#i am just wondering what parts of chicken do they use and how too cook them and incorporate it with the sauce.

[rosecoloredknight]

I have the next three days off and I've already settled on making it a priority to clean up my place. I have already finished with the kitchen and living and now I'm starting on the bathrooms before finishing up with the rooms. Let's see if I'll be able to have the next couple of days free to read and relax so on my last day off I can for the first time ever cook myself Chicken Alfredo!!

Look at me being excited about boring and mundane days haha, I'm such a loser. Oh well

[beingdreeyore]

I read an article the other day on how cooking for one is an act of self-love for us single folk and I have to agree.

I have this routine these days. Through the first half of the week I scroll through recipes, typically on the Recipe Tin Eats site. I search for things I've never heard of that are common in faraway places and I tag them. One-by-one I add items to my online shopping cart. By Thursday I place the order for home delivery and then first thing on Saturday morning as the sun is just rising (a decision I regret every week), the groceries get delivered.

In the last six months I've tried new ingredients, new recipes, new cooking methods. There are spices I'd never even heard of before that I'm now comfortable using and recipes for foods from places I didn't know existed that are slowly creeping into my weekly repertoire. My tiny kitchen is now too small for the appliances and utensils that I own. Food has become too big in my life.

It's a weekly routine that I look forward to. There's something soothing about it that I can't quite put my finger on, but I know that it works. Meal prep for work lunches is no longer grilled or shredded chicken with a garden salad.

I mention it today because I woke to a wave of grief and emotion over the men that have come and gone from my life over the years, and I was shocked to find myself feeling that way. But then it clocked what feminine things were occurring in my body at this time of the month and I shook it off. I shook it off because the feeling is mostly foreign these days and I'm so confident it will pass as this stage of the monthly cycle passes. The loneliness and lack of love doesn't drown me as frequently or quite severely as it used to. My life has become this solitary little routine that seems to feed my soul and keep it nourished. The cooking and the preparation seems to be a big part of that and I'm not really sure why or how. I just know that every weekend I prep for the week ahead and the learning, exploration, and then the reward at the end really is such an act of self-love that it has a grounding quality to it. It settles me.

The level of acceptance I have for myself and who I am is so high these days. I still see my flaws and I still work at them, but I also am unapologetically who I am. When I'm not at work, even though I'm mostly alone, I now routinely do all these little things that make me content in my solo little bubble. I wonder at times how a man would ever fit into my life now. What man would be worth disrupting my peace when it took so long (and so much money on therapy...) to create?

So it's a simple thing, this cooking routine, but it is an act of self-love. In the madness that is this new year and the world right now, it's a practice in mindfulness that doesn't involve sitting on a yoga mat with my eyes closed and it gets me better results. It turns out that keeping your body nourished can also be a way to keep your soul nourished.

[bewilderedbunny]

Line cook Eddie part 3!

Hi friends! I was not expecting to write this so soon after part 2, but I'm rolling with it. Hope you enjoy it!! 💖 (the word counter I used says this is 666 words, thought that was cute) Flirty fluff, light sexual innuendo, cursing, sort of a bit of angst but not really. Eddie x fem!reader but feel free to switch the pronouns if you'd like ☺️ I had to include ABBA in this because I am a Mamma Mia! fan first and a human being second.

Credit to @delishlydelightfuldividers for the divider 💕

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 4

During a morning shift, a middle-aged man comes into the diner. He's a bit quiet but polite. He has his "please and thank yous" down pat. You check up on him during his meal and ask how everything is.

"Wonderful, my compliments to the chef." he says.

You smile and say, "He'll be so excited to hear that."

The older man looks up at you and says, "I would mention to him to cut back on the salt a bit. He has done a number on my blood pressure enough as it is." as he says that you feel an arm wrap around your shoulder.

"Hey pops. Was my girl good to you?"

You realize this must be Wayne, Eddie doesn't talk about him often but when he does it's with adoration.

"She was great. It's good to put a face to the name since you're always talkin' 'bout her."

Eddie laughs, a little too loud and you giggle at the pink on his cheeks.

One day during your break you step outside to get some fresh air. You can hear Eddie talking to someone near the dumpster.

"You like that, sweetheart? Look at you. You're just the cutest thing I've ever seen." Your heart aches, aren't you supposed to be the cutest thing he's ever seen? You know he's a big flirt with everyone, but you thought you were special. You quietly creep around the corner and when you finally see him you want to cry. He's squatted behind the dumpster feeding chicken to a scruffy little cat while rubbing its back. It's not even scraps from a customer's meal, this son of a bitch cooked a chicken breast for a kitten who, upon further inspection, reminds you of Wayne with its greyish fur and blue eyes.

He walks you to your car after your shift. He started doing it one night the two of you were working and hasn't stopped. Even when you're leaving before him, he walks you out and then goes back inside.

"I'm in a band, y'know?" He says, drying silverware. He's facing you and has his hip pressed against the counter.

"Oh yeah? An ABBA cover band?" You joke.

"How'd you guess? We do a cover of "Chiquitita" that'll knock your socks off."

You stop rinsing cutlery and look at him.

"I know you're kidding, but I love that song."

"Yeah?" He says, turning away from you. He's known it's your favorite for weeks. You were humming throughout your shift once and he spent the following day at the record store trying to figure out what song it was. He eventually went up to an employee and hummed it to them until they could help him find it. He bought the goddamn ABBA record.

You lightly flick him with water and he acts like you've just waterboarded him, stumbling around and gasping for breath. He reaches toward the faucet and flicks you back, he throws more water than you had and you gasp, "You're getting me wet!" His eyes get huge and he starts to giggle. When you realize why you giggle right along with him.

You come in for your dinner shift one day and notice a stack of papers at the register. You pick one up and see a sketch of a fire-breathing dragon. The dragon is guarding various food items like pancakes, milkshakes, burgers, and fries. All of the papers are copies of this drawing and next to the stack, there is an old box of crayons. You ask your coworker what this is, and she says Eddie brought them in this morning to give kids something to entertain themselves with while they wait for their food. You can't wait to hand them out and you save any colored in pages for the next time you have a shift together so you can show him what a hit they were.

Thanks for reading 🥞💖

[hannahssimblr]

Chapter Five (Part 3)

It’s so nice to sit there as the sun goes down and the bonfire roars beside us. Kasper finishes cooking our food, and everyone grabs what they can from the plate he serves. I squirt a ton of mustard onto a burger and tuck in hungrily. I think about how it is the perfect day. I’m sitting with my closest friends on a beautiful beach watching a beautiful sunset, and I have a boy! I finally have a boy that I like and who likes me back, and we’re here together and it actually doesn’t feel weird. I turn to admire him and see that he has a blob of ketchup on his face, and I wipe it off for him. 

“You two are so cute.” Kelly says. “Two little love birds.” She sounds somehow more drunk than before, but I hope that after she eats something she might sober up a bit. “I knew you’d be right for each other. When I was thinking of finding a boy for Evie to kiss this summer I thought, wow, wouldn’t little Liam be perfect for her.”

Liam laughs awkwardly. “Little Liam?”

“No no, seriously, take it as a compliment, she doesn’t let any boys near her. I always feel like I have to force her.” I feel my face get warm, and I glance around at everyone and to my horror realise that they’re all listening to our conversation.

“That’s not really true…” I say defensively.

“Oh my god! It is! But it’s fine, we accept you for it. Evie’s such a good girl, and most boys are too ugly and boring for her, I’d be flattered if I was Liam. I really would.” She is laughing and smiling through it all like it’s a joke, but I know that she means what she’s saying. She really does think I’m stuck up and prudish. I resent her for it. I thought best friends were supposed to understand each other. 

“Haha, okay.” He says, glancing at me, and I wonder if he’s thinking those things about me too, about how wooden I was on our walk last night, and how it took us so long to kiss. I bet he thought I was bad at it too, I just have a feeling that I’m never doing it right.

Kelly barrels on. “She’s going for it this time. We’re proud of her, no really, we are. She got there in the end. Better late than never, I always say.”

Claire stands up and grabs Kelly’s hand. “Hey, will you come to the bathroom with me?” Kelly looks up at her surprised, and then is pulled up – no, hauled up out of her chair by our friend. She is quickly ushered away from me and into the house, and there is a long pause when she’s gone. My heart is thumping in my chest so loudly that I’m sure everyone can hear it. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I stare down at my feet, humiliated. Now everyone, even this cool, older crowd that I just met knows I’m a loser. And a virgin, but I guess those two things aren’t mutually exclusive. 

I feel a cool, steady hand on my shoulder then, and I look up and see that Jen has come over to be next to me. “Hey, do you want to take a little walk with me?” I don’t think I can speak without risking bursting into tears, and I know that if I stay where I am I will have some sort of panic attack or something, so I nod. She takes my hand and we walk up into the dunes away from everyone’s eyes. 

“I didn’t want to say anything bad in front of her brother,” She says once we’re out of earshot “But Kelly sounds really insecure to me. I know she’s obviously pissed drunk, but she said all of that stuff in front of everybody on purpose.”

I start crying as soon as I try to talk, but I wobble through it. “I’m so embarrassed. Not everybody needed to know all about me and my business.”

She gives me a hug, and I sink my head into her shoulder as we sit down onto the sand. I’m getting tears all over her top but she doesn’t seem to care. “Aw, chicken, the things she said, they weren’t about you. They were about her. She’s just jealous of you, it’s so obvious.”

“She’s not jealous of me.”

“Are you serious? Of course she is. Nobody would try to embarrass their friend in front of a crowd of strangers unless they were jealous.”

“Kelly has nothing to be jealous of.” I wipe my nose on my sleeve. “She’s got so much more than me. She’s funnier and more confident, prettier, more experienced… She’s got it all. Everyone loves her.”

“Well I think that if she believed that herself she wouldn’t be lashing out at you. If that girl was truly happy in herself then she would have been kinder to you in that moment. She knew that everyone could hear her and she said it anyway.” She wipes my tear stained face with both her thumbs. “Look at you, girl, you’re stunning. Anybody would be jealous of you, and you know what I think? Those things she said about boys… I think you’re right to be picky. Most of them are rats.”

I laugh through my sobs. There’s something so soft and comforting about her, she’s motherly. I feel like I can be vulnerable. “I get scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“Scared of falling behind everybody.”

“What everyone else is doing and when they’re doing it is their business.”

“I know but… I feel like there’s things I should know by the time I’m seventeen. Like I’m scared that I’m bad at kissing because I haven’t had enough kisses, and then when it comes to… other stuff, I’ll be expected to know what to do, but I won’t, because I keep running scared from all romantic possibilities. It’s a cycle that keeps getting worse.”

“Evie, I promise that nobody cares about that, and if they do they’re a dickhead. The right person will treat you like a human being and be understanding of where you’re at. There’s no age limit on any of this, you do you.”

I sniff. I wonder how Jen is so wise about all of this stuff, and she’s only a year older than I am. She must know everything about love. I ask her: “Have you found the right guy yet?”

She cackles then, shattering the serious tone. “God, no. I don’t like men. I’m gay.”

“Oh!” I laugh. “Oh okay!”

“I kissed enough boys in the teenage discos of my youth to be sure that they’re not for me.” She says. “It’s brutal out there, don’t ever settle for less than what’s right for you. That’s my advice”

“Thank you.” I say, and I tear up again. “Oh, sorry, I don’t know why I keep crying.”

“It’s alright. Cry it out girl. I’ll sit with you until you’re ready to go back to the party.” And she does. And we sit in the sand and talk until all my tears have dried up and I’m ready to face the world again.

Prev // Next

[allwaswell16]

hello lovely, hope you’re doing well! I was just wondering if you’d know (bc you nearly always know the answers to these questions) of any new ish tomlinshaw?? i feel like I’m starved of them, and am currently rereading all the old fics i can find! By new I mean like 2019 on, or even if you know of anyone writing tomlinshaw atm!! thank you thank you

Hi! So first of all, yes writers are still writing Tomlinshaw! Definitely not as many as there used to be, but it's still a pairing that gets written! Here are all the ones I've read and enjoyed since 2019! Happy reading!

