#even if it was ‘only for the night’ he ticketed me before parking services even opened

[paperconsumption]

today i’m spending some time with my beautiful beautiful parking tickets

[ciaomarie]

Part 2: What Then?

I promise I have a life, but I couldn't help writing part 2 today! This takes place the same day as the "Development Day" when Syd and Carmy are thrown off by each other's answers during an ice breaker activity. Post-season 2. Feel-good fluff.

Photo Credit @drrav3nb /  drrav3nb.tumblr.com

"So those are the menu changes for Chicago Restaurant Week. If you have questions, feel free to ask me or Chef Sydney. You should also have an email from Natalie by later today. Okay, let's prep for night service!"

Carmy closed the meeting, grateful that it was finally over. He was no longer afraid of public speaking after rising in the ranks of various kitchens, but his mind was not in this ever since the ice breaker. He, Carmen Berzatto, had made Sydney's favorite meal ever? The last time he prepared the pork confit and the Milk and Honey dishes she mentioned was several years ago. Back then he was at Eleven Madison Park, a rising star on the culinary scene, who chain-smoked, slept 3 hours a night, and was berated by the EC daily. It was a nightmare peppered with flashes of genius. He was dying to ask her about it, but before he could get her attention Sydney had slipped into the kitchen.

He stared disappointed at the window that separated the dining area and kitchen.

"Hey Bear, what's up with you?" Richie said sidling up to him trying to follow his gaze.

"Nothing cousin."

"Yeah, right. I missed when it happened, but it seems like you crashed and had to reboot during the meeting. Then you were lost in Sydney-land. Want to talk about it?"

Carmy rubbed his eyes and raked his hands through his hair. When he used both hands, Richie knew without a doubt he had hit on something.

"First, cool it about Syd. That handout you gave us was really cute. And yes, there's something on my mind, but it's not for me to say."

Richie grinned and rubbed Carmy's shoulder.

"Fine, just get your head together because tonight is going to be loaded and it includes three anniversaries and a birthday. And second, you need to cool it about her or do something. It's like I'm living in The Wonder Years with Kevin and Winnie."

"What?"

"Oh, right. That's probably before your time. Kids!"

With that Richie sauntered over to the host stands to strategize with the wait staff and hosts.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Sydney who had a thousand things to do, was adding at least a hundred more onto her plate. She didn't want to appear like she had a moment to spare. She and Carmy could talk at the end of the night as usual, without any eavesdropping. This would also give her time to think of an explanation as to why she never mentioned eating at Eleven Madison Park and that she wasn't a stalker who followed him to The Beef. To top off this awkward sundae, Carmy casually admitted his favorite part of the day was closing, the only time they are alone every day. She hoped no one else had connected the dots on that last part.

The afternoon and the night never went quicker to her chagrin. Even when one of the line cooks was sent home due to illness and a large group put in an order for 7 Fishes two minutes before tickets closed, she thought the night couldn't last long enough. Fortunately, Carmy seemed resigned to waiting and didn't look at her more than usual. In a flash service was over and no one was in the mood to hang around. By 11:00pm Sydney had cleaned her station for the third time and forced herself to go to Carm's office. He sat there pretending to do busy work, patiently waiting like a child who consoled himself that his parents wouldn't make him wait too long to open his Christmas presents.

"Hey Syd...it was a good night," he said softly not wanting to scare her away.

Sydney nodded and took a seat. Might as well get it over with it.

"Okay, yes. You made the best meal I've ever had. During a break at the CIA, I went to NYC and ate everywhere on my list, including Eleven Madison Park. It was a Wednesday night and I ordered several things including pork confit and Milk and Honey."

Sydney couldn't help closing her eyes and smiling at the memory. Her guard began to slip.

"Carm, it was like tasting my future and the best part of my past at the same time. I asked the waiter who made those dishes and he said Carmen Berzatto."

Carmen leaned forward on the desk. Whenever Sydney praised him, he felt like a cactus in an unexpected downpour. He wouldn't waste a single word. Her sunny existence and her belief in him sustained him during his dry seasons. He reached for her whenever he looked at the debt they still owed Uncle Cicero, when his mother finally visited The Bear and cried saying that he had erased Mikey, and even when their success seemed too good to be true. 

Sydney opened her eyes to find him looking at her in the way he had. It was terrifying because she had a very specific plan for her career. It also thrilled her, knowing the power she had over him. Five months ago, she had been begging for his focus and now she knew every her mood, glance, and word she spoke impacted him. Once for the fun of it during a slow night she stared at him until she drew his attention and smiled. He blushed, smiled back, came towards her without saying "corner", and crashed into one of the servers, sending three Michael cannoli to the floor. That was three months ago when she first realized something was going on with him. She'd refused to abuse her power since, going so far as to convince herself that she was overestimating his feelings. Then he said the best part of his day was closing. She hoped, well sort of hoped, that they could maintain this close, but not too close partnership and friendship without complications.

After a long pause Carmen sighed and sat back in his chair.

"So, how did you find me?"

"Well, like I said when we met, it was the job posting. I recognized your name and also The Beef from my dad taking me here."

She shrugged thoughtfully.

"It felt like it was meant to be. It gave me hope for the first time since Sheridan went under."

He nodded.

"It's really strange. You came here because I inspired you and the only reason, I felt capable of attempting something this big was because of you" he said gesturing to the ceiling.

"Yeah?" Sydney whispered.

"Yeah."

He stood up and walked around to sit on the desk facing her. Now, Sydney felt vulnerable looking up at him. It was so easy for him to unnerve her when he spoke this way, like under the table.

Carmy took one her hands and after a moment brought it to his lips.

"Thank you for telling me, Syd. It means a lot."

Sydney was unable to speak. Her throat had closed.

"Soon, is your one year work anniversary and I think we should celebrate."

She nodded.

Carmy set her hand down.

"It's late. I'll drive you home."

With that they left the office, gathered their stuff, and walked to his car in silence.

As they drove, Sydney attempted to talk herself down. Was that hand kiss, an Italian thing? Possibly. It also seemed like Carmy decided to do...something, but what? Worse, she was feeling like they had traded positions in mere seconds. She'd enjoyed having the upper hand. Oh, well. With a goodnight's rest she'd be back in form tomorrow. Maybe "accidentally" brush past him, or ask him to lift something heavy for her and comment on his strength. Then it would be game over for poor Carmy bear. For now, she wouldn't worry about the work anniversary. It was probably just going to be a cake Carm commissioned Marcus to bake.

Probably.    

[frances-baby-houseman]

The Democratic National Convention was an incredible night. It was so fun to be there and so fun to share it along the way!

A few highlights:

Obviously, the most meaningful and incredible part of the night was Joe Biden's speech, and the nearly 5 minute ovation he got when he came out. People were so moved seeing him, and it genuinely was really hard to settle down and listen! I've seen many politicians speak, including Joe himself several times, but I've never seen the sitting president speak, and I don't think anyone outside that room will ever see a president speak in such a meaningful moment after what Joe did for this campaign. He was as sharp and charming as ever, and I would have been proud to vote for him again, but I am thrilled that he is handing over his operation so seamlessly. Just a beautiful moment.

Kamala came out on stage about halfway into the night and I screamed like it was the beatles.

Doug loved waving the signs just like everyone else in the crowd.

We were a bit nervous at the start bc the show "started" at 5 and the arena was maybe 1/3 full, and even at 8pm there were large sections that were empty. But by the end of the night it was PACKED and no one was leaving ahead of Biden, even though it ran way late. The energy was just INSANE and I am so happy that if I only got one night to go, it was for the Biden keynote.

Seeing Jesse Jackson was so, so special. People were really moved when he came out!

Jason Isbell!! I love him so much and he wore a tuxedo and looked and sounded so great and I hope he can entice the kind of democrat we need to have come back to the party!

The section on abortion was insanely moving and these families and women were so brave to share their stories.

I thought there would be more filler and deadtime but outside of the two musical performances, which were just one song each, a few taped messages, and some emcee work by Peggy Flanagan and Tony Goldwyn, it was all business. Just boom boom boom.

The infrastructure of this thing was breathtaking. From the protest management to the Secret Service tent to the volunteer network to the rideshare system on the way out, it was just incredibly smooth. I am very glad I've been through the secret service tent before (a few times, but the most similar to this was the ticketed area on hutchinson field in grant park on election night 2008), bc my little traumatized nerve system may not have loved it if I hadn't taken part in something like that before. But I felt super safe!

I always say I could never join a cult but baby I sure could have last night!! Maybe I will go around the country giving keynotes about how much fun I had last night being a democrat, in an effort to recruit more democrats.

Anyway it was thrilling and special and made me feel so proud of my country and my party.

[nyny-hsss]

This is one of my publications on Wattpad, my native language is not English!

Warnings: (Slight yandere and mentions of sex)

Bangchan

I had seen you for the first time in a shopping center, you were making the respective payments for your basic services, when you dropped some money, before you could pick it up someone else did it for you, when you looked up, there he was, he was wearing washed jeans, light brown boots and an all-black sweatshirt. He gave you your ticket with a kind smile on your face.

You thanked him and continued on your way, it may be that for you it was only a gesture of kindness, but for Bangchan it was a silent pact, he promised that he would have you no matter what, you would be his.

And while you didn't have fixed eyes on him, he couldn't look at you avoid with eyes in love, at the moment when his gaze crossed yours his cock got hard in his pants, he hadn't seen a woman as beautiful as you before, he wanted to bend over any surface and claim your pussy as his once and for all fucking his children inside you until he was sure of getting you pregnant, he didn't care about the public, after all he was used to fame, and there was something about you that made him want to have you Only for him.

Lee know

You were in the park taking a few turns, when you ran into a new guy in the park, it's not that you were every day, but normally there were only more people with a dog or children playing, but there he was, you saw him and it seemed that he had felt your gaze on him, because he looked up from his phone to direct it towards your direction, his fine features and dark eyes, they stared at you, you felt how your cheeks warmed up and you quickly went back to your things, even feeling his gaze fixed on you.

His eyes didn't leave you, you began to feel uncomfortable, you had been made something late and you had to get to make dinner even, if you only knew what he thought when he saw you, the only thing he wanted was to take you to be his new toy, a doll so cute and so pure to be able to break, the simple fact of pressing that you were someone else's made his thoughts clouded with anger, he would kill anyone who approached you, anyone who could hurt you... Although, who would protect you from him?

ChangBin

He was your new physics teacher, your first year in high school was beginning and he was assigned as a tutor of your group, so when he saw you cross the door he simply went blank, his pants shrank due to his erection, through his mind passed all the ways in which he would bend you at the desk to be able to fill you with his semen.

Luckily he was behind his desk so that no one present could realize his lump, even you, who were more focused on finding a place in front, it would be a long year and who knows, I just hoped that you would have difficulties in your matter to be able to take advantage of the situation.

Hyunjin

He was your new classmate in high school, you were sitting in front with your friends while the teacher presented him, and when she saw you settle in your seat she couldn't help but put all her attention on you, for him you were too pretty, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

Delirante imagined his future, he would devise a plan for you to reach him, he had set his eyes on you, and now he knew that you were destined to be the cause of his nights, that you would be the reason for his paintings.

Without a doubt, I would do anything to make you a love and otherwise I would have to take you with me to such an isolated place so that I wouldn't have to share you anymore.

Han

He was delirious, when you bumped into him by accident when he crossed the street in a hurry, he felt the butterflies in his stomach make a big wave.

