#gardenwriters

[garden-of-gay]

Can You Feel It? It's Burlesque! Part 1

Ch 1, Ch 2

Also here on Ao3

The first part of the Steddie Burlesque AU is here and rather than ramble on too much here, I'm just going to get right into it; enjoy. :)

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Al Munson was a lot of things and had always been. A criminal, a business owner, a dick--- for sure—but a proper father was not one of those. Which is how Eddie had landed in the custody of his uncle Wayne. Thanks to Al’s criminal record the only option for him to make money was to either do more illegal shit or build a business himself, which is also how Eddie found himself working at his father’s shitty dive bar. In big bold letters, it read “Al’s Bar”.

“How original” Eddie had thought,

But hey, a job is a job even if it means working for your deadbeat dad. Eddie was getting tired of his dad’s bullshit antics and was ready to leave, something he often voiced to his uncle Wayne, to the point where the man was completely unphased when Eddie once again brought it up.

-

“Wayne I’m leaving,” Eddie said

“What do you mean” his uncle replied

He had been through this same song and dance so many times yet, every time he humored Eddie by asking about his plans.

“Soon as I get my check, I’m gone” Eddie huffed

At that, Al Munson emerged from the back of the house getting ready as always leaving Eddie and Wayne to clean up the place even though he was perfectly capable of helping.

“I’ll be back” Al said

Eddie explained as Al put on his coat. “Dad, I need my check before you leave”

“Paydays at the end of the month, you know this” Al exclaimed annoyed and with a roll of his eyes

“You still haven’t paid us for last month, I need my money. Wayne’s been taking care of me come on you quite literally own us” Eddie replied angrily.

Al retorted, “You got a problem with management, put a note in the suggestion box”

“Dad I’m serious, I’m quitting” he steeled

“I’ll be back for the dinner shift” Al said with a final roll of his eyes and an annoyed huff.

“Son of a bitch” Eddie exclaimed

He continued, “He may be back but I sure as hell won’t be”

Eddie opened the register and began counting out a chunk of cash from the register, Wayne looked on in confusion.

“Eds, what are you doing?” He asked

Eddie finished counting the amount in his hand before turning to his uncle and answering him.

“Taking what he owes me and not a cent more”

Wayne’s eyes widened

“Son, you know he’ll come after you for that, your father has never been a patient man. Especially when it comes to money”

“Yeah well, he will need to find me first” Eddie smirked.

He then proceeded to take a portion of the money that he had taken from the register and tucked it into Waynes’s pocket. Before explaining to his puzzled-looking uncle.

“This ought to cover the new radiator for the trailer” he smiled

“Now go, you’re late for your shift at the plant” Eddie teased.

His uncle had the habit of losing track of time always so focused on making sure everyone else was squared away before himself, it was something that Eddie loved about him but also wished he would let go.

“You’re really going?” Wayne asked with a look of awe.

“I’m really going” Eddie replied before shoving at his uncle.

“Now go get out of here seriously you’re going to be late, I got it here” He chuckled

Wayne began making his way to the door with Eddie on his heels to close the door but he stopped and turned to face him.

“The radiator can until later, Eds. Keep what he owes you and I’ll deal with him” he stated seriously.

“Later Son, I love you” he paused for a moment before turning back around one final time

“Hey Eds just remember, no matter what you always have a place with me”

-

With that, he was gone leaving Eddie in his dad’s bullshit ass bar all alone. He locked the door and flipped the open sign to close before beginning to put up the chairs.

Eddie had always loved singing and playing guitar since he was little, it was one of the things his mom used to praise him about, his musical talent. Now when he needed to feel close to her, he would put on a song she used to sing to him and would sing along and it was almost like she was there with him. Today was one of those days so he grabbed one of the quarters from his pocket and slotted it into the jukebox in the bar. He then selected Something’s Got a Hold on Me by Etta James, he remembers his mama belting out the lyrics to the song while she danced with him in the kitchen. He dragged a chair to the center of the small stage before beginning as the opening chords of the song rang out.

Oh-oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah (Yeah) I get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before, no, no (Yeah) I just wanna tell you right now that I (Ooh) I believe I really do believe that

Something's got a hold on me, yeah (Oh, it must be love) Oh, something's got a hold on me right now, child (Oh, it must be love)

As he sang and danced around the stage, he imagined what his life could be once he got out of here. All he had to do was pick up and leave and that’s exactly what he planned on doing, his dad and his shit bar be damned.

-

When he got home that night, he had one thing on his mind…he was getting the fuck out of here.

“Uncle Wayne, where do we keep the suitcases” Eddie yelled

His uncle came toddling over into his room and replied

 “In the closet o’er there, and son, there is no need to yell we live in a trailer that is only so big”

Eddie replied apologetically “Sorry Uncle Wayne”

His uncle ruffled his hair and stated

“It’s okay kid I know you are just excited, here let me go get those for you and help you pack”

Eddie smiled

“Thanks Uncle Wayne”

When Wayne returned with the suitcases, Eddie began shoving clothes into them without care, what is the point of folding stuff when they’re just going to get tossed around and shoved into a place only, he will see?

“Dammit, why do it have so much shit. When did I get this much shit?” Eddie asked frustratingly

“I don’t know kid, it’s your stuff” Wayne replied with a shrug

“You know what old man, you are no help” Eddie retorted flatly

“You asked for my help; I’m just helpin” Wayne said putting his hands up in mock defense

 “Yeah, well I’m starting to regret it as all your contributing is lip” Eddie bantered

He and Wayne began to bicker back and forth, the task at hand forgotten making the whole ordeal take way longer than it should have.

-

With all his belongings eventually thrown together into three suitcases---one of which he didn’t even know existed---Eddie loaded them along with his precious guitar, his baby, into Wayne’s back seat and waited for his uncle to come sauntering out of the trailer to take him to the station. He could have walked but Wayne insisted on taking him to say goodbye before he set out on his new adventure.

