#gotta pay for that. gotta pay for flights and two new suits for weddings.

[puppysdog]

had to take my car in and it cost 1.3k to fix which is. fine alright. but a day fucking later two new lights came on and i cant even drive it anymore

[paperprinc3]

Kylux Hitmen au

You: I had an idea. KR [hitmen au]

Stranger: You did? Well, don't leave me in the dark. -AH

You: The boss is being weird lately, don't you think? KR Maybe we should split. KR

Stranger: Snoke? He's always been weird. -AH Split huh? And what's your plan for afterward? -AH

You: Yeah, but he's getting worse. KR You're good talking to people. You got us that pay rise. You could find us bookings. KR

Stranger: You mean going off by ourselves? -AH If we were to do that, you do know we'd have the boss after us. -AH

You: Yeah. Cut out the middle man and make proper money. KR We'd deal with him. KR

Stranger: Real money. Penthouse in Manhattan money. -AH Let's make it hurt. -AH

You: If you wanted a penthouse yeah. KR So you want to be partners yeah? KR

Stranger: You know what I mean. Real money; stepping up in life. -AH Let's be partners. -AH

You: I know. KR If we're doing this I think we should get hitched. KR

Stranger: What? -AH

You: As like protection. KR

Stranger: I figured as much. It being a testimony thing. -AH Not that we'd ever get caught. -AH

You: Partly. Plus it's not like we can write up a business plan. So we'd share the money properly. KR

Stranger: I like the way you think. -AH

You: Snoke will be suspicious if he hears about it so let's elope. KR

Stranger: He will be. -AH Let's go then. -AH

You: Now? Where? KR

Stranger: He isn't expecting either of us for a job for at least a week. Why not now? -AH I don't know. Would it be cliche to say Vegas? -AH

You: I suppose. Yeah, I'm not banned from all the casinos.. We can say we're playing poker. KR I was born in Vegas. KR

Stranger: Which ones are you banned from? Or is the other list shorter? -AH He'll believe that. -AH I didn't know that. -AH

You: I'm not sure. I'd have to check. I was twelve and involved in a scam my dad was doing. KR

Stranger: I don't think they'll remember you. I think you're safe. -AH

You: Okay. KR

You: Do you want it to be tasteful or Elvis? KR

Stranger: It was your idea we get married. You pick. -AH It's not like I'm going to be writing home to tell my mother about this either way. -AH

You: I'll find a classy elvis. KR Why not? KR

You: Hux? KR

Stranger: Classy elvis. So he's going to be singing Can't Help Falling In Love With You instead of Hound Dog. -AH Jailhouse may be more appropriate. -AH You're kidding right? My mom would lose her shit. -AH

You: Of course. Only the best for you doll. KR I thought your mom liked me. She gave me a jumper for Christmas. KR If you don't tell her how will she know? KR

Stranger: Don't push your luck. -AH It's not the fact that I'm marrying you, it's the fact that I'm eloping. If she found out about this, she'd be planning some elaborate wedding back in Ireland. -AH That's my plan. Blissful ignorance. -AH

You: Which bit did you hate? The pet name or my hitman talk? KR She would? That's sweet. KR

Stranger: Pet name. -AH Sweet but something that would attract unnecessary attention from Snoke and far more questions than we could handle. -AH She still thinks I'm legit. -AH

You: Well I'll think of something else to call you.. KR Yeah I suppose. Besides it's a long flight. KR Doing what again? KR

Stranger: Is this part of your elope-plan? I guess we gotta play off being in love when we get to Vegas. -AH And you only made the jump once or twice. -AH Engineering. -AH

You: Uh. KR Hux... KR

Stranger: Kylo? -AH What did you do now? -AH

You: Don't kill me. KR But I have other reasons to want to marry you. KR

You: I got you a new knife as a gift. KR

Stranger: Why would I kill you for being practical? -AH That's sweet of you. -AH

You: Cause I have feelings for you. KR

Stranger: Oh. -AH I didn't know that. -AH

Stranger: I have a proposition for you. -AH

You: I'm listening. KR

Stranger: We get married in Vegas. We elope. Snoke doesn't know. We kill him and go off by ourselves. -AH Snoke is dead. We tell my mother and let her do her thing without ever mentioning Vegas to her or what we do for a living. -AH We get eloped for safety measures, Snoke is dead, and I don't get any angry calls from the UK -AH

You: Okay. I have one question though. KR

You: Does that mean a second wedding in the UK? KR Just to please your mom? KR

Stranger: Shoot. -AH Yes. -AH And because it's been a while since I went home. And I kinda want to see what she has in mind. -AH

You: Okay. KR

You: Sure. I'm flattered you want to marry me twice. KR

Stranger: You should be Doll. -AH

You: Me? KR

Stranger: Yeah. -AH Do you not like me calling you doll? -AH

You: No. I like it. KR

You: I'll be your doll. KR

Stranger: Good. -AH I think it suits you more than me anyway. -AH

You: I hope this means you like me too. KR

Stranger: I do. -AH I wouldn't be leaving Snoke's employ if I didn't. -AH

You: You could just hate Snoke. KR

Stranger: I do. -AH But I wouldn't be able to do it alone. -AH

You: You could have asked Phasma. KR

Stranger: I could. -AH But I would rather go with you. -AH If you wanted though, I could probably get her on board with us. -AH

Stranger: Not for the marriage part but for the business part. -AH

You: I don't want to marry her. KR Oh good. KR

You: I suppose we don't want her coming after us. KR

Stranger: Seeing as she's a lesbian, I don't think she'd appreciate it either. -AH If Snoke was to charge her with it, I don't think she'd go along. -AH

You: I think I'm pretty. KR .. What do you think? KR

Stranger: I go back and forth on the matter. -AH There are days when I think you're pretty. -AH And there are days when I think you're like some Viking warrior; just rugged and handsome -AH

You: Oh wow. I think that's the nicest thing anyone's said to me. KR

Stranger: You're kidding. -AH

You: No. I've never been called a Viking warrior before. KR

Stranger: So maybe I'm not the best with analogies. -AH But it's accurate. -AH

You: I want to kiss you later. KR

You: To practise for the wedding. KR

Stranger: For practice of course. -AH ...Are we getting a honeymoon? -AH

You: Two I think. One in vegas. KR

Stranger: Good. -AH ...Do you want to practice for that too or wait until Vegas? -AH

You: You should come over and practise. KR

Stranger: I will then. -AH Do you want me to pick up some food on the way? -AH

You: Yes please. I've not eatern yet. Can I get two burgers? KR

Stranger: Why haven't you eaten? It's after eight. -AH Sure. Fries too? -AH

You: I've been thinking about you and how to ask you. KR Please. KR

Stranger: For hours? -AH You're such a dork. -AH I'll be over soon. -AH

You: ...I'm not good with romance. KR

Stranger: I thought you were doing good. -AH

You: Thanks. KR I mean I'm not experienced. KR

Stranger: Really? -AH

You: Yeah. KR

Stranger: What do you mean by not experienced? -AH

You: ....KR

Stranger: I'm not judging. -AH

You: I mean I've killed more people than I've kissed. KR

Stranger: Oh, well, that's a given. You must have killed hundreds at this point. -AH ...What about in bed? Not the killing I mean but -AH

You: I haven't. KR

Stranger: Ever? -AH

You: No. KR

Stranger: ...Maybe it's part of the lifestyles of hitmen then because I never got that far either. -AH

You: Really? KR

You: I can picture you stabbing people who try to touch you. Cause I've seen you do that. KR

Stranger: Really. -AH I have done that. Handsy drunks in bars...Snoke really needs to move operation. Or not. I don't care about him at this point. -AH But a lot of it had to do with the guys I liked never liking me back. Until you. -AH

You: So you like me? Good. KR We'll have some place classy. KR You can get handsy with me if you want. KR

Stranger: I'm marrying you twice. -AH Very classy. Like out of a high end nightclub. -AH Believe me, I've had to stop myself a few times. -AH

You: And I'm worried I'm dreaming. KR Sure. KR I wont mind. I'm your doll after all. KR

Stranger: You're not and I'll prove it to you when I get there. -AH My doll. -AH Now I'm worried I'm dreaming. -AH

You: Good. KR

[caps-lockdown]

Sweater Weather Part One

Sweater Weather

Hey everyone here is the next series I’m working on, mostly inspired by how %#$@ hot it has been here in Kansas (And everywhere else, the world is on fire). This story takes place over the course of a weekend (I know, I like weekend worst case scenarios okay? Leave me be), so it’ll probably be 5-6 parts. Hope you like it!

Pairings: Steve Rogers x PottsRelativeFem!Reader

Ratings/Warnings: Hard R 

For everything from language, crude jokes, ADULT situations/impure thoughts, booze (because it’s pretty much a staple in my fics at this point.), arguments, and an extremely overprotective Tony Stark. Very little angst, as I try to keep most of my fics light humored. But of course there are some insecurities/unsure feelings, as well as sad feels from everything with endgame/ the decimation. Also dead parents.

Also AU in the fact NO ONE DIED during Endgame/Steve didn’t go back. Also as much as I adore Morgan Stark, she isn’t around yet. I didn’t know where this would fit timeline wise, so just ignore the timeline. Kay? Cool.

