#gray leather tufted sofa

[dinnerandasuit]

Mediterranean Home Bar in Phoenix Seated home bar - huge mediterranean galley brown floor and medium tone wood floor seated home bar idea with stainless steel countertops, mirror backsplash, gray cabinets and open cabinets

[chinosarah]

Phoenix Home Bar Galley Huge seated home bar with a medium-tone wood floor and a brown floor reminiscent of a Mediterranean galley, as well as stainless steel countertops, a mirror backsplash, gray cabinets, and open cabinets.

[mjmayhem]

Library Living Room Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary enclosed light wood floor and beige floor living room library remodel with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace, a tile fireplace and a media wall

[garfinski]

DC Metro Family Room Open Example of a large transitional open concept light wood floor and brown floor family room design with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

[schlafloo]

Open Living Room in Los Angeles Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept dark wood floor living room remodel with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

[modernkaribou]

Eclectic Living Room Large eclectic enclosed living room idea with blue walls, a tile fireplace, a standard fireplace, and a light wood floor.

[paintinghippos]

Contemporary Family Room - Family Room Mid-sized trendy enclosed concrete floor and white floor family room photo with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

[legohlas]

Living Room in Atlanta

Example of a mid-sized trendy enclosed marble floor living room design with a music area, multicolored walls, no fireplace and a tv stand

[michaeldirnt]

San Francisco Transitional Living Room Example of a mid-sized transitional enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design with white walls

[emvozbaixa]

Eclectic Living Room Inspiration for a sizable eclectic enclosed living room remodel with blue walls, a tile fireplace, a standard fireplace, and a media wall. The floors are light wood and brown.

[emileehartman]

New York Library Photo of a large transitional enclosed family room library with beige walls and a medium tone wood floor

[bluedoveyellowsun]

Contemporary Living Room Ideas for a mid-sized, enclosed, contemporary living room renovation with a music area, colorful walls, no fireplace, and a TV stand

[ciginatree]

Sofa- Justin Morrow x Ricky Olson

Content Warnings: Fluff, anal sex, small spit kink?

Word Count: 1.1k

Request by @high-wire (sorry it took so long, you're a saint for being this patient)

This story is a complete work of fiction portraying the likeness of a real person or persons in a fictional situation.

“Babe! I’m home!” Ricky shouts through the entryway, voice echoing off of the pale, dusty blue walls. He kicks the door closed behind him and slides his leather jacket off his arms and onto the bar of coat pegs to the left of the front door. Left in his black hoodie and jeans, he ventures further into the house. “Babe?” Ricky calls out again, peering around the corner into the living room. An unmoving lump is laid across the couch and he smiles fondly to himself at the scene before him.

Justin’s head rests on the arm of their gray couch, his hand wedged under his cheek. His face is relaxed and his eyes are closed, soft breathing escaping his slightly parted mouth. Ricky walks around the couch, kicking his shoes off to the side, and slides into what little space is left on the couch in front of Justin. Ricky cuddles close to his chest and reaches down to pull the wool blanket that had collected at Justin’s hips up over the both of them. Justin stirs, inhaling deeply as his eyes squint open and closed. He wraps an arm around Ricky, instinctively pulling him closer, even in his sleep dazed haze. 

“Hey, baby, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Ricky whispers, his fingertips raising to rake gently along the grain of Justin’s sandy brown scruff. Justin lazily shakes his head and sighs, sinking further into the couch. 

“I don’t mind,” Justin says, voice strained and gruff as he stretches his leg along the length of the couch. Ricky smiles softly, lodging his leg between Justin’s.

“Good, ‘cause I don’t wanna move.” Ricky closes his eyes and lets the warmth of Justin’s arms wash away the lengthy, stress worn day. Justin’s fingers raise and slowly gather Ricky’s hair, bunching it between his palm and Ricky’s scalp before releasing the tufts and watching them scatter across his head. Ricky sighs into the feeling as Justin repeats the action, gliding his fingers through his boyfriend’s inky hair. As he gathers it once more, Justin dips his head down to press his lips into Ricky’s shoulder. His lips knead into his milky skin, carving their way up his neck. With his eyes still closed, Ricky drops his head to the side, allowing the slow, languid kisses to breach his weary demeanor. A hum rumbles through his throat, vibrating into the wet warmth pressed at his pulse point. Justin’s lips twitch up ever so slightly, dragging a longer path across Ricky’s skin.