“Wayne, hurry up!” Eddie yelled after honking the horn.

“I’m comin’, I’m comin’, I forgot how impatient you can be, I was just grabbing one last thing before we go” Wayne replied.

With this he wordlessly handed Eddie what looked like a frame wrapped in a scarf to prevent it from breaking. He slowly unwrapped the scarf from the frame and was confronted with a photo he had never seen before, one of his mama and him.

“Wayne I…” he began as he teared up

Wayne placed one of his hands on Eddie’s knee and looked at him with a softness in his eyes that made Eddie want to cry more.

“It was her favorite picture of you two, she made me promise to keep it safe and give it to you when you were older. Now it seems like you need it son, she’s always with ya’ so might as well carry her too” Wayne said tearing up himself.

“Thank you, Wayne, this really means the world to me I…. just thank you,” Eddie replied through tears.

Wayne proceeded to shift the truck into drive and pulled out onto the road. Eddie watched as the trailer grew smaller and smaller behind them, the life he knew was over now and it was time to start over.

-

“How much to LA?” Eddie asked

The man looked up at Eddie with disinterest, clearly bored of his job.

“One way or round trip” He asked

“You’re kidding right?” Eddie joked

The worker was not amused and muttered something under his breath that sounded a lot like “kids and their bullshit attitude these” to Eddie but he had no way of being certain so he couldn’t call the guy on it.

With his ticket secured for the next Greyhound, Eddie went to say his final goodbye to his uncle.

“It’s not goodbye forever, just for now” Eddie muttered holding back tears

“I know Eds, I love you kid. You’re going to do great things, I know it” Wayne replied holding back tears of his own

The two men embraced, and Eddie let himself fall apart in his uncle’s arms, he was excited to follow his dreams, but he was also scared shitless. He was leaving behind all he had ever known and the only thing holding together right now was his uncle’s arms around him.

“It’s m’kay son, let it out, I gotcha” Wayne muttered into his nephew’s shirt as he felt his own shirt begin to wet with tears.

“I gotcha, I gotcha” he said as he stroked Eddie’s hair in attempt to comfort him.

Eddie looked up at his uncle through red-rimmed, puffy eyes and knew that it was going to be okay. He had Wayne after all and at the end of the day, it’s all he needed.

-

Eddie sat with his uncle and waited for his bus to arrive, soaking in a couple more minutes with him before it was time to go. Eddie had told him he could leave 30 minutes ago but Wayne insisted he wouldn’t leave until he watched Eddie get safely on his bus. He suspected that his uncle needed this as much as he did, so he wasn’t going to argue. As the bus pulled into the station he got up and turned towards his uncle and smiled.

“I got to get going now, I’ll call you when I’m there, I love you Old Man”

“I love you too, Son. Now go before you chicken out and never leave” Wayne joked

Eddie laughed before making his way towards his bus and climbing aboard and finding a seat by the window. He watched as others piled in, said goodbye to family and friends, but most importantly he watched and waved at Wayne as the bus pulled out of the station onto the streets. Eddie’s fate was sealed, there was no going back now and frankly he wouldn’t have it any other way.

-

The bus ride was incredibly boring not only was it like 80 years long, but there was nothing to look at on the way. Who knew the rest of America was just as boring as Indiana was; from Missouri to Oklahoma everything looked the same and the only cue Eddie got that they were getting closer to LA was the switch from flat plains to orangey-beige desert that also stretched for miles. The bus ride took 2 days but if you asked Eddie, he would say it was more like 20 days with how much nothing there was. Finally, however---after and eternity and a half---the driver announced that they would be pulling into the LA station within the hour and Eddie would be free on the confines of his seat that became uncomfortable all the way back in Oklahoma.

-

Eddie sat in the LA station breathing in the hot dry air and looking through the brochures for a hotel to stay at, he landed on the Hotel Rosslyn and hailed a cab to take him and all his shit there. He wanted nothing more than to sleep for the next year, but he knew he needed work. It was still early enough that he could go out searching so he snagged a newspaper from the stand next to him figuring he could check out the help wanted section.

The drive to the hotel was uneventful just like the bus ride and the hotel itself was nice but also quite unassuming, which was perfect. He checked in at the front desk, happy to find a place and was handed a key to a room on the 3rd floor.

“I guess this is my place for the next while” Eddie muttered to himself as he used the key to open his room.

The room was clean but also a bit shabby and water stained but he didn’t mind considering he lived in a trailer for most of his life. He inspected the bathroom and closet space before heading over to the phone to call Wayne and let him know he made it. The phone rang twice before Wayne’s gruff voice could be heard through the line.

“Munson residence, this is Wayne how can I help you?”

“I forgot how boring you are when you answer the phone” Eddie huffed in fond amusement.

“Eds!! I missed you Son, you settle in, okay?” Wayne asked

Eddie hadn’t realized how much he had missed his uncle until his voice rang over the phone and all the stress of the last couple days washed away replaced with the gruff sound of his uncle’s voice and a feeling of home.

“Yeah, I just got here and figured I give you a call to let you know that I’m alright” Eddie said with a slight wobble in his voice that Wayne didn’t seem to notice or was kind enough not to mention.

“Well, it’s good to hear from you and I’m glad you are doing fine, that’s good to hear” Wayne replied

Eddie talked about everything and nothing about his trip so far, just glad to hear his uncle’s voice. He then asked the question he had been dreading but needed to know.

