#handmade Pure paper bag

[handmadepaperart]

[aleskie]

SINCERELY, YOURS (ft. Max Verstappen)

SUMMARY: You come home to a heartwarming mess of papers, ink, and (worst of all) glitter. But the letters you get from it are worth the small headache.

The Xmas Album Masterlist

Warnings: full on domestic fluff with mr. max!!

“I’m home!” you call out, balancing bags of groceries as you shut the door behind you.

“Mama, you’re back!” A small voice chimes in, followed by the quick patter of footsteps on the hardwood floor. It’s your son, Felix Verstappen, all smiles and undeniably far from the clean state you left him in an hour ago.

Setting the groceries down, you crouch to give him a hug. “My baby, did you miss me?” you ask, your tone sweet and playful.

He nods earnestly. “You were gone forever.”

“Mhm.” You take his little hands in yours, instantly noting the sticky sensation of what you suspect is glue. A closer look reveals the true extent of his artistry: while his face is mercifully clean, his clothes are a canvas of marker streaks and, to your dismay, glitter—the absolute bane of your existence.

Before you can say anything, another set of footsteps enters the foyer.

“Oh, schatz, you’re home,” Max, your husband, greets you with a warm smile. He leans in for a quick kiss before swooping down to grab the groceries. “I’ll take these to the kitchen.”

“Thanks, hun.” You return his smile, but your gaze lingers on him for a moment. That’s when you notice it: various shades of marker ink smudged across his forearms and—yep, more glitter dusted across his shirt.

Turning back to your son, you scoop him up effortlessly, earning a delighted giggle. Getting picked up is his absolute favorite thing these days.

“Fox,” you say, giving him a pointed look. “Do you want to tell me why you and Daddy are such a mess?”

He turns his head toward the living room, his grin stretching even wider. “It’s a surprise!”

“Really?” you reply, raising a brow as curiosity creeps in. Balancing him on your hip, you make your way to the living room. “And who is this surprise for—”

Your words falter mid-sentence as your eyes land on the scene before you. The living room is a battlefield of creativity and chaos. Markers are scattered across the floor, joined by an explosion of colored paper and scraps. Felix’s prized sticker collection decorates every available flat surface—the coffee table, the windowsill, even the TV remote. Glitter sparkles from the cushions, as though the couch itself had decided to join in the festivities. And to your utter horror, you spy bold streaks of green and red marker on the arm of your beloved cream armchair.

“Okay, I promise we were going to clean up before you got home,” Max pipes up, appearing from the kitchen with a sheepish smile. In one hand he holds a half-empty jar of glitter and what looks like a glue stick in between his fingers.

You exhale, smirking as you tilt your head and raise a brow at your husband. “What a surprise, right, Maxie?”

“Well…” Max rubs the back of his neck, the universal gesture of a guilty party caught red-handed. “I admit it kind of…escalated. But look!” He gestures toward the coffee table, drawing your attention for the first time.

The scene before you is pure, endearing chaos. Scattered across the table is a vibrant collection of handmade Christmas cards, each one uniquely charming in its imperfections. Crayon-drawn Christmas trees overflow with ornaments, ranging from Santa’s sleigh to inexplicably random racecars. Snowflakes, lopsided but earnest, adorn other cards, which are further embellished with an eclectic mix of Spiderman and holiday-themed stickers. One particular card stands out—a reindeer crafted from Felix’s tiny handprint, smudged at the edges but adorable nonetheless.

And, of course, glitter. Glitter everywhere. It clings to the cards, the table, and even seems to hover in the air like festive dust motes. You think the glitter is a bit over the top, but it tugs at your heartstrings all the same.

Felix wiggles excitedly in your arms, his grin as big as the mess. “We’re making Christmas cards! For everyone!”

Your exasperation melts a little as your heart softens. “Oh, is that so?”

“Yeah!” he says, practically vibrating with pride. “I made one for you, too!”

“For me?” you ask, letting a smile break through as you feign surprise.

Felix nods furiously before wriggling out of your arms. He races to the table, careful not to trip over the glitter-sprinkled floor, and grabs one of the cards with sticky hands. He rushes back, holding it out for you as if it’s a treasure.

The card is a masterpiece of toddler creativity. Made with your favorite colors, it features a drawn angel perched atop a Christmas tree, both slightly lopsided but clearly crafted with care. Across the top, in Max’s slightly more legible handwriting, is the message: We love you, Mama! The glue is still tacky, and glitter flakes off onto your hands as you take it, but the love poured into it is undeniable.

You chuckle, any lingering annoyance dissolving completely in the face of their heartfelt effort. “It’s beautiful, Foxie. I absolutely love it.”

Felix claps his glue-smeared hands together in delight, his face glowing with pride.

Next to you, Max wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you in close. His bright smile is as warm as the twinkling Christmas lights strung up around the room. “Totally worth it, right?”

You roll your eyes playfully but can’t hold back a laugh. “You’re so lucky it’s Christmas,” you tease, tilting your head to meet his gaze. Then, with mock seriousness, you ask, “Now, who haven’t you guys made cards for?”

Max chuckles and takes your hand, guiding you to the coffee table that has been transformed into a chaotic, glitter-filled crafting station. “We’ve got a list, don’t we, Felix?”

“Yes!” Felix chirps, his enthusiasm boundless.

He picks up a crumpled piece of paper from the table and hands it to you. The list is long, a mix of names from Max’s life as a driver—fellow racers, team members, and factory staff—along with Felix’s little friends and a sprawling number of family members.

You scan the list and raise an eyebrow. “This is a lot of work for just two people,” you say, smiling. “How do you want me to help?”

Felix’s face lights up, and he eagerly thrusts a jar of glitter into your hands. “Mama, you’re on glitter duty!”

You scrunch your nose, groaning in mock protest, which only sends Felix into a fit of giggles. Max grins as he reaches over to pinch your cheek. “Don’t act like you don’t want to join in on the fun,” he teases.

“Whatever,” you say, rolling your eyes dramatically. Setting the glitter jar down with exaggerated reluctance, you roll up your sleeves. “But I swear, if I’m still finding glitter in my hair by March, I’m banning waffles from this household.”

Max gasps, feigning deep offense. “Not the waffles! You wouldn’t dare.”

“You know I would.”

The three of you settle into a whirlwind of crafting chaos. Felix chatters nonstop about his card designs, explaining every sticker and every crayon stroke in great detail. Max, always the silly goose, adds dad jokes and silly doodles to some of the cards, sneaking kisses to your cheek when Felix isn’t looking—and exaggerating them when Felix is watching, just to see him cover his eyes as he groans, “Ewww, you’re icky!”

The hours pass in a happy blur of laughter and mess. The coffee table becomes a scene of glue, glitter, and scraps of colorful paper, but the stack of cards grows, each one brimming with love and personality.

Eventually, Felix announces he’s “soooo tired” and toddles off to bed, barely making it down the hallway before Max scoops him up and carries him the rest of the way.

You’re tidying up the craft supplies, still battling the glitter that seems to have invaded every surface, mentally noting which furniture pieces might need professional help to remove the marker ink. 

As you gather stray scraps of paper, Max returns from tucking Felix into bed.

He joins you in the cleanup, and together you move around the room in a quiet rhythm, the calm of the evening settling over you both. Your hips occasionally bump into each other, and your fingers brush as you pick up stray bits of paper and reorganize the art supplies. It’s a small, unspoken dance of familiarity and comfort.

As Max turns his attention to the stack of finished cards, he pulls one out from under the pile and holds it out to you. It’s slightly neater than the others but still carries the charming imperfections of a heartfelt DIY project.

“For me?” you ask, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

“Of course,” he says with a playful smile, handing it to you. “Felix made you one, so obviously I had to show him who loved you first.”

You chuckle softly, taking the card from his hands. The front features a heart in your favorite colors, surrounded by stars and a glittery Christmas tree. In the center, there’s a simple drawing of two stick figures, unmistakably you and Max, hand in hand.

Inside, a short message in Max’s handwriting reads:

Merry Christmas! Thank you for all these years together—for loving me and making me a husband and a father. Here’s to more years and even more happiness. I love you.

Your chest fills with warmth as you look up at him, your eyes softening. “It’s perfect,” you whisper, leaning in to kiss him gently. “You’re so perfect.”

He grins against your lips, his hands resting lightly on your waist.

Pulling back, you reach over to the side table and open a drawer. “I made something for you, too,” you say, pulling out a slightly uneven card.

Max’s eyes light up with curiosity as he takes it from your hands. The front features a hand-drawn racetrack looping around a tiny Christmas tree, with festive doodles scattered across the background and the iconic RedBull car zooming on the track..

Inside, you’ve written:

To my heart, my rock, my joy—my Maxie. Thank you for being everything I never knew I needed. You are the best thing to have ever happened to me. I love you to the moon and back.

Max reads it slowly, his expression softening as he finishes. He looks at you, a mixture of love and gratitude in his eyes. “I love it,” he says, his voice quieter now. “And I love you.”

You rest your head against his shoulder, your hands entwined on the table amidst the glitter and glue. The mess of the evening fades into the background, eclipsed by the warmth and love filling the room.

“Merry Christmas, schatz,” Max whispers, his voice low and tender.

“Merry Christmas,” you reply, a soft smile gracing your lips.