A low exhale precedes more movement and finally, Justin finds his way to his boyfriend’s face. Ricky looks so calm, his eyes closed in content trust. Justin lowers down to kiss him. Ricky doesn’t hesitate as his lips soften and mold to Justin’s, letting him set the pace. The slow kisses quickly heat and Ricky’s hand finds Justin’s cheek, pulling him closer. Justin inhales deeply, exhaling a slow groan. Ricky’s heart pounds at the noise, the rest of the day forgotten as he presses his body against Justin’s, pushing him down underneath him. He clasps his other hand over Justin’s cheek and begins to rock his hips down, groaning and humming into Justin’s mouth. 

As their tongues work against each other, Ricky begins to remove their clothes. First his pants, then Justin’s, then their shirts- breaking away for only a second -and lastly, their boxers. Ricky settles on top of his lover, hand propped on the arm rest of the couch above Justin’s head. He stares down at Justin, breaths leaving him in short puffs through parted lips as he lines himself up. He’s always loved the way Justin looks below him; so much bigger, but so vulnerable and needy. Ricky shifts, swiveling his head as his eyes sweep the room. “Fuck.”

“What?”

“Lube.” Justin lets out a deep rumble of a laugh and takes Ricky’s free hand, guiding it to his lips. Ricky watches as Justin spits down into his hand, the warm saliva coating his hand. Justin’s lips curl into an erotic smirk when Ricky’s eyes widen, and Ricky wastes no time wetting his dick. Eagerly, he presses his tip against Justin’s hole, flicking his eyes up to watch Justin’s face as he slowly pushes in. Justin takes a stuttering inhale and releases it with a moan, fingers curling around the edge of the couch cushions. 

“Fuck,” Justin breathes as Ricky’s hips settle against his ass. “Oh, fuck…” Ricky’s body fevers, tongue darting out to lick his lips as strands of black hair slip down over his forehead. He lets out a deep hiss of breath, his hand trailing down to hike Justin’s thigh up over his waist. Ricky holds an inhale as he drags his hips back, his eyes roll and he lets out a choked moan before pushing back inside.

“Always so fucking tight,” he mutters in a strain. Justin drapes his forearm over his head, hand twitching and clenching as pleasure radiates through his body. He lets out small pants, back arching and he breathes out a sultry moan when Ricky picks up his pace. His hips pump steadily, lips drawn in a tight, focused line. 

“Oh, god, Ricky…” Ricky tightens his grip on Justin’s thigh, hiking it further as he drops closer to Justin’s body. Sweat dews at the brim of Justin’s brow, lips cracking apart to moan and hiss. Ricky can feel the tension building deep in his gut, a coil winding tighter and tighter. He knows Justin can feel it too by the way he’s writhing and bucking his hips. Ricky reaches down, clasping Justin’s hand in his own, and raises it up over the armrest, forearms pressed together. 

“Fuck,” Ricky breathes, dick throbbing and pulsing. He angles his hips and drives up into Justin’s sweet spot, gasping as Justin clamps down with a whimper. “Oh, god!” Every inch of the two men feels like they’re on fire. They shudder and groan, both so close to releasing. Justin clamps down again and Ricky’s mouth drops open to let go of an almost pained moan, muscles tightening as he finally cums. 

Justin arches up into his boyfriend, cumming over their stomachs and chests with wide eyes and choked moans. Ricky pants, head dropped forward and he squeezes Justin’s hand before slowly pulling out with a whimper. He collapses on top of his chest, chest heaving alongside Justin’s. “God…” Justin breathes, settling his hands over Ricky’s back. He reaches down and grabs the blanket that lay trapped between their bodies and the side of the sofa, draping it over them both. “I’m not moving for at least an hour.”

Ricky hums in agreement, face smashed into Justin’s chest. “That’s fine, I like falling asleep naked anyway.”

Tags: @abiomens @high-wire @rumoured-whispers @exitwoundsx @spookieolson @joyofbebbanburg @eternallytiredsinger

[feverinfeveroutfic]

The Confectioner’s Tale | Chapter Nine

Alex had promised to come and pick me up at my place, and thus, I had put on one of my nicest blouses, the robin’s egg blue one that was low-cut enough to show off a bit more of my chest to him. I had showered once I clocked out from my shift and I kept my hair tousled down around my shoulders and my upper back; with my blouse came my nicest dress pants, the black silk ones that seemed to glitter under the city lights.

