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fluffyvillain · 5 years ago

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The Bond

Chapter: 8/?

Summary: First date, first kiss, first other things ;)

Pairing: Henry Cavill/OFC

Warnings: SMUT

@ly–canthrope @vikingsbifrost @peakygroupie @winchwm @thethirstyarchive

A/N: This chapter is longish and smutty. I don’t really think that I’m good at writing smut, but I still occasionally try doing it because smut is love, smut is life. Smutty part was inspired by this ⬇️

Mila drove a rented Vespa, which was her mean of transportation while she was staying in Italy, to Henry's hotel. It took only about a minute of driving up the hill to see his smiling face waiting for her by the road. He was waiting for her in a pair of jeans and a crisp white shirt with arms crossed across his chest. Why does he always look so good? Her eyes wandered over his body before she came to a full stop. "Hey. Hop on, you have a helmet in the basket there in the back."

Henry thought he would get to kiss Mila once she arrived, at least on the cheek, but it never occurred to him that she would be coming on a Vespa, with a helmet on, ruining his plan. Although, she did look darn cute on that old fashioned Vespa in a white floral dress. "Isn't this a little too small for the both of us?"

"Maybe you'll have to squeeze a little bit, but it will only take us 10 minutes to reach our destination." She watched Henry as he approached the back of the Vespa so he could put on the helmet. Once he was done, he pulled out a strand oh Mila's hair that was stuck under the chain of her purse. "Thank you." He climbed up and hugged her tightly, pressing his stomach on her back and her body shivered as his thumb grazed her breast. "You have hand holder on the sides."

"I'm fine like this, thank you." He put his head in the crook of her neck. "You smell wonderful."

Mila took her hand of the brake and ran it over his forearm and it made him hug her tighter. "Thanks, so do you."

"Where are you taking me?" Henry hoped his mind wouldn't wander in a wrong direction and cause his dick to go hard.

Mila started the Vespa and got back on the road. "Up to the village, there's a music festival."

"Sounds great." Henry watched over Mila's shoulder her thighs being pressed against his.

Juts like Mila said, it took them 10 minutes to reach the village which was already crowded. A small stage was set in the middle of the village and one of the bands was already playing. On the edges of the main square, a bunch of vendors were selling their goods on the stands. Henry thought that this had be an important event as people all ages were scattered across the streets.

This wasn't Mila's first time at this festival, so she mostly focused on Henry and him soaking in his surroundings. "Let's go get some pizza."

"Sure." Henry followed Mila's lead, watching the contour of her ass under her dress, he was sure it would feel amazing in his hands.

"Can I choose? It'll be good, I promise." She suddenly turned around, catching Henry staring at her butt and she loved how he blushed at being caught red handed.

Henry thought about apologizing, but when he saw her biting her lower lip, he flashed her a smile. "Sure. You took me on a date, I believe I'm in good hands."

Mila ordered two slices of prosciutto pizza and threatened to leave when Henry wouldn't let her pay, so he gave up. "Let's go there," Mila pointed to a low wall, not so well lit and not with many people passing it by. She set on it, straddling it, one foot on the floor, while other one dangled above the abyss surrounding the hill.

Henry mimicked her, sitting so their knees on the side of the floor touched. Mila waited for him to take the first bite and once he did, his eyes widened. "This is," he took another bite, speaking with his now full mouth, "the best pizza I've ever tried. This dough was made of a piece of heaven."

"Told you," Mila dug in too.

"I want to know more about you, scratch that, I want to know everything about you. I know some things, but I want to know more." Henry couldn't stop eating.

Mila started talking between bites. "I'm an only child. I was born in New York, my parents died in a car crash when I was 5." Even though Henry knew that, it sounded so much more real when he heard it coming from her. He covered her hand with his on the wall between them. "That was a long time ago, I learned how to live with it. My aunt Rose and her husband raised me, I have two unbearable idiot twin cousins and I adore them and my mom's father is the reasons I'm into hospitality. He made an empire with his 10 fingers and a lot of hard work and effort. I moved back into my parent's house when I started University and I've lived alone ever since. What else? I have a PhD, I love reading, binge watching TV shows, swimming. Anything else you want to know?"

"Wow, you have a PhD?" Henry was listening carefully, but couldn't stop eating until he finished his slice completely.

"I do, I started dragging it, I honestly thought I would never finish it, but then the thing with you happened and it writing it helped me take my mind off you."

There wasn't any bitterness in her voice, but Henry still felt the need to apologize. "You have no idea how sorry I am."

"It's in the past now," and she honestly thought at that moment that it was. "I want to know more about you too, even though I did Google you."

"I don't know what you read, but not everything is true. I was born in Britain, Jersey. I have four brothers."

"Your poor mom." Mila glanced at his hand which was still on top of hers, it was so much larger than hers.

"We used to drive her crazy, we still do when we're together. I love playing video games, I'm a nerd. I've always wanted to become and actor, I didn't have much luck in the beginning, but look at me now."

"Yes, look at you now, and still so modest about it." Mila withdrew her hand and swung her leg to the other side of the wall before getting up. "Wait here, I'll be right back."

Henry put both of his feet on the ground and followed her with his eyes until she got lost in the crowd, he was really enjoying her company, he felt like he could listen to her talk for days. She's been gone for less than a minute and he already missed seeing her in front of him. She was so cute and beautiful and hot and smart and she was humane. For Christ's sake, she donated her bone marrow. Unbelievable, she is unbelievable. Mila finally came back after about five minutes which seemed like hours to Henry.

"Here you are," Mila handed him another piece of pizza and then set next to him, holding two of ice cream in one hand. "You are twice my size, I bet you're still hungry. And I bought us pistachio ice cream."

"Thank you." She was right, one piece was definitely not enough. She started nibbling on her ice cream before he finished.

Mila occasionally glanced at him, trying not to be too obvious, but every glance of hers was caught because he kept staring at her. When he was done, she handed him his cone. "Here you are."

Henry noticed a little bit of ice cream on Mila's upper lip. "You have a little..." He pointed to his lips, but before she could react, he swiped it with his thumb and brought it to his lips so he could lick it off.

A pool of heat formed in Mila's stomach and without thinking, she pressed the tip of her ice cream on the corner of his lips. "You have some ice cream on your face."

"Oh, really?" Henry grinned at Mila.

She leaned in, pressed her lips to the corner of his and licked it clean. Both pairs of eyes remained open, both of them caught by surprise by Mila's action. Mila slowly pulled away and Henry looked at his cone before pressing it to the center of her lips. "Oops." Henry cupped her cheek and pressed his lips to hers, he's been imagining it for weeks, but this was so much better. He applied gentle pressure, barely moving his lips at first. Every inch of Mila's skin got covered in goosebumps. Her hand landed on his thigh and she parted her lips slightly, loving the feeling of his darting tongue on them. Henry pushed his tongue deeper and and she welcomed it, parting her lips wider. Her hand squeezed his thigh as she grew bolder and her tongue started exploring his mouth, touching the roof of it. Henry moved his hand to the back of her head, tangling fingers in her hair, her hand also found a new stop, his hip. His tongue retreated a few times only to plunge back in her mouth, licking hers over and over again and warm feeling spread though his whole body.

Mila's breath was starting to get ridged and she was becoming light headed, but she was pulled back to Earth when Henry's ice cream dripped on her knee. She moved her hand to his cheek and pulled away, but not before pecking his lips once more. "Your ice cream is melting." She pointed at her stained knee before she swiped it, but Henry prevented her from licking it off herself by grabbing her wrist, bringing her hand to his lips, licking her finger, before sucking it and swirling his tongue around it, not taking his eyes of hers. Mila contained a moan, but it took her a lot strength to do so, as she imagined what it would be like for him to suck on other parts of her body.

"There, you are all clean now." He kissed the root of her palm before letting go. He noticed her pupils dilated and knew that she was feeling the exact same thing as he did at that moment and he didn't know how he managed to contain himself from taking her on that little wall then and there. "Let's go," he offered his hand and Mila took it. He led her through the crowd, not letting go of her hand until they were in front of the stage. He took the last bite of his ice cream and moved behind Mila, one hand crawled from one shoulder to another, across her chest, while he rested his other one below her breasts, placing his chin on top of her head. Music rhythm took over him and he started moving with it and Mila started swaying too, grabbing his forearm with both hands, leaning back.

The more they moved together to the beat, the bolder Mila became, she started gliding her hand over his arm, to his biceps and back to her other hand which hung on his wrist. At one point, she let go of his arm and kissed his hand which held her shoulder. Henry pinched her chin between his thumb and forefinger, angling her head so he could bite her lover lip before pressing soft kisses on it. She turned around, putting her hands on his neck, pulling him down and pressing her body against his as she kissed Henry over and over again. She let go of him, putting her heels on the ground, but his lips followed hers as he hugged her tightly with one arm while cradling the back of her head with the other. Her hands crawled up to his chest, pushing him away lightly. "I almost forgot there are people around us, we need to stop."

"Whatever you say," Henry nuzzled the back of her ear. "It's my turn to take you on a date tomorrow. Can you be ready at 7 tomorrow morning?"

"Sure, but if you want me not to be cranky because I didn't get enough sleep, we should get going now." Mila linked their arms together.

"Don't be surprised if you see someone on the beach in the morning." He unlinked their arms so he could hug her shoulders, kissing her temple.

She squinted at him. "Okay." They walked over to the Vespa and she fished out the keys, unlocking the basket first.

"Before you put that on," Henry crashed their lips together, teeth clashing together, his hands lowering to her knees and then going up her thighs, lifting her dress until he almost uncovered her ass.

Mila moaned, digging her nails in his hips, pressing her lower part of the body to his, receiving a groan in response. Henry grabbed her ass, deepening their kiss. "Henry," he continued kissing her despite her tugging at the back of his t-shirt. "Enough, leave something for tomorrow."

He squeezed her ass once more before letting go of her, adjusting her semi hard on while she was putting her helmet and getting on the Vespa. He did the same, hugging her tightly once again.

Mila tried to focus on the road as Henry lowered his hand to her thigh, trailing fingers all the way to her pubic mound, Mila felt a knot tying just above it. "Stop it, we will crash." Henry put his arm back on her stomach, but he grabbed her breast which filled up his hand perfectly. "Behave." She pushed his hand away and he behaved indeed for the rest of the short trip. Once they arrived, Henry tried to persuade her to take of his helmet so he could have a better access to her lips, but she refused. "I will never leave if I do that."

"I don't want you to leave." He kissed her despite the obstacle the helmet represented.

"Go, I'll see you tomorrow." She ran her had through his hair.

"Fine, fine. Goodnight." He waved at her and waited for her to get back on the road and drive away until he could see her.

Both of them pleasured themselves once they got into their showers, both of them imagining each other and both of them climaxing rather quickly.

Mila got up as soon as the alarm went off at 6 o'clock. She did her morning yoga and meditation, except that for the first time in 5 years, she didn't have to block Henry's feelings, she let his excitement float through her. When she was done, she grabbed some breakfast and got ready. A few minutes before 7 o'clock, she entered a balcony, seeing a small yacht anchored on the beach and a man getting on a jet ski behind its driver. At 7 sharp, a doorbell rang and Mila ran to the gates to open them. Henry was standing in front of the gates, holding a woven picnic basket. "Good morning," she waved at him, running to the gates.