He wraps his arms around you, pulling you closer as the glow of the Christmas tree bathes the room in a gentle light. For a moment, the world outside ceases to exist. It’s just the two of you, standing together in the quiet magic of the season.

And in that peaceful, glitter-dusted silence, you know this is what the season—and your life together—is all about.

[theidiotwhowritesthings]

A FRESH START [drabble]

[a/n: I was a useless little writer today, but at last minute I remembered that since it was Mother's Day little Grogu might wanna celebrate with his Ma. Also, sorry for no tags. Tumblr was a bitch about it. I might actually have to cut the taglist in half but I'll let y'all know before I do if that happens.]

Din Djarin x Female!Reader

Warnings: none, just pure fluffy fluff

Word Count: 655

Summary: Happy Ma Day!

No significant spot in the 'AFS' timeline, just random fluff.

#??: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, LOVE MA

.

After bringing Grogu home from school, he dragged his book bag to his and his father’s room with a little pep in his step and you watched him go with a small chuckle. You turned your attention to straightening the kitchen while also cutting up some fruit for Grogu’s after school snack. Right before you could call out for him, you watched him bounce into the room and onto the counter. In his hands was a folded piece of paper.

“What do you got there, baby?” You questioned.

“Ma.” Grogu beamed and held the paper out to you. “Ma!”

You took the paper from him and realized it was a handmade card. On the front written in Grogu’s familiar, messy scrawl were the words, ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ above a big, red heart that was drawn on the front with paint. Your eyes widened in surprise and opened the card to see a picture Grogu had drawn of you and him. In the drawing, the two of you were hugging.

“Love Ma.” Grogu hummed and pointed to the card. You knew the holiday was coming up and that the school would be doing something, but you hadn’t given it a second thought. 

“Oh, baby.” You set the card down and pulled Grogu into a tight hug. He nuzzled his head into your neck. “I love you too, baby.”

When you finally separated, Grogu snatched the bowl of fruit you made him before bouncing away. Meanwhile, you couldn’t stop staring at the adorable card as tears pricked at your eyes and your lips curled into the stupidest, silliest grin.

Din was able to make his way home early and looked forward to being able to spend a little extra time with his family. He breezed into the house⏤ through the foyer and into the kitchen. His mouth opened to call out for you or Grogu, but the sound of your soft cries made his heart stop. 

“Ner kar’ta??” Din gasped. You were leaning on the kitchen counter with your hands pressed to your cheeks, eyes rimmed red. He bolted to the other side of the room to pull you into his arms. His first few panicked words slipped out in Mando’a before he swapped to Basic, “What happened? Are you alright?”

“Grogu⏤”

Din stiffened, “Grogu? Is he⏤”

“He’s fine.” You sniffled and shook your head. Din watched as your lips curled up into a smile as a shuddering laugh left your lips. “Look. He made me this card.” You motioned down to the counter where a piece of paper sat. Din read the front before flipping it open to examine the insides. The drawing made him chuckle under his breath. “It’s for mother’s day. Grogu made me a mother’s day card.”

Din’s chuckle turned into a relieved, shaky laugh, “Oh, ner kar’ta. You scared the hell out of me.”

“I’m sorry.” You shook your head and fanned your face with your hands as if you were trying to bite back even more tears. Maker, you were adorable. He lifted a hand to cup the side of your face. You sniffled again. “I know I’m being stupid and overly emotional about this⏤”

Din shook his head. “Don’t apologize.” He leaned forward to tap his forehead against yours. “I’m not as surprised as you seem to be by this gift though.” Din rubbed your back. “How about I make dinner for us tonight? You sit back and relax, Ma.”

You nodded and picked up the card with a teary laugh. “I’m gonna hang this in my room so I can look at it every single day forever.” You motioned toward the hall. “I’m also gonna go find your son so I can smother him in kisses.”

Din could hear Grogu’s babbling mingle with your voice as you found him in the hall. He leaned against the counter and quietly corrected your words to himself. “Our son, ner kar’ta.”

mando'a translation

ner kar'ta: my heart

[cherr-22]

TNGDH 24

I held up my hand to my forehead and looked up at the sky. The sun shined brightly with not a single cloud in sight.

“The weather is good.”

A wide smile spread across my face as I admired the beautiful, warm Blake estate today.

Pure white bricks laid neatly in rows and stalls lined up on both sides. Behind them were simple shops run by the people.

That’s right. Shops.

I admired the coin purse hanging by my side. It’s heavy. According to Kyle, I would have plenty of money even after saying ‘give me everything from here to there’ right now. 

While I didn’t plan on spending that much, isn’t good to have a lot? Even as Bae Soohyun I couldn’t enjoy such a luxury.

……To be more accurate, I died just before I got the chance to do so.

“Let’s go, porter.”

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and turned to Kyle. He was dressed lighter than usual and was looking down at me with his eyebrow raised at me.

There’s no point in giving me that look. Of course I’d call you a porter. It’s not like you would call this a date. In the first place, you’re the one who wanted to tag along.

I turned around ignoring his stunned reaction and lifted up the heavy coin purse.

No matter what, I’m going to use this all. I won’t die before these are all spent.

This is something I realized after dying once, but money should be spent while it’s in your pocket. I’ll show you what it means to earn like a Northern prince and spend like a hamster. 

“Slowly.”

He grabbed the back of my neck before I could run off.

I frowned and scrutinized him. In my mouth held a piece of jerky I received at the stall selling dried meat.

“…….”

“Whad. Whad ah yoo looing ah.”

What. What are you looking at.

“……Nothing. Keep eating.”

Wow. This is absolutely crazy. How on earth did they make this sauce? Can a taste like this even exist?

Must buy it now.

I bought two packs of jerky. As I took out a shiny gold coin, Kyle held onto my bags.

Nibbling on the jerky, I headed for the next shop. Here they sold a ‘bracelet that can make you healthy just by wearing it!’. That was what was written on a thick piece of paper next to it.

<Shocking news! Beneficial mana energy is flowing out!>

……What is this, a germanium bracelet or something? The color seems similar too…… this is obviously a scam.

On the other hand, Kyle who was standing next to me held the bracelet up with interest.

“Are there any sizes suitable for a hamster?”

As if there would be any.

In the first place, don’t think about buying one. That energy or whatever. Mana stone or whatever. Oh dear, this is giving me a headache.

‘Maybe I should’ve pretended that there are special demonic beasts with rare constitution that don’t develop mana stones.’

I sighed as I dragged him to the next shop. He would’ve put an order down for the hamster bracelet if we stayed there for even a minute longer.

“Let’s see. Where can I buy clothes.”

“The cape is very warm! Thick and light!”

“Scarves, buy scarves here!”

“Delicious demonic beast meat skewers!”

“Buy one get one free bag of peanut crackers!”

The lively atmosphere of the market brightened my mood.

I bought everything that looked good. The shopping bags drooping off of the Grand Duke’s arms- ah, no don’t do that. Hang the bags on your left arm, not your precious right arm.

“Shoes made from the tough leather of a Northern elephant!”

“Have a look at these pants! Even the Blake knights wear these as training uniforms!”

Obviously I can’t hold back on these.

“Here are sweet and sour tangerine candy. Come see handmade candy made by a craftsman with 30 years of experience!”

This, can’t hold back on this either.

“These are crepes. We’re selling for only one more day to commemorate for the festival!”

Definitely can’t hold back.

“This sure is great.”

The money was spent rapidly, and the once heavy coin purse felt lighter and lighter over time. Both of Kyle’s arms were fully occupied with my shopping bags.

“What’s wrong?”

I asked while holding crepes in both hands. Kyle replied calmly.

“You are more easy to satisfy than I thought.”

I’m about to sell out all the shops and yet you call me frugal.

As expected of the Grand Duke of the North, this kind of spending must be nothing compared to what he spends on a single hamster. Would I have to buy the entire shop to surprise you?

“Today, I will treat you. Would you like some of this crepe? There’s raspberry inside.”

I bought one for myself because it looked delicious but suddenly felt bad seeing the porter work hard all day long. Ah, such a kind heart I have.

He stretched out his neck forward slightly.

“I have no open hands to hold it myself.”

“……Ah. You’re right.”

Both hands were filled with bags. My bags. I did bring him as a porter but……

Still, isn’t he the owner of this land and the ruler of the North? He has been following me behind silently, but the eyes of the shop owners would pop out whenever they recognized him.

“There’s no other choice.”

After contemplating a bit, I raised one of my arm to hold the crepe in front of Kyle’s mouth.

He remained still, as if this kind of situation was new to him. What else do you expect me to do. Should I go buy another arm for you somewhere instead?

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because it’s unexpected.”

Kyle lowered his head and took a bite out of the crepe. An entire corner disappeared in an instant. ……Was it that tiring to hold the bags?

“It’s my first time to be directly fed like this.”

[First time~ It’s his first time! 〜(￣▽￣〜)(〜￣▽￣)〜]

Stop celebrating.

“It’s not like you’re a demonic beast. Why couldn’t you be fed like this.”

“They find me difficult usually.”

“You wouldn’t be difficult if they interact with you everyday.”

I said as if it were nothing special.

He may be a solemn duke in front of others, but to me, he was just a hamster otaku who kissed me everywhere with no reservation. It would be even weirder if I still found him difficult to be with.

“Have we been seeing each other everyday?”

