#i can't pay for a cleaning service i'm in college

[navree]

back in seattle and in my apartment, forgot that if i don't have someone to kick me into doing it or an offered cleaning service, my kitchen becomes an absolute disaster

[freeworldallahexecutivembaclass]

This is my rule as the ruler

Getting them all with this champion sound

Getting them all with this champion sound

Getting them all with this champion sound

Getting them all with this champion sound

Getting them all with this champion sound

Hot song see you soon with it presenting my song Champion 🏆 sound

And

Now to present you with some of my accomplishments already

My New York City accomplishments

Trump is the whole package but he had boundaries he set boundaries and was strong against people especially the criminal element me I defend the proletariat the common man and woman with real issues and get them the laws passed that they need boost the economy with more money legalize weed get free college education for the city citibikes more money for people on Human resources administration and permanent employment from temporary seasonal jobs from decades long however much months work program they learn and then get kicked out and you can't support yourself and your family I made it where that after you finish that probation period you get the job the job security meaning your secure because you got a steady paycheck and now could build a future from there I got union contract for Starbucks workers and Amazon workers and more money on the city feps and seps voucher for their housing the city pay more rent for you so you and your family could rent in the neighborhoods you want with better schools and employment opportunities for the parents to provide a good future for their kids

I got hotels for the homeless in New York City 2021 it is now happens where everything that happens in New York City is under my name and my control of the city which is good because I do good for the people my name is Allen Henry notice the Henry Hall building with the Henry lives here sign on it next to 42nd Street Port Authority yes I live in New York City and thanks for the big announcement on your building symbolizing radio city music hall at Rockefeller center in New York City is shouted out about from a building with the Henry lives here sign on it let radio city music hall know I'm coming soon and thank you my super hero Batman and Superman my superhero days are just starting that's on 38th Street on llth Avenue in New York City Manhattan next to port authority on 42nd Street you could actually drive pass it and see it now it is actually a tourist site wow thanks that's amazing I love it thanks I'm honored I appreciate it again like the sign says I live in New York City and thanks for the big announcement on your buildings and don't forget the Henry apartment buildings in Brooklyn New York thank you I'm honored

I got Amazon workers their union contract

I got Starbucks workers their union contract

I got the minimum wage increased from $ 11 dollars an hour to $ 15 dollars to $ 17 dollars an hour put 100 million $ dollar boost in New York State economy proven math governor Kathy Hochul is signing that into law from where I already got it she is going to give it boost we need oh yeah very great and lovely governor we got now she is pretty good at doing her job I like her a lot and wish that the government of America go through with wage increase for all states and have the new federal minimum wage for a better rate of pay for all workers from the dishwasher , to the bike messenger to the Mexican American and union for job security is created for them to help immigrants and Kathy Hochul signs off on a new money adjustment plan to balance out against inflation and new tax cuts that help the common man and woman the employees that provide services in the places me and you have to visit

I got more money put on the housing vouchers the city feps and seps voucher so that homeless individuals and women with their kids and husband and wife can have better housing and a better life for themselves and their family And it's only going to get better more housing more safer housing where the housing crew does it's job and provide safe clean housing cleaning the apartment from Asbestos and using the wrong products that could harm the people in the apartment and their should be more NYCHA the projects job openings to the people in those surrounding neighborhoods the hood and any hood in the world to help clean their neighborhoods 20 men and women crews clean up crews drivers and even regular normal everyday people of those neighborhoods newly hired people that take pride in doing a very good service for the people of their community they have to educate the tenants on lead paint and checking their apartments carbon monoxide levels how to use a stove fire safety plans and evacuations plans in those apartments safety with electrical sockets for their children and toxic free apartments air conditioners and heating free cable so they can watch some good TV shows and movies and enjoy their summer and winter and they get WI Fi now hooked up with their house packages and hopefully more money on the voucher to help rehabilitating families to get their lives together better housing and better schools for their kids equal a better future don't forget to give New people moving into their apartment fire safety 🦺 training courses on unplugging their wires from the outlets and child safety outlets not leaving the oven on or stove on or leaving the stove and ovens on unattended child safety windows no water near electronics and electrical devices carbon dioxide early detectors and smoke detectors no smoking 🚭🚬 around fire hazardous materials and we should reduce the number of accidents and tragedies in NYCHA called the housing projects in our neighborhoods and enjoy your cable wifi air conditioning heat in the winter and your Citibikes .

I got the fair chance to compete for a job act of 2019 in New York City and California hopefully other cities and countries are going to follow suit

I legalized marijuana in New York City on March 31 , 2021 no violence in the hallways of the projects that we are from fellas respect people space and their kids in those hallways don't bring an violent atmosphere and environment around those kids when hanging out with our friends in the lobby that means no violence and violent talk around the kids while walking through projects NYCHA hallways go outside and enjoy the sun or the nice breeze that passes us and chill and enjoy outside that is so no laws will be passed restricting our laws .

I cleaned up fox square in Brooklyn , NY

Free college education in New York City

Free gym membership for people on Medicare

Citi bikes for New Yorkers

I got the second stage theatre in Manhattan , New York City meaning I got my second chance to perform music 🎼🎶 on a stage record and performing music, I rap .

Pictures of me as Christopher Wallace Biggie Smalls the Notorious BIG in Brooklyn New York City that is a big big accomplishment shout out to his moms how are you doing Ms . Violetta Wallace I'm very honored thank you Governor Cuomo legalized weed Marijuana the gaunja off of those pictures and across the street from the picture I got apartment buildings in my name the Henry apartments in Brooklyn on Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn New York City

I brought Yo MTV raps to the Brooklyn Museum 🎨 an Art museum since I'm of the sophisticated crowd and Talented tenth from W . E . B . Dubois book and I'm a rapper from Harlem and Brooklyn New York City via Saint Croix U.S. Virgin Islands

I got my own subway street named after me called Respect Avenue in New York City New York and Brooklyn New York

Governor Andrew Cuomo gave me and opened an hospital named after me in Brooklyn , New York back in 2015 Brooklyn's 760 Parkside Avenue where my family is originally from when they landed in Brooklyn , New York City my uncle and his family 760 Parkside Avenue downstate biotechnology incubator hospital 🏥 thank you I'm honored and actually do put my sponsorship behind it not being funny it's just that it's an hospital and hospitals heal people and take care of them and I love that caring nurturing loving and nourishing environment of hospitals and the hospitality of the nurses doctors and specialists we never tell them we love them and thank you and I love you enough tell your doctor if he is doing a great job correctly say hey doctor I love you I love you all of my hospital staffs for providing a great service in my name I love you for taking care of God's people all of God's people I mean people from all communities we are all good people and deserve the best in treatment and the care that is given to patients when you visit my hospital and counselors should know the nutritionist and give out good advice even while your A casac counselor therapist and clinician do your job with passion , love and the intention of betterment for your patients and even those that come to work under and learn from you teach them how to doctor truly heal human beings through laughter , love a d being strong for them and doctor the soul through a warm smile and hug for all patients and pediatrics should know you have a great responsibility to love provide and care for all patients you have a very very important job and I love you we never know when you might need somebody to take care of our every needs, I love hospitals they should actually play Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen in the care units to help heal the people in special care units play their TV shows and audio all through all units of the hospital

I won the Super bowl with Patrick Mahomes I got Clinton Dannemora back and I came home and took over the streets of NYC in politics Errol Louis of Channel 1 news would be proud of me

President Joe Biden presented me with a medal 🏅 of honor in the year 2023 for my heroism

Watch out Donald Trump my movement is doing very good now

I'm on 5th Avenue in the heart of New York City now

My gift 🎁 from Nicki Minaj the female rapper from her Young Money Crew thank you Nicki I got my own library in New York City thanks to her in the heart of New York City it is pleasing to me to be able to have a library that host after school programs for the kids and storytelling fun with their teachers and parents with Barney the dinosaur type characters to make the kids laugh and enjoy their selves that is a blessing for me coming from where I come from I had a rough life I grew up in Harlem New York City running the streets but I kept my nose in a book and part of that reason is because my mom was in college she would have tons of books on her bed and I fell love in books because of her she went to Monroe College in the Bronx and got her degree and even worked for the Board of Education for awhile and I got my love of books from her and to see that they give me a library is beautiful to me I know she is proud of me I made something of myself reading books I learned my way in anyway the library have costume animals Barney the dinosaur type costume animals for the kids to make them laugh and enjoy life is a blessing for me and it is in my building thank you I'm honored New York City and yes it is in the same building that I got my GED from in 2003 so I had already been going their for awhile they gave to me in 2022 thank you New York City and it's on 40th street and 5th Avenue right next to Grand Central and Times Square New York City and the same block wow as the Joel Osteen store so go get some Coffee ☕ and bagels and enjoy your day , their programs to help people returning to work , Cafe on the seventh floor outside rooftop so you could watch New York 5th Avenue like the empire state building and their are regular programs special instructors from any career is their to teach and instruct you on how to get where you would want to be in life it is so so clean the water fountains are the new ones where you place your bottle under some kid of water dispenser and it fills your bottles you could stand there and get as much refills as you want self service sanitized napkins to wipe your area where you are going to be reading I own the building so I eat at my seat the security guards is very professional that is their brand professionalism and high quality service with a smile they greet you warmly and treat you like you are at home it's mines so it is your home of course I'm like yeah yeah whatever but you would love it there make it a tourist attraction when you come to New York City I left school early I wish I didn't but the library is to give me a new start to learn all the on the job skills I need to excel in my career and it is there for you to hang out have fun meet some good people all New Yorkers are really good people and watch movies listen to music and to learn anything you want to make it there and enjoy yourselves

I won the Nobel Peace Prize 🏆 once for my caring Martin Luther King jr would be proud of me and love of humanity and with the helping of this page and Nobel memorial prize for economic sciences twice so that makes three Nobel prizes I won three Nobel prizes

Benefit monetary assistance increase for snap and cash assistance recipients

I'm John Wick in the movies John Wick series and I'm Neo in the Matrix and Matrix series congratulations to me I'm very Honored thank you Keeanu Reeves I'm very Honored thank you so much with tears in my eyes 💞 I love it everything I am now is bigger than what I been through in life and it is all because of people like you thanks and to my very close friend Laurence Fishburne true story real friend I mean we go back while he was studying to do the Matrix and I turned out to be a fine gentleman thank you and I found out I'm the one but the ones are the ones that study hard and work hard and making themselves into great people efficient and effective in constructive productivity their good at school , music or their career whatever they are good at is because they worked hard at it and that how we all can be an anomaly in society the good people .

Rikers Island tablet program podcasts and video games for inmates in jail to help stop crime violent crime in prison and to help rehabilitate the guy or woman and stop the back and forth of them going to jail . The tablet have podcasts and programs for Job Search legal research and books to read to help them become better citizens in the free society .

I was named The 16th Captain of New York City that is New York Yankees history and current captain of New York city New York Yankees hat history and time magazine 2022 man of the year the 16th and current captain of New York City , thank you .

I got meteors in front of the courtroom in New York City right in front of City Hall , 80 and 100 Centre street symbolizing I'm superman and I'm not the people of New York enemy I'm a friend and employers are there to help me if I just meet them halfway with some job skills they will employ me get me a job and for all that I say thank you for letting me work my way back into America's good people list thank you so much I mean I'm working and learning to give myself a job start my own business I'm learning how to do that but it is good to know that I got y'all white people the decent ones on my side not the ones that side with my enemies and haters but the ones that rock with me to be there to give me my life back with the meteors real live meteors thank you so much now in front of City Hall the famous New York City at 80 and 100 Centre where I first caught my first case at 16 years old🥇Joe Montana number thank you goodness for Bill Walsh is now in front of the courtrooms thank you for the chance again in my life to work and not stay idle in dangerous neighborhoods and environments which I'm teaching my way out of but thank you so much and I honor that thank you so much I'm proud to be an American 🏈

Laws I'm proposing

Job Safety and secure act - 2022

Fair banking act - 2022

Retirement investment plan for employees IRA act - 2022

Ready , willing and able Expansive territory act - 2023

Riverside drive Expansion project act - 2023

The new ferry from New Jersey to New York City - 2023

School sports culture expansion Act Copperas Cove , Texas

Rikers Island schooling expansion act Added on Basic education classes on Rikers Island on the tablet , college programs on the program , online school on the Tablet . -2023

NYCHA ( New York City Housing projects ) plans and ideas for improvement

The New Trench town rock - 2021 , 2022 , 2023

And many other pitches and proposals rebuilding the workforce , wages and structure of New York city and cities like New York .

Next order of business : My Plans for infrastructure in a utopian society hotels jobs pay raise on citizens paycheck from 15 $ - 17 $ dollars minimum wage pay to 19$ dollars to 20$ dollars an hour to better provide for all costs emergencies uncovered insurance payments due to partial health care coverage and full union membership granted to employees of any company free education grants and school loans payment plans

Pay raise for school teachers in every city at junior high school , high school and elementary school level since they are stewards of our children's future .

Pay raise for civil service workers and Civil service exams made and updated daily to the public , school crossing guards , correction officers , supervisors , probation officers , construction site supervisors .

Pay raise for day care workers

Free day care services for temporarily unemployed mothers and fathers

Pay raise for city fire fighters and police officers .

Job contractors fulfilling contracts with back to work public assistance programs that train and employ job candidates without their high school diploma or GED and granting them full employment with full medical and medicare coverage union membership and back to school Acces Vocational rehabilitation counseling and restoration of financial aid assistance for non violent crimes like drug sellers and abusers to stop recidivism to prison and to cure an addiction to a habit of committing perpetual crimes thus creating repeat offenders .

Jobs moving back to inner cities through the effort of study and research groups from urban planning courses from their neighboring colleges .

Tax abatement and financial incentives and business incentives and tax breaks .

