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Food Grade Manual Reusable Stainless Steel Whisk
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Cream
Word Count: 978
Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader
Content Warnings: Oral (fem. receiving), Fingering, Orgasm, Implied Sex
Spencer and you had weekly park dates, so you always noticed when a new vendor was selling at the park. Today was ice cream and you couldn’t have been more thrilled…until you realized Spencer had ordered the last chocolate ice cream.
“Oh, that’s fine, vanilla will do.” You said with a smile and traded your money for your bland vanilla ice cream. You trotted over to a park bench where Spencer sat, licking his chocolate ice cream happily. God, he looked like a little kid again.
“Everything alright?” Your boyfriend asked, reading the defeated look on your face as you slumped against the park bench.Â
You sighed as dramatically as possible, Spencer rolling his eyes in return. “Yeah, they ran out of chocolate, though.”Â
Spencer’s lips formed a realizing “oh”. “I wonder who took it.” Spencer licked chocolate off of his top lip with a smug smile. You lightly shoved him, careful not to knock his cone, then returned to your vanilla.Â
But mid-lick of your vanilla, you felt Spencer’s gentle tap on your shoulder. Spencer’s face was soft, caring, as he extended out his cone of chocolate ice cream to you. “Want some?”
“Oh, no, baby. I’m good.” You smiled, licking the vanilla off of your lips before placing a sweet kiss on his cheek. Yet, Spencer’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Are you turning down ice-cream? The last time you did that you were mad at me for the whole hospital thing-”Â
“No, no, no. Not mad at all, just…germs.” You cocked your head in the direction of his cone. Spencer really didn’t leave a single clean area for you to eat from. Spencer paused, confusing you before breaking out into a cute fit of laughter. “What? Do I have something on me?” You asked, touching your face.
“No,” Spencer straightened his back out against the wooden bench, “I just wouldn’t expect sharing ice-cream to bother you. I guess we’ve never done that before.”Â
You mentally recall sharing all meals with Spencer. You'd eaten off of the same utensils as him, shared showers with him, kissed his sweaty head when he had a fever. Still, the way that Spencer had licked around his entire ice cream made it unappealing.
“Thanks for the offer, baby. But I’m just fine watching you eat it.” You gave your ice-cream a quick lick, looking at Spencer as you did. With a new adrenaline running through Spencer, it didn’t take long for him to finish his ice-cream and race you guys home.
Spencer unlocked his apartment for you, his hand wrapped around yours, gently placing you against his wall. His hands ran up and down your body before finding and resting on your hips.Â
“Mmm…” You moaned into Spencer’s mouth at the feeling of his hips, his hardness pressed completely against you. You couldn’t help but brush yourself against him, creating friction between your jeans and his gray work-pants.
“Let’s get this out of the way, sweetheart.” Spencer whispered, looking down as his fingers fumbled with the buttons on your jeans. The man could unclasp a bra like it was second-nature but pant buttons were his worst enemy.Â
You helped Spencer slide your pants off, then dropped to your knees and undid his black belt, tossing it to the ground beside your pants. You then shed him of his pants too, then headed for his briefs just to be met with his hand gripping your wrist. You were still holding his briefs down some, the fabric dipping to reveal his tip.Â
“Up my love.” Spencer tilted your chin up, you rising with it and following Spencer towards his bedroom, leaving your pants behind.Â
You giggled as Spencer lifted you onto the bed and spread your legs with his hands. He placed a hot kiss over your underwear, directly over your wet center.Â
“Already wet for me.” Spencer whispered, panting over you, then turning to lay sweet burning kisses along your thighs. Impatient, Spencer shimmied your panties off of you and tossed them to the side, letting them fall lazily to his carpeted bedroom floor. Your heart raced so quickly under Spencer’s simple control that you groaned, slightly beneath him. “I haven’t even started yet.” Spencer chuckled a little, shaking his head.
He then surprised you, diving into your pussy with his tongue, licking you slowly. He moved the tip of his tongue in circles around your clit, wrapping his arms around your thighs from beneath to stop you from wiggling as your pleasure intensified. You felt your undoing coming closer as he teased over your entrance with his tongue, circling it.Â
“Please, Spence- fuck- in me, I need you in me. Please.” You moaned, pulling at his hair as he continued to tease your entrance.Â
Spencer simply shook his head though and slipped a finger inside you. You threw your head back, pulsing around his finger. The lewd sounds it made inside of you drove you crazy.Â
“So wet. Fuck, y/n.” Spencer reintroduced his tongue as well as a second finger, picking his pace up as your legs began to shake. You gripped the sheets of Spencer’s bed, looking down at Spencer as he ate you out. “You can cum, baby.”
And just like that you did. He licked as much of your cum up as he could before you would become overstimulated, then backed away. Gently, he pulled his soft covers over you and placed a kiss on your forehead.Â
“Fuck, Spence.” You breathed, running your fingers along his wet beard then popping your thumb into his mouth so he could suck it off.Â
“And you don’t like sharing ice-cream.” Spencer rolled his eyes, you pausing with your finger still inside of his mouth.
“Oh fuck you, come here.” You laughed, grabbing his hips and climbing on top of him. “Your turn for fun.” You whispered, ending the night on a high.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *Â
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21 Days - Day 10
Xavier has the unique ability to keep everyone, even those closest to him, at an arm's length. He will speak freely and easily about casual topics, yet guards anything personal like his life depends on it. He's an open book until you dare try to turn the page past the first chapter. It's something that you've had to accept about him over the course of your friendship, and you rarely get anywhere when you press him on it. But as the two of you grow closer, it's becoming increasingly frustrating.
"Why am I just now finding out that your birthday is in six days?" You ask him, scrolling through his employee profile on your phone as the two of you sit at the dining table eating breakfast.
"You never asked," Xavier replies simply, continuing to eat his food.
The deep scowl you shoot him over your phone makes it clear that his answer isn't good enough and he sighs, setting his spoon down.
"Why would I mention it? It's the same as any other day."
"The same as any other day?" You repeat his words, incredulous. "What do you mean? It's your birthday!"
"It's not important. I don't really celebrate it."
The way he says it so casually, like he really believes it, doesn't sit right with you. Sure, it's his birthday and he's entitled to celebrate it however he wants, but the idea that it's not important - that no one has ever made it feel important - cuts through your chest like a knife.
"You don't do anything for it at all?" You press, setting your phone down to really look at him.
"Sometimes I have hot pot or spend the day reading a new book."
It takes everything in your limited self-restraint to keep your expression neutral and only nod in response as a plan begins to form in your mind. Hot pot and a new book were not going to cut it - not this year. The mature thing would be to respect his wishes, you know. But you've never been particularly mature, and Xavier deserves more than a bowl of noodles and a new book. He deserves to know that he's important. He deserves to feel...loved.
"Maybe we could spend your birthday reading together then? I'm feeling nice, so I'll even let you pick the book," you joke, trying desperately to sound natural.
"How very generous of you," Xavier says with an amused laugh, "I'd like that."
He returns to his meal, and you suppress the urge to ask him more questions. It would be nice to know what his other birthdays were like; surely he must have celebrated them with his family when he was younger? The image of a 5-year-old Xavier flashes through your mind unbidden, and you can almost picture him: chubby cheeks, wide blue eyes, fluffy hair, and a light blade taller than he is. You'd sell your soul to hear stories about him as a child. But you know better than to ask him. He'd grow quiet and tense, giving you a vague, evasive answer that would only make the distance he keeps between you feel wider.
The rest of the meal passes in comfortable silence, and you spend the time mentally creating a list of things you want to do for his birthday. It cannot be the same as any other day. Not this time. Not with you. Six days isn't a lot of time to plan something, but it should be more than enough with a little help.
"I have to head back into the city today." You mention, grabbing the bowls and utensils to clear the table. "I got distracted and forgot to cancel a doctor's appointment. I'll probably be gone for a few hours."
"Are you sick?"
"No," you call back to him, placing the dishes into the sink, "it's just a routine check-up."
"I'll come with you." Xavier offers, joining you in the kitchen.
"Nah, you don't need to. Besides, someone has to stay behind and make sure our suspect doesn't happen to choose today to finally make an appearance."
The old faucet squeaks to life as you rinse the dishes, and distracts you from the sound of his footsteps. You startle slightly as Xavier wraps his arms around you from behind and presses his chest against your back. "I'll come with you. Who else will keep you out of trouble if I'm not there?"
These small moments of blatant affection are still new. Xavier had always found subtle ways to express himself before: a brighter smile whenever you walked into the room, a hand on your back to steady you even though you didn’t need it, linking his pinky with yours as the two of you fell asleep on his couch, his lips brushing against your ear during a hug. But things have been different the last few days—it’s as if he can’t stop touching you. Neither of you has acknowledged it—too afraid to give it a name.
"I'm a grown-ass woman," you protest, "I don't need anyone to keep me out of trouble."
Xavier hums against your ear, and you can practically feel the way the corners of his mouth turn up in amusement, "I don’t know about that. Do you know how many times I have had to practically carry you home? I'm coming."
You huff in protest, but your smile is wider than a Cheshire cat’s. "Fine. Come with me then, but make yourself useful. No sleeping on the train, mister. I expect to be entertained."
You can feel him smile again as he places a kiss on the side of your neck.
"I'll do my best, Mrs. Shen."
It is not a surprise that Xavier lasted all of 15 minutes on the train before promptly falling asleep with his head on your shoulder. Light shining in through the window bounces off his fluffy hair making it look more golden than usual. The soft glow he's illuminated in transforms his normal cute features into something more ethereal. He's handsome. Jaw-droppingly handsome. It's easy to take for granted when you're seeing him every day, but you are painfully aware of it now.
He had insisted that you wear his white zippered jacket the moment you'd left the house despite it being quite warm for an Autumn day. Between the added layer of clothing and his body pressed against your side, it's hot on the train. It's not the kind of heat that makes you sweat; it's the kind of heat that makes your body feel languid and sleepy. Xavier never stood a chance of staying awake for the entire train ride.
You're nearly nodding off yourself when the loudspeakers announce that you've arrived at your destination. A flutter of excitement builds in your chest as you rouse Xavier and the two of you exit the train. Dr. Zayne is a man of few words, and you'd hardly heard from him over the last 10 days. It's the longest you've gone without seeing him since the two of you reconnected, and you're anxious to see him again.
The streets are bustling with shoppers and tourists, and the sounds of the city are almost deafening after spending nearly two weeks in the relative silence of the countryside. Xavier's fingers lace with yours, and he gives your hand a reassuring squeeze as the two of you weave through the sea of people on the sidewalk.