Slow(ish) burn. Lots of pining

Words: 3,476

Summary: You’ve just moved to New York after a long 3 year stint travelling the world and helping with various charities, taking a new job with Stark Industries thanks to your cousin Pepper. A trip out to surprise Tony and The Avengers for the weekend turns from good to terrible when the a/c at the compound breaks. How will you beat the heat for the record breaking weekend?

It’s in Y/N Y/L/N format, any pictures, outfits, gifs, and marvel characters just assume I don’t own them. Also no Beta, as I don’t ever have one, so the mistakes and reader are all my own.Also her friend Kate isn’t mine either, she’s based after a very close fantastic friend. Enjoy!

Part one

“You just had to get the apartment on the top floor with an out of order elevator?”

You dropped the last box labeled “Kitchen” haphazardly on the floor, wiping your forehead with the back of your hand as you turned to watch Pepper Potts shut the door behind her comment.

“You were the one who wore heels today, dear cousin. And besides, the movers did most of the work.” You stared pointedly at her, before bringing your eyes to sweep over the piles of boxes that filled your apartment. A sea of cardboard that came with the faint scent of permanent marker and small notes of your truck’s air freshener flooded the small hallway and living room areas. The floors were bare otherwise, you not having any furniture at the present moment. “You should also know the elevator will be fixed this weekend while I’m out at the compound catching up with everyone.”

“Doesn’t help our damn case now though does it?” The redhead complained while looking at her tired feet.

“But did you die though?” You raised an eyebrow, turning back to look down the hall. “I just gotta pack a bag for the weekend and then we can head out. You sure it’s going to be ok? Me going out there and all?”

“Are you kidding me?” Pepper looked confused at your sudden question, shaking her head and grabbing your shoulders. “Tony is going to be so excited to see you! No one has seen you since the wedding! Not to mention these team building weekends never really get anything accomplished.” You giggled as you waded through the boxes to your mostly empty room, shuffling boxes as you looked through ones with “clothes” written hastily across them in doctor worthy handwriting.

“I should change. It’s hot as fuck outside.” You muttered, opting to switch out your gross sweatpants and stained-to-hell white shirt to a pair of short jean shorts and a curve hugging blue tank top. Your mind wandered to everyone you hadn’t seen in so long. Three years. It had been three years since you’d been back, spending that time traveling the globe and helping charities after the decimation. Pepper and Tony always called you, kept you updated. You honestly never believed you’d move back to New York. But things change.

The only reason why you had come back was after the whole Thanos thing six months ago Pepper had offered you a job as a receptionist at Stark Industries, you decided that day it was time to settle down. You made sure everything was good with the charities you had been helping out with before putting permanent plans into action though. Purchasing a small apartment in the heart of New York City, your cousin and you kept everything quiet as to your return. You wanted it to be a surprise, mostly to see Tony’s face. Maybe someone else’s. Shoving a few days worth of clean clothes in a duffel bag, not forgetting your swimsuit as your cousin promised you some sunbathing time, you opened the door to see Pepper grinning widely at you.

“You know blue is Steve’s favorite color right?” You smirked knowingly as you moved to the bathroom, throwing your toiletries into the sack and zipping it shut. Of course you knew. The blonde avenger was one of the only things that had gotten you through these tough last few years. When everything went down with Tony, you had decided not to pick sides, but you and Steve fell apart regardless. It started slowly, the two of you drifting from good friends to mere strangers. It hurt but you understood. It’s not like you were dating, or like he would ever see you as girlfriend material. Not that you would ever turn him down if he had just asked you. He was definitely boyfriend material, and him looking the way he did certainly helped things too. You had always harbored feelings of some kind towards him, even if you weren’t sure what they actually were. When the decimation happened, you knew the whole team had enough on their plates to deal with. So after a couple years and more importantly Pepper and Tony’s wedding you vanished off the map, putting your people skills and nurturing personality to good use. It’s not like anyone missed you terribly.

Shutting off the bathroom lights you lugged the bag over your shoulder, reaching to take a stuffed Panda bear, obviously worn from years of travel, and grabbing your keys and purse.

“Got everything? What’s the bear for?” Pepper asked as you double checked the deadbolt after you had shut the door.

“A girl in England gave it to me after I found her some relatives to live with. She couldn’t have been more than seven at the time, yet she had managed to deal with her parents turning into dust a hell of a lot better than some of the adults I had seen. She said Mister Stuffins was her favorite and that he would be my friend so I wasn’t alone. Sweet girl. She wrote me when she got her parents back. I cried for a week.” You turned the small bear over in your hand and placed in the front pocket of your bag, remembering her strength in such an awful time of her young life.

“What was her name?”

“Evangeline, but she demanded to be called Evan.” You snickered as you recalled her nearly ripping off your partner at the time’s head for calling her by her full name. The spirited small child had almost made you forget about the seven flights of stairs awaiting you. Your face fell flat upon remembering, Pepper shoving your shoulder.

“Come on, I’ll race you.” You gaped as the red head went barreling down the stairs, deciding to give her high heeled ass a head start before you ruined her self esteem. She’s going to hurt herself and I’m going to have to help her dumbass to the truck.

~~The Compound, a few hours later~~

“Jesus Christ Tony watch where the hell you’re pointing that damn thing!”

“That’s what she said.”

Steve rolled his eyes at Bucky, watching the comedy unfold before them. Sam sat on the ground, tinkering with a standing Tony in his iron suit, the latter barely missing the former’s head when his repulsor rays misfired on accident. They had been at this for hours, Sam trying to help the billionaire with fixing something that was wrong with his right leg. Tony continued to bark orders at the man who was only growing more irritated by the minute. To be honest Steve didn’t have the faintest idea what was wrong or how they were planning on putting it right, but he wasn’t the one doing it. So he, Banner, and Barnes all simply stood back to watch.

“We miss anything?” He turned his head slightly to the left at the sound of Natasha’s voice, Thor and her returning from unloading the Quinjet for the weekend.

“Tony missed Sam’s head again, but I think they’re about…”

“DONE! Eat a dick Tin-man.” Sam shouted suddenly, hopping up from his feet and clearing the way for a smug looking Stark, who only looked down at his leg and shook it. He turned to give Sam an iron clad thumbs up, who only flipped him off in return, heading over to join the rest of the group that had gathered on the compound’s grounds.

Since Thanos’ attack, the compound had been rebuilt but wasn’t nearly as massive in size anymore. Only one large building that offered housing, training, mess hall, laboratories and a few holding cells sat next to the pad that held the Quinjet. Tony decided that since the battle had leveled most of the original compound, building something a little more simplistic would be the best course of action. Everyone had agreed with him, and Steve felt like it was little more like home this way. And he’d rather be inside right now than standing outside in this hellish heat wave.

The sun was high in the sky, the temperature only climbing and it was already uncomfortable outside. Steve could feel the beads of sweat forming on the back of his neck, the forecast calling for record breaking highs for the weekend. He wasn’t looking forward to it to say the least, and knowing Tony they would be doing absolutely useless things to pass the time. He would pay for a distraction at this point.

The roaring of a large truck engine forced the super soldier from his thoughts, the impressive vehicle pulling sharply onto the compound parking lot with minimal effort. Dust settled as Steve’s blue eyes caught the familiar sight of Pepper Potts exiting the passenger side, fist pumping the air to loud rock and roll that was blaring out of the windows. Very unlike her.

“Honey uh who’s truck is that?! Are you leaving me!?” Tony coughed as he climbed out of his suit, the large mass of metal’s motor being shut off and the driver door thrown open.

“Of course not sweetheart. You wouldn’t last a day without me.” His confused look had the team chuckling as he kept darting his eyes from Pepper to the vehicle.

“Then who the hell is that?!”

“YOUR SURPRISE!” Tony raised an eyebrow as to why his wife was shouting all of a sudden, clearly not catching on.

On cue you jumped out of the truck, just like you two had discussed on the drive up to the headquarters, beaming at the large group of people.

You’d remember Tony’s elated smile for the rest of your days.

“SHORT STACK?! WHAT THE FUCK?!”

You laughed as the brunette man came sprinting towards you, the nickname ringing in your ears as he picked you up slightly, pulling you into a spine crushing hug and making you drop your bag. In all the years you had known him, Tony had been like the older brother you never had. When Pepper started working for him you were visiting with your parents and the two of you hit it off instantly. After their unexpected death due to a car accident a year later, Stark and Pepper were some of the only ones there for you, you three becoming inseparable. It had killed a part of you to leave after the decimation, but he had reassured you it’s what your parents would have wanted you to do. You blinked back tears as you hugged the man fiercely.

“Hiya Snark. I’ve missed you too.” The two of you broke apart, Tony leaning back to hold you at arm’s length, taking in your well toned and tanned body.

“Look at you! I mean look at you! Was there something in the water overseas?” You smacked his arm as he went to hug you again, his obviously excited demeanor spreading over the others, although there was a small hint of nervousness in the air.

“Move it Stark, she’s got a line.” Nat scolded, pushing the man away from you so she could hug you herself, a girlish giggle leaving you as you returned it.

“Dig the hair Nat, you break my record yet?”

“I gave up three weeks in. Pinball just pisses me off.” She shrugged, reaching to give your shoulder a squeeze. Thor threatened to break you in half as he embraced you, Bruce choosing to shake your hand. You decided that the new version of the doctor would take some getting used to, but at least he was wearing shirts now. Your eyes met the uncertain ones of who you assumed had to be Bucky, Steve’s friend. So they brought you home after all huh?