Joe Biden and vice president Kamala Harris should include this law into all of their plan for cleaning up America I'm glad to see it go beyond New York City and other counties in New York I want to share this honor with author Michelle Alexander who I did my research from her book about mass incarceration of the black and Latino community and the political office and my friends that help put this law in place I reached out to hopefully stop the recidivism to prison and hopefully to help some of my friends and people that go back and forth to jail because they couldn't get a job due to the felonies on their record I recommend a certificate of relief of disabilities to all people returning to society if they haven't given you one go get it from your county's or borough courthouse it works wonders .

Next order of business : Tax cuts to help the everyday person keep more of their check in their pockets cut the tax rates in New York City by 4 percent I see it as New York State taxes % 8.82 to % 4 percent and business tax cuts to create more jobs Proposal For a Wage increase of $ 22 dollars an hour Including : Fire safety directors Security guards Librarians Fed Ex workers UPS workers Ready Willing and able with free vocational grants from access vr programs they should hire vocational rehabilitation counselors and job developers finding permanent housing and permanent job placement after the clients training Stock Clerks and cashier's at major stores like Gristedes , C Town , met foods , Burlington coat factory wage increase for all warehousing and factory workers jack pallet and forklift training for people with no experience and a starting salary at $ 17 - 19 $ dollars an hour and it increase with more time on the job how about the first year at that base salary of $ 17 - 19 $ dollars and on the even of that year the employee gets an raise of $ 2 dollars more on their check and other financial incentives as cash allocation from their check for newly place employee mutual fund packages besides with other benefits that said company is offering this helps to place that company on the stock market and grant their employees preferred stock options from their company that they work for at that current moment and because of the huge huge employee buy in it is like the employers are investing in their employees and their stores and company .

Educational requirements for jobs posted is less than a high school diploma but the job candidate has to be in a vocational program or GED preparation course half or full time hours .

Civil service jobs and exams posted weekly .

Sales professional salary plus commission on sales and stock options for mutual funds packages as bonuses with an wage increase to $ 19 dollars to $ 21 dollars an hour .

Newly added benefits to a job description benefits an employer on jobs posted give to their employees an employer get to hold back cash or take money out of an employees check to put towards a mutual funds stock fund option to help that client make more money as a second job the municipals funds and stock and funds and stock and then you gotta get hedge funds option packaged in to help the employees money make more money for them talk about overtime whew and at the same time that local market and store owner can put his company on the stock market and give out public shares thus in the end making it a good investment a regular place of shopping in a family like environment it is like getting to know your deli clerk , butcher , bakery attendant again only this time you are making money with the people you are spending money with Think about it that in turns build better communities better stores customer relationships safer neighborhoods and the beautifying of economically depressed environments more money for your kids college tuition school supplies newer roads being built leading to and from better neighborhoods and businesses and this is a future that we all as fellow New Yorkers can build together .

[couchpotatoaniki]

An Annoying Kind of Pretty

Pairing: College Rival!Jungkook x College!Reader (British college, so basically senior year in highschool--they're 18) Word count: 4k+ Tags: mega fluff, light swearing, mentions of very mild violence (banter...maybe), mentions of clowns, reader is terrified of them, honestly, just cute shit, and they're being idiots A/N: I'm in the middle of reading Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert and this just sprung to mind soooooooo yeah

No matter how much you scrub, you can't get this darn plate clean. At this point, you're ready to smash it to pieces so you don't have to spend another second on it. But, alas, this is not your dish and therefore dish-smashing rights are revoked. A true travesty, considering how ugly the damn thing looks anyway. Society would be better off without it.

But you scrub, scrub, scr--"Are you done?" A deep voice rumbles behind you. Involuntarily, your eyes close to hide the annoyance flickering through them, lest he somehow sees through the obscured reflection of the kitchen window. This time you've spent together has taught you he's almost decent at guessing body language (almost--he's still otherwise a useless male).

Gosh, if only you could destroy the plate and take a shard to one of his annoyingly pretty brown eyes. Honestly, the fact that a man like him has such wonderful features is what you'd consider to be a crime that nature has committed.

"What does it look like?" Yeah, maybe you should relax your jaw before your teeth grind to dust. Your dentist would have a heartattack if she saw the stress they've put them under lately (she likes to talk about them like they're some separate entity, a bit odd but she's sweet and likes to rant about her cats so you can happily bare it).

"Looks like you're slacking off."

Excuse me? "Maybe I'd be more efficient if you didn't leave your dishes to grow a mini ecosystem in your kitchen. You're likely worshiped as a god by bacteria since you created them their own little world."

He rolls his eyes. This you can't see through the haze of his reflection on the slightly filthy window but you've somehow grown accustomed to his mannerisms. Like a shitty superpower.

"Don't be so dra--"

"If you dare say 'dramatic', the next thing I'll be cleaning are your insides off the floor and countertops."

His reflection raises a hand in mock surrender. "Touché. But for your information, I don't live here."

This makes you turn around, pinning him with a glare. "If you don't live here, which ogre or troll does?"

"My brother. But he's been... ah, what's the word--" he waves his hand in a circular motion with his eyes closed, only to open again at the snap of his fingers--"backpacking across mainland Europe for past three months."

A huff leaves your nose as you return to the gruelling task at hand. You're going to need a shower after this, maybe two, just to make sure you don't catch the Black Plague or some other disease that would trigger another pandemic. "Then why am I here?"

"Because you owe me, remember?"

"Yes, you--not your brother that can't even remember to put away his dishes before he goes on stupidly basic holidays."

"'Stupidly basic'?" Jungkook's frame hobbles into the corner of your eye as he mocks you with a smirk. Darn him and his unusually large (and unfortunately well sculpted) build. A disgustingly natural beauty that demands attention, but you'd rather poke your eye repeatedly than admit that to him lest his cocky smirk and big head grow more than it already has.

Yet, you can't help a glance in his direction. Props to you though, your face managed to not betray your soul and remained in it's usual disinterested state.

"If I had a penny for every time I've heard someone backpacking across Europe, I'd be so rich I wouldn't have to pay you back with my services."

"Considering you sprained my wrist and my ankle, I'd request both payment in money and services."

The thought of the Incidents sent and involuntary shudder down your spine. About two weeks ago, you were minding your own business in the library, one thing led to another and long story short, you accidently pushed the usually well-balanced hulking man onto the hardwood floor and his hand landed at a funky angle. Less than 72 hours had passed and various shenanigans ensued involving 12 glue sticks, streamers, a helium tank, and an unwanted clown roaming the gymnasium which led to his second trip to Accident and Emergency.

In all fairness, he shouldn't have even been there helping to set up the farewell assembly for the final years in the first place. His fault, really, but he wouldn't hear of it since you did crash into him as you were running away from a definite (maybe) psycho killer.

"How many times do I have to apologise," you huff.

His finger taps his chin in mock thought. "Preferably forever, seeing as though I am having to limit my activities while it's the summer holidays before we go off to uni. But I suppose having you as my little servant until I get better is decent enough."

You send him another glare before carrying on. Almost spotless, this dish. "This is abuse of power."

He raised his cast as well as a deadpanned expression onto his face. "And this was just regular abuse."

"It was self-defence."

"Against me or the very innocent clown you claimed was 'chasing' you?"

"Both. And he was chasing me. I was terrified."

"Remind me when your birthday is?"

"Why?"

"No particular reason. Certainly not a clown-related one for retaliation. None whatsoever."

Your head turns so quickly to him that it almost gives you whiplash. "You dare."

"We'll just have to see."

Huffing, you finish up the last of the dishes, with Jungkook sat on the countertop beside yours (with a bit of difficulty). Guilt begins to bleed out of your heart and pool into a warmth in your cheeks as you once more mumble an apology to him, the dishes suddenly looking more appealing for your eyes to land on. "I... I really am sorry, though."

He sighs--as he usually does when you once more feel horrible about the state he is in and try to voice it. "Stop that."

For the millionth time, you purse your lips, ready to let a few beats of silence pass before you could say something to return it back to that annoyingly fun hateful banter than the heavy and suffocating air that follows an apology. Jungkook, however, did not care for your mental plans (you don't really think he cares about much of anything besides his grades, friends, and snacks like a typical man).

"Can I... admit something to you? So, like, Truce?"

"...Truce." You reach out for a cloth to wipe anything left on the countertop, but ears keenly remained on him.

"I'm kinda... glad you fucked up my arm." You send him an incredulous look, to which he blurts in response, "don't get me wrong, it hurts like shit and I'm no masochist, but having you here doing my bidding--" his lips quirked at the sight of you murderous glare, "--and keeping me company is... nice."

"...'Nice'." The word feels funny to your ears as you hear it, and even funnier when you speak it.

"Yes, nice." His feet swing a little, his head hanging a little sheepishly. "My friends are cool and all, but you're, like, really fun to piss off." Okay, you might actually end up killing him. "And we don't really hang out all that often during the holidays. Plus, you've got a different vibe to you that I think is... nice--" There's that fucking word again, how on earth did he get higher marks than you in English? "--and my parents work a lot regardless so having you as company is, I suppose, ni--"

"Get a grip, dude." Your eyes roll by themselves. "You're rambling."

His lips pout and his cheeks puff to make a ridiculous (yet adorable) face of a child being lightly scolded for no reason. "You said Truce."

"I'm hearing you out, aren't I?"

"Yeah, but you're still being mean."

"Boo-hoo." He look up at you and his narrowed eyes make you retract your statement. "I mean, sorry. Carry on."

"That's it."

"What's 'it'?"

"The thing I wanted to tell you."

"What thing?"

"You know...the thing."

"You spewed a lot of crap in that short frame of time, I truly have no idea what you're talking about."

Jungkook's eyes narrowed once more, this time in suspicion. "You know exactly what I mean."

"No I don't." It's pitiful to say that your face is losing the battle to keep your smile away, which ultimately makes him gasp and point accusingly towards you.

"Yes, you do, you egg."

"Going for the Shakespearean insults? Wow, I must've really ticked you off," you laugh.

Lucky for you, the nearest thing to him was an almost-finished kitchen roll, otherwise he would've landed you in A&E too from his well-aimed throw to your forearm.

"I'm trying to be sincere." His voice is at that whiney pitch he uses when he's frustrated but not enough to care about it. He tends to only use it around his friends, but the more hellish (a potential exaggeration) time you spend with each other, the easier it slips out of him.

"Stop saying 'nice' like someone's pulling it out of your arse and not in a fun way."

"Well, what else am I supposed to say?! That I think your wonderful and funny and interesting and I like it when we spend time together!"

You try not to let the admission show up in your expression, not when it's making your heart race a mile a minute. "I mean, yeah. Don't stop on my account, keep telling me how you think I'm the most amazing person on the planet and you worship the ground I walk on, please."

He rolls his eyes and smiles in that adorable shy why which tells you that he knows exactly what you're trying to do and appreciates the way you relieve the tension. "Jesus, even when you take the piss out of me you still say 'please' in a way that makes me want to..." he trails off, then sighs. "Nevermind, ignore me."

Oh no, you're not going to let it go that easily. "Hard to do when your pig-headed ego takes up half the room." You take your gloves off--making a mental note to burn them in the incinerator for all they've had to deal with today (it's a mercy, really)--and turn towards him to give your full undivided attention. As if that would make it any easier for him to speak. "Go on, please."

He rolls his eyes again, trying even harder to hide his smile but it's fails just as easily. "Stop it."

"Stop what? Could you tell me, please?" Your head cocks to the side and your eyes challenge him in a teasing sort of way.

"God fucking damnit, Y/N. I don't know how I'm going to survive uni with you," he laughs, but the way he looks back at you feels a little too fond.

It takes a second to process what he just said. "Um, what?"

"What?"

"You said... wait, are we going to the same uni?!"

"Um, yeah? We got into the same uni."

Shock takes ever your expression for a moment. "You remember which uni I applied to?"

He looks at you incredulously. "Yeah, of course I remember. And don't be so damn humble about your exam results, I know for a fact we're both getting in."

You take a second to find a response in your head, which seems momentarily empty except for that one phrase 'of course I remember.' "Well, that's beside the point." Jungkook raises a brow at you, not buying it but willing to shelf the matter for now. "What did you mean by all that earlier?"

He looks down, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. "I have no idea what you mean."

"No no, you can't get out of it that easily."

"I think I can."

You take a few steps to his side and try to perch yourself up on the side of the counter next to him. He doesn't say anything as he helps you up with his good hand wrapped around your waist--and neither do you in case the combustion of heat in your body will expel flames out of your mouth the second you open it, right for your rival to see. "You're infuriating, you know that right?"

"Really? Haven't heard you say it before."

"Shut up," you chuckle, lightly shoving his shoulder with your own.

"Never. I know how much you love my snark, even if you don't admit it," he grins in return, looking at you in a way that makes your insides turn and twist. God you didn't think you could hate his stupid face even more than you do now (or something like that).

Then there comes a moment where everything went still. You think it's slightly unfair that this boy is able to bend people to his will with his looks and charm, and now apparently he can bend time too. Okay, maybe in this instance it doesn't feel as bad because you strangely don't mind having time suspended when he's there with you.

Those brown eyes flicker down to your lips so quickly you wouldn't have caught it had you not been intently gazing at him too. Rushes of heat fill every inch of your body, and to be honest, you don't know how to respond to it.

Times like these are few between you two, mostly because most of your interactions happen where there's a number of people around. But when it's just the two of you...

It feels slightly dangerous, but in a warm, comforting way that's so addictive you get a little scared of how much you don't want it to end. And also how his lips don't look as repulsive to press your own again as much as they usually do.

Damn him and his witchery.

"Anything else you want me to do?"

He raises a brow. "I want you to do a lot of things, you're gonna have to be more specific."

It was your turn to roll your eyes. "I mean, any cleaning up you needed me to do for your unhygienic brother?"

"Ah... no. The dishes were the main thing."

"Okay..." Silence stretches around the two of you until you find enough boldness within you to break it. "What were the other things?"

"What other things?"