“How did dad take it? Me leaving?” he said nervously

Wayne sighed

“Now, I won’t lie to you kid, he all kinds of pissed off. He threatened a lot of things, but I haven’t said anything about where you are or that I know”

“Thank you, Wayne. I’m sorry you must deal with the fallout though” Eddie muttered

“Boy, I would do it ten times over if I knew you got to get out and be happy” Wayne said

“I’m going to go unpack now, I love you Wayne” Eddie voice came out wet and wobbly.

“Love you Eds, take care now” Wayne said and the then the room went silent with a click.

Once off the phone, Eddie took his time semi unpacking his things but most importantly, he took the money he had with him and put it in a plastic bag before sealing it and putting it in the water tank of the toilet making sure that there was a portion that would go over the side for later access.

With his money secured he took another look at the photo Wayne had given him and he smiled at it.

His mom looked so young and beautiful; it made him want to cry. He remembers so little about her since she died when he was seven. Looking at the date on the photo told him it was about 3 months before her death and Eddie wonders if she somehow knew and insisted on a photo because of it.

-

Eddie had bought a postcard in the lobby or the hotel and considered sending it to Wayne before remembering that if his dad got his hands on it, it was a one-way ticket to an ass beating and losing all his money, so he opted against it. Instead, he ripped it into pieces and threw it out the window for them to be scattered by the wind, keeping his secret.

-

Eddie had spent some time going through the help wanted section circling any possible jobs in music and had slowly worked his way through his list. He began to feel more and more frustrated with every job he was turned away from and was considering going back to the hotel for the night when he spotted it--- across from fancy high-rise apartments he could never afford--- in neon lights, a sign that read “Burlesque Lounge”. There was a woman on one of the steps landing adjusting the thigh-high socks of her costume and he was increasingly intrigued by what could be happening within those 4 walls. Before he could ponder it anymore, the woman was rushed inside by a very frazzled-looking young woman with choppy brown hair, a boxy frame, and suspenders. Now he had to go!! He had a mystery to solve, what was this place with no windows?

-

Upon entering the club Eddie found himself more puzzled by the moment, there were dancers on the stage---that much he could see---they were wearing revealing outfits, but it didn’t look like a strip club. He reached the end of the staircase and was met with a balding man with big glasses, a beard, and a frankly menacing grin.

“What is this place, a strip club?” Eddie asked the man

“Boy I should wash your mouth out with Jägermeister, the only pole you’ll find in there is Heather, the shots girl”

Eddie was taken aback by the passive aggression of the man, but he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from the dancers behind the man as they had begun their performance, he was startled from his trance when the man spoke again.

“Baby cakes, I got a club to fill here so 20 dollars or not?” the man said with a tight smile

Eddie reluctantly handed over a 20-dollar bill and then made his way towards the bar to watch the dancers from there.

Once he sat down, he watched mesmerized as the dancers moved out of the way and revealed an elegant-looking older woman who then opened her mouth and began to sing.

Show a little more Show a little less Add a little smoke Welcome to Burlesque

Everything you dream of But never can possess Nothing's what it seems Welcome to Burlesque

She continued her performance as the dancers moved around her. She revealed the band and made a crude joke about knowing where she is if you had a bit of extra cash, a joke that Eddie chuckled at but was quickly pulled from his laughter when he noticed the bartender across from him.

Brown chestnut swooping hair, moles that dotted his chiseled face, and a handsome smile drew Eddie to him like a moth to a flame but what really got Eddie and made him feel like he was going to cream his pants was the eyeliner that lined the man’s hazel eyes, making them pop. In summary, he was hot, and Eddie wanted to do unspeakable dirty things to this Adonis. The man must have noticed Eddie staring and assumed he wanted a drink because he quickly approached where he was sitting.

“Can I get you something to drink?” He asked

“If you’re buying” Eddie joked, what he didn’t expect however was the man to actually put a drink in front of him

“Welcome to LA,” he said

“Cute” Eddie huffed

“Where are you from?” the hot man asked

“Indiana” Eddie replied surprised his brain was still online, but it definitely shut down when the man grinned wide and replied

“Same, what part?”

Eddie’s mouth felt dry, so he sipped at his drink and responded

“Indianapolis”

Eddie felt so dumb, this man had reduced him to one-word answers to every question he asked. The bartender then pointed at himself before proceeding with his statement

“Hawkins, a small town about half an hour south of Indy, my best friend and I used to drive up there sometimes.”

Eddie gave a polite nod to acknowledge that he was listening to what he was saying, but frankly, he was off in la la land being busy ogling this man.

“We’re practically related, huh?” the man joked

“I thought you looked familiar” Eddie jabbed back

“Hey, who does a boy have to flirt with to get from here, to there? Eddie asked

The man raised an eyebrow at him before softening his face and replying

“Is this you flirty?”

Eddie decided it was best to ignore the joke especially as he felt his face flush, he just hoped the low lights of the club hid it.

“That’s rich coming from someone wearing more eyeliner than me” Eddie jabbed because of course he had to open his big mouth about this man’s sexy eyeliner.

He was pulled from his thoughts of what may happen to that eyeliner during *ahem, activities when the man pointed to a door.

“Through that door, ask for Joyce, she’s your guy, flirt away”

Eddie turned in the chair to get up when the bartender cleared his throat and spoke again

“Hey, Indianapolis! Use my name”

He then handed Eddie a card which he read before replying with a wink

“Thanks, Steve”

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AH, first part down second one is to come soon! I'm really excited for this fic. We have had a few characters introduced with more to come.

If you saw typos or mistakes here, no you didn't.

[error6gendernotfound]

Nu Kyr'adyc

TW: Tech angst, spoilers for tbb s2 finale

Summary: Omega finds herself in a cell with Crosshair after being kidnapped by Hemlock

AN: This lil baby fic is written for @cross-my-heartt's art post, which you can find here. Thanks for reading!

He awoke with a small groan, the stiff cot not doing his back any favors.

“Crosshair?” a small voice asks, “Are you awake?”