He waved back. "Great minds think alike." He pointed at her clothes, she was wearing an indigo blue shorts and a white polo shirt, while he was wearing a white short pants and an indigo blue polo shirt.

"They do, indeed." She opened the gates and rose to her feet to peck his lips once he was in. "Taking the regular path to the beach today?"

"For a change." Henry put his hand in hers. "Did you take everything you need?"

"Let me just take my phone and a towel. I figured we'd also go swimming so I already put on my swimming suit. You can head down, I'll be right with you."

Henry took the stairs to the beach and waited a few moments until she was by her side. He took off his hoes and swung them one by one with them ending on the yacht. "You might need to do the same if you don't want to get your sandals wet."

She followed his advice and then followed him up the ladders, getting wet to her knees. "So, you're gonna be the captain today?"

He assisted her with the last few steps by giving her a helping hand. He pulled up the ladder and a wooden platform. "Mhm. I need to pull up the anchor and I'm gonna need your help, so you'll be the captain for a minute." They walked to the cockpit and Henry moved back the seat before starting the engines, he liked to steer while standing. "Just move the wheel in the direction I show you, okay?"

"I guess." Henry walked to the deck, checking the anchor chain, pointing to the right and Mila turned the wheel slowly and Henry started winching and he did so until the anchor was completely lifted and in place. Henry came back, taking over the wheel, moving the yacht slowly.

"I'm gonna take a look around." She walked around the yacht, it looked brand new, shiny white, with a lot of wooden details. She was grateful that if was a small one, the large robust ones didn't really seem secure to her. She soaked in the morning sun for a few minutes on the deck before going to the cockpit to Henry, who was intently staring at her while she was on the deck.

"I was getting lonely here." Henry glanced back at Mila.

"I'm sorry," she pressed her chest against his back, sneaking her hands below the ham of his shirt to his perfect abs, running over every single one of them with the tips of her fingers, feeling the gentle hair covering them. "You know, I think you would steer better if you took off your shirt."

"You think? Well, if you say so." Henry pulled his shirt over his head, throwing it to the side. Mila scratched every inch of his back gently, pressing soft kisses down his spine, making him shudder. He turned on his heel, pulling the edge of her shirt above her head as she instinctively pulled up her arms, throwing her shirt over his. "I think this is the only fair option."

"Oh, is that so? Well..." Mila pulled down her shorts, kicking it to over their shirts and their clothes started to pile up. "I'm raising the stakes."

Henry's eyebrow shot up and his lower lip immediately ended up between his teeth. Mila was so tiny and so perfect, maybe he did prefer tiny girls in the end, well, this particular tiny girl. He unbuttoned his short pants, pulling them down and sending them to join the rest of the clothes. "I would gladly continue with this game, but a beautiful cove is waiting for us." Henry got back to the steering wheel and Mila ducked under his arms facing him, she hugged him once again, resting her head against his chest. Henry kept one hand on the wheel, while he tugged her ponytail so she would look up, allowing him to trap her upper lip between his for a few seconds. He kissed the top of her head, gliding his hand over the smooth skin of her back. The exchange of soft kisses and caresses lasted until Henry announced that they arrived.

Henry went to the deck to anchor the yacht, leaving Mila at the wheel again. He lowered and secured the anchor before coming back. "Is everything okay?"

"Peachy." He shut off the engines and suddenly picked up Mila, catching her by surprise, her legs wrapped around his waist and arms wrapped around his shoulders. "Do you know how you make me feel?" He nuzzled his nose in her breasts.

"I kind of have an idea." She smoothed back his hair.

"Let's go for a swim." He let go of her and walked to the back, lowering the platform and the ladder.

Mila admired the beauty of the cove, a really narrow passage lead to it and it was surrounded by steep cliffs. "How did you find this place?"

"I asked the locals in the hotel." He picked her up again, but this time bridal style.

She squealed at the surprised contact. "What are you doing?"

"Well, we are going for a swim." He moved to the deck.

"There is a perfectly fine ladder just there. We can't jump, the water is freezing, I'm sure." Mila clutched his shoulders, trying to squirm out.

"Yes, we can." He stepped over a fence, jumping with her in his arms. He let go of her once they touched the water surface and he emerged first.

Water splashed over Henry's face as soon as Mila emerged. "I told you it was cold, you gufus."

"Race you to the passage." Henry started swimming, not waiting for them to start at the same time.

Mila was was half way there when Henry reached the goal. "That's not fair! We didn't start at the same time," Mila screamed at him as she continued to swim to him.

"Because that would make much of a difference." Henry dunked himself under water a couple of times while he was waiting for her to arrive. "You are so slow."

"Oh, shut up." Mila continued swimming through the passage. "Wow, this is just wow."

"And it echoes. Listen to this. Mila..." Her name echoed a few times. "...Is...The...Most...Gorgeous...Woman...On...The...Planet."

Mila swam to him, kissing the tip of his nose. "Let me try. Henry...Is...A...Cheater...Who...Doesn't...Play...Fair..."

Henry pulled her to him, biting her cheek before kissing it. "I'm so happy," he whispered in her ear.

"I'm glad you found your way to me," she whispered back. Their lips connected, molding perfectly together as Henry kept them both above the water. They swam around the cove for a while, splashing each other, kissing and hugging each other. "Henry, I don't think I have anymore strength."

"Okay, let's go." Henry led the way, but he adjusted his speed to hers, making sure she was always next to him.

When they reached the ladder, Henry grabbed them, getting ready to climb first, but Mila stopped him, holding his other hand, while she also grabbed the ladder with the other one. She started kissing his throat, with her tongue darting over every place her lips touched. He wrapped his arm around her waist and she wrapped her legs around him, pushing herself against him, feeling him getting harder by her every move.

Mila submerged her hand under water, tugging on the waistband of his swimming shorts. "Mila," he sunk his teeth in her shoulder.

"Shall I stop?" Mila pulled away her hand, but he caught it, putting it on her stomach.

"No, God, no." He grabbed the platform with both of his hands, towering over Mila, keeping himself above the water with the pure strength of his arms.

Mila hooked a finger under the waistband, not taking her eyes off Henry, she flattened her hand on his abdomen, moving it south until she was at the root of his penis, circling it with her forefinger and thumb. She bit her lip. "Thicker than I imagined you would be."

Henry smirked, but his smirk was gone when she went up his shaft, the rest of her fingers joining too, swirling around the tip. "Fuck." Mila sped up her movements, occasionally massaging his balls. Henry's forehead fell on hers, nose against nose, eyes still not breaking eye contact. His lower lip started trembling, his breath became uneven and the speed of his chest rising and falling changed. He shut his eyes as he twitched in Mila's hand a few times before shooting up jets of sperm which mixed with salty water.

Mila kissed him as his eyes were still shut and he became softer in her hand, causing her to retreat her hand from his shorts. "I'm going out." Henry still hanging onto the platform made Mila swim around him to reach the ladder. Just when she climb it, he was behind her in two steps.

"It's my turn to have fun now." He pressed himself against her back, lips on her neck, hands on her breasts. Mila pushed her ass against him, as the region between her legs started to tingle. Her breasts lost the grip of his hands as one of them covered her belly button and the other one sneaked inside the bottom of her bikini, the root of his palm putting pressure on her clit and his middle finger circling around her entrance. Mila inhaled sharply and her knees grew weak. "I already know I'm going to get addicted to your pleasure." He bit her earlobe, while pushing just the tip of his finger inside her. "Get on your back."

She covered his hand with hers, urging him to go deeper. "Here?"

"Mhm." Henry lowered himself to his knees, getting his hand out of her panties.

Mila did what he asked her to, sitting on the platform before lowering her back too. Henry watched her every move, adjusting his dick as he started to get hard again. Mila waited for him to make a move, but he didn't and she couldn't wait any longer to have something inside her, so started rubbing herself over her swimsuit before entering a digit inside her as Henry licked his lips watching her do it.

"Not today, darling, but I'd sure love to watch your show some other day." He pulled her knees apart and Mila got her hand out of the bikini bottom, Henry grabbed her hand, licking her middle finger that was inside her just a few seconds ago. "Delicious." He kissed the inner parts of her knees and rubbed his beard on both of her inner thighs, causing her to put her legs together. "Spread them, honey." He moved to her lips, covering her whole body while settling between her legs. His tongue penetrated her mouth and she kept letting soft moans as hers fought for dominance inside her mouth. He squeezed his arm between them, suddenly pushing two fingers inside her, causing her soft moans to become loud cries. He left her mouth to kiss her collarbone, while simultaneously moving his fingers in and out of her. He left her empty suddenly, pulling her swimsuit bottom down. "Lift your ass, these have to go." She followed his command and she was butt naked in front of him in a second. He bit her inner thigh before engulfing her labia in his mouth, applying pressure with his tongue on her clit, licking it and flicking it over and over again, preventing her from moving by pressing his forearm over her abdomen.

Mila felt her orgasm building up and her hand flew to his hair, he put two fingers back inside her, curling them up. Her head fell back as her heart rate jumped and her breath shortened. Feeling her whole body tensing, Henry moved up, kissing her fiercely, mixing the taste of her core with the taste of her lips. He added the third finger inside her, applying pressure on her clit with his thumb until she couldn't follow the rhythm of his kiss and her body spasmed , waves of pleasure washing over her, her legs jerking and her nails digging in his back. "Oh, God, Henry. Oh, my God. This was amazing." As she slowly got down from her high, she cupped his cheeks, kissing his whole face.

"It was, you are amazing, you smell amazing, you taste amazing, you clenching around my fingers feels amazing." He withdrew his fingers from her, rolling on his back, pulling her with him, letting her rest on top of him, running his fingers up and down her back. Henry was rock hard again and wanted to bury himself in her, he wanted to slam with full force, but he had planned that for tonight.

Mila felt his hardness on her stomach, only thin material separating it from her skin. "It seems that we are not done here yet," she started circling the lower part of body on him. "Did you bring protection?" Mila wanted to feel him inside, not his fingers, nor tongue, his dick, but she never did sex without protection and Henry wasn't an exception.

"Oh, how I wish I did." Brilliant thinking, Cavill. "I didn't really plan on this happening here. Not that I'm not enjoying it immensely."

"Well..." Mila set up on him, feeling his hardness below her, her shins resting on the platform on both sides of Henry. "We'll have to do it like this." She arched her back, grinding on him slowly, her still swollen labia enjoyed the friction against the fabric. Henry reached his arm to her breasts, pulling one side of her white swimsuit top down, exposing one of her breasts so he could twist and pinch her nipple.

