual flyaways did their usual dance in the light breeze of the AC.

Steve blinked. Could this man pull off anything? Or did this mean he liked a man in uniform?

“What, soaking wet isn’t my best look?,” Eddie playfully replied before going serious. “But really, I cannot thank you enough. You’re truly saving my life.” He ducked under the counter and reached for his guitar.

Steve shook his head. “Well, we don’t just let anyone wear the tan,” he laughed.

“It’s an honor, truly,” Eddie laughed. He gave Steve another one of his famous bows. “And are you closing on Thursday?”

“Yeah. “ His ears heated at the thought of Eddie knowing his schedule.  

“Okay, cool, I can bring these back then.”

Steve nodded. “See you then.” Suddenly, he grabbed one of the drink trays. “Here, use this for the way over. It could be a good makeshift umbrella.”

Eddie gave him another grateful look. “You’re a genius, Steve,” he rushed. “Truly.” He grabbed his guitar and held up the drink tray in a wave. “See ya later!”

Steve lifted his own hand up to wave back. “See you!”

It isn't until Steve closed up that he remembered Eddie's clothes in the storage room. He quickly headed back there, and sure enough, the man's jeans and usual denim jacket were laid out on the shelves. Without another thought, Steve grabbed them to take them home to wash.

--

Thursday’s rush is busy enough for Steve to miss Eddie’s graceful dismount, but Steve caught sight of his parked bike as he cleaned up after the evening rush.

Eddie arrived at the café later  with his guitar on his back. “Hey Steve,” he bounced, holding up a paper bag. He took a sneaky look around before placing the bag to the counter. “I’ve got the goods.”

Steve didn’t stand a chance against the smile that broke out on his face. “What are you, a drug dealer?” he joked. He took the bag. “Thanks, though. And besides, Keith left at like, seven thirty. As usual.” He pulled out a bag of Eddie's folded clothes, the ones he took home to wash and dry.

"Steve, you washed these? And folded them?" Eddie gave him a wide-eyed look as he stared into the bag. "You really didn't have to do that."

Steve rubbed his neck nervously. "It's nothing," he replied shyly. "Just a little mud."

Eddie took out his denim jacket and unfolded it before slipping it on. Nice and clean, it seemed to be glad to be back on his shoulders. "Well, thanks again, Steve. I feel like I'd be an Eddie-ice pop without you."

“Speaking of, is today a chamomile tea day or a mocha day?”

Eddie beamed. “I’ll take the usual small mocha and a chocolate chip loaf.”

“Warmed,” Steve added with a smile. His heart squeezed as Eddie beamed at him. He nodded towards Eddie’s notebook that he held under his arm. “So, do you write poetry?”

Eddie gave Steve a shy smile. “No, actually. Songs, they’re songs, well, half-songs. So kind of like poetry.” He patted his pocket before reaching in and producing a small folded piece of paper. “Actually, I’ve got a show coming up next week. It's a pretty small show, but it’ll melt your pretty little face off.”

Steve took the flier and looked it over. “Yeah, I’d-I’d love to come. Thank you.”

Eddie smiled. “And if you need, café-mandated uniforms are okay to wear.”

‘Hey, I thought you were done hating on the tan,” Steve laughed.

Eddie gave him a pointed look. “I’m not hating on it, I’m just saying their welcome at my show.”

And later that night when Eddie wrote, all leg-bouncing and pen-biting, Steve carefully set a second mocha in front of him.

“On the house,” he said.

Steve knew he’d spend the rest of his night remembering Eddie’s million-watt smile.

[drsteggy]

I don’t think I’ve shared this.

The last contest I did, I used a foam sword you can go buy on Amazon, but I’d customized it. It had a nicer paint job and I cleaned the seams up. Among the notes I got back was one saying they can’t judge what I don’t make- I do craftsmanship contests, so it’s more important that I make the things (well) than I look exactly like the character (because I don’t, and I never, ever will exactly…that’s literally not important in cosplay though)

I agreed with this but for some reason, the idea of making a sword was intimidating to me, never mind THAT sword. This is the sort of thing people print these days, and printing and finishing a print are their own art forms- I don’t own a printer. I don’t have a good place to keep one and the idea of learning it is currently overwhelming. But before printers, lots of people made foam swords, and lots of people made that one.

I made a scaled down rapier about six months ago. It was a fun project, and that little sword taught me some things. I finally decided it was time to make my master sword. I modified a pattern from 8Z Cosplay, and cut it. I tried carving the wings but that was too tough, so I sculpted them in foam clay.