"That you wanted me to do."

"Uh, I think you might fracture my balls too if I said them."

"Coward."

The corner of his lips curve. "There's a fine line between bravery and stupidity."

"Wow, I didn't think you knew it existed since you tend to cross it a lot."

"Har har," he deadpans, making you smile.

Your hands run over your thighs, a nervous tick you have that you have no doubt he's clocked onto by the way his good hand reaches out to squeeze one of them gently. Your hand, that is, though a corner of your traitorous mind that's steadily becoming louder over the past couple of weeks the longer you spend time with him thinks that maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it was your thigh instead. It's certainly big enough and you've seen the way he handles modelling clay for his art homework. There's no doubt he'd be able to relieve the tension of the muscles there. Or anywhere else--ah, no. Nope. Absolutely not.

"Sometimes I kinda kick myself for doing this deal with you." At your quizzical look, he clears his throat. "Makes it harder to ignore you when you're right with me for a good chunk of the day."

"You couldn't ignore me even if you tried."

He snorts. "Tired and proven."

Your brows scrunch, though your heart still beats against your chest. "What, really? You've tried to ignore me? Damn. Here I was hoping it would've worked out."

"Oh, I tried a few years ago, I think? Closer to when we first met. But unfortunately, you're hard to ignore."

Mockingly, you straighten you back and lift your head up. "Given how perfect I am, smarts and looks and all."

His smile is a bit weaker this time. "Yeah... Practically impossible to keep my mind off you."

Silence flows once more for a moment or two and you realise his hands is still wrapped around yours. "You know I tried too...in the beginning. Unfortunately, that didn't last long either."

His brow quicks. "Given how perfect I am, smarts and looks and all?"

"The opposite, actually. You were too dumb and ugly not to. Out of pity, really." From your teasing expression, he knows that he was right.

"Riiiiight, 'pity'. We'll go for that blatant lie if you want to save face."

"I have no idea what you mean."

"I think you do."

"I think I don't."

You don't realise until now how close your faces have gotten, able to feel the soft gentle breaths against your lips from his. It feels so difficult to maintain the distance but even more so to move closer to further.

"When you asked me what I meant by all that... ask me again."

"What?"

"Ask me what I meant by everything I said before."

You've been sensing this coming for a while now, longer than whatever time you've spent together in his brother's now-clean kitchen (thanks to you). Like the sky is falling, but you can't seem to look away from it.

"What did you mean?"

Jungkook's tongue peeks out to run along his bottom lip. "I meant that I... I think you're amazing, potentially out of my league--"

"--definitely out of your league--" Definitely what you would consider a lie because look at him and his social skills and his grades and passion and whatnot.

"--and so damn sweet and kind."

"Did you not just hear me call myself out of your league? Or pay attention to most of our conversations in general."

He sends a questioning look to you, as if he can see through your bullshit. "I think we both know you don't think that--for some stupid reason, because you actually are out of my league."

"Don't be humble, it doesn't suit you."

"I'm not. Just truthful. And the truth is, I find it hard to be around you and not fall for you. I see the person you are when you let your guard down with people you care about and how annoyingly well you follow that moral compass of yours even if you use fancy mean words to distract everyone else."

You snort. "If only you heard my thoughts about you while I was doing the dishes. Maiming was not off the list."

He tried to bite back a laugh. "Given the condition of those dishes, I would give you a free pass for homicide."

"Good thing your teen boy-genes haven't totally overtaken your common sense of hygiene."

"I think we can both agree we're growing out of the 'teen' bit of our lives."

"Nope," you deny quickly, waving your hand out as if to undo what he just said. "I'd like to stick my head in the sand and forget about how quickly life is moving into adulthood until it hits me like a train--"

"--or a clown--"

"--thank you very much," you end tightly, sending him a light-hearted glare.

"As I was saying," he continues, amusement lighting up his face, "it's hard not to want to kiss you at times."

"Even when I'm mouthing off to you?"

"Especially when you're mouthing off."

Even though you were expecting it, it takes a minute to process. "Oh."

"Yes, 'ohhhhh'," he mocks, nudging you with a teasing smirk.

"That must've been annoying in class then."

"Very," he nods solemnly. "There were times I wanted to throw caution to the wind and traumatise everyone."

"From the shit some of my friends say, I don't think people would be that shocked if you'd kiss me."

"Huh, maybe you're not as airheaded as you make yourself out to be."

"Rude," you mumble. "I pay attention. I just tend to...second guess."

"I think my feelings for you were a bit obvious. I mean, I think I could've survived without having you be at my beck and call this summer but I said yes anyway."

"Manipulative bastard."

"Anything for you," he sends a cheesy grin your way, making you laugh at the sudden and very inconvenient butterflies fluttering about in your stomach.

"'Anything'?"

"Okay, from that tone, I can tell you're imagining something horrifying so let me change that to 'anything within reason'."

"Coward."

"You are slightly terrifying."

"Why, thank you," you smile, and he smiles too with that buttery warm look of fondness again before he leans in slowly, giving you enough time to move away. But when you don't, he pressed his lips against yours and fucking hell it's the softest thing you've ever felt.

You don't know how long it takes for the kiss to break but even breathless you still miss the warm softness against your mouth. And apparently he felt the same because it takes very little time for him to capture your lips again, untangling his hand from yours to cup the side of your jaw, keeping you in place--not like it was possible for you to leave his addictive taste anyway, it might take dark magic for that to happen.

Maybe something even more potent, when his tongue slips its way past your lips and you find that he's stolen every single thought that occupied your mind. Again, time slips away until you're lungs are burning from the lack of air and you both pull away--though not too far from one another.

"So," he says breathless.

"So," you repeat in the same manner, mind still a little fuzzy.

"That was... something."

"Good something or bad something?"

"I don't think 'good' is a strong enough word I want to use." You hum in agreement, and reluctantly pull a little further away, his hand dropping back down onto yours. He looks at you curiously. "So..."

"So..."

"Would I be too soon if I asked you to take pity on a poor simp like me and be mine?"

"Hmmm," you hum in thought. "Given your performance, I'm inclined to accept."

"I can upgrade you from being my reluctant servant to my reluctant lover." He wiggles his borrows and you groan.

"With a romantic declaration like that, I find it hard not to accept," you deadpan, before sighing and leaning against his shoulder. You want to bottle up that sound up and listen to it until you get sick of it--which you have a sneaking suspicion is about as likely as the sun imploding in your lifetime.

"Would you let me continue to wreak havoc on your life?"

"Naturally."

"Then yes. I accept." He raises a brow expectantly and you clock on to what he's waiting for. "I'm not saying it."

"Say it."

"No."

"Please?"

"I take back my answer."

"No backsies."

"What, are you five years old or something?"

"Just say it! Say you'll be my lover."

"If you manage to make this relationship last for 50 years, then I will."

He huffs, leaning his head on top of yours, fingers linking with yours. "I suppose I can agree with that. I'll keep a note of it in my calendar."

"How unusually organised of you."

"Like I said, I'd do anything for you."

"Within reason, of course."

"Of course. Doesn't need to be logical reason, just reason."

"Good to know. Now, let's get out of your brother's place. I feel all the germs crawling all over me and need an extra hot shower--maybe two--to feel even remotely clean after that ordeal."

He laughs as he pressed a kiss on top of your head. "Yeah, okay, we can do that. Though I hoped you reminded me before I kissed you."

"You just did again after I told you, dumbass."

"In my defence, I did tell you it was hard not to. If I die of some unknown disease, I blame on you." You roll your eyes with a smile as the two of you hop off the counter and make your way out, hands still clasped together.

[artsynightowl]

Plauge of Consequences

Description: You're a college student living on your own for the first time. Everything seems to be moving so fast yet so slow. Learning to adjust to adulting is taking it toll. Now you're new job is either going to be your savior or worst nightmare. Being a janitor wasn't at a Pizzaplex wasn't your first choose in jobs, but seemed the best option with your new schedule need to a slightly above average job. Maybe it was because the bots put off questionable emotions. Almost made them seem sentient. Nevertheless, a job was a job and here you are now.

Chapter One: Claws Out

Word count: 5,934

1/? Of chapters

Gender Neutral

Adulting was already going to be hard. The apartment smelled slightly musty, paint was a light tan and bare. Furniture was lacking, a crunchy bean bag, as well as a new mattress, sat on the floor. The kitchen had a pan, and pot that could both be bigger. The two plates and two bowls were nothing fancy. They came as a weirdly cheap bundle deal at the thrift store down the road.

    Most of the stuff you got came from the thrift store or dumpster diving. The apartment deposit, rent, new mattress, and textbook costs a lot more than you had expected. It was a good thing I had gotten one of the many jobs you applied for. Anything was better than nothing right now even if your new workplace was across town and paid a little under what you were hoping for. Still, it was enough to get by plus some. How bad could it be?

***

    "Well shit." You stare dumbstruck at the building. Had you thought of working at the PizzaPlex through? Well, yea, to some degree, but it didn't hit you till now that you are picking up and cleaning all day. In a place that has hundreds of thousands of children.

    With a sigh, you made your way through the gigantic doors and into the front lobby. The place was popping. Families covered most of the floor. Most were parents following their kids around. Then there are the kids running around like chickens chasing each other.

    You simply ignored them and scanned the sides of the room. The administration office was almost completely covered by the lost and found. It was pretty tiny. As you made your way over to the desk your thoughts were racing, 'Was this a good idea? Maybe you could find another job making the same with a flexible schedule like this one? Nope. This is it. Hopefully the cramped rank bus didn't affect my appearance too much.'

    "H-hello, I'm supposed to be training for my new job as-" The bot you're speaking to stared at you blankly as you talked before turning around mid-sentence. When the bot whipped back around they shoved some clothes, a name tag/key card, a faz watch, and a mini faz tablet.

    "Welcome to Freddy's Mega Pizzaplex! The Glamrock family is thrilled that you. Scott sends his regards for not being able to teach you. He has assigned you a glamrock staff tablet and faz watch with instructions for you." He then grabs a map from behind the booth and opens it. "Please make your way to the customer service area here. Thank you again for joining the Glamrock family, (Y/N)."

    You grab the map and mumble thanks before following the map to customer service. Between you looking at the map making sure you're going the right way and fumbling to get faz watch to your wrist you almost walk into a kid and parent. In reality, the parent was dragging the kid in front of you not paying attention. How could you tell? The kid tripped over your shoe when you stopped and the mother paid no mind to what happened.

    Parents were probably miserable here considering they can't do anything besides paying for overpriced food, and merch that was of okay quality. Oh, and the obvious, looking after their children but I'm sure some wouldn't. Hopefully working with the bots will be easier than working with all the customers.

    You continue customer service. When there you approach the staff bot inside. They were the same model as any other staff bot just different colors. "Hi, new Janitor (Y/N)."

    "Your second task is now complete. Please turn on your faz watch and tablet in the break room and continue with your training." He swung his left arm and motioned to a down behind him." With a nod of thank you do as told. Though this whole situation did seem off.

    Once the tablet is turned on. It seemed you had to make a Faz Staff Account. You hastily fill out what you needed. Then the terms came up. It was over 400 pages long. You scrolled to the very end. Check mark what was needed. And just when you thought you were about to begin a video popped up. It showed a map of the groundfloor then a drawing of a bot popped up. "Here at the Mega Pizzaplex, your safety is our top priority. A safe worker is a happy worker and a happy worker is a hard worker. Here at Freddy's Mega Pizzaplex we only want the best for our best employees. That being said, please turn your attention to the red area on the map. That red area is the medbay." It flashes through the other floors showing all the medbays on each floor. One is on each floor.

    The video removes the maps and slides the bot to the middle. "It is important you have a map for your tasks throughout the day. Please turn to your faz watch now." The bot slides back to the side of the screen and a picture of the faz watch appears. "Hold the button on the top of the faz watch till I tell you." You do so. "You have now connected your faz watch and faz tablet. You can now do the same thing on your faz watch as you do on the faz tablet. Thank you for joining our Glamrock family." With that, the video is over. That was quite a boring experience. Thank God that was over.

    Looking down at the tablet revealed your first task. Change into work uniform if not done yet. It was a box at the bottom to check the mark when down. With a sigh, you turned to the clothes you had set on the scratched-up wooden table. Any and every work outfit looks horrible.

    To your luck, there's a bathroom inside the break room. You go and change. Taking a look at the mirror you didn't know how to feel about the outfit. You can understand wearing black pants, a black leather glossy belt, and a white long-sleeved undershirt. Not the shirt though, black was the main color then followed by neon blue, orange, and green. It was like they wanted you to stand out.

    Sat back down at the table in the flimsy chair and put your name tag on. You checked the task and an animation confetti blew up on the screen. The next task then popped up followed by the rest.

    You put your clothes in the lockers and follow the instructions in the description of the first task. Leading you to a large red door. As soon as you open it a musty, chemically, greasy, whiff smacks your nostrils. Inside was cleaning supplies on sleeves with worn-down boxes at the bottom. In the middle was a dusty go-cart. It was clear this closet hadn't been used much.

    You make your way to the side of the go golf-cart only to see a cart about the same size as the golf-cart. That'll make things easier to hall things around.

    The go-cart had baskets instead of the back seat. Some half empty bottles of cleaning supplies, with rags, toilet paper, toilet brush in a holder, trash bags, and a bucket that held a mop inside were all in the basket. Honestly, it was pretty nifty.

    Looking through the bottle you found the off brand lemon zest for multi use purposes. You douse both carts before taking multiple rags to dust them off. It took longer than expected with the dust being like a thick wrap you'd put on an actual vehicle.

    Once done you step back and take in the carts to actually paint. Of course it was brown with red trim and a neon blue lightning bolt on the front. The typical Glamrock Freddy color scheme.

    Confetti littered the tablet screen as you checked off this task. That was gonna get old and annoying fast. The next on the list in bold was LAUNDRY. In the description it explains the cleaning rags from last night were to be washed, dried, and placed in each janitor's closet for the staff bots tonight.