Your beautiful face was the best thing I had had in front of him in years, I could not believe that I had never met you before, being so beautiful before his eyes, you were the purest being and thus the future mother of her children.

When he saw that you were bowing in the form of an apology, he made his penis erect, causing some pain, your lips so thin murmuring a "I'm sorry" were enough to increase his thirst for you, the only thing he was clear to him at that moment was that he would go for you, and he would not mind marching his hands with innocent blood if that meant having you only for him.

Felix

He had gone to the supermarket to buy everything to be able to make brownies for his groupmates, his day was quiet, when he was in line to pay he saw you, and instantly he was arrowed.

I couldn't believe that you were so beautiful, you were helping an older lady to accommodate her things in the shopping cart, her eyes shone with love, she was too in love and that wasn't exactly a good sign.

When he saw you, his cheeks turned pink and he was distracted, he only went out of a trance when because you felt his gaze fixed on you, you gave him back his kind smile, he was cute.

BAD IDEA

The fact that you smiled at him like that back for him only meant one thing, you were in love with him, and that is that in a twisted mind the "love" that I had had for you just a few minutes ago, was reciprocated, you better run...

Seungmin

You were the new barista in her favorite cafeteria, that day she was in a bad mood for the simple fact that her singing practice was not as he expected.

He went so far as to ask for "the usual" without even realizing that a new face was the one he was on duty today, and when you asked something shy that was "the usual thing" he looked up to look at you with furrowned eyebrows, "you're new here, aren't you?" He questioned, his gaze ran through your entire body causing your face to turn red with grief.

After taking a look at your person, he decided to respond and the only thing he did was ask for a sandwich and a lemonade.

With his face blank, without any expression before you, but his only thought at that moment was to take you home with him, the delicacy of your movements made him melt, your face so perfect before him, using he saw you come to leave his order and his hands grazed was when he knew it, he felt it was a spark with you that he had not felt for someone before, his heart beat happily while he did not take your eyes. Although you are oblivious to the situation. You only smiled out of courtesy, oh he would soon have you in his arms and he would never let you go.

JeongIn

You were the new member in the church, being the pastor he would have to set the example, but he couldn't help thinking lasciviously when he first saw you, you were wearing one of those long skirts and a blouse with a long-sleeved corset, nothing out of the world, not so low-cuted.

But his eyes were only on your tits, so milky and big, ideal for him, to suck all fucking day, under his toga his big cock was hard, he had to stay sane the meeting as soon as it began.

Obside everything you kindly greeted JeongIn, introducing yourself, he had been so kind to you, always being an exemplary man, as time went by he only realized that his thoughts about you were not at all healthy, nor pure. He just wanted to keep you in his big arms and curl up in your chest to never be separated from you, even if those meant taking away your freedom...

I'm sorry if there is a spelling mistake, I wrote on my cell phone and despite checking each line, there may be a mistake. :)

[ereardon]

Gas Station Tears [Bob Floyd x Reader]

Pairing: Bob Floyd x Reader

WC: 1K

Warning: Cursing, breakup

A/N: Loosely based on my own experience crying at a gas station while eating a hot dog after a break up. Unfortunately there was no Bob there to save me, but I did meet my now-husband a month later so everything happens for a reason!

Three weeks. That’s all the time it took to fall for Bob Floyd. 

It’s also about all the time it took you to ruin things. 

You met by chance, at the worst possible time. Your boyfriend of two years had called one humid August day, out of the blue, and ended it, knowing full well you had the roundtrip airline tickets in your literal hands, ready to get on a plane to see him in New York in less than a week. You begged and you pleaded and you even threatened to go and win him back. But your father talked you out of it. Said that he didn’t deserve you. That once a man has made up his mind, that was it. There was no changing it. 

Why would you want to go? he asked. 

You sobbed. He’s the love of my life. 

You were wrong. And not for the first time. 

The next few days were a daze. Food began to taste like battery acid, so you stopped eating. Your clothes fit baggier, your under eyes grew heavy. Your family worried. Your best friend slept in your bed so many nights in a row she had to borrow clothes after she ran out. Finally, after five days of moping, you sent her home. She left you in an empty house with a freezer full of Ben and Jerry’s, and a box of broken picture frames collecting dust on top of memories frozen in time.  

But you were alone, and you knew it. 

So it was entirely chance the day you drove up to the local gas station, a small one out of the way that you didn’t typically frequent. You needed gas and a hot dog, your ultimate comfort food. You didn’t even realize until you saw the cashier's face – an equal mix of shock and horror and discomfort – that you had started to cry again while trying to pay for it with change from your wallet. He slid the change back to you. 

“On the house honey.” 

It only made you cry more. You stepped out into the humid San Diego night and unlocked your truck, turning the key only to find that the piece of shit stuttered to a stall after two seconds. 

“Fuck,” you whispered, placing the hot dog down in the console. “Not today.” 

You slumped in the worn leather seat, head tipped forward, door still flung open, and tried to turn the key again, the old Ford rumbling below you and then cutting out just as your hopes were rising to crescendo. 

“Fuck!” This time you yelled it. 

The sound of a throat clearing made you jump. You turned to see a tall, dark sandy haired man standing a foot or so away from your open door. He was wearing a pair of wire glasses, and had a slight flush on his lightly tanned skin. And despite the fact that it was only the two of you in the quickly darkening gas station parking lot, you didn’t feel threatened. He exuded a sense of calm and safety. An authoritative aura that you couldn’t put your finger on. “I’m sorry, ma’am, couldn’t help but overhear. Do you need some help?”

A string of anger sat on your lips, about to erupt, but instead you found yourself dissolving into tears again. The man hesitated before stepping closer, his arm resting on the open door frame. 

“Ma’am? Are you OK?”

“I’m not old,” you hiccuped through the tears. 

He gave you a soft, but bright, smile. He looked like he was biting back a laugh. “Yeah, I gathered.” 

“So what’s with the ma’am?”

He shrugged. “Force of habit. I can call you something else if you’d prefer.” 

“Y/N,” you said softly. 

“OK then, Y/N,” he responded gently. “I’m Bob.” 

“Know anything about cars, Bob?”

He smiled again. “I’m thinking I can be of service.” 

By the time he was finished he was sweaty and covered in a thin layer of black grime. You sat back with your feet on the dash as he popped the hood, rooted around, rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to reveal sinuous muscles. At one point you remembered the hot dog in the console, one of the main reasons for this fated gas station trip, and started to eat it just as Bob rounded the corner of the door to ask you a question. He stuttered as he watched you put the end of the hot dog and bun in your mouth, unable to make eye contact until you had finished your meal. 

Thirty minutes later, you turned the key to start and the engine roared to life. You slapped the dashboard in disbelief. “Thank God, Dixie, you fucking bitch.” You heard Bob chuckle behind you.

Bob smiled at you, his hands in his pockets. “Glad to help, ma’am.” The last word came out in a light taunt and you smirked back at him. 

It had grown late, the fluorescent lights of the gas station the only thing illuminating the two of you. Bob turned to go and you called out to him. “Wait.” He turned, a small glimmer of hope lighting his chocolatey eyes. “At least let me buy you dinner for your trouble.” 

“Oh it was no trouble,” he replied, but he didn’t make a move to leave. 

“Please?” You wanted to see him again. “Unless, your girlfriend would protest.” Right away you had scoped out his bare ring finger. 

Bob shook his head and let out a light chuckle. “No, uh, I don’t have a girlfriend.” 

You smiled. “Then it’s settled. I owe you dinner.” 

His face lit up. You traded numbers, and less than an hour later you got a call from him. Calling, he said, was the polite thing to do. His voice was husky on the phone and despite the fact that you had asked him out as payment for his mechanic services he had already chosen a restaurant and offered a time and day for the date. 

You fell a little in love with him then and there. 

[blazehedgehog]

Seeing James Cameron's new masterpiece?

In theaters? No, probably not. Again, I go to the theater so little, I can tell you every single movie I've seen there:

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) -- I set aside some money and watched this the week before covid lockdown. Might have been the first time I was ever able to pay for my own ticket. The theater was a ghost town.

Cars 3 (2017) -- Brother took the whole family to see it, since he and my nephews love Cars.

Jurassic Park 3D (2013) -- My Mom won a raffle from her job for free movie tickets to any movie of her choice. She sat on them almost a year and we decided to watch this. It was our first 3D movie. It was terrible!

Pacific Rim (2013) -- I think this was right before I house sat for my cousin for the first time. He took me to see this the night before he left. He tried to teach me Nethack too, and it was too deep for something we only planned on spending 45 minutes on.

Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2002) -- My Mom and I got free tickets through something else. High on seeing in a theater, I thought it was amazing. Watched it on VHS a year later and hated it. We saw this along with...

Spider-man (2002) -- I demanded we get front row seats for this and that was a bad idea. I think my Mom got a little motion sick.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) -- I think I put my foot down and demanded my Mom take me to see this since I was still high on the fumes of FF7. Maybe I paid for my own ticket? I forget.

28 Days (2000) -- My girlfriend at the time took me to see this for my birthday. It was just a ploy to get me alone in the dark, we were teenagers, and didn't watch the movie.

Blair Witch Project (1999) -- My cousin set me up with one of her friends on a date to see this. She did not like me. I thought the movie was cool.

The Haunting (1999) -- Probably one of the last "hangin' out" things I did with my high school friends. They wanted to deliberately roast it. I think it was the first time I ever cut class?

Down Periscope (1996) -- I remember when my friends took me to see this, I was in awe that they could just... go see a movie. Whenever they wanted. Jeeze, I was only 14 when I saw this. My friend must've just gotten his learners permit.

The Rescuers Down Under (1990) -- I seem to recall we watched this before the long bus ride from California to Nevada to see my grandma and grandpa for the first time?

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs (1987 Re-Release) -- I was like, four years old, and basically only remember that it happened.

That's, what, just over a dozen movies? Total? In my entire life? I'm sure Avatar hits different in the theater, if I came out of Attack of the Clones feeling starry eyed in 2002. I saw the original Avatar on DVD and was pretty underwhelmed. Avatar 2 seems to be a very, very long movie and I don't know if I have it in me to watch it even if it was put up for free on a streaming service.

Instead, I watched FernGully for the first time in 20 years.

[travelingue]

Naples (6): Elevation

The story so far: on the morning of our last full day in Naples we found the genteel part.  And we began to suspect that the nicest bits were on the hills, looking down on the grimy centre.

As we boarded a bus climbing up to Capodimonte, home to Naples' main art museum, I flashed Lesley's phone at the driver who waved us through before I could conjure up both e-passes.

This relaxed attitude provoked the ire of a woman sitting at the front.

Throughout our 20-minute journey she harangued the driver while glaring at us.  You didn't need to understand Italian to get her drift: fare dodgers were an insult to regular users and bleeding the transit system dry.

The driver occasionally responded with sighs of impotent sympathy: "Lo so, lo so..."  All the while, people were getting on and off freely.  For all we knew, the only fare-paying passengers on board were that bitching woman and us.

As we alighted at the top of the hill, she said in English: "For the return, make sure you buy a ticket at that shop over there."

The gardens of Capodimonte Palace confirmed our hypothesis about the correlation between elevation and refinement in this city.

The museum cafeteria was located in the grand courtyard. Sparse attendance, swift service, tasty food: our lunch experience had everything the Museo archeologico had failed to provide a day earlier.