His head whips around to look at the figure crouched in the corner of the small room. It had been a long time, but he recognizes the blonde halo and heavy accent. He quickly sits up, ice-hot panic running through his veins.

“Omega? Why are you here? I distinctly remember telling you guys to hide. For your sake.”

“I know.” she says. She looks down, trying to hide the emotions still shaking her every breath. “We were just trying to help you. I just wanted to help you.” Her voice gets smaller with every word, and he sees a small tear fall. He sighs inwardly.

“Where are the others?”

“I-I don’t know,” she wails. “Before they stunned me, Echo helped Hunter and Wrecker get away. I just know they’re not here.” He can’t help but notice the absent name, but he doesn’t push right now. He sighs.

“Come here.” he swings his legs off the cot and pats the space beside him. She scrambles over to him, taking her previous position with her arms wrapped around her knees. “Tell me what happened.”

“Well, after we got your message, we had to figure out where you were, so we planned to place a tracker on Doctor Hemlock’s ship while he was busy in a meeting with other imperial officers. Turns out there was another group of ‘rebels’ in the base, except they were trying to blow it up. Wreck and I did our part, and got the tracker on the ship, but we had to leave quickly because of the bombs. The,” She clears her throat, “the base was only accessible with this hanging monorail thing. We got about halfway from the base when the explosion cut the power to it. Echo couldn’t fix it from the train so Te-Tec-,” she stutters, voice cracking, “He had to get out and go fix it.”

The tears stream harder down Omega’s face. Cross scoots closer to her on the cot, not quite touching hips, but trying his best to comfort her. To let her know that it’s okay, even though it’s not. She looks up at him suddenly. The movement drags his eyes down to hers. “In your message, you mentioned plan eighty-eight.”

“Yeah,” he sighs, “I did.”

“Do you remember all the plans?” she asks quietly. He doesn't know where this is going, but he doesn't like it, pushing himself up to stand.

“Mhm.” he grumbles, beginning to pace the short distance from one side of the room to the other, head down.

“Do you,” Omega hesitates, and picks at her cuticles, “remember ninety-nine?” The flow of his pacing abruptly stops, and his eyes snap back to her.

“Omega…” he warns lowly.

“They never told me about that one. I thought there were only ninety-eight plans, but that's what… that’s what Tech said before he fell. ‘Plan Ninety-nine.’” After her final word, it’s like she forgets how breathing works. Her breathing hitches and her throat burns with tears. She sobs. That wheezing type of sob where it feels like Atlas has put his punishment on your chest. She breathes quickly, but no air fills her lungs. Have they pulled all the oxygen out of the room? Why can’t she breathe? What is happening to her? This can’t be real. This is a nightmare.

She feels arms pull her from the cot and into the air. Against someone’s chest. “T-ech?” Her legs wrap around them automatically. The hands stroke her back soothingly, while she buries her face into their chest. They rock back and forth, and he nuzzles the top of her head with his nose, inhaling deeply. She feels her hair start to wetten, but she doesn't care.

“I’m so sorry cyar’ika.” He whispers, and raises his face to the ceiling. “Nu kyr’adyc, shi taab’echaalj’la. Ni ceta, vod."

[wdcgardener]

Hung out last week @mantsbaltimore with fellow garden communicator @dougoster (photo by another garden communicator @marianne.willburn) - cool connections like these are why I joined @gardencomm_gci and why I volunteer so many hours supporting the organization. If you are a garden blogger/photographer/influencer/podcaster/writer/author etc. YOU should seriously consider joining too. We are celebrating our 75th Anniversary with an annual meeting this August in Minneapolis and it is going to be legendary! #gardener #gardenblogger #gardenpodcaster #gardenauthor #gardenwriter #ilovemyplantjob #plantlover (at Downtown Baltimore) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnw52EUuvhA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[hortushorrei]

Spores of Pyrrosia hastata are so beautiful. #ferns #fernsofinstagram #pyrrosia #pyrrosiahastata #iloveferns #lamacchinafissa #gardenstudiovivaio #elisabettacavrini #gardensofinstagram #gardenwriters #gardenerfriends #italiangardeners #felci #polypodiaceae #feltfern #asianferns #iloveferns #instaferns #instafern #provinciadimantova #gardengifts (presso La Macchina Fissa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CR1gD21IoUT/?utm_medium=tumblr

[gardendesigner01]

A big thank you to Charlotte and the team at Plants for Trade for allowing me free reign of the nursery and containers. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you. 😊😊#gardenwriter #gardenwriters #gardenwritersassociation https://www.instagram.com/p/B1GUqyAgVCm/?igshid=17etyrow9ns1x

[plews]

#Strawberries - Because this week is #Wimbledon2017 and #RHSHampton Court Flower Show & the sun is shining! http://plews.gd/29cRNY8 #gardendesigner #gardenconsultant #ediblegardens #gardeninglessons #garden advice #gardenlessons #perennialfruit #growyourownfruit #gardeningblog #gardenwriters #summergardens #ornamentalediblegardens

[mybookbath]

Do you enjoy gardening? If not, you surely must enjoy a stroll through a garden filled with beautiful and fragrant flowers. 🌸 I’ve always been into gardening but this year I have begun to take it a little more seriously. Early in the year I started growing both flowers and vegetables from seed—my first time doing so. Have you every done this? It’s quite a rewarding feeling when everything starts to take root. 🪴 The Garden in Every Sense and Season is a wonderful new book written by Tovah Martin and published by @timberpress . This book has reminded me to slow down and really enjoy the riches that a garden has to offer instead of focusing on the time it takes to weed, water and maintain. 🌼 This book is separated into the four seasons and each season is categorized into the five senses. It is full of inspiration, appreciation, and it has helped me to fall in love with my garden even more than ever. 🌺 "I have learned that unless you consciously experience your garden, you might be blind to its beauty. And if you don't listen, it will remain mute." 🌻 Thank you to @timberpress for sending me this copy of The Garden in Every Sense and Season. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in gardening even the slightest bit. #thegardenineverysenseandseason #gardenlife #gardenwriting #gardeninspirations (at My Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQXo8_UnJHt/?utm_medium=tumblr

