#honey's waggle dance

[honey-beesknees]

[bcenvs3000f24]

Unit 09: The Wonderful World of Bees

Growing up, I was lucky to witness the fascinating world of bees firsthand. My grandmother kept bees in Portugal, and watching her work with them sparked my interest in these remarkable creatures. I would accompany her and my father as they tended to the hives, I observed them sedating the bees and extracting honey from a safe distance. From my experience in the apiary I learned that bees are not just simple insects. Bees are key players in ecosystems, with complex behaviours and abilities that make them integral to our planet's health.

My family’s honey, freshly packaged and ready for sale at the town market.

The highly organized social structure of honeybees is fascinating. In the hive, every bee has a role. Worker bees gather pollen and nectar, drones mate with the queen, and the queen herself lays up to 2,000 eggs daily, maintaining the hive's population (Rutter, 2022). One of the most captivating aspects of bee life is their "waggle dance," a form of communication that honeybees use to share the location of flowers with nectar (von Frisch, 1974). Through this dance, they convey distance, direction, and even the quality of food sources, helping the entire colony forage efficiently. Watching a bee dance is like witnessing nature's GPS in action.

A video showcasing the fascinating "waggle dance" of bees.

Bees contribute far beyond just honey production. About 75% of the world's flowering plants depend on animal pollinators, with bees playing a leading role (Klein et al., 2007). They pollinate approximately 35% of the global food supply, including countless fruits, vegetables, and nuts, all of which would diminish without their pollination. Through their pollination efforts, bees maintain the diversity of plants, supporting various wildlife species. The entire food chain benefits from bees' activity.

A unique trait of bees is their ability to see ultraviolet light. Flowers have evolved to display ultraviolet patterns invisible to the human eye that guide bees directly to nectar sources (Chittka & Menzel, 1992). This incredible vision enhances the bees' efficiency as pollinators, allowing them to gather resources quickly. Their buzzing sound isn't just noise, It's often used in "buzz pollination," a technique to shake loose tightly packed pollen, ensuring maximum collection (Buchmann, 1983). This adaptive method illustrates their evolution as expert pollinators.

A rose flower illuminated under ultraviolet light, revealing intricate patterns that guide bees to its nectar.

Climate change presents significant threats to the survival of bees. Elevated temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events disrupt bees' foraging activities, nesting sites, and reproductive cycles. Some bee species have responded by relocating to cooler regions or altering their activity periods to adapt to these changes (de Jongh et al., 2022). This decline threatens the bees and the ecosystems and agricultural systems that depend on their pollination services.

As a nature interpreter, my role is to help people develop an ethical sense of their place and role in the natural world. By sharing facts and experiences, I aim to inspire appreciation for the interconnectedness of ecosystems and empower individuals to take action to protect them. Interpretation is about more than just presenting information, it's about crafting messages that connect emotionally and intellectually. Effective interpretation has the power to shift public perception from despair to hope, creating unity and a shared sense of responsibility (Beck et al., 2018).

Therefore, it is essential that we implement conservation strategies that support bee populations. These include preserving and restoring natural habitats, promoting agricultural practices that are friendly to pollinators, and reducing the use of harmful pesticides. By taking these actions, we can help ensure that bees continue to thrive and perform their vital roles in our ecosystems.

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting Cultural and Natural Heritage. https://sagamore.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781571678669/pageid/0

Buchmann, S. L. (2019). Buzz Pollination in Angiosperms. DigitalCommons@USU. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_bo/266/

Chittka, L., & Menzel, R. (1992). The evolutionary adaptation of flower colours and the insect pollinators’ colour vision. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 171(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00188925

de Jongh, E. J., Harper, S. L., Yamamoto, S. S., Wright, C. J., Wilkinson, C. W., Ghosh, S., & Otto, S. J. G. (2022). One Health, One Hive: A scoping review of honey bees, climate change, pollutants, and antimicrobial resistance. PLOS ONE, 17(2), e0242393. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242393

Honey. (2017, October 16). Honey bee waggle dancing. YouTube. https://youtu.be/1MX2WN-7Xzc

Klein, A.-M., Vaissière, B. E., Cane, J. H., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Cunningham, S. A., Kremen, C., & Tscharntke, T. (2007). Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 274(1608), 303–313. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2006.3721

Night Blooms: A Collection of Ultra-Ultraviolet Botanical Portraits. (2023). Rain Hayes Photography. https://www.rainhayes.com/gallery/night-blooms-uv-flower-blog/

Rutter, B. (2022, May 19). 3 Levels of Bee Hierarchy: Drone Bee, Worker Bee, and Queen Bee. Bestbees.com. https://bestbees.com/2022/05/19/bee-hierarchy/

[rosewind2007]

REALLY FASCINATING THREAD about honeybee waggle dances!

Intrigue!

🐝🐝🐝

Dodgy r^2s

The original thread from Luebbert is here:

PubPeer:

This looks like a really interesting example of how hard it is to challenge established scientists and get scientific fraud recognised:

[leafonsidewalk]

Dancing Bees

One of the dances performed by forager bees is the waggle dance. Through the dance, bees can relay information about food sources; information like the distance, direction, and even the abundance of the source. The dance was first discovered by ethologist (someone studying animal behavioral patterns) Karl von Frisch and even he was surprised by it. The waggle dance is one of the most complex communicative rituals among insects, mostly due to the complexity and accuracy of the information relayed. 

When someone hears of bees performing dances, they most likely think of the bees understanding the dance by watching it right? Turns out, the dance seems to be a multisensory experience for the bees; also, the inside of the hive is quite dark so seeing the dance would be difficult. The bees inside of the hive will usually touch their antennae with the dancing bee and feel the vibrations of the dance. A bee’s antennae allow the bee to FEEL SMELLS (i didn't know they did this) and vibrations. Smell might also play a part in understanding the dance, but what we do know is that bees use all of their senses to understand the dance, just using one won’t do the trick. 

The waggle dance consists of 2 main parts, the waggle and the return. During the waggle, the bee will move in a specific direction while waggling its abdomen (the bee’s butt). Return is when the bee circles back to its starting point and starts the dance all over again. Since bees determine their flying direction relative to the sun’s position, the first message sent by the dance will be the direction of the food. If the bee moves up while waggling, it’ll mean that the other bees should fly toward the sun. The bee communicates the distance of the food by the duration of the waggle phase, the longer the waggling, the farther the source. The more vigorously the bee waggles its butt, the more excited it is, and it tells the other bees the food is abundant and of high quality. 

Source: Why Do Bees Dance? – School Of Bees

[atomicpixies]

Our pin club pin this month is this busy bee doing the Waggle Dance. When a bee has found a good source of pollen, it goes home and does a very specific dance to show the hive where to go. First it circles in the direction that needs travelled, and then they do a back and forth “waggle” in the middle, and the amount of loops in the waggle are how far away the flowers are. You can get this limited edition pin by joining our Patreon Pin Club!