The hilt is a piece of PVC pipe that I cut and I cast the piece that joins it to the blade in a Dixie cup with clay foam. That fact really amuses me.

Tomorrow I’m cutting foam to finish the rest of the handle and add the Triforce. I am waiting on more foam clay to do the end of the hilt (which will be cast from a candy mold) and then it’s some sanding and filling and I can paint it.

I’m so excited to finish it. It’s looking more real every time I get done for the day.

I can’t wait to casually draw it for judging.

[coloradotrucker]

Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra

Welcome to my blog! Here you'll find all things related to fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. I'm a lover of all things leopard print and burnt sienna, so you'll definitely find posts about those topics here. Thanks for stopping by! Introducing the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra.

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is our newest sports bra that provides medium-impact support while still being super light and tight. This bra is perfect for anything from working out to just running errands. It has a leopard print design that is both stylish and unique. The best part about this bra is that it is made with our lightest and tightest material yet, so you can be sure that you are comfortable and supported all day long. The benefits of the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra.

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is designed to offer a number of benefits for women. First, it provides support for the breasts, helping to reduce back pain and improve posture. Additionally, the bra can help to minimize the appearance of chest wrinkles. Finally, the Leopard Light n Tight Bra can also help to lift and shape the breasts, providing a more youthful appearance. How the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra can help you.

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is designed to give you the support you need while being comfortable and stylish. The leopard print design is fun and flirty, while the light n tight fabric provides the support you need. This bra is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re working out or just running errands. The features of the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is a sports bra that is designed to offer a high level of support during activities such as running or working out. The bra is made from a polyester and spandex blend, which makes it breathable and stretchy. The leopard print design is stylish and the bra has a racer back design with adjustable straps. The bra also has removable padding for extra support and comfort. The construction of the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra.

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is constructed with a microfiber upper and a power mesh lower. The cups are lined with foam to provide support and shape, while the underwire and side boning add additional support. The straps are adjustable and the back closure is hook-and-eye. How to care for your Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra.

To keep your Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra in optimal condition, please follow the care instructions below.

-Hand wash your bra in cool water with a mild detergent.

-Do not bleach or iron your bra.

-Hang to dry. The history of the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra.

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra was first introduced in the early 2000s and quickly became a popular style of bra. The bra is designed to provide support and coverage while still being light and comfortable. The leopard print design is unique and eye-catching, and the bra has become a popular choice for women of all ages.

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is made from a lightweight fabric that is designed to wick away moisture. The straps are adjustable for a comfortable, customized fit. The back of the bra is made from a breathable mesh material that helps to keep you cool and dry.

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is a great choice for women who want a light, comfortable bra that provides support and coverage. The unique leopard print design makes this bra stand out from the crowd. FAQs about the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra.

-What is the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra made of?

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is made of a polyester and spandex blend.

-How do I know if the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is right for me?

The Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra is right for you if you are looking for a light support bra with a leopard print design.

-What are the benefits of the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra?

The benefits of the Burnt Sienna Leopard Light n Tight Bra include its light support, comfortable design, and stylish leopard print.

Buy The Bra Today!

Join Our Facebook Group

Become A Rep Today!

Read My Blog

[fourseasonsfigs]

Succulent Grapes - BB, Here are Two More Cups

Here we have Gong Jun bringing Zhang Zhehan two more cups of his favorite grape tea!

The name for these sweet figs comes directly from the fig maker's listing, and was so charming I kept the whole thing! BB is a cute way in China of saying "baby" so I left that too.

These two happy figs are are wearing their matching tulip-print outfits - Junjun from his KFC endorsement advertisements, and Zhehan from his Viya Livestream appearance on 5/14/2021.

He's even advertising milk topped grape tea!

Zhehan, of course, has the famously funny clips from the Viya Livestream:

(video credit @manggaetteok96 on Twitter, Tumblr wouldn't let me embed the video here for some reason due to no doubt user error!)

Zhehan's favorite grape milk tea is of course from Heytea, and we have this picture of him holding one:

He's said before he likes to drink two cups a day. In this fig set, Junjun wants to give him even more!

These figs arrived in the softest, squishiest, least form fitting foam cases ever. I'm very much used to the very dense, custom-cut white polystyrene fig cases, so I was surprised to see this. The protection for the figs is not high at all, so I was very lucky to receive these figs with no damage. Other figthusiasts were unfortunately not so lucky.