“You must be Barnes. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Y/N.  Roger’s talked you up a lot.” He took your outstretched hand firmly, giving you a small smile and nodding.

“Did he now? Funny he never mentioned how he let your gorgeous face slip through his fingers.”

Your jaw went slack as you stared at the man, eyes widened in shock as he shamelessly raked his eyes over your figure. Sam took the chance to rush you, your breath escaping your lungs as he all but tackled you. Everyone laughed as Pepper went to grab your overstuffed duffel off the ground.

“Y/N I’m so happy to see you! It’s been years!”

“I know Sam, I’m sorry I stayed away for so long, just had to think of the bigger picture for awhile.”

“Please Y/N. You were helping people, kids with finding family, rebuilding businesses and houses. Even running soup kitchens for Christ’s sake. Don’t apologize.” He met your bewildered expression with a sincere smile. “Pepper kept us updated. You really didn’t think we would miss you?”

“I had to think of…”

“The bigger picture. We know.” You wanted to remove Sam’s smile off his perfect face when a certain tall blonde walked into your sights. He looked nothing short of amazing, even after these last few years. His hair was swept back into its usual style, his blue jeans and simple t shirt combo making you light headed and he got closer to you. Steve Rogers looked damn good. But you had always thought that.

“You got a hug for me too Doll? Or are you all out?” Your breath hitched at hearing his deep voice, his challenging tone making your heart race.

“Not sure Rogers, why dontcha come over here and find out?” You challenged back, his eyes glittering in amusement as he moved to wrap you in his arms. It never came though.

The large explosion off the side of the main building of the compound caused everyone to jump, panic taking over your senses as Tony reassured you no one was inside.

“That’s good to know Snark but what the fuck was that?!” Your nickname for the man only made him smile before he went speed walking off to go investigate, the rest of you following suit. The blown line of a/c compressors sizzled and popped angrily at you as you got close, Steve darting an arm out protectively in front of you. You let your eyes drink the sight of his large limb, the muscle groups flexing deliciously against the material of his shirt. Tony didn’t look amused.

“What the hell is your arm going to do Cap? You protecting Y/N or flexing your freakish flesh for her?” Tony snapped, the captain lowering his arm guiltily. Rolling your eyes at your cousin’s overprotective nature you stepped forward to take a gander at the busted machinery, the sparks and smoke rising from the group of metal. Tony ran his hand over his face with a sigh.

“Looks like I get to track down some new compressors. Y/N, come with me.” Stark commanded, your face looking to his in confusion as he began to head back towards the main doors.

“Me? Why me?” You asked, not understanding the clearly cranky male’s logic. He scoffed.

“You’re better at people than I am. And I don’t like how Rogers keeps staring at your ass.”

A blush rose to your cheeks, not even sparing the embarrassed blonde a glance as you hurried to catch up with the angry brunette. You could feel Steve’s heated gaze on your back as the two of you walked away, Tony turning around to shake his head at the soldier.

“You better put your eyes elsewhere before I knock them out of your skull soldier!” You contained the giggle that bubbled in the back of your throat as you heard Steve groan, the rest of the team looking on at the two of you and sharing curious expressions.

Later

“Yes I will let him know, thank you so much!” You hung up the phone with a defeated sigh, tossing it to Stark as you paced the living area of the compound. The sun had started to make its way towards the horizon, and after five phone calls you were finally gaining traction on your current mission.

“How many does that make?” Tony questioned, repositioning his sunglasses on top of his head like a suburban soccer mom and scribbling something down on a small note pad.

“That makes the six we need. Six compressors, three deliveries, two electricians to set it up come Monday. I’m sorry but that’s the soonest I could get them here.” You slouched onto the couch next to him, the billionaire lovingly patting your leg. You let your head rest on his shoulder, thinking about how F.R.I.D.A.Y had said earlier you had about 12 hours before the outside temperature would start to affect the building. That was about an hour ago.

“So much for a team building weekend, we should let the others know. I wish there was a way to punch hot weather in the face.” You muttered aimlessly as Tony continued to crunch numbers. His head shot up at you suddenly, a wide smile covering his tanned face.

“That’s it! Short stack you are a genius!”

“You’re welcome?” You nearly fell over on the couch as Tony leapt to his feet, offering you a hand before pulling you out of the living area and down the hall into the kitchens where the rest of the Avengers remained.

“You guys Y/N figured out how we still make this weekend work!”

“Oh yea? Does it include leaving this place until Monday and getting some actual sleep?” Came Nat’s sleepy reply, Bruce pouring her another cup of coffee.

“No! We’re going to work together to beat the heat!”

“Y/N I highly doubt this was your idea.” You shook your head at Sam, clearly you and Tony had completely different ideas on how you all were to spend the weekend. “And Tony it’s supposed to reach nearly a hundred and ten! Why the hell would we willingly be stuck here, with no a/c for essentially two days, in a hundred and ten degree heat?!”

“Because whoever is still here at the end of the weekend doesn’t have to come back for the next four months of team building.” Came your cousin’s response, everyone looking at Pepper with a look of admiration, well everyone except Tony.

“Alright I’m in.” Nat agreed, slamming her coffee mug down, Bruce giving his confirmation alongside Thor. Bucky looked warily at his teammates before sighing, nodding his head curtly in submission. Sam and Steve also agreed reluctantly, not really having a choice in the matter.

“What about Y/N? She’s not part of the team and she shouldn’t have to be stuck here with us!” Sam directed everyone’s attention to you, a small lump forming in your throat as you realized they were absolutely right. So how would you spin this to where they’d let you stay without thinking you were crazy? Chewing your bottom lip in thought, you didn’t miss Steve’s eyes darting from your eyes to your lips repeatedly, a darkened expression on his face before Bucky managed to lightly nudge him, motioning to Tony who was watching him like a hawk.

“I don’t have anything else to do. I don’t start work until Monday and I kind of wanted to catch up with all of you,” You smiled to all of them, Bucky looking extremely pleased with your answer as Stark raised a finger.

“Question. Where are you working and how come I wasn’t made aware that you’re staying here indefinitely?!”

“Don’t worry Snark I won’t be far, I just moved into my apartment over the last few days and I…”

“Last few days!?” Your cousin in law threw his hands up, “When did you decide you would be moving back?”

“Uh…five months ago?” The noise that emitted from Stark’s mouth couldn’t have been English, his eyes narrowing at his wife who only smiled brightly at her husband in kind. She was within good reason to feel accomplished, usually secrets never stayed silent when Tony went snooping.

“Well I for one am all for Y/N staying. We’ll need all the estrogen we can find to deal with you lot this weekend.” Nat chided, coming to stand next to you and patting you on the shoulder.

“Great it’s settled then.” Pepper smiled warmly at you, rounding the island in the kitchen and going to pull out supplies for a meal big enough for a small army. “Now who’s helping me cook dinner tonight?”

A rousing chorus of “Not it!” was heard as Tony took off running in the opposite direction, Steve and Bucky following suit. Within moments you found yourself alone with your red headed relative, the rest of the team becoming scarce to avoid having to cook or prepare.

“I didn’t want them to help anyway. This kitchen would end up looking like the compressors outside.” The two of you laughed as you turned on some light music and got to work. It felt nice to be back.

Tag list: @kaytizzle @cuffski @giggleberts @pies-wands-and-more

[bolbianddolanhouse]

BNHA self insert AU

New to the AU? Start here!

Chapter 37: Oh Hell Nah~ 

It’s not quite move in day for Tenya, in fact it’s like a month before he can sign the new lease! But he has split his time more to spend it with Ita and mentally preparing to be the CEO’s boyfriend more openly.

“Hey, what’s this?” Tenya asked Ita as he pointed at the elaborate flower arrangement on the coffee table as he walked in the living room to join her on the couch “it’s very fancy.”

“Oh it’s my invitation to the Techies Gala” I responded without looking up from my phone “it’s one of those fancy networking events but with big names and some international faces. They’re themed and this year it’s Royal Court.”

“Are you going?” Tenya looked at the small invitation card in the middle of the arrangement “It must be a big ordeal if they sent flowers.”

“Heh I’m the only one that gets flowers” I roll my eyes “the co-director of the event’s host company has the hots for me. Every time I come around to any event, he won’t leave me alone until I have a dance with him or have a drink with him” I sigh tiredly “I have to go to maintain my image as a big name in the community. I’ve been going since I was a small fry company.”

“Can I come?”

“Why?”

“Well, I want too” he looked at her with excitement and wonderment “I want to be arm in arm with you in your prettiest gown and you introduce me as your significant other! And we’ll stand around sipping on champagne, dance and you point out your business partners to me and-”

“Okay! Okay!” I stop him and laugh “you can come, but you’ll need a suit to fit the aesthetic” I stand up and stretch “guess we gotta pay a visit to my secret designer.”

“Wait, that’s true?” he gasped at what I was saying “you have a private designer?!”

“Yeah, most luxury brands don’t carry my size gowns and when I was a no-name CEO, no designer would do a commission for me” I send a quick text to my designer “so I turned to the one person I knew would make me a gown in a pinch and at my budget at the time. And now he does all my commissions for my public appearances and my entourage” I turn to him “put on your shoes, we’re going to Taito to pay him a visit.”

We hop in my Jeep and drive 30 mins to the city, near the suburbs. We pull up to this apartment building in the nice part of town.