[rcannon992]

Scouting for bees

“Send out scouts independently or in pairs to do a “good turn” to return and report how they have done it.” (Baden-Powell, 1908) Scouting in Thailand. Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay “a swarm of honeybees will hang from a tree branch in a beard- like cluster for several hours or several days while its scouts collectively choose a suitable nesting cavity” (Rittschof and Seeley, 2008). Image…

[dogbites-puppylove]

Apple seed cyanide

TW: description of yandere mentalities and actions (obsession, possessive tendencies, stalking, etc)

Tags: Yandere! Joker x reader, Yandere! Harley x reader (platonic)

If you want the honest to god truth, Harley knew that the Joker was spewing saccharine filth from the start when he reached out with promises of a sweet little life, one with a darling family of their own. She knew because, after years of watching him pant after the trials of Batman, she saw he had no room other than his obsession left in his heart. But like a moth to firelight, she flutters dutifully back into his arms attracted by promises already broken

Imagine her surprise when shes greeted at the door with a bright smile, almost sane enough to trick her. He ushers her in with a sweet note in the air and a “surprise waiting for her” in the living room. Bound and gagged a couple is crying out on the floor, shaking their hands in a pathetic plea, and attempting to crawl away, and usually, Harley would be all for making a joke or two, but instead, all she can see is you. Your little presence floods all of her senses, sitting perfectly pacified on the floor. Behind her, she's aware of her partner's sick laughter, but she can't shake off the trance she's in.

You couldn't be older than 3, still without proper motor skills and a morbid curiosity stopping any critical preservation instincts that might have had you crying. This becomes more evident when instead of screaming, you giggle as the clown prince of crime crouches down to haul you up into an embrace, even bouncing you up into the air a few times to pry out more laughter. She can barely hear the shrieks of your old parents as the Joker finally deposits you safely into her arms, and as she cradles you close to her chest that aches for you. It's a physical hurt that almost overwhelmed her, the need to crawl inside you and live there, or for you to do the same, and it is in a stranger's house that Harley falls in love again.

“Sweet as honey ain't they?” the Joker coos and cackles at you, waggling a few fingers in front of your face, grinning even wider as you grab at them. “Full of curiosity that one is, a real riot!” but Harley can barely hear him much less acknowledge him past the roaring of blood in her ears. Her heart beating out of her chest she thinks it might just spill open to accommodate the organ trying to crawl closer to her darling. For the second and last time in her life, Harley is chained and leashed to another's will, a fate of coming to their beck and call, your will, her darling wrapped perfectly in her arms.

To the Joker's credit he does love you, or as close to love as he can get. He hushes your cries, indulges you in sweets behind Harley's back, and she's even caught him humming silly little tunes as he dances with you wrapped up in his arms. You bring clarity to him, a surety in his life that he doesn't feel unless pulling Bats along in another joke. You were going to be his perfect legacy, proof that he cannot truly die, you're a part of him in this way. Of course, you’d need a quick little dip into a vat of toxins to truly make a perfect legacy but you needn’t worry, he still loves you. You just need a little preparation first.

Every week he takes you on little daddy-darling outings, he tells Harley your going around to sightsee, and he lets you play a lot of fun games until the sun sets. And he's truthful because his warehouses are far and in between, and every mutilation he leads you so lovingly through is a fun little joke. His little comedian, hell coo as he leads your hand tightly clasping a knife against the throat of one of his own boys who had tried to run. Isn't this fun sweetheart?

He underestimates, however, just how devoted Harley is because while she was fully delusional when they had first gotten into a relationship Harley cannot spare you as collateral damage to her own fantasies. She is painfully grounded as she takes in everything about you 24/7, your expressions, words, actions anything she can she takes to covet away in her mind forever. As much as she is a monster she is your mother and she loves you, you are anything she's ever had and everything she'll ever have. He doesn't realize that she obsessively checks over you, even spotting the smallest flecks of blood, how when she kisses you goodnight she can see the thin sheen of apathy take hold of your gaze.

The final straw comes in the form of a huge argument, she comes home early from work eager to see her little baby, when she finds the Joker cooing into your ear, goading you into doing your best as your hands wrap around a familiar gun. Like the devil on her shoulder, she can't even scream as you pull the trigger, eyes momentarily twitching but no other expression as your former parent's brains paint the windows. And she realizes as you turn around to smile at her sweetly with blood on your teeth and tears that seem so foreign streaming down your face that you need to leave, she has to get you away.

That night she takes you, just 9 years old, and runs. She has no real destination, just a desperate notion to get away, to save you from all that she knows the joker is trying to make you. She can't, she can't let you go through what she knows will force you into the type of person you never wanted to become. Because she can see herself in the mirror and can mourn normal happiness and stability, and she has watched the joker bleed himself dry until he has nothing to himself but an old laugh track repeating over and over again. It's a life of agony and you don't deserve that, not you, never you.

Of course, her body ends up leading her to Ivy’s place, and the woman can only stare in shock as her best friend who had gone radio silent all those years back collapses at her door holding a kid so close she might be trying to meld into one. “Please, please not my baby” Harley begs and any anger that Ivy could have had melts.

For a while it's paradise, the Gotham sirens all corralling once again in their glory, and with their very own new member, you. Selina takes to you quickly, cooing about how her kitten is just the most clever thing in the world as you quickly work through her little trips. (Privately she will worry to Harley about the lack of awareness you have for your own health, the way your eyes glaze over when a plan takes place, and the brutality you exhibit.) Ivy also takes to you quickly, teasing you with little nicknames (how can you be a sapling when you're a human?) and she teaches you how to nurture, how to care for plants and love them as they deserve. (And she will confide to Harley how you seem to take to poisons particularly well, how you are able to craft things more disastrous than she can dream, how your curiosity always leans to the morbid.)

Harley herself takes great energy and care into trying to undo what the Joker has done, it's laughable how Gotham's greatest villains all sit in a circle every week and preach about morals and empathy. But to their credit, it works, and though you may not be able to feel the full existence of motion, though you can't seem to feel it as deeply as others your heart still throbs with what must make you human. You learn consequences and cling with desperation to these little lessons that prove you aren't your mentor. (not father, not anymore)

And yet Harley can still see how your apathy takes hold in the face of curiosity, how you prefer crowbars over teddy bears, and how despite your hardest efforts empathy is always a little too easy to push away in favor of hard-earned apathy. (and she knows, she knows that as long as that bastard is still out there doggedly searching the ground for you, you won't ever truly be safe) so she makes a deal.

The phone rings and Bruce can only raise an eyebrow at the untitled phone number, he doesn't make a habit of giving out his number so uselessly so after the third ring he picks up.

“Hello? This is Bruce Way-”

“Hey Bats.” Alarm shoots through the roof at a voice he hasn't heard in years, and yet still so closely relates to his arch-nemesis.

“Harley? How did you get this-”

“Listen, listen I know it's gonna sound real bad but I- I need you to hear me out. A favor, I need a favor. I'll go back to Arkham, stay there for the rest of my days but, I” she breathes and it's far too shaky for the woman he knows her to be. “My baby” she sobs “You gotta keep my baby safe, he's out there Bats and he won't leave em alone as long as their alive.”

Through his confusion, Bruce manages to calm her down, and wrangles a short story out of her, how she and Joker had played family until she couldn't bear to see you break anymore and how she knew that she alone couldn't keep her darling safe. And maybe it's the boy staring at the corpse of his family in Crime Alley that speaks instead of himself but he finds himself reaching out to help. (he can't let another family split, not when he can help it). As long as Harley doesn't kill, no more lethal tactics, and as long as she reports everything she knows about joker, and works with him against him, she can stay outside of Arkham walls. And as for you?

Your tenth birthday hits and Bruce Wayne steps into your living room with a strangely calculating gaze and a warm smile.

“You must be Y/N? Ah, nice to meet you officially, my name is Bruce Wayne, and ill be your foster family.”

Author's Note: Another reupload. ALSO! I HAVE GOTTEN THE ANON ASKS!! I AM JUST A SLOW WRITER I’LL GET TO EM I PROMISE!!