I'm taking these pics against a light pink background since the outfits are so white. Hopefully that'll make the details pop more!

You can see the white t-shirt under both of their tulip patterned shirts here, and this is a good angle to see the boba hanging out in the bottoms of the cups of grape tea.

Oddly, Zhehan seems to be the taller one of this pair. I actually got a little confused at first when I saw them, but nope, Zhehan gets to enjoy being taller this time!

He's not taller by too much, it's mostly just their hair. I did wonder for a second if they had swapped the bodies, but Junjun is the one bringing the two teas, so nope.

As you can tell, these figs do stand up by themselves, although I'd classify this as "precarious". I had to make sure the weight was balanced just right - particularly on Zhehan - each time I moved the figs. These immediately went on fig stands after these beauty shots!

More of the height difference here, with Zhehan the fig to your right. We also have a much rounder head for him than Junjun's slightly more horizontal shape. I actually think Junjun is super cute here on the smaller side, but I've trained myself so much on these fig differentiating characteristics that it keeps throwing me off!

Speaking of classic fig maker differentiating characteristics, we do have a tiny bit more curviness to Zhehan in the back here.

You might note here that the seam at the back of Junjun's head and the arms where they attach to the sleeves on Zhehan are just a tiny bit off. As usual, like a lot of micro flaws, this wasn't noticeable at all when I held the fig in my hand. It just became easily visible when blown up on screen.

Junjun has little sideburns here! (scrolls up to the KFC ads) yep, I can see it a little bit! JUST a side note I can't help myself from saying, I'm so glad most stylists have worked out that Junjun's hair benefits from being a bit longer to have volume at the top. I personally think when it's shorter and flatter, like in the KFC ads, it doesn't highlight his gorgeous face enough!

Anyway, in fig form his KFC haircut looks just fine (take that, Lelanthe!). This angle also highlights his ear freckle, one of my not-so secret fig detail delights. I scrolled back up to see if I just missed talking about Zhehan's ear freckle, but no! it's not there! Viya's livestream filter, along with reddening the lips, must have filtered it out.

And we're back! I put Junjun on the other side just to mix it up, and I swear he looks even shorter this way!

I find this set incredibly charming. Junjun bringing his Zhang Laoshi extra cups of something he likes! Such a classic thing for him to do, and so sweetly romantic and caring. I love it so much.

Unlike our other figs with milk tea, the cups are not removable, they came firmly attached to the figs. Thank goodness. This post would have happened months from now otherwise, as I dithered about putting off attaching cups to delicate resin hands.

The posing on these figs is just too adorable. Every romantic fiber of my being is just delighted by these two (which is true in real life, my figs just reflect that!). These might be the two figs I put in my sweet shop diorama once I finish getting that set up.

Sadly, my Google Translate app categorically refuses to read fun-font style Hanzi, but I recognize the text in yellow from the fig maker's listing, which translates as Succulent Grapes. I can't figure out the text in purple for anything!

I love it when there are two different box styles for each fig!

Material: Resin and extra cups of love and grape tea

Fig Count: 337

Scene Count: 24

Rating: 🍇❤️🍇

[link back to Master Fig Index for more posts]

[customprintingcups]

Personalize Your Beverages with Custom Styrofoam Cups in Dallas : Custacup

Custacup offers custom styrofoam cups in Dallas, adding a personalized touch to your events and keeping beverages insulated.

[thecustomboxes1]

How do I choose the right Custom Flap Boxes for my business?

Custom packaging comes in various forms and sizes, as we all know, but choosing the ideal custom box for your product isn’t that easy. The kind and style of your packaging is just as important to the functioning of your items as picking the best packaging provider for your company. To put it simply, providing food in cosmetic packaging could not be good for your business or product. It isn't very customer-friendly, leaks, and ruins your artwork creations. Improving the way your products are packaged will provide better protection, display, and customer satisfaction.

Why do we need packaging?