—Recent Tomlinshaw Fics—

You and Me (Got a Whole Lot of History) by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

Nick loves the crush and fever of being right in the thick of things, but just the thought of Louis looking down and spotting him makes him feel a little queasy.

It hadn’t been a proper thing. It wasn’t a relationship.

here with me by haveufoundwhaturlookingfor / @sup3rbloom

Louis has been secretly dating Nick, and things were going so smoothly, but then Nick finds out that he's pregnant and they have no choice but to tell everyone about their relationship.

Particular by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

Nick is very particular about the upkeep of his hallway's Brazilian hardwood floor. He is very particular about the cleaning of his kitchen's fine Wedgewood china.

He is less particular in his bedroom.

You know I love you, babe by @lululawrence

Nick sighed happily to himself. Yet another wonderful decision by Past Nick was stocking the fridge with the cheesecake. He honestly had no recollection of purchasing it, but it was the best thing he’d eaten all day. There was something so perfectly satisfying about a piece of cheesecake.

He should wax poetic to Louis about it. Tell him how he didn’t miss him at all because the cheesecake was all he would ever need.

Or the one where Nick fucks up and scrambles to make it right. Too bad that just makes things worse.

Food Fight by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

It’s Louis’ famed cooking skills against Nick’s more cultured palate.

Fight.

Little Saint Nick by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

Nick meets a stranger in a bar and is told this Christmas season, he needs to 'learn to be nice'.

Costumes Must Be Sexy, Slutty and/or Stupid by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

It's a bit of a blast from the past to get an invite to Nick Grimshaw's fancy dress housewarming.

Shape of You by @reminiscingintherain

Ed goes onto BBC Breakfast to promote Divide. Nick flirts. Louis isn't impressed.

the next bit was spanners to my plan by LadyAJ_13 / @ladyaj-13

The first time was an accident. The second time was an accident too.

Or: Louis and Nick end up shagging on the sly, everyone sends far too many emojis and far too few words, and eventually they're going to have to sort themselves out.

Use You As A Focal Point by Jiksa / @jiksax

“What am I, the fucking twink whisperer? You’ve been nothing but horrible to me. Last time I tried to kiss you, you lobbed a Chelsea boot at my head.”

Louis shows up at Nick's front door on the wrong side of midnight, asking for... things. Part 2 of I Found 'verse

if you should try to kiss her by @disgruntledkittenface

It’s kind of their thing now. They make relentless snarky comments to and about each other and exchange meaningful eye contact every time they think no one is looking. At least, that’s what Louis thinks they’re doing, like their own extended lesbian mating ritual. It seems obvious to her that they’re inevitable in some kind of cosmic, grand design type of way; they’re eventually going to end up together and fix up an old house and Nick will build a chicken coop for the backyard (or hire someone to build it, probably) and then they’ll live happily ever after, bickering the whole time.

If only she could be sure that’s what Nick thinks they’re doing.

Harry's annual Christmas party gives Louis her chance to be brave and tell Nick how she feels.

I'mma Give You A Promotion by @lululawrence

Nick: We should move in together

Louis stared at the phone, blinking in confusion. Maybe he really had already fallen asleep. There was no way in hell that Nick would be asking him to move in with him in their actual reality.

Louis swiped open his phone and was still staring at the text when Nick’s face took over his screen.

"What are you on about with moving in together?”

“Well, we can either not see each other at all during the stay at home order, or we can move in together,” Nick explained.

“And you figured we should just move in together?” Louis asked, shocked.

Or the one where Louis and Nick have had a bit of a thing, but it was never meant to be permanent. They hadn't even defined it. Then COVID happened and changed everything.

A Fist Full of Glitter by @reminiscingintherain

Nick G: Fancy going to the BRITs tonight? Got a ticket with your name on.Louis: Is there any universe in which I’d say no to this? I think not.Nick G: I’ll pick you up at 6:30pm. Suit’s being messengered over now.Louis: You spoil me. <3 xx

Or: Louis' a Sugar Baby, Nick's his proper and formal Sugar Daddy. What could possibly happen to make that change?

The Colors Are Different by orphan_account

“I didn't know you'd be here Grim!” Harry says happily. Nick looks equally peeved as he catches sight of Louis right there, wearing the exact same shirt as he is. Louis really should’ve gone over to Ed – he could’ve spared both of them this traumatic experience.

‘Didn’t know you would be here either.’

It’s clear Nick mostly means Louis.

It’s not like there’s some sort of rule about the host of Capital’s morning show and the host of Radio 1’s breakfast show not being at the same events, but – they kind of pretend there is anyways.

or the one where Nick and Louis are opposites in every way, except maybe they aren't after all.

With Your Hand In Mine by @lululawrence

Louis reached out and latched his hand onto Nick’s arm. “What was that?”

“One of the previous inmates that mysteriously died here, I’d imagine,” Nick whispered into Louis’ ear.

Louis shivered, but he wasn’t sure if it was because of Nick being so close or the fact he was growing more and more concerned that he was going to pee his pants during this.

Okay, it was the latter if the shot of anxiety currently running through him was any indication, but he did have goosebumps from Nick’s breath grazing Louis’ neck as well.

Or the one where Louis hates haunted houses, Nick likes them, and Louis likes Nick. Things end better than Louis expects.

Swerve the Handshake by @lululawrence

There's a pandemic afoot and social distancing is being recommended for everyone, but what is to be done to still greet people with respect whilst avoiding the handshake?

Scott and Chris have ideas, and Grimmy becomes attached to a particular suggestion.

Brighter This Time by Jiksa / @jiksax

Louis’s a little lost, a little heartbroken, and maybe a little… something else. Nick’s just a shit bartender.

burning our pretty little hearts by icarusinflight

Nick's twenty-nine, and still not the least bit ready for it, when he finds his soulmate.

Can't Forget You by @writcraft

Nick wakes up in hospital and discovers he's lost several years of memories, including getting together—and breaking up—with Louis Tomlinson, the owner of the local café that Nick's being trying to pull for ages.

As he tries to work out what went wrong, Nick falls in love with Louis all over again.

To Fall Down At Your Door by sunsetmog / @magicalrocketships

Nick has failed to pay attention in any of the meetings leading up to him filming a documentary in the Scottish Highlands, mostly because he's just been dumped and he's in the middle of some very important wallowing. This does not entirely explain what Louis Tomlinson is doing there filming in the Highlands with him, and it absolutely does not explain why the world's press seems to think that they've just got married without telling anyone.

He's fairly certain none of this is actually his fault, but it doesn't change the fact that everything has suddenly got a little bit weird.

You're a Nightmare, I'm a Disaster by @lululawrence

As Nick scanned the shelves, his eyes caught on a bright blue binding. Snooki, it read, A Shore Thing.

“Oh my God,” Nick mumbled, trying not to laugh as he picked it up. He’d watched bits and pieces of Jersey Shore way back in the day.

Without bothering to look any further around the store, he headed up to the counter where Blue eyes was watching him. Nick cleared his throat nervously and set the book on the counter and the man immediately flashed him a look of disdain.

“Seriously? Out of everything we have available, you chose the book we special ordered for a customer?”

“Well, it can’t be that bad if someone specifically requested it, right?” Nick said, trying to keep a teasing tone.

“Why do you think we still have it if it was a special order?” the man asked with a scoff. “They returned it after reading something like three pages.”

Nick frowned at the book. “Well that doesn’t seem very fair.”

Or the one where Nick is a writer, Louis works in a bookshop, and things don't exactly start off on the right foot, but they might just end on it.

You are the feeling of drugs, pulling the chain of my love by WeAreTheLuckyOnes 

Louis gets bored with all the questions by the next week and tells everyone, in no uncertain terms, to fuck off, in a Facebook post he subsequently deletes the next day. Instead, he chooses to ignore all his friends.

And text Nick.

Kind of Tough to Tell a Scruff (Stand and Deliver) by sunsetmog / @magicalrocketships

There must be one good thing about your new place.

Nick considers for a while. There's a fit bloke lives down my hall, he types finally.

In which Nick moves north and Louis lives next door.

A Reckless Hallelujah by sunsetmog / @magicalrocketships

You're too short to be a dancer, they'd said. Competition's really tough. You should have applied when you were 11. You can't commute to the Royal Ballet School from Doncaster, they'd said. Why would you even try?

The Million Reasons Why by @reminiscingintherain

When closeted Manchester United striker Louis Tomlinson visits his secret boyfriend Nick Grimshaw on the Radio 1 Drivetime Show to promote his charity work, how long can secrets remain secret?

Taking The Plunge by @writcraft

The one with lots of diving metaphors.

Or: Nick and Louis agree to be boyfriends. Eventually.

Leo season by @disgruntledkittenface 

“Didn’t catch your name earlier?” he asks, tilting his head to go along with his lilting voice.

“Nnrg,” Nick replies smoothly, failing to meet Louis’ hand with his own as he realizes just how garbled his smooth reply actually was. He overcorrects and vaguely slaps Louis’ hand before managing to wring it in his own, much to Louis’ apparent amusement.

Carefree. Confident. Over the top. Nick may be a bit of a disaster, but no one can deny the mood for Leo season suits him.

Like Honey to the Bee by @lululawrence

Nick didn’t even remember knocking, but suddenly the door he also didn’t realise he was leaning on opened and he started falling inside Louis and Harry’s flat.

“Fuck,” Nick blurted as he tried to right himself. He was caught by Louis, which was great because he was exactly who he wanted to see and he didn’t really fancy dropping a massive jar of honey on his doorstep.

“Nicholas?” Louis asked.

Nick couldn’t help it. Hearing Louis call him by his full name made him shiver. He usually hated it, but there was something magical about Louis Tomlinson that made the usual negative association suddenly become an incredibly positive one.

“I brought you honey,” Nick blurted as he handed Louis the jar.

“I can see that,” Louis said, sounding confused. “Thanks?”

“Of course! It’s what friends do, yeah?”

Or the one where Nick has been trying to find a way to get past the banter stage with Louis for ages, and honey might be just what he needs to finally do so.

That's My Thing by yeah_alright / @uhoh-but-yeah-alright

“Suppose I did it on purpose.” 

And Louis’ eyebrow jumps again, just for a moment.

“Did you now?” His eyes flash, an underlying playfulness belying the anger painted across his, fuck, absolutely sharp as knives cheekbones. “Wanted a bit of trouble, maybe?”

All Nick can do is nod, tightly and rapidly. His tongue darts out to wet his lips, eager for Louis to demand he put them to work.

Nick comes home to find Louis inexplicably primed for a fight...or perhaps something a bit more interesting.

You Don't Care About Me (One More Night) by @lululawrence

“Nick. You’re into guys. What should I do?”

Nick snorted. “You think just ‘cause I’m gay, I know what you should do?”

Louis blinked at him and Nick admired his eyelashes against his will. “Well. Kind of, yeah.”

“That is not how this works,” Nick said. “Besides, it’s not like you can just go and suck someone’s dick to be sure you like it the way I did. You’re too famous to try it my way.”

Louis’ expression changed to one of awe. “That’s how you figured it out? You sucked some random’s dick?”

Nick shrugged. “Yeah. Basically. I mean, I knew for pretty damn sure before that, mind you, but that did solidify the matter for me.”

“I need to suck a dick,” Louis said, turning to look at the wall of Nick’s room.

“You could suck mine, if it would help,” Nick offered before he could stop himself.

Or the one where Louis pines for Harry and Nick helps ease his way into figuring himself out through a friends with benefits sort of arrangement. Things quickly turn complicated.

pas de deux by @turnyourankle

Nick has been teasing Louis for a long time.

walk, walk fashion baby by @disgruntledkittenface

He couldn’t give a fuck about impressing these people, he’s only there to play the supportive boyfriend. But as he searches high and low for said boyfriend, one thought keeps gnawing at him, the sinking suspicion that Nick had dressed him up not so that Louis would feel more comfortable at the event, but so that Nick would feel more comfortable with Louis at the event.

Maybe this assignment is starting to fuck with his head. 