I never thought I would dressing up nice again, and especially after I had dressed nice the first time Ben saw me again at a dinner party over on Vashon Island. I wore that exact top, but I had on another pair of slacks paired with my boots as it had been pouring rain all day long: it was one of those mid-summer deluges where the clouds rolled in about midday and then within the hour, the rain began to fall. Depending on the time of summer, the feeling of fall would creep in; but this was about a week after the Fourth of July. It still felt like the summertime afterwards.

I had no memory of the context, but Anne-Marie and I were invited to this one party across the Sound from our loft. There were about fifty other people there at this one house and despite my dressing nice, I was asked to tend to the catering as well as bringing something along lest I be seen as a pariah.

Ben was there. I dressed up nice. I made yet another Swiss roll, one laced with Irish cream that time around. But he didn’t seem all that bothered by the sight of me at all. He would address me but nothing like the interaction he had with Anne-Marie on the Fourth of July.

Once I had put on my black leather flats with the little bows near the toes, and I had spritzed a bit of my perfume on my neck, I was met with a knock on the door.

“Coming,” I called out, and I set down the bottle on my desk. I made my way to the door and I picked out my purse from the back of my sofa. I opened the door, only to be greeted by Alex himself, wrapped up in little black shirt under a black button up silk shirt. Black on black except for the little tuft of gray at the crown of his still damp head and the bright blue of his eyes.

“Hey, beautiful,” he greeted me with a slight shake to his voice.

“Beautiful? That’s a new one.” I slung my purse over my shoulder and gave my hair a toss back over my shoulder.

“I thought I’d be the gentleman I’ve been told I am,” he confessed with a shrug; all the while, I noticed that his shirt underneath the silk one was a bit on the snug side. I was going to spend an evening with this beautiful boy, and when I thought Ben was the beautiful one, too.

He was sitting outside on the porch of this lovely, slightly upscale house right under the hazy Seattle sunlight with a partial cigarette in one hand. But I wanted to speak to him. I wanted to be alone with him. I stood before him with my back to the railing; with the rain filtering from the ocean, the wind was blowing his cigarette smoke the other way. I still wanted to be close to him. I still wanted to make an impression with him.

I wanted to tell myself that I wanted my claws in him. In fact, I thought for sure that I had in the palm of my hand.

Things were too forced between us, and the silence always left a bit of a pit in my stomach as well. I couldn’t make the transition from conversation to making out. Granted, Ben eventually warmed up to me more than he did on the Fourth, but it lacked the flow and the ease of the interaction between him and Anne-Marie.

Nevertheless, something told me to keep going with it. Keep trying, especially if my body was that attracted to him.

Alex offered to take me to the cute little Mediterranean place not too far away from his hotel and the Tombstone Mile. All the while on the whole cab ride, I could feel their eyes were watching me. I was the one who danced with the devil up north and survived, and I was also the one rumored to lace her goods with poison and human flesh. I was that crazy enough.

“So I want to make you a Swiss roll at some point,” I told him as we climbed out of the taxi in unison.

“Really?” He raised his eyebrows at me, and then he patted both hands on the roof of the taxi. It drove away, and we headed to the glass front door. He held it for me, whereby I thanked him, and we stood inside together to wait for a table.

“A Swiss roll’s a chocolate cake rolled up with cream inside, right?” he asked me over the noise of the restaurant.

“The very same,” I assured him.

The twinkle in Alex’s eye made me think of the way Ben’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight, except I could trust Alex. I could trust him with my body and my mind.

“How exactly do you coil the Swiss roll so tightly?” Ben asked me as he crushed the cigarette butt under the sole of his shoe.

“I’ve just… done them enough times that I’ve gotten acquainted with the coil,” was all I could say to him with a shrug. “You roll up the cake while it’s still hot so it cools that way and it’s easier to roll.”

When I said that to Alex, he was taken aback by that tidbit. He seemed genuinely interested by the world of baking. Moreover, he saw it as chemistry, much like how I did.

“I mean, if you think about it, baking is all laboratory science,” I was saying. “Cakes and cookies are basic chemistry, bread is biochemistry, and confectionery is crazy, mad science.”

For a guy who was as well-read as Ben, he seemed rather resigned when I started throwing all of this at him. But Alex propped up his chin in his palm and he looked on at me with his eyes all big and his lips slightly parted, like a young boy hearing something so fascinating, and I knew he was being sincere about it as well.