    You followed your map to an elevator not too far away. The inside was bigger than most elevators. Definitely oversized, perfect for bringing the carts down here later.

    The basement was dingy and smelled like the janitors closet, but without the burning chemicals burning your nose. That didn't last long through. Two carts in the corner were full of rags and towels. You get straight to work loading the washer. Loading all those crusty rags into the washer made you start to sweat. Good thing all you had to do was push start.

    Since you had some time on your hands in-between loading, and switching, the washer and dryer you had decided you'd clean restock the supply closets for the staff bots upstairs. You made your way through the hall to the storage.

    There you found a free cart and filled it with the supplies listed underneath its task. You then went back to the laundry to grab the bags. The cart was filled to the top once you throw the bags of rags in there. It took some effort to push but it was better than putting all those dirty rags in the washer. It was even going to be more of a hassle to take out the rags when they were wet.

    The elevator creaked as it moved up with you and the cart. Clearly this elevator needed some fixing up but I'm sure staff don't use it often. At least not living staff. Which led to a question, why had you not seen any other human staff member? Surely you couldn't be the only one. They were handing those fliers out like free samples at the mall.

    The elevator came to a jerking stop before the doors opened slower than before. Yep, differently not taking the golf-cart on this thing. You went to push the cart but it seemed to be stuck. The elevator door alarm started blaring after you pulled the cart back and rammed it into the door frame. Starting at the front wheels you pulled the cart all the way back till ramped it over the doors and frames. Thank goodness it stayed up right.

***

    Stocking up the closets was easy and only took 40 minutes so by the time you were done the washer was too. Moving the rags from the washer to dry was horrible. They were three times as heavy as before. At least they didn't smell strongly of chemicals now. They did however soak your shirt by the amount you took out at one time. Filling the washer now felt like a blessing of sorts. Even more so now that one cart was empty. Now it was time to find another task to do.

    You took the stairs back up to the ground floor. The thought of the amount of people you'd have to maneuver through didn't cross your mind at all. It was like trying to get through a maze. That golf cart is differently going to be around closing time. That was bullshit but you gotta take what you can get.

    The stairs were like waiting in line at a waterpark when trying to get through the crowd. Many parents shot you dirty looks as you passed by. You however just shrugged as they probably have not seen a human employee before. Though it was rather rude.

    At the janitors closet you detached the cart from the golf-cart after some fighting. You then took the basket off the golf cart and set it at the bottom of the cart as well as a wet floor sign. Then you head toward the restroom.

    People were heading in and out. Just like the other tasks this one had a description. But this one had in bold letters NOT to let customers in the bathroom while cleaning. You didn't question it and parked your cart in front of the entryway so people couldn't get in. Of course you moved it for people coming out. Nasty looks and a couple grumbles were thrown your way.

    You had just let the last person out and put up the out of service banner outside before heading back inside. Toilet paper littered the floor, trash can was overflowing, and soap was emptied onto the floor. This is what you signed up for working around kids and drained parents.

    For starters gloves are your best friend. The bathroom was rank it was definitely gonna take a couple of washes to get the smell out of your shoes.

    The trash can had paper towels rolling across the floor after some struggle to get the bag out. It was really packed in there. You set the first bag next to the entrance, put a new trash bag in, and started picking up the litter on the floor.

    Saying it was nasty was an understatement. Some pieces were fine while others were damp or drenched in unknown liquid. The guessing made it worse as did the toilet paper breaking apart. The slush sound when it hit the floor was revolting.

    As you go to put the other bag next to the cartsomething smacks right into your legs. It was a little boy with shaggy dirty-blonde hair. He takes a step back with a stunned expression on his face and shakes his head a bit.

    "Watch where you're going! You could've really hurt my son!" There standing behind the boy, the mother of the spawn. She had the typical bulb shape hair cut with mostly blonde hair with brown roots shining through. Don't even get started on the outfit.

    "Ma'am the restroom is closed for cleaning. I'm gonna have to ask you to leave." You state, setting down the bag of trash in hand.

    "Little Timmy just needs to pee." She buffs, pushing out her chest and grabbing her son's shoulder. He smiles at you brightly before running past you.

    "Hey!" Before you could do anything the boy's feet flew out from under him and hit his back on the wet tile outside a stall. You cringe back at the sight while Karen rushes to his aid.

    The boy didn't even make a peep while sitting up from the floor rubbing his head until mom wrapped her body around him. He wailed as the mom started raving at you. "My baby! My poor baby! How dare you do this! You should know better than to wet the floor at a children's facility!" She continues on getting more aggressive. You kind of just watched her not taking in anything she had to say.

    A cold pressure suddenly is placed on your shoulder. Glancing back you see none other than Glamrock Freddy. He didn't look at you but at the two on the floor. A light shines over the two from his eye. "No injuries are detected. Katherine Yardow for breaking protocol 9.3, and 24.7 a you are to be escorted off the premises. This area is off limits at the moment and isn't a safe play place for your son or you."

    Katherine dropped her child and stormed right up to us. Before she could reach us Freddy swiftly pushes you back as he moves in front of you. She screams profanities at him, jabbing her finger on his chest plate but that turned to hitting in a matter of seconds.

    It didn't last long before three staff bots rolled into the restroom. Two hastily grab her by the arms and lift her up to keep her feet from touching the floor. They then wheel her out while the other goes, picks up the child, and follows after them.

    "Are you alright y/n l/n?" Freddy asks, turning his attention to you.

    "Yea, thanks. That was crazy." You chuckle nervously, rubbing the back of your neck looking over your shoulder. That's when you noticed the cart. It had been moved about a 90 degree angle. "Did you move that?"

    "Yes, I had seen the child and parent walk through the front of the golf-cart to enter. I was going to wait outside the bathroom when I detected shouting that wasn't an opinion. I'll move it back now. You have a good rest of the day." He moves the cart back then bends done on the other side so that his face is viable through the cart. "Let any of us know if you need anything or have questions." With that he left. Leaving you alone to your thoughts and job.

    You didn't want to be in that bathroom any longer then you had to and quickly finished. Somehow getting completely disregarded made cleaning less miserable.

    An hour was all it took to clean all the public bathrooms in the building. It was nice to know that the cleaning and restocking wouldn't take long at closing time.

    The next task was to drop off wipes and soft chemical streaming supplies to the daycare as well as taking the trash out. As you drive up to the daycare door you see a child probably around ages 3 to 5 yelling and running around. They all seemed to be having a blast. The cart outside is parked next to the large glass window in front of a cloud, shoving the roll of trash bags liners into your back pocket and picking up the box of supplies the daycare required.

      Before you can open the door it slams right into you, knocking you and all of the soupy to the floor. You blink a couple times and rub your forehead, trying to get your bearings on what just happened. A repeated tapping was all you hear. Looking towards the sound you find the sun animatronic.

      Once your eyes meet his white ones he does a little wave before pointing toward the door. You follow where he was pointing to see a muscular middle aged fellow with a bushy beard, a black band tshirt, with a blue jean vest over top, and a black jean pants with a chain dangling on the loopholes.

      "Shit, you okay there kid?" He offers you a hand which you accept gladly.

      "I'll be alr-"

      "Here let me help you with this." He begins picking up the supplies.

      "Sir, it's really no big deal." You examine, wanting the awkwardness to just end already.

      "Nonsense, don't be so modest." He waved you off, picked on another thing of wipes before putting them in the box. You quickly reached done to help since he was insisting.

      It didn't take but 3 seconds to pick everything up and put them back in the box. He hands you a box and dusts off his hands before reaching for the door. "Again I'm terribly sorry."

      This is a completely different interaction from Karen in the bathroom this morning. It had you taken a back a bit. "Oh, it really is okay, thank you " With that you walked into the daycare. He smiled and with a nod let go of the door.

      You watch as the door closes behind you. Damn, how embarrassing to get hit by a door. Thank goodness it was a nice customer though. Inhaling deeply helps the embarrassment wash away, and body relaxes before turning around on your heels. White. That was all you saw making you freak out and jump back a bit. There in front was the daycare attendant bending down to your level.

      "Hello new friend! Are you feeling okay!? That was an awful hard hit to your noggin!" He talked rather quickly and bobbly. He needed that much energy to keep up with the little ones though. You didn't even have time to respond back he really was quick "Oh you brought the cleaning supplies! Thank you friend!" He takes the box and stands up. Man was he tall.

      "Just doing my job." Just then out of the corn of your eye you see a little boy squeezing a bottle of pink glitter glue into a girl's hair. "Ah," you went to say something but then you realize you didn't know what the animatronic's name was tell him what was happening. Though it seemed he got the hit from the sound you made as well as you looking back and forth in a panic.

      "Chase! Glitter glue is for paper! Never anything else!" He scolds the little boy, holding the box of supplies on his hip, arm around it. With his free hand he swipes away the glitter glue from the boy. .

      Meanwhile, Sally is grabbing at her long red hair with big watery eyes. When she felt the glob of glue she immediately became the great falls. Tears flooded down her little rosy freckled cheeks and her mouth gaps like a catfish as she whales.

      Something in you just seemed to snap. It could easily have been instinct but if it wasn't you maybe just didn't wanna hear her crying. It could break glass if any higher. You swiftly pick up the little girl. "Where's the bathroom? I'll try and get out the glitter."

      The animatronic's expression widens, "Right over there!" He points, giving you a nod as thanks before dealing with Chase, who ran off as soon as the daycare attendant was distracted by you.

      In the bathroom you were quick about getting Sally's hair soaking in the sink. The hot water seemed to make the glue dissolve. You ran your fingers through her hair a couple of times. When the glitter made a thin lining on the out rim of the light pink water to float up you unplugged the sink and ran water through her hair for good measure. It was surprisingly easy to get out after that with paper towels. Just a couple of stray sparkles left.

      "There we go." Through her sniffles she looks in the mirror and run a hair through her hair. Her emerald green eyes widen, she whipped her hair back and without warning leaps into your arms.

      "Oh thank you!"

      "It was no problem." Squeeze out. You could feel your shirt get wetter by the second. Should probably do something about the wet hair. You could dry it off with a shit ton of paper towel, but the smudged up hand dryer next to the door would do a better job.

      "Would you like to dry your hair?" Sally nods and you're quick to guide her over to the hand dryer. She appeared puzzled till you hit on. Her eyes lit up and practically danced under it followed by giggles. You rolled your eyes at the scene. Kids we're really something else.

      Little Sally skipped out of the bathroom, her dry wavy hair flowing behind her, with you following suit. It wasn't long before Sally spotted her friends and was climbing up the play structure.

      "New friend!" Your whole body spun around at the sudden voice. It's going to take some getting used to that amount of energy. " Ah! I didn't mean to scare you! I just wanted to say thank you! Chase has been picking on Sally for the last two days!"

      "Sounds like Chase is having a hard time adjusting." You state lean back on the desk

      "It's not that! He plays great with the other kids! Oh that reminds me!" He reaches around you, "Could you bring these down to the glam rocks." He beams, dropping a stack of drawing into your arms. With a stare at the papers for a good second then back at the bubbly yellow guy. His smile has widened and eyes now in the form of triangles.

      One of the tasks on your list was to clean out the trash in the glamrocks rooms anyways. "Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything else." You wave over your shoulder. Before you can open the door it swings open. Higher up on the door, yellow hand pressed.

      "I'll make sure to let you know if anything comes up."

      You put the stack of drawings in a cardboard box, don't want them falling over, or ever worse off the golf cart. The golf cart was coming in handy not trailing back and forth to each janitor's closet for supplies but the swarm of but with it getting closer to noon more people were rolling into the place making it hard drive through the crowd. Maybe that's why it had been covered in dust.

   You put the golf cart up in the end. It was just taking too long to get places and the customers didn't care that they're kids were climbing over it. This left you with a belt like a contraction work but instead of tools it held little bottles of chemicals and had a large Fanny pack like pocket with a couple of tools as well as a rag stored inside. If you needed a cart for hauling there was one in every closet.

      With the cart in toe that held the box of drawings, you made your way down to the glamrocks rooms. A green blur caught the eye making you slow down. Next to the bathrooms was Monty Gator. If he wasn't a robot one would think he was trying to scratch his back but the spot was just out of reach. He most have felt a presence in the force or some shit because his gaze spotted on you and he went straightened up. "What are ya looking at?"

      "I'm not sure." You lean against the cart. It was painful obvious he needed help with something. You had planned on asking but with the tone he used speaking to you it made you rethink that.

      The gator grumbles his way to you. Ah the tone matches the body language how interesting. "Listen here runt, ya didn't see anything-" You kind of just started tuning him out as your curiosity got the better of you. You took one large side step and bam the mystery was solved. On the center of his back was a piece of hard candy. "Hey! What do-"

      "I can get that for you." You hold up a rag and a bottle of clearer. He's joints lower and with a huff he exposes his back to you. The candy didn't budge till it was moist. When the sucker finally popped off you threw it into a nearby trash can.

      "I can't believe they hired another human after so long?" If we wouldn't have been so close to the gator while cleaning off the residue of candy you might of night heard him grumble that. You didn't think too much after all this place was run by mostly boys.

      "They're good as new." Monotony straightened up, crossed his arms, huff, and turned his head. His red eyes glanced at you through the side of his glass. They seemed too soft at the sight of you beaming up at him.

      "Thanks Runt." He finally says something normally, but his eyes left your gaze before he did. Weird.

      "No problem." You wave to him to continue on the mission at hand. Freddy was in his room messing with an amp. You didn't even get a chance to knock before you were greeted. "Afternoon Y/N."

      "Hello again, I'm here for any trash you have." He nods steps out of the doorway, motioning towards the trash can. The trash can was filled to the rim unlike most of the over trash cans, easy. "Thank you."

      "Wait one second," You drop the trash bag, and grab the drawings. Can't forget those bad boys. Freddy's eyes widened as you handed over the box. "The daycare attendant asked me to give you these."