[reality-detective]

Bees and Honey 👇

🐝Some interesting facts about bees 🐝

Here are 20 interesting facts about the importance of honey and bees:

1. Did you know that honey never spoils? Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible!

2. Did you know bees are essential for growing many of our foods? They pollinate about one-third of the food we eat, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

3. Did you know honey has natural healing properties? It can help soothe sore throats and even speed up the healing of wounds and burns due to its antibacterial qualities.

4. Did you know bees produce a tiny amount of honey in their lifetime? A single worker bee produces only about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in her entire life, but together they make a lot!

5. Did you know bees communicate through dancing? They perform a "waggle dance" to tell other bees where to find the best flowers.

6. Did you know honey can help your brain? It contains antioxidants that may support brain health and improve memory.

7. Did you know beeswax, made by bees, is used in many everyday products?** It's found in things like candles, lip balm, and even some types of food packaging.

8. Did you know honey can be a natural energy booster? It provides a quick source of energy because it's packed with natural sugars.

9. Did you know there are over 300 types of honey in the United States alone? The flavor, color, and aroma depend on the flowers that bees visit.

10. Did you know that beekeeping helps many communities around the world? It provides income, supports agriculture, and helps improve food security in many regions.

11. Did you know honey can be used as a natural preservative? Because of its antibacterial properties, honey has been used to preserve fruits and other foods for centuries.

12. Did you know that some bees can recognize human faces? Studies have shown that honeybees can remember and recognize human faces, much like they remember different flowers.

13. Did you know honey can improve your sleep? A spoonful of honey before bed can promote relaxation and better sleep by raising insulin slightly and allowing tryptophan to enter the brain.

14. Did you know bees are colorblind to red? Bees can see ultraviolet light, which humans can't, but they can't see the color red. Instead, they see it as black.

15. Did you know honey can help with seasonal allergies? Consuming local honey is believed by some to help build immunity to local pollen and reduce allergy symptoms.

16. Did you know that royal jelly, produced by worker bees, is fed to all bee larvae? However, only those destined to become queens are fed royal jelly throughout their development.

17. Did you know honey has different medicinal uses in various cultures? For example, in Ayurvedic medicine, honey is used to treat digestive issues, and in ancient Egypt, it was used to treat wounds.

18. Did you know bees have a built-in GPS? They use the position of the sun, the earth's magnetic field, and their own memories of landmarks to navigate and find their way back to the hive.

19. Did you know honeybees are the only insects that produce food eaten by humans? They are unique in their production of honey, which has been a staple in human diets for thousands of years.

20. Did you know that honey can vary greatly in taste and texture? The type of flowers the bees pollinate affects the flavor, color, and texture of the honey. Some honey can even be creamy or spicy!

[ninibeingdelulu]

Welcome to Berlin

synopsis-> Leaving your own country for his, you discover a totally different world. But at least, he’s with you.

wc-> 800

a/n-> special edition 4 my man only >.< and new design’s coming for my whole blog!!

The crisp chill of an early Berlin morning instantly prickled your exposed cheeks as soon as you stepped outside, far colder than any late autumn day back in Japan.

Hugging your thick woolen coat tighter, you tilted your face up to squint against the bright sunlight glinting off the city's sleek modern facades and windows.

"You'll get used to the temperature swings around here soon enough, liebling."

Michael's low, honeyed rasp rolled out in puffs of vapor beside your ear. His arm snaked around your waist, palm splayed possessively over the small of your back as he tucked you firmly against his side.

"These German winters are no joke."

You offered him a wordless hum and smile, simply basking in the solid, radiating warmth of his toned striker's body enveloping you like a furnace.

Little daily moments like these hazy morning strolls still felt almost dreamlike - the fact you'd truly uprooted your entire life in Japan just to follow this tempestuous blond firecracker across the world.

Not that you had a single regret. You'd choose the leap into the unknown alongside Michael a thousand times over.

As if sensing the introspective turn your thoughts had taken, he paused to swing you around until you were directly in his path.

Those piercing blue irises danced over your face with unchecked wonderment, palming your jaw to tip your features towards the brilliant sunshine haloing his hair in coronas of incandescent gold.

"Beautiful."

Michael husked in an unguarded moment of worship, caressing the arch of one cheekbone with his thumb.

You could never resist the swell of affection that tugged your heart sideways at those rare candid displays.

"Alright hotshot," you chuckled briskly to diffuse the rapidly thickening tension charging the morning air.

Using both palms flat on his firm chest to apply backwards pressure, you side-stepped smoothly away.

"Weren't you just telling me the other day about some crazy delicious new Bavarian bakery around the corner here?"

He flashed you a wolfish grin - catching your unspoken deflection easily - before slinging one long muscular arm loosely around your shoulders to resume strolling.

That tell-tale smug glint in his eye was clear even beneath the shadow of his snapback as he dipped his face closer.

"Oh, is that what the lady's craving? Should've known it'd be something sweet."

You hip-checked him playfully as the two of you navigated through the maze of residential streets enjoying each other's familiar banter.

"What can I say? All this freezing northern weather instantly makes me crave warm, gooey carbs. Lead the way to that sugary promised land, mikka"

Every now and then, Michael would pause your leisurely pace to waggle a finger sternly at some foreign street sign or landmark, coaching the proper pronunciation in his deep, throaty accent.

Committing each phrase and vocabulary word to memory with an eagerness that never failed to make his chest puff up with masculine pride whenever you repeated them back perfectly.

He took such unabashed delight in meticulously guiding you through the ins and outs of his native tongue despite your initial shyness over how thickly accented your Japanese sounded to him at first.

Impromptu German lessons on the street had quickly blossomed into an impromptu tradition whenever the two of you went exploring his hometown together.

You would have thought back to the shy, timid girl you'd been before falling for this wild tempest of a German striker nervously struggling to string together the most basic hello and thank you in Japanese for his first month in Japan.

Now, Michael delighted in witnessing just how ferociously determined and adaptable you'd become in chasing after him wholeheartedly into the unfamiliar world of Berlin.

Eventually, tantalizing scents of butter, cinnamon and mouthwatering yeasty dough grew too overpowering to resist.

Michael chivalrously kept pulling the heavy oak bakery door open wide and ushering you ahead into the tiny shop's cramped interior.

Warm, cheerful lighting spilled across tidy glass cases displaying all manner of crusty breads and delectably glistening confections.

He hovered behind as you slowly perused each tantalizing offering - chest pressed flush along your back, muscular forearms caging you in bracketed along the counter's edge.

"So," Michael rumbled lowly into the sensitive whorls of your ear, eliciting a shiver you were certain he felt ripple through your whole frame.

"What looks like it'll hit the spot for getting my best girl all warmed up and satisfied this morning?"

Heat blossomed across your cheeks, equally from both the fluster over his suggestive tone as well as the rich, sweet perfume of baking spices and buttery pastries swirling tantalizingly.

You somehow managed to swallow thickly against the sudden tightness in your throat while motioning towards one particularly plump, sugar-dusted selection - "That...um, that one looks amazing."

Michael chuckled lowly, every exhale stirring the wispy hairs along your nape, before flagging down the kind elderly baker behind the counter to place your order.

You basked in the full-bodied bliss of inhaling the piping hot pastry's rapturous aroma with your first eager bite as you wandered back outside - snuggling ever nearer into the shelter of Michael's embrace.

Whatever grand adventure still lay ahead in this brand new country, you knew you were more than ready to face it all...so long as this fierce whirlwind of a hotshot striker never stopped making you weak at the knees like this.