“Wow, this is a really clean area” Tenya commented as we parked “he lives in this building?”

“Yeah, what’s even nicer is that I don’t get recognized around here” I said as I got out of the car “this place is a retired hero heavy area, so it’s protected and confidential.” We walk up 4 flights of stairs to get to the place, I knock and a familiar face and denim vest greets us.

“AH! I’ve been expecting you two!” the tall man leans down to hug Ita “how are you darling?”

“I’m well!” I gave a firm hug “glad to see you’re in good health too!” I break the hug and gesture to Tenya “you recognize younger brother Ingenium don’t you?”

“I can recognize those eyebrows, polo shirt and capri pant wearing rectangle anywhere” roasted the tall man.

“It’s you! Best Jeanist!” Tenya was too starstruck to process the roast “this is where you retired to?!”

“After the whole Hawks thing, he stepped down to civilian to not deal with hero bullshit and focus on his number 2 passion” I explained “and that’s fashion! I’ve kept his passion under wraps so he doesn’t get swarmed with commissions.”

“Speaking of, you needed an addition to yours?” Jeanist shifted gears “getting serious are we?”

I hear a meow coming from the window “Why don’t you two get measurements done and I’ll be over here with Chiffon” I make my way to the white, long haired cat on the window sill.

The two make their way to the next room to do said measurements. “So, when should I expect the wedding commission?”

“What?” Tenya responded cluelessly.

“When are you planning to pop the question? Put a ring on it? Make her an honest woman?” Jeanist was half playing around, half serious “I know you two have been together for a while and you’re moving in soon, so what’s the wait?”

“I- um, I’m not thinking about marriage right now” Tenya gets red with embarrassment “I love her but I’m not sure when I should ask.”

“You know, the last boy didn’t marry her but had the nerve to get her pregnant then leave after almost 3 years together” he snapped his tailor’s tape to make a statement “don’t wait too long, she can’t waste her time on another one.”

“Understood” he responded to his threat “I don’t plan on dishonoring her.”

“Good! I’d hate to see another Iida go unmarried” 

“Right, I forget that you and my uncles and father worked together.”

“And your brother, in all honesty, you’re all a bunch of good looking men” he writes the measurements on his client book “that ‘singles’ curse is no joke! But I trust that you’ll break that streak.”

That statement bothered Tenya for the rest of the time, it’s true that the men in his family don’t all get married or have many children to carry the family name. He can count his cousins on one hand and the reunions get smaller and smaller as the years go by. At this point, he feels introducing her into such a small family would shock her to what she’s used to. They get back to the house to get dinner started.

“Oh! I almost forgot to tell you!” she suddenly remembered “my parents are coming to stay for a few days.”

“Oh that’s wonderful news, which days?”

“From January 1st to the 5th”

“Oh that overlaps my move in.”

“I know, so plan is to move in partially after Christmas and get fully settled after they leave” she explained her plan “so that way you can have your clothes and important items here and all the heavy stuff after they leave. If that’s alright?”

“Yeah, I can do that” he thought about what things he’d have to leave behind until then “can’t wait to see your parents! Wonder if they’d let me first name them now that we’re dating.”

“Oh um, about that” I laugh nervously “I haven’t told them that we’re dating- DON’T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT TENYA!” I glanced at his offended face “it’s not that I’m embarrassed or ashamed of being your girlfriend but my parents get very emotional when I tell them I’m in a relationship, since Shinso and the whole losing the baby thing, they’ve been very adamant that I don’t get in a relationship and just focus on being successful.” I see him change expressions “but I’m sure they’ll like you! They’d remember you from last time.”

“I hope they do.”

-Fast forward to the 1st of January-

“I’m back” I call out as I enter the house “Muffin, can you take these to the guest room?” I hand over 3 suit cases then turn to my parents struggling to take off their coats and boots “estan bien?”

“Yeah, just not used to taking off our shoes” my father responded as he got one boot off “by the way, did you get a new car? That’s a very nice Cadillac.”

“Oh that’s not my car, it’s my roommate’s” I panicked and said roommate instead of boyfriend because of their reactions.

“Roommate? Why would you need a roommate?” my mother asked suspiciously as she helped my father out of his boot “es duena de la casa!”

“Si pero, soy triste and quiero compania mama” I pouted and as they finished taking off their outer wear, Tenya walks down the stairs “you remember Tenya?”

“Oh? el nino que se introducio el otra ves” my mother walked up to him “what business do you have with my daughter!”

“Oh my, right to the point” Tenya adjusts his glasses “well you see, were very good friends and we just wanted to live together because I’m a pro hero now and-”

“A hero? Professional Hero?” my father questioned “can’t be stronger than Ita, so it’s not to protect her.”

“Tenya! See I told you they remembered you!” I nudged him “Oh we’re just the best of friends and-”

“ITATI ES TU NOVIO HUH?!” my mother figured it out “OTRA VES?!”

“PORQUE TE ENOJAS?! YA SOY GRANDE Y TENGO MI COMPANIA” I got latina rage that my mother wasn’t happy that I was in a relationship “I CAN HAVE A BOYFRIEND SI QUEIRO!” I argue more with my mother in the kitchen while my father and Tenya sit and wait it out in the living room.

“So, how was the flight Mr Palma?” asked Tenya, nervous if he was going to respond coldly “Ita tells me that you came over to celebrate your birthday.”

“The flight was alright and yeah I wanted to celebrate over here” he peered over the couch to see if the two women stopped bickering “I would’ve came alone but her mother wanted to tag along too.”

“Does she like traveling?”

“Yes but she doesn’t like me traveling alone” a warm smile spreads across his face “we travel everywhere together, since we were young.”

The way her father said that warmed him. He felt the type of love Ita was raised around and it reminded him of the dynamic he has with her. As the two women calmed down and set their frustrations aside, they sat down to eat the pozole Ita prepared before she went to pick them up from the airport.

“Tambien come la comida mexicana?” the mother commented as Tenya put the usual condiments on his “pues, no es tan mal.”

Tenya gives me the ‘translate please’ look to me and I laugh a little “she said he eats mexican food too? Maybe he isn’t so bad.”

“You don’t know Spanish?” the mother gasped “I thought you might have picked up a few words.”

“I did pick up a few words but I don’t get to hear it very often as Ita doesn’t speak it very often here in Japan” he got timid “I love the food she makes, especially the seafood. All I know is when she yells at me in spanish, I’m in trouble.” The outburst of laughter coming from the 3 startled him but then he sees where she gets her laugh and scrunched laughing face from. It was a heart-warming moment for him, it gave him an idea on how family dinners were back home for them. When the parents went to bed and the dishes were clean, he waited for Ita to come to bed.

“Well minus the argument I got into with my mom” I said as I sat on the bed “I’d say that went well! They liked you once they ate.”

“Your father and I were having some nice conversation on the couch” he recalls what her father said “he reminds me of you.”

“Really? How?”

“You have his laughing face, kindness and warm smile” he looked at her flushed face “I can’t believe that man taught you all those weird things you mentioned.”

“He’s like that” I laughed and laid down on my side of the bed “well, I’m tired from all that. Tomorrow, we’re going to the temple.”

“I remember” he turned off the light and got next to her “good night love.”

-At the temple, next day-

They spent most of the morning showing the parents around and answering their questions before the mother asked for a coffee.

“I’m going to find a hot drink stand, you want anything?” I asked Tenya, who was sitting near the prayer bells with my father.

“I’ll have a tea, thanks” he watched as the two women went to find hot drinks.

“So Tenya, when are you going to marry my daughter?”

“Oh um- I-” Tenya stammered

“I see the way to look and speak to her, I’d want her to marry a man like you.”

“How so?”

“You look at her the way I look at her mother” he looked at the two women ordering the drinks from afar “her mother and I where also friends in the beginning, she saved me from certain death and got in trouble for it. I didn’t like how everyone treated her like trash just because she was smart and had a double quirk, her mother hated me. She hated me even more when I got her daughter pregnant at 15, I did the right thing and married her and stood by her side when she gave birth. I wanted to give our family the life they deserved by immigrating to America to find work. But of course she didn’t let me go by myself, we left our daughter in the care of my mother and traveled hand in hand to America. It was difficult and seemed like nothing was going right at first but seeing her working just as hard kept me going. Eventually we brought our daughter over and started the life we deserved, then she came along, then her brother.” the two women were walking back with drinks floating near them “we taught her how to love and work hard, she taught herself how to fight back and stay strong. Our pride and joy is in her” he turned to Tenya “we’d love to have you as part of our family, just don’t wait too long.”

“Here, I got you some dango too” Ita hands Tenya a stick of dango and tea. They sat as the parents were walking around with their tea, hand in hand. “Aren’t they cute?” I commented as they pointed to the mountain in the distance “can you believe they’ve been married for 32 years?!”

“32 years?” Tenya nearly choked on his tea “wow, I can’t even imagine myself 32 years from now!”

“Right?!” I laughed “I hope sometime before that, I’d be able to go home.”

“What if you have a family here by the time it comes around?”

“I’d bring them with me, my whole family is over there” I turn to him “but even if I don’t, I want to bring you along.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want to travel alone” I hold his hand and squeeze “you make me feel less lonely in the world.”

“What if you want to stay in America?”

“I won’t beg you to stay with me but that’ll all depend” I look at my parents taking pictures of the bridge “for now, I’ll wait for that day to come.”