Louis loves his supportive boyfriend, his passionate and interesting band of friends and coworkers, and his pair of quirky and dedicated dogs. What he doesn’t love is his job as co-editor of the Lifestyle section at a popular site aimed at millennials. But he was getting by until a new assignment landed in his lap: Let Your Boyfriend Dress You For A Week. His best mate Harry assured him it’d be a laugh, a bit of fun, but Louis was sure that Nick would dress him like an utter knob and his mates would take the piss all week.

He didn’t expect to actually learn something about himself.

regular touch by icarusinflight

Shoes for sale Paid £110 Looking for £80 Will sell for £50 and a good story

or Nick makes an impulse shoe purchase, and gets more than she’d bargained for when she puts them up for sale.

London Rain by @writcraft

Anonymous online encounters seem like a good way for Louis to explore his growing interest in men. Having phone sex with Nick Grimshaw was not part of the plan.

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #238

I went to therapy today. I went because I completely forgot that my therapist took the day off today. Whoops. But that's all right; the drive there is kind of nice, and on the way home, I saw a hawk swoop out of the sky, relatively close to the car, and the sunlight shone coppery-brown through its feathers, and it was so cool, but I couldn't get a picture of it because I was… y'know. Driving.

I went to physical therapy not too terribly long after returning home. We did more work on my ribcage. After doing some relevant exercises and additional examination of the way the left side of my ribcage and the right side of my ribcage move when I breathe, it was concluded that the right side of my ribcage is not expanding really at all when I breathe, because from a top-down perspective, my ribcage is rotated slightly counterclockwise relative to my hips and collarbone, and because my muscles have kinda… glued my collarbone to my ribcage? Which I guess means that it's not moving around properly, which is then messing up everything that is connected to it, like my neck, shoulder, scapula, and… yeah. All the things that hurt whenever I move or do anything. It's very annoying. I suppose we'll see how well this conclusion holds up over time.

I got another exercise to do in addition to the other one. It seems to help quite a bit:

...After this, and some manual therapy to try to release the tension in my pectoral muscles and trying to separate my right collarbone from my ribcage a little, the right side of my ribcage now moves a little bit when I breathe. It wasn't doing that before, and I can feel the difference.

...But goodness, do I ache. I thought I was going to cook some chicken leg quarters today, but instead I just did a bunch of leisure writing, thoroughly exhausted.

...Some days are just like that, I guess. We have plans and because of various things, we don't actually get to do any of them. Oh well.

I gotta wonder sometimes... Sephiroth, does your wing hurt you? It's very pretty, and I'll bet it's very soft and warm and able to give amazing hugs, but I know that human bodies aren't built for asymmetry (you are HUMAN no matter what was done to you and no matter what anyfuckingbody tells you!), and so I wonder if having the weight of an extra limb on the right side of your body might put strain on the rest of your body and cause your other muscles to compensate in ways that lead to aches and pains in unexpected places.

...I wonder about it. And I hope that what I've described is not something you have to deal with. All I've got is an injury to the nerve running down the front of my left shin, and whatever's going on with my ribcage, and these things by themselves are enough to fuck me up pretty badly. I know that if I had an extra limb on just one side of my body, I probably wouldn't be able to handle the strain.

...I wouldn't wish chronic pain on anyone. I don't even have as much chronic pain as some other folks do, and it has still pretty handily sapped me of my energy and my ability to do a lot of the things I used to love. I try to remain chipper and to remember that there are still lots of other things I can do, but admittedly... some days are really hard.

I guess I'll look forward to trying both of my exercises at some point tomorrow. But I'm not sure when; Ma should be coming over to our house sometime between 1 and 2pm tomorrow (admittedly, I am a little nervous about it...) to play video games. I'm thinking maybe to play Vampire Survivors with him, but maybe he'll have some other video game in mind. I won't be able to do the exercises if I gotta focus on keeping him entertained.

There's gonna be an event tomorrow, too, with various food trucks at a certain part of town; we were thinking of going and bringing Ma with us. Food trucks are neat in that they give us a little taste of different foods from all around the world. One of my favorites, back when I worked as a database analyst in the downtown area, was the Greek food truck. I would always go there and get the white bean salad and their stuffed grape leaves with tzatziki sauce; they were SO GOOD. And the kindly gentleman that runs the truck always used to call me "sunshine", for some reason. It was pretty nice. I miss him sometimes, but I don't really have a reason to go over there, because I don't work there anymore and parking in that area is kind of a nightmare...

...Hey, Sephiroth? Does your world have anything that resembles Greek food? Things like tzatziki sauce or falafel or marinated grape leaves stuffed with rice? What about spanakopita? I wonder...

...Hahh... I'm rambling, aren't I? Sorry about that... But maybe I'll ramble just a little. I ache and so... maybe a little distraction might be good...

So... Sephiroth? I wonder. I know you can't answer me, but I'm going to ask anyway. What kinds of food do you like? Besides pasta, I mean. Do you have a favorite kind of sushi? A favorite kind of fruit (I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that it's not actually pears)? A favorite kind of dessert? A favorite cheese? Favorite things to put on pizza? A favorite kind of sandwich? A favorite thing to eat for breakfast? A favorite kind of tea...?

I wonder so many things, simply because, like any human, you deserve to be seen and known - as a human, not as a celebrity or whatever. And you deserve to have those known aspects about you be considered and thought about.

...And... ya know. It'd be nice to someday be able to give you one of your favorite things, and to see your face light up and to hear your voice shining with joy.

...I'm tired and ouchy, and I can't think of anything else to say. So maybe I'll end this here.

Hey. I love you a whole lot. Try not to forget, okay? And, in light of the knowledge that you're loved, please try really hard to keep yourself safe out there. There are lots of people who need you, not because of anything in particular that you do, but just because you're you.

I'll write again soon.

Your friend, Lumine

[purplesimmer455]

The family spent time with grandma Alicia. Luna goofed around with her grandma while Tess helped Megan cook butter chicken.*

After that, Alicia asked Chrissy a question about something on her phone. Chrissy showed her using her own phone, and Alicia smiled. "Thanks honey." She said. "No problem Mrs. F." Chrissy said.

While Alicia took a nap, Chrissy, Luna, Tess, and Megan grabbed a plate of butter chicken and sat in the living room together, chatting as they ate. "This is good Megs." Luna said, smiling at her cousin-in-law. "Thanks Lu." Megan said. Megan also got up and poured some simadder aged nectar for the four of them and Chrissy grinned. They clinked glasses and drank. Plus, Chrissy and Luna talked about parenting with Megan and Tess. "I mean of course a part of me always wants my nooboos to be home and with me, but I know they have to grow and be independent." Luna said. "I think I was too dependent on my moms and being a snugglebug, and I was and am glad for the support and security that gave me, but I also see how that hindered me. Like in my first year at college, I was floundering because I always either with my moms or with Chrissy, and now I was on my own and had no fucking idea what to do or what I liked on my own and not just with Chrissy or with my moms and I figured it out and came out of my shell and made friends and so on, but it was definitely an uphill climb." Luna rambled as Chrissy took her hand.

Megan nodded. "So Chrissy and I are trying to instill independence in our nooboos so even if they feel that way sometimes, they'll be okay in college and adult life and so on." Tess nodded as well. "Meggs and I are doing that for Emmy too. She's already so independent and wanting to do things on her own, and it makes me happy but also breaks my heart because it feels like just yesterday that she was a nooboo and wanting to spend so much time with us." She said. Chrissy smiled. "Yeah, they grow up so fast. I feel like Piper's so excited to go to college next year and be with Cam, and Hamuera is already planning on going to a summer science camp and he's dating now too." Luna nodded, looking sappy. "Tell me about it." Megan said. "Saf's going on trips with her GF Bailey and Amir's so busy with his drama club and now all my nooboos are in that too old to spend time with me stage." She added.

Chrissy grinned. "We said we wouldn't talk about our kids but what else can we talk about?" She joked. Tess grinned too. "Okay, what about something light and fun?" she said. "Crushes." Chrissy said. "Okay, is it just me or is Cam's auntie Iseul hot?" She added, grinning. Megan almost choked on her nectar. "Yeah." Tess said and Luna smiled. "What about you, Megs, do you think she’s cute?" Luna teased. "I know you love Tess, but you kept blushing so much around Iseul." Megan blushed now. "Is? She's nice." She said evasively. "Is?" Luna asked. "I dated her when we were 18 and in college." Megan blurted out. "And seeing her again did ignite some old crush feelings." She admitted, giving her wife Tess a sheepish look, but Tess patted her hand reassuringly. "Oh my llama, Megs. No wonder she couldn't keep her eyes off you the first time she came over with Cam, Min Jun, and Paenji. Like she would ask me something but kept moon eyeing you and had these in-jokes that she teased you with. But when she came over again she tried so hard not to look at you that I knew she was crushing on you, and I thought it was because you're so pretty and funny because even I had a crush on you when Tess first introduced you to me and Chrissy." Luna said, and Megan grinned as Chrissy jokingly pretended to be jealous of this. "So, was she a good kisser?" Chrissy asked teasingly. "No comment." Megan said, quickly sipping her drink. "Sorry Tess, I think I'm a little too juiced." Chrissy added to her cousin-in-law. "It's all good, Iseul and I talked about Meggs, and we're on good terms. We even bonded over soccer and I’m going with her to a game later this week." Tess said. Luna’s nodded. "That's good." She said.

Also, here's a photo of Alicia’s cat Mr. Whiskers getting startled by the TV. 😅

[redroom-rainbowguts]

🔪 🍴 🍷 for grey and white?

🔪- what is the first thing in your house you would use to kill with?

Grey: "Well, if I had to kill I'd probably just use something relatively hard to trace. Figure out information on the other person to see how easily I can set up the death to look like a suicide. Maybe a rope, plastic bag, some drug that can easily be found over the counter, if I can help it. Worst case scenario something easy to inject, so I guess syringes. I guess it just really depends on the circumstances, there's not a "first choice" I can think of unless I'm in a situation that requires it."

White: "Depends on my mood and what I want to see. Knives lose their appeal after awhile and I don't usually want them dead right away. It also depends on why I need to kill and why it's the "first thing" I'd kill with. Am I being attacked? Did someone manage to escape? I need more information."

🍴- how do you feel about cannibalism?

Grey: "I... Don't? I mean, I don't really think about it much. I don't think it deserves the degree of taboo that it has in our culture. I mean, meat is meat. We already eat intelligent creatures like pig, cow, chicken, and don't get me started on fish. They're smarter than we realize but our worlds are so different we're only now learning just how intelligent they actually are. Did you hear about the fish that actually passed the mirror test? Besides, I don't know about cows but pigs and chickens would definitely eat us if given the chance. It's the nature of meat eating animals to, well, eat meat! It's really not a question of morals in my opinion. Anyways I'd definitely try cooked human, but I'd still be a bit anxious about it being prepared properly. I know you definitely can't eat the brain but I'm not 100% sure how safe the other parts are."

White: "I don't have much of an opinion about it as a concept. I think meat is meat, if that's what you mean. Though there is an experiment involving cannibalism I'd like to try. I wanna know if diet can affect a person's flavor. When white people first came to America, Native Americans thought they stank because they had vastly different diets, so I have to imagine they tasted pretty different too. And in the past doctor's would actually taste diabetics' urine, so I feel like they'd overall just taste sweeter too? And do people who eat only super spicy food actually become somewhat spicy? Only one way to find out..."

🍷- what would you do with a gallon of blood?

Grey: "uh, why do I have a gallon of blood? Whose blood? Is this a threat? A gift? Don't get me wrong I'll uh.. I'll find a use for it I'm just really confused about the circumstances. I'm excited to look at it under the microsc- oooh it'll be like a scientific scavenger hunt for figuring out who or what the blood belonged too!"

White: "Have you ever seen the movie Carrie? I wonder what would happen if we recreated it. You can't prove it won't give the recipient cool ass psychic powers, so let's test it out!"

[batbetbitbotbut]

I am reminded of this reddit post and update, from a person seeking to recreate a dish their mum used to make based on not much more than "chicken, peaches, and it was beige".