“It really is amazing what you can do with heated sugar,” I told Ben. And just like that, I put my foot in my mouth: “it’s almost like napalm, too.”

“Dancing with napalm, eh?” He showed me a little grin, that time filled with those little baked bean teeth once again. I shifted my weight at the sight of it, and I tried to not change the expression on my face, either.

“Yeah, I… guess you could say that I do,” I said as I tried my best to flirt with him. “I make the whole world stand next to my fire to taste the sugar at the end of it.” He chuckled at that, but I could see that it didn’t make much sense to him.

That was another thing made no sense to me: Ben had the most oddball sense of humor I had ever seen. If I threw out a joke of that caliber, I hoped that it would garner a much-earned laugh out of him. But he laughed in a way that told me he was uncomfortable.

When I told a similar joke to Alex, he laughed in hearty fashion, such that he bowed his head and showed me the slight blush to his face. And luckily for me there in the restaurant, our food arrived right then. Back at the party, I had to find my way out of there in the form of an excuse: something about someone from the kitchen calling me to tend to a pot of boiling water, even though there was no pot of boiling water on the heat. I just wanted to get out of there because I felt I was messing the whole thing up with him.

I was messing the whole thing up with him, and when I thought back to that time, it made me all the more happier to be in that restaurant with Alex.

“How’s the gyro?” he asked me at one point.

“It’s delicious,” I replied. “I do feel they could improve on their pita game, though. One of my favorite breads to make is flatbread.”

“So many things I should try from you,” he confessed, “and so little time, too.”

“Seriously,” I agreed with him with a shake of my head. I took another bite of gyro, while he took one of his spanakopita. “And how’s the spanakopita?”

“Absolutely glorious,” he told me, and he offered me a bite. The spinach was lush while the feta was so creamy and delicate: I felt truly impressed by the phyllo dough. The flakiness, the lightness, the texture… I closed my eyes and held back against the seat as I relished in the flavors.

When I opened my eyes again, I locked my gaze onto Alex himself. Where Ben had this almost condescension to him, Alex took one look at me and smoldered as if he was asking for something.

I could feel the tension between me and him. I could feel it between us when I made him that cheesecake.

We both ducked into the unisex bathroom together and locked the door. I had my back to the door panels and my arms around his slender but slightly thick waist. He was taller than me, and as a result, his long beautiful curls blanketed either side of me as if he was protecting me. He kissed with such passion, and he moved in very slowly as if he wanted to engage with me. To feel me. To be close to me.

He actually wanted to kiss me. He coaxed the fantasy out from me. I could only fantasize about these things with Ben and it lacked the feeling, even as I told myself to keep trying with him.

When I returned to Ben, he seemed rather cool and collected by my return but I wanted to see if I could keep on doing it with him. I wanted to see if I could make confectioner’s napalm with him like I did with Alex.

“You got it okay?” Ben asked me with a clearing of his throat.

“Oh, yeah,” I assured him in a haste. “Sometimes these things need more attention and time to tend to, you know?”

“I do, yeah. Sort of. It’s like… when you’re writing a record and you need to…” He stopped. “…to tend to a piece of music that seems like…” He stopped again, and I could see him searching for the right words. “…like it’s trying to come together, but it’s not, though. You know, you have to… spend a few more days on it until it does.”

Back at the restaurant, Alex let out a low whistle and ran his fingers through his black curls. Through the warm white lights from the torches on the wall behind us, I could see the flush in his face.

“God, that felt good,” he whispered to me.

“It did,” I whispered back to him. “Kiss me on the chest.”

He licked his lips and held his head to my chest. Those soft lips and coarse curly hair up against my skin, and I could breathe harder. We were making slow, tender love to one another, and he made me feel so many times more than my forcing the round leg into the square hole with Ben back at the party.

But there was a point in which I could feel something of interest with Ben as he dropped his gaze to my hips and thighs. All it took for my lizard brain to register some sort of interest with him was that one look. Just one look, and he fed into my own insecurities.

A knock on the door stopped me and Alex in our tracks and we headed out of there one after the other with no questions asked. When we returned to our table, I spotted Peter right outside of the restaurant in all his towering glory. He looked to be waiting for something, or someone.

When I turned to Alex for a kiss, I saw out of the corner of my eye Peter showing me a little smile, which seemed to glow from under the southland twilight. The way he smiled made me think of the times Ben showed me a smile, except he was only doing that for the hell of it all.