The gallery itself is fabulous.

The women in various states of rapture (such as Titian's Magdalene and Botticelli's Madonna below, left and centre) are so over the top that an atheist may wonder if the artist is taking the piss.

I am certain, however, about the pout of scepticism Raphael put on God's face as He crowns His son (above right).

We were looking forward to admiring The Flagellation of Christ by Caravaggio – painted as he passed through Naples while running away from murder charges.  I asked the staff where I could see it. 

"At the Louvre," the man said.  "It's on loan until December." "Are you telling me," I thundered, "that I flew across Europe to see a painting that has been shipped to my native city?" "Le mie scuse signore."

I quickly checked the Louvre's website.  In "a dialogue between the masterpieces of the two museums", the French were getting their hand on not just on Capodimonte's Caravaggio, but also dozens of pieces by Michelangelo, Titian, etc.

Dialogue?  I call that a plunder of Napoleonic proportions which, from my point of view, was no less invidious for being temporary.

"Lo so, lo so," The man sighed in impotent sympathy.

Our afternoon to the museum, however, was far from wasted.  Among the marvels on display was the piece at the top of this post: Scuole diverse ("Different Schools", 1890) by one Augusto Moriani.

Another underrated local genius, Achille d'Orsi, crafted this 1877 sculpture of two men asleep on a park bench.  I find the title, Il Parassiti, refreshingly brutal.  Nowadays it might be marketed as "Helpless victims of neoliberalism".

On our final evening we decided to explore another hill.  We made our way to the funicolare we had spotted that morning.

The ride itself was disappointing: you can't see anything as the carriage rattles through tunnels.

Once we got to the top, though, the Vomero district bore out my altitude theory of desirability.

We wandered through opulent streets. A few tasteful streamers overhead quietly honoured the Napoli football club, which had just won the Serie A - nothing like the garish bunting and images of Saint Maradona that were ubiquitous downtown.

From the medieval fortress of Sant'Elmo you had a clear view of Mount Vesuvius.

We knew there must have been at least one area in Naples where people hung out, a place where you could dine on something else than good pizza and drink wine. We were happy to have found Vomero on our final night.

We returned to our hotel by metro. The escalator at Duomo station was down. We had memorised a complex succession of lifts that got you to the surface.

During the day, you had to dart from one to the next ahead of other passengers.  At 10 pm, there was little competition.

But the final lift was "not in exercise", and we reached the empty street via the stairs.

Previous entries on Naples:

1. Ryanair 2. Neapolis or Nablus? 3. Daylight robbery 4. Sybaritic afternoon 5. The benefits of being bombed

[mrofontaine]

Self Para. | Genevieve Dupont

Summary; Olivier and Genevieve Dupont’s break up after he decided to leave Paris and head back to London to be Delphine’s bodyguard. He had to make the choice between her and his job, and he realised that he’d never really loved her. In turn, it’s been five years now, and sometimes he wonders about her. Misses her. Life had been so much more simple when he’d been in Paris. 

Location: Paris, France. Two years ago. 

‘‘Genevieve’‘ Olivier managed to whisper, walking into the kitchen of the home they shared. Had slowly became something so homely, he could almost feel as if he was back in London. Walls were littered with pictures, a vase with a crack from a game of charades that had gotten wild one night, or the sofa they’d bickered on ordering and had escalated to their first fight that they now laughed about at the dinner table they shared. 

The second he said her name, she knew. The decision had been made and it was not one that she wanted to hear. Genevieve gulped, running a hand through her shiny blonde locks that fell in soft waves to the curve of her face. He’d never forget those baby blue hues becoming lined with silver, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth as to stop the tremble. 

‘‘You’re going back to London, aren’t you.’‘ She managed to choke out, trying to stay still but breaking into a slow pace  while her hands rubbed down in leg. She had to keep moving, something she always did when she was upset beyond repair. He’d seen it when her father passed away from his years of service. Or when she’d found out she got her first parking ticket and Olivier hadn’t been able to stop laughing. She’d been furious. 

‘‘My mother is growing old, my baby brother and I have a lot to work through and my job is moving there. I have the chance to do something great here, protecting Delphine.’‘

‘‘You mean putting yourself in the line for someone else's life? Bodyguarding is doing something great?’‘ She scoffed, which had Olivier shaking his head, sighing loudly. 

‘‘You knew what my job was when you met me, your father worked for them too.’‘ Olivier was defensive, he didn’t want to fight. She’d been aware that he would leave if it came to it. Had even spoken about it with one another. And yet, here they were arguing about it again. He ran a hand down his face in frustration, hoping, praying it wouldn’t become this. 

‘‘So why haven’t you asked me to come with you, then.’‘ Genevieve’s voice broke, before he could even say anything she was sobbing and all he could do was stand there with a look of horror etched into his features. He’d never thought she’d ask him that, hadn’t even thought of the possibility that she’d want to leave a place she loved so dearly. Away from her Mama. 

He wished he didn’t have to do this. To break the heart of someone who’d always been so good to him. But there he stood watching one of the sweetest women he’d ever met break before him. Those sobs rushed through his core, feeling that pain shatter him apart. 

‘‘Because---’‘ He stopped, unable to even say the words. She was on her knees before him, hands buried within her dainty hands and looked to the ceiling trying to control the fact that he was also on the verge of tears. For the words he was about to say would break her, but it was also breaking him apart. 

‘‘Because I think you are an amazing woman, someone that I do not deserve. But someone who I care for deeply, but I am not in love with.’‘ The sobs stopped, she stared wide eyed at the floor. And then and there he knew he’d done something terrible. He watched her break. And it was all his fault because he’d never been able to fall in love with her. He had tried, had wanted it to work but it just hadn’t.

And then the sobs continued as he tried to comfort her but only to pushed away each attempt that was made. She’d been his best friend. Maybe that’s how they were meant to stay, but as he stood from his final attempt a single tear made it’s way down his cheek. 

‘‘You’ll learn to let me go, Gen. I’m so sorry.’‘ And with that he left. And he’d told himself he’d never check up on her, for that was not fair. She deserved to get over him without Olivier being around or in the way.

What he didn’t count on...was her showing up in London.

To be continued...

[the-hindu-times]

WYCOMBE v CAMBRIDGE 21/9/24

ASTON VILLA PREVIEW (24/9/24)

Today was our first visit to Adams Park Stadium - the home of Wycombe Wonderers FC. Last night I was gigging in O'Neill's in High Wycombe (my main job is singing/playing guitar), and with tonight's gig being just a 20 minute train ride away from here, in Denham, it made sense to stay over and catch the game against bottom-of-the-table, Cambridge United, this afternoon. With the visitors still yet to win a game, there was certainly more excitement about hosting Champions League outfit, Aston Villa, in the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening, where almost double the amount of tickets have already been sold.

No relation to Wycombe's former kit manufacturer or their manager, Martin O'Neill (who was in charge from 1990-95, once The Chairboys joined the National League [before eventually becoming the boss at Aston Villa in 2006]), last night's namesake pub previously announced that they will be a pre-match drinking establishment for the away fans before the Caraboa Cup clash.

Upon arrival today, we were met by Hearing Dogs For Deaf People - a great cause close to me as I lost my hearing nearly 2 months ago, which needed to be treated within the first week with steroids but is just not possible under the NHS in this country; they're not even allowed to sell antibiotics to fight the infection for sudden loss of hearing, unless the sufferer is bellow the age of 18. This organisation really helps those who have been neglected due to the politics of the health service.

We sheilded from the rain inside the Club Shop, where they were advertising "Match Worn Shirts" behind the counter. With no other information other than the player and the price, "Young" was the cheapest at £80 so, I bought that one - a red third shirt, complete with a Bristol Street Motors Trophy patch. Therefore, the shirt must have been used in their 1-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon, where Jack Young (currently on loan to Wealdstone) didn't come off the bench so, the shirt is actually only Match Prepared.

We didn't get a chance to check out the food and drinks on offer around the ground but saw the pies, in the press lounge, had the club's badge on, which was a nice touch. Unfortunately, they weren't vegan - we'd be better off at Forest Green for that.

photo by Mittal Patel

With just over 4,000 in attendance today, we were situated in the Origin [North] Stand, which was a lovely position to be in for the sun's direct rays (once the grey clouds cleared), along with a view of the impressive Frank Adams stand, accompanied by the picturesque forest skyline surrounding the south side of the stadium. Sightings of birds and butterflies to this beautiful backdrop made this Mittal's favourite English football ground, which makes it surprising the games aren't filmed from this angle instead.

It was good to see that an all-standing behind-the-goal terrace still existed at League 1 level, with half of the opposite away stand having been sectioned off due to the low numbers of visiting supporters, who then didn't even half fill their already reduced area - yet, still chanting loud enough that even I could hear them!

On Tuesday, that whole stand will be completely sold out with travelling Aston Villa fans, where we'll be.

At the start of today, Stevenage were level on points with Wycombe but after The Boro's early kick off loss against Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins' former club, Exeter, the blues beating Cambridge here have now placed The Wonderers firmly 3 points above.

Who can forget Stevenage's last minute winner at Villa Park, the season before last; knocking the Aston boys out of the FA Cup? In a better position, Wycombe could be even more up for Tuesday's fixture; ready to take revenge for the Villans reclaiming their manager, John Gregory, whilst he was still under contract at Wycombe, scoring success with the Claret & Blues, whilst the lower league club, he'd abandoned, spiralled down to the verge of non league, only staying up by goal difference in 2014.

Of course, Wycombe also had their FA Cup day at Villa Park, back in 2001, whilst Gregory was at Villa, when the stadium was used to host the competition's semi-final, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Liverpool (the same scoreline Stevenage beat Villa by [and the same scoreline Wycombe beat Cambridge by today). That was 15 years before Wycombe held Villa to a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup at Adams Park, before loosing in the replay at Villa Park to the home side.

So, Tuesday isn't just another game but it is anyone's game! Come down to enjoy the football and support the lads in all the cups and the league, as they look to get back into the Championship, where they worked all the way up to for the 2020-2021 season.

Nic Bennett

[fangirlmary]

"Heart to Heart"

Summary: The night before they are interviewed, Ashley is nervous but the Undertaker tries to encourage her. Fifth installment of Two Brothers, One Friend, Many Stories series. Kayfabe details used only.

Disclaimer: I do not own the professional wrestler characters/gimmicks used here. Just my original characters.

The past week had gone by quickly. Now it was 7:15 p.m. on Friday, May 30th, 1997 and the Undertaker was in the baggage claim area of the Westchester County airport, 8.8 miles from Stamford, Connecticut, and waiting for Ashley to arrive. When he had sent her the plane tickets earlier in the week, he had also told her that he had wanted to surprise her when she arrived. Giving her a ride to the hotel they would be staying in was the first thing he had thought to do. He would not take it well if she got lost in an unfamiliar location even with the address of the hotel and information about the transportation options.

Ashley had soon approached the Deadman. She was wearing a white t-shirt that had the WWF logo on it, blue sweatpants, white socks, white sneakers, and a light pink sweater. She had her blue backpack on her back and had her purse over her left shoulder. Fortunately, she remembered not to use his birth name in public while greeting him despite her shock. "Undertaker? I didn't think that you would be here to get me!" She didn't hug him as she didn't want to ruin the Deadman's reputation.