      "Sundrop is such a nice fellow, I wish they'd come see us like they used too." He seemed to dent the box ever so slightly. What was that supposed to mean? They work together. Kind of.

      "Here." He hands you a stack of sticker sheets. "Have him give these to the kids." You agreed with a nod before heading over to chica's room. There was a tiny bag of trash outside her door. Guess she didn't want to be disturbed right now.

      "Ah more fans- oh you must be the janitor." She headed back over to her make up stand and started spray painting her hair. As you're pulling out the trash you stop at the studden bomb of the gray wolf's voice. "You must be an amazing janitor for them to hire you." You didn't know if that was a normal complement or a back handed one. Either way Roxy seemed busy, so you were hasty was putting a new bag in and getting the fuck out of there. Maybe Monty would be more welcoming than her.

      You weren't wrong but you weren't right either. Like Chica he had left the trash bag outside the door, but he was inside. His loud ranting and strumming of jagged notes was a clear indication of that. Hopefully he catches a break soon.

      The rest of the tasks were simple and easy, but there were many. Not to mention all the messes you had to clean up after parties around the stage. Customers were messy and acted as if it was a normal thing to not clean up after themselves.

      The last thing you had to do before clocking out for the day was bring the stickers to the daycare attendant. Darkness consumed the daycare with only the haze of the lights outside the daycare coming in through the window. All the little ones laid scattered on matts with tiny blankets that had glow in the dark stars on them. Swiftly you made your way over to the desk, set down the stickers, grabbed a sticky note, and wrote, "Freddy sent these as a thank you."

      Just as you were finishing up the note you felt the hair on the back of your neck rise. You whipped around to find the same scene as before. The more your eyes adjusted though you spotted something. Okay it was more of someone. Honestly, Chase did a good job at hiding underneath the play structure. If his little leg wasn't sticking out you would've never seen him.

      "Hey there," You greeted the blonde boy. He smacked his head back ahead of the pillar that was curled up behind. He quinces and with a sniffle rubs his snot on his arm. "Why're you crying?"

      He sniffled and sobbed, "I left my Roxxe plush in the tent." He then chokes on his own sob for a second. "Mr. Moon won't let me in the Castle to get her." He hugged his blanket and curled up into his knees.

      You scanned your surroundings looking for your target. The castle was next to the ball pit with about 20 kids inbetween you. Laying next to them are swords made out of pool noodles and shields made out of cardboard. "Come on," you nudge him. "Let's go get her back."

       He perks up immediately and his brown eyes sparkle. "Really!?"

      You shush him by putting a finger up to your lips. He slaps his hands over his mouth then opens them. "Really?" He whispers.

      "Yep we just gotta be quiet and sneak past the castle guards." You whisper, motioning him to follow you out from under the play structure. He scrambled out after you and quickly held onto your pants. His eyes search the room frantically.

   "Come on." You take a step forward. He follows your soft steps around his sleeping companions. For a kid who was causing chaos earlier he was surprisingly good at keeping quiet.

      When outside the castle you got this feeling like you were being watched and Chase wasn't helping calm your nerves with him now clinging to your leg. This was just a tent in a building that was freaking you out so badly. No wild animals were around unless you counted the kids as animals.

      With a small sigh you take Chase's sweaty little hand and lead him inside. The feeling subsided a bit. "Where'd you last have her?"

"Oh she was on the pillows. Over here." He tugs on you to the back corner. Sure enough upon her throne of pillows sat a Roxy plush. She has a couple sock puppet at the bottom pillow. "She's their queen." He giggles, picking up the plush before holding your hand and smiling up brightly. "Thank you."

      The smile on your face drop when you turn rn to exit the tent. You froze for a second before pushing Chase behind you. What greeted you at the entrance of the tent stood a tall shadow figure. One of its claws ripped the entrance of the tent with its grip while the other had them curl in and out at its side. Its hunched over torso and black eyes with a bead of electric red in the middle screamed not kid friendly.

      The creature's head spun along with its starry night cap as it crept inside. Something about that last movement was a lot more jagged than others. It sent you into survival mode.

      You grabbed the nearest objects in one scoop and chucked them swiftly at it. The animatronic wasn't fazed at all by the sock puppets. To make matters worse it is now inside, with its sharp smile widening. The lining of the teeth began to thicken. Desperate and backed into a corner like prey, you searched for anything in here to defend yourself again. That's when you saw it. A foam noodle sword.

      You sprung at the creature's feet, grabbed the sword, and rolled to the side. Just in time too. The creature's claws dug into the floor where you landed. Its focus was on you and face inches away from your's.

       A clank rang out throughout the tent and hit them in their faceplate. Its head spun around as its neck bent backward. You booked it out of the tent in a heart beat to the doors. They were locked and the jingles where getting closer. That's when you saw the light switch. The sign tapped above it that said lights on and the tape on the switch pulled down. Maybe just maybe.

      You reach for the switch on to have a claw grab your arm and yank you up into the air. "Naught, naughty~" It sang into your face.

      Its claws now dig into your arm. They twitched and loosen then tighten some more. Your eyes were glued to the free hand that's lifting up into the air. A blur and breezed passed your face.

      You tumble to the floor clenching your wounded arm as the animatic screeches and claws at its now yellow faceplate. Its eyes shift between black, red and white before landing on the all white one. Seven triangles pop out the side of its head and the hat is now to be found. In Front of you stood the overly bubbly day care attendant you had met only hours ago.

      He reached for you before but retracted his hand to his torso. "No! No! Not again!"

~A/N~

Please remember to comment and like I love feedback! It fuels my speed production for the next chapter

This chapter as been edited my a sleep deprived, dyslexic fool. It will be edited again in time my apologies in the mean time.

[dailybotany]

your blog is making me reconsider going to school for botany again...

This ask has sat in my inbox for a little while because I genuinely was too blown away to be able to respond. I think of any ask or message I've received so far, this is the one that has really blown my socks clean off. I couldn't have guessed that my rambling about plants could incite the responses that I've gotten from y'all!! It's incredibly humbling and encouraging.

I don't know the reasons you left school/stopped studying botany, so I can't in good conscience unreservedly encourage you to go back—your wellbeing is worth more than a college degree. What I do feel comfortable* to say is this:

Right now, we need people who are passionate and knowledgeable about plants more than we possibly ever have. And we need them in everything—not just in science, but in city planning and waste management and maintenance crews and construction and office jobs and customer service. For fucks sake, I know a lawyer who did his undergrad in botany and that knowledge still shapes the way he moves through the world. More than anything, we need people who care about the place they are in, pay attention, and try to do what good they can in their day to day lives.

There are a lot of paths to knowledge. College is one of them, and has the advantage of providing access to resources, connections to experts, and letting you spend almost all of your time diving deeply into a subject. But it has some incredibly severe downsides—the demands placed on the time and energy of college students are, frankly, unsustainable and unreasonable and the economic burdens are beyond words.

You can also:

Check out your local library/Audubon center/park to see if they already offer (or ask them if they could offer!) any programming with local naturalists/scientists for plant walks.

See if you have any nonprofits in your area that have educational programs — there's an institute near me that offers courses in scientific illustration, bryophyte identification, natural history, and more!

Sign up for scientific conferences! You can also frequently volunteer and get in for free or reduced admission costs. I adore conferences. They provide some of the most concentrated nature nerd excitement ive ever experienced; there's nothing most scientists like more than getting to explain their research and talk about their study area to an interested and captive audience.

If you have a botanical garden or herbarium nearby, volunteering there or attending education programming!

+ more that I'm not able to conjure to mind right now. The point is, keep learning. I cannot stress enough how cool it is to know that there are people like you out there who care about the plant world and want to keep learning. And that learning doesn't have to be from college. It is convenient when your whole life is oriented to learning it as fast and as thoroughly as possible, because the structure is already built for you. But you can build your own structure, too. One of the reasons all of my suggestions are offline is because I can gaurantee that there are people in your area you can learn from. There's some guy who has spent the last 50 years paying attention to mosses or grass or asters. There's a woman who knows all of the fungi around and when and where it will appear each year.

Find the people who are local to you who are passionate and knowledgeable. Make friends with them and go on walks. Ask them questions. Go on Google scholar (and then scihub) and find papers on what they're telling you about. Ask them more questions.

* also, though, I dunno man. Take this response with a fuckin slab of salt. I am literally just some guy. I'm excited you're here and I hope you keep being curious. That's the main thing. Take or leave the rest of this as you will.

[gorejo]

Your Gojo fic was the best thing I've read in a long time. I'm curious as to how the reader got together with Gojo in college...Did they become friends first and how'd he win them over? What did Gojo major in? I have so many questions! (in the best way)

aw, that's so nice to hear )) : It was more of a self-indulgent fic, but I'm super glad people are receptive to it !!!

and ask away!!

as for them, they first met at the library... and because he doesn't know how to flirt — scratch that, he does with other people... just doesn't know how when he's actually attracted to them — so he bothers them till they agreed to pay for his dry cleaning.... HAHAH but jokes on them, because he can't think of any other perfect way to have gotten to know them, because they honestly really didn't give 2 shits about him — at first and for many months.

he just pursued hard, followed on Instagram, sent texts (double, triple, quadruple), waited outside their class to drop them off to the next only for him to scurry off to his lectures... and sooner or later, they just fell for him. i find college!gojo to be really pure in his love, and simply be an acts of service type of dude.

i would say he majored in business, with a double minor in economics and foreign policies.

[audiovisualrecall]

Had a meltdown of sorts but not my usual screaming destructive frustrated meltdown, more of an emotional release and actually expressing myself, but in a distinctly neuroatypical way. So. Not really a meltdown but feels similar? Or maybe I was on the edge of a meltdown but I turned it into more productive crying and communicating instead simply by luck. I think that's more accurate. An averted meltdown crying session. In which I acknowledged out loud that things are different for me and are going to be different from the 'usual' 30 year old, because I am disabled. Like that's not giving up or acting younger than my age to acknowledge that my disabilities- autism + adhd (+anxiety+depression) make things different for me. They're disabilities bc they are disabling to varying extents and varying times.

My sister awhile ago told me I should move out, and on one hand I want to be independent and not feel like a child when I'm with our parents, and I've never lived away from home for more than a week, and i get that in her opinion as the child who went the farthest from home more than once, that experience of living away from home was good for her and her growth and independence, she thinks trying for that goal by the same method would be good for me too.

But the aspects of my disabilities that are disabling are the things that would make moving out and living on my own or even with roommates anywhere from somewhat difficult to meltdown-inducing stressful with negative results (in other words I could go the opposite direction and retreat from independence more bc it scary and difficult and if I'm not good at something right away I give up bc it feels bad!) I can barely manage to make all these phone calls to try to get my medication, I haven't even looked into how my new dental coverage works and didn't call my dentist back and only listened to their voicemail yesterday bc I got stressed out about everything, I have at least one maybe two bills or more overdue to my Dr's office that I have the ability to pay but just haven't taken care of and just can't get myself to do it, I paid for driving lessons over 2 years ago and still haven't called them back to schedule the lessons between being busy and overthinking everything to do with the phone call and the scheduling and the lessons themselves, I struggle to keep my cat's litterboxes clean, I struggle to make sure I shower, I'm struggling to keep up brushing my teeth after starting twice or 3x a day back after my dental surgery in now at 1x a day because I'm always in a rush in the mornings and I have to remind myself to brush before bed *every single time*, I overthink and then fail to respond to messages/texts/emails constantly, I forgot I was going out on the sales floor to help a customer at work yesterday completely bc I got distracted and they waited 10+ mins for me going back and forth to customer service and were very unhappy, i cant get myself to go to bed on time or do a million other things, etc etc etc.

On top of that, I actually *like* spending time with my parents and I'm aware they're getting older, they're not Old, but older. I don't want to throw away time I can spend with them on this idea that I need to live on my own to be independent or just to act my age, like there aren't other 30 yr olds living at home. (My mom lived at home until she got married, sure she went away to college, yes, but still came back and lived at home after that. My dad probably also lived at home until they got married, and hes older than my mom by 2 yrs.) There's nothing so inherently not-independent about living at home as an adult.

Also steph thinks that our parents deserve or need to live alone just the two of them, and do everything alone, as if I'm always spending time with them? Plenty of times I do my own thing while they go somewhere and do something on their own. 'Second honeymoon' she called what she thinks they should have, but they can and have and will go up to the cape just the two of them whenever they want to. I came with them this past one time bc I needed a vacation too and also was too anxious to stay alone and also I hadn't seen the place up there yet at all. They don't mind me spending time with them or living at home, and if they want or need to do their own thing without ne they will and have and can say so! But anyway the idea suggests me needing support for my disabilities is somehow impinging on their ability to live the retired life, like it implies I should feel bad or try to not make them put up with me too much or something. But the fact is I AM disabled and I DO need support and they are my support system at the moment. That doesn't change just because I'm 30 now. I may or may not need the same support for the rest of my life, I don't know, and yes I know they won't be with me for my whole life (tho my zayde was around for 60+ years of my mom's life and 30+ years of it with her as an adult, so), but focusing on the here and now this is where I'm at right now, and I'm the future I can develop other support systems and I can branch out further and further over time, I think I've come a long way since I was 20 let alone 25, even if it doesn't always feel like it, and in other ways I'm struggling more, for different reasons, but anyway. I'm not a burden on my parents and I shouldn't feel the need to remove that burden from their retired life, bc it wouldn't be in my Own best interests to do so! And I'm allowed to be selfish and do what's best for me as long as it works for my parents as well. And it does.

There are still ways I can work on being independent, I try a little bit more all the time and push myself a little bit, and that's okay.

I don't need to do what steph thinks I ought to as a 30 yr old and I don't need to shrink myself from being a problem for my parents by doing things that won't be right for me right now, when I'm not a problem or a burden I just need their support.