The receptionist greets the two of you as you arrive, and after confirming the details of your visit, instructs you to sit in the lobby while you wait. The hospital looks much the same as the last time you were here; the white walls are stark and bright, and the sterile scent of disinfectant is strong in the air. The space is relatively empty, and there is no sign of Dr. Zayne - likely still busy with his last patient. But your eyes light up when you see Dr. Greyson passing through the waiting room, and you give him an excited wave.
"Hey, doctor!" You call to him, "It's been a while."
He approaches the two of you with a warm smile and takes a seat in the chair next to yours, "Ah, Dr. Zayne's most unruly patient. How are you doing? You look well."
Xavier sits silently beside you, his eyes shifting between you and Greyson.
"I am, thanks to the two of you. How are you? How's the protocore syndrome research going?"
"Busy, but I can't complain. Not much progress has been made since your visit last month, but I did run across something you might be interested in." He pulls out his phone and angles his body closer to you to share his screen. With deft fingers, he quickly navigates to a medical journal that he has bookmarked. "It's a paper that Xander Sciences just published."
Thankfully, the abstract is brief, and you instinctively lean in toward Dr. Greyson as you skim through it. Xander Science's research is notoriously secretive, making it surprising they've released new findings. Just as you reach out to scroll to the bottom, your chair unexpectedly skids several inches to the side.
"Woah!" You yelp in surprise and turn to look in the direction your chair was yanked. Xavier's hand is retreating from your armrest that is now flush with his.
"Sorry, hand slipped." He says flatly, looking not at all apologetic.
Dr. Greyson eyes flit curiously between the two of you, and he slips his phone back into his pocket. "Right. Well, it was good to see you. Dr. Zayne's schedule is packed today, but I doubt your wait will be much longer."
"Thank you, see you next time!" You say to Dr. Greyson's retreating back. The moment he's out of hearing range, you turn toward Xavier and hiss, "What was that about?"
Xavier looks sheepish for a moment, and then shrugs, "My hand really did slip."
You frown and roughly tug at the cuff of his long-sleeve black t-shirt. “Really? This hand just moved on its own?”
“Yep,” he answers definitively, grabbing your hand with his and holding it in his lap. His thumb idly traces back and forth across your wrist.
"I don't believe that for one sec-"
A short woman wearing scrubs interrupts you mid-sentence, "Dr. Zayne will see you shortly. Please follow me."
As soon as you rise to follow her back to Zayne's office, Xavier stands up too, catching the petite nurse's attention.
“No guests are allowed in exam rooms—only immediate family. I’m afraid I'll have to ask you to wait here, sir,” she says, her tone flat and dismissive, as if she’s had this conversation a thousand times before.
"I'm her husband." Xavier says with a lazy smile.
It is a good thing that he wrapped an arm around your waist at the same time as he said it or you would have tripped over thin air. Husband. HUSBAND. What in the world is he thinking? This is Linkon. This is your hospital. These people know you!
The entire English language is wiped from your memory as you open your mouth to speak, and you're left stuttering like an idiot, "I...um...well..."
The nurse shifts on her feet and glances between the two of you, clearly uncertain if she should believe you or not. But after glancing at her watch, she simply shrugs and motions for you to follow.
"You'll be seen in exam room 4 today rather than Dr. Zayne's personal office."
The walk to the exam room is short and punctuated only by the sound of your footsteps and the beat of your own heart in your ears. The room itself is familiar - plain white walls, a single exam table, an ECG machine, and a small desk in the corner. It's the same every month. But what isn't the same is the sight of Xavier slouched in the chair by the door looking comfortable and at ease with the situation.
The nurse begins running you through the typical set of diagnostics for your visit: checking your pulse, blood pressure, and a slew of questions about any symptoms you currently have. Though you've answered questions about your menstrual cycle and sexual activity a dozen times at these appointments, it feels so much more awkward with Xavier listening. Finally, when she's satisfied that the basic checks are done, she excuses herself, and the two of you are left alone.
"You are not my husband! I cannot believe you said that!" you whisper-yell at Xavier.
"I am," he retorts, "for the next few months, to be precise."
"Not here, you aren't! Not in the city! Not actually!"
Xavier laughs softly at your quiet outrage, clearly not appreciating how embarrassed you feel. "Should I have said I was your brother? We do not really look alike."
You groan, and bury your face in your hands, "No! You should have just stayed in the waiting room!"
He lets out another soft laugh, and then goes quiet. The only sound in the exam room for a moment is the sound of his chair sliding across the floor as he moves closer to the table. The next thing you feel is his hand wrapping around your right wrist and pulling your palm away from your face.
"Did I mess up? I'm sorry," he says softly, "I thought you'd want me to come in with you."
The teasing expression is gone from his eyes and replaced by something gentle and vulnerable. He's trying, you realize. He's trying to be supportive and a part of your life in a way he never has before. He's trying to support you for something even as simple as a checkup. He cares about you. It's always been obvious that he cares about you. But this feels like more. It feels like...a word you won't even let yourself think.
A soft knock at the door interrupts the moment, and you spring away from Xavier like you've been burned and jerk your wrist from his grasp. Your eyes snap in the direction of the door right as it swings open.
"Hello," Dr. Zayne greets you, his voice cold and professional, "I apologize for the delay. My last patient had a lot of questions."
If Zayne is surprised that Xavier is present, he makes no outward sign of it as he takes his seat at the small desk and reviews your file on the screen of his monitor. He's dressed impeccably, as always. The white dress shirt and black tie under his lab coat look good on him, but there are darkened circles under his eyes that hint at sleepless nights.
"It's good to see you, Dr. Zayne. How have you been?"
Zayne responds without looking up from his computer, "I've been quite well. But that's not why we are here. How have you been feeling? Any changes recently? Fatigue? Shortness of breath?"
The coolness in his tone would have once intimidated you, but you'd long since come to understand his aloof facade. With more and more frequency you were able to break through it, but for the second time today you wish Xavier had stayed in the waiting room. It's rare for Zayne to let his guard down while inside the hospital, and Xavier's presence here makes the possibility virtually nonexistent.
"I feel good. Sometimes I'm tired, but who isn't? And no, no shortness of breath."
"Good." Zayne says with a slight nod and turns to face you, "Should I ask why you've brought a guest or would you rather I stay in suspense?"
His eyes cut toward Xavier briefly, and then returned to you. His gaze is sharp and intense, and it's unclear if he's irritated or simply curious.
"Xavier. I'm her partner," Xavier answers before you have a chance to speak.
"My hunting partner!" You clarify quickly.
Zayne's brows raise infinitesimally, "I see. And is it customary now for your colleagues to accompany you to your doctor's visits?"
While it was unclear before, it's not now. Irritated. That's irritation in his voice, and he is pointedly ignoring Xavier's existence.
"No," you answer with a nervous laugh. "We're on a long-term mission. He wasn't supposed to come back here. We just had a teensy misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding." Zayne repeats, and his lips twitch into the barest hint of a smile. "Interesting. Hard to believe that could happen with your excellent communication skills."
The tension in your shoulders ease at his small attempt at humor, and you return his ghost of a smile with a much livelier one. The moment of ease is fleeting, though, because Zayne quickly slips back into doctor mode. He asks question after question about your daily activities, sleeping habits, and nutrition. Zayne finds very few of your answers to be satisfactory. By the time he's finished, you feel properly chastised. Xavier, thankfully, remained silent throughout your interrogation.
"Sit here, please." Zayne requests, pulling a stool out from under the desk. "I'd like to check your heart before we part ways."
You do as you are told, and move to sit in front of him. He slips the stethoscope from around his neck and places the instrument over your chest. His silence during this part of the exam always makes you nervous, and you cannot help but try to fill it for him.
"I'm sure it's fine, right? If something were wrong I'd have felt a difference. Wouldn't I?"
Zayne leans closer as you babble, his brows furrowed, his attention focused.
"It's only been a month since my last checkup. What could have chang-"
"Shhh," Zayne shushes you, and his eyes on yours are a reprimand.
You immediately snap your mouth closed with a click and freeze, sitting perfectly still under his stethoscope.
"You should still breathe," he softly admonishes, meeting your eyes.
You immediately suck in several quick lungfuls of air, your chest rising and falling dramatically in response.
"Slowly. And deeply." He corrects, moving his hand to the small of your back and pressing insistently to correct your posture. You straighten your spine at his touch, and take a deep, slow breath in before releasing it at the same rate.
The corner of Zayne's mouth twitches upward as you comply, and he moves the stethoscope to another spot on your chest, "Good girl. Keep doing that for me."
You flinch and feel Zayne's hands tense against your back as the lights in the room flicker once, twice, and then go completely dark for a moment. There's a scraping sound as Zayne scoots his chair back and stands up just as the lights in the room hum back to life as if they'd never gone out in the first place.
You dart an accusatory glance at Xavier only to see that his posture has completely changed. He's sitting with his arms crossed, jaw clenched, and is staring unwaveringly at Zayne.
Zayne, however, remains the picture of composure as he settles back into his chair. Though you're seated directly in front of him, his gaze shifts past you, locking onto Xavier with a calculating look.
"Must be a storm," Xavier says roughly, leaning back in his chair and uncrossing his arms.
"Must be." Zayne replies, his expression is as inscrutable as Xavier's.
Silence stretches between the three of you as they continue to stare at each other. Your eyes shift between the two men, waiting for something to happen. An explanation. A diversion. An act of God. Something. Is this how men size each other up? Does the man who speaks first lose?
"So...how'd my heart sound, Dr. Zayne? Fit as a fiddle, right?" You ask, breaking the silence for them. They both turn to look at you as you speak, and the tension eases a fraction.
Zayne swivels in his seat to face the desk and begins typing. "You're in good health, despite your best efforts to sabotage it. I'd like to see you back in two weeks for a follow-up."
"Two weeks?" You repeat, "But I usually come once a month."
"Two weeks." He confirms, reaching into the drawer of his desk, "We'll go over your test results then. Privately."
Zayne stands and nudges the drawer closed, gesturing toward the door. A clear dismissal.
You stand and Xavier is quick to follow as Zayne opens the door and steps out of the room to show the two of you out.
"Thanks, Dr. Zayne. I'll see you in a couple of weeks, then."
Zayne nods as you and Xavier exit the room into the hallway. He gently catches your wrist in his hand as you're about to walk away, and presses a small, foil-wrapped candy into your palm.