I am a pretty competent cook, so don't worry about that bit. I just want to know if this dish sounds familiar, so someone can fill me in on the parts I don't remember. It's a chicken dish made with flat chicken cutlets. I think she used to hammer them a bit with a kitchen mallet, dredge them in flour, and pan fry them in a little butter so they would brown nicely. The sauce is the part I am a little lost about. She used white wine (probably chardonnay) and sour cream, that part I am sure of. There were canned peaches too, which were slightly browned and served on top. I'm sure there was something more to it than that, any thoughts? The flavor was tangy, not particularly sweet except for the peaches, and the sauce was opaque and kind of a beige color. Does this sound like a dish you are aware of? While her food was great, her dishes were usually pretty simple. It is likely that this is not something she invented herself, but it might be something that she simplified. Does anyone know what this is or what it is called so I can look it up and try and get it right? She used to serve it with grilled zucchini brushed with garlic butter. Thank you. Edit -- I am blown away with how helpful and kind you all have been. I have taken little hints from each of your posts and a lot of them have jogged my memory. I think some sort of composite from these suggestions will produce something close. I am going to try to make it when I have the chance, and I will update when I do. Thank you, reddit. <3

Update 6 days later:

My mom passed away a few years ago. I needed help trying to recreate a chicken recipe of hers that I have been craving, because I could only remember a few ingredients. You amazing people of r/recipes came through and gave me so many wonderful suggestions. With a mix of all your advice, I made it tonight. I was nervous as I was putting it together. I felt like there had to be something more to it, but I went with using just the ingredients I knew (as suggested by Ethril). I felt like there was something I was forgetting. Something about brown specks in the sauce. I went with it anyway, and figured I would know what to add at the end by taste. I took chicken cutlets and hammered them flat. Dredged in flour and sauteed in butter (high heat). I burned the butter a little. I remembered my mom saying that butter is the one thing that is ok to burn (as long as it is not smoking furiously) so I left it alone, and smiled at the memory. I was pleased to see the chicken brown to the color I remember. When I flipped the chicken I added the zucchini spears and browned those too. When the chicken was done (just a couple minutes) I set it aside and covered it in tinfoil to keep it warm, then turned the zucchini and browned the peaches in the same pan. It only took a few minutes to brown everything and when the zucchini and peaches were done I put them aside with the chicken. I deglazed the empty pan with chardonnay. My mom wasn't a big wine person, so I went with the cheapest they had. I suddenly remembered that sound the wine would make when it hit the hot pan, a huge hiss. Mom used to tell me to step back before she poured it in, because it would splash a little. I felt like I was nine years old again. I added three big dollops of sour cream and dissolved it in the hot wine. I didn't know what I was going to do next, this was all I had planned. Then I saw the little brown flecks come up. It was that burned butter! I just about cried. I tasted it, and suddenly in my mind I was standing in her kitchen as a kid watching her cook. This was it. It was that simple. I added a couple spoonfuls of the liquid from the canned peaches to take away a little of the wine's tartness, and the sauce was perfect. Just like she used to make. Keep in mind that I am no food stylist, but I assure you that this tasted 10x better than it looks: http://i.imgur.com/Qgk6u.jpg The whole thing took less than 20 minutes to make. And I fucking nailed it. Thank you so, so much reddit! You brought me back, and I love you. The smell is still lingering in the house.

"I can never get it tasting like my mom used to make" yeah, because your mom had a giant Costco-size bottle of a specific pre-mixed spice blend that was discontinued by its manufacturer in 1998 and spent your entire childhood putting it in every meal to use the stupid thing up faster – she doesn't know how to replicate it any more than you do.

[hospitalterrorizer]

diary92

12/12-13/2023

tuesday - wednesday

semi-unhappy.

today i threw a bunch of chicken away, after trying to cook it and it not turning out how i wanted. i guess i freaked out because of that, idk, i just looked at it, and was like, so unhappy, i just decided it would be better to just toss it. so i did. hopefully i can figure out a way to do what i wanted, just using flour to make a thicker sauce that also turns into a bit of a crust on whatever i cook. i feel so stupid though, like i am never going to cook well again. up and down, all over, these days, it's just this stupid up and down. i feel like crying saying that. i guess i'm not semi-unhappy.

i am eating praline (i like that it sounds like praying) and drinking green tea. i programmed/chopped up a whole 12 minute drum part for the noise set. i need to read more soon but i've been really low energy i feel like, i dunno. i also did work more on that song i was trying to get right, and it's definitely closer. i'm really happy about that, i think. i'll test my happiness by listening again. i'm always ready to ruin my mood like that i guess, everything i say seems hurtful to myself, i dunno, i'm feeling so strange. i am going to listen to it now, for real. the thoughts on it are that it's definitely a lot better, i think maybe there's this little high pitched/watery twinge to a guitar sound, i should try getting rid of that, i think that's partially the lossy effect i used to get some more chime-like tone out of the fake guitar, so i can lower that, and maybe roll off some of the boosting i did in the highs. but i do like the sound. also one of the distortions on it, is adding that, so i have to lower the wetness on that i think as well. that might be the biggest thing, do that and lower the lossy effect, and then i should be able to avoid rolling off the highs. the right channel guitar is maybe a little puffy? i d k. maybe i should also work on the snare a little because it's chubby feeling still. too uneven a sound? idk. these are three points in particular to look at, which is good i think. the kick comes through really well. also the vocals maybe have too much mid-range boosting. those are easy fixes.

okay so the fixes are:

left channel guitar watery sound

right channel guitar too puffy sounding still maybe (maybe i just want to try replacing it with another guitar sound, since it is a lower-end guitar sound and i really like another preset i have made for those).

also in the right channel, a weird clicking sound from the guitar, i need to figure that out.

snare too resonant/not pingy enough (too much compression, probably, paired with too much mid-boosting, raise the highs by a touch and mess with some of the earlier curves (also remove more curves)).

vocals still funny, but they're really hard to get right, i don;t know entirely what to do (plus i still need to re-record them).

who knows what i will think of the song tomorrow, maybe some of this will not even be a problem, simply cuz my ears are tired rn it seems like something, who knows. i am tired but i do have a weird thought, entirely unrelated:

thinking abt paranormal investigation yt videos, the ones where they have all those things that light up, i wonder where the threshold is for those to become a kind of art, like for the ways they set those things off via interference or something, in this case it would be intentional, to produce a kind of meaning, the array of tension, the facile nature of it surfaced and explored. that seems interesting. the eeriness of the methods of searching, would be the thing you look at. someone so obsessed with making an exciting video or something, and that being hyper-visible. that seems interesting to probe. i'll think about it more i guess.

anyway,

byebye!!!!!!!!!!

[humblevege]

Spicy Wheat Gluten Seitan Sandwich

Juicy Seitan Sandwich: Get Your Serviette

The thought of an easy seitan recipe just tantalizes my taste buds already. Seitan is a major character in my plant-based eating lifestyle. It worked wonders for me in this Ivorian Attieke with seitan recipe as well as heavy liberian palava sauce. Do you know how to use vital wheat gluten? Upon trying it yourself, spicy wheat gluten seitan sandwich can easily find its way into your cherished recipes. In fact, this plant-based meat alternative method rivals most “seitan chicken” recipes out there. I understand, you are probably wondering, is this another healthy spicy recipes? The answer is in this article, read on and discover. Here, plant based meat alternatives recipes abound!

Seitan Breaded Sandwich is satisfying

Video Tutorial

Seitan goes by many other names, including “wheat gluten”, “wheat meat” or “wheat protein”. Naturally, seitan has almost the same look and feel of meat when cooked. In fact, seitan is the only meat alternative that is free of soy. However, vital wheat gluten recipes are high in protein and take on other flavors quite well, and they are another healthy spicy recipes. In this regard, you can utilize any easy seitan recipe  however you like: whether  baked, steamed, sauteed or simmered.

Vital Wheat Gluten Recipes

Leading a plant-based eating lifestyle comes with its advantages, including a variety of vital wheat gluten recipes. I’m hoping you already understand what vital wheat gluten is and how to use vital wheat gluten; if not don’t worry one bit. I’m here to grow your knowledge on everything plant-based recipes. Vital wheat gluten basically refers to the natural protein in wheat. Indeed, it is the thing that affords seitan that meaty texture we enjoy so much. Naturally, gluten is the only remnant after stripping wheat after harvesting. In this regard, vital wheat gluten recipes are great sources for protein, calcium, iron, and are low in carbs; they make good healthy spicy recipes.

Log of Wheat Protein Homemade First things first, spicy wheat gluten seitan sandwich recipes are for those gluten tolerant. There are many ways to go about your chicken alternatives the plant-based way. You can use tofu, cauliflower, tempeh, or other plant based meat alternatives. By knowing how to use vital wheat gluten, you can enjoy an alternative to chicken as much as possible. However, it is not my belief that it is possible to achieve meaty texture and flavor with any vital wheat gluten. 

Is Homemade Seitan Healthy

I wonder this too and the best way to find out is jumping in or taking my experience as insight. First off, I am not too wild about fried foods but I sure love them. Even when I used to eat meat, I detest frying chicken because the oil splatter everywhere. Furthermore, the frying part of the plant protein, just demands a large amount of oil to my dislike. Now, as you may know, Seitan is made of wheat gluten so it is a plant-based protein, one of many plant based meat alternatives. Is homemade seitan healthy fried, you must be wondering? Honestly, it will depend on the person.

Personally, I know how to use vital wheat gluten even if fried, it is healthy for a few reasons. Firstly, after I ate the seitan sandwich, I noticed my body felt light; which  could be due to the fact that I used whole-wheat flour for the coating. This is unlike how the normal chicken sandwich would make me feel; In the past when I ate meat, it tasted good going in but my stomach felt like rock after I’d eaten a chicken sandwich. Secondly, I fried it in avocado oil. These are crucial ingredients most consumers cannot control when we eat at fast food places. Also, the fresh store-bought brioche bun added sufficient carbohydrate to make me full and lively. This easy seitan recipe will show you all the seasonings that help the plant-protein taste delicious. This seasoned home-made seitan is something you will absolutely love; if not for the frying aspect, I’d make this a lot. It was really fun to make this plant-based spicy protein sandwich. Follow these easy steps to fry and make yourself a yummy meat-alternative sandwich that is mouth watering.

Is Seitan Sandwich Nutritious or Nah?

Because I used to eat animal meat and peppery dairy cheese, I experimented with plant-based cheese. Dear world, plant-based processed food is not all it’s made out to be. I ate a seitan sandwich without the plant-based cheese and proceeded to eat another with the plant-based cheese. Immediately, I noticed the salt-content in the sandwich was off; it became too salty! I thought I could ignore the taste and finish it, not wanting to waste the plant-based cheese. My stomach started grumbling the more I ate the plant-based cheese sandwich. I took out the plant-based cheese and ate the rest of the sandwich. I ended up throwing the entire plant-based cheese pack away; paying $7.99 for plant-cheese isn’t worth upsetting my digestive system. For now, I am of the opinion that plant-based cheese is unhealthy.

What NOT to do-Pesto Seitan Pita Combo Similarly, I have reservations for store-bought alternatives because of their unhealthy food additives. Other store-bought plant based meat alternatives can be inferior in quality compared to easy seitan recipes made at home. Here's my opinion on naming plant protein animal names mixed in. Related: Beware of Processed Vegan Cheese

Plant based Meat Alternatives

The increasing appeal of plant based meat alternatives cannot go unnoticed. Indeed, who can blame them when an easy seitan recipe gives a chewy, meaty and perfectly flavored meal. In addition, the growing popularity of these recipes for vital wheat continues to flame the debate: is homemade seitan healthy?

Wheat Protein In my opinion, only chicken tastes like chicken and I will not mislead you to think that a plant-protein can provide the same taste in plant based meat alternatives. No matter the amount of seasonings or liquid smoke that you might use or how you texturize the wheat-gluten, it will never taste like chicken. I believe it is mentally unhealthy to expect plant based meat alternatives to taste like animal protein recipes. Understandably, we use words to describe things in to attribute similarity. However, "Seitan chicken" recipes are a myth that will have you doubting yourself and feeling like a fraud. IF you want to eat chicken, eat it and enjoy it. These spicy recipes for vital wheat gluten had me shocked by the flavor and best of all, it filled my stomach and gave me energy.