Henry reached her lips, sticking two of his fingers inside her mouth, she sucked them and her tongue circled around them and Henry's hand moved to her hip, digging his fingers in her flash in a bruising manner, pressing her harder against him as she sped up, grinding for her own pleasure until her stomach clenched and she fell on his chest again. She stayed like that for a minute before placing kisses over his chest and down his stomach. She pulled down his shorts enough to take him out of them, she pumped him, loving the weight of his dick in her palm. Her lips placed kisses from the root to the tip before swallowing all of him, his tip hitting the back of her throat. "Jesus, Mila, you are my goddess." He grabbed her ponytail and she looked up, locking eyes with him. He started thrusting up slowly as she sucked him off. His dick started throbbing and Mila prepared herself for the semen he unloaded in her mouth. She sucked him dry, until there wasn't a drop left, she pulled her lips to the tip, letting go of it with a pop.

Mila got up to look for the bottom of her swimsuit and she put it on once she found it, adjusting her top to cover both of her breasts. Henry tucked himself in his shorts, but remained on the floor, unable to move. "I think I could get used to this." Mila stood above Henry, looking at his gorgeous blue eyes with a brown freckle, they had a special gleam in the sun.

"You better." He tapped a place next to him and Mila joined him on the floor again, using his biceps as a pillow.

"You are so unbelievably handsome," Mila kissed his jawline and scratched his beard.

He turned to his side, facing her, careful not to move his arm on which she was resting her head. He put his hand on her cheek, moving his thumb over the tips of her eyelashes. "I feel like I could conquer the whole world now. You are the piece that was missing all along."

"Well, you made your missing piece hungry. What can you offer me?" She lifted her head so she could rub her cheek against her beard.

"Some hotel sandwiches, strawberries and champagne. Will that satisfy your hunger?" He put his heavy leg over her thighs.

"That sounds great, big guy." She winked at him.

#henry cavill #henry cavill/oc #soulmates au

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architectnews · 4 years ago

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Five architecture and design events this January from Dezeen Events Guide

A virtual version of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) plus remote site visits with SO-IL and David Adjaye as part of The World Around summit are among the events listed in Dezeen Events Guide taking place in January.

Above: A representative of Virgin Hyperloop will discuss autonomous transportation at CES 2021. Top image: The World Around summit will see Ryue Nishizawa present his House in Los Vilos. Image is by Cristobal Palma

Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 11 to 14 January

The world's most influential technology fair is taking place entirely in the digital realm this year, opening up its programme of product showcases and more than 80 panel talks and keynotes to a global audience.

Highlights include a reflection on the first year of 5G with American telco giant AT&T, Virgin Hyperloop's take on the future of autonomous transportation and a discussion about privacy and trust with representatives of Amazon, Google and Twitter.

This regularly scheduled programming is accompanied by a host of sessions about the ongoing pandemic, including a discussion with British pop star Dua Lipa about how immersive, digital experiences are allowing her to stay connected to her fans while music venues are closed.

In/Visible Talks 14 January

In/Visible Talks is a design conference all about the creative process, which means that after a day's worth of talks and discussions the event will culminate in practical workshops about everything from blind contour drawing to the design of exhibition layouts.

For its fourth-ever and first virtual edition, the event is focusing on how design can be a medium for societal change by exploring what true diversity in the industry would mean, how graphic design can facilitate better representation and the best ways for creatives to collaborate with nonprofits.

DesignTO 22 to 31 January

Canada's largest annual design festival will spotlight the work of more than 800 local artists and makers, including a showcase of furniture made from native timber and an archive of modernist Canadian graphic design.

For its 11th edition, DesignTO is going "distanced and digital", with window displays allowing those in Toronto to experience the event safely and in-person while a virtual programme will ensure that everyone else doesn't have to miss out.

Oslo Design Fair 27 to 29 January

Set inside the Norges Varemesse congress centre in Lillestrøm, the Oslo Design Fair has expanded beyond the standard categories of furniture, lighting and interiors.

Under one roof and across four different exhibitions halls, it will bring together everything from Norwegian jewellery and fashion designers to gardening brands, illustrators, candlemakers and other craftsmen.

David Adjaye will give a remote tour of his Winter Park Public Library complex in Florida

The World Around 30 January

Now in its second year, The World Around forum has recruited some of the most innovative architects working today to discuss their latest projects via on-site presentations and guided tours.

These are set to be broadcast on Dezeen from 14 international cities and will include Ryue Nishizawa presenting his House in Los Vilos, SO-IL showcasing recent work in Shanghai and New York and David Adjaye giving a remote tour of his Winter Park Public Library complex, which is under construction in Florida.

Other speakers will include Francis Kéré and Counterspace founder Sumayya Vally, while Liam Young will present his latest short film in collaboration with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).

The World Around aims to explore how architecture can tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time, from indigenous rights and racial justice to the environment. Earlier this year, the organisation held a symposium to mark Earth Day at Dezeen's Virtual Design Festival, featuring talks, interviews and short films from the vanguard of ecological design.

About Dezeen Events Guide

Dezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year.

The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks, as well as up-to-date information about what events have been cancelled or postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Inclusion in the guide is free for basic listings, with events selected at Dezeen's discretion. Organisers can get enhanced or premium listings for their events, including images, additional text and links, by paying a modest fee.

In addition, events can ensure inclusion by partnering with Dezeen. For more details on inclusion in Dezeen Events Guide and media partnerships with Dezeen, email [email protected].

The post Five architecture and design events this January from Dezeen Events Guide appeared first on Dezeen.

#Architecture – Dezeen

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carryonsimoncarryonbaz · 5 years ago

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Ok. So I did something. I completed this fic last month but there were some scenes that I couldn’t stop thinking about, that I’d outlined but had not completely written out. So I ended up writing them out as one shots, just to get them out of my brain. I had such a good time being back in this AU I decided to go ahead and post this to share it with you. So here’s the “deleted scene” of Baz convincing Simon to move into his flat. My thanks to all of you who have been so supportive and encouraging about this fic!

Chapter 17

Baz

I pick up Simon directly from the care home.

He’s pleasantly disheveled. Shirt untucked. Bronze curls drooping over his forehead. A bright spot of paint on his cheek that I can imagine licking off.

Fuck. Where did that thought come from?

Simon slides into the passenger seat and his bright grin brings a flare of heat to my chest. He’s the sun and I can’t keep myself from crashing into him.

I’m leaning towards him before I even think it through and he meets me halfway over the center console, lips sliding against my own, his breath sighing against my skin.

Fingertips trail heat along my jaw as he pulls back and that stray spot of paint folds into one of his dimples as he smiles at me. “Where are we going? You didn’t say.”

“Thought we’d head to your place. Let you get changed.”

“Being mysterious, are we?”

I arch a brow. “Wouldn’t you like to know my nefarious plans for you, Snow?”

Simon shoves my arm. “Shut up, you barmy git. It’s only nefarious if you don’t plan on taking me out to eat. I’m starved.”

“You’re always starved, Simon.” I regret the words the minute they come out of my mouth. Because they’re true. They always have been true, but I know the background far better now than I did at Watford.

I know why he was always so painfully thin at the start of term. Why he’d be the first in the dining hall and the last to leave. Why it took weeks for him to fill out again, to lose the gauntness that haunted him in the early days of autumn.

Fucking care homes.

The touch of his hand on my forearm brings me back to the present. “You’re right, I am.” His fingers squeeze through the fabric of my coat. “Stop thinking so hard, Baz.” Simon pats his stomach with his other hand and laughs. “I’ve gained enough weight these past few weeks I should probably back off the snacks a bit. I’ll not fit in my clothes and I can’t be wearing trackies to work all the time.”

I let out the breath I’ve been holding. It comes so effortlessly to him, setting others at ease. Setting me at ease

We drive in silence, Simon’s hand still resting lightly on my forearm. I shift gears and navigate through the busy traffic to get to his flat.

I’ve spent the afternoon at my place. I tidied up the spare room, made it look more like a bedroom and less like an office. The desk is clean. The bed is made. The wardrobe has ample space and the contents of the chest of drawers have been parceled out to other locations.

There are two large, empty suitcases stashed away in the boot of my car. The backseat of the Jag should accommodate the rest of his meagre belongings.

I’ve not been sleeping well since we’ve come back. The time change is the likeliest culprit but my looming departure isn’t helping matters any.

Neither is Simon’s living situation.

I’d spent half the night pacing in my room, formulating this plan and rehearsing the words to convince him to agree to it. I still don’t know if he will. If Simon Snow is anything, it’s stubborn.

I miraculously find a parking spot near his building again. That in itself says more about the dodginess of this neighbourhood than the boarded-up buildings or piles of rubbish by the bins.

Simon’s already on his way to the front door when he realizes I’m not following. I’ve flipped the boot open and I’m hauling out the two large cases I retrieved from storage earlier today.

“What’re you doing? Moving in?” He looks amused but puzzled.

Here we go.

“Moving you out.”

“What?”

“I’m moving you out of here.”

“You most certainly are not.”

“Can we discuss this upstairs please, Simon? Preferably while we pack?”

“You can’t be serious, Baz.”

I slam the boot of the car shut and extend the handles of the suitcases, bumping them along the cracked sidewalk past him. He trails after me, hands in his coat pockets and that mutinous expression I know so well on his face.

He unlocks the front door and stomps up the steps, leaving me alone to navigate the cramped staircase with the two unwieldy bags thumping and knocking along behind me.

I’m panting by the time I reach his floor, sweat rolling off my forehead. And the bags are empty at the moment, not as heavy as they’ll surely be once they’re filled with his belongings.

If they’re filled with his belongings, my brain reminds me. He’s not agreed to anything yet.

I drag myself in and set the cases aside. Simon shuts the door behind me and then leans against it, arms crossed, brow creased. He looks at me expectantly. “Care to clarify this for me?”

I close my eyes. My well-thought-out midnight speeches have abandoned me. All that comes out is “I think you should stay at my place.”

“Why on earth would I do that?” He looks genuinely perplexed.

“Because you can’t stay here.”

“I jolly well can stay here. I’ve lived here for six months, Baz. It’s fine.”

“It most certainly is not fine. I can’t stand the thought of you living here, Simon.” His expression darkens and I know I need to choose my words wisely. Now is not the time to use the word ‘squalid’ even if it is the most appropriate one to come to mind. I shove my hands in my pockets so he can’t see me clench my fists. I need to try a different approach.

“My flat is empty. There’s no one there.”

“I can’t stay at your flat, Baz!”

“And why not?

Simon splutters and blusters. “I just . . . I can’t do that.” His face flushes. “I’ve got a lease here. I can’t afford to leave this place.”

“It’s not about the money.”

Error, my brain shouts at me. Way to fuck it up, Basilton.

Simon pushes off the wall, eyes flashing. “It most certainly is about the money.” His eyes narrow. “I know this might be hard for you to understand, considering your background and all, but I’ve got finite resources. A limited budget. This fits my needs and I can’t just go buggering off to live in Chelsea on a fucking whim, Baz. I can’t do that.” Simon’s chin juts out and he looks away, his voice dropping. “I can’t afford that.”

“I don’t expect you to have to afford it. I told you—it’s sitting empty.”

He’s drawing himself up now, as tall and straight as he can, fists clenched at his sides. His chin juts out even more, and fuck it all, I know this expression. Why is he being so bloody stubborn?

“I’m not taking charity from you, Baz. I’ll not do that.” That’s why he’s being so fucking stubborn. I predicted this, I thought this out last night and I’ve made a bollocks of the whole proceeding.