I curled my fingers around Alex’s fingers, and he returned the favor with a hand on my hip opposite from him. He seemed much more relaxed after that little round back there, but I could still feel the nervous feeling which ran through him like a ribbon. When I returned my gaze back out the window at Peter genuinely smiling at me. I needed to do something for him at some point, as well, and when I could find the time to do something for him.

The Swiss rolls made adjacent to one another would have to do the next day, and after Alex and I returned home again.

I drew the line at kissing anyone who tasted like an ashtray, but I never drew the line at kissing anyone who enjoyed my baking.

[shy-nightmare]

The Toonz Twins: Toontown Sleuths

Chapter Three: Eddie Valiant

Summary: Now that they’ve been hired, the twins meet their new partner, retired Toon private investigator Eddie Valiant who is also hired to investigate the rumors at Maroon Cartoons Studio CEO R.K. Maroon’s request. The three do not hit it well with first impressions.

Credit for inspiration goes to @imaginarytoon1, author of “The Birchwood Twins: Toontown Investigators” and @its-metal-mistress, author of “Bendy and the Ink Machine: Learning How to Live”. Please check out their own wonderful content ^^!

Special Guests Tags 😊: @marinerainbow, @slashingdisneypasta, @los-angeles-toon-patrol, and @weaselnerd (BTW, I have a favor to ask. If you guys received this, can you please comment you saw my chapter? I’ve been having WiFi issues lately ☹)

Warning: Eddie being biased towards the twins 😑

The twins followed the lady down the hallway to R.K. Maroon’s office. As they walked, they marveled at the sight of various Toons and Toon celebrities walking around the streets at the studio. The walls were embellished with posters of Roger and Herman’s cartoons from Babes in Arms to Tummy Trouble and The Wet Nurse.

“They must be the stars of the studio,” Tom said to his sister, who gave a little shrug as if to say, “Guess so”.

The lady knocked on the doors polished in oak wood. “Mr. Maroon? Our guests are here.”

“Ah! Terrific!” a man’s voice responded. He clapped his hands, “Send them in, please.”

She opened the door for the twins, and they thanked her before stepping into Maroon’s office. It was a classy, organized room with walls painted in ivory decorated with golden statues of Toon celebrities and posters of Roger and Herman’s cartoons near a single green sofa chair on the right. The floor was polished in dark green and red, and only had two little stairs to the office desk. The desk itself was shaped in a curved style, decorated with more cartoon memorabilia and the chair was tufted in vintage green leather. Two velvet green curtains spread open, giving a splendid view of the Acme Factory. And sitting on the office chair and another in front of the desk were two men.

R.K. Maroon was a tall, but stout man. His skin was olive, and his hair was black peppered with streaks of gray. He wore a dark silver-grey jacket accented by a crimson handkerchief over a white dress shirt, a tie threaded in streaks of black, white, and red, and matching silver-grey trousers with polished black dress shoes.

And the other man, judging by his washed-up detective getup, had to be Eddie Valiant. He was slightly shorter, but a little stockier. He wore an old, coffee-colored jacket with a surprisingly clean white dress shirt, holding a black tie dotted in diamond shapes marked with single red x’s and dark suspenders with scuffed shoes. But unlike Maroon, he kept his short dark brown hair hidden in a classic brown fedora. He raised a brow at the twins’ appearances, giving them both a once-over look before his brown eyes darkened. Tom returned his glance with a concealed warning glare, which did manage to tell the man to keep his trap shut. At least, for now.

“Hello and welcome to Maroon Cartoons!” Maroon walked over to meet the twins, extending his hand out. “You must be Mr. Valiant’s assistants. I’m R.K. Maroon, the proud owner and CEO of the studio.”

Tom accepted his handshake, “Tom Toonz. And this is my sister, Twyla.” He motioned to his sister, who shyly held her hand out for a handshake.

“It’s very nice to meet you, too.” Maroon shook her hand before he turned to the brooding man. “OK, Eddie, you’re free to go.”

“Great,” Valiant grumbled, taking another gulp of his flask and stuffing it in his pocket before storming out of the office.

The twins sighed and shared a deadpan look. “Let’s get this over with,” he grumbled, and they followed him, not noticing Maroon’s smile turn a little…less sincere.

_____________

They followed their “partner” all the way across town, where he decided to hitch a ride on another trolley without them. Asshole. The Red Car stopped near an archway building called The Terminal Station Bar. Just as Eddie was about to take the first step, a young gruff voice spoke from behind him.