Would you try Seitan Sandwich?

Making easy seitan recipes can be fun and truly fulfilling. Homemade plant based meat alternatives are healthy based on the ingredients used. The best way to enjoy recipes and know how to use vital wheat gluten, is to try it and let the experience inform your verdict on the all controversial question: is homemade seitan healthy? Thoughts, input? What healthy spicy recipes do you want to see? Comment below. Curious about a no-animal-meat food lifestyle? Peep instagram to see what I eat live😊. Read the full article

[dumbkatsu]

Can you stay? (part 2)

A/N:Hello everyone, I bring you part 2 of my Jun Wu x reader fanfic.

Click here for part 1

Warnings: may e a bit of ooc (system stfu) and a cameo and clichés and fluff

The days passed and slowly Wu started to be a part of your routine. You’d walk to the city together (of course the aunties already started spreading gossip of when you’d marry but you didn’t care). You’d feed the chickens in your yard while Wu fed the geese and milked your cow. 

She licked his face and his expression was priceless

He had fantastic marketing skills and almost every day you’d sell your entire stock! Other days he’d come hunting with you. And I must say you definitely impressed him with you skills ;)

On most days he would stay home cooking supper until you returned and then while you rested before the meal, he would clean the meat you brought.

One day you said you wanted to bring offerings in the nearby temple in the city center.

Well plot twist it was one of his temples.

As you both were walking inside the premises in the courtyard he stopped to ask: “Y/n what do you think of the Gods?”

You looked at him with a quizzical look. A bit thrown off by the question. As you looked into his face you noticed he was being serious. And not in the sarcastic way he is about most things.

I mean serious serious.

“Well I really haven’t thought about it much... I am grateful to them in a way because they protect us and give us courage by believing in them. But I can’t help but feel pity for them as well...”

“I see... Why do you pity them if I may ask?”

“I’m not  sure but, they seem like they always need to be perfect... Granted that the tales about them contribute to that, but in the end aren’t they just as human as us? They were normal folk like us before they ascended right? It must be a lot of pressure to never commit any mistakes, because you have you people counting on you...I don’t think I could handle stakes that high! Imagine being punished in a grand scale for one small mistake, when doing mistakes is in our nature... I wonder how much they have lost too... The consequences of their actions must take such a toll on them. I've heard of nations that crumbled to the ground without receiving the help of their God... I wonder if they feel powerless too, as ironic as it sounds."

Jun Wu couldn’t bear to look at you... the fact that you had that outlook of the officials, it made him feel immense shame.

“Although Wu don’t get me wrong I do believe in making mistakes when trying to do the right thing. You inherently tried and I think that has to count for something. The intention is what matters.”

He huffed. A slight smile painted on his deadpanned face. He took your hand gently “Let’s head inside”

After you set your incense and persimmons for the offering, you started praying.

You have no idea how happy he was when he heard your prayer.

“I hope he can stay with me.”

A few months passed and one day while you were returning from a quick errand from the neighbor farm. You were arriving home when you heard Wu’s voice and another voice you’ve never heard before.

“My Lord. please you must return! We are in dire need of you.”

“Ming Guang I already told you I can’t yet I’m-”

“You’re here playing houses while the heavens face dire crises!! Even Ling Wen can’t manage this alone!”

You peak through the door to find Wu and a man slightly shorter than him, adorning a very elaborate armor that looks like he’s a high rank general. his shiny hair tied into a ponytail and a scar over his face. This Ming Guang was very handsome if you said so yourself. Your eyes caught his magenta ones and he winked at you.

“Fine I’ll return in a few days. Just give me time. I will return in a week” Jun Wu sighed.

“Looks like you aren’t as alone as I thought my Lord. You can come out now dear!”

“Dang it” you mutter under your breath. You took a deep breath and walked into view of the two men looking away in embarrassment.

“Ah I now see why you were so keen on staying my Lord. She is absolutely breathtaking!”

“Ming Guang don’t push it”

“Ohohoho! I see where this is going. Well, I will take my leave then. I would hate to interrupt, unless you want some company darling?”

“No, thank you” You and Wu said. 

“Ah young love. And to think there are people who don’t believe in a fated person...” Pei Ming sighs dramatically. “Well then. We await you in the heavens my Lord”.

Soon the man disappeared in a light flash. You stood for a while in silence trying to process things. Then you turned to Wu very suddenly that he shook a bit in surprise.

“Well then mind explaining, my Lord?”

So he explained his real name is Jun Wu and that he was the Heavenly Martial Emperor and that he wanted to test humanity. 

“Oh gods I mean- Heavenly Emperor uh- I mean you- Ugh! i-”

“I understand that you are upset and I’m sorry I lied to you-”

“Yeah yeah yeah don’t worry about that. That day... in the temple... You heard my prayer?!!?”

“Is that all you took from this? Really? And me thinking that you would throw something at me”

“Just answer my question W- erhm, Great Heavenly Emperor”

“Don’t call me that please, Wu is fine. And yes I think that was obvious from the get go”

«you have got to be kidding me»

“No y/n I am not kidding. It’s a bit obvious”

“YOU CAN READ MINDS TOO?!?!?!”

“Only when I’m bored or I feel like it would be useful”

“Oh Gods”

“Speaking of which” he came closer to you tilting your chin up “I thought it was adorable the way you gushed about a complete stranger’s body, specially when taking care of their wound... so shameless hm?”

“I-i...“

“I was flattered when you said my torso was sculpted by the Gods themselves... In a way you’re not wrong though. It did took me a while to reach this shape.I am particularly fond of your comment saying that if you had the chance you would-”

“Shh that’s enough!!!! I get it I get it!!” you launched yourself to cover his mouth with your hands. You looked at his eyes and you knew he was smirking. He moved your hands to the side of his face.

“Getting more bold are we? I like it” he said kissing your hand. “But if we are going to be honest with each other I couldn’t deny that I love your shape as well...” He said in a low husky tone.

"..." you sucked in a breath. Completely stilled. His eyes drifted from your eyes to your rosy cheeks to your mouth.

He was leaning in. He's so close. In a breathy whisper that only you can hear he says "Can I kiss you?" you nod and the next second his lips are on yours.

You never felt more right kissing him. Your lips molded into each other in a careful dance. Your hands moved up his chest and wrapped themselves around his neck. Slightly pulling on his hair you controlled yourself to not moan on the spot. Your body was feeling heated as his big veiny hands traveled through your body.

Eventually you parted for air. Resting your forehead against his. "That was...Well you might have known how long I wanted to do this" "Yeah I think I might have an idea" he says chuckling.

"You must have heard Ming Guang... I'll have to go so-" you grab a hold of his robes burying your head in his chest.

"Can you stay?"

His breath hitched. You looked so fragile in that moment. Grabbing him for all that you got... Like he might disappear. Kissing the crown of your head he responds.

"For you I'll stay as long as you want."

[madgastronomer]

Hey, I know this is kind of out the blue but I like your blog a lot (especially when you talk about food), and I was wondering if you knew any good recipes for making things like pot pies from scratch or knew where to find any. Wanted to try something new this year for my family, can you help?

Long post ahead! Because I'm not going to give you a recipe, I'm going to tell you how to build your own recipe.

I am a big proponent of the methodological approach to cooking. That is, I believe in teaching people methods of cooking, and how flavors go together, and then once you have those two things, you can invent recipes easily.

So I'm assuming you want a chicken pot pie, or maybe turkey to use up leftovers. Awesome! The basic parts of a bird pot pie are: bird meat, cooked; vegetables; white gravy; seasonings; crust. That's a nice short list.

So how much you're going to make depends on how many you're trying to feed. Rule for this is, .25lbs of meat per person per meal. I'm going to write this up as 4 people for 1 meal (no leftovers).

Make your crust before you start any of this, but I'm discussing crust options at the end.

Preheat your oven to 400F.

You will want, for 4 people, 1lb of bird meat. Use leftover turkey, or one of those rotisserie chickens from the market and shred that, or cube some chicken breasts and then salt and sautee them until they're not pink, or take some loose ground chicken or turkey sausage and brown it.

Next, veg. You want some combination of:

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 large carrots, chopped

2 stalks of celery, chopped

8oz crimini mushrooms, quartered

2 cups shelled green peas (I use frozen, but thaw ahead)

1 cup chopped spinach (unusual, but nice)

Pick 4-5, but unless there's an allergy, use the onion.

Gravy time! You want chicken stock or broth and whole milk in a 3:1 ratio, for 4 servings call it 1.5c broth and .5c milk. Put that in a small saucepan with 1t kosher salt and start it warming over medium heat. Do NOT let it boil.

Then you want equal parts by volume butter and flour. For 4 servings, 3T of each. This is to make a roux. If you've never made roux, DON'T PANIC, this is not hard, it's just French.

First, take 1 tablespoon of butter and melt it over medium heat in a large frying pan. When it's melted, add the onion, and, if you're using it, the celery. Do not turn up the heat. Sweat the onion until it's translucent. Throw in the rest of the veg and cook through. Add the rest of the butter and melt it completely. Then add the flour and whisk to combine. You want the flour and butter to make a paste, which will coat the veg. Cook for another five or seven minutes, until the roux starts to turn a little golden.

Take hot milk-and-broth stuff and pour it in slooooowly, whisking the whole time, getting out all the lumps if you can. Pour with your writing hand, it's stronger to hold the heavy pot, and gives you better control over the pour. Whisk with your off hand. Trust me.

Simmer the whole thing until the gravy gets thick. Dump everyting into a 9x13" baking dish OR a 10-12" cast iron skillet OR several individual ramekins, and mix 'em up real good. Taste it, see if it needs salt.

Wait, seasonings? What seasonings? What do you mean we haven't covered that yet? Blast.

OK, fine.

Some options for bird-seasoning include:

thyme, tarragon (.5t each, dried), and 2 cloves garlic, minced

sage (dried, .75t)

lemon zest (zest of 1 lemon) and tarragon (.5t)

garlic and rosemary (3 cloves, .5t)

curry powder (should be mixed with the flour for the roux), (at least 1t)

If sausage, more of whatever's in the sausage

Anything else you like in your chicken

Black pepper works with any of the above, except the curry powder.

If you want to give it a little kick and a little sweetness, add like .5t of Sri Racha hot sauce. Goes with any of the above.

Totally go crazy with lots more garlic, too, these are minimums not absolutes.

Right. Now we talk about crust.

There are basically three routes you can go: classic pie crust, for which there is a recipe below; homemade or frozen puff pastry, and I say go for frozen; and biscuit dough, about which I am super lazy, but I'll include an actual recipe for that, too. Not providing a puff pastry recipe, though.

What I *actually* do for biscuit dough is either buy pre-made biscuit dough and use that, or take Bisquick, mix in some of the same seasonings that're in the pie, some shredded cheese, add just enough milk to make it stick, roll it out and cut it in squares, or else just do drop biscuits. Fuck it. But you want to have squares or rounds of dough and put them on top of the filling, not touching. If you're doing ramekins, just cut it large enough to cover the top.

Alton Brown's Grandmother's biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled

2 tablespoons unflavored shortening, chilled

1 cup buttermilk, chilled

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Using your fingertips, rub butter and shortening into dry ingredients until mixture looks like crumbs. (The faster the better, you don't want the fats to melt.) Make a well in the center and pour in the chilled buttermilk. Stir just until the dough comes together. The dough will be very sticky.

Turn dough onto floured surface, dust top with flour and gently fold dough over on itself 5 or 6 times. Press into a 1-inch thick round. Cut out biscuits with a 2-inch cutter, being sure to push straight down through the dough. Place biscuits on baking sheet so that they just touch. Reform scrap dough, working it as little as possible and continue cutting. (Biscuits from the second pass will not be quite as light as those from the first, but hey, that's life.)

--

The following is a double-crust recipe, but you're using a big baking dish, so do the whole thing and trim it. Or use ramekins and you'll probably have more left over. Cover the whole dish(es), drape it over just a little. and trim. Ignore all the stuff about blind baking, it's irrelevant. Cut slits, possibly in a pretty pattern, into the crust, to make steam vents.