Oops.

“……Recently we have. We saw each other yesterday and the day before yesterday.”

I kept my arm held up for him to eat the crepe and then turned to my share of the crepe in my other hand. Let’s see. Cranberry whipped cream made from goat milk……

“Too sour!”

Kyle flinched upon hearing my cry.

“……Is this your first time having whipped cream?”

“No, I’ve had them plenty of times. Whipped cream should be fluffy and savory, and yet why does this taste like this? And to add sour cranberries on top of that. It makes it twice as sour!”

Kyle tilted his head in confusion and took another bite out of the crepe.

“Whipped cream usually taste like this.”

Seeing him, I bit into mine again.

Sour as expected.

“No. Crepes are usually supposed to be so sweet that it makes your mouth ticklish to be delicious.”

This guy knows nothing. The cloud-like fluffiness is the charm of whipped cream, and yet he doesn’t believe me.

At 9:30PM, I used to have a piece of fresh cream cake delivered from the cafe near my office. It was always the last order since the shop closed at 10:00PM. Roughly once a month, I would have it on a hard day to melt away my fatigue.

Those were hard times, but thinking about it now felt like old memories.

“Is that so…….”

Kyle held a serious expression.

“If you don’t like it, you should throw it away and eat something else.”

“What are you talking about? How wasteful. Besides, just because it’s sour doesn’t mean I can’t eat it.”

“Alright. Eat a lot.”

He finished the crepe and lightly squeezed my wrist to examine it.

“Small and skinny.”

What bullshit is he saying. I’m slightly bigger than the average Korean. I’ve never been told I was small. Especially with one insole in my shoe, my height reached 180 centimeters tall. A thin insole of course, not the thick one.

“Are you sure it’s not just you being too big?”

He let out a low chuckle.

“Eat lots of meat. Even with me protecting you, your body must be in good condition to go out on the reconnaissance. In the Blake territory, even the support units receive martial arts training, not just the knights and soldiers.

Kyle asked as I finished off my crepe.

“Do you have any weapons you can use?”

“No.”

“Any specialties?”

“……Ummm…… language?”

C language is also a language after all.

### programming language

“Besides that.”

“Eating a lot?”

In the case that I failed to develop the game, the lady who worked at the restaurant I frequented said I should try doing a mukbang.

### Mukbang is a live-stream where viewers watch the host eat

“Haaa…….”

He sighed deeply.

What’s wrong. Do I seem like luggage burden now that you think about it?

But consider yourself lucky. As long as I have the system with me, your future will be bright. It may sound odd, but just believe in me.

“Is there something wrong?”

I asked in a provocative tone.

“Are you already worried that you won’t be able to protect me?”

The nickname ‘Loser of the North’ would probably spread throughout the land if that were the case. It’s not like he gained fame as the ‘Bloody Grand Duke’ by killing innocent people. If he can’t protect even a single civilian, he would have to step down from his position as the lord.

His eyebrows furrowed upon hearing my provocation and laughed as if he were intrigued.

“You sure know how to provoke someone.”

“Thank you for the complement.”

Office workers usually fight well. Fighting with clients, fighting with their boss, fighting with overtime… I won’t lose to anyone anywhere.

“Where should I move this to?”

After busily walking around eating this and that, we ended up at the front of the Blake castle. He glanced at me as if to say that I would have to climb the stairs myself this time. I know, I know. It’s not like I don’t have legs.

I trudged up the stairs as slow as a turtle.

“I’ll be shoving them into an unused storage room.”

“Not the servant’s dorm room?”

“Yes. There are no space left for me. I was only able to go there in the past because Sen was with me.”

“…….”

How would I put all these bags into the break room of the servant’s dorm without putting up with the others’ stares?

I’ve been meeting with Kyle in the break room until now since I didn’t want to meet him in his study. Now that Sen has left, no matter how thick-faced I may be, staying there would be too much.

“I’ll get you a room.”

Kyle said it as if it were nothing. You can give away a room just by saying you’ll give me a room?

“……Huh? Really?”

“You must’ve forgotten, but you are also one of the castle’s people.”

Oh right.

“I request a room with a big window.”

If I’m going to receive one, I should get a good one while I have the chance.

With that, the items I bought from the stores today piled up high in my newly assigned room.

As expected, the world revolves around money.

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

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

T/N: I will not be able to post a chapter for next week so this is an early chapter, plus a bonus chapter 25 as an apology!

[doumadono]

Synopsis: Kirishima is looking forward to Christmas and decides to pleasantly surprise his boyfriend, Bakugo, with a charming Christmas jumper. The question lingers: will Bakugo be on board with the idea of matching Christmas sweaters?

A/N: this oneshot was written for the KRBK Advent Calendar hosted by @krbkevents My prompt was: sweaters

Kirishima stepped out of the flat he shared with Bakugo, and a burst of laughter escaped him. The snowfall had turned the world into a winter wonderland, and he found himself mesmerized by the delicate dance of snowflakes. His crimson eyes sparkled with childlike delight as he walked through the snow-covered streets, his head tilted back to catch the flakes on his face.

Soon, the hero stepped into the bustling Christmas market. The entire place was a kaleidoscope of colors and festive lights, and the snowfall added a touch of magic to the already enchanting atmosphere. 

Despite Kirishima's excitement about the Christmas market, there was a twinge of disappointment when Bakugo declined the invitation to join him. How could he opt for baking mundane, spicy muffins instead of accompanying him to the enchanting Christmas market?! Yet, Kirishima couldn't help but smile inwardly, recognizing that his boyfriend's gruff demeanor was precisely what captivated him.  He loved Bakugo just the way he was — always angry and negative about everything. They complemented each other so well!

As he strolled through the Christmas market, Kirishima couldn't resist the festive allure of the stalls. The aroma of hot cocoa and the twinkling lights created an atmosphere of pure joy. He meandered through the market, picking up small gifts and treats until he found himself standing in front of a stall adorned with handmade Christmas sweaters.

The older lady behind the stall greeted him with a warm smile, and her eyes lit up with recognition. "Well, if it isn't Red Riot! What brings my favorite hero to my humble little stall today?"

Kirishima blushed, appreciating the recognition. "Hello!! Just taking a break from hero duties to enjoy the holiday season. Your sweaters caught my eye, they're amazing!"

The lady chuckled, "I'm glad you like them, Red Riot. Anything in particular you're looking for?"

Kirishima's gaze fell upon the green-bottle colored sweater with a charming reindeer motif. "Actually, this one is perfect. I'd like two of them, please — one for me and one for my boyfriend. He's a bit of a firecracker, but I think he'll love this."

The lady grinned, "A matching set, how sweet! You sure have a good eye, Red Riot."

Kirishima chuckled at the wordplay, "Thanks! I thought the reindeer motif was a nice touch. Plus, the green will really stand out and match our eyes! Did you make them all yourself?” 

"Yes, indeed. Been knitting these for years. It brings me joy to see people appreciate the art of handmade crafts during the holidays."

“How much do I owe you?"

After the transaction, Kirishima thanked the lady, expressing his gratitude for the beautiful sweaters. As he left the stall, he couldn't wait to surprise Bakugo with the festive gifts, imagining the delight on his boyfriend's face when he saw the matching Christmas sweaters.

Kirishima returned home, paper bags filled with goods in hand. Before stepping inside, he shook off the clinging snow from his shoulders and dusted his shoes to rid them of the winter frost. "I'm home!" he announced cheerfully. After kicking off his shoes and slipping into reindeer-motif slippers, he made his way to the kitchen, where Bakugo was engrossed in mixing dry ingredients for cupcakes.

"Where the hell have ya been, weird hair?! Didn't you say you would be gone for half an hour? You were absent for almost two goddamn hours!" Bakugo's tone was as fiery as ever.

Kirishima grinned, unfazed by Bakugo's irritation. "What, did you miss me?" he chuckled. "Awwww, how adorable!" Leaning in, he planted a playful kiss on Bakugo's cheek, earning himself an angry "tsch" sound from the ash-blonde man.

Kirishima proceeded to unpack the bags, revealing various goodies he had picked up from the Christmas market. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he turned to Bakugo, who was still busy with the cupcake preparations. "Guess what, Katsuki?" Kirishima grinned, his excitement barely contained. "I met this awesome older lady at the market. She was selling handmade knitted sweaters, and I couldn't resist getting us a little something."

"Don't ya dare tell me you got me a freaking sweater," Bakugo growled, not looking up from his task.

Kirishima's grin widened, and he enthusiastically nodded his head, continuing to unpack the bags. "Oh, but I did! And not just any sweater. I got us matching ones!" He pulled out the green-bottle colored sweaters with reindeer motifs, holding them up for Bakugo to see.

Bakugo glanced at the sweaters and then shot Kirishima a skeptical look. "Matching? Seriously, Eijiro?"

Kirishima chuckled, ignoring Bakugo's grumbling. "Trust me, you're gonna love them. They're cozy, warm, fluffy, festive, and totally capture the holiday spirit."

"I'm not wearing one of those tacky things. They're itchy, uncomfortable, and just plain stupid,” Bakugo commented simply.

Eijiro pouted, his lower lip jutting out in the cutest way. "Come on, Blasty, it's all in good fun! Plus, imagine at our Christmas party when everyone sets their eyes on us wearing these matching sweaters! We're going to be the absolute stars of the show!. It'll be a blast."