"Now why would I not do that for my best friend?" The Undertaker asked her as he led her towards the parking garage where the black rental car was waiting. He knew that others who were in the airport who had recognized him were in awe over Ashley having not been frightened of him at all.

"I can't think of an answer. By the way, I had a turkey sandwich, some chips, and some lemonade on the plane. I'm still hungry for dessert though." Ashley was saying as they got to the car.

"There's room service at the hotel. They'll probably have something we both like." The Phenom unlocked the car and Ashley put her backpack and purse on the back seat. Then she made sure the back door was closed.

The unusual pair of friends then opened the front doors and got in the car, with the Undertaker sitting in the driver's seat and Ashley sitting in the shotgun seat. Moments later, they had closed the doors, locked them, and put on their seatbelts. Now they were on the road, the Undertaker navigating through heavy traffic well.

Ashley was lost in her thoughts for the entire drive. Her children and parents were most likely almost to her parents' house by now as they had left before she had gone to work. She would have to call them after she got home tomorrow. The single mom also realized that Lucas would be in 6th grade and in middle school starting this autumn while Colin would be in 4th grade and Meredith would be in 2nd grade; that was hard to believe. This wasn't the only thing on her mind though; she wasn't sure if she was brave enough to answer the questions during the interview tomorrow. As it turned out, said interview would be broadcast on Raw over the next 3 weeks, meaning that it would take longer than she had initially thought and she wouldn't be home until the early evening on Saturday. She tried to shove her nervousness aside and turned her thoughts to the fact that she and the Undertaker would be at the hotel soon. When he had sent her the plane tickets and information about the hotel, part of what he had written down in a letter he had sent in the same envelope was that they would share the room and it had two beds. Ashley didn't mind this; she knew that it was cheaper than getting two rooms.

"Ashley, we're almost there." The Undertaker informed her.

"Thanks for letting me know." Ashley replied as they pulled into the parking lot of the hotel and her best friend pulled into a parking space close to the building before turning the car off.

The two friends took off their seatbelts and got out. Then Ashley got her backpack and purse out of the back seat while the Undertaker got his stuff out of the trunk. Then the doors and trunk of the car were closed and the vehicle locked. After the duo had checked in, they went up to the room and the Undertaker had taken the key card to unlock the door. Then he opened it for Ashley.

"Thank you." Ashley went in past the bathroom and a closet to set her belongings on the bed closest to the window, which had a climate control unit in it. In addition to the two beds, the main part of the room had a desk with a chair, a nightstand, a dresser with a TV on it, a coffee maker, a microwave oven, a mini-fridge, and a table with two chairs near it. The door also had a light switch near it for the ceiling light, a floor lamp by the table, and a lamp on the wall between the beds

Ashley looked over the information on the cards near the TV and its remote control as well as the room service menu, trying to once again keep her nervousness at bay. "How does ice cream sound a far as a good dessert goes?"

"That would be fine." The Undertaker replied. He noticed his childhood friend was trying to distract herself from thinking about tomorrow, not that he could blame her since she had never been interviewed for a television show before. Nonetheless, he sat on the other bed and picked up the phone from the nightstand and called room service to order two bowls of mint chocolate chip ice cream as Ashley set the papers down and then took off her sweater before putting it in her backpack. Then he hung up the phone.

"Thanks for doing that, Mark." Ashley said. She had always liked mint chocolate chip ice cream as her favorite ice cream flavor. She turned on the TV to the Weather Channel to see what the forecast would be.

"You're welcome." He replied before going into the bathroom. By the time he had finished washing his hands and had gotten out, a room service waiter had arrived with two bowls of mint chocolate chip ice cream and two spoons on a tray. The Deadman immediately thanked him and set the tray on the table after the door was closed. He sat down in one chair and started eating his ice cream from one bowl, leaving the other bowl of it for his friend.

Ashley hit the power button on the remote control to turn off the TV and set it down on the dresser before taking a turn in the bathroom. After she washed her hands, she went to sit in the other chair at the table and took one spoon and her bowl of ice cream, slowly eating it to avoid getting a brain freeze. When she was halfway through eating, Ashley said "I hope this isn't considered cheating your diet since I am aware that professional wrestlers generally don't eat a lot of sugar."

"It might be cheating, but I don't mind that." The Deadman replied, knowing that this conversation was just a way to keep her from talking about her worries. He had almost finished his ice cream by now. "I know you're worried about something other than eating habits."

Ashley continued eating the rest of her ice cream before putting her bowl and spoon back on the tray. She knew that there was no way to fool him by lying as she turned to face him. "Honestly, I'm afraid of making a fool of myself on television and that I wouldn't be able to find the right words to answer the questions that I'll be asked despite the fact that I was always more talkative than you were. My parents thought that I do have enough courage to do this when I asked them about it last night."

"They are absolutely right." The Undertaker insisted, putting down his now empty bowl from the ice cream and the spoon. "Despite your reservations, you came all this way to tell your side of the story about our friendship and you were courageous enough to befriend me in the first place when we were children. You know the difference between being kind and being a doormat and as tough as you always were, you didn't become cruel or cynical even when it would have been easier to do that. I admire that about you and if anyone has a problem with that, they can go to Hell. We both can handle this interview if you believe we both can; it's not your problem what others will think when they watch it."

Ashley knew that her friend had no reason to lie to her. Not because he was directly looking her in the eyes, but because he had never lied to her before and had no reason to start now. His words sunk in and she started shedding a few tears, finally believing him. "You really are a great friend, Mark, and thank you for saying that. I know you wouldn't have if you didn't think it was true."

"That may be, but do you believe it as well?" The Deadman asked as he went to put the room service tray with their dishes outside of the room so that it could be picked up later.

Ashley stood up. "Yes, I do believe it." She got some tissues out of her purse and wiped her tears away before putting them in the garbage can. She then sat down on the bed she would be sleeping in after putting her purse and backpack on the floor.

The Undertaker sat next to her on her bed to put his arm around her shoulder. "I said it before and I'll say it again; you are a better friend than I deserve and I know you would not take advantage of my fame."

"Even if you hadn't become famous, I still would have said yes to being asked to rekindle our friendship, Mark." She replied, her nerves soothed and her mood lifting. "I could argue that the only time I did take advantage of it was asking you to get my kids autographed t-shirts, but that was on their behalf, not mine."

"Even so, that was a special occasion." The Deadman reminded her.

"Good point. I think we both better go to bed early tonight if we want to make sure that we're up on time. I'm going to take a shower first though." Ashley got up, took a pair of purple pajamas and a pair of clean underwear out of her backpack, and then went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

The Undertaker decided that he would take a shower tomorrow morning and set the alarm on the room's digital clock for 6:35 a.m. before changing into something more comfortable to sleep in, black sweatpants and a grey t-shirt.

Ashley's shower took 10 minutes and when it was over, she dried off, got on her clean underwear and pajamas, and dried her hair before brushing it and braiding it. She then turned off the bathroom light and went out of it, closing the door behind her once more. She saw that the Undertaker had now gotten into the bed closest to the door and she turned off the other lights in the room. "Good night, Mark. I want to leave the tip for housekeeping tomorrow morning if you don't mind." She got into the bed closest to the window and pulled the covers over herself.

"That's fine by me. Good night, Ashley." The Deadman replied, falling asleep after his friend had done so. He had no idea what would happen tomorrow, but he and his friend would face it head on together. That was all they could do.

[jfbuckley]

This match has been the bane of my life for the past few weeks. If there’s anything I dislike intensely, it’s travelling into Manchester when United are at home. Perhaps my fear is irrational, but whatever happens, there is guaranteed to be massive amounts of stress.

Some time ago I bought a ticket to see John Fogerty at the AO Arena. I checked very carefully - no football at Old Trafford that night. Imagine my displeasure when I learned some time later that United’s fixture against Chelsea had been rearranged for that night! My heart sank. I even tried to sell the ticket, but there were no takers.

I therefore had no option but to put my best foot forward and brave it. I thought I had solved all the problems by safely parking at Ladywell park and ride. Not so!!!

No trams were running between Eccles and Media City. I soon found out that there was effectively no replacement bus service. Therefore had to get a taxi to Media City, which wasn’t cheap.

Thankfully I got to the concert, it was fantastic and I got home OK - but the whole experience has left me frustrated, stressed out and with no faith in public transport.

On the other hand, my football correspondent watched the match on TV at the social club. He had a pleasant, relaxed and stress free time, and has sent me his match report:

—————

hi - united's penultimate game of the season saw them pitted against arguably the seasons biggest disappointment - on paper chelsea have a great team - this match showed that chelsea have a number of quality players but not a great team - they play as if eleven players have been assembled overnight and told 'you are playing man utd tomorrow - go out and play - good luck

united took the lead after 6 minutes - a goal similar to the carabao cup final - a floated free kick from eriksen headed in by casemiro - prior to this chelsea almost scored - chelsea almost scored a few times though de gea made no saves - all presentable opportunities squandered - if only they had a reliable striker - someone like lukaku perhaps !! united also messed up some chances but just before half time casemiro lifted a ball over the defence for sancho to roll the ball across to martial for a tap in and a 2 goal lead - a scoreline of 3 -3 would have been a fairer reflection of the match

the 2nd half was less open as united tightened things up at the back but still created chances of their own - fernandes converted a penalty after he himself was upended by fofana - the hapless fofana then misdirected a pass across his own goal and fernandes set up rashford for the 4th - just before the end felix reminded us what a good player he is by driving thru the midfield, sprinted at united's retreating defenders and drilled in the corner past de gea's right hand

the only downbeat note on the night was an injury to antony which looks like keeping him out of the f a cup final

so united have achieved the objective of qualifying for the champions league next season - indeed if they beat fulham in the last match they will finish 3rd - add the caraboa cup win and it has been a very good season - if they overcome city in the f a cup final it will be a great season - one suspects it will turn out to be a very good season - but there is always hope - the favourites in cup finals usually win but sometimes they don't - united fans will hope that this is one such occasion - if it isn't then its trebles all round

bye

[seeking-sanity]

Ordinary... or is it?

It was an ordinary day. It was an ordinary comment on a social media post. It was simple, but sincere.

That comment gave way to a message, a thank you for my comment. My reply was cocky, atypical for me... "don't you owe me a Steelers game?" The owed part was from over a decade before, in a local dive bar, from a mutual friend's birthday party.

I was at that party with someone, the narcissist I married and endured for far too long... I didn't remember much of that night, except that conversation...

I remember where we were sitting, conversing like we too were friends... the reality was, I had said more than a handful of words to this guy in more than a dozen instances in the decade before that.

He was always cute. I knew nothing of him really, we had mutual friends and similar taste in music. We both were steelers fans. That is what had us connected on social media all these years...

We are the same age, only days apart. We went to high school in the same town, but he went to trade school, while I took the "traditional" route. We had mutual friends even then, but never hung out. The first time I really remember him was senior year, or the summer after graduation maybe.

He worked at a gas station in town, and that is where I saw him most. My best friend ended up dating a guy in the outer circle of his friends group, and I would occasionally see him at a house or party. We still never spoke. It was always polite interactions at the gas station, or comments on social media.

It wasn't until AFTER we started talking this year that we really dug into the seemingly insignificant interactions over the years. Almost always a happy birthday, a warped tour ticket sale, car question here or there, relationship advise over the years...but really nothing that would indicate anything interesting.