And again I do like spending time with them, sometimes I get frustrated with them and with the expectation I'll just continue doing things the same way we always have, for example with dinners, but it also just makes sense like. If dad cooks bc he likes cooking and is best at it, then it makes sense to eat together at the same time when it's fresh and hot off the pan, no need to insist on my own separate time and meal, when it's efficient to est the same meal and together.

Anyway just...thinking and coming to terms but in a positive way, accepting I am disabled and that that's okay.....

[stardewremixed]

Forever and a day ago, someone asked me for Gus and Pam headcanon (where he gives her a job). I'm so sorry that I don't remember who you are and I can't seem to find the post. I hope you see this. Here goes....

Gus has a soft spot for Pam. As a Navyman (he was also a cook, duh!), it was all too common an occurrence to see servicemen (and women) leave their spouses/partners (and vice verse... for others not to wait). Being apart is hard and people have needs. Gus always tried to be non judgmental and supportive of his friends, but he wished people would try harder on their relationships.

He wanted to show Pam that not all guys (especially military men) are like this. He has a code of honor and he's very proud of it, and respectful to the women in his life. It was hard for him to see Pam fall into a drunken despair after her husband cheated on her and left her for a younger woman. And then, to lose her job, because of her drinking was devastating.

When Penny was a kid, he asked someone to watch the Saloon so he could pick her up from school. Without fail, he was at her school at 3pm to pick her up. Usually with some delicious snack he made. He would let her ride on his shoulders until she got too big.

Gus wanted her to know someone in her life cared. Even if her mom meant well, and she didn't want to hurt her daughter, she just didn't know how to be a good mom. She looked at people like Jodi and Robin and Caroline and thought 'they're the supermoms,' and figured she would never be that for Penny.

Gus cleaned out a spot in the back for Penny to do her homework. It was a quiet space for the deeply thoughtful and intelligent girl. Someplace clean and safe, that wasn't home. Most nights he would send her home with an extra dish or two in a plastic container, tucked into her backpack.

Penny was embarrassed and shy so she didn't ever thank him directly but she did leave nice recipes for him in the mailbox of things she wanted to try. Of course, Gus knew it was from her. He would add it to the menu and ask Penny to taste test it (so she had an 'official job' and didn't have to feel bad about paying him. Sometimes he would invite her to cook with him.

Gus attended her high school and college graduation, and made sure Pam was sober. He threw her a party both times at the Saloon. Penny cried. This man is so dear to her, like a surrogate father.

Over time, Gus is slowly cutting Pam off earlier and earlier, giving her less and less, and sometimes even replacing her drinks with nonalcoholic beer. Pam finally angrily confronts him. He stages an intervention, with the help of the Farmer, Penny, and a rehabilitated Shane.

Knowing she is tight on cash, he offers to pay for her rehab. Pam is super proud and won't take the money at first. But then she agrees to if he will give her a job after she got out. He isn't sure it is a good idea given the temptation but it is the only way to help her.

Rehab is hard, but with the support of Gus, her daughter, and a few friends, Pam makes it through. Surprise surprise! Supermom Jodi has a secret. She is in AA. She agrees to be Pam's sponsor. The two have little in common, but a little nudging from Gus convinces Pam to open up to Jodi. Now Pam and Penny have dinner with Jodi and her family every Sunday night.

Gus hires Pam like he promised. He starts a delivery service for his kitchen (alcohol free), and Pam runs the deliveries. He also put her to work in the community garden.

At first she is a black thumb, but gentle guidance from Gus and nurturing lessons from the Farmer help tremendously. As Pam grows in confidence, she discovers she is good at gardening. It helps her sobriety also to have projects to stay busy. Taking care of a live plant isn't like raising a daughter but it's a small stepping stone to more responsibility.

She starts joining Caroline's workout classes again. She takes a welding class from Clint to learn how to craft more efficient sprinklers. She works with Evelyn to pick out the best plants for the community garden. Anyone is welcome to come and pick fresh produce at no cost after volunteering for an hour. Pam is proud of herself.

Pam is slowly paying Gus back with a portion of her salary. What she doesn't know is Gus simply donates it back to the VA. A place that can help more men and women returning from the war readjust to normal life and that provides vital services for people in need. He is so grateful to be part of Pam and Penny's life, to see their relationship be repaired, and to witness and play a role in Pam's redemption and recovery.

[meraxes-of-new-albion]

What's it like being a zookeeper? What's your day like, and how'd you get into that?

Hi!

It's both really cool and really frustrating lol.

For context this is US, AZA based zoos; if you're elsewhere I have no idea whether the path that works here works elsewhere.

This got long so readmore.

I don't want to paint this career with rose tinted glasses. It's a passion career, and like all passion careers, you will be overworked, underpaid, and probably surrounded by reasonably privileged white people who can afford the overworked + underpaid. (I am absolutely no exception to this rule, btw.)

That said, a couple weeks ago I got to pet a Canada lynx. I've fed peanut butter to wolves, watched a secretary bird hunt, bonded with a Harris hawk, and made best friends with a plush-crested jay. You get the *coolest* stories, and it helps make the crappy parts of the job feel worthwhile; it's hard to resent your life when you're feeding bananas to a moose.

As far as career path goes, I'm still early in mine, but generally from talking to people, this is how it goes for most people: they go to a 4 year college/university for a degree in biology or something related -> they do at least one (unpaid :/) internship during college to get experience -> they work seasonally/part time at a zoo (generally several zoos, generally moving across the country multiple times)(this is where I'm at in my career) -> they get a full time, benefitted gig somewhere, and either work until a spot at a zoo they'd rather be at opens up, or they live the rest of their career there.

I'd like to stress this isn't the *only* career path - a lot of my coworkers here were dog trainers or what have you beforehand, a different coworker at a different zoo moved from guest services into a seasonal role and got hired on full time from there - but it is by far the most common one. This is also the reason we're pretty much all privileged white people - if you don't have family/friends who can subsidize three months worth of work that you don't get paid for, often you're a bit SOL. This is, very slowly, changing, apparently the MIlkwaukee zoo pays their interns for example, but it's still few and far between, and a very competitive field.

As far as my day to day goes, that changes a lot from zoo to zoo and even job to job - I'm a relief keeper here, so my day changes drastically based on which route I'm covering. At my previous zoo, I worked in their bird department, so my days were a bit more predictable; that was also a much bigger zoo so things like diet prep were handled by a completely different department rather than every route doing their own diets, or one person doing all of them every day. it's definitely worth investigating which kinds of animals you'd like to work with, and asking people who work with those specifically, if you can. For example, occasionally I serve as our second person to work the big cats - we have a two lock system so you can't accidentally let the lions out if you're cleaning in their yard, kind of thing. And I love our lions, and our snow leopards, but also... they're enormous, and terrifying, and sometimes uncooperative as anything. They're cool! But not an animal I'd want to work with every day.

General pros and cons:

Cons:

Pay :/ the mcdonalds I drive past every day would pay me a solid $3 more an hour. And probably give me paid time off.

You will work weekends and holidays. I've worked every holiday for the last two years.

Culture - so here's the thing. Zookeepers, as a group, are people who went individually in their lives "Hey i really suck at people skills. I know! I'll work with animals instead!" and then you put all of them together in the same room with animals they're emotionally invested in. Petty office drama, toxic management, and other such problems are common. We skew leftist and queer but that doesn't mean we have conflict resolution skills.

You are very, very, very likely to end up moving states at least once in your career.

pros:

No two days are ever the same. there's always something new to learn, some new problem to solve, something you all have to pull together and help with. Whether that be relocating an alligator, unloading a frozen meat delivery, a news crew hanging around, or something else, there's always something to change up the day.

The work you're doing never feels like a perpetual motion machine - it always has meaning to it. Everything you do benefits an animal you probably know personally, by name. You get to share those stories, those individuals, with the visitors who stop and ask; if you're lucky, they might go home and learn more about those animals. We all thrive by the concept of "You protect what you care about; you care about what you know; you know about what you are taught". Did I know kori bustards existed before I worked with them? no. Do I care now, and I'm glad to know they're no longer poached for fly fishing bait thanks to (i think) CITES in the 80s and 90s? You bet I do they're wonderful animals.

Your life, the everyday mundanity of it, becomes something that other people will always consider you the most interesting person in the room for. I don't get to work with said lynx very often anymore, due to staffing changes and whatnot, but every morning like clockwork Carson would meet you at the fence and follow you right along it to the den, because he knew you had his breakfast. It felt mundane, after a while, but it's always worth the moment of acknowledging "wow I actually get to hang out with some lynx today. That's pretty cool."

Hopefully this actually answers your question lol. It's not something I'd trade for anything, but I don't want to paint it as a world full of snuggling wolf puppies and rainbows and sunshine, because it's not that, either. It's sometimes grueling, frustrating, bitter work, full of frustrations about budgets and supplies and not having enough hours in the day. But then you go and you hang out with the giraffes for a couple minutes, and that in itself is wonderfully grounding.

so yeah. Hope this helps!

[melophobia2013]

[timaeuslover001]

Why college fraternities need to be banned for GOOD.

Its no secret fraternities have their roots in Ancient Greek Occult practices that advent changed their format since.

I have always known this about them and its spring no one else has when you talk about them.

unquestionable loyalty to the fraternity, their behaviors and their "gods" and the organization.

I watched a documentary recently bait another murder that happened on a college campus of some frat brothers allowing

and I was sickened by how many deaths there have been and how they seem to always continue.

so examine them: what makes them special and different?

their not clubs. clubs are free to join, and your all bonding over a common interest or goal ;soccer, anime, surfing, Knitting, beach clean ups ect.

Fraternities do NOT. what's a common goal ? a GPA? what else "to make friends" I mean , you need a CULT group to do that? you can't just walk up to someone and say hi on campus, literally HUNDREDS of students there to do that.

so what else ? I hear alot about people making "connections" or "networking" in those fraternities. Some are senators kids, business men and women for parents, relatives in other places and is that the message you want to support? Fair and hard work don't matter, people have to have connections, and backdoor deals and nepotism to get where you're going?

like I had a business class my prof told me a story of other kids who meta and started business in his class and met other kids who share my similar interests as well and it didn't take 2k and me being embarrassed and her pressured to make connections and its as all equines

nit to mention all the men in there seem to bee eerily the same personalities.like carbon copy, scary.

https://youtu.be/LdDxllmkoXU

I mean black sorties and fraternities are the same. some more obvious than others. how is that diverse and okay? everyone is the same, in a hallow and bad way. is that you bonding tool? people who look, at and think like you in the worst way possible.

SO what is the distinguishing factors then? other than their abusive, demeaning, and blind loyalty and morally absent behavior? or is THAT it?

Clubs don't ask you to humiliate yourself and humiliate others, abuse you, then make you PAY to be apart of the organization.

not to mention this "brotherhood" catchphrase to say to try and make u think their actually there for your well being.

and even if the humiliation ritual isn't violent its till HUMILIATING. walking around embarrassing yourself , in your underwear, in girls clothes, naked ect to prove "loyalty" its disgusting.

like where are the "me too" people when talking about sexual assault on these men??!??

REAL brothers and REAL families don't hurt you, abuse you, humiliate you. REAL brothers love you, care about you, love you and keep you from any kind of harm, they respect you and keep your dignity in tacts.

and please don't say they have a specific mission statement? like what every corporation in America with those crap "mission statements" they give " Be kind, quality food, quality service, giving back , BLAH BALH BLAHHHHHHHH" the sam scrap every company says but shows it in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM. the same humiliation your at your job on, the same abuse form customers and mamangemt, the same over pried GARBAGE, fake food, pesticides, ect ect. its the same nonsense

no kind of "club" is so important to join in the face of violence, humiliation, and degredation. NONE.

so what do cults do? for one they keep secrets from their followers. i'm sure none of those boys knew that they'd be accomplices and even participants in murder but in this new age of media how can you NOT know and why would you STILL want to join.

They also degrade their followers, belittle them, humane them and threats of violable to silence them and keep them in their club. alot of cults do that. watch Midsommer movie to understand.

Not to mention, alot of these colleges rape stories happen to frat houses. drugs, alcohol, underage drinking ect. like your not even SAFE with this Types of people and good luck getting "witnesses" or even getting support cu they down snitch o their brothers.

I mean say you're a random girl and even a girlfriend of one of the "brothers" you think they're going to protect you? NO! they down. even protect their OWN. their loyalty is to "The fraternity. the fraternity. the fraternity" its sick and gross. they dit even STAND for anything and yet they pledge all their loyalty to these groups.

It's disgusting. so why they still round? well we already their funded by donations by wealthy individuals. We know George bush was a skull and bones member and these guys:

Warren Buffet | Alpha Sigma Phi. ... 

Charles Koch | Beta Theta Pi. ... 

David Koch | Beta Theta Pi. ... 

Sam Walton | Beta Theta Pi. ... 

Michael Bloomberg | Phi Kappa Psi. ... 

Mark Zuckerberg | Alpha Epsilon Pi. ... 

Paul Allen | Phi Kappa Theta. ... 

Phil Knight | Phi Gamma Delta.

so if you are about men, women, rape, sexual assault, and human life in general you'd boycott these organizations, our country and well being of your children and general fairness and justice in the world.

[montessori-mama]

I live in America, which means that my three month old is in daycare so that I can go to work and care for other people's babies.

We live in a high cost of living area, so the least expensive daycare is a mortgage payment. I am paying as much in daycare a year as I spent to go to college. According to Chicago Parent Magazine, the US is in a childcare crisis, defined as a lack of affordable or available childcare options. According to the Department of Health and Human Services cited in the article, that means families would pay around 7% of their annual income on childcare, but many families pay up to 15%.

We don't have family in the area who could help provide reliable childcare, so our choices were to either pay a quarter of our annual income to put my son in daycare, or to lose 50% of our annual income and have one of us stay home. I'm not great at math, but I know I can't cut enough coupons to make up that kind of money.