As Bakugo examined the sweater, Kirishima couldn't help but feel a warm satisfaction. The festive surprise was sure to add a touch of holiday magic to their home. 

"Damn it, Kirishima!" Bakugo bellowed, his voice sharp enough to cut through the air. “I'll look absurd in this outfit,  Hair-for-Brains.”

"Come on, Katsuki, just give it a shot. Humor me and try the sweater on, okay?" Kirishima pleaded with an earnest grin.

Bakugo's temper flared, and without a second thought, he grabbed a handful of flour from the countertop. In one swift, furious motion, he flung it in Kirishima's direction, his aim unerring. "Shitty Hair, you're out of your damn mind if you think I'm wearing that garbage!" Bakugo snarled, his eyes narrowing as he watched the flour cascade over Kirishima. “I already told ya no, and better accept it, man.”

Kirishima, caught off guard, blinked as the flour settled on his hair and shoulders. He wiped his face, managing a sheepish grin. "Whoa, Bakugo! Easy there! What's your problem?"

Bakugo, undeterred, continued his tirade. "Problem? This crap’s the problem! I don't need this festive crap ruining my reputation. Real heroes don't wear ridiculous sweaters with damn reindeers!"

Kirishima chuckled, attempting to brush the flour off his clothes. "Lighten up, man! It's just for a bit of holiday cheer!”

Bakugo scoffed, grabbing another handful of flour. This time, he aimed at Kirishima’s head with pinpoint accuracy. "Cheer? I'll show you cheer!"

The flour exploded around Kirishima, creating a makeshift cloud of white powder. Kirishima coughed, his grin faltering. "You're impossible, Blasty!" Kirishima sighed, shaking his head. "But you know what? I think you'll come around.”

Bakugo scowled, throwing a final glance at Kirishima before returning to his baking endeavors. Little did he know, amidst the chaos and flour-covered, tiny argument, a seed of reluctant amusement may have been planted in his explosive heart.

In the quiet aftermath of their flour-filled encounter, the apartment settled into a serene stillness. Kirishima, exhausted from the shopping, retreated to their shared bedroom for a much-needed nap, leaving the infamous sweaters on the nightstand by his side of the king-sized bed.

As the scent of Bakugo's spicy muffins lingered in the air, Bakugo himself finished up in the kitchen. In a moment of introspection, he admitted to himself that perhaps he had been too harsh on his boyfriend.

Katsuki tiptoed into the bedroom, where Kirishima was peacefully napping. The sweaters lay innocently on the nightstand, beckoning him like a challenge. Without waking Kirishima, Bakugo swiped one of the sweaters and made his way to the bathroom downstairs.

Upon entering the bathroom, Bakugo swiftly flipped the light switch, unveiling the vibrant, reindeer-themed sweater in all its glory. As Katsuki reluctantly tried it on, he couldn't deny that it was warm and comfortable. The soft fabric felt good against his rough skin, and he couldn't help but secretly enjoy the coziness of it. 

Bakugo stood before the mirror, eyeing his reflection with a begrudging appreciation. The dark green hue of the sweater complemented his eyes and light hair, emphasizing his features in an unexpected way. The reindeer, though still an absurd concept to him, somehow added a touch of whimsy to the otherwise fierce hero. A rare smile tugged at the corners of Bakugo's lips as he took in the sight. The warmth of the sweater seemed to melt away his stubborn resistance, leaving behind a sense of reluctant contentment.

As he admired himself in the mirror, a soft chuckle escaped him, and a secret thought crossed his mind — maybe, just maybe, Kirishima's festive idea wasn't as terrible as he initially believed. His boyfriend had a way of making even the Grinchiest of hearts melt.

Little did Bakugo know that he was being observed from the stairs by Eijiro, who had woken up after Bakugo took the sweater. Red Riot descended the stairs quietly to ensure Bakugo hadn't discarded the sweater, and to his delight, he witnessed his boyfriend trying it on willingly.

Kirishima hurried back upstairs, donned his own sweater, and then descended once again. After a gentle knock on the bathroom door, he opened it, peering at Bakugo's reflection in the mirror. "You did it! You put on a Christmas sweater without being forced to do it! You have no idea how happy I am! And look, I have mine on, too! Look at how cute we look!" Kirishima moved closer to Bakugo, wrapping his arm around his boyfriend's waist and admiring their reflections together.

"I look like an idiot, don't I?" Katsuki muttered, but there was a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Eijiro chuckled and kissed Bakugo’s cheek gently. "You look amazing, Blasty! And it's not just the sweater. You always look amazing, handsome."

Katsuki's scowl softened into a small smile, and he pressed his lips against Eijiro's in a loving kiss. "Alright, alright, I'll wear the damn sweater. I have to say, it's not that awful."

Eijiro's face lit up with joy, and he wrapped his arms around Katsuki in a tight hug. "You won't regret it, I promise! This is going to be the best Christmas ever! Oh boy!"

Eijiro hesitantly pulled his phone from the black jeans pocket, looking at Bakugo with a sheepish grin. "Hey, Katsuki, mind if I snap a picture of us in these awesome sweaters? I was thinking of posting it on my Instagram..."

Anticipating a fiery response, Eijiro was surprised when Bakugo took the phone from his hand. To his even greater surprise, Bakugo snapped a series of nice pictures himself.

"Just post the one where I look the fiercest, okay?" Bakugo grumbled. "I want all those people following you to know that even though I'm wearing a goddamn Christmas shirt, I'm still a hero that should be feared and respected!"

Kirishima replied cockily, "Sure thing, handsome! Let me tell ya the Christmas spirit suits you, Katsuki."

Bakugo, not one to dwell on compliments, decided to shut Kirishima up in the sweetest way possible. Without a word, he pulled Kirishima close and planted a gentle, lingering kiss on his lips, effectively silencing any further teasing with the warmth of their shared affection.

[crystallinestars]

Happy Birthday, Kaveh!

Kaveh birthday scenario because I love this man a ridiculous amount. Happy Birthday to one of my favorite Genshin boys!!!

Once again, this is self indulgent and also not proofread, so excuse any spelling/grammar errors.

Contains: Modern AU. Pure fluff and lots of physical affection

Once the clock struck twelve, you carefully lit up the candles on the red velvet cake you had made a couple days prior and lifted the tray to carry it to Kaveh’s office.

Cracking open the door, you spot him sitting hunched over his desk, blueprints and drawing tools scattered haphazardly all around him. A lone lamp lights up the room in a dim, yellow glow, casting long shadows on the walls.

Kaveh scratches his head with a groan, mussing up his pretty hairstyle as he discards another blueprint aside.

Deciding to intervene before the architect loses himself in another sketch for the next few hours, you clear your throat to get his attention.

Kaveh lifts his head and looks in your direction, carmine eyes zeroing in on the cake in your hands.

“Y/N?”

“Happy Birthday, Kaveh!” you say with a smile and present your handmade cake to him. It was a simply but tastefully decorated cake, with the words ‘Happy Birthday Kaveh!’ written in red icing and topped with fresh fruit. Several small candles were arranged in a circle, their flames flickering softly.

Kaveh’s eyes widen in surprise.

“Birthday…?” Kaveh blinked and glanced at the clock. “Oh. Oh! I completely forgot!” he chuckled and shook his head.

“I figured you lost track of time again, which is why I’m here to be the first one to celebrate your birthday with you, and to get you to take a break,” you say with a wry smile.

The blond stood up and made his way over to you, looking sheepish.

“You’re right. I got so lost in my work that I completely lost track of time. I just can’t get the design for this commission right,” he sighed and followed after you towards the kitchen.

“Take a break. Maybe you’ll get better results with a fresher mind,” you coax him to sit on the couch.

Kaveh complies, and his eyes light up when you place the cake in front of him on the coffee table.

“Why don’t you make a wish and blow out the candles? Maybe it will come true.” Smiling, you take a seat next to him.

Kaveh chuckles but does as you say, and closes his eyes to make a wish before blowing out the candles.

“Happy Birthday!” you say again and clap. “Do you want to have some cake now or later?”

“Now, actually. I’m pretty hungry, and I think the boost of sugar will help me get those sketches done,” Kaveh replies.

You take a knife and cut a slice of the red velvet cake before plating it and sliding it over to him. Kaveh gratefully accepts the slice and digs in.

“Mmm, this is so good! Did you make this?”

“Yeah. I made it while you were away for a business meeting with a client. It took a lot of work to keep it a secret,” you say and break off a small piece of his slice, spearing it on a fork. You hold the fork up to Kaveh’s mouth, indicating you want to feed him.

Kaveh blushes and shoots you a look. “I can feed myself, you know.”

“I know. I just want to pamper you on your special day,” you smile at him.

Kaveh is unable to resist your adorable smile, so he caves in and lets you feed him the cake. He grumbles a bit and looks flustered, but ultimately can’t deny that having you feed him warmed his heart. Your care and affection were just what he needed after a grueling day of work.

After feeding him the slice of cake, you clean up the plate and bring over a gift bag that you had prepared earlier for this specific occasion.

“I got some gifts for you, as well. Would you like to open them now?”

Kaveh glances at the bag in your hand curiously.