[iplantsman]

Delighted to have another 4 page spread in @GardenNewsmag @gardennewsmagazine this week with an article I wrote on #plants with striped #flowers. Fun & games! Enjoy. @GdnMediaGuild @gdnmediaguild #writer #article #gardening #plantingdesign #gardenwriter #iplantsman #GardenNews #writerstag #plantingideas #plantingadvice #gardenideas #follow #followme #creativeideas #garden #gardeninspiration #stripedflowers #stripedflower #arthritis #arthritiswriter #gardensofinstagram #gardenstyle #plantlover #plantsplantsplants #plantsofinstagram #plantsmakepeoplehappy (at Perth, Perth and Kinross) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch93qhRKyFT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[grandtorinaa]

Armin Arlet x GN Black Reader

Fluff, Body positivity

Check out @gardenwritings ! I she inspired some of this with her own writing.

Some days just ended up being lazy, didn't they?

Lazy days where you didn't really remember what you ate for breakfast, or what you dreamt about last night. Lazy days where you ended up glued to a mass of blankets and pillows, scrolling through social media.

But at least you had Armin in the room to accompany you on your endeavors of nothing. It made things less boring.

A funny video came up on screen, and you snorted, tucking your head into a pillow you had been snuggling for awhile.

"What's so funny?" You jumped.

"Armin! Don't sneak up like that!" You said, still laughing a bit. You turned back to look at him, and he smiled at you sweetly.

He moved to cuddle you from behind, with his arms wrapping around your waist and his nose burying into the crook of your neck. You felt him sigh softly, melting into you and you let out a hum of contentment before turning back to your phone.

Some time passed by like this. Armin watching you use your phone with his hands gently roaming around your skin idly. He was a touchy person once he became comfortable with someone, you had learned this early on.

But there was something light and sweet about the way he touched you. Something that pulled at your heart when he embraced you so fully, it pulled so much it almost hurt, because you wanted to hold him too.

Another video played on your feed, and you felt his hands gently grace over your hips and across the band of your shorts. You both laughed at the meme, although his was a bit muffled from the way he had buried his face into you. You felt him trace the edge of the waistband before stopping completely.

"It's fine, don't worry." You hummed idly.

His fingers dipped under the fabric and simply, ran along your skin. You knew it wasn't intended to be sexual right now, physical touch, close contact, it was just a form of affection for him. Armin was always looking for skinship with you, holding hands, hugging, resting his head on your stomach. Heat, closeness and warmth. It was hard to blame him for seeking it out.

You shivered a bit though when you felt him feel along your stretch marks though. Someone else looking at them...touching them...felt odd.

But he brushed his fingers against them so softly, drinking in every bit of raised skin, and every bump and curve you had.

"I wish they showed more of these."

He murmured.

"Hm?"

"I wish they showed more people who just...I want…"

His breath tickled your earlobe.

"I wished they showed more people who looked like you."

Suddenly, you felt a slight heat rush to your face. "M-me?"

"Yeah," he replied. "I just, really like, you, everything, how you are."

You swallowed somewhat harshly, not even noticing that your phone screen had turned off.

Armin planted a soft peck to your neck that melted into a butterfly kiss. "You're really amazing, y/n."

"Y-yeah?"

Gosh, you didn't prepare for an onslaught of complements. Your heart was beginning to thump louder in your chest with every sugary, silky word he said.

"What do you like about me?"

"Mm," he felt his chest rise as he inhaled. "Your skin is really beautiful."

You shifted a bit in his hold. "I have body acne."

"I don't care." You felt his hand brush over your back. "I don't think it's bad."

You could almost feel his heartbeat through his fingertips with the way they touched you so intentionally, filled to the brim with adoration and practically worship. Laying down his bare feelings at the shrine of your heart, every word a prayer to a body he thought held the reverence and revere of something ethereal.

It was deeply embarrassing to be fawned over, but yet you wanted, no, needed to keep hearing it.

"Your stretch marks," he laughed, oh so lightly. "Your stretch marks are one of my favorite things. No one else has them."

"Armin, tons of people have stretch marks."

"Yeah but, no one has yours." Goosebumps came up over you. "I like yours a lot. I like the way they feel, the way they look," his thumb rubbed circles on top of one. "It's like they're talking about how much you've changed over time, how much progress you've made."

You turned your face away from him into the pillows and blankets.

Those lovely honeyed words kept leaving his mouth, spinning lines and pages of poetry, songs, mumblings and muses of how much a single person could adore you. It made your soul feel desperate, almost greedy for such deep praise. You almost felt sorry. With how he so openly embraced you, held you with that soul healing warmth.

You could feel the subtle vibrations of his words through your skin as he kept talking. You could feel the gentle shake of your heartbeat in your chest.

You turned halfway to face him, and he was still talking. And you pressed your lips to his, and he was still talking. The buzz of his words lingering in your mouth. He shuttered, deepening the kiss before pulling back to take bated breaths.

"Y-y/n?"

"I love you."

And you leaned in to kiss him again.

[garden-of-gay]

Can You Feel It? It's Burlesque Part 2

This chapter is a bit shorter than the last, but that is because I've been super busy and I wrote too much for one chapter, so I am giving a shorter chapter now for a longer chapter 3. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter <3

Ch 1, Ch 2

Also here on Ao3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eddie made his way up to the door Steve had motioned to and upon entering the back was hit with a wave of perfume and absolute chaos. The back was extremely crowded, dancers were everywhere in all the different mirrors and stations but above all a woman’s voice could be heard.