Karen Barker's Basic Pie Crust

Basic Pie Crust

Makes enough pastry for 2 single-crusted pies or 1 double-crusted pie.

I like to use a combination of butter and vegetable shortening in my crust. The butter contributes wonderful flavor, and the vegetable shortening gives the crust just the right amount of flakiness. I also thoroughly endorse the substitution of lard for the vegetable shortening. This recipe gives you a generous amount of pastry to allow for easy rolling.

About This Recipe

Yield: Makes enough pastry for 2 single-crusted pies or 1 double-crusted pie.

Ingredients

2 2/3 cups flour

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 tablespoon sugar

4 ounces (8 tablespoons) chilled butter, cut into pieces

4 ounces (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons) chilled vegetable shortening, cut into pieces

Approximately 1/3 to 1/2 cup water, as needed

Procedures

1. Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor with a steel blade. Pulse to combine.

2. Add the chilled butter and shortening; pulse until the fat is evenly cut in and the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Remove to a mixing bowl.

3. Working quickly, add enough cold water, while tossing and stirring with a fork, until the dough just begins to come together. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions, flatten into rounds, wrap in plastic, and chill for several hours or overnight.

4. Baker's Note: I always use regular Crisco shortening and Land O Lakes unsalted butter for my pie crusts. You can also substitute chilled lard for the vegetable shortening--this produces a distinctive, flavorful, and ultra flaky crust.

5. A Note on Blind Baking: When making single-crusted pies and tarts, I always partially bake my crusts prior to filling them. This process promotes a crispier bottom crust and is commonly known as "baking blind." It is an extra step that many recipes may not stipulate, but I find that it is worth the effort.

6

Roll out the crust and fit it into the pan. Chill, or preferably freeze, the dough until it is firm. Place a generous sheet of parchment paper or aluminum foil over the crust (there should be overhang on all sides to facilitate easy removal), fit it into the shell, and fill it with rice, beans, or reusable pie weights. Place the weighted crust into a 375 degree oven and bake it for approximately 20 minutes, until the edges just start to pick up some color and the bottom no longer looks raw.

7

Carefully remove the liner and weights, and return the shell for an additional 8 minutes or so. The pastry may puff up once the weights are removed. If this occurs, gently prick any air bubbles with a fork. Check the shell several times, re-pricking it as needed.

8

Remove the partially baked shell from the oven when the bottom is set and dry to the touch. Do not over bake or cracks may develop.

9

I seal my pastry shells as soon as they come out of the oven by brushing them with a bit of egg white. This helps keep the bottom crisp and usually fills in any small holes that might have been made when you pricked the pastry. Any large cracks can be repaired with reserved dough scraps; this is particularly important when using a very liquid filling. If you've forgotten to save your scraps, an emergency patching kit can be made by mixing a bit of flour with some water to form a paste that can be lightly spread on the shell as needed. It is best to try and time the blind baking process so that the partially baked shell is filled immediately upon being removed from the oven and placed back in the oven to complete the baking process.

--

However you have topped your pot pie, put it in the oven. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the top is a pretty color, hopefully around 20 minutes, possibly as little as 15, possibly as much as 30.

Now, go forth, and make excellent pot pie.

[starlightxsvt]

Home | k.mg

pairing ➳ businessman!mingyu x female!reader

genre ➳ strangers to lovers, romance, slice of life, angst, fluff, gets spicy at the end

word count ➳ 5.6k (apx)

warnings ➳ cursing, reader is really indecisive, heavy makeout, implications of sexual activity.

synopsis ➳ an attractive stranger visits your cabin for a week with whom you quickly bond, developing some strong feelings in the process; leaving you to wonder if he's worth leaving everything behind.

A/N: henlooo~ I finally posted! This has been sitting in my drafts for a while but I didn't really feel like writing for a while, hence the delay. I hope y'all enjoy this piece and please don't forget to leave some feedback! It really motivates me :)

A cool gust of wind blew by as you finished typing your last column, leaving a soothing feeling behind as you exhaled loudly. It was hard to finish this piece of writing for some reason, maybe because you lacked inspiration or maybe because your life had been monotonous for a while or simply, a mix of both. Closing your laptop you stretch your hands and legs, feeling somewhat productive. Humming a tune, you looked out the window to see a Lamborghini come to a halt at the entrance.

It piqued your interest because it's not often that people riding Lamborghini come in this cabin so genuinely you're interested in the visitor. You shifted in your chair, waiting for the man to come upstairs to the reception and sure enough a tall- really tall man dressed in a neatly pressed suit appears into your view, briskly walking towards the reception where Chan stood to greet him. You could not get a good look at his face as he moved around quickly, grabbing his small carry on and heading towards his cabin after the formalities.

You watched his tall frame walking away as you got up from your seat and moved towards Chan.

"Who is he?"

"Kim Mingyu," Chan explained, resting his arms on the reception table." A millionaire, owns a lot of companies. No wonder he looked familiar."

"Oh, really? How long is he staying?"

"He has booked for five days. Said he might extend his stay."

"I see."

"Why are you so curious though?" Chan raised a brow at you, tilting his head to a side.

"Nothing." You shrugged. "He just has different vibes than the other people that come here you know?"

Chan hummed in agreement.

-

There was never much visitors during the rainy season which was both a blessing and a curse. Blessing because that meant the cabin was less hectic and curse because sometimes you are bound to get a bit too bored. You were helping yourself with a cup of tea to somewhat feel re-energised when your newest and the only guest for the week appeared from his cabin, padding through the corridor and stepping into the common kitchen area. You were taken aback for a moment before you composed yourself and smiled at your guest, "Good morning, Mr. Kim. May I help you with anything?"

"Mingyu, please," the tall male replied while scanning the kitchen area. "You're the owner right? What's the food arrangement here?"

"Well, our guests generally cook for themselves or order takeout. When there are many guests I sometimes do the cooking."

Nodding, he hummed before putting in a capsule in the cappuccino machine. You took a seat by the window, tea in your hand as you watched the male move around like he knew this place. Dressed in his pajamas and judging by the fluffy mess that his hair was you assumed he had a good night's sleep.

"I hope you had a pleasant night, Mr- Mingyu." You said to your guest who had whipped out a pan from the cupboard and was making omelette. "Yes, surprisingly so. Normally I have trouble falling asleep but I slept like a baby last night," he casually conversed as he prepared his breakfast.

You smiled, "Well, I'm glad to know that. If you need anything let my staffs or me know."

"Sure. Oh- I didn't get your name though." Mingyu turned to meet your eyes.

"___," you smiled.

"___, okay."

-

"This is gonna be a rainy week," Hoshi said from behind you as he stood holding a tub of fresh soil for the plants in the backyard of the cabin. You sat on your knees, eyeing the plants which needed their soil changed.

"Yeah? Well, good thing there isn't much guests now."

"I think there should be, I mean it's so pretty here during the rain too. People need to look at it themselves." Hoshi complained.

"Well, most people don't like going out in the rain. Pass me the soil, Hoshi. Let's get this finished before the shower starts."

Hoshi handed you the tub of soil as the sky above started growling, full of thick black clouds. It was gonna start raining soon.

Hoshi spoke, "Oh, Mr.Kim, Mingyu you know, asked me about the beach by the marketplace. Apparently he wants to visit so he asked me if I was free to show him around."

"And let me guess, you aren't?" You rolled your eyes.

Soonyoung pouted, "No! Well I would have given him a tour today if the weather wasn't so bad. And my friends are coming tomorrow, so I'll be busy then."

"Wait- you're friends are coming?" You turned, glaring at the boy who smiles sheepishly, "Oh! Um- I didn't tell you? Well they're only staying for a couple of days and it's not like they're staying for free."

"Well, make sure they clean after themselves okay? If I see them trashing all over the place like last time, I'm kicking you out with them." You gave him a pointed look.

"Okay okay," Hoshi rolled his eyes, puffing his cheeks. "Just- take the CEO out on a tour tomorrow for me okay? I haven't seen my friends in a long time."

"Alright, I will...if the weather is good which probably won't be." You sighed, gently removing the old soil.

Hoshi mused about Mingyu, "Bummer for him, he came in a wrong time. It's weird, no? We don't have such guests like him."

"Yeah," you hummed, focused on handling your roses.

-

Hoshi's friend, Seokmin and Seungkwan appeared early in the morning next day as you watched Hoshi vibrate from happiness when he hugged them. You smiled to yourself, laughing at at the antics of your staff as you saw him guide his friends into their cabin. The day was once again filled with dark clouds and raining which occurred every other hour. You and Chan cleaned up and completed some chores as the noon fell.

"Should I cook something up for them?" You wondered as Chan finished cleaning the common space of the first cabin.

"Nah, Seokmin hyung is cooking for them. He's a pretty good cook actually."

"Really? That's nice." You said pulling up a chair to sit down. "Are you gonna join them? Hoshi has been with his friends since they came."

"Yeah, probably. You should join us too."

"No, I think I'm gonna take a nap. I feel so tired."

"Alright."

You watched as Chan climbed down the stairs and stepped towards the second cabin where everyone else was. You were about to head to your room when the CEO, Mingyu appeared in the kitchen.

"Oh, hello."

"Hi."

"I haven't seen you since morning," you said watching as Mingyu poured himself a glass of water.

"Yeah, I woke up early today, went for a jog."

"Ah, I see."

"Couldn't go far though, the weather sucks you know." He said leaning against the kitchen top.

"Yeah. But I heard that it should get better from tomorrow. I could show you around if you want to. Hoshi, my staff, is going to busy for a while so I can guide you around."

"Really? That would be cool." Mingyu smiled. There was a small stretch of silence as you both listened to the rainfall before he spoke, "Have you had lunch?"

"Uh-no."

"Would you like to join me?" He asked "This is the longest time I've been alone and it feels a bit weird," he murmured more to himself than you.

"I mean- I don't mind," you shrugged. "Though I should be the one doing it."

"It's okay. People say I am a good cook," Mingyu smiled, his eyes crinkling.

"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to see."

-

It was weird how comfortable you felt watching Mingyu being clumsy and bump into things as he prepared your meal. It felt like you've been doing this forever- like you've known him forever and you thought to yourself what was suddenly wrong with you. He made small talk as he cooked and it felt easy talking with him- almost impossible to believe that he was stranger. He was friendly and easy to get along with, definitely not a cold and grumpy businessman like you imagined him to be.

Mingyu grinned as he set down the food in front of you- chicken soup, rice and cheese omelette. His eyes twinkled excitedly as he watched you take a bite, waiting for you to say something.

"What are you? A part time chef or something?" You tried not to moan as you chewed because it was that good. Mingyu laughed- a sweet, shy laugh that had his canines showing and his eyes forming crescents. "Thank you. I learned from my mom. I like cooking for myself when I get the time which is not often," he smiled- almost sadly.

"Well, you can cook for me all you want as long as you're here because this is amazing!" You grinned at him, cheeks puffed with food.

Mingyu chuckled softly as he dug in and you both started eating. It felt nice, to talk to someone new and spend time with them, someone other than Chan or Hoshi. It was a nice change- a change you probably needed for a while.

"So...What brings you here?" You asked as you finished your food, setting down the spoon and leaning back into the chair. Mingyu who was still eating, looked at you with a perplexed expression so you spoke, "I mean...we don't generally have guests like you. And it's not even a good time to visit...so I was wondering what brought you here?"

"Guests like me? What does that mean?"

"I mean...rich, okay?" You fumbled, feeling awkward. Maybe you shouldn't have asked. "Like...there are fancier places to visit, you know..."

Mingyu smiled at your words for a moment before he deadpanned, "I'm running away."

"Running away?" You gasped, almost jumping from your seat, "From who? The cops?"

"It would have been better but no, my family," he said, his voice as serious as ever.

"Oh...I see," you fell quiet. It definitely wasn't the answer you expected. You both remained silent for a while as he started out the window, lost in thoughts. "It must have been really bad if you're hiding out here." You spoke softly.

"It has always been," he mumbled. "I just couldn't take it anymore, you know? I desperately needed a break," he spoke more to himself than you. Instead of prodding further, you sat quietly, watching him and listening to his words. Seeing him now, he definitely looks troubled and you didn't exactly have the words to console him.