We started chatting in December. It was about religion, life, and dreams. I didn't think anything of it. Until he said "lets go to that game"... I didn't know he was calling my bluff in that moment. I didn't know we would evolve like this. It was just football.

He asked me to get drinks and catch up. It was innocent. It was awkward, "catching up" with someone you never actually hung out with before... we met and went out for a drive and coffee. We spent 12 hours, and just never stopped talking.

We went to the beach in sub zero weather, watched the tides break on the shore. Walked in the sand talking about the torments that left us standing there together... his life, my own. his decades of tribulations, my own past and current walls. All of it. I didn't know then how much he hated the cold, but he endured it without complaint.

We left the beach and went looking for coffee to warm us up. There was no available coffee in town, so we went looking for an open spot. On that adventure we came across a park with an artists Christmas themed light display, sprawling grounds, the crisp air, it was poetic. We walked in that park, took pictures for strangers posing, and sat on a swing for hours, talking about our childhood, our beliefs, our recent pasts... he held nothing back. Spoke openly about the best and worst parts of himself. There was no fascade. We walked again, to shake the cold- slowly around the pond. Somewhere in the distance, a fireworks display became the backdrop for our midnight stroll. We drove that night, to an obscene amount of coffee shops, either closed or out of service. He never lost patience, never tried to offer an alternative- just questing for coffee.

Our quest took us across state lines, and at least 6 failed stops. We laughed the entire way. We spent 12 hours that night. Opening up, connecting, laughing...

We spent the next few days texting, and that hard smile stayed for days. We spent a few days deferring from seeing the other- trying to hold out. texting all hours of the day and night. We had a few casual hangouts, then a routine of rushing home to see each other after work. It was staying out ALL night, getting home as the sun rose... napping for an hour or 2 before work, and repeat.

We tried to set boundaries, say we would not see each other for a day or 2, it almost never worked out like that.

New Years Eve we spent together, low key with some wine and all the crazy snacks we enjoyed in our crazier days. Bar remedy snacks, drunken party snacks, summer obscure snacks...

He kissed me at midnight as we watched the ball drop in Time's Square. We watched the balls drop all across the globe together that night.

January 1st was our first kiss, one week later we took a 10 hour road trip and saw that football game... we drove down the day before, ALL day. We never turned the radio on. That trip we planned our July trip. He committed with such confidence in that moment...

We spent the weekend in PA, and it was perfect. He prepped for my anxiety, reconned coffee the night before, and left to get coffee while I showered. He dealt with my anxiety in the crowded streets and packed stadium. It was nothing to him, to accomodate me in the little things... that everyone else made me feel inconvenienced for...

We found new places, ate new foods, and laughed... alot. There was no awkwardness in sharing a bed. There was a natural fitment for his arms around me... there was a confidence in his touch that I cannot explain.

We spent the drive back talking about plans, dreams, goals, and life. The entire ride was filled with moments, no silence.

It wasn't long after that, when I introduced him to my friends and family. It was the first night meeting them, that THEY psuh the relationship title...

Its crazy to think about... being not even 6 months in... how much we have done. Dates, memories, moments...

I've spent a long time unable to write. Lost for words, and soaking in the moments. The sunsets, the lakes, the 3 hour rides for a beach I've never been to...

Its so much, and yet its just life now. Its all the effort I have asked for, begged for... from a man that gives it freely, without ever being asked.

I can't tell you how many things I "let go" of in the past, because I was tired of begging for it. A man that is patient, kind, emotionally open, passionate, motivated. I married a man that would complain endlessly about something he could have repaired to spare himself the hassle, but was unwilling to do the most minor tasks. (changing a light bulb). I then spent years with a man that always was getting to it... never doing it... no initiative, regardless of the task. And this man walks into my life and literally fixes things he didn't break. Without being asked.

Patches holes in walls he wasn't responsible for. Changing ceiling fans because they've been in boxes waiting to install for about 6 years. Puts in the AC because I verbalized my upcoming to-do list... brings me flowers.... randomly. To a date, to work, whatever.

This man has taught me to respect myself, to stop letting the world walk on me. Encourages me to do what I need to do for ME, not for someone else, not for a company that doesn't care... ME.

This man lets me sleep in, wakes me just the slightest to kiss me if he is leaving, says goodnight and good morning, every day. I BEGGED men to do less, and got complacency.

He showed me I was NOT asking too much, I was just asking the wrong man.

I have come to exist in this bizarre reality, where there is silence before bed... laying there, in his arms, I am reflecting on how thankful I am to have someone I can smile with... Someone that embraces my weird and bizarre and loves me freely.

I find it so crazy to think about love, and this chapter in my life... it simply IS. There was no effort of building up to this. There was no major thing to overcome that drew us together. Divine timing...

I believe that to be true. I believe I was always supposed to be here, I just wasn't ready yet. A million times I had thought about trying to talk to him. a lifetime ago... I feel almost like he always knew, and was just waiting for me... he moved into this with such peace, and confidence. No fear, no hesitation...

Sometimes I lay awake and rewind the last 25 years in my head, insert alternative paths I could have taken... Ultimately, I will never know if I was emotionally mature enough back then... or if he was the same man I see today... I'm forever grateful for the man that stands beside me today. Even if we missed out on a lifetime together....

Life is becoming ordinary now. The anxiety of basic interactions is fading. The skin crawling feeling at a person touching me is more discriminatory now. The walking on eggshells, and praying that tomorrow will be better is gone. I fall asleep just hoping for another day together...

I filed for the divorce I was terrified to file. I saw the abusers face, heard him speak, and stood there unhindered by his prescence. Legally divorced.

I cannot tell you the weight that lifted, but even in the middle of it, I felt weightless. I felt worry-free. i felt loved. Maybe for the first time in my life...

I feel like no one really talks about real love. The kind that just ignites itself and keeps burning despite whatever tries to extinguish it. The kind that just settles in, becomes an object of permanence, without the tailored frills of hallmark.

The kind that makes a person feel like home. That there is a sudden understanding that literally nothing else matters if that person is there. There is no fear, no anxiety, no doubts, no insecurity. It just is, it blooms, it is beautiful... it is calm.

There are no butterflies, there is still a teenagers endless smile, a smitten stare in every opportunity. I look at this man, in awe, everyday.

I find security and safety in his arms, I find joy in his laughter, I love listening to him speak about just about anything he cares about...

I find friendship in his love, and certainty in his heart.

For the first time in my life, I am moving without an exit strategy, no back up plan. I am building each day into the forever I have dreamt about...

sandy beaches, sunsets, and sweet kisses. Thats all I've ever wanted, and he gives me so much more...

[frostedfaves]

Naive (2)

Masterlist

Pairing: demon!Wanda Maximoff x fem!reader

Summary: You quickly discover that Wanda is different during the night.

Warnings: 18+ ONLY, dark!fic, demon things™️, mental manipulation, smut: oral, fingering, overstimulation, edging, penetration, sex toy use, dom/sub dynamics, biting, slapping(? just a lil)

A/N: no more thoughts except please share your own after reading this! writing this slutty shit kept me sane today so enjoy

Previous part

-

To your surprise and relief that eventually transformed into disappointment, Wanda didn’t make an appearance at all for the rest of the week. You spent each shift for the next few days anticipating her return, watching for her over the heads of shorter customers and through the shelves on your way in and out of the bookstore. You were starting to think that she was simply passing through your town and you were just lucky enough to cross paths with her.

“Hi there.”

“Wanda!” you yelp after looking up from your phone hidden behind the register, clearing your throat as you tuck it in your pocket. “Um, can I get you anything?”

“I’m surprised you remember me,” she laughs. “I’m sure you get hundreds of customers a day.” 

“You left a lasting impression,” you admit before you can stop yourself and she grins.

“So did you.”

There’s a brief pause before she adds your name to the end of her sentence with a flicker of something unrecognizable in her eyes that sends a shiver down your spine. Not knowing what else to do with yourself, you go to ask again what she’d like in the same moment she places a bottle of water on the counter.

“I got a really good recommendation the last time I was here, and I’d like to have it again.”

“Coming right up.” You ring up the exact same order, letting your gaze wander to her hand again as she inserts her card. “I never got to tell you how much I love your rings.”

“What?” She lifts her hand after removing her card and chuckles breathlessly. “Oh yeah, thanks.”

A frown appears on your features when you notice the way she grabs the receipt from you, almost as if she’s actively avoiding brushing fingers with you in the same way she did during her last visit. You’re able to replace the frown with a customer service smile, but you can’t shake the feeling that you experienced rejection before even posing a question. 

“I’ll bring it out to you soon,” you tell her before moving to the glass case, grabbing the food items and frowning again when you find her staring at you from the other side. “Is there something else I can get you?”

“What time do you get off today?” she asks in a rushed fashion.

“What?”

“I mean do you have any plans when your shift is done? I meet people all day long and you’re the first person that I’ve wanted to have a conversation with that lasts longer than a few minutes,” she explains a bit slower. 

“I only have an hour left,” you tell her as you slide her food into the oven. “What did you have in mind?”

“Maybe you could show me what fun things I could get into in this area. I’m a bit further away, Lane County, but I’m starting to enjoy it here more.”

“Well there’s a fair happening on the other side of town, if you don’t mind a long bus ride. I’m guessing you don’t since you live in Lane and you somehow ended up here.”

“Oh, I have a car.” She holds up her car keys with a grin and you laugh.

“Well then…” You pause and look over the counter to see that she’s wearing pants today. “I hope you’re not afraid of rollercoasters.”

-

Aside from the occasional flirting when you have no customers, Wanda waits patiently at the same table as before, standing and joining you the moment you reappear on the other side of the counter without your apron. Her rings are tucked away again, and she dares to brush her knuckles against yours as the two of you leave the bookstore.

“Let me get that for you,” she insists, jogging ahead of you to open the car door and you laugh.

“Is this a date? Should I be nervous right now?” you ask in a joking tone, well aware that you’re genuinely wondering.

“Only if you want it to be.”

You take a deep breath while she crosses to the driver’s side, offering her a casual smile once she’s seated next to you. She denies your request to give her the address, insisting that she’ll be able to follow your directions better instead of admitting that she just wants to hear your voice as much as possible. So you lead her to the expansive fairgrounds on the other side of town, feeling excitement build in your heart the closer you get to your destination.

“This place must hold some memories for you,” Wanda acknowledges your wide grin as she parks.

“No, I just haven’t been in a while,” you admit as you both get out of the car. “Friends are too busy and I try to avoid nighttime bus rides as much as possible.”

“You know, I don’t mind giving you rides at night. I’m well aware that public transportation isn’t the safest form of travel.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that! You live too far.”

“Okay then.” Wanda meets you near the fair entrance and grabs your hand, sliding her fingers between yours. “I won’t give you the chance to ask.”

The two of you are latched onto each other, fingers intertwined the whole night aside from being secured on rides or bathroom trips. You’re walking into the games area, each holding a drink when you suddenly pull Wanda over to a booth. 

“Sorry, I just saw that huge giraffe and wanted to try to win it!” you explain as you release her hand to grab a ticket from your pocket. “Can you hold my drink?”

While your back is turned, Wanda sets both drinks on a nearby table and slips her rings onto her hands, returning just in time for you to finish the game. She hands your drink back to you carefully and reaches out to grab the small stuffed toy you’re offered, brushing her fingers against the attendant’s hand as she did so.

“She wants the giraffe,” she threatens, retreating with a pleased smile when he immediately pulls it down for you. “Thank you!”