[eiightysixbaby]

as you've probably seen in your notifs, i'm a bit obsessed with your writing 😩 it's so good, i'm utterly obsessed

i was wondering if you could write something where steve is manhandling or rough housing with his gf and it takes a ✨️spicy✨️ turn?? i feel like there aren't enough fics with playful!steve tbh

anyway i'm gonna go back to reading everything you've ever posted now because i'm obsessed 😂

- @hornyhornyhimbos 🖤✨️

hiiiii omg I’m so sorry this request truly got lost in the abyss of my inbox, but I hope you enjoy this regardless. I needed something for reader and steve to be debating about and then… this goofiness was born. 🫶🏻 and thank you for the kind words, it means a lot that you like my writing :’)

18+ only

“There is no fucking way you haven’t seen Grease,” Steve says, sitting up from where he’d been laying on the sofa to look at you properly.

“Never seen it, I swear. I just don’t know if musicals are my thing,” you say, laughing lightly at his dumbfounded expression.

“How did I not know this about you?” he wonders aloud, pressing his palms to his forehead as if he’s deeply stressed.

“If you’d known would you not be dating me right now?” you tease, laughing harder when he rolls his eyes. You know there isn’t a universe where he wouldn’t want to date you, and he knows you know.

“I just can’t believe you’re just going to write it off as ‘oh, musicals aren’t my thing’” he says, his voice pitching higher when he mocks you. “Like, it’s a masterpiece. I’m hurt, babe,” he says, and you’re not quite sure how much of this is real anymore and how much is him teasing.

You only laugh more, shaking your head at his antics. “It can’t be that good. It’s a bunch of grown adults playing high schoolers, running around and singing.”

“Oh, honey, but you haven’t heard Hopelessly Devoted To You. Or Beauty School Dropout… or… or You’re The One That I Want!” he shouts exasperatedly, hands flying all over the place.

“Boooringgggg,” you drawl, really only saying it to get a rise out of him. You’d watch the movie if he asked you to, honestly you’d probably like it, and you both know it.

“Anything but. You haven’t heard Greased Lightning,” he continues, immediately jumping from his spot on the couch. He grabs the television remote, holding it up in front of him.

“Steve, what-”

“I’m about to show you how not boring it is.”

He waggles his eyebrows at you, shaking his hips as he brings the remote to his mouth like a microphone. He dives into a terrible rendition of Greased Lightning, not breaking eye contact with you.

“This car is automatic…” he cries out.

“Babe,” you say, looking at him questioningly.

“It’s systematic…”

“Steven, I swear to god,” you say as he hops up onto the coffee table, socked feet allowing him to slide on the surface.

“It’s hydromatic!”

He’s fully into it now, giving you a complete show as he sings. You’re in a fit of giggles, watching him in awe as he struts around. He’s trying and only somewhat succeeding in mimicking John Travolta’s dance moves, his arm outstretched as he points at you. His hips gyrate, he turns and shakes his ass exaggeratedly as he continues singing. You have to admit he looks damn good in those too-tight jeans.

He takes off his jacket, throwing it out to you as if he’s a real performer. He’s pitched his voice lower while he sings, really trying to sell his impersonation. You snort, rolling your eyes as you start to get up from your seat, attempting to head towards the kitchen to grab a drink.

He stops you, though, jumping down from the table to grab your arm, pulling you into him, chest to chest.

“Steve!” you gasp, palms pressing to his chest as he wraps a strong arm around you. Your heart flutters at the sudden closeness, heat creeping up your neck.

“You’re gonna miss the best part if you walk away now,” he says, trying so hard not to laugh.

“Oh, I think I’ve seen enough,” you tease, trying to break free from his grip.

You think he’s about to let you go when you’re scooped up by his muscular arms, thrown over his shoulder as he discards his ‘microphone’ onto the coffee table. You flail your limbs, struggling to catch your breath between laughs as he sets you down on the large sofa. He positions himself over you, knees digging into the cushion on either side of your stretched legs, caging you in. He pins your wrists above your head, hazel eyes wild as he laughs with you. His strength makes you dizzy, the way he manhandles you with ease sends you reeling.

“Now that I’ve got you right where I want you…” he says maniacally, dramatically. “I’m going to sing every single song from Grease in order of appearance in the film,” he finishes, adding a wicked cackle to the end of his sentence.

“No, no! Please! Please spare me!” you cry, playing right along with his act.

You try to free your wrists as your legs thrash underneath your boyfriend, but Steve’s grip tightens. His free hand grips the flesh of your hip, pinning you harder to the couch. He’s smiling, practically glowing with how much he likes you, but the mood suddenly shifts when you let out a soft, pleased little noise at the way he squeezes your skin. Your hips inadvertently roll a little, seeking him out.

Your arms no longer struggle against his grip, instead simply going limp beneath the expanse of his fingers. Your breath hitches in your throat, lips parting slightly as you really take in all of Steve. His cheeks are flushed a light shade of pink from exertion, his hair slightly out of place from all of his dancing. He’s beautiful, so gorgeous, and right now he’s looking at you like you’re his favorite sight in the world. Really, it’s because you are.

“Steve…” you breathe out, chest rising and falling as you catch your breath from your previous heavy fits of laughter.

He closes the distance between the two of you, pressing his lips to yours so softly yet so passionately. It says a million things, it expresses all of his adoration for you. Your tongue swipes gently into his mouth, tasting him just a little. His tongue meets yours then, sending chills through your body.

He pulls away eventually, looking at you like he’s lovestruck.

“You’re such a dork, Steve Harrington,” you murmur, but really it says ‘I love you’, ‘thank you for sharing your interests with me’, ‘you’re my favorite person’. And he knows.

“And you’re the girl that’s dating me,” he replies, smiling cutely down at you.

You tug the collar of his shirt, bringing him back down to your lips. Teeth and tongues clash once more as his hips roll into yours, making you whimper. He pushes the fabric of your skirt up your leg, higher higher higher until the pad of his thumb is teasing your cotton panties. Your wrists are freed from his grip, his hand pressing into the cushion to hold himself up. His thumb swipes over your needy core, teasing, but he’s met with a pool of warm wetness that sticks to his fingers. You flush as he gasps into your kiss, knowing he’s figured you out. He pulls his lips from yours and you pout, wiggling your hips slightly beneath him.

“What, honey? Did my imitation of Danny Zuko really do it for ya? Got you that wet?” he teases, smirking so adorably at you you want to smack him.

“Oh fuck off, I can’t stand you,” you reply. “But maybe.”

“Hey, you know what they say. ‘The chicks’ll cream for greased lightnin’” he quotes.

It earns him a well deserved eye-roll, but he makes up for all of his antics with how well he devours you afterwards.

[thegettingbyp2]

Can you please write Aaron x reader with this idea:

He and his wife had an argument and she’s not talking to him at the moment. On the plane, she’s laughing a lot with Morgan and Aaron’s is in between the "I’m glad to see her smile again" and "I’m quite jealous because I want to be the one to make her laugh"

Show Me That Smile? Please?

Donate £1 to my Book Fund Join my Patreon

Aaron had been feeling guilty for the whole case. Just before you left, you and Aaron had gotten into a big argument about Aaron wanting you to sit this case out, afraid that the case would trigger old memories for you that you would much rather not think about. You hated arguing with Aaron, but you felt that this time he’d crossed the line. You knew that he was only trying to look out for you, but something about the way he asked you to sit this one out left a sour taste in your mouth and you were convinced it was because he didn’t think that you were strong enough to handle it, despite the fact that you knew he just wanted to make sure that you were okay.