“Ladies! Let’s move it, ladies!” She yelled.

There was a cacophony of replies along the lines of “Yes ma’am” and a couple “Where is my costume!?” but for the most part, the chatter was hard to decipher although, Eddie managed to pick up a bit since his time working in the noisy bar.

“Does anyone know where Billy is?” someone asks.

Eddie is thoroughly overwhelmed at this moment as he searches for Joyce. He overhears a dancer talking to someone and figures it’s his best bet to find Joyce, follow the dancers.

He hears a dancer complain of losing a contact on the stage and the older woman from earlier speak up.

“Okay, if you fall off the stage remember, leg extended, boobs up” she chuckles.

The younger woman she was seemingly talking to then chimes in,

“Remember you’re a goddess.”

“Thank you, Robin” the dancer replies with a smile before the older lady repeats the phrase in a mocking tone towards this Robin.

Backstage is chaos, but he loves it. It reminds him of the few times his dad allowed his band to play at the bar and there was a certain anticipation that hung in the air right before performing. He bumps into one of the dancers before she calls out to a man loitering backstage.

“Lonnie, the sink upstairs is broken again,” she said.

“I’m not calling a plumber, Barb” He replies.

He then makes his way over to the elegant older woman and Eddie can slightly make out what they are saying.

“Joyce, have you read this letter from the bank?” He asks.

“Lonnie, how many times must I tell you? No business during business hours” She huffs, annoyed.

“Come on, Henry Creel is coming to the show tomorrow night, this isn’t going away Joyce,” he says.

She rolls her eyes at him and is clearly disinterested in continuing the conversation, but he continues anyway.

“You won’t talk to me before shows, you won’t talk to me after, it’s like you are avoiding me.”

“Well, I didn’t divorce you to spend more time with you” She jokes.

“I may not be Mr. Joyce anymore but I still own half this place,” he says before walking away in a huff muttering on about how it’s not paying the bills.

Eddie then approaches Robin who is in the midst of fixing up a dancer’s hair and then asks.

“I’m looking for Joyce?”

She nods her head in the direction the older woman, Joyce, went and he wanders over to her.

“Hi, are you Joyce?” He asks.

“Yes, honey, why are you in my mirror exactly?” She replies kindly.

“Oh sorry, I’m a friend of Steve’s and I’m looking for a job.”

“Where have you danced?”

“Ummm….”

Eddie had for some reason not anticipated this question and was now left floundering.

“At home? I promise you I can move though.”

She gave him a polite smile in the mirror before speaking.

“Give your name and number to Robin and she can contact you when we have our next auditions.”

“When will that be exactly?” he asked.

He never got his answer because Robin approached, and Joyce turned her attention to her.

“Where is Billy?”

“I don’t know, he’s late again,” Robin said

“Oh, I’m never late” Eddie interjected hoping it scored him some brownie points

“That’s great buddy now leave your name and number with your friend Steve downstairs, and we will give you a call, promise,” Robin said with a gentle push towards the stairs

 “I’ve just never seen anything like it, and I would just love...” Eddie began before bumping into yet another dancer, this time in big sunglasses

“Billy, Robin, and I were just talking, and you know she said…” Joyce said and then gestured to Robin to finish the thought

“That it was so sad that Billy couldn’t join us for the opening number, and it would be so great if he joined us for the next one”

“Listen, less flab more ab, my workout took longer than expected” Billy replied to the women

“And so is finding a new job when I fire your late ass” Joyce joked, but Eddie could tell there was a bit of truth to her statement

Billy then turned and acknowledged Eddie for the first time since they bumped into each other

“Hey, bring me a martini extra dry, straight up, three olives,” Billy said with an heir of entitlement

“He doesn’t work here Billy” another dancer replied while Eddie remained speechless, staring at Billy

“Then he isn’t busy,” he said smarmily

Eddie continued staring at Billy for a moment. Billy then seemed to notice and spoke with a cocky grin on his face.

“Didn’t your mama every tell you it isn’t polite to stare”

“You’re just so damn handsome” He replied

“Screw your mama, stare away” Billy exclaimed with a Cheshire grin

“It’s just no one would ever know” Eddie replied

“Know what!" Billy said angrily.

Eddie took note that Billy seemingly had a short fuse and was easy to rile up…perfect.

“That you are smooth like a Ken doll down there,” Eddie said with a wink before descending the stairs back into the busy club.

-

Once he got back down to the bar, Eddie took inventory of everything happening. He needed a job ASAP and it looked like this place needed a proper waiter. He observed the club for a moment and realized that the waitress who was supposed to be getting drinks to patrons was sitting around chatting with someone at the bar. He watched as a customer waved her over and she blatantly ignored them saying something along the lines of “In a minute”. This just wouldn’t do, and a plan began forming in Eddie’s head, if he couldn’t tell them why he deserved a job then he would just show them.

He stripped the leather jacket he was wearing draping it over a chair before picking up a tray from the bar and making his rounds from table to table based on who was in need of drinks. Once he was satisfied with gathering orders he returned to Steve at the bar.

“A shot of Patron and the tough looking guy in the hat wants a Cosmo” he said, Steve looked puzzled but replied

“What are you doing?”

“One night, if I’m not better than boobs-for-brains over there, you don’t have to pay me” Eddie practically begged he needed this job and he needed it bad.

-

Turns out Eddie had done something right and was told he could return the next night to begin proper work on the condition that he wore the proper club uniform. He had easily agreed as the uniform was all black and even if he hated it he would wear it because a job is a job and he needs it. He had been told to arrive 30 minutes early to his shift to be shown where everything was and get a feel for the place but other than that he was left to his own devices since he had waiting experience under his belt.