Tenya felt less pressured to marry her now that she said all that. She wanted him around even if they weren’t in love. It didn’t seem too bad to wait things out for just a bit longer. They spent the rest of their parent’s stay traveling together and sharing meals.

“Tired?” Tenya asked Ita once they got home from the airport.

“A bit, we left super early and it’s still pretty early” I yawned as I stretched “I’m going to take a nap on the couch before I have to go to work.”

“I’ll join you” he carried her to the couch before she could protest “here, I’ll hold you as you rest” he cradled her and immediately she fell asleep nuzzled into his chest. As she rested, he really took in his surroundings. They were in a new year, in a home with his love and the house was quiet. It was nothing like he imagined it when they were teenagers but it was very realistic and just as wonderful. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you” he whispered “I’m not leaving, not without you.”

She got up after an hour to get ready for her agent job and left, leaving Tenya alone to move in the rest of his things. He enters the office space and sees her cluttered space, a day bed and an empty part of the room. He assumed that’s where all his things go and after settling in, some of the things on the day bed caught his attention. On the satin sheets was an oversized hoodie and her old laptop, upon unfurling the hoodie, he sees it’s an Ingenium hoodie. “This is my hero hoodie” he said as he checked the tag on the inside “limited edition at that.” The idea that she bought one at all baffled him since she wasn’t into hero culture at all. He traced the sticker clad laptop with his fingertips “I wonder if I still remember her password” he opened the laptop to see the iconic picture of the 3 friends with the bear that she tamed, he typed in what he remembered and it logged him in. The home screen background was of Mr Muffins, just like how he remembered it. Out of morbid curiosity, he pulled up her browser and flipped through her tabs. Most of them online shopping sites for her beauty, hair and snack items that aren’t sold in Japan. One tab was on hero news, he clicked on it and saw himself on the screen along with all his statistics. “She’s been catching up on me?” the search history went all the way to when he showed up on the ranking, 3 years ago. “All this time, she’s been worrying about me and seeing how I’ve been before we reunited” he felt his heart ache at all the time she sat in this bed with the hoodie on, reading about him and longing to talk to him again “Oh Ita, I wish I wasn’t so stubborn to say it sooner.” He closed the laptop and put the hoodie back how he found it. He knows that she had feelings for him since high school but knowing now what she did in those years apart made him sad but determined. Sad that neither of them could say it, Determined to always say how he feels toward her.

-Night of the Gala-

“Need help?” I chortled as Tenya struggled to straighten the shoulders of the garment.

“Please” he said in defeat “how do you guys do it? High fashion doesn’t seem hard to put on.”

“You’ll get used to it” I fix the tassels on the shoulders “We usually fix each other’s clothes and hair before heading out to the chauffeur.”

“Y’all decent?” knocked Jin on the bedroom door.

“Yuh, ready to go?”

“We need some hair spray for Mimi” Jin said as Mimi walked up into view “it’s one of those hair days.”

“Oh shit, I got you fam” I pick up some combs and hair spray to fix her hair.

Tenya watches them in the living room, working on Mimi’s hair just like when they were in high school and he walked in the intel dorms to visit Ita. Just another fond memory that hasn’t changed. Once everyone was fixed and ready, they headed to the Gala in style.

“I didn’t know you could just portal a whole limousine like that” Tenya awed at how fast they traveled from the front gate of the community to the Gala.

“I do it for safety reasons” Jin says as he checks the time “wouldn’t want stalkers or villains to know where we are” he put his phone in his suit pocket “not that it’s happened before but you can’t be too careful.”

They step out of the limo to be swarmed with cameras and interviewers like it was a red carpet event.

“You guys weren’t kidding! It’s a big deal to be here” Tenya looked around him once they entered the place “Oh my, everyone is in theme.”

Before Ita could say anything, a familiar but unwelcomed voice called out to them “WELL! If it isn’t the most gorgeous woman in Japan!” a lanky man walked up to them.

“Correction, it’s Most Powerful” Mimi stopped the man from coming any closer “what do you want weasel man?”

“Can’t I talk to my associate?”

“Newsflash flat ass, we never agreed to your contract” Jin slides in with the facts “and with the crash in your stocks recently, our eyes are set to crush your company next.”

“Yeah whatever” the man ignored Jin “you’re looking mighty fine this evening Miss CEO, will you join me for some wine and see where the night takes us.”

“She can’t” Tenya stepped in before she could say anything “she has yet to introduce me to her colleagues.”

“And you are?”

“Her date tonight” He said confidently, feeling giddy that he said it “come babe, who were you going to show me?” putting his arm around her waist to take them to the otherside of the room, flashing a mischievous look back to the lanky man.

“Babe? Excuse me Mr. Her Date Tonight” she mocked and teased once they were out of earshot “who are you?”

“I didn’t like how that guy wanted to take you away for your undivided attention” he shuddered “I got a sickly vibe from him.” He looked around the room and saw all the hushed whispers and looks everyone were flashing at them “You’re certainly drawing a lot of attention with your gown.”

“They’re looking at you too” I chuckled “I’ve never been photographed with a date, let alone arm in arm with them” I wave at some of the familiar faces “lucky you, don’t worry about messing it up, just be yourself and limit only 2 glasses of champagne.” 

After some ceremony things and year in recap for the tech moguls, Ita takes Tenya to her favorite part of the place. A little ways past the courtyard, theres a large pond full of colorful fish and frogs.

“What a quaint area” Tenya said in awe “is that a platform?”

“Yeah, you can take it right up to the middle of the pond, just above the water, to see the fish better” they go on the platform a distance from the edge “see, there’s some glow ones too and my favorite one is that iridescent one.”

“How deep do you think this pond is?” he asked curiously “theres so many fish here that it can’t be waist deep.”

“Quen sabes?” I look at him “do you think this’ll be a good addition to the yard?”

“A pond?” he thought about it “the yard isn’t that big.”

“I know but I’m thinking about having a mini one with just 3 or 5 fish to swim comfortably in and have it where the lemon and Kumquat tree is” I touched the surface of the water “but who knows when I’ll have time to sit down and plan it, I have so much on my plate for this year.”

“I see, it’s hard juggling everything” the big gold koi fish poked it head up and it caught his attention “but I hope you do decide to do it, I’d love to see it and anything you put your mind into turns out amazing.”

“Oh stop it!” I blushed as I stood up “you flatter me too much.” As they leaned in for the kiss, the platform gave way and they both fell into the pond, causing a scene. They both swam to the edge and everyone came out to see what happened.

“Oh my goodness I’m so sorry Miss!” the host of the event was mortified “are you hurt?! I’ll cover the cost of your damaged gown!”

“I’m more concerned about the fish” I said wringing out my hair “I hope our fall didn’t hurt them, I was so careful to not fall in.”

“I saw who tempered with the platform controls” spoke up a female that was part of somebody’s entourage “it was that lanky man with the navy suit! I was on the balcony when it happened.”

“I’ll handle things!” the host helps her up “lets get you two dried and inside” they lead us into a door that leads to the guest room “my apologies again! Please feel free to wash up too and I’ll get your clothes cleaned.”

“It’s alright Mr. Taka!” I say to calm him “thank you for your hospitality, I think we’ll just stay here until we get our dry clothes and leave for the evening.”

“Oh but I feel awful that that man had the gull to ruin your night, like some school boy!” the host gestured toward Tenya “I didn’t even get to meet your boyfriend properly, Hi I’m Mr. Ani Taka, CEO of Kankai Electronics.”

“Oh my it’s an honor! I’m Tenya Iida, Pro Hero Ingenium of the Ingenium legacy.”

“A PRO HERO! MISS PALMA I CAN’T BELIEVE I HAD TWO BIG NAMES THAT FELL INTO MY POND!” he screamed and fan-boy’d “sorry I’m just a hero fanatic! I’ve shaken hands with your father and brother along with other heroes.”

“I thought you might react like this” I laughed and turned to Tenya “he’s one of my business partners and my supplier for touch screens and sensors.”

“I never gave up on their idea and helped them become the big name she is now” he turned to her “why don’t you get out of those wet clothes and into a robe?” he waited for her to close the door on the bathroom “So young hero, when’s the wedding?”

“You too?!” Tenya groaned “I’ve only been living with her for 2 weeks and dating for 8 months, its too soon to ask.”

“Alright BUT I want an invitation!” he huffed “just don’t wait too long.”

The rest of the night was spent in that guest room, finding out that lanky man is banned from future events and heading home pretty early. The next day, the headline on the event was ‘Robo Dog CEO and Pro Hero Ingenium Fall in Pond at the Tech Gala, CEO more concerned about the fish?’ 

“Really? Nothing on why Tenya was with me on the platform?” I questioned as I looked at the headline in my office “well I guess I should be thankful I was put in the positive light.”

“That spike in publicity is going to be LIT!” Beizu commented.

“Ew please don’t say ‘lit’ like that, you sound like my parents” I cringed and everyone else in the room agreed.

“Well that wasn’t very plus ultra of you guys” Beizu pouted “besides, this was a tech highlight, hero gossip shows up on the main page of anything way later or not at all. They’re heroes after all! They pay the publisher to remove gossip about them to boost their image” everyone took his word for it, he was a side-kick after all “if anything, this isn’t going to affect him much. Who reads the Tech headlines for hero news?!”