"Do not hesitate to call me if anything changes," Zayne says quietly, his voice as professional as always. But you hear it. The message that's hiding in the words he won't ever say: I'm here for you. Any time.
Zayne pulls away and returns to the exam room with a polite, distant smile.
As soon as the door shuts, Xavier slips his hand into yours and begins walking toward the hospital exit. His fingers around yours are slightly too tight for comfort, and his pace is quicker than normal. It's an effort to keep up.
"What is that?" He asks, clearly not having missed the small exchange between you and Zayne.
"Oh! It's candy." You open your other palm to show him the small piece of candy in your hand. "I always get one after a checkup. It's kind of an inside joke."
"He complained about your diet." Xavier says wryly, glancing down at your hand, "But he gives you candy?"
"Are you jealous of the candy now? Do you want me to give it to you?" You tease him, bumping your shoulder into his.
Xavier scoffs, "No. You can keep your hospital candy, Mrs. Shen."
Your laughter echoes through the hospital corridor, and Xavier's face relaxes into a smile. The tension leaves his body, and his grip on your hand eases. His pace slows, and he falls in step beside you instead of pulling you along behind him.
The streets of Linkon are crowded by the time you and Xavier leave the hospital. The sky has grown darker, gray clouds rolling in from the distance, and the air smells heavy. There's a chill wind that wasn't there earlier today, and you wrap Xavier's jacket closer around you as you walk.
You're halfway toward the train station as the first raindrop lands on your face. It's followed by another, and then another. The clouds open up and the rain falls in a torrent. Within seconds, you're both soaked to the bone.
Xavier tightens his grip on your hand and the two of you begin to run, weaving your way through the crowd of pedestrians. It's cold and wet, but the adrenaline of running hand-in-hand through the street with him has you giggling uncontrollably. You squeal with laughter and pretend to protest as he scoops you up and carries you through the large puddle separating you from the entrance to the train station.Â
The train is already boarding when the two of you arrive, so there's no time to find a bathroom and dry off. You're wet, shivering, and the two of you leave a trail of water and footprints in your wake as you board.
The train car is mostly empty, and you quickly make your way to the back and claim the last two seats in the row. You sit by the window and Xavier plops down beside you, shaking his head like a wet dog. Water droplets fling in every direction, and you laugh and whine as you try to shield yourself.
"Xav! No!" You scold him, "You're getting me all wet!"
He stops shaking his head and turns to grin at you, "What? You're already drenched. Is it even possible to make you more wet?"
The thought that instantly springs to your mind has nothing to do with rain, and you feel your cheeks heat even though you're shivering in your seat. Xavier's grin grows wider and you can see that he's caught onto your thoughts.
"Oh, are you blushing?" He asks, trailing his cold fingers down your too-warm cheek, "I wonder why."
"No! I'm not blushing. Shut up. It's...It's just very cold."
"Cold? Really?" He coaxes, "You sure it's not something else?"
"Very sure. What else could it be?"
"Hm, I think I know," Xavier says softly.
He snakes an arm around your shoulders, pulling you against his side. He's cold, too. The thin material of his black t-shirt is damp and clings to his chest in a way that should be illegal. Your eyes stray to the planes of his chest and stomach that you can see against the fabric. The temptation to touch him is only tempered by the way he's shivering and the fact that you're both very much in public.
The rain is still falling hard as the two of you make it back to your temporary suburban home. The warmth of the cozy apartment is an immediate relief, and you do not waste any time kicking your soggy shoes off and peeling off your jacket. Your damp jeans cling to your legs as you bend over and roll your drenched socks off one-by-one.
"Come on, let's get changed. You'll catch a cold if you stay in wet clothes," Xavier says, placing his hand on the small of your back to lead you down the hall to the bedroom.
The moment you're both in the bedroom, Xavier begins stripping out of his wet clothes. He peels the soaked t-shirt off of his upper body and throws it into the laundry basket near the door. There's no hesitation in his hands and he's not looking in your direction as he starts removing his jeans. The button is quickly undone, and he's just hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his pants when you finally remember to turn away.
Your attention is now directed to your own clothes, and you suddenly feel more shy than you should. The two of you have changed clothes around and near each other for the last several days, but there's always been some unspoken agreement to find a reason to leave the room once one of you gets down to your underwear.
Your cheeks feel hot again, and your fingers are clumsy as you pull at the hem of your shirt. The wet fabric sticks to you as you pull it over your head and toss it into the laundry basket to join Xavier's wet clothes. You fumble with the button of your jeans, and the zipper sounds unnaturally loud in the quiet of the room. Your heart is beating hard in your chest as you push the stubborn wet denim down to your ankles and step out of them.
Your bra and panties are slightly damp, and there's no reason not to take them off. There's no reason to be blushing this hard from simply changing your clothes in a room with a man. Especially with a man you're sure already has his back turned toward you, but you're not brave enough to check.
"I'll get some towels," Xavier offers, his footsteps already heading in the direction of the door.
Your shoulders sag with relief and maybe a little disappointment. With a frustrated shake of your head at your own conflicting emotions, you quickly unhook your bra and slide off your panties. They land in the laundry basket with a quick toss, and you open the closet to find something to sleep in. You swiftly scan through your side, but can't help but notice that all of Xavier's sweaters look so soft and warm. A lot warmer than any of your pajamas.
You reach for the frayed white sweater on the shelf and pull it over your head. It's soft and warm, and the sleeves hang well past your fingertips. The bottom of the sweater falls midway down your thighs.
Choosing a pair of panties, something you normally do without a second thought, shouldn’t make you blush. "It’s not like he’s even going to see them," you whisper to yourself. Yet your hand hesitates as you sift through the options. There’s no reason to pick anything sexy—you barely own any, and it’s not like you’ve had someone to wear them for. But before you can second guess yourself, your hand moves instinctively, reaching to the back of the drawer to pull out a lacy black pair. You slip them on without another moment’s hesitation and pull the sweater down to stretch past your thighs.
Xavier returns moments later with a towel hanging loosely around his bare shoulders and another one grasped in his hands. His hair is tousled and messy, sticking up at all angles. It's a sight that you'd find adorable under different circumstances, but not tonight. Not right now because he's shirtless and his gray sweatpants are hanging low enough on his hips that you can see the beginning of the "V" line of his pelvis.
There should be an award for the effort it takes not to stare at him, and you reach your hand out for the towel that he's holding. Xavier shakes his head, and moves the towel further out of your reach.
"I'll do it," he says quietly, "Sit down."
"I can do it myself" you protest, but he's already herding you toward the bed.
You back up as he advances until the back of your knees press against the bed and you sit on the edge. Xavier joins you and wraps the plush towel around your shoulders, rubbing it lightly over the wet ends of your hair. He's gentle and thorough as he wrings the water out of your damp hair and uses the towel to dry the moisture off of the back of your neck.
Once you’re mostly dry, he sets the towel aside and gently runs his fingers through your hair, combing it out with care. Gathering it in his hand, he drapes it over one shoulder to clear the way. His fingers trail from your ear down to the nape of your neck.
"Is this mine?" He asks, tracing the collar of the white sweater you're wearing.
"I had no choice. I had to borrow it."
Xavier's eyes drift lower, to where the sweater ends at your bare thighs, before returning to your face.
"Is it the only thing that's mine?" He asks, his eyes searching yours.
For the slightest moment, you had thought he was asking if you'd stolen any of his other clothes. But then his meaning hit you like a lightning bolt burning heat through all of your nerve endings. Your mouth goes dry and you swallow thickly, trying to find your voice.
"Do you want me to be yours?" You whisper hesitantly, unable to directly answer his question.
"More than you could ever imagine."
His answer is quiet and breathy, but there’s not a second of hesitation in it. And it's the only push you need to finally close the gap between the two of you. You lean forward and catch his lips with yours, cupping his face in your hands to pull him closer. His lips are soft and warm against yours. When he traces the seam of your lips with his tongue you part them instantly to invite him in.
He kisses you slowly at first, but then his lips become more greedy and desperate. There’s a lack of finesse due to the urgency with which he’s consuming your mouth. And every movement of his lips and tongue against yours draws you in deeper and makes you feel more needy.
Need. That’s what this is. You know he feels the same way as his hands move to your shoulders and he pushes you back against the bed. He moves with you as you lie back against the bed and presses you down into the mattress with his weight. You part your thighs instinctively so that he can settle in between them.Â
He caresses a path up your sides as he turns his attention to your neck and begins to place wet, open-mouthed kisses against your skin. These are not the chaste, small kisses he usually gives you while you fall asleep. You gasp and rock your hips against his as you feel the bite of his teeth against your throat. His tongue quickly soothes the area as he sucks on the ache his teeth left behind. His fingers halt near the top of your ribcage and he fists the fabric of the sweater in his hands before pulling back slightly to look at you.
"Can I touch you?" His voice is ragged and he's breathing hard between his parted lips.
"You already are," you answer distractedly, dragging your nails lightly down the smooth skin of his bare back.
"No," he clarifies, slipping one of his hands under your sweater. His fingers are rough and warm as he slides his hand up the expanse of your stomach, stopping right under the curve of your breast, "Can I touch you like this?"
Your heart is beating wildly, so hard and fast you're sure he must hear it. The warmth of his hand against your skin, so close to where he's never dared touch you before, makes you squirm with need and anticipation. You nod, eyes locked on his, and Xavier leans down to capture your lips in a hungry kiss as his hand inches higher and finally cups your breast.
The moment his fingers graze your nipple, your back arches off the bed, and a whimper escapes into his mouth. His warm hand caresses your sensitive skin, sending waves of pleasure straight to your core, but it’s not enough. Your sweater is bunched awkwardly around your waist, his arm trapped beneath it, though he doesn’t seem to notice as he kneads your breast more firmly. But you do—you don't want anything between you. Tilting your head to the side, you break the kiss and press gently against his chest until he pulls back.
"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" He asks softly, confusion clear on his face as he relaxes his grip on you.
"No, I just...I want..." Your words trail off as you move your hands down to tug on the sweater that's bunched up between the two of you.
The sound that he makes in response is somewhere between a groan and a growl, and he immediately pushes himself up to help you yank the sweater off and toss it on the floor. Goosebumps erupt across your skin as the cool air of the room hits your skin.
"You're beautiful," Xavier whispers reverently, his hands moving to cup both of your breasts, "You have no idea how long I've wanted to touch you."
Your head falls back against the pillow as you let out a breathless sigh of his name, "Xavier..."