“How did you do that?!” you question as she hands it to you. “I mean thank you so much, but wow. I’ve never seen anyone give in so easily.”

“I’ve spent most of my life figuring out how to get what I want, love,” she tells you in a low tone, and a shiver travels down your spine when her hand makes contact with your hip. “What do you think about getting out of here?”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” you agree quietly, starting to feel as if every other thought that enters your mind is incoherent. “Where do you want to go?”

“I’m taking you home.”

You assume she followed up on her word because you find yourself outside of your apartment building, and her hand closes around your wrist before you can leave the car.

“I had a lot of fun with you tonight.”

“Me too,” you admit, unable to prevent the smile that appears. “I guess this means you’re interested in more than friendship with me.”

“Is it that obvious?” She chuckles quietly as she raises her free hand to your jaw, watching you silently fall against her palm. “I’d bet you’d be a wonderful partner. My best girl.”

“I’d be so good for you,” you reply without hesitation, beginning to feel fuzzy and warm the longer she holds onto you.

“Yeah?” 

Your wrist drops onto the center console as the hand that isn’t resting on your jaw slips under the elastic waistband of your pants and underwear. You gasp when her fingertips begin teasing your entrance, bucking your hips slightly when you feel pressure on your clit.

“Wanda--”

“Shh, it’s okay, darling,” she assures you, slipping her thumb between your parted lips and grinning when they close around her without a fight. “I want to see how good you can be for me.”

She uses her middle finger to stroke slowly over your clit, eyes flickering over to your hips occasionally as they follow her movements. Her thumb slips further into your mouth, and your eyes flutter open when her ring touches your lips and a new sensation follows.

“You’re fine,” she soothes you when you let out a muffled whimper, sighing when she notices a group of people turn the corner at the end of the block and begin heading your way. “Let’s go inside. I don’t need an audience.”

Her fingers are removed from your underwear and in her mouth in seconds, and she practically growls as she cleans the bit of mess you left behind. You hurry out of the car and lead Wanda to your apartment, even in your haze able to remember to get her inside before Ruth sees you. In a few blinks, she’s hovering over you on the bed, and just when you think you can’t handle any more overwhelming sensations, she kisses you.

It’s breathtaking, quite literally you feel air leaving your lungs as if she’s stealing it herself. Your eyes feel like they’re glued shut and the grip she has on your waist is almost painful, but you can’t bring yourself to complain when she’s guiding you to grind on her thigh. Her lips are replaced with two of her fingers as she begins making her way down your body, carefully undressing you with her free hand and biting and kissing the skin she exposes.

“You’re unbearably wet,” she comments from between your legs, dipping her tongue inside you while stroking yours with her fingertips and humming loudly so you’ll arch into her more. “So fucking good.”

Her tongue is replaced with her fingers, and she begins slowly pumping in and out of you while sucking on your clit just to get a reaction. She grabs your hands as they go for her hair and hold them together by the wrists, readjusting so that her thumb can circle your clit when she pulls her head away.

“Being good means not touching unless I tell you to,” she scolds.

“I’m sorry,” you apologize breathlessly through moans as she picks up her pace while adding another finger.

“You’ll have plenty of time to learn. I’ve decided to make you mine.” She continues to finger you as she brings herself back over you, ignoring your gasp when you notice her darkened eyes and pinning your hands above your head. “I can’t wait to make it official.”

Her head dips down and you fall over the edge just as she sucks your earlobe into her mouth, thrusting into you forcefully as she continues you fuck you well past the end of your orgasm while her other hand pushes your pinned wrists into the mattress as hard as she can. You’re just about to cum again when she pulls away entirely, quickly unzipping her pants and freeing a toy she had tucked away.

“That’s really big,” you comment with wide eyes that immediately flutter closed when she pushes the head of the toy inside you. “Fuck.”

“Watch your mouth,” she warns you with a quick slap on your cheek, lowering her hand to hold onto your neck just below your jaw while thrusting into you more. “If it’s so big, why is my pussy swallowing it so easily?”

“Because I want it,” you whine, releasing a loud moan when she slams her hips against yours. “Please please please, I want it.”

“I know you do, love.”

Her other hand pins your wrist against the mattress again as she leans forward and begins fucking into you as hard as she can. She slips her thumb back into your mouth to reduce your screams to muffled whines, grinning to herself when you sink your teeth into her flesh a few times.

“Begging for something you can’t even handle,” she teases, prying your mouth open with her thumb as she lowers her head closer to yours. “Perhaps we should start over.”

She waits until you start to cum and slips her tongue into your waiting mouth, and everything goes dark.

[rrazor]

hq boys as non-sexual things that feel sensual

tags: mildly suggestive content (mostly pining)

bokuto: certain phrases are very sexually charged; “make me,” or “what are you gonna do about it” lunch time!! bokuto comes back from the cafeteria with his pork-cutlet sandwich to see you engaged in a card game with three other people. He sees that everyone’s bet something and you bet a strawberry danish you bought this morning and bokuto’s eyes go 🤩 he forces himself in LMFAO and makes sure to sit next to you 🥰❤️ in the end, it’s only you and him left (konoha and komi come over from their classes to see what all the fuss is about and they’re like …..how is bokuto doing so well 😶)

but you win and steal his sandwich on the desk 😈 he tries to defame you for cheating lol but all you do is look at him coyly like “and what are you gonna do about it, bokuto-kun? 😇” and suddenly his tongue feels heavy and his cheeks flush and he’s all 🥺👉👈 he asks you for the bread back because its his only lunch 😭💀 but he ends up winning sm more because you offer to share your bento with him and his heart goes 🥰💖💞

akaashi: sitting next to someone and your shoulders/thighs touch it’s the sports festival!! and it’s lunch break. he spots you sitting on a bench and he starts sweating at the idea of sitting next to you but he wants to be near you somewhat because then MAYBE you’ll talk to him??!? hopefully 🥺💔

he swallows his nerves and sits on the bench too but on the other side with a huge gap between you and your friend. he pulls out his phone to look “busy” LMFAO then, more of your friends come over and suddenly, you’re snug against him, your BARE THIGH touching his because you’re both in shorts and akaashi thinks he gonna pass out with the bashful apology you give him 😵 he thanks every deity he can think of that your friends came over and STAY because your leg is still touching his and he’s holding a conversation with you 😭🥺🥳💕💖❤️😍

konoha: having someone use your keyboard standing up while you’re sitting in front of it you’re in one of the school’s computer labs working on a research essay. akinori sits next to your station, having worked up the courage earlier to ask you if you could help him with his. he sneaks glances at you at the printers as you refill the trays with more paper 👀 he blushes even though you aren’t even doing anything to him 😭😔💔

before he can stop himself, he calls your name lmfao 🗣 but manages to save himself from utter embarrassment by asking you to look over one of his passages. coming over, you lean over him, hands on his keyboard as he leans back. his eyes are wide and cheeks ruddy as he tries so hard to keep cool because you’re so close 😍🥺💕 and god does he hope what he wrote was coherent because he thinks he’d d-word if you said it made no sense 😓😵

kuroo: when you’re sitting next to someone and they lean over and reach across you to grab something another day, another group project. kuroo gets added to a group with you and another guy because he was absent for volleyball. the two of you push your desks next to him and he’s fist pumping internally because you’re sitting next to HIM and not the other guy and he gets to act as the barrier AHAHAH 😇🥳😛

you’re working together when you ask one of your friends to pass over the notes she took from you. she’s sitting in front of kuroo, but diagonally to the right so she leans back and you lean forward to grab the papers. your arm accidentally brushes his chest and kuroo short circuits 😶 you’re SO CLOSE and your body is nearly laid over his entire desk and if he moves his hands up he could probably touch your chest HJAKHSDLKASD 👁👄👁 the guy next to him looks at him all 😐 as kuroo goes INSANE 🤯

kita: hugging from behind he’s home alone, studying in the living room for his university exams. you’re in the kitchen with his grandma helping her with tonight’s dinner. he smiles softly to himself hearing the two of you laugh 😊🥰💞

he’s halfway through a derivatives question when you hug him from behind, arms coming around him as you rest your head on his shoulder blades 🥺💘 when you softly tell him dinner is almost ready, his chest warms and a soft smile appears on his face ❤️💖

atsumu: the guys strapping you in on a roller coaster. are we gonna kiss? why are you giving me that eye contact? inarizaki’s vbc get together to go to the local amusement park!! they get in and the first thing the twins want to do is ride all of the roller coasters so after a ridiculously long line up, atsumu’s sitting next to osamu, waiting for an attendant to come buckle them in, when you suddenly come up in your cute uniform and hair tied up and atsumu’s like SHIT ITS YOU 😳 also damn y didn’t you tell him you worked here he could have gotten discounted tickets smh 🥴😒

anyways you come up to them to buckle them up with him first and he doesn’t really notice anything but you buckle the first strap really tight and he’s like “does it need to be so tight 😘” and you tell him, making eye contact, using your best customer service voice (vocal bottoming but at least you get paid) and with a pretty smile on your face that doesn’t reach your eyes, “yes, unless you want to die. and if you do, don’t do it on this ride because my shift ends in ten minutes and i don’t want to stay here to write a report about a dumbass who ko’d on a roller coaster 🥰” and he BLUSHES oop— 👁👅👁

osamu: having your back scratched you sit next to each other in class and it’s self study time and you’re helping him with the english homework that was assigned when his back starts feeling itchy. he rolls and moves his shoulders to try to alleviate it, but it just isn’t working so he brings a hand back to scratch at it, but he’s not flexible enough to reach it 😔 you ask him what’s wrong and he puts his arm down like he got burned because he doesn’t want to be seen doing something weird in front of you or making a weird face so he just says nothing but you raise a brow and go “are you itchy?” and he nods JAJCKKAD

you bring your arm up to where he was just scratching, “here?” a shake of his head, “no, a little to the right.” AND YOU SCRATCH RIGHT AT IT!!!!! he can feel his shoulders slump as he closes his eyes and groans a little WHOOP he’s SUPER EMBARRASSED but you just laugh it off and scratch him some more before going back to work and he looks at you like 🥺💖 why’d you stop?? even though you’re not even looking at him LOL 😞 touches his back that night in the shower like your hands were so small 😯😍😳 and maybe he should be itchy more often but it also quickly turns to she better not be touchy feely with anyone else 😒

suna: someone writing on your arm he’s forced to take this one evening class this semester because it’s not offered the next one and he needs to take it because it’s a prereq for almost every other course ugh but at least the cute girl who sits next to him lets him copy her notes LMFAO 😭💀 he left all his belongings in the gym’s lockers because he was going to go back anyways for practice so when the professor gives out a code for a free trial of the software they have to use for the homework assignment due in a week, he’s like shit; he left his phone in his bag 🤡💔

you offer to write it down on his arm, grabbing a pen from your pencil case. he nods like sure why not so you take his arm and push the sleeve of his hoodie up and start writing and he just stares at you 👀 your writing is cute and he kinda likes the feel of your hands on him 🤧 class ends and you part ways with a wave. It’s not until he’s reached the gym that he realized you could have just messaged the code to him on facebook 🤨 so he pushes his sleeve up and sees your phone number on his arm under the code 😘 aren’t you smooth!!! 😌

iwaizumi: when someone is putting the car in reverse and they put their hand on the back of your seat iwaizumi been interested in you for a while, and ever since he came to the revelation he finds it really hard to talk to you because he’s afraid of coming off too aggressive or you figuring it out 😔💔 good thing kindaichi reveals that you’re his older cousin and that you’ll be driving some of them to their next practice match because the volleyball team’s bus is out for a checkup!! 😍😘 oikawa, matsukawa and hanamaki all force him to sit shotgun as you drive (even kunimi and yahaba get in on it). iwaizumi grumbles about it and all but he’s secretly super happy he gets to be right next to you omg 👀😭 he takes a bunch of glances around the interior of your (parents’) car and sits a little straighter than he usually would.