“You got me gifts too? You didn’t have to, really. But thank you.” He takes the bag from your hands. He lowers his hand into it and fishes out a rectangular object wrapped in red and gold wrapping paper.

“What’s this?” he asks. The architect carefully unwraps the gift, revealing a prettily decorated scrapbook. His fingers trace over the intricate golden patterns hand-drawn on the front cover that remind him of the patterns on the protractor he uses when drawing his architectural designs. The front cover was also decorated with red, green, and gold gems as well as turquoise feathers that matched the earrings and feather he usually wore.

“Did you make this?” he asks in awe.

“Ah, yeah. I had some help from your friends in making it. I know my artistic skills pale in comparison to yours, but I still hope you like it,” you chuckle, feeling nervous about whether he likes the design of the scrapbook or not. You spent a lot of time trying to make it look nice, and you hoped it was satisfactory for your artistic boyfriend’s tastes.

“Don’t worry, it looks beautiful. I love it,” Kaveh grins and eases your concerns.

He carefully opens the book and feels his breath hitch. Inside are photos of him and the people he loves framed by colorful paper flowers, ribbons, and multicolored gems. Every page he flips to has a photo of himself or someone he’s close with, captioned with what the photo is depicting and when it was taken.

There’s a photo of Kaveh grinning cheerfully while raising a glass of wine as if celebrating something. Kaveh remembers that this was taken when he was celebrating moving out of Alhaitham’s house because he found a place to live in together with you.

Another photo was of Cyno doing another one of his dramatic poses while holding some TCG cards, engaged in a TCG battle against Kaveh. One photo was taken when he and Faruzan were tinkering on a gadget for a contest, and he smiles as the image reminds him of how he and his professor won first place because of their invention. Some photos on the following page were of Tighnari teaching Collei about botany, and Alhaitham reading in the library, seemingly not noticing his picture being taken, or pretending not to.

There were many photos of him and his friends in the scrapbook, ranging from pretty to silly, but each and every one made Kaveh smile at the happy memories they conjured up.

Flipping towards the end of the book, Kaveh found pictures of you and him together. There was one taken by Collei while the two of you were slow dancing at the tavern, and another you took as a selfie where you had suddenly kissed his cheek, effectively capturing his surprised face. He swore you looked ethereal in every one of the photos, and his heart raced as he remembered each of the romantic moments shared between you captured on these photographs.

“Y/N… this is the most wonderful gift I’ve ever received. Thank you, I love this so much. I promise I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life,” he said as he pressed the book to his heart, indicating he truly did cherish your gift.

You smile, pleased that he liked the scrapbook you spent at least two months working on.

“I’m glad you like it. There’s one more gift for you in bag.”

As if just remembering about the bag, Kaveh sets the scrapbook aside before taking out the second gift. It was a clear glass jar topped with a cork and a golden ribbon. Inside it seemed to be multicolored paper slips that filled the whole jar to the brim in a pretty pastel rainbow. You feel your heart rate grow faster as nerves set in. You put your whole heart into this gift, and you really hoped Kaveh would like it.

Kaveh inspects the content of the jar, noticing that the paper slips were folded into small squares, and guesses that they must contain some kind of message or drawing. He uncorks the jar and takes out a random slip before unfolding it. Inside it was a neatly written message:

You have the prettiest smile I’ve ever seen. It never fails to brighten up my day and make my heart skip a beat for you.

Kaveh blinks in surprise, not quite sure what to think of the message, but it undoubtedly filled him with happiness. He fished out another slip and opened it.

I love how creative you are. Your mind comes up with so many unique and wonderful ideas, and you have the determination and talent to turn them into reality. I admire you for that. All your creations are so beautiful— just like you.

Kaveh felt his eyes water as he read the message but blinked away the tears. He realized that these messages were your heartfelt thoughts and feelings about him, and it made his breath hitch. Swallowing thickly, he took a deep breath before opening another colored paper.

I love you with my whole heart, and I will never stop loving you. I will be there for you through all the good and bad times, I promise.

You hear Kaveh sniffle and notice his shoulders shake as he tried to control his overwhelming emotions. This gift touched his heart deeply, and he felt so loved and appreciated that he didn’t know what to do with himself.

“Y/N…” he croaks out, and you gently wrap him up in an embrace.

“Thank you. I love you. I love you so much,” he whispered as he returned the hug and buried his face in your shoulder.

“I love you too, Kaveh. I always will,” you whisper back just as softly and kiss his temple. Kaveh tightens his arms around you and exhales a shuddering breath. After a few moments he pulls away and wipes at his reddened eyes, but he otherwise looks composed.

“Sorry for this. I just… I’ve never felt so loved before. This gift… it means more to me than you will ever know,” he says softly, a tender yet sad look in his eye as he glances down at the jar.

“I’m glad you like it. I wrote down all my thoughts and feelings about you on those slips with the intention of having you look at a few of them whenever you feel down. I know you go through a lot of struggles, so I wanted to give you something that would hopefully cheer you up. Even if you feel like the world is against you, know that I will always be there for you,” you say with a smile.

“Truly, I can’t thank you enough. Your gifts are so thoughtful and touching. I promise to treasure them forever. And if I thought I loved you before, I now admit that you somehow managed to make me fall for you all over again,” Kaveh says and pulls you into another hug before giving you a kiss and resting his forehead against yours.

You giggle and smile at him warmly. “Good. I’m glad I still have that effect on you,” you tease, causing both of you to laugh.

The architect presses his lips to your face, peppering kisses to your cheeks, nose, and forehead, saying words of thanks and love before taking a moment to just hold you in his arms.

You smile, feeling your heart grow warm from his affections, and let yourself relax in his embrace. You hold him tightly in return, basking in his warmth and pleasant scent.

“Happy Birthday, Kaveh. I hope all your wishes come true,” you say quietly.

Kaveh lets out a soft hum and kisses your temple before resting his cheek on the top of your head. He has many wishes. Dealing with his debt, wanting to see his parents again and have a whole family, for art and artists to be given the due importance and respect that they deserve… the list goes on.

However, one of his wishes did come true. It was right here in his arms, giving him all the love and comfort he desperately needed. The guiding light in this dark world that saved him in more ways than he can recount.

It was you, his darling love.

[3-frogs-in-a-trench-coat]

Day 18: Pining

Going with 1 prompt today. Special shout-out to my twin for giving me the idea. (You know who you are. 😉)

Phoenix begins to find strange envelopes in their mailbox.

Divider by: @silkholland

NOTE: The poems mentioned throughout this fic have been taken from real poems written by people. The credit to the poems told within this fic don't go to me or my f/o. Full credit goes to the original authors of these poems, and I don't wish to ever steal any of the credit for what they wrote.

....Weird...

Phoenix stood outside their house, leaning slightly to the right so their elbow lightly propped up against the top of their mailbox.

An unusual envelope held within both hands.

They didn't know when it had arrived, but it seemed pretty new. The envelope itself seemed to have been made by hand, with a square scrap of scrapbook paper. Decorated with a light, almost mint, green colored background with a violet pattern across it.

A single heart sticker sealed the envelope. Its position up on the envelope a bit cricked, as if it was left there by either a nervous or energetic hand.

Other than sealing the envelope, the sticker had another purpose. A single yellow dandelion, not fully bloomed yet and slightly wilted, sat between the sticker and the paper of the envelope.

Phoenix took care to peel the sticker, making sure not to break the dandelion's stem and, holding it on their hand for a few seconds, ended up deciding to tuck it between one of their ears. Patting it gently to make sure it stayed in place. They wanted to make sure it stayed safe, while they looked at the contents within the envelope. Even though they didn't know who had sent this.

Before opening the envelope, they looked around the outside of it one more time. No address anywhere.

No address, no name, nothing to help Phoenix find out who had sent this....

Phoenix's mouth twisted in confusion. A bit hesitant at first,before they finally unfolded the envelope.

A single slip of paper fell, fluttering down towards the ground.

They gasped. Grabbing it in one hand before it touched the ground. Cringing a bit as they felt the paper scrunch up a bit within their tightened grasp.

Straightening their posture, they gently tried to un-crinkle the paper, before reading.

It seemed to be a letter. A mix of sweet nothings with an excerpt of a poem at the end. This is the part that particularly stole Phoenix's attention.

It said:

"Our hearts are so gentle, so pure. I'll keep loving you, I know for sure." - Mohit

And that was it. Besides the words that filled the paper above the bit of poem, there was nothing else added. No names or initials at all.

Phoenix felt.... Emotionally numb. They weren't sure why, but the way everything was written was so... Familiar, but new. They could have sworn they saw that hand writing somewhere before, but the words said within it came with a type of.... Elegance and such a deep love that didn't seem to be fully recognizable to them.

They took a deep breath, and sighed. Gently folding the letter, they walked back into the house. Standing in the doorway temporarily to look around outside for any signs of this mystery person, before closing the door behind them.

The next few days were similar as the first. Soon, Phoenix would end up checking the mailbox every day due to the pure anticipation and curiosity of it all.

Each day they'd open their mailbox. Each one enclosed within a handmade envelope made from a square sheet of scrapbook paper, each one with different flower patterns. Sometimes there'd be a heart sticker sealing the envelope, other times it would be a random postage stamp that depicted different animals or plants.

A leaf or a single flower would sometimes be stuck up on the sticker, while on other times small paper confetti in the shape of flowers or hearts. The confetti falling down towards Phoenix's feet like snow.