He exhales a shuddering breath and leans down to fit his body against yours - chest to chest, skin to skin. He moves one hand to the back of your neck and tangles his fingers in your hair, pulling gently as he leans down to kiss you again. You can feel the hard length of his cock is pressing insistently against you through his gray sweatpants as he grinds his hips against yours.
"It sounds so good when you say my name like that. Say it again." He commands softly, trailing kisses along your jaw and down to your ear.
"Xavier," you repeat, your voice breathy and barely audible as he bites your earlobe. "Please."
"Good girl." He whispers against your ear as she shifts to trail kisses along your collar bones.
You fist your hands in his hair as he moves lower, kissing and nipping a path between your breasts. The gasp that escapes your throat is loud in the quiet room as his mouth closes over one of your nipples and his hand caresses the other one while he sucks.
The coil of tension is building low in your belly, and you can barely contain the way your body responds to him. You're so wet that you can feel the lace of your panties slide against your smooth skin every time you rock your hips against his thigh. You want him so badly that your whole body starts to tremble with need.
“Please, Xavier," you beg through gasping breaths.
"Please what?" he asks, releasing your nipple with a wet sound and trailing kisses across to the other. "Tell me what you want. I'll give you anything."
"More...just more..." You plead, "Touch me."
He leans back onto his knees and his hand slides down your stomach, tracing circles around your belly button, before his fingers finally come to rest at the waistband of your lacy black panties.
"Here?" He asks, unable to draw his eyes away from his own fingers, "Do you want me to touch you here?"
You nod, and your chest rises and falls rapidly as his hand trails down the lace and presses against your pussy. The sound he makes when his fingers find the wetness between your legs is almost a whimper. You throw an arm over your mouth to muffle the cry that leaves your throat as Xavier strokes you, his fingers brushing against your clit through the thin fabric of your panties. His touch is bordering on too gentle as he rubs his fingers up and down the front of the lace.
"Is this mine, too?" he asks, cupping your pussy with his palm.
Your breath catches in your throat, and you know your face must be flushed crimson due to how hot it feels. You nod slowly, lips parted, your eyes glued to the way his fingers are splayed over your center.
"I need to hear it." He says in a low rough voice, and his fingers flex against your skin.
"Yours," you answer, your voice shaky and breathless.
Xavier groans softly and trails his hand upward to hook his fingers in the lace, "Can I take them off?"
"God, yes." You find your voice.
His fingers tremble slightly as he grasps the waistband and begins to pull the lace down your thighs. It's the hottest discovery in the world to see that Xavier - cool, calm, and collected Xavier - is just as nervous and affected by this as you are. He shifts somewhat awkwardly, his position between your thighs making it difficult, and you can't help but giggle as you help him pull the panties down and off.
But your giggles die in your throat and reincarnate as soft gasps and moans as his fingers slide up your thighs and he finally caresses your bare pussy. You rock your hips up against his hand, urging him to touch more of you, and you whimper loudly as he slips one of his fingers into your wet heat.
A moment later, he slides in a second finger, and the gentle stretch as he fills you sends a shockwave of pleasure rippling through your body. His fingers are long, curling inside you at just the right angle, making your legs tremble and your pussy tighten around him. It’s as though he already knows exactly where and how to touch you, like he's done this countless times before.
"Xavier," you whimper, feeling a familiar pressure beginning to build inside of you.
"You feel so good," he murmurs, "You're so tight and wet. Just for me. Isn't that right?"
The second you nod he crooks his fingers inside of you, pressing against a spot that feels electric, and you cry out his name as his thumb circles your clit. Your back arches and you reach out and fist the sheets in your hands.
"Good girl. Just like that." Xavier says, shifting so that he can lean over you and kiss your lips again.
His lips are firm and insistent against yours, the kiss is messy, and your breathing becomes shallow and fast. Your hips rock and grind against his hand as his fingers pump in and out of you. His thumb is still stroking your clit is the most delicious torture you've ever felt, and you don't ever want it to stop. You can feel the pleasure coiling and building low in your stomach as you suck on his tongue. He pulls away from the kiss and buries his face in the crook of your neck, his breath hot against your flushed skin.
"You're so close. I can feel it," he whispers, and his voice is low and rough, "Come for me. Please."
The sound of him begging and the feeling of his thumb pressing harder against your clit is all you need. Your orgasm crashes over you, your walls convulsing around his fingers, and electric pleasure blooms from your stomach and spreads through your body.
You're still trembling as he slowly withdraws his fingers, and you watch with sated eyes as he sucks both of them clean. He hums softly and closes his eyes, and if it were possible to cum again on the spot, you would have.
His hair is messy from the way your fingers had tugged and pulled on it, and there is a distinct dark spot on his tented gray sweatpants from where you were grinding against him earlier. But it's his eyes that you can't seem to pull yourself away from. They're that soft, happy blue that you love and shining with adoration.
With a smile, he lies down next to you and pulls you into his arms. He grasps the edge of the blanket and brings it up to cover both of you as he places small kisses all over your face. You giggle as he kisses your nose and then rubs it with his own.
"Close your eyes," he says softly, threading his fingers through your hair as you yawn.
"I'm not tired."
"Yes, you are," he insists.
"But..." You trail off, too embarrassed to actually voice your thought, and slide your hand down his chest toward the waistband of his sweatpants.
He circles your wrist in his hand, and gently slides it back up his chest, "It's okay. Tonight was just for you."
You pout, "But I want-"
"Shhh." He shushes you quietly and shifts so that your head is resting against his chest with his arms wrapped around you.
"Just let me take care of you. That's all I want."
#lads fanfic#lads x reader#lads xavier#love and deepspace#lnds#fanfic#xavier x reader#lads sylus#lads zayne
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What 127 brings to thanksgiving.
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Doyoung wanted to host thanksgiving at his house this year, begging his friends to come over for about a week straight. When they finally came that night, they’ve all brought something.. special!
Johnny: Uncooked raw cold hotdogs w/ no bread.
-Johnny genuinely thought Doyoung had a grill, thinking they were gonna have a Thanksgiving barbecue like he did back in Chicago. So, they got left with raw packs of hot dogs that he put in the microwave to cook. Doyoung just watched in absolute horror while Taeyong watched in excitement, ready for those unseasoned, half-raw hot dogs. Also, Johnny didn’t bring the hot dog bread because Doyoung told him he already had bread..meaning regular, white bread.
Taeyong: Dry unseasoned turkey.
-Taeyong can’t eat anything with too much seasoning or just..any seasoning at all (proof) and everyone knew it. So only god knows why Doyoung allowed Taeyong to make the main food of thanksgiving. Everyone was excited for dinner as soon as everything was set up and made when Taeyong revealed his bland, slightly overcooked turkey which came with no juice or gravy. Apparently to Doyoung, it looked like people preferred a dry, ugly, white turkey over his genuinely delicious desserts that took him about 3 hours to make.
Yuta: Edibles and baby oil.
-He got excited when he saw a 25% Thanksgiving discount on edibles from TikTok shop, immediately buying it with his credit card he stole from Taeyong. (He maybe laced it but you won’t know till you try.) So, he brought the edibles to the Thanksgiving party with him for the members to try but keeping most of them away for only him and Jaehyun. The baby oil was only because when Doyoung was begging for everyone to come, he convinced Yuta that he bailed Diddy out of jail and held a freak off, setting Yuta and Mark up to have a oiled up Diddy off.
Doyoung: Home made desserts.
-Doyoung was the host so he genuinely wanted to try this time, wanting to make the members Thanksgiving perfect which was definitely wishful thinking. He really had high hopes, thinking that everyone was going to do their part..except for the fact that they didn’t but he didn’t know that. Going all out to make his famous (nobody ever eats it except jungwoo) apple and pumpkin pie and cookies.
Jaehyun: 1 fork and 1 glass cup but it was for him.
-Jaehyun didn’t know what to bring so he texted a very vague “Do I bring the utensils?” To which got a very obvious “Yes,” and Jaehyun who usually doesn’t wear his glasses thought the text read, “Bring your own,” so Jaehyun ultimately brought his own utensils and nobody else’s.
Jungwoo: Frozen dino nuggets, smiley fries, and that damn, frozen key lime pie.
-Jungwoo was absolutely ecstatic when he got the text that Doyoung was hosting a Thanksgiving party with all the members. He immediately ran to his nearest Western Beef supermarket and went to the frozen section, buying the frozen Dino nuggets, smiley fries and key lime pie. When he got there, Doyoung just shrugged and smiled, knowing he was the only who tried along with him. Taeyong practically flipped out when he saw the key lime pie and Jaehyun, as Jaehyun does, literally just leaves the whole party after Jungwoo enters the room.
Mark: Half-eaten burnt Mac n cheese.
-Marks only excuse for the half-eaten Mac n cheese was that he got hungry on the way, he got the munchies. He smoked before he got there because the rest would smoke all his weed before. Mark thought he was tripping when Yuta asked him about the oiled up freak off, offering mark to use the used baby oil.
Haechan: Karaoke machine, alcohol, and vapes.
-Haechan can’t go 2 minutes without singing so he brought the karaoke machine and by the end of the night, he was the only one singing, everyone was gone and Doyoung went to sleep already. Alcohol but specifically coquito, he made himself because he didn’t trust nobody else to make it. (He also got caught selling it illegally outside.) Haechan also brought his strawberry cloud dust, sprinkled with a little bit of cotton candy juice which is his favorite vape flavor he blackens his lungs with. He kept it for himself and offered it no one, Doyoung also threatened to kick him out after Haechan peer pressured him to take a hit.
Most of the things were uncooked.. because they didn’t realize they had to cook the things at home because they hadn’t done this before and that Doyoung already had everything prepared. By the end of it let’s just say it was stressful for Doyoung. The house was trashed, Yuta left a snail trail of baby oil from Doyoung clean floors to his car that he crashed parked around the corner, and Taeyong was passed out drunk on his couch. It was more than safe to say Doyoung was never hosting again.
—
Happy thanksgiving!!
#kpop#kpop bg#kpop icons#kpopidol#nct 127#nct#nct fluff#nct imagines#nct u#nct x reader#nct smau#mark lee nct#mark nct#nct mark#nct fanfic#nct smut#thanksgiving#crack fic#crack post#nct crack#funny#kpop moodboard#kpop layouts#kpopedit#kpop aesthetic#taeyong#doyoung#haechan#johnny suh#nakamoto yuta
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RF1: Year 1 - Spring 27 [Big Cook-Off]
Ah, yet another event Raguna can't participate in in Year 1. Well, not without much careful planning, at least.