Once the club had opened and the seats were filled, Eddie began getting drinks for the tables as they waited for the opening number of the night. Eddie had no idea what to expect but was just as excited to see the performances as the attendees. After a while, the lights dimmed and the opening to Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend by Marylin Monroe.

A kiss on the hand May be quite continental But diamonds are a girl's best friend

A kiss may be grand But it won't pay the rental On your humble flat Or help you at the automat

Men grow cold As girls grow old And we all lose our charms in the end

But square-cut or pear-shaped These rocks don't lose their shape Diamonds are a girl's best friend

Back at the bar, Joyce and Robin could be found watching Eddie as he worked.

“Isn’t that the guy that was backstage yesterday?” Joyce asked

“I think so?” Robin replied

“Hey Steve, what’s he doing here?” Joyce called out to him.

Steve’s face flushed a bit red at this, but he replied nonetheless

“He really wanted a job and so…he's our new waiter”

“And when did I make you the head of personnel?” Joyce joked with Steve

“He just picked up a tray and started working,” Steve said with a shrug, face still flushed

“Really?” Robin asked, her eyes bugging slightly out of her head

“Well, his name is Eddie” Steve replied sheepishly.

“Eddie” Joyce repeated before calling out to the man in question

“Hey Eddie”

Eddie waltzed over to the bar nervous as to what Joyce had to say, would she be super upset? Would she fire him on the spot? He couldn’t lose this job, he just got it and based on the look on her face, she meant business. As he got closer, however, her face softened before she spoke

“The uniform looks nice on you but roll up your sleeves you look too formal. Also, put up your hair you got a cute face so don’t hide it”

Eddie flushed and hoped the lighting would hide his blush. He had been told he was hot before by the men he had hooked up with, but he had never been called cute, especially not by a motherly type; it was nice.

“Also, don’t ever go behind my back again” Joyce said more stern

“Yes ma’am” Eddie replied, and he felt like saluting but figured that it would not bode well.

“And don’t ever call me ma’am again” Joyce huffed

“Yes sir, I mean ma’am, I mean…Joyce” Eddie fumbled. Damn, he was doing bad at this.

“Get on the floor” Joyce joked before patting Eddie along.

-

The performance continued and Marilyn sang:

Tiffany's Cartier Black Starr Frost Gorham Talk to me Harry Winston Tell me all about it

As the lead dancer ripped jewels from the other dancers’ bodies. Eddie watched mesmerized, slowly picking up the steps to the dance and dancing along as he went from table to table getting drink orders. He was pulled away from watching when a man’s voice spoke.

“Excuse me, Dewar’s rocks and a bottle of your best champagne for the table…and oh, will you tell Billy that I’m here”

“Any you are…?” Eddie asked, especially since this man clearly had money and no manner when it came to introducing himself.

“A member since ’91, Henry Creel. And you are?” Henry asked

“Eddie” He replied

“Eddie" Henry parroted back

-

Meanwhile, as Eddie waited tables, Robin had made her way backstage to make sure the performance was going alright and that she could help with any malfunctions and costume changes to come. As she watched, she was made aware of a presence once he came crashing up to her.

“I’m here,” Billy said

“You’re late, you’re late for a very important date, Vickie went on for you” Robin chuckled because of course Billy expected the club to wait on him.

Billy then looked between the beaded curtains at Vickie before he spotted Eddie and turned to Robin.

“What is that waiter doing here, I want that bitch out now” Billy exclaimed angrily

“What did he ever do to you?” She asked

“He said I have no dick” he pouted

Robin just laughed before replying

“That can’t be the first time that’s happened”

Billy just gave her an angry look before turning to look up at the lighting guy and saying:

“Get my spot”

“Billy, what are you doing!” Robin exclaimed, trying to stop Billy but it was too late, he had already stepped out onto the stage and to reel him back in would just disrupt the performance.

-

Eddie watched as the dancer from yesterday, Billy, stepped on the stage and began to fight for the spotlight over the original lead dancer.

There may come a time When a lass needs a lawyer But diamonds are a girl's best friend

There may come a time When a hard-boiled employer Thinks you're awful nice But get that ice or else no dice

Of course, Billy was like this. Eddie had encountered people like this before who needed everything to be about them, and Billy seemed just the type to do that. He pushed and shoved his way in front of the other dancer and the poor girl did her best to adapt to the situation.

-

 As the number came to an end Eddie found himself back at the bar watching and imagining himself in the place of the lead dancer.

Diamonds Diamonds I don't mean rhinestones But diamonds are a girl's best Best friend

He would sing and the crowd would go wild, clapping, throwing flowers for him, and overall cheering his name. “Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!”

“Eddie! Eddie, what do you need?” Steve asked, snapping and pulling Eddie away from the daydream he was having

“Dewars rocks and a bottle of Dom” He began

“And keep it coming” Steve finished

“So, he’s a regular” Eddie questioned

“Henry Creel, real estate guy. Dating Billy. This week at least” Steve answered

Good to know that Steve and seemingly the club were not homophobic because that might have become a problem at some point but Eddie was more focused on how the dancers got to soak in the applause and bask in the moment. He turned to Steve

“I wanna be up there, I wanna do that”

“Question is, do you have the talent?” he asked

“I do” Eddie replied

“Are you sure?” Steve asked

“Yes!” Eddie replied with a grin

“Positive?” He asked with a smile of his own

“Yeah!” Eddie said, grin getting bigger

“Good because you’re on” Steve replied with a smile before pushing a tray of drinks towards Eddie.

His smile dropped pretty quickly after picking up the tray of drinks and he huffed an annoyed sigh.

—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-

Taglist:

@irregular-child

[error6gendernotfound]

I refuse to be the shadow of a person I was once meant to be.