As a result of this argument, you hadn’t spoken to Aaron directly for the entire case and made sure that you were never alone in a room with him, needing some space to cool off. So, by the time the case was over and everyone was back on the jet, Aaron was going crazy.

You were sitting opposite Morgan in the corner of the jet while Aaron sat at one of the tables, trying to get a head-start on some of his paperwork. As much as he tried to focus, the sound of your laughter was causing an ache in his chest at the fact he wasn’t being the one to make you laugh, his gaze constantly wandering over to you, hating the fact that whenever you noticed him looking over, your smile faltered.

‘Are you gracing us with your presence at O’Keefes for a drink when we land? If you do, I promise that I’ll not only let you sit next to me, I’ll also throw a dance into the mix,’ he asked, waggling his eyebrows at you in a way that had you almost spitting the sip of water you’d just drank out of your nose as you failed to contain your laughter.

It was in that moment that Aaron decided that he had had enough. Putting his pen down, he rose from his seat and made his way to the back of the jet where you and Morgan were still giggling to yourselves. ‘As good as that offer sounds, that’s a married woman you’re talking to and I’d quite like to talk to my wife if you wouldn’t mind,’ he said to Morgan, shooting his friend a small smile to let him know that he was joking, trying to ignore the fact that the moment he’d approached, your laugh had cut out and the smile disappeared from your lips.

Morgan quickly excused himself and moved down the jet to join Spencer and JJ’s conversation. Aaron immediately took his seat and looked over at you. ‘Honey, talk to me,’ he pressed gently.

‘Why should I?’ you replied and even though they weren’t the words he wanted to hear from you, he felt a small part of the weight that had been pressing onto his chest lift slightly at hearing your voice again.

‘(Y/N), I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have asked you to sit the case out, I was just worried about how it would affect you and - ’

‘Don’t you think that’s a decision that I can make myself?’

‘Of course it is! And I didn’t mean to tell you, I was just trying to let you know that it was an option that you had. That you didn’t need to come on the case if you didn’t feel like it.’

Your gaze softened slightly at his words and you leaned forward in your chair, taking his hand in yours, a tiny smile tugging at your lips. ‘I know. I think I just went on the defensive because I knew what the case was and I was nervous. I know you didn’t mean it like that.’

Aaron leaned forward in his own seat, ‘does this mean I’m forgiven?’ he murmured, his eyes flicking down to your lips.

‘You know I can’t stay mad at you,’ you replied quietly, leaning in even closer and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. The moment your lips connected, Aaron’s arms wrapped around you, pulling you out of your seat and nestling you on his lap, refusing to loosen his hold.

‘If I’m forgiven, can I ask something?’ he asked, breaking the kiss only to pull a whine from your lips.

‘Anything,’ you murmured, brushing your lips against his as you spoke.

‘Show me that smile? Please? I’ve missed it,’ he asked, his cheeks turning red at the thought of anyone else on the team over hearing you. You couldn’t help the peal of laughter that escaped your lips when you saw how awkward he seemed to be. ‘There it is,’ he breathed out, pressing his lips back to yours.

‘I missed you, Mr Hotchner,’ you murmured against his lips.

‘I missed you too, Mrs Hotchner.’

[honey-beesknees]

Pro tip you can make any man a butch in your mind it's free nobody can stop you

[chiriwritesstuff]

Meet Me at the Farmers Market! - 1. Jealousy, Jealousy

Farmers Market! Joel Miller x Confident! Plus Sized F! Florist Reader

Series Masterlist

Series Summary: What does a Contractor do in his spare time? Sell his wood carvings at the Saturday Farmers Market, of course! A Grumpy x Sunshine Joel Miller series collective of one shots, Updates every Saturday!

Rating: M

Word Count: 1063

Warnings: Jealous! Joel Miller, Tommy is a meddling little shit, Reader likes to ogle her too-hot market neighbor (I mean, who wouldn't?!) no outbreak! Verse Joel Miller, everyone has asses that just. Don't. QUIT!!!!

Summary: Tommy thinks y'all should stop dancing around your feelings for each other and just date already.

A/N: Hello there!

This is completely a self-indulgent fic! I was completely blown away by all of the interest in this series, and I want to thank every single one of you who has liked and reblogged my series masterlist so far!

This isn't going to be in a linear format or have continuous chapters, but will be more of a short-story format between the lives of Joel and his Sunflower. Hope you all enjoy!

Divider by the lovely @saradika

"You know, I think you guys should date."

As Tommy helps you unload a basket of baby's breath from your van, you look at him and ask, "Is that right? Pray tell, Thomas Miller, Why do you think that?"

"Well, for starters, you're crazy about him," he replies, waggling his eyebrows. "I can see how you stare at him like he's the finest cut of meat at Whole Foods. I should get you a drip cloth for all that drooling you be doing," he chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest.

You roll your eyes and shove a bucket of single-stemmed roses into his chest. "Oh please. I think it's more concerning that you just compared your brother to a piece of meat," you say as you place a checkered tablecloth on your foldable table, preparing for the morning market.

"His head is definitely full of it," he laughs. "Besides, I think he's crazy for you too."

You laugh and reply, "All he does is complain that my tent is encroaching on his 'walk space' and how my bouquets attract all the bees. I don't think he's said one nice thing to me since I started vending at the market."

"Don't you know that the more you hate, the more you love?" he teases. "I know my brother," Tommy says, motioning towards your grumpy, yet attractive, next-door vendor. Joel, in his green flannel and almost too-tight jeans, it's criminal, really, how nice his ass looks in them - finally acknowledges the two of you with a roll of his eyes.

"Tommy," Joel yells across the way, "I could use some help, once you're done flirting with little miss Sunflower over there," he says, placing his crate on his table with a little more force, mumbling to himself as he calls for Sarah.

"See? He's jealous. Thinks I have the hots for you," Tommy appraises your form, whistling. "I might have mentioned how you looked really nice last week, you know, in your denim cut-offs. And he might have mentioned that you had an - and I quote - ass that just doesn't quit."

"He did not!" you reply as you playfully whack his arm with a towel. "Come on, help me with this sign so you can go back to Mr. Grumpy Butt over there. Wouldn't want him grumbling about how I stole his brother…"

"He's a big boy, he can manage. He only has those little critters that he carves, and you have buckets of flowers. I'd like to think that my services are better utilized here, don't you think? I mean, look at him!" Tommy motions to Joel, who has stopped setting up his stand and is openly glaring at the both of you, his hands clenched and knuckles turning white. "I'm doing you a favor, honey bee. He's just shy under all of that grumpy ass attitude. Just ask him out, see where it goes." Tommy crinkles his eyes at you as he pats you on your head.

You swear you see Joel looking at the both of you as Tommy winks at you and heads back to his 'Reclaiming Miller' stand.

"What kind of a business name is that?" you think to yourself, chuckling as you close the doors of your van.

Later, as the market comes to a close and you place the final empty bucket into your van, you walk over to Joel's 'Reclaiming Miller' stand as he folds a tablecloth.

"Do you need a hand?" you ask sweetly.

"I got it," he replies with a grunt, dismantling his fold-up table and propping it against his truck. "It's funny," he adds, glaring at you, "that Tommy is nowhere to be found when I need help but magically appears once your van rolls in," he shakes his head. "Why don't you put him out of his misery and just ask him out?"

"… sounds like you're jealous, Mr. 'Reclaiming Miller'."