At this point, Raguna doesn't even have a kitchen because I thought you needed to upgrade your house to buy a kitchen from Ivan. Turns out, you can buy a small one!
So IF you buy a small kitchen on Spring 1 (which I think is impossible because you can't sell anything on Holidays with 0 FP) AND its utensils on Spring 19, you still need to make sure you have the right ingredients (and skill points) to make one of the potential dishes he would ask for (Orange Juice, French Fries, Hot Chocolate, Pump. Pudding, Pike Sashimi or Baked Potato).
In my case, he asked for a Baked Potato. So, even though Raguna had grown plenty of Sweet Potatoes in Toros Cave, he still couldn't participate! You need an oven (which is a Large Kitchen utensil) to make a Baked Potato!
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Anyway, Mei makes a good point. Kardia does have a lot of food festivals (probably thanks to Jasper, of course).
But this got me wondering, what kind of festivals await us in Azuma?
I know that Mei may not be from the same region we will see in Guardians of Azuma, but I would love to see some creative traditionally "Eastern" festivals to contrast with the mainline Rune Factory series!
I can't even begin to imagine what Azuma has in store for us. All I can hope is that they do Mei (and all the other East representatives) justice by showing us just how different Azuma is from Norad!
LILA'S RUNE FACTORY TEMPERATURE BLANKET
I had a sinking feeling that I should have maybe done two rows per "day". Looking back at the double Melody row, I think an entire blanket with thicker lines like that would look amazing.
I just knew that realistically, I wouldn't be able to handle double the work. Although I do feel tempted to take this blanket a bit slower for a result I'll be more proud of...
To any fellow crocheters out there, should I pause the project to fix this?
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Liam Evans' Warm OJ & Brandy Recipe+
MDNI or consume - This is obviously an alcoholic beverage. Contains mild-ish route spoilers. So....this should technically be lemonade, but I didn't double check the screenshot I took when shopping, so this has now become a more deviated recipe. It's still good though.... *Ahem*
Quick Squabble: It’s literally just OJ and a splash of brandy, so you could nuke it in your microwave and add a splash of brandy (to your taste), and be done with it. But after I thought about the context of the scene, I decided to make this into a comfort drink.
Frankly, my favorite version of the recipe is using freshly squeezed OJ because the sugar content of store bought orange juice is so high, it felt like it overpowered the brandy. I put more in way more than just a “touch,” of it just to feel the heat of the alcohol. I also prefer it being made on the oven top versus the microwave because I like dry frying the cloves to make them more aromatic, but you can warm the spices with the OJ in the microwave too.
IkeVil Lore: In Harrison’s route, our adorable Meow-Meow Liam, gives Kate a glass of warm orange juice lemonade with a touch of brandy after returning from the castle by walking in the rain.
Things to keep in mind:
This drink should be consumed while warm, not scalding hot. Also, it’ll be gross if it’s cold.
Microwave and oven tops vary, keep in mind your microwave’s strength, and what your oven top’s medium heat really is. We don’t need scalding hot drinks here.
Ingredients:
Orange juice (8 oz.) - Store bought. If you want it fresh, then 8-10 oranges are needed depending on their size.
Brandy - A “splash”….or three. Your brand preference. I used Torres 10 (it was on sale & has vanilla in it. That’s so Liam.)
Water - 1/8 C. (The water cuts down the sweetness of the store bought OJ, & increases fluid volume if your squeezed oranges produce just under the eight ounces)
Honey - 2 Tsp. or to taste
Cloves - (3 Dried) You can add more if you want.
Ground Cinnamon - A Dash or Two
Optional: (Star Anise -1, Ground Ginger Powder - A dash or two, Cinnamon sticks - 1 to 2)
Utensils for the Oven Top Recipe Needed:
Juicer (For the fresh OJ recipe)
Small sauce pot
Fine Mesh Strainer (For the fresh OJ recipe)
Prep Time: Varies Cook Time: Microwave: 30-45 seconds, Oven Top: 5-7 minutes
Microwave:
In a large microwave safe mug, add the OJ, brandy, water, cloves, cinnamon and give it a quick stir.
Warm up the OJ in the microwave according to it’s strength. 30-45 seconds approx. The drink should not be scalding hot.
Remove from the microwave and add the honey.
You may choose to remove the cloves with a spoon from the drink if you’re afraid of accidently swallowing a clove, or can let them steep as you drink. Enjoy!
Oven Top: (You can do this for store bought OJ as well, just skip the first two steps, and no straining should be required unless you don't want the dried spices in your drink.)
Be sure to wash your fresh oranges before squeezing, so dirt and other debris don't get mixed in.
Slice your oranges in half, and juice or squeeze them. If you’re manually squeezing them, then this is the most time consuming part.
In a small sauce pot, over medium heat, add the cloves (or any of the dried optional ingredients), to the pot and dry fry for about 2 minutes.
Using a fine mesh strainer, place it over the pot and pour the OJ into it in order to catch any unwanted pulp or seeds. Add in the water, brandy, and ground spice(s), and stir. Warm it all in the pot for about 5 minutes
Remove from heat and carefully pour into your mug. You may choose to use the mesh strainer to remove the dried spices as you pour the drink into your mug. Enjoy!
My Thoughts: I really like this drink (daytime drinking on the weekend is nice), but it really is a cozy, warm spiced drink. Perfect for the winter or on a rainy night.
Did You Know: Cognac was the was the biggest selling spirit in mid-nineteenth century Britain? Additionally, nobility or the rich and powerful, would enjoy a glass of spirits with exotic fruits such as, lemons, oranges, ginger, mango, pineapple, and even things like lavender in place of spices such as clove, bergamot and cinnamon could also be used to spice the drinks. Why? Because it marked them as being well-traveled and wealthy, according to one site. Okay, my nerdy ass will stop with the history lesson, but it’s kind of fun to know more about the world our guys lived in.
Hmm, now that I’ve completed two drink recipes, I think I’ll move on to an actual appetizer or dessert that I'm not familiar with from the game. Currently. I’m interested in one of the dishes that Alfons mentions in his bond story, and I have something that I am planning-ish for Jude. And this time, I will not forget to refer to my screenshots.
[Master List]
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Kitchen Witch Essentials
I want to preference this by saying your priorities of tools for your craft will vary as you get more experienced. If you get more into baking, you may choose to invest in a kitchen mixer. If your path goes more down drinks, you might want to get a French press. This list is for those starting out or looking to maintain general witchy cooking. Nothing on this list is mandatory, so don't feel like you need to go spend money just because it's on this list.
This list will also assume you have general kitchen stuff, like pots, pans, and knives. You may not have everything, but you have enough to cook.
Wooden Spoon
If for whatever reason you don't have a wooden spoon, and you want to do kitchen magic, I strongly recommend you go and get one. You can get them at any store that sells Kitchen Utensils, including the dollar store.
For some kitchen witches, the wooden spoon is like a magic wand. Allowing the witch to direct energy. Personally, I just enjoy using natural materials whenever I can. Also, it's just such a useful tool to have when cooking. You can stir your food on stove top, and since it's made of wood you don't need to worry about damaging non stick surfaces. If you're boiling pasta, stirring with a wooden spoon helps get rid of the foam overboil. You can also just leave the spoon over the pot to prevent pasta water overboiling. Baking bread? Flip the spoon around and use the handle to bring the dough together.
Some people choose to add sigils or other symbols onto their witchy spoons. If you decide to do this, please do not use paint or stain, as this can come off while cooking. Unless this will be a display only spoon, of course. Safest way is to laser burn a design. Check etsy for custom spoons.
Herbs/Spices you know the properties of
I'm sure you already have some non perishable Herbs or Spices in your pantry or spice rack. Black Pepper, Garlic powder, Cinnamon, Paprika, that kind of thing. I want you to pick one and deep dive into the history of that Herb/Spice. What it's been used for in the past, what are some common magical properties and associations; what do YOU associate with it. Write down the magical association, like protection, banish negativity, prosperity, ect. Start with one, work your way up to three. If you have trouble memorizing, keep a little cheat sheet near by.
Now when you add these seasonings, you know what energies you can add/attract with your food.
Mortar and Pestle
If you already have another way to grind spices, like a coffee grinder, this does not need to be a priority. And if you have arm or shoulder issues, I don't recommend using. The main benefit to using a mortar and pestle is the crushing style of grinding tends to release more aroma and flavor then the cutting style of a coffee grinder. If you plan to just use for dry spices, you won't need a very big or fancy one. 20 dollars should get you something small and solid.
Make sure you are getting one made of stone. I tried a wooden one and it's garbage. I use it to hold messy spoons. There are also metal ones, and while I've never tried one, I encourage caution. I worry about long term use stripping whatever coating is stopping it from rusting.
Jars
Glass Jars are so great to have in the kitchen. Leftover sauce? Put it in a jar. Suddenly made a jam? We got jars to put it in. Meal prep overnight oats? Jars are here for you! They're just great for storage. And you don't need to buy them. Lots of things come in jars; just give them a hot soapy soak, scrap the label off, wash and reuse. If you prefer mason jars, I recommend washing the lids by hand. The lids aren't meant to be reused for jarring, so they rust fairly quickly after a few washes. You can buy replacement lids, however.
Plastic Containers
Jars are great, but things get a little dicey when you want to put stuff in the freezer. Water likes to make sure everyone knows it's cold by puffing up bigger; like look at me, I'm freezing here! Which means, there's a chance your glass jar can shatter.
But freezing food is the best way to preserve food since you don't need to add anything like extra salt or sugar. So get some freezer safe containers. I love making batches of broth and stock, and freeze it for later. Or if we have a lot of leftovers, I'll freeze enough for a dinner another week, incase I don't have enough spoons to make dinner one evening. And don't worry, you can wash and reuse plastic containers too.
I'll also freeze food I notice is starting to go weird. If I buy a huge bag of baby spinach, but can't get through it all, I'll transfer it to a freezer bag. Adding frozen spinach to food as it cooks is one of the easiest ways to up your nutrients. You can also freeze other vegetables, just make sure you cut them up first.
Crock Pot/Slow Cooker
Every Witch Needs a Cauldron, and these are Electric Cauldrons. Prices vary mainly based on the size you want. There are different brands, different colors; you can even get some in the theme of your favorite fandom. But they all have the same 3 core settings: High, Low, and keep warm.