“Leavin’ us out in the open?”

“Jesus!” Eddie whirled around, but he glowered when he saw the twins with their arms crossed. “Didn’t anyone ever tell ya it ain’t smart to sneak up behind people?”

“Didn’t anyone ever tell ya it ain’t polite to ditch your coworkers?” Tom answered his question with another question, raising a brow.

“No shit, sherlock,” Eddie grumbled. “Look, I got no time to deal with you Toons—”

A hand grabbed him by the shoulder before Eddie was forced to make eye contact with the young gunslinger. Tom’s tone was even but had a firm undertone do it. “I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you. Where we come from, we don’t take kindly to racists and that does not exclude you, Mr. Valiant.”

Eddie’s glare faltered a little, his brown eyes slightly widening from the stoic, but intense glare in Tom’s darker eyes and his slightly tightened grip. After a long tense moment, he sighed and let go of the human’s shoulder. “Look, buddy. We get that we’re Toons, but like it or not, Maroon and the fuckin’ man-brat requested all three of us for this job. So I’ll offer you a deal, let us help out and I’ll split our cut 50-50 considering the time of the century we’re living in. And after that, we’ll be gone by sundown. Deal?”

The disgruntled man glared down at the floor, as if he were blaming it for all his troubles right now, then he sighed. “All right. Deal.” He shook Tom’s hand, then pulled back. “So Herman brought you two in for the same favor, huh?”

“Yeah. Apparently, there’s a rumor going around saying Jessica’s cheating on her husband. Then he sent us your way, but the problem is we don’t have a camera. And with what we got right now ain’t enough to give Herman the proof.” Tom glanced at Twyla, who nodded.

“I see.” Eddie sighed, “Wait here. I don’t want the guys to see me in the bar with you runts.”

He turned around and headed into the entrance. Tom flipped him off behind his back. He nearly bumped into a drunk who reeked of bad B.O. and booze that almost reminded him of the Hellhole and walked over to his sister who leaned against the wall while looking at her cell phone.

“Have you reached Adam and Echo yet?” he asked.

Twyla shook her head, “No. Apparently, there’s no signal in this time period.”

“It’s the 40’s, sis.” Her brother reminded her, taking his hat off to rub his temple. “We’ll try again later. Last thing we need is to make Echo sick with worry and Adam beat the shit out of us with his fuckin’ laptop.”

“Agreed.”

Suddenly, Eddie stormed out of the bar, clenching his fist. Tom saw some pieces of eggshells falling out of his palm and could tell some shit went down. “We’re going straight ahead. My office is in that building.” He spoke gruffly with teeth gritted in fury, jerking his head at a large suburban-styled apartment building across the bar at Hope Street. The trio entered the building and walked up a set of stairs leading to a long hallway with doors. After a few blocks down, Eddie led the twins to an office door labeled “VALIANT & VALIANT, PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS”, and in the center was a badge-designed symbol written “Veritas”. Eddie opened the door to his office.

His office…was a one-room apartment. The walls were tawny brown, hanging up portraits and photographed frames. It had a small kitchen with enough room to fit little a card-playing table and chairs, refrigerator, oven, sink, and thank God there was a bathroom. On the left side of the office stood a couple of dark oak shelves scattered with documents and more bottles of Jack Daniels while a dark brown leather chair stood a few feet away from them. And standing in front of the blinded window stood two office desks connected to each other with a single vintage chair. One was polished, though littered with picture frames, papers, booze, and debris. And the other was organized and well-put but covered in thick dust. There was only an unfinished scrapbook, a magnifying glass, an adorable Betty Boop figurine, rounded spectacles, and a pipe next to two organized pens. Everything was dusty, but untouched.

Eddie sat on the chair where the scattered desk was, obviously his office desk. He motioned for the twins to sit on the chairs around the table and they each grabbed a chair.

“Now if you’re going to work with me, I have to lay down some ground rules for you.” He began, making eye contact with them. “First, never—and I mean never—sit on this desk.” He pointed at the dust-blanketed office desk without taking his eyes off his “partners”. “Second, don’t slack off or goof around like you Toons do.” He added, and Tom held back a murderous growl while Twyla’s fur lightly bristled with equal rage though she was in more control of her composure. “And third of all, don’t do anything even remotely stupid that will embarrass me or get us killed while we’re on the job. Got it?”

Tom and Twyla both silently nodded. “Yes, sir.” The older twin spoke.