[wdcgardener]

Are you in a "power circle" - basically, it is a mastermind group on one shared topic. For the past few years, I have been in one with fellow #gardenbloggers and members of @gardencomms - meet my 6 power-circle-mates and check our their terrific#gardenblogs - see link in bio or go directly to: https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2020/05/we-are-little-group-and-all-are-members.html. #gardenwriters (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtxmD7A76c/?igshid=3q1vwc8z9r8v

[hortushorrei]

Bramafam. Arch. Paolo Pejrone's private garden, Revello (Cuneo) Italy. #paolopejrone #gardeningfriends #bramafam #gardenwriters #italiangardeners #giardini (presso Revello) https://www.instagram.com/p/CO-XMmvlbWa/?igshid=1v6xngv19vpsy

[gardendesigner01]

Sunday Best - 5 April 2020

Sunday Best – 5 April 2020

Sunday Best is a new series featuring pictures of the best plant or best photo of my garden this past week. But that might be just a little too self indulgent! So, I’ve invited you to send me your ‘Sunday Best’ plant or garden pictures.

Firstly, a BIG thank you to everyone who sent pictures, I really hadn’t expected the massive response and sorry, I really couldn’t show all of them.

But this…

[peachyblkdemonslayer]

Talked about this in the server with @cellotonin @afromaniiac and @gardenwritings

Tododeku Headcanons

Since Shouto has a better control over his hot side Izuku like to sleep and cuddle on that side his arm is acting up or he has super bad period cramps.

Shouto saw Izuku start his natural hair journey and wanted to help him a well.

Their both super in the dark about the whole thing, even after hours of watching YouTube videos about it.

They crave in and ask Mina for help, she happy to help.

They start off small with the hairstyles for Izuku to wear when it first starts 

Shouto does his first set of twists in his hair(he super proud of himself of the final product)

Izuku first twist out is a huge success!!!

They like going to the local cafes around the school for their dates when they can.

Izuku actually has a sweet tooth for a lot of traditional Japanese and American desserts they offer

Shouto likes to feed him, he gets super flustered.

Rainy days are the best days for them since Shouto likes the sound of falling rain and Izuku likes watching it

They sleep in each other rooms a lot, nobody in class tells any of the teachers 

Whenever they have fights they are usually are resolved by a day or so since they tend to get super emotional about somethings 

Izuku shows Shouto a lot of favorite childhood movies that Shouto never been able to watch himself. 

Shouto gives Izuku back massages after a hard day of training 

They meet each other family about a year into them dating.

They moved in together after they graduated from school and started their hero careers, they got a rescued cat 

They got two cats before they had their first kid, they were the cat parents they never thought they would be. 

Shouto looooooves to run his fingers through Izuku hair(when he can)

Shouto great his hair out long and Izuku has never been the same.

He just plays in it during their days off and braids it a lot too 

They were the first in the class to get married to noone surprise among their friends.

What did surprise everyone was that Momo was the maid of honor and Bakugou was Izuku best man.

[bestbakubros]

thank you for everything :)

damn 2020 huh? what a shit year it has been… my spring semester of junior year was ruined, virtual learning was so bad for me, my senior year was in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, my mental health took an absolute downfall… 

it truly has been one hell of a year, but i couldn’t have done it without the amazing people i have met along the way. I started this account back in january, not expecting to gain much. i just wanted to write and make stories people could enjoy reading. I never thought i would meet so many people, make new friends, and have as much support for my work as i do now. honestly when I first started I thought I wasn’t going to do well and I’ve had countless times where I thought about shutting my account down, but here I am today! So to show my love to all my mutuals and babies here is a little shoutout post to all of you!

to all of the people in the POCuties server, i wouldn’t have made it through 2020 without you guys. Like i said before, my mental health wasn’t doing so well through the chaos of 2020, and when I met you all I felt like I had a safe place I could go to whenever I needed it. You made me feel like I belonged somewhere in this world and that I was appreciated for being myself. I don’t know how many times I just wanted to give up and somehow through your words of kindness and love I made it. Being part of this server made my 2020 a billion times better and I don’t know how I would’ve made it without y’all. Everyone in the server are the kindest, most loving, funniest people I have ever met and I’m so grateful that I can talk to you all and that I met you. Thank you for always being there for me. I love you all so so much. (Sorry if didn’t tag you I tried to get as many people as I could!)

@tamasoft | @cellotonin | @kingtamakimurder | @boqutos | @bakugoustanaccount | @gardenwritings | @vixenpen | @suckersuki | @sems-diarie | @greywritesfics | @spike-this-ass | @liltodo | @chocoboba | @cocoacinna | @hitoshisbabygirl | @htownsmash | @ohoematsu | @bnhatrashh | @uliscribbles | @babytoshiii | @prettyliberosclub | @ramelanin | @burnedbyshoto | @bnha-butterfly | @angelwazhere | @katsushimaa | @reddriot | @dimplesum | @ererokii | @combat-wombatus + many many more!!

to all of my anons! thank you for requesting and sending me messages every once in a while! it’s always nice to see your messages and words of encouragement! I appreciate and love you all so so much!! I don’t know what i could do without all the support you give me! I’m so glad you joined the little bestbakubros community and thank you for making it special for me.

and ofc I could never forget my 1.4k babies!! whether you’re active or not I thank you for supporting me through this long ass year! even when I had to be inactive because of school, you guys always stuck around and supported me through and through and I couldn’t be more grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I always get excited when I see people enjoy the content I make, it gives me that extra boost of serotonin I need everyday. without the 1.4k babies I have now, I don’t think I would even keep writing, but you guys keep me motivated every single day and I hope you all know that I’m very very thankful for every single one of you. Thank you for being by side and enjoying the things I love to write.

i wish you all the best going into 2021 and i love you guys 🥺