Slow cookers are....well, slow. Which is great for certain kinds of food that need to sit for a long time, like meats. But it's also great for Kitchen Witches with a lot going on. Non witches will "Set it and forget it" but it's a good idea to stir every once in a while. Which is where the magic comes in. So, if you're a scatter brained Witch, Like me, or have ADHD and have trouble focusing, an electric cauldron might be for you. Throw everything together in 15 minutes, then give it love and attention when you remember. Normally that happens when you start to smell the food.
Again, this is my preference. Some Kitchen Witches I know prefer to identify a specific pot as their cauldron. Some went and got an actual full size, cast iron cauldron; which is amazing but not feasible for most. I grew up using a slow cooker, so I'm very comfortable around one. But if it's not your thing; that's fine. Maybe your cauldron will be a rice cooker or a Boston Shaker.
#witch#kitchen witch#kitchen witchcraft#klickwitch#food and folklore#Food magic#magic#witchy#witch tips#pagan#February#kitchen magic#house witch
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Writer and YouTuber Minimalist Sibu in Japan
I do sometimes imagine the life of the "super minimalists" I've read about and think about how one can live that life. The trick is that most of them (there aren't many) are in Japan and in one of Japan's major cities.
Living in a major Japanese city means that you can use the city as your house.
You don't need to store a lot of things for future meals because there are konbini that sell inexpensive prepared meals--and decently good ones, too. (To say nothing of vending machines.)
The same applies for dishes and utensils and cooking equipment: you can have the absolute bare minimum and you'll still be all right.
You keep only a few things or particular things in your kitchen but if you run out, that's okay, because there are shops nearby--maybe the konbini, maybe something else. You can go easily because it's probably in walking distance.
Laundromats are plentiful, so not having a washer in your apartment isn't an issue. If you're keeping a minimal amount of clothing, it could become an issue without consideration.
Really fantastic zoning laws mean that apartments can be created just about anywhere in existing buildings (especially over shops and restaurants). They might be small but they're actually affordable.
Public transportation exists.
So I think about how much Stuff I have around in my apartment and how some of it is actually necessary because I don't have the luxury of a city like that around me. I have to store ingredients, for example, because I lack walking-distance stores and konbini. It winds up either more difficult or more expensive for someone in my situation to get that minimal. It's an interesting thought experiment.
I know this is the "maximalism 5eva (that's one more than 4)" website so this is perhaps a hot take but I'm do not care.
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Of Elves and Men Part 10
Pairing: Beleg x reader
Warnings: I refer you to part 1
Dinner time was fast approaching and you left King Fingon to rest and change while you headed off to your office to think. Holding tightly onto the box of jewelry he gave you.Â
Considering the well meant gift, you dropped it carelessly onto your desk as you collapsed into your chair. You held your head in the dark, feeling exhausted.Â
Everything had spilled into chaos. What started as an innocent attempt at friendship spiraled into an active act of defiance against Morgoth that you knew he would hear about, a surprising friendship and shared interests with the King of the Noldor, revelations about Johanne’s and Beleg’s long and successful friendship, Bjorn’s apparent jealousy and Thomas’s budding new relationship.Â
You felt overwhelmed with everything and alone.Â
Sighing you thought, how could it get worse. Cringing you remembered your Lord’s letter and fished it out of your pocket to read. Lighting a candle.Â
To Y/n, my servant.Â
Charged with the duty to care and maintain the Northern and Western Quarter,Â
It gladdens my heart to hear of your most recent success! You have always been active and successful with your tasks as you care diligently for my people.Â
And I thank you.Â
As evidenced by your recent actions I believe your presence at an up and coming meeting, taking place this Spring, will be beneficial and I ask that you join us. Another letter will be sent detailing instructions to you.Â
Though, I admit to my own folly.Â
I neglected to inform you and commanded my servants to keep the news quiet but I think it time to tell you.Â
The people that attempted to assassinate you and remove you from power—they were executed not two months ago.Â
You didn’t bother to read the rest as the ringing in your ears covered your thoughts and numbed your senses.Â
They were . . . dead?Â
You bit your lip to keep from crying but hot tears spilled from your eyes anyway and you sobbed.Â
You felt pathetic. Most people would be thrilled to know that they were gone! But your mind couldn’t stop remembering them as more than the people who left you for dead.Â
They were the people who helped repair your splintered barn door while in the middle of a storm. People who helped you track down runaway chickens in the woods. The people who laughed with you in your kitchen as Rosetta and Evelyn threw flour at each other while you ducked behind your silver tray. People who comforted you when you cried and invited you to join their families for the holidays.Â
You covered your mouth and moaned out in agony.Â
Despite what they did—
They were family. Â
It’d been a long time since you last felt this feeling but you recognized it almost immediately.Â
Resentment.Â
Beleg sighed as Johanne continued to show him the different things she had added into the kitchen. Everytime he thinks she is finally finished she will say, “Ooh!” And will suddenly pull him along to someplace else or whip out a kitchen utensil from seemingly out of nowhere and show him.Â
“And this here—” She said pointing to the flowers she had in a decorated vase—” It is from Y/n, can you believe it?!”Â
She sighed wistfully and hugged the vase and flowers to her chest. “They got it for me on one of their trips to the eastern villages. It was made by the hands of a dwarf and had been given to one of the families there as a wedding gift over a century ago. The family had fallen on hard times and had decided to sell it and they bought it for me!”Â
He smiled at her, he was used to her more witty and playful side and while she did often talk about her liege fondly he hadn’t seen it in person.Â
He brushed his hair over his pointed ear, “That was kind of them.”Â
She grinned. “Wasn’t it?” She sighed. “Y/n is one of the best friends I’ve had and the greatest master I’ve had the privilege to serve.”Â
He watched as other servants in the kitchen with them cooked and prepared for the festival and they all looked to Johanne with smiles on their faces.Â
“There was a time where I had suffered a recent death in my family but I couldn’t attend the funeral because I could not afford to travel. Y/n had noticed my behavior and had asked me what was wrong and when I explained it to them, they paid for my trip and gave me enough coin for four months, so I may spend that time with my family!” A woman called out.Â
Beleg smiled at her. “That was very gracious of them.”Â
The woman blushed and another piped out. “My fathers barn caught fire five months ago and they had it rebuilt and stocked with animals again! When they were asked why, they simply said that my father had been kind to them before and wanted to repay him.”Â
Beleg nodded to her. “That was most considerate of them.”Â
The woman sighed and seemed like she wanted to swoon, her smile was so silly.Â
From beside her another woman raised her hand high in the air, “Oh, oh! Don’t forget when Y/n made a statue in honor of Lord Arthur! They put it in the gardens.”Â
He grinned. “That was quite charitable.”Â
Johanne snickered and leaned into his side and his ears perked. “You’ve caught their attention.” She whispered.Â
He gave her a sheepish smile as he nodded. “It would appear so.” From outside in the hall he could hear the sound of music and he looked. The festival must have started.Â
Some of the other servants went about preparing trays while others poured drinks into sparkling glasses. He frowned, curious, and wandered over to them. “Where are these from?”Â
Johanne hummed and looked. “Oh, those were sent from Lord Caranthir. They were sent several months ago but had only just arrived two days ago. He sent a letter too.”Â
He raised a brow. “What did it say?”Â
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure they read it yet but they commanded us to use them for tonight.”Â
She smiled. “Y/n has always been fascinated with the culture and history of the elves. So, they were quite excited when they saw them.”Â
He nodded. “I see.” A clinking sound came to his ears and he caught a whiff of something he recognized but he couldn’t place it. Humming he wandered over to the tall jugs of wine and observed it as people drew from them. “What are these?”Â
Ears twitching at the sound of a spoon clinking against a glass, he heard Y/n’s voice, “Attention please, attention! My good people—”
“Oh, that's the wine for tonight. We have others for the coming days but that's most of it.” She pointed to a tan jug on the far right of the group. “That one there is the wine we serve to Y/n. They are very particular about their wine as they can only drink certain kinds.”Â
He nodded and crossed over, opening the lid and taking a long whiff, frowning, “You said this is the wine you gave to Y/n?”Â
Johanne nodded and joined his side. “Yes, this is one of their favorites.”Â
Taking a cup he dunked it in and brought the drink to his nose. Johanne frowned. “Is something wrong?”Â
Taking one more sniff it finally hit him and he dropped the cup into the jug and looked horrified as he raced to the door. “It's been poisoned!”Â
You stood from your chair tapping your glass with your spoon to gather the people's attention as they slowly quieted down.Â
“I thank you all for attending tonight.” Your voice carried strongly over the heads of the people. “As you all know, this night and the many nights following are in your honor!”Â
The crowd cheered in excitement and you smiled, raising a hand to calm them. “About this time a speech would be made but I think we all would rather return to our food and drink.”Â
The crowd hollered out an agreement and you laughed thrusting your glass into the air. “So, I’ll just say this! I have never known a more loyal and hardworking people. And I have never been more proud—” Your eyes teared up and your voice became watery and you cleared your throat— ”To have served with you these last few years.”Â
The people were pleased to hear this whistling and clapping. Your eyes scanned the room, looking for Johanne and Beleg, as you couldn’t help but wonder where they were, they were supposed to join your table tonight. Instead, you meet the twinkling eyes of King Fingon and the watering eyes of Thomas as he subtly wipes a tear from his eye with his lady friend beside him.
“And I hope to have many more years with you.” You raised your voice shouting, “To the many years ahead of us and to our new friends!”Â
The people cheered and clinked their glasses together toasting.Â
You made a mental note to pull Thomas aside and praise him for all he had accomplished through this festival. He deserved to be made aware of how special his contribution was.Â
You brought your wine to your lips to drink, feeling its smoothe richness cool your throat.Â
“Wait!” A hand batted your cup from your lips and you startled back with a yelp, choking on what remained stuck in your throat.Â
“It's poison!”Â
A collective gasp was heard, and chaos erupted. People were screaming and shoving at each other to run while others spit their drinks out.Â
You coughed, choking on your drink as the King’s guards rushed to their King. Your own guards taking away the person who had slapped your cup. Blinking harshly you raised your eyes to meet startling blue ones and you fell to the floor, wheezing. Beleg.
 “Y/n!”Â
Thomas slammed to his knees beside you, golden hair covering your vision as he heaved you to your feet, shouting orders you could no longer hear and your heart slammed painfully against your chest.Â
Within the next moment you were gone.
You woke up groaning, your body crying out in pain.Â
“Easy, easy.” A voice said. “Your body has been through quite a strain.”Â
You moaned and blinked open your eyes, vision cloudy and blurry.Â
An elf smiled down at you, patting your arm. “There we go, see? That's better.”Â
You had no idea what she was talking about but didn’t bother questioning it. She helped you sit up, giving you water to drink and telling you to sip at it. The wet coolness felt amazing against your sore throat and you sighed.Â
“I’ll go fetch the others.”Â
You barely got the chance to nod before the elf slipped out the door. Feeling dizzy, you laid back down taking deep breaths.