“Good. But before I tell you my plan for the evening, I want to know you two more. Who are ya and where are ya from?”

Tom, who was always one step ahead, did all the talking. “The name’s Toonz. Tom Toonz. And this is my twin sister, Twyla,” he motioned to his sister who greeted the man with a curt tilt of her head. Then, he dug down into his pocket to pull out a file containing two copies of their credentials that Twyla so kindly upgraded a while ago. Tom handed the papers over to Eddie. “We were hired by Baby Herman as covert investigators from Chatham, Chicago.”

“Chatham?” Eddie raised a brow, as if he were perturbed by the fact. He looked at the papers’ contents again for confirmation. “Uh, that’s a rough part of town, ain’t it?”

“Yeah, well, Chicago is rough.” Tom responded with a shrug. “But it’s one of the biggest joints out in the city to pull a sleuth job.” When Eddie furrowed his brows in confusion, the male halfie elaborated. “Before we came here, we’ve done some favors, too. Folks would show up on our door, asking us to find some dirt on people on their lists. Cheaters, scammers, liars, folks pilfering and selling recreational goods for their clandestine businesses, you name it.” he finished, trailing off, “Chicago ain’t as big as New York, but the streets are just as tough and crawling with creeps and sleazeballs of all kinds, and thugs itchin’ to take a crack at you.”

Eddie observed the scar on Tom’s right eye, then looked down. He nodded, “Yeah? Is that why you’re packin’ heavy heat?”

Tom followed where he was looking and saw the hostler of his gun coiled around his right hip. He softly cursed and tried to hide it better when Eddie cut him off. “Ah, don’t sweat it, kid. I get it. You’re trained to prepare, and that’s good. You need to use your eyes and ears, or else the pigs will be blowing your house down.”

“Ha-ha, hilarious. You’re a real fuckin’ Charlie Chaplin,” Tom snorted, but Eddie didn’t get irritated from hearing the swear.

Eddie turned to Twyla, “What about you?”

Twyla’s ears drooped, but Tom was kind enough to answer for her. “Um, sir.” He spoke to Eddie, softening his tone while keeping the eye contact firm but steady. “She doesn’t feel comfortable talking just yet.”

The detective rose a brow, but he didn’t get upset. “Just yet?”

“She struggles to speak when she’s out in public and she’s very shy, but once she gets to know you better, she’s only a lady of a few words.” Tom replied.

Thankfully, Eddie dropped it. “OK, I got ya. So you can say she’s more of the silent type?”

“Yeah.” Tom nodded, “But she’s learning some of the same skills as I am. While she struggles in conversation, she makes up for it with tracking skills and finding clues. Plus, she as a keen attention to detail and is an excellent master of stealth.” He grinned proudly at his twin’s adorable attempt to hide her embarrassed, blushing face while trying to shove her brother off his chair. However, she managed to punch him roughly in the shoulder. “Ow!” he rubbed his right arm gingerly, “And did I forget to mention she hits like a guy?”

Unbeknownst to them, Eddie pulled up their papers to hide an amused chuckle. He cleared his throat and lowered the papers, folding his hands together. “All right, back to business.”

“Right.” Tom fixed his jacket before facing the human. “So, what did Maroon tell you?”

“He told me that the rabbit’s got his tail all up in in knots because of his wife, Jessica.” He tossed Tom a folded newspaper, and the twins huddled together to take a closer look. Written in bold black, the headliner read, “Seen Cooing over Calamari with Not-So-New Sugar Daddy was Jessica Rabbit, wife of Maroon Cartoons Star Roger Rabbit”. Eddie continued while the twins read, “Like you said, there’s always a cheater crawling around. Maroon says Jessica’s poison, but Roger thinks she’s Betty Crocker. Maroon wants us to go to the joint she sings at, a little evening hotspot called The Ink & Paint Club and dig up some dirt on her.”

He glanced up at the twins warily. “There’s just one problem, though.”

They looked at him, tilting their heads confusedly. “What’s up?” Tom asked.

“Toons do work there, but the club is Toon-Revue. Strictly humans only,” he responded, hiding his concealed apprehension when the twins’ faces darkened. “I got some trench coats and hats you can borrow, so we’ll pull the old cloak-and-dagger trick and—”

Tom cut him off. “Oh, trust me. There’s no need for that,” he waved dismissively. And then, he pulled into a mischievous grin. “You just leave that to us.” He chuckled.