So you whispered, "Well, I hope it gets better."

-

Later that night, you find Hoshi and his friends and Chan preparing for a bonfire in the front yard of the cabin.

"Wow, you all are really having fun, no?" You said as you fisted your hands in your pockets from the chilly weather. The air was colder than other nights and everyone including you had put on some warm clothes.

"You wanna join us?" Seokmin asked as he stacked logs on top of each other.

"Nah, it's fine. You four carry on," you patted his back as you started walking back towards the cabin and saw Chan and Hoshi coming out with some boxes in their hands.

"Hey! There are marshmallows in the kitchen cabinet if you want.... nevermind," you finished as you saw beer cans and soju bottles in their hands.

"We're gonna get drunk baby!" Soonyoung yelled, grinning like a fool.

"Hyung, you look drunk already," Chan gave him a side look as they trudged towards the bonfire.

Laughing at their antics you climbed the stairs to the kitchen, preparing some hot chocolate for yourself. Holding the mug on one hand you knocked on the door to Mingyu's room, checking up on him since you haven't seen him since lunch.

The door opened revealing Mingyu in a baggy shirt and pajamas, his hair fluffy and messy.

"Hey," you chriped. "Wanted to check up on you. You wanna join the others in the bonfire?"

"Nah, I'm good. I've been watching them from the balcony." He smiled, his pointy canines showing.

"Oh, I see."

"You wanna come in? I've been getting lonely." He offered, moving away from the door to make space for you.

"Uh- I don't mind," you murmured, surprised that he asked you to come in. You tentatively stepped in and it was fair to say that you were surprised to see the room neat and pristine as most guests kept their room messy.

He ushered you into the balcony, which had a great view of your yard and the forest behind. You saw others laughing loudly as Soonyoung acted something out. Mingyu's voice pulled you out of your thoughts.

"You didn't join them?"

"Nah, they can get too loud sometimes," you chuckled, taking a seat on the bench. You eyed an empty mug lying by, guessing that Mingyu already had his fill of hot chocolate.

Mingyu took a seat beside you, stretching his legs and sighing as he mused, "The view is great."

You hummed your agreement. It was indeed. Not only did you have the full view of your yard and the forest, but you could see a vast horizon of the night sky, some stars twinkling through the clouds.

"It's even more beautiful during summer. You can see so many stars that it feels unreal." You told him.

"Then I will try to visit again during summer," he smiled and you were not sure if he was serious or joking. However you replied with a smile, "You're always welcome."

A silence falls among you two after that but it's not uncomfortable, as you both watched the night grow and Soonyoung and his friends got louder.

"Things got really hard for me, you know," Mingyu started speaking, his voice soft as he stared at the mesh of trees ahead. You were somewhat surprised at his words, but you didn't interrupt, opting for him to continue.

"Running a million dollar company was never easy but...it suddenly was unbearable. My parents always interfered in my work and how I run the company but I managed through all of that, really...until..." Mingyu heaved a long sigh, abruptly stopping.

"Until?" You tentatively asked, peeking at him.

"They want me to get married. With the daughter of their business partner. A marriage of convenience, really."

Oh.

You fell silent, watching him as the moonlight dimly lit the side of his face. There wasn't enough light to see his face completely, but enough to see the curve of his face, his sharp jawline and the sad, lost look in his eyes. Your heart suddenly ached for him. Silently you patted his shoulder, conjuring up some words to console him.

"That's ...awful, really. I'm sorry."

"I've never been so mad in my whole life. Can't they just leave me alone? They treat me like a puppet, like my only job is to live for them. I'm so done. " He said, his hands forming fists.

There's a beat of silence as you quietly patted his back and watched your friends get wasted by the bonfire before he chuckled softly, "I'm sorry for dumping all these on you. I just couldn't hold them in you know-"

"It's really fine, Mingyu. I don't mind. It would be nice if I could actually help you," you sighed, retracting your hand.

"Trust me, you are," he said and you caught a smile on his face.

"I suppose you don't have a significant other? Someone you could talk to freely?"

He shook his head. "That is why I came here. Needed to get my thoughts together, away from them. Not to mention I don't remember the last time I went on a vacation."

"And have you got your thoughts together?"

"I think so, yeah." He shrugged.

"What are you gonna do?" You asked tilting your head.

"Stand strong in my ground, I guess. There's no way I'm marrying their business partner, I'd rather die. And if all else fails, I'm staying here. I'm sure you have some type of job for me, right?"

You laughed at his words, "Maybe. But I'm not sure about your skills, Mr. Kim."

"Oh I'm a fast learner, Miss ___."

You both grinned at each other.

That night when you went back to your room, your thoughts were plagued by Mingyu and you could swear you saw him in your dreams too.

-

The next morning is brighter and shinier; the sky relatively clear other than some light clouds. After getting dressed and checking up on Hoshi and Chan who were still sleeping, you trudged through the cabin and towards Mingyu's room, before knocking on it. A fully dressed Mingyu appeared, clad in a white polo and jeans, his hair styled messily. He looked effortlessly attractive, making your heart skipp a few beats.

Damn it, what was wrong with you?

"Hi," you almost missed a breath, your face flushed with warmth.

"Oh, hey. I was about to come to you. I believe you were to show me around." Mingyu grinned, his pointy canines showing.

"And that is what I'm here for, Mr. Kim."

"Great! Let's get going. We'll take my car."

-

After showing Mingyu around for a couple of hours, you both ended up at the beach by the marketplace, sitting on the sand next to each other. The weather was nice; not too hot, not too cold as a light breeze flew by occasionally. Though you could see some black clouds gathering above, it wasn't to rain until evening if the forecast was correct.

"This place is so pretty," Mingyu mused, making you smile.

"I know right. The weather is great too."

You both watched the waves crash to the shore, occasionally wetting your feet as you both relaxed on the sand. There was a silence, a comfortable one as you finished eating the corndog you bought from the market earlier with some groceries. As you finished the last bite, Mingyu turned to face you and asked, "Tell me about yourself."

"What?" A squeak of surprise escaped from you.

"I shared a lot about myself last night. It's only fair I get to know about you too."

"Well..." You pondered. "There isn't much to tell. I've a pretty dull life, unlike you."

Mingyu chuckled, shaking his head, "Does the cabin belong to your parents? Is it like a family business type of thing?"

"No, not really," you smiled softly. "My parents are dead. The cabin belonged to my grandfather."

"Oh- I'm sorry."

"No it's okay. They passed away in an accident when I was a kid so I don't remember them much." You spoke, watching the sea, "My grandparents raised me. Growing up I've spent a lot of time in the cabin and when my grandfather retired he handed the job to me."

"Are they alive? Your grandparents?" He asked tentatively.

You shook your head, "Grandpa passed away a couple years ago and it's been a few months since grandma did too."

"I'm sorry, you must've been lonely," Mingyu offered, his voice soft.

You shrugged, "Yeah, like I said, nothing interesting going on in my life."

Mingyu hummed noncommittally and there was a few moments of silence before he spoke again, "Was managing the cabin something you have always wanted to do?"

You were quiet for a while as you thought over the question, "No...not really. I've just kept doing the job I was handed to. I haven't really thought about what I want to do."

"Well...I think you should hire a manager in your place and maybe...I don't come to the city and make friends, see what calls for you."

"Yeah, I've thought about it. But I don't know really." You murmured.

"Well, give it some thought. I could help you find a manager. In fact, I could help promote and upgrade your cabin if you'd let me. It'll be a good investment."

You laughed softly, not taking his words too seriously. He was just a guest. He was probably just being nice.

A gust of strong wind flew by, ruining your hair as it poked into your eyes and you laughed when your eyes landed on Mingyu.

"What?"

His hair was sticking in different directions because of the wind and you shook your head with a smile as you reached to pat the hairs back into place. It happened naturally, before you could stop yourself. For a moment your eyes meet as you quickly retract your hand, face heated.

Something was definitely wrong with you.

Mingyu's gaze stayed at you for a while; you could feel his intense eyes on you and you thought maybe he didn't like you touching him. Before your thoughts ran more rampant, he spoke.

"___?"

"Y-yes?"

"Do you...Do you have a home?"

"Home?" You were confused.

"Yes, home. Not like a real house but like a... person. Someone who makes you feel at ease, someone with whom you can be yourself without judgements, someone who keeps you cozy and safe and loved...like a home."

Somewhat taken aback by his words, you fell silent but their depth hit you and you found yourself thinking about it. Do you have a home?

No. No, you don't.

You shook your head, murmuring, "No."

Mingyu nodded taking his eyes off you.

"What about you?" You asked.

"Me neither."

You smiled, "Figures. Because if you had someone you wouldn't have run here but went to them."

Mingyu smiled, a sad smile gracing his lips. It was a somewhat bitter truth, he hadn't found his home no matter how much he looked for it. Maybe that's what he was doing wrong, looking desperately.

"Let's get going. It has started to rain," Your voice dragged him out of his thoughts as he felt small drops of water fall on his face. You reached your hand out to him and he took it, standing up. As you both jogged towards Mingyu's car, your hands remained connected, no one bothering to let go.

-

That night you had dinner with Mingyu again but this time it was you who did the cooking. After enjoying dinner over small talk, Mingyu like the gentleman he is did the dishes as you poured some wine for the two of you.

Sitting on the small table in common space by the window, you both watched the clear sky that had appeared after the shower. You sipped your wine, watching the vast expanse of stars that blinked in the dark sky.

"I think I've to go back tomorrow," Mingyu suddenly whispered, his tone so low you almost thought you misheard him. A bolt out the blue, you looked at him.

"Tomorrow?"

"Mmhmm," he fiddled with the hem of his cardigan as he stared at the table. "I've got so many calls and messages from work. My company won't run on its on, I can be gone for only so long." He sighed.

You didn't offer any words, too shocked to know that he'd be gone tomorrow. What is this attachment you've developed towards him? Why did the thought of someone, almost a stranger going back to where he came from, where he belonged hurt you so much? You didn't know what to label your feelings but realizing that you'd probably never see him again was tugging at your heartstrings.

Should you ask him for his number and stay connected with him? Is there even a point in that? You both live miles away from each other. Or should just take his advice and follow him to the city? Would that even be a good idea? Are you just reading all this wrong?

You were so invested in your thoughts that you didn't realize Mingyu was calling you until he shook your shoulder.

"You okay, ___?"

"Huh? Yeah...it's just, the news is really sudden. I didn't... expect you'd return so soon." You mumbled.

Mingyu sighed, his shoulder dropping a little bit. "Trust me, if I could I'd stay here forever. But...I can't keep running. I need to face my parents, the sooner the better."

At a loss of what to say, you just nodded. Reaching for your drink you took a big gulp, trying to calm your nerves. It's okay, you can do this. He's just another one of your guests.

You stood up, taking the empty glass in your hand, "Well, I better leave you alone now. I'm sure you've got packing to do."

You almost turned away; until a strong hand gripped your wrist and pulled you back, making you stumble towards Mingyu's body.

"Don't. Stay for a while. I don't want you to leave." His voice was soft yet deep and it immediately broke your resolve as you set the glass down and looked into his eyes.

He didn't let go of your wrist; instead only wrapped his other hand around your waist, pulling you closer, leaving just a few inches between your faces. You didn't tell him to move neither did you make any effort to get away from him- you didn't want to. It felt good, comforting as he held you and looked at you almost like you were his whole world. His eyes had so much emotion swirling in them and you were sure yours looked the same too.

"___?" His voice was breathy and it set your heart aflame.

"Y-yes?"

"Can I...kiss you?"

You inhaled sharply as his hold on you got tighter. You couldn't process a reply, overwhelmed with emotion. So you just nodded and Mingyu leaned in, pressing his lips to yours.

It was soft at first, his lips just resting against yours, as if he was testing the waters. When you didn't resist but only pulled him closer, he started devouring you, his tongue prodding in your wet cavern. Moans espaced from you as you kept pulling at his hair almost grinding on him, desperate for more. He was the same, kissing you with so much passion and vigour like you were the last female standing.