-Meanwhile, At the Todoroki Estate-

“KYAAA! SHOTO!” Fuyuumi cried out as the brothers run in from their morning work out.

“What is it?! What’s wrong Fu?” Shoto panted.

“LOOK! Palma-sama is with your friend!”

The brothers look at the headline and collectively said “So?”

“And he’s in the same un-named designer outfit!” she just confused the brothers more “it means she’s dating him! There’s no other reason why he gets a custom suit AND is arm in arm with her at the BIGGEST Gala of the year for Tech!” she squealed “I’m so happy for her!”

“Now that you mentioned it, Iida-kun moved out of his brother’s apartment at the end of the year and didn’t say where he moved to” Shoto recalled “and he was at her tech presentation in October” things finally clicked for him “it took him 3 years to finally say it! And didn’t tell anybody!?”

-In the Midoriya household-

“I can’t believe they finally said it!” sobbed Izuku and Ochako in their living room over the headline “I’m so happy for them!”

“We have to celebrate somehow!” Ochako squealed “I’ll contact the girls and you gather the boys.”

“I’m on it!” Izuku and Ochako sent a mass text to their old classmates about their discovery and celebration plans.

-Back at the house, later that evening-

“How was work?” I asked Tenya he walked in.

“It was weird today, I got a lot of attention when I went patrolling” he took off his shoes “plus my phone has been blowing up with voicemails and texts from our classmates.”

“Oh si? What did they say?” I was surprised to hear the blowing up his phone part.

“I went through the voicemails and most of it is screaming and crying, which concerned me until I heard Yuga’s” he plays Aoyama’s voice-message.

“Bonjour Dear Classmate~ I heard you’ve been hiding something from us, your relationship with your Princess! At long last you poured your heart out and she accepts you, unfortunately I am out of Japan and in France at the moment BUT I do expect a wedding invitation! Bye Bye for now!”

We both turn red and laugh “Well, so much for keeping things private” I peer over his phone “what else did they send?”

“Texts that say to call them back, screen shots of the headline, OH this threatening text from Bakugo” he pulls up the text.

I read the text “Oi, you better treat her right or else I’ll personally beat you to death, NO QUIRKS!” I laugh “that’s on brand, I miss those twinks oddly enough.”

“You have one request from Dummy-Dum to video-call, would you like to answer?” said the robo as he waddled in from the hallway.

“Kaminari? Um sure put him on the wide screen” I commanded and sat in front of the television. A buffering screen of Kaminari in his kitchen appeared “What’s poppin fam?”

“YOU! And -gasps- HIM!” Kaminari was freaking out as you can clearly see Tenya in frame of the video call “You two have been hiding your little hand holding and smoochy smoochy eh?!”

“Denki I told you I was talking to her again” Tenya said as he walked toward the couch “and you didn’t say anything about it!”

“I thought you meant like texting or emailing not fully hanging out!” Kaminari was just pacing in his kitchen “You two are putting pressure on the rest of us.”

“How?!” Tenya and I said at the same time “All we did was fall into a pond!”

“You fell in with a designer outfit that SHE made custom for you! Jiro wants me to start matching with her now” he pointed at his screen “do you know how uncool it is to have your girlfriend plan outfits?!”

“I actually don’t mind her styling me” Tenya chopped in response “she has an eye for fashion, this shirt flatters my frame better and she got me these Gucci slides house shoes.”

“It’s that attitude that’s putting pressure on us!” he groaned “I guess I’m happy you two finally made it official, just don’t out do us when you propose.”

The video call ends but the messages from old classmates kept coming in, well, except Shinso. While he knew all along, he knows he can’t say he’s happy for them until they get closure. But when?

-Chapter 37, End-

<Previous - Next>                            

[lobsters-on-their-heads]

Continuing Travels of Cophine, Chapt. 2

No sex in this one, I’m afraid.  Link to the entire work here: http://archiveofourown.org/works/12116799?view_full_work=true

Alison handled the money on the Foundation's end. That was the arrangement they all agreed on when the Foundation was created. She put a million dollars into a ready-to-access account with two debit cards and the rest of the money into interest-earning accounts of various types and risk levels. When Cosima saw the total amount Rachel Duncan had given them, Delphine had to remind her to breathe.

“How many countries will you be visiting?” Alison asked one evening in July. They all sat in her living room, pretending to go over details of the trip, but mostly snacking, enjoying each other's company, and playing with the babies.

“Exactly?” Cosima asked. “I dunno, maybe 100? It depends. Some of the sisters might not be where Dyad says they are. I'm not.”

“Do we know how long this whole trip will take?”

“No idea.”

Alison typed some numbers into her adding machine and frowned. It was the first time Cosima had seen someone actually use an adding machine in real life, and she wanted Alison to have a yellow visor to go with it. “Maybe we can plan out the next six months, at least? For the finances, I mean. Let's assume $100 a night for hotels, $30 a day for food, oh, and don't forget plane tickets.” She scribbled some notes on a pad. “Is it reasonable that you might be flying once a week or so, on average?”

Cosima had zoned out watching Delphine bounce baby Arthur on her knee, and came back to Alison with a dull “huh?”

Alison sighed. “Let's just assume that you'll be flying somewhere new, on average, once a week. You said you didn't want your plane tickets set in stone-” She rolled her eyes to show what she thought of that. “- so you'll be spending max money on all of your tickets because they'll be last minute. Correct?”

“Sounds about right.”

“Well, that will be several hundred dollars per flight, per person. Maybe even over a thousand per person.” More note scribbling. “One thousand dollars per flight per person, once a week, for six months.... that comes out to... $48,000. Roughly. To twenty-four destinations, which we're also ballparking right now. In the course of a year, of course, we would double that to $96,000. Until you fly to Japan and the Antipodes, of course, which will probably triple the cost.”

Sarah leaned over to catch the end of Alison's spiel. “Are you forgetting they have one million dollars for this? I think we can afford $100,000 in plane tickets, and, what, a couple thousand on food and hotels overall? Hell, go out for drinks, see the sights, live a little. The money's all there.”

“It's all an estimate, though. It could cost four times this amount, and this is only basic travel expenses. Some of our sisters will need to have medical care paid for from this fund, or they might need to be flown somewhere. Bribes might need to be paid. We don't know. We need to keep costs low.” Alison shook her head. “And Cosima, you're not even going to be administering the cure to anyone?”

Cosima shifted in her seat. “I mean, we all decided it's best that the clones stay naive. That's harder to do if the person curing them looks exactly like them.”

“Of course. That, I understand, it's just... Well, frankly, it would make a lot more sense for Delphine to travel by herself.”

In the silence that followed, Delphine said, “Not to me, it doesn't.” She hoisted baby Arthur up to her shoulder, where he tangled his hands in her hair. “Cosima developed the cure,” she went on, “she needs to be present when it's administered, even if she's not in the same room. She'll have control over it, not me.”

Cosima would have kissed her then, but baby Arthur picked that moment to sneeze all over Delphine's face.

* * * *

In Mexico City, Cosima settled into Julian and Martín's spacious living room. It was around noon on their first full day in the city, almost time for her weekly Skype call with Alison, and Cosima was still finishing her breakfast. It was strange being in this house alone, surrounded by all the signs of other people's life together, after months and months of hotel rooms. Coffee cup in one hand, Cosima strolled around the perimeter of the living room, looking at the photographs and mementos on the walls and bookshelves. One shelf was dedicated to Julian and Martín's wedding. They had married on a beach, in matching pastel suits. There were photos of each man surrounded by his parents and extended family as well as couple photos of just them. Cosima wondered if she would ever meet Delphine's family. She'd asked once, after arranging for her own parents to meet Delphine, and Delphine deflected so well that Cosima didn't even realize that she'd never gotten an answer until a week later. When she'd brought it up again, it was clear Delphine was not excited about it, so Cosima dropped it.

The laptop blooped a few minutes after noon, revealing Alison's face framed by her former craft room. Cosima was still bummed that Alison had done away with the best craft room she'd ever seen.

“Hello, Cosima,” Alison said, looking somewhere at the table beside her computer.

“Hola, Alison. ¿Como estás?”

Alison frowned a bit. She'd never learned Spanish, but really, Cosima had greeted her that way on all of their past conversations, so there shouldn't be any surprise there.

“I'm busy,” Alison said. “Brenda quit, so I've been managing the accounts by myself this week.”

“Wait, what?” Brenda McAllister was their accountant for the Foundation, hired shortly after Cosima and Delphine left Canada, since no one in Clone Club had significant experience with non-profits or tax law. “Why?”

“No idea. She just left, with two hours notice.”

“Holy shit.”

“We put out some ads for a new accountant, but with the holidays coming up, I have no idea what kinds of people will apply.”

Cosima had no idea what the holidays had to do with it, but she kept that to herself. “I'm sure we can manage in the meantime. I mean, Brenda got us started; that was the biggest hurdle.”

“It was, but it won't remain that way. Something else will come along. It always does.” Alison finally paused whatever other task she was doing to look at Cosima on her screen. “Where are you right now? Is that your hotel room?”

Cosima looked around at the spacious living room with the dining room set in view behind her. “Oh, no. We're staying with a friend of Delphine's.”

“Oh. For free, I hope?”

“I mean, we brought them some gifts from Argentina because we're not assholes, but yeah, it's free.”

“Thank heavens.”