"Trust me, I'm not," he replies, rolling up the sleeves of his flannel as he tries to accommodate the Texas heat. You try very hard not to ogle the veins that run down his arms, swallowing as you try to remain indifferent to the very hot, grumpy man in front of you. You had a crush on Joel ever since you started the Saturday markets, approaching your new neighbor with a small bonsai tree as you introduced yourself. He took it from your hands carefully, inspecting it with a bit of wonder in his eyes. "Your tent is three inches off from your marker, by the way," he replies as he places the bonsai off to the side of his display table. "You might want to get that checked out, don't want to get a fine or anything like that." You decide then that he's one of those vendors, the ones who are sticklers for the rules and complete nightmares to those around them, but yet…

He is rather nice to look at, you think.

"… why would I ask someone I'm not interested in out on a date, Joel?" you reply, approaching him. "I mean, he did tell me that you thought I had an 'ass that just doesn't quit'," you say in his ear, tiptoeing up to his broad form, "is that what you really think, Miller?" you tease, his Adam's apple bobbing. "What if I want to ask you out? What would you say? Would you say yes? Because I think I would like that if you did."

But then, to your surprise, he smiles.

"… I thought we already got past dating, Sunflower," he replies as he kisses you, soft and sweet. His hands grab your hips as you wrap your arms around his shoulders. His hands travel to your ass, squeezing them as he groans into your kiss.

"Besides," he adds, "You know damn well how much I appreciate this ass." He winks, slapping it for good measure.

“Yeah, yeah, Miller. I'll see you at my place later?” you say as you head over to your van. “It's your turn to choose the movie tonight, if it's a good one you might just get laid” you tease.

“Oh baby girl, I'll get mine regardless, don't you worry,” he replies hungrily, waving as he enters his truck. “You just wear that thing I like, and I'll make it worth your while, promise.”

“You better!”

[kedreeva]

So I live somewhere where certain foods aren't readily available. I'm looking to buy a house - smallish house, biggish land is an option(cheaper). I've never kept anything more ~interesting~ than snakes. I went to a restaurant in a city a few years back where I tried duck for the first time and it instantly became my favorite food. Would it be weird to uh, keep ducks for eating? I've no problem with butchering but I'm worried I'd get attached to MY ducks.

I can't really answer if you'll get attached, because I don't know you or your penchant for getting attached. I can answer that it's not weird at all to raise ducks for meat. There are entire breeds of ducks that are great to raise for meat (like muscovies or pekins). Personally, I prefer the muscovy breed because I find them to be adorable (lots of cool color morphs! they do a little butt waggling dance in a circle!), GREAT moms who take on HUGE clutches no problem, they don't require or play in large amounts of water the way pekins do, and they're not as noisy (they hiss, they don't quack). The boys also get quite large, without getting super fat the way proper meat pekins do.

Like that's just. Terrible. I assume they get belly rub sores. The meat is probably good, the fat is probably good cooking. But at what cost?

I can also say that most people do get somewhat attached to animals they raise for food, but I think that's an important part of it. Part of raising animals for food is understanding that you're giving them the best life you can up to the point of butcher, which is often better than whatever life they would have in a factory farm. Part of raising food animals is caring enough about them to do well by them, as the only gratitude you can show to them in exchange for their life. Part of raising animals for food is understanding that you are going to take the life of another creature, and I think that attachment is how we understand the weight of that decision.

Personally, I think that it's right and good for people to get attached to their livestock. I think it helps them remember that they're caring for a living creature that has needs and feels pain. A creature that is deserving of excellent care while alive. I see a LOT of people allowing animal suffering in the fowl world because "it's just a chicken" and the babies "only cost a couple bucks," and "they can be replaced." IMO, it's a particularly callous attitude to have, toward an animal whose life will be taken to provide for you. Even one whose life is dedicated to providing for you while living (eggs, milk, wool, honey, etc) deserves better than to be considered a Thing that can be allowed to suffer merely because it is replaceable.

Lastly, I can say that (for me at least) there's often a major difference between the attachment you feel toward a pet and a livestock animal. Part of it is expectations going in, part of it is time. For pets, the expectation is that you will have that animal for the duration of that animal's average life expectancy, and you can plan accordingly for allowing yourself emotional investment. For livestock, the expectation is that you will only have the animal until its butcher date, which is often quite early in their life. A healthy, well-kept dog you can probably expect a good 10 years from, a cat nearly twice that. The average butcher age for a pekin duck is 3 months old (for comparison, they have an average lifespan of 5 years before their bodies give out from growth and weight issues), for muscovies 3-6 months (with an average lifespan of 20 years). There's just not as much time to get attached in the first place, unless you're getting attached to your breeders.

So, is it weird to raise ducks for food? Absolutely not. Are you going to get attached? I hope so, at least a little bit. And I hope that you feeling that connection to your food source helps you to take excellent care of them until their time comes, and that it compels you to make their end as quick and painless as possible.

[bigtreefest]

Chapter 6: San Antonio Stroll

From: You Catch More Bees With Honey Series

Pairing: Mob! Bucky x Farmer! Reader

Summary: You can’t ask for much more than good friends and good times.

Word count: 3,620

Content/warnings: heavy drinking, accidental misogyny, friendship, flirting, country close dancing (that’s not an innuendo…yet), mentions of puke, curdled milk, improper treatment of plants (it’s ok tho bc they’re ugly flowers), swears

Author’s Note: Another chapter that made me giggle and kick my feet as I wrote it. I hope you enjoy—let me know if you did through comments, reblogs, and asks!! (And also likes)

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

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You were in the corner of Bucky’s room, laying sideways across the armchair reading a book when he began to stir. He stretched and looked around, the late morning sun lighting up his sharp features and causing him to squint.

“Well good morning, sleeping beauty.” Bucky’s eyes finally found you as he let out a groan and flopped back into bed, turning over and pulling the covers with him.

“What happened?” Came muffled from under the comforter. You laughed and shifted to get up, walking to the side of his bed and crouching down. You carefully slid your hand under the bedding and flipped it open to be met by the sapphire eyes of the mob boss, framed by his messy morning hair. He smiled slightly at the sight of you, causing his eyes to sparkle even more on top of the way they were lit up by the sun’s morning glow.

“You passed out. Do you remember?” You didn’t specifically mention the kiss, but based on the way Bucky hid his face against the mattress and nodded, you knew he did.

“Why? How did I get here? What time is it?” You laughed and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Well, according to Steve, you haven’t been sleeping all week and were being kept up by the adrenaline with that whole situation Thursday into yesterday. The second I got out, you collapsed, probably from a mixture of exhaustion and finally feeling safety, which counteracted that adrenaline. That’s what Decks said, at least.”

Bucky’s head cocked to the side as he looked at you, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Yesterday? You got out yesterday? I thought you got out today.”

You shook your head. “No, Bucky. You’ve been sleeping for twenty hours. It’s Saturday.”

His eyes went wide and he shot up out of bed. “What!? You’re telling me I lost a whole day!? What about all the chores that needed finished? Or the rest of the other business dealings I had to direct?”

You ran your hand through his hair and down to his cheek to calm him down. “It’s all been taken care of. Steve closed up the rest of your business dealings, including Jake. Said he did his job and you would’ve called him ‘a good boy,’ so he’s visiting his mom right now before the jet flies him back tomorrow.”

Bucky nodded along, letting out an exhale of a small laugh at how well Steve knew him. You continued. “While Steve took care of things here, Sam drove back to the city to handle everything there, but otherwise everyone else stayed and is leaving tomorrow. Well, everyone except your construction crew. They’re staying until all tunnels are stabilized.”

“And the farm?” You were surprised at his concern over the land, something more than what directly applied to him.

“Curtis is out there right now. There’s not much to do, because according to him, ‘Bucky ran around like a busy bee doing all the chores with his nervous energy.’”