You somehow managed to tug off his cardigan between the kiss and when you pulled apart for air, Mingyu panted, "Can we take this to the bedroom?"

His deep raspy voice spread liquid heat throughout your body and you had to stop yourself from pouncing on him.

"Yes please," you breathed. Mingyu stood up straight, his tall and built body intimidating you in the best ways possible, "Oh baby, you don't have to beg. I'll give you anything you want."

Once again your breath was trapped as he picked you up, his hand under your ass to support you. When he dropped you on his bed and took off his tee you realized you were in for a long night. In the back of your mind, you also realized that this would make it even harder to let him go.

-

Next morning you were the first one to wake up as the sun barely seeped through the blinds. If you had to guess it wasn't any more than six am. Mingyu's hand rested on your waist as he remained snuggled against your back. It was so comforting that you almost forgot your reality and went back to sleep, until you remembered what had happened last night. Before you could start overthinking and possibly had a breakdown right there, you ever so carefully removed his hand from your body and scrawled out of the bed, grabbing your shirt and quickly throwing it on. Then you tiptoped out of his room despite the ache between your legs and rushed straight towards yours.

Slamming the door shut, your sat down, head in your hands. You've to now prepare for saying goodbye. Right, you just need to act casual and not let him know that you might have developed feelings for him in the past week.

His words came back to you.

"Do you have a home?"

You didn't have one until now but the realization that you may have found it brought tears to your eyes.

-

You spent the next hours wallowing in your self pity, curled up in your bed too afraid to get out and face Mingyu. Soonyoung dropped by once, knocking at your door and asking if you want breakfast, which you declined. Time slowly ticked away and you watched as the clock struck eleven. You couldn't stay inside forever. You needed to bid Mingyu a goodbye- that is if he hadn't left already. But you were sure he didn't; he wouldn't just leave without any words.

Sighing, you gathered every last bit of your courage and stepped out of your room. Immediately you saw Mingyu coming out from the opposite end of the corridor, the carry-on he brought with him in his hand.

"Hey, where have you been?" He asked, his steps getting quicker to come and stand in front of you.

"Oh- um, I took and shower and then dozed off, sorry," you lied easily, not meeting his eyes.

There was a beat of silence as you both stood in front of each other and when your eyes finally met his, a blush spread across his face like wildfire. The air was heavy with unsaid words and you coughed, trying to get rid of the terrible awkwardness.

"So, you're leaving now?"

What a nice question.

Mingyu seemed to be lost in thoughts as he snapped back to reality and scratched the back of his head, "Oh yeah, right. It'll be a couple hours drive so the earlier I leave the better."

Nodding you motioned your hand towards the exit, "I'll see you out."

Mingyu seemed to have something to say but he pressed his lips in a thin line and started to climb down the stairs, you behind him. Soonyoung, who was standing at the entrance gave you a conspirational wiggle of his brows but said nothing as he watched you follow Mingyu out.

You observed as Mingyu loaded his bag in the trunk, peeking glances at you every other second. When he finished, you spoke, "Well...good luck. I hope you can overcome your problems."

"Thanks. It won't be easy and my dad will probably take away my shares of the company but...I'm done living like this."

You nodded, smiling softly as you crossed your arms against your chest. It suddenly felt cold.

You both gazed at each other, saying nothing even though you've so much to say, as if the silence would carry your unsaid words to him. You were torn- wanting to talk about last night but chickening out knowing it was probably just a fling, a one night stand for him.

"___..." Mingyu spoke but the words died on his tongue. Not trusting yourself to speak, you swallwed the ball of emotions and looked at him with a curious tilt of head.

"...I hope you find what you really want to do. And I hope you find your home too," he said, his words so soft and gentle. For some reason you had a feeling that those were not the words he wanted to say yet you forced a smile and nodded, "You too, Mingyu."

His eyes swirled with so my emotions but you didn't know what he was thinking. He looked pained, just like you but you were too afraid to speak your feelings, scared that you misread him.

When you spoke no more, Mingyu sighed and backstopped slowly, "Well... goodbye, then."

You managed to choke out the words, "Goodbye."

Your emotions overwhelmed you, tears stinging your eyes as you watched him enter his car. Why did it hurt so much? Why did it feel like your heart was being ripped right out of your chest?

His engine roared to life and your stomach sunk. Was this really the right thing to do? Should you just let him go like this?

You made a split second decision that moment, just as his car moved forward a little.

"Mingyu!" You called after him, immediately making him stop the car. He came out, almost in a hurry, an expectant look on his face as you ran towards him. Then you made another split second decision as you wrapped your arms around his tall frame and held tight.

"I like you, Mingyu. I really like you." You mumbled in his chest.

He didn't say anything back but you felt his arms wrapping around you tightly and you stood there in each others embrace for a while. It felt like time has stopped, the warmth and safety of his arms comforting you and making you realize how you would have regretted if you had let him go.

Mingyu pulled back to take a look at your face, his hand cupping your cheeks, his warm but intense eyes on you, shining with love and adoration.

"Say something," you whispered, still unsure.

He chuckled, a light-hearted, carefree sound that made your heart swoon. "I like you too, if it wasn't obvious after last night."

Elated, you pulled his face down and kissed his lips as you felt him grin and wrap his arms around you once again.

"I want to go with you...to the city," you murmured into his chest as he rested his chin on the top of your head.

You couldn't see it but you felt him smirk, "Good. Because I think I found my home."

Your heart couldn't become fuller as you grinned like a happy child.

"Me too."

A/N 2: If you enjoyed reading don't forget to like and reblog and let me know your thoughts!

© startlightxsvt 2021 | All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, translate, adapt, or repurpose any of my works.

[asirensrage]

Chicken and Conversation - Part 7 of Serendipity

Part 7 of the Serendipity series

Title: Chicken and Conversation Rating: PG Fandom: John Wick Warnings: None really for this chapter. Summary: Toni and John make dinner. Also on ao3 and ffn

It’s not hard to follow her home. 

John watches as she greets everyone on her way. She stops to talk to the homeless, offering leftovers from her bakery and knows more people by name than he would have guessed. He waits until she’s at her door before moving closer. She stops though before she opens it. 

“You can come in,” she calls out. For a moment, he thinks she’s talking to someone else. She waits and when he moves forward, into the light, it takes her a moment before her eyes find him. She smiles when she sees him. “I thought that was you. Come on in.” 

“That you Toni?” 

He turns, hand reaching for his gun. Toni places her hand on his arm, halting the action as she grins at the woman looking out the door next to hers. 

“Delores! How are you?” 

The older woman peers at John before she turns her attention back to Toni. “Good. Our place is flourishing. Delilah and Isabel asked me to invite you this weekend. We’re planning the fundraiser for the home. Will you be there?”

“Of course. I’ll bring something to eat.”

“Dear, you bring yourself. You spoil us.”

“You’re taking care of children who need you, Delores. The least I can do is bring some snacks.”

Delores waves her hand, seemingly frustrated at losing an argument she knew she wasn’t going to win. 

“Goodnight, Delores,” Toni calls out, teasingly. 

“Goodnight Antonia.”

Toni ushers John into the house. “That was my neighbour,” she tells him. “Delores.”

“So I heard,” he says.

“She runs a group home for kids. Her daughters, Delilah and Isabel help. They’ve welcomed children of all ages from all backgrounds. It’s wonderful.”

“You protect them too?” 

“Of course. You hungry? I’ll make dinner.” She hangs up her stuff, places the basket she’s carrying down and heads further in. “Take a look around. You can join me when you’re ready.” 

She leaves him there. 

John looks around. It’s not a large house, but it feels welcoming. It feels like a home. Pictures line the walls of people he’s never seen before. There is an older couple featured in many of them. She shares some of their traits. 

The living room he passes is a mass of colour and comfort. John has been many places over the years but few come close to this place. It’s not the appearance, it’s the one living here. 

He goes to find Toni.

“Good, come grab a knife. You can be my sous chef.” 

He takes off his jacket, rolling up his sleeves before he joins her. She motions for him to pick a knife of his choice out of the block. 

“It’s just a simple stir fry. I already got the rice cooking, but you can start with the carrots and broccoli. They tend to go in first.” 

“You often invite guests to cook?”

“Only if I know they’ll be helpful,” she grins. She moves about the kitchen, pulling out more vegetables from her fridge and a pack of chicken. 

John glances at the door, still wary if someone followed him, but the reminder of the man that broke into her shop, and what she did with him, is still fresh as is the news he’s heard about who’s been in her shop. “Heard you had a visitor.”

“The Adjudicator? Yeah, they stopped by.”

John stops cutting and turns to her. “What did they say?” 

“A warning,” she offers. She pauses and looks at him. “I’ve already declared myself, John. I picked my side, planted my flag, however you want to say it. Don’t tell me not to.”

“It’s not safe.”

“I am perfectly safe, as are you. John, you have to decide if you’re okay with it. If I’m too much of a freak to be your friend, tell me. If you want me to rescind my protection, you need to let me know, but I hope you don’t.”

“It’s strange,” he says after a moment. “But I decided I better stick around.”

“Yeah?” she grins at him, hope clear across her face. 

“Sure,” he nods. “Otherwise I’ll never have coffee as good as yours again.”

She laughs. “It’s always the coffee.” She moves back to what she was doing, pulling the chicken out and cutting it on a separate board. 

“You have to explain the rules,” he tells her. “I’m in enough trouble as it is. Don’t want to make more enemies, ones that can make the floor eat me or pull my bones out from across the room.” 

Toni laughs again. “I can do that,” she tells him. “But don’t worry. There aren’t too many out there that can make the floor eat you.”

“And the bones?”

“Well, there are more who can do that. As long as you don’t threaten or attack anyone unprovoked you’ll be fine. Others like me can sense the Blessings you have.” 

“How many are there?”

“Others like me? Or blessings?”

“Both.”

She takes the carrots he’s been cutting and drops them in the pan she has heating. The oil pops but she doesn’t flinch. He brings her the broccoli. “Thanks.” She drops it in and stirs it before reaching for something else. “Can you cut the peppers?” 

He turns away, going back to the cutting board. He shifts slightly so that she’s not completely at his back. 

“I can’t say how many Witches there are. I don’t know for certain. Some bloodlines, like those with the same abilities I have, are not at all common. As you have a High Table, we have our Council. They work to protect and educate Witches around the world.” She moves and takes the chicken from where she was cutting it. “As for the Blessings, you had one on you when we met. I don’t know who did it, it doesn’t work like that. It’s been too long since it was last placed, but it was done by a Bone-Witch. Likely helped keep you alive all this time. I placed protection on your clothing that you sent out for cleaning. I also placed a Blessing on you the last time we met. Just for you to be safe from harm.” 

“Why?” 

Toni shrugs. “It felt right. I follow my instincts, John. They haven’t steered me wrong yet.” 

They fall into silence. Toni doesn’t press for conversation as John thinks. 

As they sit at the table, food plated and in front of each of them, John speaks again. 

“Of all the…magic users out there, which ones are in the city? What am I most likely to run into here?”

“There are a couple like me but my sister is at school and my mother is not as active anymore. You have a few like my friend Fiona who can control and use the bones of people. If you meet a Bone-Witch, don’t lie to them. They know and you will get far more respect saying the truth they do not like instead of a well-meaning lie. Respect goes a long way.” She takes a bite before she continues. “It is far more common to meet a hedge witch. They use plants. Nothing as extreme as what I am capable of. They focus on healing.”

“Would they…could a hedge witch have healed my wife?”

Toni gives him a small smile. “There are many things we can do but death can only be delayed. At most they could have helped ease her passing. I’m sorry.” 

He nods but does not press to continue the line of conversation. “Are there any Witches with the High Table?”

Toni gives a small laugh. “No. They would never.” 

“Ok.”

“Makes things easier, doesn’t it?” she teases. 

“A bit.” 

taglist: @raith-way @arrthurpendragon @zeleniafic @jvstjewels @veetlegeuse @chickensarentcheap @booty-boggins @residentdormouse @delicateblackrose @stanshollaand @cantfighthemoonknight @wordspin-shares @chrissymunson