“Why? Last I checked, the account had plenty of money left. Or did Brenda take it all with her when she left?”

“No, she didn't, but there's a chance we may need to pay her replacement a little bit more. For the moment, I have added a bit more to our pay up here-” she gestured to her herself and her home to indicate Donnie's involvement “-since we've taken on more responsibilities.”

“Sure, that's fine.”

“Enough about that, though, how are things down there?”

Cosima thought back to her morning with Delphine and smiled. “Oh, swell. Delphine's friend does cosmetic surgery here, and his husband's a banker, so they're pretty well set up. Only downside is the airline lost Delphine's suitcase.”

The indignation on Alison's face was almost worth the loss. “What? Did you call the company?”

“Yes, we called them. Delphine's also tweeted and commented on all their social media. Nothing yet.”

“Hmpf. Maybe one of our sisters down there works for the airline and can assist?”

“Uh... if they do, that would be a weird ask. And I don't think any of them do. Not for that airline, at least. Besides, there's the chance it was just stolen.”

“Well, it's a good thing we got that travel insurance, then, isn't it? You've filed a claim, right?”

“Yes,” Cosima said, making a mental note to do so after getting off the call. “I've gotta go out and buy a bunch of stuff today though to replace what we lost.”

“The cure wasn't-”

“No, the cure is fine. We always carry the medical bag with us on the plane. Trust me, I'd be freaking out a LOT more if we'd lost that.”

After that, Alison caught her up on the family business up there. The babies were healthy, Helena finally had legally (if illegally produced) identification documents, Gemma was going to star in her school play, Donnie's job was going well, and Felix had gotten Oscar interested in painting. “Oh, and we tried another church this past Sunday.”

“Another one?” Cosima knew Alison had stopped going to her old church after some drama at the Fall Festival, but she thought she'd found another one already.

“Yes. It's in the city, actually, not far from Sarah and Kira, so I thought I'd ask them to come along next Sunday.”

Cosima took a moment to imagine Sarah in a church. “Good luck with that,” she said.

* *

On her way into the shopping district near the clinic, Cosima reflected that, on this trip at least, she was equal parts Delphine's girlfriend and Dr. Cormier's personal assistant. She didn't mind. In fact, she would have done more if she had the skills or if Delphine allowed it, but there were some things Delphine refused help with, and which Cosima admitted she would probably suck at. Namely, buying clothes for Delphine. Cosima could handle buying something like a jacket, which Delphine didn't need because she still had hers, or socks, which she did need and Cosima would buy for her, but all other items of clothing were off limits. Delphine would buy them herself that afternoon after her time at the clinic.

Cosima had a shopping list ordered from essential to not, with drug store items at the top. After visiting four different drug stores in a one mile radius of the clinic, Cosima had a few bags filled with everything Delphine needed for her skin, hair (on her head and elsewhere), eyebrows, nails, and teeth, plus assorted over-the-counter medications, but still missed the second-to-top item on the list. They'd heard that tampons were hard to find in Latin America, so they'd brought several boxes down from Canada, all packed in Delphine's suitcase. Cosima's periods were so irregular that she always kept one in her purse for emergencies, but that was just one. Delphine's period was regulated by birth control, which, of course, had also been in Delphine's suitcase. Replacement pills had been blessedly easy to get at the first farmacia, but Delphine had nearly finished with her current month's doses, and she was scheduled to be on sugar pills tomorrow, meaning her normal period would start. Before schlepping another couple of blocks to yet another drug store, Cosima sent her girlfriend a quick text.

How opposed are you to pads? cause that might be our only option.

The reply came several minutes later. Very. Have you checked everywhere?

Cosima sighed and adjusted the bags on her arms. Working on it. Maybe you can just take the regular pills for a while, save the placebos for home. Extra hormones for a week won't kill you.

In the time before the response came, Cosima ducked into a little clothing store and bought several pairs of animal print socks for Delphine. When she got back on the sidewalk, Delphine replied. Just get some tampons, chérie.

She rolled her eyes.

The fifth store she tried was close to a small community of English-speaking expats, but still, they had no tampons. Cosima waited in line ahead of some chatty older women from the States who were happy to commiserate with her after they'd made their own purchases.

“Those are hard to find down here, sweetheart,” one told her. She reminded Cosima of a much older version of Adele, with huge sunglasses and a flowery hat. “I've heard there's a place a few miles from here that sells them, but you know, I haven't had to worry about that in so long, I don't even know.”

Cosima gave her a small smile. She was thinking about dinner, which they were having at a restaurant near the clinic, which was now close to two miles away.

“Are you just visiting?” the woman's friend asked. “You sure have done some shopping, it looks like.”

“Yeah, we're just here for a couple days.” Seeing the look on their faces, she added, “Our, uh, one of our suitcases went missing, so I'm restocking.”

“Oh, isn't that just the worst? The airlines lost it?”

She nodded. The sun had sunk to eye level, burning her eyes and face as soon as stepped back outside, the older women right behind her. For a moment her heart sank as she realized they were going in her direction, until the one without sunglasses unfurled a wide blue parasol, blocking the sun for both of them.

“I'm Eileen,” the woman with the parasol said, “and this is Cindy. Where are you comin' from?”

Cosima ran through a quick list in her mind of all the places they'd been, but said only, “Toronto.”

“Oh, it's cold up there! No wonder you came down. I'm from Virginia and Cindy's from Georgia, but we met down here. You'll wanna stay, trust me. Who're you here with?”

That was always a sticky question with strangers, especially in more conservative parts of Latin America, but they'd both decided not to lie about it or hide their relationship, so Cosima said, “I'm here with my girlfriend.”

Both Cindy and Eileen seemed pleased with that. “That is the way to do it,” Eileen said. “Forget boyfriends or husbands or whatever, just travel with a girlfriend.”

“That's what I did my first time down here,” Cindy said. “I came down with a couple girlfriends. Eileen, you've met one of them, my girlfriend Mary, with the little dog. Anyway, it was worlds better than traveling with my husband.”

They reached the end of the block and smiled again at Cosima, looking like they would keep walking with her. “Yeah,” Cosima said. “Totally. I, uh, gotta go this way. It was nice to meet you both.”

Heading off in the wrong direction on purpose, grumbled to herself about the pains of heteronormativity. In Spanish, of course, Delphine was her novia, which was more clearcut since it always meant romance, but some Spanish speakers tried correcting her, asking if she really mean novio if Delphine wasn't around to reference. A few times in English she'd called Delphine her partner, which didn't help any either since they were here on a medical trip, and people then lumped their relationship into the “strictly professional” category. A couple of times she'd wanted to just shout at people, “I'm here with the woman I'm in love with!”

She checked the time and cursed. Delphine would be meeting her for dinner in twenty minutes, and Cosima would most likely not make it there in time. “Fuck it,” she muttered, and sent for an Uber. She didn't care if Alison disapproved; she'd eat the costs herself if it meant not staggered another two miles in this sun. While she waited for the Uber to arrive, she got an idea. She copy/pasted Julian and Martín's address into a text message to Alison and added a message. Please overnight a small box of tampons pls and ty.

* *

After dinner in a lovely little restaurant near the clinic, they took a bus back to Julian's house, where he and Martín served them drinks. Within five minutes he and Delphine had fallen back into reminiscing about medical school days in Paris. While they laughed about some professor with particularly large eyebrows, Martín turned to Cosima with a knowing look. “It will be this way for your entire visit, I'm afraid. Another friend visited us last year, and all they talked about was the old days.”

“It's okay,” she said. “I've heard, like, nothing about Delphine's school days. I could sit and listen all day.” It wasn't quite true. Cosima knew a little about Delphine's boarding school and how she'd been so miserable she tried to kill herself once, though she didn't know exactly why. She knew about the restaurants and parks in Paris Delphine loved, because Delphine wanted to take her there, and she knew about some of the friends Delphine still talked to now and then, like Julian. Bits and pieces of Delphine's past had filtered through their conversations, but the majority of Delphine's past remained fuzzy in Cosima's mind.

Julian and Delphine moved on to talk about some student protests which took place during their time in medical school, and how one protest caused half of their anatomy class to miss an exam, and Martín stood up with an exaggerated yawn. “I've heard it all before,” he told Cosima. “So I'm going to read a book in bed. Goodnight, everyone.” He kissed Julian and waved to Delphine and left.

Another glass of wine, and Julian and Delphine's English became peppered with French phrases. Delphine stretched out her legs under the table to prop her feet up on Cosima's lap, her cheeks flushing from the wine and laughter. Cosima just watched her, heart full to bursting. This is what I want with you, she thought. I want to sit with you and learn everything about you, and know that I'll see you tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that...

Her reverie was broken when Julian put another glass down in front of her, leaned into her space, and gestured towards Delphine. “Has she told you about Jérôme?”

“Jérôme??” Cosima asked with an eyebrow wiggle. Quite early in their relationship, she'd learned that Delphine had had quite a few male sexual partners in the past. There was no surprise there; it would've shocked Cosima more if Delphine hadn't fucked a lot of people, frankly. Besides, it would be the height of hypocrisy for Cosima to make a stink about it, considering how many people she had been with herself.

“Oh, mon dieu,” Delphine groaned. “We're not talking about that right now. Please.”

“Oh, come on,” Cosima said with a laugh. “I wanna hear about it!”