The twins shared a toothy smile that made Eddie’s blood run cold. Oh fuck, what have I gotten myself into? He thought.               

[joyner111]

Blending modern living room furniture with classic decor

Blending modern living room furniture with classic decor can create a sophisticated and timeless look by combining the sleek, minimalist lines of modern pieces with the rich textures and ornate details of classic elements. Here are some tips to help you achieve this balance seamlessly:

Focus on a Neutral Color Palette Tip: Use neutral colors like white, beige, gray, and soft pastels as your base. These colors can help unify modern and classic elements by providing a cohesive backdrop. Example: Pair a modern, white leather sofa with a classic, ornate coffee table in a neutral finish.

Mix Materials Thoughtfully Tip: Combine modern materials like glass, metal, and high-gloss finishes with classic materials such as wood, velvet, and textiles. Example: Use a glass-topped coffee table with a classic, carved wooden frame or a modern metal bed frame with a traditional upholstered headboard.

Balance Shapes and Lines Tip: Modern living room furniture often features straight lines and geometric shapes, while classic decor tends to have more curves and ornate details. Balance these elements by mixing them thoughtfully. Example: Place a modern, linear sofa against a wall with classic crown molding or pair a sleek, minimalist nightstand with a round, traditional mirror.

Choose a Focal Point Tip: Select one piece to be the focal point of the room. This can be a modern statement piece or a classic item that you love. Ensure that the rest of the room complements this focal point. Example: A modern, high-gloss dining table can be the centerpiece of a classic dining room, or a vintage, ornate mirror can be the focal point in a modern entryway.

Use Transitional Pieces Tip: Transitional living room furniture combines elements of both modern and traditional styles. These pieces can help bridge the gap between the two aesthetics. Example: A transitional sofa with a simple, clean frame but tufted upholstery can blend seamlessly with both modern and classic decor.

Incorporate Textiles for Warmth Tip: Modern living room furniture can sometimes feel cold or impersonal. Add warmth and texture with classic textiles like velvet, linen, or wool. Example: Drape a velvet throw over a modern leather sofa or use a plush, woven rug under a sleek coffee table.

Keep Hardware Simple Tip: Choose simple, minimalist hardware for your living room furniture to maintain a modern feel while still complementing classic elements. Example: Use brushed nickel or polished chrome pulls on a traditional wooden dresser.

Add Greenery Tip: Plants can add a natural, organic element that complements both modern and classic styles. Choose large, architectural plants like fiddle leaf figs or more delicate options like ferns. Example: Place a potted plant on a modern side table or in a classic ceramic planter.

Use Art and Accessories to Tie It All Together Tip: Artwork and accessories can help unify different styles. Choose pieces that reflect both modern and classic elements. Example: Hang a modern abstract painting above a classic sofa or display a collection of vintage vases on a modern shelf.

Be Intentional with Lighting Tip: Lighting can set the tone for the entire room. Use modern light fixtures to add a contemporary touch, but ensure they complement the classic elements. Example: A sleek, minimalist pendant light can hang above a traditional dining table, or a modern floor lamp can illuminate a classic armchair.

Layer Textures Tip: Combine different textures to add depth and interest. Mix smooth, polished surfaces with rough, natural textures. Example: Pair a smooth, high-gloss coffee table with a textured, woven rug or a soft, chunky knit throw.

Experiment with Scale Tip: Ensure that the scale of your living room furniture pieces is consistent. Avoid pairing overly large or small pieces that might throw off the balance. Example: A modern, low-profile sofa can pair well with a classic, medium-sized coffee table.

Add Personal Touches Tip: Incorporate items that reflect your personality and style. This can include family heirlooms, travel souvenirs, or unique finds. Example: Display a collection of vintage books on a modern bookshelf or hang a family portrait in a modern frame.

Create a Cohesive Flow Tip: Ensure that the room feels cohesive by repeating certain elements throughout the space. This could be a color, a material, or a specific design motif. Example: Use a common color like gold accents in both modern and classic pieces or repeat a geometric pattern in your textiles and decor.

Be Bold with Accents Tip: Don’t be afraid to add bold, statement pieces that blend modern and classic elements. These can serve as conversation starters and anchor the room. Example: A modern, geometric rug with traditional colors or a classic armchair reupholstered in a bold, modern fabric. By thoughtfully combining modern living room furniture with classic decor, you can create a space that feels both timeless and contemporary. The key is to find a balance that reflects your personal style and makes the room feel cohesive and inviting.