Bucky laughed. “He’s not wrong. And I encouraged Steve to do the same.”

“Yeah, I’m not surprised. But speaking of Curtis, you should thank him. He’s the one who carried you all the way over here and up the stairs.”

“So what do you think? Another night at the bar will do it? Drinks on me?” Bucky waggled his eyebrows.

When Bucky got up and showered, he changed into jeans and a comfy shirt before galloping down the steps. There, he saw Decks and Steve sitting on the couch chatting, each drinking a small glass of chocolate milk, as he made his way to your office.

The door was open, so he peeked his head in to see you closely examining several papers sprawled out. You tore your glance from the blinding white sheets and rubbed your eyes with the heels of your hands. “Hey, you were in here? I saw some stuff was moved around.”

Bucky nodded slowly, coming into your office fully and gently closing the door. “Yeah. I took a look at that contract the dairy girl left on your desk.” Bucky gestured to the one in your hand.

You felt the compulsion to laugh at his statement, the way he refused to say Cole’s name, but kept your lips tight and sighed instead. “Now, Bucky, you know I’m technically a ‘dairy girl,’ right? Please don’t insult me and my efforts in your attempts to make a jab at Cole. I know he sucks, trust me.”

Bucky winced at his mistake. No one in his line of work would’ve batted an eye at a statement like that, but he was starting to realize just how deep the misogyny ran. You were so capable, and Cole and Lloyd really thought they had the authority to push you out. Although, they probably would have done that no matter your gender, but the point was, they were entitled pricks.

“My bad, Honeybee. Won’t happen again. But yes, I do want to tell you that the law firm that Cole’s associated with has ties to a bad guy. Like, certifiably insane. He fights dirty, so I’ve got Sam looking into it all. That’s probably why he went back so soon.”

You nodded slowly, trying to hide the concern of how your small operation had gotten itself into this entangled web of a mess, but honestly, it could have been a coincidence. You had also read a page of Bucky’s notes which had been scrawled haphazardly, denoting everything that Jake had said about their interaction. At the bottom of that page was an additional note ‘train to handle interrogation better on plane ride home.’ You laughed at that; Jake was always a little too honest for his own good.

But thinking back to the mess you were in, Cole probably would have gone for your farm either way, tied with Lloyd or not, thanks to Jake’s loose lips.

Bucky could see you ruminating and making connections. He confirmed your thoughts. “If it helps at all, I don’t think Lloyd or Cole know who you’re working with. Lloyd hasn’t been around, and Cole can’t put my name to a face. If they had done so already, we might be dealing with something different.” He shrugged.

You knew it shouldn’t have that quickly, but Bucky’s statement provided you with relief. After the past few days, you could see how many men he must’ve had at his disposal if he only sent you a skeleton crew for what was done at the farm. He was calculated and smart, and it was beyond comforting.

Just then, there was a knock at the door and Decks came in, holding a large vase at full arm’s length. It was stuffed with blueish hydrangeas: your least favorite flower.

That was when the smell hit you and Bucky like a wall, the both of you squeezing your noses shut as you shouted with a nasally voice. “Ugh! Decks, get that out of here. Where the hell did those come from?”

She ran back towards the front door, where Steve was holding it open, to set them on the porch. “Just got delivered. Don’t worry, I’ve smelled worse. There’s a card here.”

Everyone else stood back, hands covering their airways as she plucked the small piece of paper from the petals and read it out loud.

“Peach, can’t wait to milk our deal together. -Cole”

Everyone exchanged glances, disgusted by the weirdly suggestive statement, as Decks pulled the hydrangeas out of the vase and tossed them into the yard. She knew how much you hated them. She peered into the vase and gave it a sniff.

“He put the flowers in milk…and,” she sniffed again, “lemon juice?”

The two of you exchanged a glance and you laughed at how foolish Cole was. You could tell Bucky and Steve were utterly confused, so you explained as Decks walked into the yard with the vase. The smell was far away enough now that you didn’t need to cover your nose.

“First off, I hate hydrangeas, so I’m glad Decks knew to get those little bitches out of my face. The only cool thing about them is they change color based on pH. So if they’re in an acidic environment, they’ll turn blue, one of the Turner farms signature colors. I’m sure Cole thought he was being so cute, putting flowers in a vase of milk, but milk is hardly acidic enough to cause any color change, so his smart ass thought lemon juice would be the solution. It worked, but at the cost of curdling the milk.”

You scrunched your face in disgust as Steve and Bucky mirrored it, the three of you looking out into the yard where Decks was shaking the vase vigorously, trying to get all the solids out. She reached for the garden hose and sprayed it out, the force of the stream moving the vase a few feet. She turned off the hose and grabbed the vase, stomping back into the house and slipping off her shoes.

Decks shoved the vase into Steve’s chest and he cradled it with an oof.

“Finish cleaning that. And dump out my glass. I won’t be able to drink milk again for months.” She grumbled. You looked to her as she was retreating from the living room.

“Where are you going?” She turned to look at you briefly.

“To take a shower.” Her head whipped back around.

She continued to stomp up the stairs before gesturing aggressively with her arms above her head. “WHY DO GUYS ALWAYS SEND YOU WEIRD SHIT LIKE THAT!?”

Steve looked at the vase in his hands and rubbed the back of his neck. “I think I’m gonna need a shower, too, after this.”

Once evening came, everyone was finally clean and ready to go, including Curtis, who had come back shortly after the hydrangea incident.

You considered piling the five of you into one car, but Curtis offered to drive, as well, taking Steve and Decks with him as you and Bucky drove in your truck. Curtis figured he’d go home after the bar, anyway, since your house was crowded enough with the extra guests.

As you and Bucky wound around the country roads toward town, he spoke up. “So Decks, she’s quite the character…”

You laughed and nodded, one hand on the wheel while you continued to look forward at the road. “Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, she’s been there for a lot. You’ve gotta be a little crazy to live in close quarters with someone for four years straight like we did. We’ve each got our own things.”

Bucky gave a small chuckle. “I guess it’s good to have someone who knows you so well, though.”

You hummed in agreement, not sure where he was leading this. “And she and Curtis seem close, too. Did she spend a lot of time out here when you were in school?”

You stole a glance at Bucky quickly, catching his inquisitive face. “Yeah, she’d come here for summers and some long weekends. The three of us get along really well.”

Both of you paused before Bucky broke the silence. “So did anything ever happen between the two of them?”

There it was. Who was he asking this for? “Why, asking for a friend? Asking for Stevie?”

Bucky shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. “Just curious.”

You gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. “Uh huh, well you’re lucky I’ll indulge your curiosity because I’m rooting for them, too. To answer your question, no, nothing ever happened. Her place is in the city, and I don’t think Curtis will ever leave here. This is home. They are really good friends, though, sometimes I think they like each other more than they like me.”

Bucky laughed. “That’s how I feel about you and Steve, even though I’m the one who’s been around here the most.”

You gave him a shrug. “Some people just get each other.”

You and Curtis pulled into the bar, parking next to each other. The five of you emerged from the trucks, denim and flannel-clad and ready for a night out.

As you walked in and up to a few empty stools. Curtis hung back, having a word with the bouncer and handing him a sheet of paper, then patting him on the back. The bartender who took your orders was super sweet, and she must’ve been new since you’d never seen her around before.

“I’m not sure what the big guy back there wants quite yet, but I say just make him something good and he’ll be happy.” You pointed a thumb over your shoulder towards Curtis, bumping into where Bucky’s hand was draped as he stood to your other side. The bartender smiled and nodded as Bucky pulled you in closer to his ribs and talked lowly by your ear.