Recognising the general purpose of your package is very important before you start designing it. Although the main goal of packaging is, in the most basic sense, to protect the product during storage and shipment, printed packaging also presents a fantastic chance for branding and communication. Packaging is a crucial marketing tool that highlights the special qualities of your products and helps to build an exciting impression. Thus, branding through packaging is not a cup of tea. Take into account the following elements to optimize your ability to design efficient flap box magnetic;  

Product protection

The first and most basic task of packaging is to protect your item. So your packaging should be strong enough to deal with external forces or jerks. Consider the product's size, weight, and fragility while designing its packaging. To ensure that delicate things arrive intact, invest in sturdy materials like corrugated card stock and extra protective inserts. These inserts can be composed of card and paper or alternative materials like foam, molded PVC, and fabric. When choosing a material for your packaging, keep in mind the size, shape, and weight of the product. Heavier items need sturdy and robust packaging, like custom magnetic flap boxes. Such a choice is made to prevent exposure to heat and moisture on sensitive items, including medicines. This may additionally require tamper-proof packaging or boxes coated with UV varnish and further protected with additional inserts.

Store impact

Think about the aesthetic impact of your packages if you want to display your products on the store shelves. Your product must stand out from the crowd with an eye-catching and visually appealing design that explains basically what your product is and what it does. Always try to create designs that go in parallel with your product’s nature. Simple and sophisticated designs are easier to understand and create a bigger visual impression than ones that are more complex and complicated. 

The importance of custom tuck flap boxes

Every company understands the value of bespoke tuck flap box packing and how it can benefit them, particularly e-commerce businesses. In addition to giving the items a more polished appearance, they safeguard them throughout the whole process until the final customer receives them. Moreover, tuck-flap boxes serve to enhance the presentation of your products in a more appealing manner. The best thing about custom tuck flap boxes is that they shield the product from inside harm, making handling easier than ever. 

Target your audience

Selecting and identifying your audience is very important. This can be done by understanding your product. Your packaging should uniquely appeal to your ideal client, clearly reflecting their wants, beliefs, and interests. Therefore, you have to do focused market research before opening your design tool. In order to design packaging that appeals to your intended market, be certain that you have obtained as much information as you can on the following:

Knowing the demographics of your product and packaging

Research the age, gender, and income level of your target audience before customizing your packaging. Different demographic groups have different preferences for packaging requirements and functionality.

Express your brand’s values and preferences.

The values and preferences of your target audience should be reflected in your packaging. To figure out who they are, you have to do research. Consider using eco-friendly packaging materials in your designs, such as recycled paper and biodegradable material, if your target audience is concerned about the environment. Select vivid colors and contemporary design elements if your product is aimed at younger customers.

Conclusion

Decorative flap boxes can take your business to the next level. But choosing the ideal packaging for your product is tricky. All the above-mentioned factors must be kept in mind while selecting customized packaging. You must be conscious of the basic purpose of packaging, i.e., protection. Next, you need to create an effective and eye-catching design. Know your audience and try to satisfy them to every possible extent. As an entrepreneur, you must be well informed about the proper demographics. Make sure your brand’s values, preferences, and messages reach your clients in order to create a loyal fanbase.

[dynamicmedical]

Orthotic devices

Orthotic devices are externally applied appliances used to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems. They are designed to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve the function of movable parts of the body.

Types of Orthotic Devices

Foot Orthotics:

Insoles and Shoe Inserts: Provide support and cushioning for the feet, correct foot alignment, and alleviate pain associated with conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and arthritis.

Heel Cups: Provide cushioning and shock absorption for the heel.

Ankle-Foot Orthotics (AFO):

Fixed AFO: Provides rigid support to the ankle and foot, used for severe weakness or paralysis.

Hinged AFO: Allows some movement of the ankle while providing support and stability, used for conditions like drop foot.

Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthotics (KAFO):

Metal KAFO: Traditionally made of metal and leather, offers robust support for knee, ankle, and foot.

Plastic KAFO: Lighter and often more comfortable, used for conditions requiring long-term support.

Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthotics (HKAFO):

Provides support to the hip, knee, ankle, and foot, used in cases of severe lower extremity weakness or paralysis.

Spinal Orthotics:

Cervical Collars: Support the neck and limit its movement, used after neck injuries or surgery.

Thoracic-Lumbosacral Orthosis (TLSO): Provides support and immobilization for the thoracic and lumbar spine, used in conditions like scoliosis or after spinal surgery.

Lumbosacral Orthosis (LSO): Supports the lower back and abdomen, used for lower back pain or injury.

Upper Limb Orthotics:

Wrist Splints: Support and immobilize the wrist, used for carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures, or sprains.

Elbow Orthotics: Support and stabilize the elbow joint, used for conditions like tennis elbow or post-surgical recovery.