A knocking came from your door and Thomas burst through with Bjorn following behind.Â
“Y/n, you're awake!”Â
He collapsed to his knees beside your bed, taking your hand. “I’ve been so worried!” He placed a kiss on your hand. “Thank goodness King Fingon had been here! The elves had knowledge enough to save you, though only barely.”Â
And he rambled off.Â
Talking about things you couldn’t understand with your aching head and things you couldn’t find the energy to care about. You felt sad and heavy.
 It was many days after that Thomas had decided to fill you in on what happened. As you hadn’t asked. Nor did you move from your bed. Having not spoken a single word since.
Part 11
Masterlist
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Saw some posts going around about being homeless and wanted to throw my own two cents in on strategies you can use.
A lot of people think that once you lose your home, your two options are either spend a bunch of money on motels or sleep outside. There are many other options you should exhaust first.
Pack light. Bring a couple changes of clothes, but don't over burden yourself. Fresh underwear and socks are more important than anything. You can swing wearing the same jeans for longer than the same shirt.
Don't break the habit of brushing your teeth often. It's important and a difficult habit to build up again.
Get a good phone charger, and a good portable battery. You can get ones on Amazon that will fully charge your phone up to 10 times on one charge of the battery. If you don't have a place you can accept deliveries, try dollarstores, Walmart, and best buy, or other electronic stores.
High data plans are really cheap right now, so if you're already paying 30-40 for your phone plan, check to see if you can switch to a higher data plan for the same price on your phone provider's website.
Have utensils. You can get packs of portable and easy to wash ones that come with fork, spoon, knife, and straw. Or you can just pack normal ones. It's up to you.
Get a multi-tool. Theyre really handy to have.
If you buy a weapon of any kind to defend yourself, make sure you know how to use it and really have an indepth check in with yourself: if you were in a fight, would you be willing to use it on another person? If you are unsure even a little bit, don't carry it. Knife, gun, any of those specialized self defense items. They're more likely to be taken and used on you. Especially if you hesitate.
Get on welfare, income assistance, food stamps, or whatever other government program you can. These often provide access to resources and if you get a social worker, they will often be familiar with resources and programs you can access.
Be kind and respectful to other homeless people but don't make friends with them. This may sound harsh but people in these situations are desperate and if you drop your guard around some individuals you will get robbed. Plus, it's really easy to get sucked into toxic mindsets where you spiral into self destruction if there are other people to go down with you. You will feed off of each other's bullshit. It's just better for you and them to focus on yourself right now.
Having a baby right now will not save you or fix your situation. If you have sex, use protection. If you get pregnant, highly consider getting an abortion if you're able to. Being pregnant complicates homelessness a lot and your kid will almost definitely be taken from you, which is heartbreaking.
Keep a low profile. Don't get into fights or arguments, don't yell at service workers, don't be a nuisance to retail. Sometimes you will be wronged and it'll feel unfair, but often it's best to swallow your pride and to remain in good standing with the people around you.
Sell or leave any laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices you can't keep on your person. If someone doesn't steal them they will most likely just get broken or damaged.
Look up all the soup kitchens and foodbanks in your area. Most of the time, there will be at least one place open any given day of the week. Churches are the ones that will do this more often than not, and as long as it's not Salvation Army they usually do not care who you are or how you got there. Missions tend to feel more secular than say, Catholic churches, if that matters to you. (but getting a hot meal is often worth sitting through the Lord's Prayer.)
If you're under thirty, look up Youth resources. Usually there will be services tailored specifically for you that won't be as in demand as general population services.
Employment centers, libraries, food banks, etc, should have contact information regarding shelters. If you're a woman running from an abuse situation there are even more options.
Shelters tend to be hit or miss. I've stayed in really awful ones, I've stayed in really good ones. The best you're going to find are the ones where each resident gets their own room. They're hard to come by, but one of the shelters I stayed at the most when I was homeless let you stay up to two months on your first go. Then youre out for two weeks, then you can come back for up to a month at a time. If you're lucky, you'll find a shelter that provides meals as well. This is a great place to have a warm bed to sleep, meals, and showers.
Couch surf. Now's the time to call on your friends for favours. I try not to stay in any one place for longer than five days. Mixing this with staying at a shelter got me through about five years of homelessness.
Group homes, supervised living programs, etc. These tend to be the next step up from shelters. Almost all of them give you your own room and are more long term than shelters. Often, you have to actively be working and/or participating in an education or employment program to stay, but it's way more stable than staying at a shelter.
Do not bother with Facebook marketplace queer housing groups. In a lot of cases you'll be out on your ass again in a couple of months. There's a reason people in these groups can't keep roommates.
When you can, have a set of clothes that make you not "look homeless." You will find situations where you need to blend in. If you have a secure place to store your belongings even better. Dead giveaways for homeless people are often their huge backpacks and a lot of people know this.
Out of the cold shelters open up in the winter. They're more temporary than regular shelters and it's usually sleeping on the floor of a church or community center, but they're okay options in a pinch.
If you have to sleep outside, go off the beaten path if you can. It's easier to do this outside of city centers but this is obviously not always an option. Tents are great but tarps are even more portable. Sleeping bags help maintain body heat far better than blankets. Use your backpack as a pillow, or grab a pillowcase and stuff it with your clothes when it's time to sleep.
This may go without saying but if you have a car, sleep in that. You won't need to bother with shelters or sleeping outside.
Showering at gyms and truck stops is obvious, but if you can find a drop in center, you can shower, get something to eat, and often even do your laundry. Some drop in centers require membership but it's often not difficult to get and it's free. They just want to register you and keep track of who is coming and going. You will often be assigned a case worker that will help you with finding a place to stay or even a job.
Short hair is easier to maintain in these situations. Moreover, I highly recommend against dying your hair at this time, especially bright unnatural colours because the colour will fade fast, and it'll be really difficult to blend in with non homeless people when you have to.
Spend your days in libraries charging your phone, keeping warm, and entertaining yourself. You can stay from open until closed without being disturbed. Look at bulletin boards and pamphlets while you're there and you might find programs you can join or resources you can access.
I personally have never gone dumpster diving. I've never had to. I don't live in a very rich city but there was still always resources I could access before it came to that. Personally, I would exaust all my other options before I start rooting around in trash cans but that's just me.
If you keep food on hand while you're outside, be mindful of animals. Look up methods of keeping your food safe from bears if you are staying in wooded areas. Even places you think are too close to civilization can have bears wandering around. Also, be mindful of "refrigerate after opening" warning labels on food. It's best to get shelf stable items when possible. Condiment packets that are single use are better than bottles because they'll keep longer.
Stealing from grocery stores is easier if you buy some things, too. You can get toothpaste, shampoo, etc from drop in centers and foodbanks but I would personally suggest buying larger items like sandwich meat, and stuffing small items like water flavoring into your pockets when you're wandering down an unoccupied aisle. On that note if you have a hard time drinking plain water, get water flavoring! It's important to stay hydrated.
This might just be the country I live in, but one other place you're very unlikely to be bothered is hospital cafeterias. This is one example, I think, of a place where you don't want to "look" homeless. If it's an especially cold night though, sitting in the corner quietly and being on your phone won't look suspicious. You may need to stay up for the night and then take a nap outside in the day. Or, go to a Library in the morning.
Wear sunglasses and hold your phone or a book in front of you and nap when you're indoors. Especially if you're in a corner by yourself and especially if you're "blending in" with non homeless people, no one will bother you. Best place to do this is libraries.
Food courts are also a decent option. Usually there are so many people that no one is going to bother a random person that's there all day. One of those other instances of its easier if you don't look homeless.
Cycle through places you stay at during the day. It'll look a lot less suspicious if you only spend one day a week at any given place.
Depending on your age, if you live in a university town, you can spend time in university areas. Cafeterias, libraries, computer labs. This one is not something I'm quite as familiar with but I know people that did it. Try to blend in, look like you're busy. Students are easier to blend in with than probably any other population you can think of. You're going to really have to choose your own adventure with this one, but I would aim for places with a large student body that you don't need a key card to get into, and make yourself look busy.
If all else fails, ride around on public transit. Take long lines from start to finish. Catch a nap if you can. This is an especially great option if you have a bus pass, and while it is easier to do if you blend in, depending on the size of your city and how many people are on, you will be mostly undisturbed.
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Cheap Price 14 Pcs Die Cast Non-Stick Aluminum Utensils
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An incomplete list of things in Peter Parker's new apartment:
A fridge he built himself from cheap parts that is stocked entirely with ice cream and ice packs. It breaks every other day, but replacing it is too expensive.
GED study manuals.
A camera. His main source of income is taking photos of Spider-Man and selling them to newspapers. He specifically avoids selling to the Daily Bugle, but they just use his pictures with the watermark cropped out.
A card for Nelson & Murdock & Page. He can't call them, he knows he can't call them, but he likes to pretend he has the option.
A map of New York with circles around various points of criminal activity.
Approximately 8 boxes of Instant Wheatcakes. He loaded up when he got his first paycheck, tried one, and stopped because it didn't taste at all like Aunt May's.
The remnants of his old suit (EDITH, Instant Kill, some remaining nano bots).
A concerning amount of instant ramen.
A bunch of clothes he bought at a thrift store. He somehow managed to find two Iron-Man tee-shirts, and he wears them at every opportunity to feel close to Tony.
The cup he got the last time he saw MJ. He hasn't thrown it out.
A cutlery drawer that is filled with plastic utensils and cut-out coupons.
A laptop he scavenged from a dumpster. It's dirty, covered in faded stickers, and runs too hot for him to actually put it on his lap without burning himself.
A sewing machine he fixed after finding it dumped on a corner.
A series of articles on various superheroes. Titles include "Ronin: Hero of the Blip (Opinion),""Reports of New Hero in Jersey" and "Luke Cage in Harlem Rumble."
And, of course, his Spider-Man suit.
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Okay, something your Auntie Kami wishes she'd done when she was much younger:
Invest in some good cast iron cookware.
Pros:
They aren't as expensive as you'd think. I've fucking seen them in thrift stores. My skillet/dutch oven combo I bought cost me like $65. A skillet over at Lodge cast iron is like $25. They are worth it.