“You and Decks wanna pick out some food while Steve and I grab a booth and a pool table?” You nodded and patted his chest before holding out your hand.

“Sounds good, Bucket. Gimme your black card so I can start a tab.” He smiled and obliged, digging into his back pocket and pulling out his wallet. Once you handed the card to the bartender, he walked away and Decks came up beside you.

“Oh, we’re definitely pushing that card to the limit tonight.”

You laughed and nodded with her. “Agreed.”

You sat under Bucky’s arm in the booth, watching Steve teach Decks how to play pool. Little did he know, Decks was even better than you, in fact, at all games you played.

You laughed into your empty beer glass and reached for the pitcher to refill it when you saw Curtis leaning over the bar.

“It’s been forever. I can’t believe he went back over there.” You noted. “Something must’ve caught his eye.” You knew exactly what. It was someone.

When Curtis had come to join the four of you at the table earlier, Bucky had made a toast. “To new friends and the safety of Honeybee.”

Everyone clinked their glasses together. “To Honeybee.” You giggled as everyone took a sip and Curtis was gone the next second.

He claimed a seat at the bar and hadn’t moved since, making heart eyes at the new bartender. You were happy for him. He worked so hard, he deserved this kind of break, and she seemed sweet.

Bucky nodded along to your previous statement, but you could tell something else in the corner had drawn his attention. You were an hour in and Bucky had already probably doubled the rounds you’d taken.

He looked at you with a mischievous glint in his eye. “I’m gonna ride the mechanical bull.” You put a hand on his chest and could feel his speeding heartbeat.

“Slow down. Learn how to ride a horse first, champ. And then, maybe you can do it.”

Bucky shook his head, not wanting to hear what you had to say as he slid out of the booth and walked past the bar, slapping a hand on Curtis’s shoulder as he made his way to the mechanical bull on the far end.

You rose from your seat as Steve and Decks set down their pool cues, following you to stand by Curtis. The four of you, along with the new bartender, watched as Bucky spoke to the operator and got up on the bull. Steve and Decks were clapping and shouting words of encouragement while you looked on in terror. This man could literally not sit on a stationary horse by himself, and he wanted to ride the bull? Well, no use in trying to talk him down now.

You could hear Curtis through the other screams coming around you. “Buck, hold on tight! I am not carrying you up the stairs again if you get knocked down.”

You laughed at that as you began to clap, a huge, yet tentative, smile beaming on you face in anticipation of what was about to go down. The bull started off slow, rocking Bucky back and forth, but it picked up quickly. You watched as his body began to flail, the bull whipping around until it spun, launching him off to the side from the inertia.

The whole bar began to cheer and whoop. He lasted 8.7 seconds.

Another hour later found you and Decks standing by the bar, sipping another drink the bartender who Curtis called ‘Cherry’ had made for you. You were talking about the two mob bosses over at the pool table. Well, you knew what they were, but Decks didn’t yet, although you believed she and Curtis had their suspicions.

You jolted with excitement when a familiar song came through the speakers.

“Oh! You love this one! You remember the dance I showed you in college? I think you’ve got some new guests to teach!” You looked over to Decks as she playfully rolled her eyes.

You danced your way over to Bucky and dragged him out on the dance floor, catching Steve having an animated conversation across the bar on your way over.

You spun Bucky around and pulled him close. “You ready to learn, cowboy?”

Bucky laughed, taking his hat off and putting it on your head. “Lead the way, partner.”

You two-stepped around the dance floor with the music, keeping your eyes on the top of Bucky’s head as he stared down at your feet, trying not to step on them. Unsuccessfully, you might add, but it was adorable to see him trying to fit himself into another part of your world.

“I think it’s time for a break.” This came after a particularly hard stomp on your big toe, you holding in a yelp and Bucky sheepishly looking up at you as he guided you both back to the bar.

Another drink later, and you were spry as a young calf, ready to go for a round of line dancing.

“Come on Bucket, let’s go boot scoot!” Your voice grew louder with another drink, and Bucky was already three sheets to the wind.

After the two intensive rounds, you both flopped down into the booth, Bucky slumped with his head on your shoulder and arm wrapped tightly around your waist. He was being surprisingly affectionate, speaking against your neck.

“How are you so good at everything?” He mumbled. You stroked his hair and kissed the top of his sweaty head, looking around the bar for your friends. You spotted Decks an Steve making their way over to you from where they had just been chatting with Curtis.

You continued to pet Bucky’s head. “If you guys are, I think we’re ready to go. Bucket here is gonna need one for himself. If we get another drink, I fear he might puke.”

Steve bent down to get a better look at Bucky’s face, flicking him in the temple. Bucky’s face scrunched up in annoyance as he sloppily threw out an arm, swatting at Steve.

Steve stood back up. “Yeah, I think we’re good to go, too. Curtis is gonna stay through closing to give Cherry a ride home. I can drive your truck, though. We already closed out the tab.”

He held out his hand and you tossed him the keys. Steve stuffed them in his pocket as you did your best to shove Bucky’s dense, muscular body out of the booth. You watched as Steve bent down and lifted Bucky over his shoulder.

“Steeb, you’re so strong.” You faintly heard Bucky whisper.

Steve chuckled and adjusted him in a fireman’s carry and took him out of the bar, Decks ahead to get the doors.

You hopped up in the back of the truck to help as Steve tossed Bucky in behind you and drove home. Upon arriving, Steve lifted Bucky again, this time setting him down in his bed.

Bucky woke up to the sound of laughter, causing his head to bounce slightly. He looked up and hardly opened his eyes to see your smiling face.

You were laying on your back, propped up against some pillows. Bucky’s arm was slung across your stomach, his leg thrown to be in between yours and his head nestled in your chest.

“I can’t believe you crawled into bed with me.” Bucky smirked and spoke through his cheek smushed against you.

You laughed even harder. “Bucky, what are you talking about? This is my room. You crawled into bed with me.”

His eyes grew wide before he closed them again in satisfaction, nestling in closer to you, getting more comfortable.

“I don’t know when or how that happened, but I’ll own it.” A soft, sleepy smile took over his face.

You continued to stroke his hair. “Despite your rough exterior you put on for strangers, you’ve really got a way with people, ya know? Like when you helped the Carters and got us those free drinks?”

Bucky hummed and squeezed your waist tighter.

“Decks told me you helped them out again. They offered to pay for drinks last night, too?” Bucky nodded.

“Well it’s not as easy as it seems, Honey. But yeah, she thought we were best friends, Mrs. Carter. She even called me Jamie.”

You looked down as Bucky began to trace shapes against the bare skin under your sleep shirt. “Jamie? I like that. What’s wrong with that?”

“Well, nothing’s really wrong, I guess, it’s just that no one has called me that since my ma. It’s kinda reserved for someone special… But I do like the way it sounds coming from you.”

He turned to kiss your palm that had made its way to his cheek.

“Okay, Jamie.”

Next >

Bonus A/N: I’m not sorry for my hate of hydrangeas. They suck.

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@scuzmunkie @openup-yourmind @vicmc624 @hawkeyes-queen @blackhawkfanatic @morgthemagpie @buckybarnessimpp

[rcannon992]

Follow me closely: honey bee waggle dances

Honey bees (Apis species) appear to be unique, in that they are the only social bees which can recruit other members of their hive to come and join them in foraging at a specific resource site, say a patch of flowers. Individual foragers are able to communicate the location, odour, and presence of high-quality food, or potential nest sites, to their nestmates. As explained below, they can…