My shoulders slump. “Please, Simon. Just do it for me. If I have to be away, at least this way I’d know you were somewhere safe.”

The fire goes out of his eyes but he’s still taut and rigid in his stance.

I keep going. “You’d be doing me a favour, looking after my place.”

The skeptical look is back. “Didn’t you tell me Fiona takes care of your place?”

I curl my lip. “Poorly. You’ve met her. How good an idea do you think it is, having her be responsible?”

He shakes his head. “You’re just saying that. You wouldn’t have let her do it in the first place, if you didn’t trust her.”

He’s right and it’s bloody irritating.

This day is getting away from me and I never intended to spend it arguing with Simon. My plans had focused more on snogging than snark.

Desperation is creeping in. “I’ll tell Bunce where you live.”

He scoffs. “She already knows.”

“Has she visited you here?”

Silence.

“Has she?”

“No.”

“I’ll send her photos of the rats and the rubbish bins, shall I?”

“You wouldn’t.”

I tap a finger to my lip. “To be honest, a Google street view would likely suffice. She’ll terrify someone into flying her over to move you out of here.”

“You don’t even know how to get in touch with her, Baz. Stop bluffing.”

“All it would take is a call to Watford to request her contact information. The alumni department is quite accommodating.”

“You bloody arsehole.” His fists are tightly clenched and his face is red. I can practically feel the heat radiating off Simon from here. “Why are you doing this?”

I step across the space between us and put my hands over his fisted ones. I lower my head, just a breath between our faces now. I rub his knuckles with my thumb and then gently rest my forehead against his. “Please.” It’s just a whisper. “I’ll never survive in New York if I know you’re in this manky flat all alone.” My hands slide up his arms, to his shoulders, to his face, cupping his cheeks as I gaze into the intense blue of his eyes. “Please, Simon.”

I can feel the tension in him, the tautness of his shoulders, his posture rigid. I don’t know how to break through that. I stroke his cheekbone with my thumb and tilt my head down. “Please.” I whisper that word as I bring my mouth to his, slide my lips along the chapped contours of his own, sink into the warmth of his touch, his tongue, his taste.

Simon’s arms slip around me, pulling me closer, tracing their way up my back. His mouth moves on mine, his breath catching, my fingers tangling in his hair.

He pulls back a moment later to breathe words into the space between us. “Why do you have to be so fucking persuasive, you twat?”

I bury my face in his hair, breathe in the scent of him, closing my eyes so he can’t see the depth of emotion in me. The glimmer of hope that he’s actually going to let me do this.

But, being Simon, he can’t help arguing the point. I should have known.

“I don’t want to mess up your flat, Baz.”

“You’re not going to mess up my flat.”

“You like things neat. You know I’m a disaster.”

“Ah, but now you’re my disaster, aren’t you, Simon?” His lips find mine again and my day is finally on track, as far as the snogging is concerned.

It unfortunately can’t last, as we have a flat to pack up.

Simon keeps bickering with me, even as I fold his clothes into neat piles and he sorts through the detritus on his desk and nightstand.

“You should at least let me pay you rent.”

“Why would I have you pay me rent? The whole point is having a place you can afford, that’s safe and sanitary.”

“I do clean, you know.”

I groan. “I know you do. How about we compromise on tastefully decorated and not in a dodgy neighbourhood? Is that better?”

Simon just grunts in response, but he starts placing his clothes in the empty suitcases so I know I’ve won this round.

“I’ll call Father’s solicitor Monday. It shouldn’t be problem to get you out of this lease.”

“I can’t afford a solicitor, Baz.”

“It’s just Percy. He’s Father’s cousin. He doesn’t charge for family business.”

“This isn’t family business!”

I glare at him. “If you’re moving into my flat, to house-sit for me while I’m in America, it damn well is family business.”

“You’re infuriating.”

“And you’re exasperating, Simon, not to mention exceedingly stubborn. Now come on, we’ve not got all night and I seem to remember you whinging about needing to eat.”

His stomach audibly rumbles at my words. I can’t help but laugh.

Simon shakes his head, face flushing, but he doesn’t fuss at me this time. He picks up another heap of t-shirts and tosses them into the open suitcase.

Good.

It doesn’t take us long to sort his belongings. Simon really doesn’t have much. There are a few rickety cast-offs from when he lived with Bunce. I offer to put the items in storage for him but he scoffs at the suggestion. The rest of the furniture came with the flat.

We trundle down the stairs, the suitcases banging and bumping along behind us. I get them loaded in the car and then we go up to fill some boxes—books and personal items, shampoos and soaps and such.

I take a last look around his bedroom. It’s bare and stark, all the colourful items that made it Simon’s stowed away. All that’s left is a cracked mug on the nightstand and a thick candle set by it.

Simon comes in to do one last sweep of the wardrobe and chest of drawers. His finger reaches out to touch the candle. It’s half burned down, not really worth the effort to bring it along, but he picks it up and gently wraps it and the stand it was sitting on in a bit of newspaper, before carefully tucking it in the last box.

Odd.

He shuts the door behind us and exhales. His eyes find mine. “You’re sure about this, Baz? You’re not just doing this to be kind? I mean, I know you’re doing it to be kind, but . . . you know what I mean?” He’s headed for a bluster again.

I raise my eyebrows and smirk. “Now when have I ever been known to show any signs of kindness, Simon? I’m desperately in need of a reliable house-sitter. No kindness to it at all. You’re the one doing me a favour.”

“You are such a terrible liar.” Simon knocks his shoulder into mine. “You’re going to let me pay for the utilities or the deal is off.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. But for the love of God, don’t keep the thermostat down to save money.”

“Why not? I can always just throw another jumper or hoodie on, if it gets cold.”

“You’re truly impossible.��

“You like me anyway.”

“That I do, Simon. That I do.”

I feel as if I’m leaving a weight behind me as we pull away from the kerb and Simon’s old neighbourhood fades away in the dimming light.

“So do you want to go out to eat or should we just get kebabs from the corner shop?”

“Kebabs sound brilliant. I’m famished.”

Of course he is.

Simon’s hand finds mine where it sits on the gear shift. His warm fingers rest against the back of my hand and it feels like something clicks into place.

It’s going to be an awful wrench leaving him behind.

I’ll likely be up all night thinking of ways to let myself stay, even though I know that’s wildly unrealistic. I’ll be on that flight two days from now, whether I want to be or not.

And he’ll be here.

Surrounded by my things. And somehow that brings me a spot of comfort.

Simon

I don’t know why I let him convince me. I know it’s not like I’ll be living with him but it feels more intimate than simply house-sitting.

I can’t say my heart didn’t leap when he suggested it. That the thought of moving into a place imbued with Baz didn’t hold a significant appeal.

That it would be the closest thing to being with him, when he was so far away.

But I don’t hold with charity. I’ve made my own way since I was a kid. I don’t need handouts from anyone, particularly not Baz.

Not because he’s posh or well-off or any of that. That’s part of it. But mostly because I’m strict about doing things on my own.

We’re embarking on something here and I don’t want that clouded with obligation or debt. Or a sense of duty.

One thing I can say about Baz—he’s impossible to argue with when he has his mind set on something. We wrangled about it for long enough at my flat. And he’s right. I don’t really have a good reason other than I don’t want to feel indebted and I don’t want this to make things weird with us.

Or with his family. He called Fiona from the bloody car, to tell her I’d be moving in and she wouldn’t have to come round and check on the flat for him anymore.

He had her on speaker which was excruciating.

“I’ll not have to come around? Are you daft, Baz? Who’s going to check on Snow?”

“I don’t need checking on,” I whisper-hiss at Baz.

“Shut up, Snow. I can hear you. Of course you need checking on, you absolute numpty. You’ll never figure out Baz’s coffee machine without me.”

“Don’t drink coffee,” I mutter.

“You will once you try this machine. Does the whole frothy cappuccino thing, it does.”

Baz interrupts her. “Fiona, would you stop nattering on about the coffeemaker, for Christ’s sake. I’m telling you Simon is going to be house-sitting. I’ll leave your number with him, in case he needs anything or something goes balls up at the flat. But other than that, you are off the hook. Freed of responsibility for the place.”

“No loud parties or orgies, Snow. The neighbours are all stodgy old blue-hairs. Leave it to Baz to move to Chelsea and find the most geriatric and bland living establishment in the whole place.”

“Shut up, you hag. Not all of us are pretentious enough to think we’re hip and trendy just by virtue of living in Notting Hill.”

“I swear I don’t know how you turned out to be such a boring twat, Baz. All my effort come to naught.” She grumbles inaudibly for a moment and then resumes. “Call me when you get back home tonight, you besotted knob-head. Ta ta, Snow. I’ll see you around. Don’t run out of coffee. You never know when I’ll show up. That’s a warning and a promise.”

“Fiona. I swear by all that’s holy . . .” Baz starts but she’s already rung off. He turns to me. “Don’t worry about her. She’ll be traveling for work half the time or out at the clubs with her chavvy boyfriend and his mates. She won’t bother you.”

“You’re sure?” I think Fiona may be the most daunting thing about this move into Baz’s place.

“I’m sure. She barely went around when it was her job, she’ll be damned unlikely to do it if she knows someone’s doing the work for her. Trust me. She’ll be glad to be relieved of any latent responsibility.”

I hope he’s right.

Baz

It’s an odd paradox, having Simon in my flat, seeing his clothes hanging in the wardrobe, his shoes by the door, his toiletry bag on the bathroom counter. The feeling of having him around is so familiar, even if the surroundings have changed.

It may not be our old room at Watford but somehow, he fits here just the same.

#carry on #travel AU #can't find my way home #simon snow #baz pitch #my writing

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tlatollotl · 6 years ago

Link

Archaeologists with the University of Cincinnati used the latest technology to find evidence suggesting ancient Maya people grew surplus crops to support an active trade with neighbors up and down the Yucatan Peninsula.

They will present their findings at the annual American Association of Geographers conference in Washington, D.C.

The Mayan civilization stretched across portions of Mesoamerica, a region spanning Mexico and Central America. The oldest evidence of Maya civilization dates back to 1800 B.C., but most cities flourished between 250 and 900 A.D. By the time Spanish ships arrived in the 1500s, some of the biggest cities were deserted. Researchers at UC are trying to piece together the life history of the Maya before the Spanish conquest.

Nicholas Dunning, a professor of geography in UC's McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, was part of a research team that found evidence of cultivation along irregular-shaped fields in Mexico that followed the paths of canals and natural water channels at a place called Laguna de Terminos on the Gulf of Mexico. The archaeologists expect to find evidence of habitation when they begin excavations.

The extensive croplands suggest the ancient Maya could grow surplus crops, especially the cotton responsible for the renowned textiles that were traded throughout Mesoamerica.

"It was a much more complex market economy than the Maya are often given credit for," Dunning said.

Local workers brought the Laguna de Terminos site to the attention of researchers about seven years ago.

"A forester working in the area said there seemed to be a network of ancient fields," Dunning said. "I looked on Google Earth and was like, 'Whoa!' It was an area in the Maya Lowlands that I'd never paid any attention to. And obviously not a lot of other people had, either, from the perspective of looking at ancient agriculture."