Shoulder Orthotics: Provide support and stabilization for the shoulder, used for dislocations, fractures, or post-surgical recovery.

Purposes and Benefits

Support: Provides necessary support to weakened or injured muscles and joints.

Alignment: Corrects alignment issues, reducing strain and improving posture.

Pain Relief: Alleviates pain associated with musculoskeletal conditions.

Protection: Protects against further injury during the healing process.

Mobility Improvement: Enhances mobility and independence for individuals with physical impairments.

Function Enhancement: Improves the function of limbs and joints, aiding in daily activities.

Materials and Technology

Orthotic devices are made from a variety of materials, depending on their purpose and the level of support required. Common materials include:

Plastics: Lightweight and moldable, used for custom-fit orthotics.

Metals: Durable and strong, used for high-support devices.

Foams and Gel: Provide cushioning and comfort.

Carbon Fiber: Lightweight and strong, used in high-performance orthotics.

Advancements in technology have also led to the development of more sophisticated orthotic devices, such as:

3D Printing: Allows for highly customized and precise orthotic devices.

Smart Orthotics: Equipped with sensors and electronics to provide real-time feedback and adjustments.

Biomechanical Engineering: Uses advanced materials and designs to mimic natural movement and provide better support.

Custom vs. Over-the-Counter Orthotics

Custom Orthotics: Tailored specifically to an individual’s needs, offering the best fit and function. Typically made by orthotic specialists based on detailed assessments and measurements.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Orthotics: Pre-made and available without a prescription, suitable for mild conditions and temporary use.

Orthotic devices play a crucial role in managing various physical conditions, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing quality of life. If you need more information on a specific type of orthotic device or have further questions, feel free to ask!

[candy-floss-crazy]

Espresso Cart Hire - Amazing Coffee Drinks For Your Event

 Coffee Cart Hire, Make Everyone Happy Coffee, because crack is bad for you   Coffee is definitely the flavour of the century. You only have to look at the explosion in coffee chains in the high street from Costa to Nero. You will be ever so popular if you provide your guests with fresh coffee. A mobile coffee van hire service using state of the art espresso machines. Dispensing a full range of drinks, from latte to macchiato. Along with a range of specialty teas, red bush and delicious drinking chocolates. Our expert baristas, will carefully craft a superb drink especially for you. Steam the milk with a flourish to create that perfect microfoam, and present you with the best coffee you have tasted. They are not just there to dispense drinks, but to do it with style. We can even custom brand the foam on your coffee, for corporate promotions. Coffee, drink of the gods, ask us for a cup. Corporate Coffee For Corporate clients and sales promotions we offer a range of branding packages, with custom printed cups, branded carts and even a printer that adds your logo to the foam on top of your coffees. Selection Of Drinks  You will be able to choose from a full range of drinks on any of our mobile coffee bars. All served for you by a professional barista from one of our range of high quality themed espresso carts including. Vintage French Citroen Coffee Vans. Contemporary Coffee Cart. Victorian Style Coffee Cart. Custom Built Exhibition Cart. You are provided with the following from our fully stocked coffee bars; Full Range Of Coffees. Specialty Teas. Hot Chocolate. Trained Baristas. All Consumables. Our Range Of Coffee Beans Your coffee is made from a selection of our own brand top quality coffee beans. specially blended for us by a boutique coffee roaster. Steppenhengst A Brazilian blend with notes of caramel, peanuts and cocoa. Hoof Rot A Columbian blend (yes they do legal stimulants as well) with a taste of vanilla, chocolate and butterscotch. Zucking Febra An Ethiopian / Brazilian dark roast blending the tastes of toffee, cocoa and spices. Our commercial espresso machines allow a high throughput of top quality coffees to keep your guests satisfied. Where possible all of the consumables are biodegradable or 100% recyclable. This ensures that we meet our corporate social responsibilities and helps towards saving the environment and allows you to serve your guests knowing you aren't harming the environment.One of our contemporary styled carts. Check out our other styles available. Extras Additionally you can have extras such as; •Cakes. •Biscuits. •Soft Drinks. We don't bother with bean to cup machines, if you are going to use them why bother hiring a specialist service in. You may as well let the guests do it themselves. Our service is not just about serving people with a drink, its as much about the theatre of carefully crafting exquisite coffee for you. Expertly foaming the milk and serving with a flourish.   For busy events we have a range of high speed 2 and 3 group machines. For smaller events, or when you want the extra theatre, we have a vintage 1970's lever pull machine. Hire coffee carts, not just for your parties and weddings, they work extremely well at college and university functions, corporate promotions and exhibitions, product launches, basically any type of event. Or great as a simple thank you treat for your staff for a job well done.23rd November is National Espresso Day Crema is the light coloured liquid that comes out at the start of an extraction. The Italian government regulates espresso. They consider it an essential part of daily life. An espresso machine uses 132 PSI to extract coffee. One shot requires approx 50 beans. It contains 2.5% fat, whilst filtered coffee contains 0.6%. The International Space Station has brewing facilities on board. The word espresso means “When something is forced out”, in Italian. It is pronounced ess-press-so.What sort of machines do you use? We use a selection of high speed machines from Faema and Fracino in 2 and 3 group head formats for serving large numbers of guests. Or for smaller events you can choose a vintage lever machine. What is a lever machine? Instead of pressing a button to activate a pump and force water through the coffee grounds, you pull a lever to pressurise the system then push it forward to extract the coffee. This is where the phrase 'Pulling a shot' comes from. Is the coffee fresh? e only use fresh bags of beans for your event. Any beans that are left over are taken back to the office and used in our office machine, hey we love coffee. What is on your menu? A full range of espresso based drinks along with a selection of specialty teas and hot chocolate. Can you serve coffee at our wedding or is it only for big corporate events? We can cover either end of the scale, from intimate parties for a few dozen people, to a major exhibition with thousands of guests. Hire espresso cart services, available throughout the U.K. Including Scotland, Lancashire, Yorkshire, The North East, London and The Midlands. It makes a great treat for parties, weddings, corporate events and private parties, military functions and college balls. Read the full article