We were lucky to find a Montessori school that is both close and certified, and it was in the mid-range of daycare prices in the area. We went for a visit while I was still pregnant and were impressed by their class sizes, the respectful and calm way the teachers spoke to the children, and the lack of chaos. All of the kids, even the babies, radiated contentment in a way that I had never seen before in a childcare environment. That's not to say that it was silent -- children talked to one another and played, but there was a lack of screaming and meltdowns that I had come to expect from a daycare or school.

I watched a one year-old boy drop his open water cup, and when the teacher handed him a rag and asked him to please clean up his spill, he did so cheerfully. The kid next to him knocked over a bowl of blueberries, and the teacher repeated the ritual, and the two of them worked together to clean up. I was pretty much sold right then.

We are lucky to have found this school. I trust them to care for my son, and he enjoys his time there. We got on the waiting list right after he was born, and thankfully the time on the wait-list was shorter than some people experience (he only was without childcare for a week when a spot opened, so it was about a 3 month wait).

That said, in an ideal world I would be able to either stay home with him until he is at least 6 months or to drop down to part time and have him in school far less. Full time childcare is a lot for a baby, and it's a lot for his mother.

He needs to spend some time in daycare because he will be an only, and it's such a good way for him to learn social skills. It would just be nice if there were also a way to have him home more often and to spend more than 2 hours a day with him that doesn't involve both of us being up all night. We'll have to confine our adventuring to weekends when I am not working, I suppose.

I'm glad we found a place where I know he will be safe and I have seen him be happy. It's just really rough to not see him as much as I want to, and to have to spend all of my time with other people's children when I want to have my own with me.

[pawshapedheart]

Since I was wee tiny little girl I LOVED Volkswagen Beetles. Something about their shape and quirkiness just drew me in from the start. But in the 90s, they only had the classic old style ones from the 50s, 60s and 70s. But I loved them and they were quirky and my dad said if you want something bad enough you will find a way to achieve it.

2008, age 21, I stumbled into a steal of a deal. "Bug" was the best car for a young girl in college just cruising with friends. The first loan I ever got on my own (besides student debt) and it was by far the greatest car.

Until some foolish kid delivering a BMW from dealership repair service to its owner was not paying attention to traffic stopped on the highway and slammed full speed 60+mph into the back of me on my 25th birthday. The paramedics and my friends kept telling me to stop moving but I was in hysterics over the damage of my car. I still have her front emblem and 1 key fob on my bookshelf.

Volkswagen Beetles are not cheep anymore. They have skyrocketed in price especially since they were discontinued in 2019 which makes the supply less then the demand. But even before, they are a hot commodity and a low-key sportscar (if convertible) keeping their price always just out of reach for a recent college graduate struggling in the working world. Ten years, one accident, and two boring cars later, my current car was dying prematurely from a faulty turbo engine (never buy turbo) and I needed a new car. Nothing I looked at was satisfying. Day by day my car was dying and the milage was piling up and trade-in value decreasing. But I knew what I wanted even if I couldn't afford it. Mum kept saying "you can't hold out, you gotta just bite the bullet and find something you like". So I once again opened up CarGurus at lunch to scroll one last time through the endless over priced Beetles i couldn't afford before resigning myself to a reasonably prices midsized SUV or large sedan to haul my two dogs in.

Thats when I saw her. Same age as my current car but far less milage and far superior. She almost seemed to reach out of the phone and grab at me. I scrolled the details, he carfax, the photos and sent an email. The appointment was set, I gathered my paperwork, cleaned my current car and drove the 40 miles to meet her. It was love at first drive. She was perfect. Everything I was looking for. It'll came back; the rush, the thrill, the memories. An old commercial quote came to mind and I laughed as I pulled into a parking lot to test the roof and check under the hood.

Two hours later I was signing on (many) bottom lines and shaking (many) hands after haggling prices. Hard work busting my ass to rebuild my credit to excellent status and getting an amazing job that pays meh enough to afford her. I cried on my way home. I'm pretty certain my mom cried, too. I haven't stopped smiling and its been 6 days.

Welcome home Bauble.

🐞Frohe Weihnachten🎄

[mcyt-peach]

meet me at the drive in

*:･ﾟ summary: a customer won't take no for an answer, so Punz decides to help... by pretending to be your boyfriend

*:･ﾟ pairing: cc!punz x gn!reader

*:･ﾟ warnings: harassment (not from Punz)

*:･ﾟ notes: this is basically just my love for the fake dating trope bc jealous Punz is the best!!

*:･ﾟ series masterlist

"So what you're saying... is that you want to take me on a date." Your frustrated gasp makes Punz smile as you shake your head at his antics.

"That's what you got from me asking for a tour of the warehouse? Really?"

His grin only grows as he fires back, "Sure, first it's a tour of the warehouse and then we start talking about the new movie and suddenly you're inviting me to go see it with you."

Scoffing, you turn back towards the counter you're cleaning, only offering a response of "You really are delusional."

He chuckles and comes to stand next to you, saying in a knowing voice, "C'mon, you know you love me."

Giving him a look of mock disgust, you repeat yourself, "Like I said. Delusional."

This was always how your solo shifts went. You would be enjoying a slow, calm day and suddenly Punz is leaning on the counter under the guise of keeping you company.

He always felt the need to start banter, which inevitably turned into flirting. He always denied it was flirting. This would carry on until a customer came in or Phil told him to go back to the warehouse.

Today was busy, the warm weather drawing people to the bike trail beside the store. With a steady stream of people coming in for water and ice cream, Punz had yet to visit you. The day stretched into evening, and business gradually slowed.

The bells on the front door snapped you out of your train of thought. A few boys you recognize from college walk in, scoping out the store. Hopefully, they'll be your last customers and you can close up and leave without a hitch. While the rest scour the shelves for snacks, one boy approaches you at the ice cream parlor.

You give your polite, customer service smile and he scans the flavors list. He glances to see if his friends are paying attention before leaning on the counter. "I can't decide. Which flavor would you recommend?"

You suggest the homemade honey ice cream, though he barely seems to be paying attention to what you say. He smirks, and leans more against the counter, seemingly trying to cross it. With his new perspective, he drags his eyes down your figure. "Which one would you say is as sweet as you?"

Oh God. You really don't need this right now. It's hot, your shift is just about to end and some weirdo is hitting on you.

You struggle not to physically gag at his attempt at flirting, forcing an uncomfortable laugh out to give you time to gain your bearings. Lost for words, you ask him again what flavor he'd like.

A large hand on the small of your back almost makes you jump, but the familiar scent of honey causes you to relax.

"Babe, you think I can get a free ice cream? It's boiling back there." Punz's voice is so close to your ear that you have to suppress a shudder. You don't dare turn to face him, but from the way the boy at the counter stiffens, you can tell he must be glaring.

"Who's this honey? He bothering you?" Though his voice is at a whisper, the creep bails at the prospect of danger, hightailing it out of the store in less than a second.

You finally turn to look at Punz when he asks, "Are you ok?" You supply a small nod, though he doesn't seem satisfied. "You sure?" He asks again, his eyes flitting around your face.

"Yeah, I'm ok. Thank you." He shoots you a small smile and moves to close up the freezer.

He stays with you through closing, helping you clean and stock up the shelves. Before you can leave, he stops you at the door.

"Hey, can I walk you to your car?" His voice is so genuine, he stares at you intently, waiting for a response. The way he looks right now, not Punz, not your "boyfriend", just Luke.

"You wanna see a movie with me?" You smile up at him and he smiles back.

"Yeah. I'd like that a lot."

taglist: @cultof-medusa @mooncaffeine @lemonedbeetle @patchesofwork @junebug-isunavailable @cryptidcritter @paradigmax @soot-and-co @alovestruck-fool @onehellofaweeb13 @stayacarat @ladylapize @satellitesunshine @hanaamara @nonetookind @tinylillx @jhinx-it @h0p33e @flowerguywashere @olibv @daydreamerwriting @mayempress @kaii-jpeg @msbonink @kkusuxa @honeyoat-sfw @crestentmoon5678 @nightmarefox15 @hunneiuwu @lous-blue @girlofthefandom @somethingsuperstupidsstuff @greatesthitz

[sebstanseabass]

Afterglow (A Bucky Barnes AU fan fiction) - Chapter 7

Afterglow chapters

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lunch with Bucky was spent in a little Italian place right across the bar. It belonged to a seventy-year old Italian immigrant named Marco who invested in it with nothing but his savings when he first came to New York. Fifteen years later, his little dining place stood still through its ups and downs. In fact, business was getting stronger for Marco ever since the bar opened.  His target customers expanded from fellow immigrants to little boys who played soccer in the little league and finally to drunk bastards who wanted pizza in the middle of the night. He also started putting up a 24/7 sign and hired more people to work for him. Marco gave me a sympathetic smile as soon as he passed by you with a bottle of hot sauce he knew you liked.

"Where's the hunk?" His Italian accent never faltered. "Ditched ya?"

Lunch with Bucky was also cut short when he received a phone call from Leonard about an emergency in the White Wolf. "It's Leonard." He said. "Gotta get back to the hotel." Then you slipped in a tiny question, seeing a different phone on his hand: "Is that your phone? I thought you left it in your penthouse, that's why you crashed into our apartment."

"I borrowed Peter's old phone when we did our little fiancè act back there. Then I got my phone back after I ate all that food."

"And here you are again eating."

"Not anymore, I'm not." He chuckled, getting up from the chair and throwing his napkin gently on the table. "I gotta go, doll. Duty awaits. I'll see you around."

You were left there with two plates of pasta, one large pizza, and a hundred dollar bill that covered the whole meal. "Plus tip." Bucky then fled and hailed a cab. He gave you one last look and a small salute before getting inside then off he went.

"He had some business work to do." You replied. "Can I take these to-go please? Oh, and here." You handed Marco the hundred dollar bill and said something you have never said (not once!) in your entire life. "Keep the change."

Marco grinned, took the money and placed it inside his apron pockets. "Any chance you got four more of this?"

"Hey, that's with the tip already!" You playfully rolled your eyes and leaned back on the chair. "And you should ask the hunk that. Not me."

He started taking some plates off the table, his back a bit hunched as he did. "Who was that anyway? Finally replaced that old boyfriend of yours?"

"Old boyfriend? Marco, I'm single. Oh no, you're not at that stage now, are you?" It was meant as a joke but you did genuinely care for the old guy.

Marco stopped from picking up the plates and stood taller. "What ya talking 'bout?"

"You know," you whispered, "the forgetful stage."

"Oh fuck off." You earned a glare from him then continued to pick up the plates from the table before wiping it clean. A mother covered her three-year-old daughter's ears, with pasta noodles falling out of her mouth. She said something to Marco but was overpowered by his voice. A man in his 40's kept looking at you and Marco, probably wondering what the fuss was all about. "I'm still young!" He added. "And you know who I'm talking about. The guy you live with."

You scoffed and gave him an unbelievable look as you watched him clean, avoiding the stares people were starting to give. "That's not my boyfriend, Marco." You whispered.

"What? He's not?"

"He's my roommate." You took a sip of your bottled water. "We're roommates, nothing more."

"Well, good. I like the hunk better than that skinny roommate of yours." He bellowed laughing, holding his big, round belly. His voice echoed against the walls.

"Wait, so you thought Peter was my boyfriend this whole time?" You genuinely asked.

"Well, yeah! You were always together eating and whatnot. What was I supposed to think?"

You were supposed to argue with Marco that it was okay to be friends with someone of the opposite gender: to platonically hangout twenty-four seven, have pizza nights, movie nights, and all the things couples do but in a very platonic way. But Marco was an old man who stubbornly clung to his ancient beliefs. You didn't want to light a fire you and him. Besides, you were still on your way to earning his trust and getting a friend discount.

"Unbelievable." You mumbled, hoping he wouldn't hear it. Despite his old age, Marco still had the ears of a twenty-year old.

"You and me, both. All the time I was thinking to myself, you could do better!"

Oh, God. I know where this is going. You thought. "I'm not letting you set me up with your son, Marco."

"Why not?"

"Because he's old." You groaned, wishing he would just clear the table and just get it on with your to-go Italian food.

"So was that hunk you were with!"

Tired of all the back and forths, you sighed. "Marco, can't you just give me the food? I still have work to do."

"Yeah, yeah, aight. Don't nag me." Marco grunted. "You sounding like my ex-wife back there." His voice faded once he went back towards the counter, and started placing the food in the little to-go boxes.

Your phone on the table lit up. A text message from Peter asking you if you were still with Bucky. You replied back instantly that he went back to the White Wolf. You received no more messages from him after that.

A few seconds later, a figure approached and stopped right in front of you. You looked up and saw one of your friends who also did photography back in college.

"Wanda?"

Wanda flashed you that sweet smile of hers that reminded you of chocolates, rainbows, and unicorns.

"Aria! Wow, it's so nice to see you!" She crouched down to envelope you in a warm hug, then sat across from you, where Bucky was sitting a few minutes ago. She placed her small, shiny purse right on the table, her painted nails never letting it go. "I was just walking down the street and then saw you from the window. How are you? It's been quite long, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm doing good." Wanda could be such a Chatty Cathy. She was the kind of person that never let silence take over a room. If you memory served you right, you haven't seen each other since you graduated from college. She was a year younger than you and even though you stayed in New York the whole time, you never bothered to visit her at NYU Tisch during her last year. "How about you? How have you been doing?"

"I'm doing real good too! I actually set up my own studio a year ago in Manhattan after being a wedding photographer. I now photograph models, sometimes I do photowalks. I also hold photo exhibits from time to time." Unlike you, Wanda chose to follow her passion and majored in Photography and Imaging. "It's been really fun!"

Albeit feeling happy for her, a pang of jealousy struck you. You tried your best to ignore it and said: "That's great, Wanda. I'm so proud of you. You've come a long way since then."