Satellite images revealed a patchwork quilt of blocks along drainage ditches that suggested they were built. Archaeologist also studied imagery NASA created of the region using a tool called Light Detection and Ranging, or LIDAR, that can depict the contours of the ground beneath the leafy canopy of trees and vegetation. Their review confirmed Dunning's suspicions: the area was covered in ancient farm fields.

University of Cincinnati student Jeff Brewer stands above UC geography professor Nicholas Dunning at an archaeological site in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Credit: Nicholas Dunning/UC

"It appears they developed fairly simply from modifications of existing drainage along the eastern edge of the wetlands," Dunning said. "They probably deepened and straightened some channels or connected them in places, but then further expanded the fields with more sophisticated hydro-engineering."

LIDAR gives scientists a never-before-seen picture of the Earth's surface even after centuries of unchecked jungle growth conceals the remains of ancient structures. Researchers look for telltale signs of human activity: squares and rectangles indicating old foundations and circular pits from man-made reservoirs and quarries where the chert used in stone tools was mined. On the LIDAR maps, any hidden structures pop out, including ancient roads and former villages.

"That's the magic of LIDAR," UC assistant research professor Christopher Carr said.??Carr spent a career practicing engineering before returning to UC to study and eventually teach in the geography department. He approaches questions about the ancient Maya from an engineer's perspective.

Carr pointed to a map of Yaxnohcah, Mexico, showing a small reservoir the ancient Maya apparently dug in a wetland far from cultivated fields or known settlements.

"What were my ancient counterparts thinking when they built that water reservoir? What did they want to accomplish?" he asked.

Carr also used the LIDAR imagery in the project to follow an ancient Maya road that perhaps hasn't been traveled in more than 1,000 years. The road is perfectly visible on the LIDAR map but is virtually impossible to discern when you are standing right on it, Carr said.

"There's vegetation everywhere. But when you've been doing this for a while, you notice little things," Carr said. "I'll have a LIDAR image on my smartphone that shows me where I am, but I don't see anything but rainforest. You just walk back and forth until you can feel something underfoot and follow it."

Identifying possible roads is important for another interest of the UC researchers: ancient Maya marketplaces. Dunning and Carr are working at Yaxnohcah with researchers such as Kathryn Reese-Taylor from the University of Calgary and Armando Anaya Hernandez from Universidad Autónoma de Campeche to unlock the mysteries of the ancient Maya economy. Additionally, they and graduate student Thomas Ruhl have been analyzing NASA's LIDAR imagery across the Yucatan Peninsula to identify more ancient marketplaces.

Unlike pyramids or even many homes, marketplaces had no foundations or permanent structures, researchers said. They were built on low platforms or cleared areas, perhaps like a seasonal fair or flea market. But they were an important part of life in Maya culture

University of Cincinnati geography professor Nicholas Dunning, left, and assistant professor Christopher Carr have been studying ancient Maya sites in Mexico. Credit: Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative Services

Dunning said the presence of roads between Maya cities would lend credence to the value the ancient Maya placed on trade with their neighbors. He thinks some of the larger squares identified on the LIDAR maps represent these open markets.

"In some areas, they have this very distinct physical signature," Dunning said. "So far, we've identified several possible marketplaces. We don't know for sure that they're marketplaces, but they have an architectural layout that is suggestive of one."

Soil analysis at other locations identified evidence of ancient butcher shops and stone masons. Dunning solicited the help of UC's botanists who are conducting analyses that might shed light on his marketplace hypothesis. But the LIDAR maps themselves are instructive.

"I look at spatial patterns. If you look at these big structures and small pyramids, you can tell they're important structures," Carr said. "And then you have this 'lightweight' thing next to it. That's what a marketplace looks like to me."

Dunning said the ancient Maya likely sold perishable goods such as maize and a starchy tuber called manioc. And they traded "mantas," or bolts of the ornate and richly patterned textiles made from the cotton they grew. These were prized by the Spaniards who arrived in the 1600s.

"We don't have direct evidence of what the textiles look like in this area. But if you look at ancient paintings and sculptures, people were wearing very elaborate garments," Dunning said.

Dunning first explored the historic sites of the Yucatan Peninsula at age 14 when he and his older brother drove down to Mexico from Illinois.

"We took a train to the Yucatan and used public transportation to get around to the sites," Dunning said.

He applied to the University of Chicago partly because it offered a Mayan language class. Dunning returned to Mexico while in college to conduct his first field research. He's been back many times since.

UC student Thomas Ruhl works at an excavation of an ancient storage pit in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Credit: University of Cincinnati

"My interest in archaeology is in human-environment interactions, including agriculture," Dunning said.

Dunning is learning more about how ancient Maya people shaped their world to overcome challenges and take advantage of natural opportunities. Dunning's work also took him to a place called Acalan near the Gulf of Mexico.

"Roughly translated, Acalan means 'place of canoes' because it's very watery," Dunning said. "And getting around by water is far easier than any other means in that area."

Then as now the region is covered in thick tropical rainforest. Researchers have to be wary of cheeky monkeys that will throw fruit or worse from the treetops. Carr said one encounter left him sore for days.

"There was this aggressive spider monkey. He'd seen me a couple days earlier. And he's back shaking the trees," Carr said. "And all of a sudden, I'm lying flat on the ground. A branch hit me in the shoulder and knocked me to the ground."

Visiting archaeologists at Yaxnohcah stay at a former Army outpost that was converted into a staffed research station.

"Living conditions are actually luxurious by camping standards. You're in the field all day and you're dirty and tired. But you can take a shower. And when you're finished, someone has cooked you a meal," Carr said.

At Laguna de Terminos, UC researchers are working to collect clues about the ancient Maya before they are lost to development. Many of the wetlands are being drained or plowed up for grazing pasture.?

Dunning said ironically these low-yield pastures provide far less economic value to today's farmers than the seeming bounty of crops the ancient Maya derived from them more than 1,000 years ago. Their study warns the land-use practices are causing environmental damage to some of these valuable wetlands.

"It's a shame because the grazing isn't particularly good. The economic production from that land use is minuscule compared to what was produced by the Maya," Dunning said.

#archaeology #arqueologia #maya #mesoamerica #yucatan #mexico #art #arte #history #historia

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torunarigha · 6 years ago

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We are playing in Leverkusen next year - as of right now!

Julian Brandt und Kai Havertz are considered to be the future of German football. Here they will discuss offers from other clubs, piano lessons, and haircuts.

aka a translation of something that could have easily been just done by google translate but i wanted to give a stab at it!

Interviewer: Out of the DFB-Pokal against Heidelheim, out of the Europa league against Krasnodar on Thursday, and yet at the same time Leverkursen is the best team in the second half of the Bundesliga season. How does that happen simultaneously?

Julian Brandt (J): It’s hard to say. Being knocked out of both competitions, entirely deserved, is a bitter pill to swallow. Krasnodar was very good and we were bad that day. We didn’t try hard enough for a goal.

You can make up for it against Dortmund?

Kai Havertz (K): That’s right. We travel there with confidence after winning the last four games in the Bundesliga. That gives us momentum, even when there are easier tasks than an away game in Dortmund.

Is the season unsatisfying for Leverkusen?

K: I wouldn’t say that, seeing that were are in 5th place. Eintracht Frankfurt is rightfully hyped up and behind us, so we can’t be too bad. Of course the first half of the season was disappointing but now we have chances to finish the season off on a good note.

And then next season will be a fight for the first place?

K: Of course but we say that before every season (smiles)

J: (chuckles) Be careful! Soon, the headlines will say, “Havertz wants to be Bundesliga champions next season!”

K: Champions might be a stretch. But with our way of playing football, we can definitely achieve a lot. We will see if that is enough for first place. It depends on many factors.

J: You’re right. As a player, you want to get the most out of it and that means first place in the Bundesliga. You don’t say, “My goal is around fifth place.” For me, my goal is the top ranking although I can realistically assess how difficult that is, of course.

Can you guarantee that you will try to reach this goal next season together? (hinting at transfer)

J: As of right now, yes.

K: I agree although football is a very fast business with no guarantees. But Jule said it right: We are here now and we both have contracts so we will both play together for Bayer Leverkusen next season, as of right now.

Everything a question of money?

K: Also a question of money, of course. That is how it is in professional football and applies for clubs and players.

Now on this topic, we must ask the FC Bayern question and about the big interest they are reported to have in you.

K: There is a lot of talk about that. My focus is on Leverkusen. Everything else does not interest me right now.

And you are also in FC Bayern’s focus, Mr. Brandt.

J: The question is the same as always: where do these rumors come from? And do they come from the club itself or from other sources? Of course it is a nice recognition as a player when you are connected with big clubs. But you can’t buy anything else from that.

Do you, as young players with high potentials, need to leave Bayern Leverkusen to become a big star?

J: Everyone must decide that for themselves. For me it is clear, that Leverkusen offers the stage to become a star. Then again I also believe, with players like Arturo Vidal or André Schürrle, that you can need to choose another way.

You two are good friends. Would you tell each other about offers that exist?

J: We are very close to each other but so far, that has not been the case. It is also not the case that our agents call us daily and tell us who wants us.

K: If there was something concrete, I would tell Jule...

J: And then I would negotiate your new contract (smiles)

You’ve known each other for three years...

K: True. But I followed Jules’ path longer. When he made is debut at 17, I was 14. His path was a model for me, I wanted to get it right like he did and tried to learn from him.

J: Now I’m turning red.

What did you learn from watching him, Mr. Havertz?

J: Nonsense!

K: Of course that’s ridiculous! (grins) But Jule has already been in a World Cup, won the Confederations Cup, played in the Champions League. One can risk taking a look at someone like that. As a person and a footballer, we work well together. We function very similarly and are both very down to earth.

J: I can only affirm that.

Do you still play piano, Mr. Havertz?

K: Yes. Actually, I used to play almost every day and take lessons. Unfortunately, I do that less these days.

J: He has played on the piano for me before.

K: “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa from the movie “Furious 7″

And you played the Guitar?

J: No but I have actually tried to start learning guitar a few times. Unfortunately, I let that go a bit during the World CUp.

You should make a boyband.

K: We don’t have a singer.

J: Maybe we can persuade Wendell (teammate on Bayern Leverkusen). He is good. And Kevin Volland also plays guitar, that would be the fourth man.

What does making music mean to you?

J: It’s a great balance, good for the head. Kai plays really well. Maybe he will become the new Beethoven.

Both of you contradict the cliché of the young superficial player, that only plays Playstation.

J: We do that to, it’s fun. But not only that.

Do you order a hairdresser before going into a Hotel?

J: Those people play for Dortmund. To be honest, I can’t get upset about it at all. I don’t do it and I couldn’t care less if others did it. I always have the time to regularly go in the city to get a hair cut.

K: Yeah, there are players who get the contours of their hairstyle redone before every game. I don’t need that but anyone can do what he wants.

You are considered as carrying the hope in a dim time of German football.