Julian acted aghast, clutching invisible pearls at his chest. “You haven't told her about Jérôme? How long have you two been together, again?”

“He's not important,” Delphine insisted. “I don't want to talk about that.”

“Come on,” Cosima repeated. “I tell you about my exes.” She squeezed one of Delphine's socked feet on her lap. It was quite cool inside now, and Delphine wore a pair of socks Cosima'd purchased for her that day, with monkeys holding bananas on them.

“Fine,” Delphine said. She took a final drink of wine and pulled her feet from Cosima's lap, then stood up. “Julian can tell you what he wants, but I don't want to listen. I lived through it once already.”

Cosima watched her lanky frame vanish around the corner towards their bedroom. She almost got up to follow her, but Julian settled back into narrative mode.

“Fine,” he said, “I'll tell you. Jérôme was Delphine's boyfriend for, oh... two years, I think maybe.”

“Okay.” With a last glance in Delphine's direction, Cosima turned back to him. “I mean, I figured he was.”

“They met the first week of medical school. He was... ouff, he was handsome. And brilliant, of course, because we all were, and everyone knew they would be together after the first day.”

Cosima nodded along. If Julian was trying to upset or scandalize her, it wasn't working.

“They were the perfect couple,” he went on. “They were beautiful, brilliant, rich. People took bets on them. How famous they would be, which famous people they would befriend, when they would marry, everything. He took her everywhere. Every soirée at a professor's house, every gala, every big name restaurant in the city.”

He tossed an olive into his mouth and the briefest flicker of jealousy finally popped into Cosima's head as she wondered if one of those restaurants was one Delphine would take her to. And? It's not like you don't have those places yourself, that an ex showed you and you love by itself now. Delphine's allowed that, too.

“He took her to his parents' summer home in Vis,” Julian went on.

“Vis?” Cosima asked. The tiny flare of jealousy, which she'd just squashed, came back, larger this time, as Julian looked at her with surprise. Apparently, everyone knew where Vis was, and Cosima had just revealed herself as not being in the know.

“The playground for the rich,” he explained with a hand wave. “It's an island in the Adriatic Sea, part of Croatia.”

“Oh. That Vis. I must've been thinking of a different one.” She drank some more wine, a little glad now that Delphine wasn't there to see her embarrass herself.

“Anyway, we were all jealous all the time because they were just too perfect, both of them. It's like they were keeping all of this perfection just for themselves.”

“Mhm.” This must have been why Delphine left, she thought. Cosima wouldn't want an old friend gushing about how great she'd been with an ex, either.

Julian shook his head and sighed. “He proposed to her, too. Did she never tell you that?”

She blinked. “No. No, she's never mentioned it.”

“Hmmm. It was a big deal. I mean, of course it was a big deal, everything they did was a big deal, but the way he did it was big. A lot of us knew he was planning it; he wanted me to come buy the ring with him, but I didn't want to.” He drank some more wine and looked into space for a moment, maybe remembering other things from that time. “He proposed at the awards night for the school. She'd won an award for some kind of student research, I don't remember what, no one remembers what. Her parents were there – both of them, and I'm sure you know how hard that it to accomplish.”

Cosima did not know. She knew Delphine's parents were divorced, wealthy, and not in frequent contact with her, and that was about it. “Hmm,” she said.

“His family was there, too. They knew what was coming, and they had their camera all ready.” Julian drank some more wine for dramatic effect, like Cosima didn't already know how the story ended. She just didn't know how the ending would come about.

“Let me guess,” Cosima said, “he proposed in front of everyone and she said no?”

“No. He proposed in front of everyone, yes, right after she'd gotten her award, but she didn't say no. She said yes.”

“Oh.”

“There were cheers, and the professor who gave her the award hugged her, and people took pictures. Everyone said they'd been waiting for it to happen, it was inevitable. You know how people get.”

Cosima shrugged. Her glass was almost empty, but she didn't want any more wine. She felt like she'd had far too much already. “So she was engaged?” she said. “To some rich doctor, I mean, medical student, named Jérôme?”

“For about six hours, yes. Once the crowds went home and the pictures were all taken, they went back to his apartment and she told him she'd changed her mind. She didn't want to embarrass him in front of everyone, so she'd said yes at first, but....” Julian raised his arms up in a what're you gonna do gesture. “It was a scandal, as you might imagine.”

“I might,” she agreed.

“Mon Dieu, I can't believe she never told you that story.”

“Yeah. Yeah, me neither.” For the sake of politeness, she finished her glass of wine, but refused another. “I, uh, I think I'm gonna turn in. Goodnight.”

[allianceinternational-blog]

Catering Recruitment Agencies-Meet The Chefs Competing In Washington, D.C

Author Name: Yogita Yadav

Address:104 Esplanade ave, 120 Pacific, CA 94044, USA

Mobile No:+1-9176688461

Best Catering Recruitment Agencies-

People will see me or write to me and say, "But, Chef Todd, how can you will definitely understand my anxiety about cooking? You cook beautiful, nutritious foods for thousands regular." First of all, I haven't always eaten or cooked nutritious food because healthy cooking wasn't on my agenda and as long the fear of cooking.well, I certainly do understand it, because I continue to have it.

Meritage Steakhouse is offering a special Mother's Day menu featuring Colorado rack of lamb with organic apple-cognac gastrique, bone-in prime filet with lobster-Morel mushroom and bearnaise, or seared Alaskan halibut with brown tomato butter sauce. Starters, sides,Top Catering Recruitment Agencies  and desserts complete the mealtimes. The Meritage Mothers day meal will be offered from 3 p.m. to 9 nufactured.m. on Sunday, May 9 a cost of $59 per person and $24.50 for kids under 8. A four-course wine pairing is for sale for an adidtional $26 per flight.

Visitors consider a ride on the train, makers Cass store, see the train cars, learn about trains and also history and visit Whitaker Station.

This upscale West Virginia State Park offers something for utilizing member. Accommodations range from room within lodge or cottages to camping. The Palmer Signature Golf Course is surely America's 100 Best. For dinner, Catering Executive Paco Aceves and his culinary staff offer a variety of dining choices. Dining rooms suit any occasion or dining mood.

Image Source:https://www.cateringpower.com/

Most West Virginia State Parks are pet friendly. Pets do truly be on a leash. Cat owners are was needed to be responsible and wash as you need. Some cabins even allow pets. Check with the park you are interested in visiting in order to your release. The main information number for everything West Virginia State Parks is 1-800-CALL WVA.

The Music: Bands playing authentic German music will heard by guests the actual day weekend, including: Big Lou's Accordian - Saturday, 2pm; SF German Band - Sunday, 2pm; Joe Smiell

There's the chef in the city. Massimo Covello of Acri, Italy, is now executive chef at Piazza D'Angelo in Mill Vly. Chef Covello has kept many in the restaurant's signature dishes but has added his local, organic touches to recption menus. Some of the new, rotating daily items include: Tonno Crudo - Hawaiian ahi tuna tartare with caper dressing served with Star Route frisee salad and Fiori di Zucca - tempura fried Capay Farm zucchini blossoms filled with Bellwether Farms ricotta and smoked mozarella served with Tercera agretti salad; and Risotto with lobster mushrooms, Capay Farm zucchini and parmigiano. Stay tuned in for his monthly four-course Farmers Dinners, coming briefly. 22 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley. 415.388.2000.

Image Source.https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-vssc-recruitment-2018-19-catering-attendant-posts-open-last-date-jan-11-apply-on-vsscgovin-77147

The cash prize is up to 125,000 dollars from 100,000 dollars, 25,000 dollars more than other seasons. Also, (last night at least,) the quick-fire winner received a chip worth 15,000 dollars.

WIth Michael V. taking last week's quickfire and week's elimination challenge, and Jenn C winning a couple of the three elimination challenges so far, it's pretty sure they include the two to beat. Plus dear old Kevin. Gotta love that southern daughter.

This restaurant he works at always be white table cloth. But due to their concept is not really. Instead, it's wood agents. At every table is 22 dollars of wine for ornamentation. The server will remove the bottle after he or she greets the shopper. The bar rocks !. It's round and involves a metal prime. A curtain or drapery separates the restaurant from the bar. I notice some bottles of wine sitting around, several of them must stop in the returning.

The first factor for that decides the salary of the chef will be the work add. Say for instance, happen to be the chef of an excellent dine restaurant. Automatically you can expect a high salary. Making just what you do not get a highly regarded paying restaurant, don't worry. There are lots of other options like resorts, hotels and rich that might hire chefs independently.

So what decision does a man make? Discovered the caterer. Finding the caterer would be a big enough decision pests must be the respect of my future wife and gain the respect of the friends. Used to do not presents menu - the caterer did. Identified a true professional. My caterer has restaurant experience on three continents on his way to earning the title of Catering Executive. If you would like to find the best restaurants in the Washington, DC area, go to the restaurants he lists on his resume. While��i choose my caterer, I choose a world class chef. My caterer supplied a menu that was so far on top of the usual wedding menu of boiled chicken and baked fish, has been created like eating at a four star restaurant.

I ate really wonderful Italian food while Applied to be in Culinary school, plus i was forever in search from the perfect meatball. What follows is my perfect meatball.

So whether you want to participate in a distinctive event, want a bite to eat or just need place to sit and relax, check out the Atlantic City Country Club. . very. where everyone knows your name.

For More Information:https://www.alliancerecruitmentagency.com/