[frogsandfries]

I'm really excited about this one

So I personally haven't liked the typesets of Between Us Flows the Nile--the ones I've found have been entirely typeset in Papyrus 🤦which, guuuuyyyyyys, the point of typesetting is to reeeeeeaaaaaddddd the book--but I've been rather looking forward to reading it. I wanted to make it look like an Egyptomania-era book, so produced in about the 1850's-1900's, but with just a little twist--the verticle headers. I literally have no hate against Papyrus. It's a decorative font. There are fonts meant to be read for long stretches, like an ivory, cream or eggshell wall paint, and there are fonts meant to be decorative, like wallpaper trim.

Ignore that sparkle though. I forgot I was going to break this one element into break decorations. Ideally, I'd really like to get the endpapers used by another typesetter, printed on black with gold foil. I wonder if Office Whatever would do a custom print like that for me, or if they even have black paper as an option. I'm chuckling imagining that "hey lady, you printed black on black, are you alright?" me: watch this *makes 90s TV ninja noises and hand gestures*

It would be easier to get a simple laminator and some corresponding HTV than all of that PLUS a laser printer right now.

That reminds me, slightly off topic, but I was looking at pink EPS, because the foil stuff is totally not appropriate--goddamn. Was pink foam always that expensive??? It's over thirty-five bucks back where I come from; but it's only a few more dollars up here, so.......yeeeeessshhh. I guess I'm just going to have to use like, wood or composite of some sort to make my printer shelves.

I was also thinking about making some kind of stand/shelf for the TV so I can have an external display for the laptop, so I can maybe hopefully--if the laptop can tolerate it--watch movies while I work.

And since I was on my Home Makeovers kick, I was thinking about using like, produce carton cardboard to make myself some little like, floating/wall bookshelves. I would have to take the cats into account, which is fine, you'd just put a top over the shelf; I was going to put walls for bookends anyway, because cats, and also, I'm clumsy/flailing and I often do uncoordinated stuff.

Actually, I'd probably just make some regular shelves, because, I have to say, living in old-ass apartments on the mountains, this shit has settled more crazy than anything in Wisconsin ever had. It is nearly impossible to get anything to hang straight. I'd say usually, I'm pretty good at eyeballing stuff. Up here? I'm already standing at an angle that I don't notice, but it really bothers me when I put a cup of beverage down, or fill my cats' water bowl. I'm like trying to fill the damn bowl and water is just spilling out the low end. SO. In conclusion. Not on the walls.

But.

I still need bookshelves. I'm still collecting books on the actual like, theory of comic books, and now I'm also gathering like, books I loved in high school, as well as books about bookbinding. As well as, of course, books that I've made. Except my sketchbooks. Those are special. Anyway. That's my tangent. I want to build stuff.