Phoenix would end up picking up each piece, and placing the confetti into a single sealed bag. Feeling like it would be disrespectful to let this person's dedication to their craft go to waste.

As for the letters themselves, they'd continue to stay nameless. The only names being the ones that ended the last poem at each letter, giving credit to the original author from which the excerpt of the poem had come from.

Each poem itself slowly becoming more and more romantic.

For the rest of the letters, the parts that were written before the poems, Phoenix could never seem to be able to place a finger on where they'd recognized that hand writing from.... But this person's words.... Each loving sentence becoming more intimate as time went on.... They'd begin to fill Phoenix's heart with a feeling they didn't feel before. So much romance on a day to day basis.... It was overwhelming. The passion this person gave in their letters....

Phoenix would end each day telling their partners about these letters. They didn't notice it, but Aza and Thimble would give each other this knowing look whenever Phoenix wasn't paying attention...

And then.... It all stopped. No more letters. Nothing to ever signify that the letters had even arrived at all, in the first place.

Phoenix wouldn't notice it at first, but their heart would slowly fall.

Did something happen to this person? Were they hurt? Sick? Did Phoenix upset them somehow? Was this all some kind of mistake??? Was Phoenix mis-reading what the person had been writing to them?

Phoenix would find themselves on some days re-reading the past letters that had been given to them, on their free time. Silent. Brooding, in a way that gave off their obvious curiosity towards this situation.

This whole situation was just..... Unusual.

"Come here."

The voice was a bit softer than usual. A bit shaky too. Strange...

Phoenix looked up, snapped out of their thoughts. Thimble stood before them, dressed up in one of her nicer looking outfits.

Something seemed to be on her mind, but Phoenix couldn't figure out what.

"To where?" Phoenix asked, brows furrowed in confusion.

The house was a bit more silent than usual. Aza was at a leg modeling job. This new company was a bit smaller than the others he sometimes worked with, and wasn't as old as the others to. They seemed to really like his work though, and had asked Aza to stay a bit longer, to discuss a possible modeling job with them in the near future.

Due to this, and Thimble's strange silence, Phoenix couldn't help but feel a bit more anxious than usual.

All Thimble did was reach out a hand, letting Phoenix place their hand in his, and gently pulling up their partner to a standing position, before leading them outside, to the back of the house.

It was near night time. The air a bit chilly, but not uncomfortably so. The sky lit just enough for you to still see clearly.

A small section of the yard held a fold out table and 2 chairs. The table decorated with a tablecloth the color of moss, and the chairs topped with cushions of the same color.

A small cluster of various sized candles sat on the center of the table. Phoenix was pleasantly surprised that they gave off the scent of sandalwood as the couple walked closer to the table.

They stopped just a few inches from one of the chairs, before Thimble let go of Phoenix's hand, and took a few steps backwards, not breaking eye contact.

It took a slip of paper out of its pocket.

He spoke. Not looking at the paper, but instead seeming to speak from his heart.

His words were full of love and care. Voice a bit shaky, but slowly becoming more confident as his voice became that of someone who'd often recite poetry. (Which he actually would often do, to both Phoenix and Aza.)

Something about these words seemed familiar. Phoenix could swear they heard at least some of these sentences before... That they came across this same feeling they were currently feeling, before...

And that was when Thimble held up the slip of paper he recently took out of his pocket. Flipping it around to show Phoenix the words on it.

Only 15 words were written on it.

"Our hearts are so gentle, so pure. I'll keep loving you, I know for sure." Thimble recited, as Phoenix read the words.

These..... Were the same words written in the first letter they got from their mystery person. But that would mean....

"That person.... That was you?" Thimble gave a slight smile at this question.

Phoenix continued. "The envelopes. The hand writing. Ohhhhh it makes so much sense now!" Phoenix cried out, not knowing how they didn't notice this at the start.

"The paper from your scrapbooking supplies. The... The hand writing..." They had to stop to take a breath. Exasperated at their lack of words, despite having so much to say.

Thimble took a step towards them.

"I thought it could be something to surprise you with... I know you like poetry. And that you haven't had things like this happen to you before. I guess... I thought that maybe it would help you realize more that you're worth feeling loved more than you might tell yourself. It was... Both mine and Aza's idea, but they thought it might be good for the both of us if I were to do most of the work."

Phoenix began to tear up. Thimble did too, up on seeing this.

Phoenix fell into Thimble's arms. Who of which, admittedly stumbled back a few steps, due to how short they were compared to their partner. But he was able to balance the both of them, and held Phoenix close.

"I don't know what to say..." Thimble turned their head towards Phoenix a bit, their partner's voice a bit hard to hear due to Phoenix speaking barely above a whisper.

"Thimb, I..... I really needed this.... Thank you."

Thimble's grasp on their partner tightened as they could feel them begin to cry within their arms.

Thimble's shoulder getting a bit damp from the tears.

Phoenix looked up soon after though, and sniffed.

"Thank you." They repeated, voice just about hoarse.

Thimble took a while to make sure Phoenix was taken care of, before leading them towards one of the chairs. Having them sit down before sitting down in a chair himself. The next hour or so was spent with Thimble serving Phoenix their favorite dishes. At one point they were able to cheer Phoenix up by doing a few different accents. Something they knew seemed to entertain their partner.

At the end of the night, Thimble led Phoenix inside, and to bed. And it all ended when she joined them, both partners holding each other close as they both drifted off to sleep.

Aza would join them soon after. Finally back home and having had some dinner, he made sure to slowly crawl into bed, careful not to wake his partners, and joined in the cuddle. The energy both Phoenix and Thimble gave off was one full of a new found closeness and intimacy at a bigger extent. It was almost irresistible not to join in.

Plus seeing Phoenix's face lightly streaked with dried tears, made him want to join in even more.

Aza could tell tonight was a good night for both of their partners. And their love for both of them only grew after sensing how good of a time they had. They needed this.

Soon all 3 partners laid in bed, lost in a deep sleep, arms wrapped around each other in an embrace that would, if they had the option to, never break apart.

Taglist:

@faerie-circle-ships

@sennamybeloved

[nepalhandicraftproduct]

Unknown Top Items That are Exported From Nepal

Do you know what items Nepal exports to other countries? Along with major exports like carpets and clothing, many unique and unknown Nepali products are exported worldwide. People from all around the globe have fancy items from Nepal. They are trusted with the most authentic items. Want to know what is the interesting Handicraft Export from Nepal? Let’s begin the journey through Nepal! Read on to find out!

Handmade Paper

Nepal makes beautiful handmade paper from the bark of a tree called Lokta. This paper is used for journals, cards, bags, boxes, photo albums and more. The Lokta paper is famous for its durability and texture. Nepal exports handmade paper products to many countries.

Beads and Jewelry

Delicate jewellery made from beads, silver and semiprecious stones is a key export item. Glass seed beads are produced and creatively used on necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more. The beadwork and jewellery reflect excellent Nepali craft skills.

Essential Oils

Nepal's aromatic herbs, flowers and plants extract essential oils like mentha, wintergreen, eucalyptus and chamomile oils. These pure and organic essential oils are exported for aromatherapy, personal care and food industries worldwide.

Pashmina Products

Luxurious pashmina shawls, scarves and wraps made from Himalayan goat wool are globally renowned exports of Nepal. Along with shawls, pashmina is also used for stoles, mufflers, fabric rolls and other woollen goods exported worldwide. If you want handicraft export from Nepal never miss out on these!

Incense Sticks

High-quality incense sticks scented with natural Himalayan herbs are hand-rolled and exported from Nepal. These incense sticks are used for meditation and prayer rituals. They provide income to Tibetan refugee communities in Nepal.

Hand Knotted Carpets

Beautifully hand-knotted wool and silk carpets are made in Nepal using traditional designs and motifs. Nepali carpets are valued globally for their quality craftsmanship. They are exported to many countries for home and office use. If you want a carpet that is perfect and shows quality work, you must get it from Nepal!

Iron Artifacts

Wrought iron tools, artefacts and decor items forged by skilled blacksmiths are exported too. Wall hangings, lamp stands, plant holders, furniture with ironwork and more have a market abroad.

Lokta Paper

The bark of the Lokta bush found in Nepal's mountains is used to make solid, handmade paper having a fibrous texture. This Lokta paper is exported to make lampshades, cards, tea bags, souvenirs and other products.

Conclusion

Along with major exports like clothing and carpets, many unique Nepali handicraft products also have markets worldwide. Metal crafts, jewellery, Lokta paper, pashmina goods, felt items, beads and essential oils are some unknown top exports from Nepal. The exports highlight the diversity and high skills of Nepali craftspeople.