She grinned. "I did, yeah. How about you? How's the business thing?"

You pursed your lips. "I'm actually juggling two jobs right now. I bartend at that bar over there," you pointed across the street, "and I also started a photography business." You continued. "I just do product photos for small businesses."

It was nothing big like Wanda's. Actually, it wasn't anything compared to her Manhattan studio and photowalks and photo exhibits. Nothing at all.

Her jaw dropped. Eyes wide. "Bartending? Wow! That doesn't sound like you at all!"

You chuckled then shook your head. "Who would've thought, huh? But it's pretty convenient and it pays half of my rent."

"You're still living with the Parker guy?"

"Actually, yes I still am." You replied. "But it's just the two of us now."

"Nothing more comforting than a familiar face around, huh?" She answered. "Oh hey, it's great you're still doing photography. I thought it was just a hobby of yours."

"I fell in love with it more during college, you know that."

Wanda just nodded her head in response then looked at her wrist watch. "Right. Well, this has been fun but I have a meeting to go to at some company who wants to talk about collaborations and stuff. You know the drill." She stood up from the chair, its legs scraping the wooden floors. "It was really nice to see you, Aria. I hope we can see each other again soon."

You mirrored her and stood up, reaching for a hug. "It's nice to see you too, Wanda." You let her go, then rambled. "I'm just in the bar if you ever wanna grab a drink or maybe coffee or lunch or anything, really."

"I will." She replied.

Before walking out, Wanda placed her hand on your shoulder, matched with a tight-lipped smile; like the gesture of someone towards a family member at one's funeral. Funnily enough, it was kind of appropriate. Your career in photography might as well be dead. You haven't received any work inquiry in over a month now, and some businesses have been rejecting your photography services. It was the classic "it's not you, it's me" scenario. They just found someone better.

With Wanda out of sight, you drained your thoughts and continued to stare at the moving cars on the streets. Getting you out of your trance was Marco tapping you on the shoulder.

"You alright there, kid?" He asked while handing you a plastic bag full.

"Yeah, sorry." You answered. "Just got distracted." You relieved him of your to-go food, grabbing it from his calloused hands.

"I know that kid you were talking to."

"Wanda?"

"Yeah, yeah. She photographed my son's wedding."

"The one you kept setting me up with?"

"Not that old bastard." He answered, frowning. "The younger, hotter one. With all the cheekbones and the eyes. Got them from me." Marco looked like a taller Danny DeVito. You doubted this "younger, hotter one" of his looked anything like Marco. "She also photographed my daughter's wedding."

"Jesus. How many children do you have?"

"Five." He chuckled. "I got some great swimmers."

You made a guttural sound and rolled your eyes. "Oh, God. Did not need to know that. Anyway, I gotta go. See you around, Marco." With that, you started to walk out and headed straight to the apartment.

There was nothing much to do once you got in the apartment besides putting the leftovers inside the fridge. The bar usually opened at four in the afternoon for happy hour so you took a short nap and was able to clear you head of all the things that happened overnight.

You woke up at about three in the afternoon and headed down the bar. By the time you got there, Nick was already inside, arranging the tables and chairs that were turned upside down.

"Hey, you got in early today." You greeted him as you approached the bar counter.

Nick looked up, hands still wrapped around a table. "Yeah well, I can't let you be employee of the month every single time."

"Living right above the bar does have some of its perks." You chuckled, grabbing an apron. "Need help with those?"

He answered no but his actions said otherwise. You jogged towards him and lifted the other side of the table, placing it on the floor without making much of a sound. You walked towards the other tables then started lifting one, praying to God you won't let it slip away from your arms but of course, you still had no luck on your side. Once Nick asked you that one question ("Do you want to go on a date with me?") you didn't want to hear, you dropped the table on your right foot. Bam! You stifled the sound of pain that itched your throat. Nick shuffled towards me and asked me if you were okay. You gently shrugged him off, telling him that it was nothing and that you you recently had a concussion less than twenty-four hours ago, this was absolutely nothing.

"You sure?" He asked. His hand gripped my waist, trying to maintain my balance.

"Yes, Nick." You straightened up and tried to stretch your right foot, checking if it was sprained or not. Thankfully, it was still good for running.

He let go of you then scratched the back of his head. His eyes focused on the wooden floors. "That was not a good time to ask that."

"I don't think there was ever a good time to ask that."

"Is that a no?"

Your mind recalled the conversation you and Peter had at the elevator: "Never dip the pen in company ink, right?"

Yes, it was easier to let him down easy with no one else around. You could also tell him you'll think about it but either way, you'd still be spending the remaining minutes in the bar with the fleeting awkwardness hanging in the air. But the silence was becoming heavier each second you weren't saying anything so you just shut your mind for a second and said: "Is it okay if I think about it first?"

"Yes. Sure. Of course!" He replied, finally meeting your eyes. "Just let me know. You know where to find me. Just here in the bar. 'Cause I work here."

"I know, Nick." You snickered. "I work here too."

"Right, right." He shook his head. "I'm just gonna..." He trailed off, pointing to the tables with his thumb.

"Yeah, I'll just..." You didn't know where else to go so you just made up an excuse. "I'll just be in the kitchen."

"What are you gonna do there?"

"I think there are still some shipments there? From earlier?" Lie. "I'll take care of them. Don't worry."

"O-okay."

And with that, you left Nick arranging tables and chairs while you headed towards the kitchen, sat on the floor and scrolled through different social media platforms before one of the cooks entered the kitchen. You ignored the befuddled look she gave you. It was the sign to  stand up and walk out of the kitchen. So you did.

Once Peter walked in the doors, you grabbed a bottle of beer and removed the bottle cap. You greeted him with a smile and placed his drink on the counter. "Hey, Parker. Guess what?"

"Hey, y/n." He smiled, sitting on the stool and placing his briefcase on the counter. He immediately grabbed the beer bottle and took his first sip. "Nick finally asked you out?"

"You don't know the rules to the 'Guess What' game, do you?"

"Oh, I know the rules." He replied. "I'm just a born rule breaker. So," he stared at his beer bottle scratching the sticker with his thumbs, "did you say yes?"

"I told him I'll think about it."

"And you've thought about it?"

"Yes."

"...and?"

"I'm gonna tell him no." You walked away from Peter, pouring beer from the beer tap into a beer mug for one of the regulars who just walked in. "It's kind of hard to work with someone you're dating or you've dated. I mean, you learned that the hard way, right?"

Peter groaned, reminiscing the time he dated his co-worker, a certain Denise, for six months, stringing her along for a couple more before dumping her. He couldn't even begin to describe how much hatred Denise had for Peter. One night, you found Peter on the rooftop, writing his resignation letter. Of course, you had to throw it after sneaking up on him behind his back. Apparently, Peter couldn't take any more of Denise's death stares during meetings, lunch breaks, and any time she was around Peter. Luckily, Denise got fired the next day for some legal dispute. Peter drank his whole night away that very day and you ended up taking care of him. The next day, you told him everything he'd done that night except one thing: trying to kiss you.

"Hey," Peter hissed, "here he comes. Good luck." He swiftly left his briefcase and beer bottle on the counter, hurrying his way towards the toilet.

You gave Nick a small smile once he opened the counter pass-through. "Nick. Hi."

"Y/n. Hi!"

"So, about the thing earlier -- "

"Can I get a beer?" Interrupted a man on your left side but you couldn't care less. You put up your hand in front of his face. "In a mug!"

Before you could even say "I'm sorry, Nick, but I can't date a co-worker. It's just not right. But you're great. Not just with me" the man shooed your hand away. "Hey! The hell is this?"

You groaned. "You'll get your beer in just one moment, okay?"

The man huffed and left the counter then sat on a nearby table, flipping me off. You rolled your eyes at him and brought your attention back to Nick who was still waiting for your answer. While halfway through your short speech you have been preparing in your head, he interrupted with a: "Yeah, yeah, I know where this is going. It's fine. It's alright. I understand. I'll let you get back to work."

He started turning around but you immediately stopped him. "So this is okay, right? No weird tension between us, or something like that?"

He nodded his head and sent you a warm smile. "Yeah, everything's good. At least I tried, y'know. I'll, uh, see ya around 'cause y'know -- "

"You work here, yeah."

"Yeah. Well... " And with that, he treaded away towards the pass-through and approached some newcomers.

The man from earlier was still staring at you so you went ahead and opened the beer tap. Before the liquid even reached the top of the mug, a hand laid on top of the tap handle and turned the tap off.

"Now," Bucky's voice rang inside your ears, "how about you make me a mean drink, doll?"

[stumbleintothesun]

Life Rant

For the few people in here...sorry lmao this is long as hell.

Lately I've been feeling like...garbage. I know there's no one on this place that really follows me, so this is me posting to the void.

I have been dealing with a lot of health issues related to my mental health and weight. I've gained nearly twenty pounds in a year, and no matter what I do my weight doesn't budge. I work out regularly, Ive been trying to eat better but...my only thought is its because I'm working a desk job now - which I fucking hate with a fury. And I know my weight isnt the end of the world - it just really, really fucks with my mental health. I've always felt ugly. The only time I didn't was when I was super thin which I know is problematic - and I know that's part of my mental health...like my aunt died from an ED. And my mom definitely had/has an ED even if she's gotten much better about it in the past few years...

And I'm finally getting my face to clear up after wearing these masks for a year - a year! But I'm still dealing with the healing process and I'm anxious it will scar. I've worked this entire pandemic at a job I *hate* just to you know, finally pay off my student loans just go back to school so maybe I can do something I love. But even at 25 and providing for myself, I hardly got any financial help. The only thing saving me is my grades that got me a decent transfer scholarship.

But the first school I applied to wanted my high school transcript, even though I have an associate's degree, and because I'm, frankly, stupid I somehow missed that they needed it. So they threw out my application that I spent an otherwise four hours writing for.

So I'm going to Eastern, which frankly will be better for my mental health, but they don't have a tuition free program. So I'm going to have to borrow money after just finally paying off my single year at a liberal arts college debt that I took on when I was 17 (it ended up being like 30k to pay off). And it's all because I didn't fucking read right. So much for being a good student, I guess.

But it wouldn't have mattered because they would've hardly taken any of my classes despite most of them being from down the road and for an associate's degree! And even Eastern is giving me a hard time, despite my degree they say I don't have the basic level biology course - my degree is biology focused! I'm going into ecology! I have taken genetics, conservation biology, anatomy and physiology, cellular biology but I don't have intro bio? So now I have to test out, on top of working full time. Which is fine, its a good refresher...I'm just so overwhelmed with life right now. I have a stack of over 100 flash cards and I'm just anxious.

This is a year after my partner went through an ugly break up with their old fiance (we were poly), and their ex was an abusive POS who once told them if they came out as anything other than their assigned gender, he wouldn't date them anymore. He gaslit them constantly, made them feel like hell. So we finally got out, but he wanted the house they got together or 10k. He made over double what they make - and he always forced them to pay half the bills, including half of his fucking protein bullshit because it was "groceries." He knew they didn't have the funds. Because our friends are amazing, we were able to buy him off but he left the house trashed.

It fucking sucked, and they were also responsible for getting his name off the house which meant a refinance that we could hardly afford. We got lucky we were able to do it, but they hardly got anything back for it. And it was a *nightmare*. We finally got it done, after pulling teeth and it took six months. Four months longer than they said. And that entire time they were forced to occasionally reach out to him, their old abuser.

Finally we were free, but then I started having further issues at work. Between the pandemic, and working in a heavily red area during the election, I cried a lot. I work in customer service and while I make okay money for the industry, I'm constantly burned out. My colleagues are okay, but it feels stupid to leave just to find a job for three months to go back to school. Then I started being short in my drawer (I'm a teller at a bank). The final straw was being short $500. Now I'm on a work plan, and if Im short again, I'm out. And it's my fault. I don't know how it has been happening. So now I'm always on edge at work, triple checking everything. And I could leave, I could get another job but there's no promise I'll make what I do now, and in order for me to pay for the chunk of school I need to, I have to put away a certain amount every month.

I do have a grant of sorts for 5k per semester to help with bills, which will alleviate a lot once August arrives. And I know I'm crazy lucky to have that. So sometimes I feel like such an asshole about it. But we have a house to pay for and bills to pay. Just like everyone else. Ugh, I don't know.

I talked to my doctor about my weight, came in with calorie intake numbers and how much I work out with zero change. I cut out pop entirely from drinking it every day. Nothing has helped. So we switched my meds from Lexapro to Wellbutrin to see if I lose weight because of that. Nope, just having more mental break downs, steady weight, and my resting heart rate is abnormally high, stopping me from making a little extra cash donating plasma. So now I'm switching back to Lexapro with nothing gained other than. You know. Feeling like shit. Next up? Birth control coming out of my arm. Don't really need it anyway. And maybe that will help? But I don't think so. I'm not sure what to do.

I am genuinely trying to be healthy, eating more whole foods. More veggies. More home cooked meals. I love to cook, I'm just tired. And sometimes the air fryer and oven baked frozen foods are too easy to pass up. I'm trying to always eat breakfast. I'm working out again, we have a gym membership but there are so many men there and I dont always feel comfortable, because my partner has been anemic and they can't go yet. So I use our bike in the living room and do home workouts.

But when I did this last time there was zero change in weight or anything. Even when I ate really, really clean for three weeks and worked out for most days, tracking calories and everything. Nothing changed. My thyroid is fine, we've already checked it. I'm just tired.

This past year, other than being with my partner has fucking sucked. And this doesn't even cover all the shit they've dealt with with switching to they/them and a name change. I love them so much, and love that they are finally comfy but their parents were assholes about it. And that matters. It does, and I get it. I just wish I could help them more. I wish we had a break, a breather for longer than a day. Even then I can't relax, I'm too on edge. There's too much to be done. I need to earn money, I need to clean, I need to focus. I need to be productive in some way to justify if I'm not working on those things. It's...all dumb.