Cast iron lasts forever. No lie. You can find an old cast iron pan at a thrift store, scour off any rust with a wire scrubber, and reseason it and it will be good as new. Seasoning isn't hard, just a bit time consuming. But, there are places that sell them pre-seasoned if you wanna skip that.
Seasoned cast iron is naturally non-stick. And, the more you use it, the more seasoned it gets.
Easy as fuck to wash. You should never soak it in soapy water, though. You can use some soap if you want; although, it's rarely necessary. Just use a wire sponge to scrub it under hot water. The only thing you need to do after is take a bit of cooking oil on a paper towel and rub it on the pan's surface. This keeps that seasoning going.
You can use whatever damn utensil on it you want! Non-stick pans are fucking delicate babies that become useless if you scrape them with anything other than plastic or wood. Bah!
You can put it in the oven! You can start searing meat on the stove top then let it finish in the oven. You can bake bread in it! It's ridiculously versatile! Hell, you can use it on fucking campfires!
Food tastes better. Maybe it's because it becomes more seasoned the more you use it or because it's iron or whatever. Food just freaking tastes better on it.
A few cons:
It's heavy. That's a good thing for a lot of reasons, but if you have weak hands, make sure you have someone who can lift it for you if needed. Now they usually come with your normal handle and a smaller secondary handle so you can life them with both hands.
The handles get hot after a while. There are places that sell silicon sleeves for the handles, but as long as you have a pot holder or a towel, you're good.
There is a small learning curve with them. I have stainless steel pots as well, and I feel they both heat differently? Like woks, it's better to let them get hot before starting your cooking.
You have to oil them regularly. Not such a big deal, though. I have a habit of finish cooking, take still hot pan to sink, clean it, wipe it dry, and oil it. I leave mine on the stove because I use them all the time and saves me from having to dig their heavy asses out of the cabinet.
So, if you ever wondered, yes, cast iron is worth it, and you should treat yourself and get at least one good cast iron pan.
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I always ask for kitchen stuff. Go-tos:
Cutting boards! You CAN have too many, but it takes a while. Your knives will chew up plastic ones pretty quick, but wood boards can be a hassle to maintain and keep sanitary. It's good to cycle them out. Flexible cutting mats are always nice.
A few really nice skillets that AREN'T teflon. There's other, better nonstick coatings out there, and they wear harder and are more expensive so great to ask for.
Silicone and stainless utensils, while you're at it. No more black nylon!!
Hobby gift cards. There's a store that sells stuff you need for your hobby; ask for cash to that place specifically! Or hobby kits, if it's a crafty hobby; I asked for Tandy leather gidt cards and/or project kits this year.
What'a your favorite hot drink? The Nice version of that - tea, coffee, cocoa, etc.
wish list for people who don’t want anything
aka possessions which are just possessions, but which have noticeably improved my quality of life: for when people ask you “what do you want for your birthday/Christmas/graduation” and you instantly transform into St Francis and pledge fealty to Lady Poverty because your mind went blank
nice. new. sheets. I cannot emphasize this one enough. if you’re still using the same sheets you had in college, you should probably get new ones. get yourself some 100% bamboo rayon sheets—they’re silky and perfect for summer and great for sensitive skin! or, if you’re cold all the time, flannel sheets!
kitchen knives. or even just one really good kitchen knife.
new curtains—blackout if you are a creature of the night like I am
fleece lined anything, but especially sweatpants and hoodies. wool lined socks are also good. if you don’t have the option of coming home after work and putting on an entire outfit that is loose and fuzzy, you should change that, because you deserve that option.
cookie sheets with a layer of air between the top and the bottom. the bottoms of your cookies will never burn again.
kitchen scale!!! no more leveling off flour with a knife and getting it all over the table!! now all your measuring is just shoveling stuff in and out of bowls like you’re at the beach. baking is both more accurate and also way more fun.
coffee bean grinder. if you want to upgrade your coffee experience, this is a great one-time purchase. just-ground beans have a much better flavor than pre-ground.
CDs!! ask for a gift card and expand your physical music collection! or a collection of the DVDs for your favorite show!
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Top Dropshipping Products to Sell in 2025 - Free Daily List
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Starting a Chai Business: A Budget-Friendly Guide – Basketleaf
Chai, the quintessential Indian beverage, holds a special place in the hearts of millions. Whether it’s a quick sip at a roadside stall or a leisurely brew at home, chai is an essential part of India’s culture. This makes starting a chai business a lucrative venture, especially with the increasing demand for artisanal, organic, and fusion tea varieties. Even better, best businesses under ₹1 lakh and turn it into a profitable enterprise with the right strategies.
This guide will walk you through the essentials of launching a chai business on a small budget, including key steps, marketing tips, and growth strategies to help you stand out.
1. Understand the Chai Market in India
Before diving in, it’s essential to understand the demand, trends, and opportunities in the chai market.
Street chai stalls are thriving, with affordable prices appealing to large audiences.
Premium chai cafes are gaining popularity among urban customers, focusing on organic blends and exotic ingredients.
Niche products such as spiced chai lattes, ginger-tulsi blends, and artisanal masala chai offer a unique selling point.
đź’ˇ Tip: Focus on emerging trends like health-conscious teas (e.g., immunity-boosting blends) or regional flavors to attract modern tea drinkers.
2. Choose a Chai Business Model
There are several profitable models to explore under a â‚ą1 lakh budget.
Street Tea Stall: Low-cost setup, ideal for busy areas like markets or bus stops.
Mobile Chai Cart: Portable and flexible, with low overheads—perfect for pop-up events or office zones.
Home-Based Chai Delivery: Make chai at home and deliver it to nearby offices or residential areas.
Online Chai Store: Sell specialty blends or chai kits via eCommerce platforms or social media.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: A mobile chai cart or home-based delivery model can reduce setup costs and help you reach customers easily.
3. Calculate Your Initial Investment
Here’s a breakdown of how to allocate your ₹1 lakh budget wisely:
Equipment and Tools: â‚ą20,000 (gas stove, utensils, thermos flasks)
Ingredients: â‚ą15,000 (tea leaves, milk, sugar, spices)
Packaging: â‚ą10,000 (paper cups, eco-friendly bags, or bottles)
Licenses and Permits: â‚ą5,000 (local health permits or FSSAI registration)
Marketing & Branding: â‚ą15,000 (social media ads, flyers, business cards)
Rent or Stall Setup: â‚ą20,000 (if setting up a stall or cart)
Miscellaneous Expenses: â‚ą15,000 (transportation, emergency fund)
đź’ˇ Tip: Save costs by sourcing materials from local wholesale markets.
4. Register Your Chai Business and Get Permits
Even small businesses require basic licenses and registration to operate legally.
FSSAI License: Essential if you're selling food or beverages.
GST Registration: If you plan to sell through an online platform.
Local Municipal Permit: Required if you’re setting up a roadside stall or mobile cart.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Apply for a basic FSSAI registration online, which is quick and affordable.
5. Create a Unique Chai Menu
Offering a diverse menu will help you attract different customers.
Classic Masala Chai: The traditional Indian chai with cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
Ginger-Tulsi Chai: A healthy blend perfect for wellness enthusiasts.
Saffron Chai: A premium option for customers willing to pay more.
Iced Chai Latte: A fusion drink ideal for hot summers.
Vegan Chai: Use almond or oat milk to attract health-conscious customers.
đź’ˇ Tip: Introduce seasonal flavors to keep your menu exciting.
6. Source Quality Ingredients on a Budget
Quality ingredients will set your chai apart from the competition.
Tea Leaves: Purchase from local tea estates or wholesale suppliers to get the best rates.
Spices: Buy in bulk to reduce costs—ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon are essential.
Milk: Partner with local dairy suppliers for fresh, affordable milk.
Eco-Friendly Cups: Choose recyclable or biodegradable packaging to attract environmentally conscious customers.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Use leftover tea leaves to create DIY tea bags for an added product offering.
7. Market Your Chai Business Smartly
You don’t need a big budget to promote your chai business effectively.
Social Media Marketing: Create Instagram and Facebook pages to showcase your products. Use engaging posts, Reels, and Stories to attract followers.
Collaborate with Influencers: Offer free chai samples to local influencers in exchange for reviews.
WhatsApp Marketing: Use WhatsApp to broadcast daily specials and offers to customers.
Flyers and Word of Mouth: Distribute flyers in your local area and encourage happy customers to spread the word.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Offer referral discounts to encourage your first customers to bring in new ones.
8. Set Competitive Prices
Pricing your chai competitively ensures maximum sales and loyal customers.
Street Chai Stall: ₹10–₹15 per cup
Premium Chai Cart: ₹20–₹30 per cup (for specialty flavors)
Home Delivery: ₹30–₹50 per cup (with delivery fees)
Subscription Plan: Offer daily chai delivery for â‚ą1,000/month to retain customers.
💡 Idea: Bundle products—like buy 4 cups, get 1 free—to boost daily sales.
9. Provide a Memorable Customer Experience
Customer service plays a big role in building loyalty.
Offer free samples to first-time customers.
Greet regular customers with personalized interactions.
Provide loyalty cards—rewarding every 5th or 10th purchase with a free chai.
Include handwritten thank-you notes for delivery orders to add a personal touch.
đź’ˇ Tip: Use WhatsApp to receive feedback and suggestions from customers.
10. Expand Your Chai Business Gradually
Once your chai business gains traction, reinvest your profits to grow.
Introduce merchandise like tea kits or branded cups.
Open a second mobile cart in a new location.
Add a subscription service to ensure consistent income.
Explore corporate chai orders by partnering with local offices.
đź’ˇ Idea: Launch an online store offering your chai blends nationwide to increase your reach.
FAQs
1. Is a chai business profitable under â‚ą1 lakh?
Yes! By choosing the right business model and controlling expenses, you can start a profitable chai business within â‚ą1 lakh. Focus on quality, customer service, and creative marketing to stand out.
2. How can I attract customers without spending much on marketing?
Use social media, WhatsApp marketing, and word-of-mouth referrals to build visibility. Offering free samples and referral discounts is another great way to attract new customers.
3. Do I need a license to sell chai?
Yes, you’ll need an FSSAI license and possibly a local permit, depending on your location and business model.
Conclusion: Launch Your Chai Business the Smart Way
Starting a chai business within â‚ą1 lakh is achievable with careful planning and smart strategies. Whether you choose a mobile cart, delivery model, or street stall, focus on offering unique flavors, excellent customer service, and creative marketing. With consistent effort, your chai venture will grow into a profitable business and become one of the best businesses under â‚ą1 lakh.
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