[reiiids]

    𝐭𝐡𝐞   𝐚𝐢𝐫   𝐢𝐬   𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝   𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡   to   make   the   tips   of   his   ear   numb,   a   sharp   ring   beginning   to   take   over   as   the   fluorescents   burn   bright,   white   orbs   into   his   eyes.   the   bags   underneath   his   lashes   have   faded   to   light   purple,   fingers   gripping   papers   upon   papers   tightly,   cane   clicking   against   the   slick   floor,   a   beat   ahead   of   the   toe   of   his   shoe.   there   isn’t   any   pleasure   in   doing   this,   but   he   doesn’t   have   much   of   a   choice   and   as   a   master   of   statistics   (   he   did   have   a   phd   to   vouch   for   this   ),   spencer   knew   it   was   pointless   to   insist   on   an   alternative.   the   perpetrator   he’s   about   to   confront,   though   been   detained   for   quite   some   time   now,   had   committed   every   crime   under   the   sun   and   more.   the   list   of   offenses   circles   in   his   head,   round   and   round,   like   some   mangled   merry   go   ‘round.   

    the   officer   stationed   at   the   door   addresses   him   with   a   short   nod,   opening   the   door,   and   he’s   flooded   by   an   icy   gust,   now   plaguing   his   fingers.   she   smells   like   a   bar   of   soap   and   handmade   perfume   ──   it   would   only   make   sense   to   want   to   scrub   yourself   clean   considering   your   new   home   wasn’t   the   most   hygienic   of   places,   mask   it   and   pretend   you   were   still   the   same   girl   as   before.  

    ishtar’s   freedom   was   restricted,   not   entirely   pinned   away   because   she   had   her   conditions   if   she   were   going   to   continue   talking   to   them,   but   reid   knew   it   would   never   be   the   same   for   her.   the   enjoyment   now   was   purely   toying   with   them.   calling   for   meetings   out   of   the   blue   only   to   sing   a   little   tune   or   whine   about   how   boring   it   was.   she   was   more   challenging   when   her   favorite   agent   wasn’t   there   to   stroke   her   ego,   so   it   would   be   spencer   she   would   deal   with   today.   on   his   terms,   of   course.   “   i   trust   they’re   tending   to   you   in   here?   ”   her   hair's   combed,   skin   healthy   and   colored   pink,   and   not   many   in   her   position   can   mimic   the   same   disposition   of   put-togetherness.   “   we   need   your   .   .   .   experience   .   .   .   on   a   case   we’re   investigating.   ”   he   holds   the   file   close   to   him,   not   too   eager   in   gracing   her   with   red-soaked   photographs.     

𓂃@violentcurse

[aarohij]

Expert Advice on How to Handle, Wash, and Prepare Fresh Chopped Green Vegetables

It is common practise to use a number of pesticides and fertilizers to cultivate your green vegetables, some of which may be harmful if ingested. Therefore, always choose the right online cut vegetable delivery partner which takes care of your health and provides you the right vegetables.

In this article, you will learn some helpful tips for handling, washing and preparing fresh vegetables at your home.

Why Do You Need to Wash Your Vegetables?

Your consumption of fruits and vegetables exposes you to chemicals and pesticides that are hazardous to human health. Pesticides are mostly used during agricultural cultivation and occasionally as leftovers.

But there are a lot of pesticides in fruits and vegetables. The brain and reproductive systems are harmed, the immune system is compromised, and in rare situations, high quantities of chemicals and pesticides can even cause cancer.

Vegetables must be properly washed in accordance with safety precautions in order to prevent illness.

A thorough cleaning would also help to avoid ingesting numerous bacteria and insects that could have been growing in the green bunch. You still need to exercise caution to safeguard yourself from the dirt and bacteria that the greens picked up during handling, even if you order fresh cut vegetables from organic stores.

Precautions You Need to Take Care While You Order Fresh Cut Vegetables

Wash your hands completely before you begin cleaning. Before handling leafy greens, wash your hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds.

Wash them under cold running tap water  This goes for all greens, including spinach, kale, lettuce, broccoli, and cabbage. When greens are washed in hot water, they can quickly wilt.

Remove the outside/wilted leaves  When eating vegetables like lettuce and cabbage, start by removing the outer leaves. Throw away any leaves that are rotting, withered, or discoloured if you discover any. Remove the rotten-looking section of the stem.

Rinse and drain Take the greens and give them a thorough wash in a colander, a dish with holes used in the kitchen to drain food. Drain any extra water. You may use a salad spinner to drain any leftover liquid. After that, blot them dry using a paper towel. Never use soap, detergent, or bleach to wash vegetables since they may leave residues that are harmful to eat. Before washing the vegetables, make certain the water is always pure and fresh.

Place the leafy greens in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator and cover with clean paper towels or a freshly washed kitchen towel. Use it within a week.

Take notice of this professional advice and wash your ordered online chopped vegetables completely to avoid consuming pesticides and other dangerous chemicals in the future.

While Cutting Precautions You Need to Take Care

Do you realize that your vegetable's nutritional content will also depend on the sort of knife you use? A research found that cutting your veggies with a dull knife might cause the loss of electrolytes like calcium and potassium.

In addition to producing properly chopped pieces, using a sharp blade will stop germs from growing on diced vegetables. It is believed that a vegetable loses more nutrients when it is cooked the finer it is sliced. The majority of us slice vegetables 1-2 hours before cooking, and during that time, the value of the finely chopped vegetables is lost.

For the purpose of preserving their nutrients, vegetables that have been finely chopped or shredded must be cooked right away. If you cut your vegetables hours in advance, use larger bits and pieces.

Endnote

One of the most crucial aspects of meal preparation may very well be learning how to wash veggies properly. After all, improperly cleaned or unwashed fruit might pose a risk to the safety of the meal being consumed. No matter how good your handmade cuisine may be, something can ruin it.

Vegetables can lose value even before they are cooked, while being a crucial component of a balanced and nutritious diet. Each of your actions—peeling, slicing, and even washing—helps to preserve the nutrients in your vegetables. Hope you receive the most health advantages possible from fresh chopped green vegetables.

[handmadepaperart]

Handmade Bags: Crafting Eco-Friendly Elegance with KalPaper pana Handmade Paper

[multianime]

kiyomi was pretty excited to give akiara her gifts and it was clear to see with the way she was immediately sticking out to akiara as the blonde greeted her at the door. the bag itself was a cute pink bag with hearts and sparkles all over it, pink and red tissue paper sticking out of the top. inside was a handmade picture from with a photo of the two of them, a singular eternity red rose in a glass case, a small box of chocolates and a card.

"happy valentine's day, akiara."

Her eyes light up as she sees the pink bag that Kiyomi had given her. Akiara had pure excitement written on her face as she smiles at Kiyomi. "Oh my gosh, Kiyomi!" Akiara said as she takes the bag from her and opens it up to see what was inside. She pulls out the handmade picture of the two of them and smiles happily. "Look at how cute we are! Did you make this?" Akiara asked. There's a blush on her cheeks whenever she sees the rose, box of chocolates, and the card. She pulls out to read the card as she smiles again.

"Kiyomi, you're spoiling me this is so cute. I love it. Hold up, I got you something too." Akiara said. She hurries up to go and get her bag it was purple and had some hearts around it. "Happy Valentines Day Kiyomi." Akiara said. Inside was also a box of chocolates for Kiyomi. Her favorites. As well as gift card to one of her favorite stores. Behind her back she pulled out a plushie of Kiyomi's favorite animal too. "I hope these are okay. I wasn't sure if you were a fan of Valentines day or not so I just went with this." Akiara rambled a bit. The blush still remaining on her face as she smiled at Kiyomi.

[safetycar-restart]

Happy New Year Shels! Hope 2023 treats ya well 💜🥳

We’re starting this new year with multiple ideas:

1)I’m still feeling the Christmas vibes so what do we think the d/s au got for Christmas? Were our subby boys rightfully spoiled for Christmas? Zoning in on poly!piarles for this one. So bunny got to spend Christmas Eve with you and Pierre alone so you were able to exchange gifts that day. The boys got matching plugs with mommy’s initials. Maybe some new toys and after care products. Some new pretty lingerie for everyone. Maybe some new heels. Also some more sentimental gifts like matching bracelets/rings that have slight variations to make it special and more tailored to the individual. Our lovely boys combined their one brain cell to make mommy a Christmas card and little painting (abstract 💜). And the Christmas with the family. But it’s ok, cause you guys had your own quiet Christmas

2)We know kitty Nyck loved playing with the wrapping paper for Christmas but what about fox Lando. I just know my boy created the BIGGEST mess tearing it up and throwing it up like confetti. Squealing and giggling the whole time. Fully body wiggles and happy dance. Zoomies must commence. Then he got bored when he finally shredded it all up into even smaller pieces and now mommy must give him all her attention. Additionally, lando got toys and a treat launcher for Christmas. He loves mini marshmallows.

3)Subs going into the new year with their new years kisses and little traditions. Georgie seemed to be very into the grape tradition. 🍇 If the littles were there they might have been a little scared of the fireworks cause they’re loud and scary. But then they realize they’re also really pretty. So thank goodness for ✨noise canceling headphones✨. Thought of little Mick for that one. And to make sure it’s a happy new year for little mick, it is now cannon that Angie isn’t afraid of fireworks. So she’s down for all the cuddles 🥰

Lots more to come. Happy 2023 everyone!

Okay you sent another ask saying you meant to add that you’re 🧬 anon, so 🧬 anon: you are a fucking genius. All these thoughts are incredible and I’m gonna chat a little bit about each one because I love them all :))

IDEA ONE:

I love the idea that for the poly!piarles verse, you guys have your own quiet Christmas before going to your families. It’s definitely something you and Pierre planned together because you knew it would make your bunny so happy. And it did!! He’s so excited for his little Christmas with you. To be honest he’s more excited for that than for actual Christmas, but his family doesn’t need to know that.