J: I know the discussion but I don’t take part. I think the 1995 and 1996 years have many good players: Goretzka, Kimmich, Süle, Gnabry, Werner, Sané, Amiri, Dahoud, Weigl - all these people have shown that they can do it. After them, one must wait for further development. Kai definitely stands out, also Arne Maier and Fiete Arp. But that’s just how it is. Of course, that’s a certain amount of pressure but we are still young. The national team still has a good framework for the next years.

Let me know if I made any mistakes in this translation :)

#julian brandt #kai havertz #bravertz #germany nt #bayer leverkusen #stimmt? thats such a good word and theres not a good english translation really...#also im so shit at this i really need to work on my german #anyway hope people enjoy it!

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isleofelsi · 6 years ago

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Fantasy Fanatics! I’ve got a book for YOU!

Are you a fan of the #fantasy genre? Well, I’m currently crowdfunding my Middle Grade fantasy Grahpic Novel, Isle of Elsi on Kickstarter!

In this post, I’m going to talk about some of the fantasy elements of this book!

If you’re like me, one of your favorite parts of a good fantasy book is the MAP in the front (or the back) that shows you the world. My favorite fantasy map ever is this giant (2’ x 4’) map of Middle Earth from #LOTR that was my grandfather's, which you can see at the top of this post.

For the Isle of Elsi book, I decided to make the front and back endpapers two distinct maps. The front map shows the small town of Egalliv, where most of the action takes place. It is shown in “illustrated” perspective, and all of the various shops are indicated.

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If any of you spent any time in White River Junction, VT (home of @cartoonstudies ) this town should look VERY familiar - I based it on WRJ! I also built a 3D model of the town using Google SketchUp, which I use all the time to draw backgrounds for this comic.

The back endpaper shows the entire Isle of Elsi, with a more traditional “cartography” approach. If this looks a little sparse, that’s intentional! It only indicates locations visited and/or mentioned in the first book. Each subsequent book will fill in the map a bit more.

I created this map by taking the contours of the USA and Australia and chopping them up in Photoshop. I then pieced them back together in one landmass, with a realistic and somewhat familiar outline. More info in this free Patreon Post.

“Okay, okay, enough about the maps!” I hear you say… “What about DRAGONS?” Of COURSE my fantasy book has a dragon! :) I’m playing off the Tolkien/Smaug model, of a dragon who is very clever and enjoys riddles and appreciates wordplay, etc.

But also, THIS dragon (Nogard) trades in its pile of gold for a mountain of BOOKS! Eventually it has to get glasses, because it starts getting headaches from reading all that tiny type, which is meant for humans.

“Okay, maps… check! Dragon… check! What about a WIZARD?” Are you kidding? You think I’d have a fantasy book without a wizard? My wizard (Draziw) lives in a tree house deep in the woods above Egalliv. There he studies and makes potions, etc. You know, wizard stuff!

In one of the stories in this collection, Draziw decides he’s fed up with the traditional owl messengers that wizards always use. In another story he tries to help Nogard with its eyesight problem by enlarging an old pair of his glasses.

“Okay, maps! Dragons! Wizards!” I’m getting excited. What about trolls?” Yup! There are some mountain trolls, who, like Nogard, have bad eyesight from digging in their tunnels all day. Luckily there is an optometrist who specializes in making monster glasses!

“This book sounds pretty cool! But is it just a standalone story? It’s, what? 144 pages? I like fantasy EPICS!” While each story does have a tidy beginning-middle-end, there is DEFINITELY a larger story that I intend to explore. I don’t want to give too much away, but…

If you read the book very carefully you’ll see that this one weird symbol keeps popping up in strange places? Like over the door of the abandoned castle?

And on the destroyed bridge in the woods?

And over the entrance to the dragon’s cave?!

And it seems like Draziw the Wizard is definitely hiding something in his treehouse deep in the woods that’s protected by wolves???

ANYWAYS, if you like fantasy stories, or you know a kid who likes fantasy stories, I hope you will check out the Isle of Elsi Kickstarter, which is funding from now until Thursday, May 2nd, 9:15am MT! Also thanks for your help sharing this campaign!

#fantasy #maps #fantasy maps #lotr #dragons #wizards #sword and socery #tree house #magic #trolls #kickstarter #alec longstreth #isle of elsi #middlegrade #graphicnovel

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largemouthbassnation · 6 years ago

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Complete Guide to Topo Maps | Top 7 Structures for Bass Fishing

Hey y’all. In this video, I explain how to read topographical maps and identify 7 types of structure using Navionics and Google earth maps. Learning to read contour line maps is a necessity for all serious bass fisherman and once you master this skill, you will be able to find and catch big bass year-round! Hope you enjoy!

-Jonny

Support the channel and get 1-on-1 fishing lessons with me!

Patreon…

View On WordPress

#7 #bass #Complete #fishing #Guide #Maps #Structures #top #Topo

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peacefulwriter88 · 6 years ago

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Bad Habit - Part 5

Lance Tucker x PoC, Curvy WoC

Warnings: SMUT, Language, the usual

A/N: Mad Lance feels. I hate that when I am accosted with Lance he likes gets under my skin, literally attacks my being and cripples/ruins me for other characters. Soooooooo yea. This is a long ass part. I’d either get comfortable on your bed/couch/whatever and enjoy because the angst is but a rumble or two away.....

“That guy was totally into you.”

You look up from your IPhone, frowning as you maneuver around pedestrians before you find your stride again with your co-worker Emily, quirking your right eyebrow.

“What are you talking about?”

Emily snorts and rolls her eyes as you both stop at an intersection and she fans herself, trying to juggle the rolls of fabric she has in her hands. You were juggling three bags, a large iced mocha and your phone as she says,

“Listen, Andrew loves your designs and is always willing to give us the premium fabric because he has a thing for you. I told you this back in February – he is newly single and I know he’s been waiting for the green light to ask you out.”

You give a slow nod, taking a sip of your iced coffee as your brain racks over this new information. You were sure Emily had told you, probably multiple times, but you had been too distracted by the blossoming romance between you and Lance the past month that the idea of anyone else had become dust in the back of your mind. The light changes and you both cross the street, inching closer to the theater.

“I forgot about him.”

“How do you forget about Andrew!? He is basically hotness incarnate and he’s sweet and funny. You guys would totally match. Honestly, if he wasn’t so into you I’d go after that.”

You chuckle as you shake your head. Technically Emily was right – Andrew checked all the boxes you invested in when dating someone. But he was also incredibly boring and you typically tended to waver off into your mind when you tried to listen to him talk. While he was all the things a girl should want, he also didn’t have that air of confidence you tended to always fall for in a man, nor the wit or energy to keep up with your sassy attitude. Which you knew was a result of a certain former Olympian that had captured your heart.

Lance Tucker the Fucker.

You hadn’t really told anyone about Lance. Not because you were ashamed but because there was still this small part of you that couldn’t’ believe that he was all yours –all 195 pounds of committed perfection that he was. You knew that if you opened the door to informing them about who you were dating, they would want to know more. How’d you meet? How long you’ve been dating? What did he do? What did he look like?

Typically you were open to share that stuff with your team – you all had worked together for years. But Lance was different. Lance on a physical scale was a solid 10. Probably, honestly, a 14 out of 10. But the minute he would open that big fucking mouth of his and that snarky and cocky attitude would drip out, any physical attributes would drop his fine ass down to the single digits. You had a history of dating bro’s – shallow men who didn’t value and appreciate you. They had been there with you through all the heartbreak and humiliation. They had committed to ensuring you would stop dating men like Lance. They wouldn’t be able to see how selfish he was, how thoughtful and brilliant and intelligent and incredibly witty the former athlete could be. No, because Lance was a walking epidemic of insecurity and the first sign of being anxious or unsure would draw out that fucking attitude of his and you weren’t ready to battle your closest friends with why this time, actually, really, Lance was different. Way different than the assholes from before.

“Hello, earth to Y/N, you still there!?”

Emily’s voice refocuses you to the present and you turn to her, smiling.

“Sorry, thinking about some designs I’ve been flirting with for this upcoming set…” you turn to her and sigh. Emily was one of your closest friends since you’ve moved to New York. You both told each other everything, good or bad. She even knew Lily – you were that tight. It was one thing to not tell your co-workers; it was another not to tell her.

You hadn’t even told Lily for obvious reasons and keeping it from the two people you loved the most was taxing. Emily would be a good test for Lily who would eventually either find out or be informed.

“Listen Em,” you walk into the cool space, raising your sunglasses as you walk into the empty theater, “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Please don’t say I need to stay late tonight. Again. We’ve been pulling late nighters for weeks – I like can’t handle it.”

She’s giving you those exaggerated puppy eyes that has you laughing and rolling your eyes. She’s mocking one of your interns of course, even if you knew that a small part of her was also hoping that it wasn’t the case.

It was a tough time in the season.

“No, no, no…nothing like that.” You stop in front of the elevator and she looks at you expectantly.

“Listen, I haven’t been hitting on Andrew because I’ve been talking to a guy.”

Its only five seconds of her processing the words before she lets out,

“Wait, what!”

“I’ve been –“ she doesn’t allow you to finish the words as she holds up a finger. “No, don’t tell me. I heard you. You’ve been DATING someone. For how long?”

You turn, punching the down button on the elevator as you mumble,

“I guess like….almost three months technically.”

“Technically!” she shrieks out, getting the attention of a few passer byers and you nod as the elevator chimes and she’s pushing you in.

“Dish.”

You shrug as you take another long sip. Thank god for America and Starbucks for inventing venti size for moments like this.

“Nothing to dish. Lance is a childhood friend and we used to date then broke up in high school then recently rekindled our romance. ‘Nuf said.”

“Enough said?” Emily asks incredulously, “Did you just tell me that you have a rekindled romance with your former high school lover and you’ve been with him for three months and you haven’t told me why? Is he horrible looking?”

You snort.

“Okay, is he a horrible person.”

“I mean, he can be cocky and a little rough around the edges but he’s not horrible.”

Emily squints her eyes at you.

“Then why’d you hold out so long!?”

You sigh,

“You know me. I start dating someone and I get weird about it because I just had to test to make sure that this was real….that’s all.”

Emily nods as she leans against the elevator wall.

“That better be it. I expect full pictures and an invite to dinner sometime soon.”

“Ahh,” you note as you look at her, “He also currently lives across the country soooo….”

“Y/N!”

“What!” you laugh back as the doors open and you are accosted with Aimee your intern. Aimee, of all the interns, was the most competent. She met deadlines and was open to feedback. You liked her, even if she could be a gossip and slept with too many of the tech guys.

As she stood in front of you now, her eyes wide saucers she practically grabbed you out of the elevator as she breathed out,

“There is a literal sex god waiting for you in the workshop!”

Emily looks over at you and you scrunch your eyebrows together. Who the hell would be meeting with you, let alone what kind of hot sex god as Aimee put it would be trying to meet with you? It was Thursday, typically a slow day regarding your supplier. No need for chiefs or production assistants to visit. You frown as you walk past her, Emily and Aimee hot on your heels as you say,

“Did he tell you his name?”

“Said you would know who he was.”