he can feel the stares on the back of his head from the other third years egging him on to make a move and just when he works up the nerve to say something to you, you put the car in reverse to back out the parking spot and put your hand on the back of his seat 😳😤 iwaizumi thinks you look so cool AND HOT he clams up and just stares at you with his jaw slightly open 👁👄👁 💕pls save him 🤧

matsukawa: when a girl puts her hand up to yours and remarks on how yours is so much bigger you got randomly paired up with each other to do a presentation for your world history class and so you’re sitting next to each other on a saturday afternoon at the public library doing research together. matsukawa spent more time than he would like thinking about what to wear because he doesn’t want you to think that his fashion sense was as grotesque as the school’s khaki pants 😷🤢 (when you complimented him nonchalantly about how he looks a million times better in casual clothes compared to the school uniform and joking said that he should start a petition to get rid of the school’s ugly khaki plaid pants and skirts and use a photo of what he was wearing today as the main piece of evidence, he almost doubles over 💀)

you’re sitting next to each other and he’s still kinda reeling from the previous interaction ahjdalhd but he does his best to pull his weight. he’s taking notes in a notebook and you look over and comment out of the blue that his hands are really big as you look at yours 🤧👀 he blinks and looks at you like “yeah?” and you nod, putting your hand up and he does it too because he thinks he’s having a fever dream at this point, but not even in his wildest dream did he’’d ever think you’d push your palm against his and say “your hand is so big! 😳” he has to excuse himself to go to the washroom to scream 😘🥰❤️

hanamaki: when you’re sitting next to someone on public transport and the centrifugal force from the vehicle firmly mooshes the two of you together hanamaki pines for you silently and you can’t really tell he likes you because he’s pretty decent at keeping his emotions hidden. or maybe you’re just so busy with your senior year you don’t notice anything that isn’t the impending doom of university applications and keeping your grades up 😤😇 anyways the two of you get on and off at the same stop each day (which he secretly thanks god for 😭) and you’re sitting next to each other and hanamaki thinks he’s gonna combust because you’ve never been this close!! 🥺🥰

he can feel his hands getting sweaty already. hanamaki sneaks glances at you and tries to see what you’re doing on your phone LMFAO suddenly, the train lurches a bit and you slide from the inertia right into his side and then he can feel the warmth coming from your thighs, side and your shoulder are touching holy sh— 😭❤️😵👀💖 you look up to apologize as he takes a breath and you’re a little shy in your apology but he takes that chance to ask you about something mundane and he makes you laugh!!!! he thinks about the interaction for the next two weeks because he finally got to talk to you dhaskld ☺️🥺💕

kyoutani: when anyone raises their arms to stretch and their shirt gets lifted up slightly gym class—you’re doing timed runs today!! kyoutani is already finished with his so he’s just sitting off the side of the track, staring not-so-subtly at you but you don’t notice because it’s your turn next!! you’ve got the typical school mandated shorts and plain t-shirt on but kyou is all 👀 at your tastefully exposed skin. he thinks you look pretty with the sun hitting your face as you give a smile to your friend, squinting at the sun light 🥰

he’s just mindlessly staring at this point but then you raise your arms to stretch your triceps and the hem of your shirt rises up a little to expose the tiniest sliver of skin before it’s covered again 👁👁 his cheeks pink a little and you catch him looking LMFAO but you don’t think anything of it and just smile and wave as kyoutani burns bright red, heart battering against his ribs and looks away 😡🤡🥰💕 he saves it for future reference HURDURDUR 😇😛

ushijima: when a woman does that thing where she tucks her hair behind her ear while making direct eye contact ushijima is INTERESTED in you, likes you, is intrigued, would like to hold your hand and rub the back of your hand and feel the soft skin with his thumb—same thing 🥰 you’re talking to him about something for the cultural festival and he’s nodding along to what you’re saying because you’re so brilliant and responsible for working on the school festival committee wOW 🤩

time seems to move in slow motion as you look up him whilst tucking a piece of hair behind your ear. he zones in on the shy smile on your face, your cute cheeks, glossy lips and pretty eyes 🥺🥰 “ushijima-san?” “yes?” “what do you think?” “that’s a great idea, I will ask my team members for their input as well.” you nod exuberantly even though he has no idea what you’re talking about but your cute smile makes him all mushy on the inside 💖💕

semi: making eye contact with another customer at the grocery store around the same age it’s 2:11pm on a tuesday and semi’s at the grocery store because it’s summer and his mom was all “go to the store and buy these shimeji mushrooms for me, eita, they’re on sale!!! but only until 3pm so get skedaddling!” 😩 so he’s here and he swears housewives are the most powerful people on the planet because he thought he was gonna d-word just tryna get his discount mushrooms. he spots you in the condiments aisle looking at sesame oil and he gives you the up, down and lingers a little too long on your exposed legs 💀

he thinks you look really cute in your t-shirt and jean shorts though 🥰 when you look up and make eye contact with him and give him a little smile and wave he BLUSHES 🥺 and is right about to take the chance to talk to you but a granny hip checks him trying to get to the soybean paste and he almost trips and lands on his face 😔💔 so much for looking cool in front of you 😢🥺

tendou: having someone else play with your hair satori sees you on cleaning duty carrying the recycling to the bins as he finishes his runs around the school, about to make a turn to the gyms. he makes a beeline for you, calling your name with a bright smile on his face and waving his arms in the air. 🥰💞🥺

he bounds up to you and offers to help even though the bin is really light, cheeks warming at your smile 😊 when he takes the bin out of your hands , you wave your hand to get him to bend down. he complies, eyes widening when he feels your hand in his hair. he straightens up to see you holding onto a couple pieces of cherry blossom petals 🌸 he laughs bashfully; it feels like time has slowed and you’re the only two people in the world 💖💕

sakusa: if you’re on a pc/laptop, somebody leaning over your shoulder to look at the screen with you. the close proximity of your faces can feel awkwardly sexual you’re in the same kinesiology class and sakusa first noticed how GOOD your presentations are wtf and he’s even more impressed when he hears that you winged the whole thing because “i conveniently forgot about this until one in the morning when I decided it was a good time to reorganize your entire dorm room” ALSO you offered him hand cream the one time you caught him staring and against all reason he said yes and ever since he’s been dying to ask you where you got it from because HOLY was it nice 😍

you get paired up for the final pair presentation and he’s only become more interested in you! you’re easy to talk to and don’t pry too much and he finds himself oversharing at times 💀 the professor gives the class part of the lecture time to work on the projects so you’re sitting next to each other working when he asks you a question about the academic article he just found and you lean over his shoulder to look at his screen 👁👁 for anyone else, the close proximity of your faces would have grossed him out but he can’t stop thinking about how good you smell and how cute your ears look 👀🥰 when you tell him he’s found a really good source with an excited smile on your face, he BLUSHES and promptly wants to pass away because he has no mask on to cover him 🤡😭😵

sachiro: when you have a melting popsicle, there often comes a time where you must choose between eating it too quickly, or sucking it off so it doesn’t drip on you sachiro hums happily, holding your hand as the two of you walk home after your date and stopping at the convenience store where he buys the two of you popsicle sticks 😋

you’re talking about something funny you saw hoshiumi do in the class the other day when your popsicle drips onto you. you kitten lick at your hand and take the whole thing in your mouth to get rid of the more liquidy parts of your ice cream and sachiro is all 👁👄👁 he swallows thickly, cheeks warming and heart beating a little faster; why’s he suddenly so thirsty? 🥵💦🙈

gao: getting a strong whiff of somebody’s perfume when they pass you gao really wants to talk to you, like really really wants to talk to you 😖😭🙏 but you’re talking to your friends about something and the cute way you laughs and joke with them has him all 🥺🥰🤩

he’s about to walk up and join the conversation because let’s face it, gao isn’t afraid of much 🤧💀 too bad the teacher calls you back into the classroom about something. when you pass him, he gets a good whiff of your shampoo and his stomach flutters 😍😊🥺💕💖 follows you with sparkly eyes and wishes he made the choice to talk to you sooner 💔

futakuchi: bending over to pick up something you dropped kenji is watching (glaring) as you talk to one of the baseball team’s starting players 🤐 he’s so ticked but he doesn’t admit it like where does this guy get off making you laugh and smile like that wtf 😒🙄 luckily for kenji, the guy gets pulled away by the class rep for something so kenji calls your name to get you to look at him instead 😤

you come over and just as he’s about to stand up from his desk, he knocks over his eraser. you crouch down to pick it up and he finds himself really liking it 👁👁 he doesn’t get it either 🤡 like you aren’t bending and snapping—just folding your knees to get his eraser for him, but the way you tucked your hair behind your ear before you bent down so prettily has him ☺️😉🥵

terushima: when you’re eating and chatting with someone and they lick their lips yuuji pulled you away from your friends when it was time for lunch, wanting to spend more time with you one on one. he was so busy with volleyball and school lately 😞 and when he managed to get you to tell him how lonely you felt without him, he made it his mission to spend more time with you!!! 🥰😘💕

you’re eating together, sharing food and talking about everything and anything when he notices you lick your lips; he zones in on your little pink tongue as it swipes across your bottom lip 👁👁 “yuuji, you okay?” a hand on your cheek and suddenly, he’s kissing you. he tastes like the leftovers your mom packed you for lunch 🥰😋

[buckybleu]

❈ you ❈

pairing: dark!Shang-Chi x Reader

summary: Shang-Chi will do anything for your love. His small, sweet crush turns into something more dark.

warning: stalking (& insinuation of stalking); mild mentions of violence. Just Shang-Chi being a creepy stalker

a/n: Night 12 of Tricks & Treats takes a dark turn. I recently started watching "You" and it sparked a little darker piece of writing. I've never wrote anything like this so bare with me, haha. I hope you enjoy and happy reading! ❤️ (sorry for the very unoriginal title)

all mistakes and errors are mine!

reblogs/like/feedback are greatly appreciated! 🎃

word count: 1.2k

Your tight, black pencil skirt and flowy blouse says you’re all business. Your black pumps accentuate your gorgeous legs. They look soft. You don’t look very happy right now. Maybe it has something to do with that phone call you’re on. You’re furious. Something about missing a date.

“Frank, seriously?! This is the fourth time this week. We can’t keep doing this! I can’t keep doing this!”

Frank. Boyfriend I presume. Sounds like an asshole if you’re asking me. I don’t get it. A beautiful woman like you deserves to be cherished; attended to. And he isn’t doing that for you. So why stick around? Look I don’t know who he is, but he isn’t good enough for.

“Whatever, I’m over it.” Are you though? Your glossy eyes and sniffling nose says otherwise. “I have to go, I have a meeting.” Anyone who might take a glance at you might assume you’re some uptight, wealthy bitch. The expensive car. The designer handbag dangling off your shoulder. Red bottoms. Even the scent of your brown sugar and vanilla perfume smells luxurious. But there’s more to you.

Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre. A literary classic. You’re a bookworm. The book is peeking out of your bag. Jane Eyre, a headstrong and independent character. Maybe you relate to her in some way. The story and theme is beautiful and deep. There is more to you. And I want to read more.

“Hi.” Your smile. God, your smile is something out of this universe. There are so many things that already draw me to you, but damn. Your captivating smile just takes the cake.

You hand me your keys, I’m confused at first. Right. You are handing me your keys to park your car. That’s okay, I’ll do anything for you.

“Hi there. Here’s your ticket. Have a nice day.” And there it is again. Please don’t ever stop smiling at me. I am putty in your hands when you do that. And I want to be the only person you smile at.

You’re wheeling two suitcases behind you. So you’re staying here for a few days?

The receptionist inputs your information into the computer before handing you your keycard.

Hm, so you are staying for a few days. Maybe a while. I’ll find out more later.

-----

A black coffee. One packet of stevia. Sometimes you grab a banana. But if you’re feeling spontaneous, you’ll pick up a blueberry muffin from Sal’s down the corner. 8 AM sharp. That’s when you pick up your car. You have meetings at the Transamerica Pyramid. That’s what your Google calendar tells me.

At noon, you like to grab lunch in Chinatown. Only on Fridays is when you take a cab to the Palace of Fine Arts and take a stroll around the park. It’s never hard to spot you. You’re always sporting an oversized clementine coat. You pair it with over the knee boots on the chillier day. Nude espadrilles when it’s warmer. On your more casual days you’ll sport a t-shirt and jeans. Sometimes a floral dress. You could wear anything and you still look great.

Like clockwork, you’ll return back to the hotel at 5 PM. If you’re not carrying a bag of takeout, you’ll most likely be ordering room service for dinner. Wagyu New York Strip Steak with a mushroom butter sauce. A side of fries. And a Coca-Cola to wash it all down. Your dinner order never changes.

“Thank you Shang-Chi. Take care of my baby.” You laugh, handing me your keys. Your keys are adorned with a small picture frame. You and Frank are squished into frame. You laugh while he kisses your cheek. If I’m being honest, we’d make a better looking couple. Frank just doesn’t...doesn’t you. I do. We fit together. We’re better together.

But tonight, there’s something wrong. Who upset you? Your beautiful face is stained by tears and mascara. You don’t greet me with a smile or your melodic voice. No. Today you just shove your keys into my hands and walk away. No ‘Hey Shang-Chi’ or ‘Your hair looks nice today Shang-Chi.’ Nothing. What’s got my girl so riled up? Was it Frank? Did he do something to upset you?

-----

You look ravishing tonight. Crimson lips. Your hair is perfectly set. Black pumps. And your legs. God what I’d do to have a taste. You’re nursing a whiskey. Is that your choice of poison?

Your calendar didn’t say anything about a dinner reservation. I would know. You’re lucky though. I’m always looking out for you. By chance I overheard you and Katy talking about the hotel’s restaurant.

“You should check out the hotel restaurant. The Watcher. Best clam chowder, and they serve it in that bread bowl too.” Katy hands you your keys. “Try to get a window table. Dinner with a view.” But you are the view.

“Thanks for the recommendation Katy. I’ll make sure to get reservations then.” You pull Katy into a friendly hug before driving off. Dinner alone doesn’t sound fun. I’ll make sure we have reservations for two.

It seems like you weren’t able to grab a window table. Lucky for you, I have connections with staff. Maybe we could enjoy dinner together? I’ll give you a bit of time for yourself. Then I’ll go and spark a conversation, bring up Jane Eyre. Your interest will pique. I suggest we continue the discussion on my table. And maybe, just maybe, the night goes well and we schedule a second da一

Woah, woah. Hold on. Who is that?

“Frank? What are you doing here?” Frank? The ‘Frank?’ The Frank that cancelled last minute. The Frank that made your mascara run because you found out he was cheating on you with his secretary? What is he doing here?

“I know, I know. You never wanted to see me again. But please let一”

“No!” You pull your arm away from Frank’s touch. “You shouldn’t be here. We’re done, I don't know why you came here.” Good girl, you deserve better.

“Baby, please. I just wanted to talk. Let me fix this, I’m sorry for the shit I put you through.” Pathetic. She doesn’t want you. She knows her worth and一

“Fine.” WHAT?! “Five minutes, that’s it.” No no no. My sweet girl, that's not a good idea. He’s bad news for you.

And now. Now I have to sit here and listen to your douchebag of an ex-boyfriend try to explain himself. You shouldn’t be sitting there wasting your time, listening to his bullshit. You should be sitting with me, enjoying the San Francisco skyline, where we discuss our favorite novels.

“C’mon baby. Come back up to my room. We can talk more there, in private. Please, I promise no funny business.” How predatory. I swear to god if we weren’t in public, he would 12 feet under ground with a bullet between一

“One last chance.” No! What are you doing? “If you mess up, we’re done for good.” You were done with him. You were done with him when you blocked him on social media. You were done when you didn’t answer his emails. You were done when you threw away the picture of you and him.

You and Matt leave the restaurant together, you wrapped around his arm. Your giggles fill the air as he whispers something in his ear.

Silly girl. So fazed by his lies and deceits. Don’t worry, I’ll help clear your mind soon. I’ll reveal the truth to you. And when I’m finished with him, you’ll be mine. I’ll treat you better. Love and cherish you. But for now, I’ll admire you from afar.

[hookingminor]

ALSO 10 + 26 are Jost - can't change my mind 💖

10. when one of them is like… i don’t know… hurt or something… and the other one is just like… tending to their wounds… and then just like… wrap them into their arms… thankful that they’re alive…

26. when it’s a slow burn, and the characters just look at each otherlike “fuck it i’m done with this” and kiss

-

Tyson rarely took his injuries seriously. Most of the time they weren’t that serious since he wasn’t the type to get into scuffles, but even with busted lips and sore limbs, he played through the discomfort. And most of the time he regretted it after, but the adrenaline of the game never caused him to pause and take a step back.

Unfortunately for you, that meant you had to deal with the late night calls when your best friend came over after games seeking comfort and first aid. The Avs should’ve honestly been paying you for all the extra care you gave Tyson outside of the rink.

You watched him take a nasty hit during the third period of the game which led to JT throwing a punch at the guy who’d nearly boarded him. The play stopped as more players got involved, and Tyson even landed a few more hits on the culprit who tried to lay him out, though he took a couple in the process as well.

You could only roll your eyes after he was ushered back to the bench and JT was sent to the box, knowing well that it would only be a couple hours before Tyson was knocking on your door asking for massages. He seemed fine from the television, just a bloody lip and a couple scratches on his face, but you knew his body would be screaming at him after the game.

The game ended with a win, and you switched the television to Netflix and turned on a mindless sitcom while you waited for Tyson’s arrival.

Tyson: Please tell me you have Ibuprofen and ice packs

You let out a soft chuckle. He knew you had Ibuprofen and ice packs. Hell, the whole first aid kit had his name on it because you only ever used it for him.

You: Of course, but you might have to settle for frozen peas instead

He reacted with a thumbs up, and you left your phone on the coffee table as you spent the next half hour watching Parks.

The knock came almost an hour later, a brief notice before he opened your unlocked door and let himself inside. You tossed him a glance over the back of the couch, taking in his disheveled appearance and bruised face.

“I’m going to have to start charging you for these late night services,” you let out a deep sigh and pushed yourself up to join him in your kitchen.

Tyson had taken a seat at your small table, and he loosened his tie from around his neck and unbuttoned the top buttons of his crisp white shirt.

“What else are best friends for if not patching me up when I’m injured?” He asked with a smirk. “Besides, I already pay you in free game tickets.”

“Which are useless half the time because I have other shit to do,” you commented, and Tyson rolled his eyes. “What’s the damage tonight?” You grabbed a few ice packs from the freezer and the first aid kit on your way to the kitchen table.

“Nothing too bad, the hit just got me a little sore,” he explained, taking the pills you placed in his hand.

“And you’re bleeding through your bandaids already,” you noticed. You reached forward and cupped his face gently to inspect the injuries. “You really need to be better with your chapstick, Tys. That’s why you keep busting your lip every game.”

Stepping aside to grab your own mango chapstick from your purse, you handed it to him to moisturize his lips. You removed the few bandaids across his cheek and forehead and wiped at the dried blood with an alcohol wipe while he applied the chapstick to his lips.

You were too focused on his scrapes to notice the soft look he was giving you. You stuck your own tongue out in concentration as you dabbed on some antibiotic cream and reapplied the bandaids, a habit you had inadvertently picked up from him.

Tyson let his gaze fall to the Avs shirt you were wearing, only now noticing that it was one of his old shirts, and he didn’t have to ask you to turn around for him to know his last name was on the back. He couldn’t stop his hands from drifting lightly up your thigh to fiddle with the hem of the oversized shirt.

“I think you’ll survive the night,” you patted his cheek when you finished changing the bandages. “You’ll want to ice the other side of your face for the rest of the night to prevent swelling with the bruises.”

When you gazed back into his eyes, you could tell he wasn’t paying attention. Instead, he had a dopey look on his face. It caused your face to scrunch up in concern. “Are you feeling okay? How hard did you hit your head?”

“Do you ever get tired of this?” His question took you by surprise.

Your brows furrowed further. “What do you mean?”

Both of Tyson’s hands came to rest at your waist now, holding you firmly in place as your own hands rested on his shoulders.

“Acting like we’re just friends when we could be more,” he replied. “Do you ever get tired of it?”

“Tys…” you started to back away, but his grip held you still. “I think that hit scrambled your head a little bit.”

“I’m not concussed, Y/N,” he insisted. “If anything, it made me realize how sick and tired I am of acting like there isn’t anything between us, like I don’t want to kiss you every time I see you.”

You couldn’t speak. It was your biggest dream and biggest fear all coming to life before you, and you didn’t trust your voice to not break on you.

“Stop me if I’m reading this wrong, but I don’t think I am,” Tyson spoke softly, pulling you closer by your waist. “I think you want this as much as I do.”

You could only give him a pleading look and a slight nod of your head before Tyson was tilting his face up to yours and catching your lips in a kiss. He winced a little at the initial contact on his plump lip, but a hand was moving to your face to keep you pressed against him before you could step away.

His other hand pulled your thigh closer until he was settling you on his lap, and you let out a quiet squeal at the sudden movement. Tyson smirked against your lips as he drifted to grip your ass and took the opportunity to deepen the kiss as your mouth parted in surprise.

A soft moan left his lips as you reciprocated the kiss and allowed your fingers to tangle in the curls at the base of his neck. The dopey look remained in his eyes when you eventually broke the kiss, and Tyson was eager to lean forward and chase your lips.

“You might want to take it easy tonight, Casanova,” you chuckled, tugging on the curls to keep him from kissing you again, but the gesture only made him groan in response.

“And what if I don’t want to?” A smile tugged up at the corner of his mouth.

“I’m supposed to be making you feel better, not worse,” you commented. “Tell you what, you spend the night here and when you’re all healed we can kiss all you want.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Good,” he mused, giving you one last peck before grabbing the forgotten ice pack on the table and holding it to his bruised side. “You can spend the night making it up to me with cuddles then.”

You scoffed and slid yourself off his lap at his smug grin. “Take a shower first then we’ll see.”