The plugs with your initials would make Pierre and Charles just melt. It’s a surprise for both of them and neither of them can function, just melt into a little cuddle pile holding their plugs because they have the best Dom ever!! Especially Pierre, who loves to feel owned.

I think the matching bracelets would be from Charles? Of course he got Pierre’s opinion on your own and your opinion on Pierre’s one, not telling you that he had also gotten one for you. But he honestly spend so much time choosing them and spared no expense, because it’s for his mommy and his Pierre!! And he buys himself one too, because he so badly wants matching ones.

The little painting from Pierre and Charles is so cute! Well no, no it’s not. It’s terrible. But it’s the thought that counts!! They make it themselves because they want you to have something that is handmade by them.

(Charles eventually takes up knitting because he wants to make you and Pierre sweaters and the first ones are fucking horrible but you and Pierre treasure them all).

IDEA TWO:

Oh god it’s absolute CHAOS for fox!Lando. Pure fucking chaos.

Unlike with Nyck, you don’t actually plan on letting Lando play with the wrapping paper because you’re certain that would be our chaos. However, as Lando is Lando, he finds the bag filled with the wrapping paper from the morning unwrapping gifts.

You just laugh when you realise he’s found it. Because oh god. He’s about to chaos fucking chaos. But oh well. You let Lando be a happy little fox for you, so of course he’s gonna make a mess with the wrapping paper.

He shreds the paper as much as possible, until it’s physically impossible to shred it anymore and then he comes to you with little bits of wrapping paper in his hair and on his clothes because now you must entertain him!!!

IDEA THREE:

Yeah some little would LOVE the fireworks!! They don’t like the noise, but as long as they have noise cancelling headphones then they’re so happy. You just have to hold their hand the entire time so that you can squeeze it if you need their attention.

Mick loves it so much!!! They’re so cool and so pretty and he has so much fun. He wasn’t originally planning to regress, and he didn’t for most of the evening. But then right before the fireworks start, you and Mick climb to the top of the yacht you’re on with friends and it’s just the two of you watching the fireworks together. That’s when Mick regresses. He squeezes your hand and smiles at you, letting you know he’s little and you pull him into your arms for the show.

Max also loves it, but he watches from the safety of his apartment in Monaco. He has no intention of actually going to a party. He just stays in with you and watches all the pretty fireworks.

Also, George and Charles are both very scared of both the noise and the bright lights and they stay indoors.

[duncebento]

what’s bad about it

yeah so much…the sets look cheap honestly. i hate to say it. but the main street literally read as a set in my head like i could not suspend my disbelief. and u might think “welll maybe they just had a strict budget” but even the decisions that would have cost no money were made poorly. the aforementioned gambling scene takes place in one of the men’s houses i guess? but the room looks like a fucking wayfair commercial. no knick-knacks, no family photos, no untidy corners, no movement, light, or noise from the other room? the main lightskin is pretty but he can’t act, at least not in this role. he had me feening for the BLONDE vampire instead. sad. side note i despise the vampire special effects bc they literally just gave them bright blue eyes and the pupils look like they were superimposed on. blondie talkin about “i love that the women here are in every shade” meanwhile none of the actual women they cast as interests pass the paper bag test. why only lightskin women in new orleans? why does the music suck in new orleans? why is the white dude the only one who can speak french like what the fuck? it’s like casting a movie in DR and making it so that only the spaniards soeak spanish but all the black islanders are like we dk what youre saying….what. these ppl would speak french. vampire jumpscares are not scary. narration is necessary (it’s an interview!) but they make such poor use of it as a device i found myself wishing they’d cut it. all he does is state exactly what’s happening. the narration in fucking everybody hates chris is more subtle. french dude cant really be racist because he’s european white trope (but i hope to god they address that later in the series. same with the white saviorism and insistently interracial relationship.) why are the religious themes so sloppy and flat when your show is set in new orleans? why didn’t your actors have (enough) accent training? because they all have different accents. i find the main character incredibly unsexy which is a crime since you all saw me decide to watch the show purely for the apparent sexiness of the main character! but he’s an unwittingly unlikeable protagonist. and the “immortal in the modern age” theme is so half-assed like at the beginning he writes this cursive letter on handmade paper and youre like ohh this guy’s old-fashioned! but then his duplex modern apartment (boring might i add, and modern decor CAN be quite interesting and characterized) and zip-front black turtleneck are a modernization in the worst, most lazy way possible. i honestly laughed when he got called n word in the first episode because of how little weight it bore within the writing, just like i laughed (and turned the show off) when lioncourt went on his rant abt how he memorized the entire bible but then forgot it because he became an atheist after his dad beat him. wow this is really heavy subject matter. basically it’s kitsch as hell and the white boy was the best thing about it. sad

[cafeacademia]

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬

✶ 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ✶

Fluffmas day 3

Summary: While living in Europe, you and Bucky travel to a nearby Christmas Market.

Warnings: none

Word count: 910

Fluffmas masterlist

A/N: This is entirely based on the Christmas markets I have in my part of France, We have a lot of German influence, so that's what I've based it on, rather than a British one or one in Paris. Enjoy!

You smiled as your gaze wandered over the beautiful artisanal decorations that decorated the stall you were looking at. Bucky had almost fallen when you had stopped short in the middle of the market to look at the pretty wooden things, though now he watched with a fondness in his eyes as you eyed the sweet tiny houses and handmade little scenes the person inside the stall had created.

“Want anything, doll?” Bucky finally asked after a moment of silence, watching as your eyes landed on a cute little wooden house model, complete with two people and a dog, which resembled you and Bucky in a rather uncanny way.

You didn’t even have to answer, though you drew in your breath to speak, but Bucky was already asking the man in the stall for the house you’d had your eyes on.

It was near Christmas and France was deep in snow, the Christmas markets lighting the darkening days and bringing an exciting moment of joy to the season.

There was something quite comforting about the welcome sight of the wooden stalls all dressed up in the seller’s wares and little decorations, lit up with pretty Christmas lights and adorned with little garlands and ornaments.

The smells were delightful too, the wonderful, wintery smell of tartiflette or the warming sight of raclette made you want to buy some and enjoy the warmth of the wintery dishes in the snow.

“Here we are, darlin.” Bucky grinned, handing you the paper bag the seller had handed Bucky after he had paid and you took it from him with a grateful little smile on your lips.

“Thank you Buck. We should go to the decoration hall next.” You said, pointing over to a wooden building, filled to the brim with pretty decorations and gifts perfect for Christmas.

“As you wish, doll.”

And he took you by the hand, leading you slowly towards the building and watching as your eyes lit up at the sight of all of the pretty things inside.

The lights cast a warming glow and Bucky loved the way it highlighted your look of pure enjoyment.

“We should get something for Sam here.” You told Bucky.

He gave you an agreeing nod, but said nothing more, continuing to take enjoyment in watching you look at everything in awe.

You eyes trailed over the intricate train sets, watching as the little locomotive traveled around the tracks and passed through the tunnel a few times, until your gaze moved over to the forest animal display.

Bucky kept a little distance, noticing the way your eyes had lit up at the sight of a sweet cuddly looking teddy bear and he simply could not resist spoiling you. So he picked the bear up without you noticing and hoped he could be sneaky enough to buy it for you without you noticing.

It was only when you got outside that you noticed that Bucky was not next to you and you saw him wander out a moment later, with the little bear in his arms and a big grin on his lips, seeing the way you utterly melted at his sweet gesture.

“Here you go, darlin. I knew you’d love him.” Bucky smiled.

“I do, but you shouldn’t have.” You looked up at him as he approached, handing you the bear and watching as you took him into your arms and squished the bear close to your chest.

“Thank you.”

So with your bear in one hand, pressed against your chest and Bucky’s hand in your other, you found the ice sculpture trail and wandered between them all, pointing out the characters you recognised and remarking on the perfect likeness.

“They look incredible.” You gasped, looking over at the perfectly carved ice display of Harry Potter characters.

It was magical, seeing so many characters in ice, carved intricately with such fine detail they almost looked real.

“Hot chocolate?” Bucky asked as you left the ice sculpture building and back out into the Christmas market.

“Yes please.” You nodded, following your boyfriend towards the nearest stall that was serving handmade hot drinks.

Bucky ordered himself a hot cider, while you asked for a hot chocolate, asking if you could keep the mugs instead of taking them back and having your deposit returned.

And as the evening drew in and the lights glowed softly in the twilight, the two of you with bags of shopping and a new stuffie friend, you took in the last of the late afternoon snow covered Christmas market before it became too dark to see the white of the snow so perfectly.

Bucky put his arm around you as you stood and watched some performers playing Christmas music, the warmth of him next to you making you feel comforted and safe as you enjoyed the moment.

Smiling up at him, you let out a soft giggle as he leaned down to capture you in a gentle, slow kiss, one that took your breath away as his grip on you tightened a little, arms circling your waist to pull you closer, his chest warm and comforting to lean into.

“Wanna go and get dinner, baby?” Bucky asked softly against your lips as he pulled away.

“That sounds nice. Let’s have something local and warm up.” You nodded, gently taking his hand in your own.

“Alright, and then we’ll have one last walk around to see the lights and then head home. I’ll drive.”

@megantje123 @magicchai @dracosathenaeum @fuckingjimin