You groan. Great. It was either a former ex-boyfriend who still remembered your minor job history or an ex actor who had a crush on you. Neither were ever invited to your space. Emily can feel your tension as you both turn the corner and your accosted with the scene.

Everyone is trying to act like they are working, pretending to reflect on stitch work or designs but really they were googling to what, indeed, Aimee had referred to as a sex god.

Lance was always oblivious to the impact he had on people. Men and women alike couldn’t help but be affected by his charm, his strong good looks. He was wearing dark jeans that hosted the ray bans you loved him and a simple white shirt that found every contour of his muscles with a light navy bomber jacket. He was trying to experiment not wearing his USA gear after a comment you made, trying to prove that he didn’t use it as a second layer of protection to his identity. What stands out more is the large bouquet of peonies that lazily hang in his hands as he falls back on the desk he’s leaning on and you tried to bite back the flutter that he remembered that peonies were your favorite. He’s looking down at his phone, eyes furrowed together as he responds to texts and you’re surprised he hasn’t picked up that the shops normal high nose has gone down a decimal, all interested to know who he was and how he knew you.

“You’re right,” you say, flicking your eyes to Aimee. “I do know who he is.”

The call had come in at 7 p.m. California time, while Lance was driving home from a long day at the gym. He had been looking forward to talking to you, both of you missing each other by your current hectic schedules when real estate agent had called. Apparently there was a building, in Brooklyn, that was up for lease. Prime real estate right off the subway tracks, good location for marketing and promoting, and for the US Olympic team because the owner was an avid fan of Lance’s past wins, could get the space at a price that might as well be highway robbery. If Lance wanted to look into it, he’d have to jump on a red eye and check it out in the morning, 10 a.m. Eastern Time. If Lance liked what he saw, they would go through with the deal. Most of the association had already checked it out and approved it but because Lance was the one who would be the main lead on this, they wanted his okay.

That had been humbling, that they were looking for him to be making such a big decision. So he hadn’t hesitated when he had said that he was completely down.

So he went home, quickly packed and jumped on the next flight to New York. Got in around 5 a.m., stole four hours of sleep before he was up looking at the expansive space. Didn’t matter that the Americano had him wired like a hot set of wheels, that he was verging on the line of delusional and annoyed – the minute he stepped into the large warehouse he knew that he had to have it. It was perfect. High vaulted ceilings, enough floor space to house thirty times more gymnast than the gym in L.A. a nice set of office that were private and open, a place where he could escape but also monitor competitors if he needed too. He was giddy, already thinking of the gym layout, how he wanted to get your insight on decorating the space and then halfway through laying out the terms it hits him.

He was in New York. He could see you. He could visit the boy’s real quick – probably even stay the weekend. It’d be a nice surprise for Lily. For you. For him.

So, after doing some negotiating and talking to the right people, he makes a beeline to your theater. Already making plans with Lily who confirms that for the first weekend in months, you have off and was planning to help her clean out mom’s house. How perfect it was that he could join and help. He knows on Thursday, instead of being on the main stage you were in the shared workshop where all designers collaborated for the many theaters – small and large – that were peppered off of Broadway. Knew that this was one of your slower days despite the fact that it was also when the weekend rush started. Knew he had the flexibility to drop by without you being distracted.

What he doesn’t expect is for you to take him off guard.

It was mid-May, the heat hadn’t even really consumed the city yet but you still wore high waist shorts that flattered your frame. Was wearing the frilly crop top that was exposing that smooth skin he loved to caress, the navy blue popping against your skin tone. You were wearing chucks because of course you were wearing chucks but it didn’t look out of place on you, not paired with the casual bun you had managed your hair into on top of your head.

He can feel his erection trying to make an appearance and reminds himself of all the things that can temper it – how melancholic he had felt while signing the lease to the warehouse because he knew that he couldn’t call his mom after to tell her it was finally happening, how he had absently called her six times since she landed all to be greeted with an out of service line. It’s enough to get him to clear his throat, a large smile printing itself on his face as you shake your head, that cocky smirk mirroring his. Knowing that you might be just a tad upset that he had shown up without letting you know, but that you secretly appreciated surprises because it meant that he was thinking about you.

He starts to walk over to you, ignoring the way half of the women and some men’s eyes snap at him because he’s only focused on you. Wants to claim you for his own – wants everyone at your job to know that you’ve branded yourself onto him, to his soul and that he had done the same. Feeling incredibly territorial all of sudden because he realizes that it’s the first time since the start of your relationship that he’s on your turf.

He lifts the flowers, loving the pleased way your eyes glaze over as you take them, biting your lip as you juggle them in your already full hands. Tries to be patient but suddenly drawn to you, in a trance as his fingers reach out for you. He just needed to feel you, needed to dance his hands across the skin that he’s already memorized in his mind and he doesn’t care of the audience in front of the both of you as he hands fingers find your hips as you nearly drop all of the things in your hands before he plants his mouth on top of yours.

Kissing you – he had also decided since the month you had seen him – was probably one of his new favorite past times. He could kiss you for hours, tongue combating yours for dominance, slowly and lustfully as he drank you in. The way you would occasionally moan and position yourself closer to him, hands threading through his hair as his hands explored all the curves of your body. He loved the softness of your lips, the warmth from your skin radiating onto him, the way you smelled. His hands creep behind your underside, biting into your ass as he forces you closer to him, not afraid this time of the way his cock twitches a bit, as he draws out a small moan from you.

“I love you…” he murmurs when he pulls away, only far enough to look you in the eye. Your eyes are lust filled, heavy lidded as you regain your senses, irises burning into his as he places soft, feathery kisses over your face.

“Love and missed you so much.”

You wrap your arms around him, the coolness from your iced coffee a contrast from the outside heat emanating off your body onto his chest as you laugh, face jutted up so he could continue to kiss your eyelids, nose, chin, cheeks and mouth.

Who was he? What was it about you that made him operate like a man without control?

And then your arms are wrapping around his neck, urging him back down to kiss you again and he knows, knows by the way your lips seductively pass over his own as you mutter out the words his heart lunges at every time he hears it escape your mouth.

I love you too.

The moment is short lived, interrupted by the clearing of a woman’s throat and the sound causes you to stiffen, for your eyes to break away from him as you look over and give an embarrassed smile to the woman who is watching with that same amused glint in her eyes.

“Right,” you try to distance yourself, remembering where you are but he’s having nothing of it. Keeps you tightly trapped in his embrace as you continue, “Em – this is umm errr…Lance.”

Emily nods, smiling growing larger as she sticks out her hand.

“Pleasure to finally meet you Lance. I’m Emily. One of her co-workers and….”

“Good friends. Yea. You hang out with Y/N and my sister, Lily. They talk about you both a lot.” He remembers her name, vaguely remembers her picture. Emily was cute, but simple and plain and easy to forget compared to you. He tries to bite back the thought as he sticks out his hands, giving it a hearty shake as Emily looks over at you, eyes round saucers.

“Realllllllyyyyyy? Interesting seeing as…..”

“Seeing as Emily needs to go and check the designs of our intern. Go check the designs with our interns. And the rest of you, enough of the porn show, back to work.”

You’re giving Emily the look – the one where your eyes narrow in that playfully threatening way and he never knows if you are truly going to act on it or it’s a warning. Emily picks up on it, laughing as she pulls the young red head that’s giving him Japanese’s heart eyes a once over, reminding her that she was crazy to think that she’d have a shoot with a chance at Lance, let alone a man that was handcuffed to you. That part was at least true.

You pick up your belongings, shaking your head as you ask,

“I gotta jump into a meeting in five minutes and can’t talk long. Why are you here? Didn’t think you’d be in town for another month?”

Always to the point. He smiles as he shrugs,

“I’ll tell you on one condition.”

Now you’re giving him that look, the condescending one that makes his smile break wider.

“You don’t make a fuss about me helping you and Lily clean out mom’s house this weekend.”

You roll your eyes but the smile that slowly creeps on your face isn’t missed as you exhale,

“Fine. What is it?”

He shrugs, bending down and planting one last kiss on your lips. Hating that he had already decided to tease you, wanting nothing more than to pull you into a bathroom and have you screaming out his name.

“I’ll tell you when I see you this weekend,” he bites at your bottom lip as you groan, “And make sure to please that pretty little pussy I’ve been jerking off too for the past month.”

The last part is whispered lower and you flicker your eyes up at him, large doe eyes that are drenched in lust as he pulls away. Then you moan, giving him a punch as he laughs.

“You’re such a jerk!” you say and he only shrugs.

“A jerk with great timing. Your first weekend off and we all get to spend it together…”

He doesn’t have to look back to know how deeply you roll your eyes at him.

You don’t know how you had gotten yourself into this position.

Saturday morning, the birds chirping and a pretty day just begging for you to enjoy by a pool or beach and instead you were trying to muffle your laughter as you pulled Lance further into the tight closet space, adjusting your body as he raises you against the shelf, his mouth planted on your neck as you reach down for his belt.

“What’s gotten into you Lance? Miss me?” you whisper as his mouth nips at your neck before pulling away, smiling up at you. His eyes were shining that pretty dark shade of cerulean as they drunk you in, pulling away far enough to start making work on the buttons of your romper.

“You are such a goddamn tease, you know that?”

You giggle as you shake your head, watching him curiously as he makes quick work of the small fasteners.

“Takes a tease to know a tease. You were the one who basically had been a hot, sweaty mess at my job. My place of work sir. Do you know how much shit I’ve gotten since you’ve dropped by casually?”

You’ve popped his jeans open and your thighs pull his pants and boxers down and he groans as he follows suite, spreading your legs and pushing his erection against your folds.

“As much as I want you too. I want them to know who’s pleasing this pretty little pussy. Do you know how fucking much I’ve missed it?”

He looks up at you as you giggle and spread your legs wider, bending down to kiss him.

“That all you miss? If a girl didn’t know better she think you’d only miss her for her body.” Your voice is a soft murmur against his lips as he inserts himself in you and you both gasp, his hands digging into your flesh. He doesn’t waste time as his cock slowly slots into you, both of you revering the way your walls flutter around his taut muscle as his lips moving to your neck. He only waits a second before he’s moving into you, his hips moving with skillful ease that draws a low moan from the raptors of your throat.

“No. I missed your smile. Missed your eyes. Missed your – fuck, goddamn,” he bites down on your collarbone and you yelp as his hands move down to your clit, digging your hands into his back.

“I don’t care right now. Just make me cum, fuck please make me cum.”

“Baby girl, that’s all I want to do.”

He pulls away far enough to watch you as he hitches your leg up higher and you scream, his name loud on your lips and he bends down to kiss you as his hips expertly shimmy in you, your first orgasm hitting you hard.

“You gotta be quiet sweetheart. Don’t want to get caught.”

His words are lost on your ears as you fall back on the shelf, toys and board games falling on you as he rams into you harder, his hands digging into your hips. You feel another orgasm building up, his hand never relenting from your clit and you kiss him deeper, dragging him closer.

“Come on Lance, cum for me. Show me how much I please that beautiful cock of yours.”

You knew he loved it when you talked dirty to him, the lascivious sentences that you would form and he shudders as his hips stutter into you, moaning your name as his seed spills in you. His head falls lazily into the crook of your neck and you both give a content sigh, your hands running slowly through his hair.

“Rompers make having sex way too complicated.” He finally lets out, drawing a laugh out of you as you press a soft kiss onto his forehead.

“Yea but that’s the fun of it. Knowing you have to work for it.”

He chuckles as he pulls out of you, his softening dick leaving a trace of his cum in its wake and he places a tinder kiss on each of your breast, nipping at the fatty tissue behind your push up bra before pulling away, helping you down from your spot on the shelves. The minor shift causes more toys to fall and you both give a chuckle as he bends down to pick up his pants.

“I know all of that. Saw you coming in through the living room dressed like a goddamn runaway model. Wedges and that romper that just made your ass,” he gives your ass a squeeze, causing you to yelp as he bends down to kiss you. “…do things to me. Why do you think I had to pull you into here the first minute I could?”

You smile up at him, before finding something to wipe the sticky cum from dripping down your leg further. You’re grateful for the IUD you had gotten before you had headed out to see Lance in L.A., knowing that he brought your reckless habits, fearing the consequences of something that monumental so early in your relationship. He fixes himself up quickly, before he takes you in as you finish wiping yourself before his hands find the bottom of your romper, starting to button up the thin fabric. You watch him as he tenderly does the task and he smirks as he states,

“By the way I miss this. Being able to be near you. To hear your laugh and voice and feel your skin and the way your heart beats and know that at any moment, I can pull you toward me and kiss you. Cause I don’t know how else to show you that I’ve missed you, that I care. That I love you….” He stops, frowning and looking down at you knowing he’s betrayed something you know he’d only normally write in your journal.

You always pulled out something sentimental and vulnerable in Lance. Ruth had always joked that outside of her, you were the one who saw the sensitive flashes that Lance only occasionally shared with the rest of the world. His eyes are threaded with worry and concern, helplessness flashing in them even in the dim light of the walk in closet and you take his face in your hands and give a soft smile,

“You don’t have to say it. I know. I know that you love me Lance. I love you too. And I can’t even begin to voice how much I’ve missed you.”

You bend up, pressing a soft kiss against his lips and he gives a content sigh, his hands resting on your waist, weaving past them to your ass to draw you closer.

“I’m not afraid to say that I love you Y/N. I’m afraid it’s going to push you away.”

You pull away and smirk, before nudging your nose against his.

“Gonna have to try harder than that.”

He smiles before he places a soft kiss on your lips and sighs,

“Can we tell Lily about us?”

You don’t mean for the frown to pop up on your face but it does. You knew this was headed down this path. He had poked at ever since you both had officially started dating. He’d keep secrets from the world but his sister? No way. You knew he was only holding out because he wanted to prove to you how much he valued your opinion.

“No.”

“Your mom?”

“No.”

“….not trying to push me away you say?” he throws you a skeptical look and you laugh as you shake as you shrug, biting your lip.

“I’m not afraid to tell them it’s just….Lily….I have to be the one you know. If it comes from you she’ll be pissed. Then you can tell my mom – she’ll be thrilled.”

You roll your eyes and he laughs and nods, placing one last kiss on your neck before pulling away.

“You’ve ruined the game closet.”

“You’ve ruined the game closet.” You repeat as you open the door, jumping and screaming as you stare down at Jack and John who are looking up at you with large, curious eyes. Jack was 4, two years older than his younger brother and they both held toys as they looked at you expectantly. The scream takes Lance off guard, and he immediately pulls you back toward him as he tries to get in front of you, before taking in his nephews. He looks back at you and you sigh as you step out, a large smile on your face.

“What are you doing in Grandma Ruth’s game closet?” Jack finally asks and you turn to Lance who is watching you in amusement.

“We were looking for a game and then your uncle Lance was showing me a new game to play.”

Lance chokes on his laughter and Jack looks from you to him skeptically.

“What game?”

You turn, your eyes looking at Lance who shakes his head.

“Hide and go seek.” He finally says and Jack rolls his eyes.

“That’s not a new game auntie Y/N.”

“For your uncle Lance it is.” You smile at him, before leaning down and picking him up, giving him a kiss on his forehead.

“Let’s go find your mommy!” you tease and he giggles as he squirms in your arms, John not too far away. Lance watches you before looking behind him at the closet. So many games and toys had fallen down and he knows it probably reeks of sex and he groans, closing the door as he makes his way back to the family room. He made a mental note to take care of the game closet first when cleaning rooms, knowing if anyone found the evidence from your lovemaking the gig was up for both of you.

“What the hell took you so long?”

Lily’s voice carries over the TV that is playing in the background as she looks up from the box of books she’s going through, her hair thrown up in a ponytail. She takes in your attire, the way your hair is a bit mused and she gives you a skeptical look as she repeats,

“What the hell took you so long? And where the hell is my brother?”

You could never get anything past Lily. She had always suspected that you still had a thing for Lance. Despite how many times you denied it she insisted that you were repressing feelings and now you felt that admitting your feelings, you would be giving into her prediction and now your pride was letting you fight the urge to tell her.

“I had to run to the bathroom, then went into the game room to grab some toys for your little men. And I don’t know where the hell your brother is.”

You shoot Jack a look and he looks at you shaking his head before he giggles and takes a spot in front of the TV. You hoped the little boy would forget anything he had seen or heard in the past fifteen minutes.

“Ah, perfect. Well change out of your cute little one piece and get ready to start the purge of Ruth Tucker.”

She gives a large sigh and you kneel in front of her and rub her back. Five months still felt too soon you knew. You had urged her to do this slowly, purging her family home, but Lily and Lance had decided that they would rent the place. The mortgage had been paid of years back and technically, it was still in their name and neither had the heart to sell it. Lance was debating moving back east and probably would eventually settle down in the place. So they would rent it out until either one of them were ready to move in.

“It’s going to be okay. And besides you got me here AND Lance. When was the last time Lance helped you clean anything?”

She shoots you a look and shrugs shaking,

“He’d say this morning. He ate all my waffles off my plate.”

You laugh and nod, before you get up and move toward Lily’s room.

“Gonna assume you left an extra set of clothes in your room and then we can get to it.”

“You’re amazing, you know that.” Lily yells and you giggle as you yell back,

“No you are!”

You change quickly, finding Lily as she sets you on the task of boxing up the kitchen and bathrooms. Easy stuff that was even easier to re-allocate. And while you’re knee deep in plates and soap, Lance is busy working with your mom boxing up the living room. He spends more time comforting her then actually packing, and its halfway through that she dismisses herself, saying she wasn’t ready for being immersed in her best friend.

Before you know it its seven, the eastern slowly waning into the horizon as you find your way into the kitchen where Lily is busy trying to figure out dinner. Lance is there, John on his laps and he doesn’t do a good enough job of giving you a once over. You had changed in shorts and a T-shirt but they were Lily’s shorts and despite being elastic since clung to your ass as the large fabric of the shirt you wore found every curve you were proud of or not. Lance loved the suppleness in you, loved that you were soft and hard and full of edges and kept taking deep breaths, trying not to keep his eyes trained on you as he strains to pay attention to his nephew. Biting his lip as he tried to keep up with the words John was saying. Lily’s looking through coupons on the counter and you take the moment to lean into the island, eyes challenging him back as you rake in his casual attire, a simple black t-shirt that hugged every bicep in his arms and jeans. You hadn’t the chance to really look at him earlier, so eager to jump his bones that you take a moment to appreciate the way he looked in the evening light. You liked it. Wondered if you could barter sex in exchange for him grabbing your night bag and doing so topless. Unable to wait for Lily and the boys to leave so you can ride him like no tomorrow. You know your eyes are drenched in your lust as he watches you, that fucking supple bottom lip hidden by how much he’s biting down on it before he pops it out and you fight back the loud moan that wants to escape as you rest your head in your hands, shaking your head in contentment.

You both were so achingly in love even you were disgusted.

“Uncle Lance – listen!” John’s voice snaps him from his gaze, and his eyes revert back to the toy the little boy was showing him and you clear your throat, rolling your eyes to meet Lily’s gaze.

“What!?” you ask and she shakes her head, shutting the island drawer before she says,

“John, go watch a movie with your brother in the living room.”

The little boy doesn’t need to be told twice as he jumps off of his uncle’s lap, eagerly running into the living room and the three of you are left alone. Lily falls back, eyes flickering to the both of you before she chuckles, shaking her head and walking to the fridge. She grabs three beers, popping one for herself before she asks,

“You guys gonna continue to bullshit me or are we going to pretend like I’m an adult and not the naïve 14 year old who doesn’t know when my brother gives my best friend fuck me eyes.”

Lance snickers as he sits up from his chair, walking to grab the two beers before he stands near you, opening yours before sliding it over. You don’t pull away as he leans close to you, knowing that really this was in your court. And whether he liked it or not, he’d act accordingly. You can’t say it though, not to Lily. This would trump everything because it would prove that she was always right. Your pride refuses to take a hit like that.

Lily snorts as she takes another swig.

“Silent treatment huh? Well how about this – Jack told me about your little game of ‘hide and go seek’ this afternoon,” your head shoots to her and she gives you knowing eyes as your eyes flicker to Lance who is raising his hands. “Uh huh. And then I went into the game closet, just to make sure that my son wasn’t making this all up and damn if it didn’t look like a fresh fuck me zone. You guys NEVER cleaned up after yourself when you fucked in that closet. Would drive mom insane. Now I know why – it’s a lot of fucking cleaning.”

“I thought you cleaned the closet!” you incredulously whine, looking at Lance and he puts his hands up defensively.

“I thought that you had cleaned the closet!” he rebuts.

“I cleaned the closet. And then allowed you both to swim in this lie until you fessed up to it.” Lily says pointedly and you moan as you place your hands in your hands, shaking your head.

“Don’t say it Lily.”

“Don’t say what?” Lance asks and Lily snickers.

“Know why she didn’t tell me – because I had pretty much suspected two weeks after the funeral. Lance was suddenly your friend on Instagram and leaving cute comments on your photos and shit. My brother doesn’t do that to women he respects, let alone likes but he’s always had a thing for you Y/N. You’re each other’s Achilles heel and I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN!”

“Shut it Lily!”

“Knew that we’d get together?” Lance asks confused and Lily nods reverently.

“I told her that she loved you too way too much to be done, for good, with my dear brother Lance Tucker. And goddamn if it doesn’t’ feel good to be right because I’m usually always wrong when I challenge her but for once, for once I am right! And now she owes me an evening out to the country show of my choice OR she’s stuck with the boys for a week. And I have the luxury of being right.”

“…..you bet that you wouldn’t fall back in love with me?” Lance asks incredulously and yo moan into your hands, so annoyed for so many reason.

“I hate Tuckers. I hate you both sooooooo much.”

He chuckles, wrapping his arms around your body and drawing you close to him.

“Well look at it this way. I’ll be around to help you nanny because you’d be dumb to commit yourself to the piss poor country music my sister will subjugate you too.”

You let out a low moan, before you pop your head up, looking him in the eye before asking him softly,

“Wait – why are you going to be around to help me nanny?”

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