#i have to water it almost daily if it's not raining every day

[raininyourblackeyes]

EVERYONE LOOK AT MY LAVENDER PLANT!!

[perfectlyoongi]

HUSBAND!JIMIN who offers you a cat instead of an engagement ring. when Jimin entered the house with a small orange cat, you smiled widely at the thought that you would finally have an animal to keep you company; however, when you looked at the collar, a small inscription sparkling in the silver locket, you almost cried, the tears coming so naturally with the confirmation of Jimin's love for you — finally the beginning of your family. “the beginning of a new chapter: a marriage and a family. i couldn’t be happier.”

HUSBAND!JIMIN who almost cried at the end of your wedding day. the entire day was a river of emotions that drowned Jimin in the depths of happiness without any chance of escape; but he didn't care; even consumed by extreme euphoria, Jimin felt the happiest in the world that day and he knew this feeling would last for days — he could only cry, he was finally happy, with you, forever. “i just love you and i can't believe we're actually married. my life will never be sad again, i’m sure.”

HUSBAND!JIMIN who sends you random messages throughout the day just to encourage you. Jimin's fingers were quick to send you messages daily, almost instinctively; whenever you appeared in his mind or when he saw something that reminded him of you, Jimin would start writing small tender words soaked in passion on his cell phone to make your day better, to show you that he will never forget you. “don’t forget to drink water. straighten your back and keep kicking ass at work.”

HUSBAND!JIMIN who likes to surprise you at work during lunch. whenever Jimin had extra time during his lunch break, he would make a point of surprising you at work, taking you out to lunch to clear your head and tell him about all the stress you might have accumulated in the first part of your job; just relaxed conversation, your husband supporting every word and delicious food to make that lunch ideal. “if we leave now, we can get a table at that restaurant you like. i’ll pay today, don’t worry.”

HUSBAND!JIMIN who randomly kisses you when you're at home. Jimin was simply full of love for you, it was impossible not to show you; when he met you in the kitchen, before leaving the house, when you were watching tv or before he went to take a shower, it didn't matter what you were doing or when, Jimin always made a point of kissing you gently and quickly, showing you day after day that the flame that arose in both of you when you were younger would burn forever. “my lips were a lonely, they just wanted company.”

HUSBAND!JIMIN who goes on long night walks around the city with you. holding your hand, without any destination in mind, Jimin walked relaxed through the city, letting the city sounds become the background music of your walk; you rarely spoke, but there was no need for words either, not when the city sang you private serenades and made you lose yourself in long moments of contemplation. “next week it will rain every day. do you want to go for a walk today and enjoy the clear sky?”

HUSBAND!JIMIN who will ensure that your love is forever genuine. Jimin knew that the feeling that united you was true, kept inside you for so long that it was already part of you; so, it was impossible for any of you to force the fire that burns your hearts, it was impossible to recreate that fire — Jimin was sure of that, but that didn't stop him from, day after day, year after year, remembering the love he felt for you, the love that makes his life more beautiful. “one day, one of us will be alone, but i know that even then, our love will continue to exist and make us happy.”

[shanieveh]

i was enchanted to meet you !

— first meeting with the genshin men

meet-cute — kaveh, bennett, gorou, tighnari, THOMA, diluc, itto, ZHONGLI, childe, HEIZOU, kazuha

You didn't know it back then. When your comfort place was found by a cute little cat. It wandered onto your lap and as you soothe it gently it closes its eyes. Then you see a handsome stranger that is searching for something, anything—but when your eyes meet he finally calms down.

He hurries over and scoops the cat from your lap. And then came a flood of sorries and apologies came rolling over his mouth. You say no problem, but his eyes still a spark a bit of guilt. You finally agreed to his offer of a free drink, and as you, him and the cat go on to the café you can't help but feel the power of fate.

started of on a sour note — albedo, AYATO, scaramouche, dainsleif, ALHAITHAM, kaeya, cyno, xingqiu

It was the new book of your favorite author. And after scowering every book store in your area you finally found it. Just as your hands reach upon it the book was also captured by another hand... oh no. And as both of you argued and argued the cash register didn't know what to do.

It even went to the point that the manager walked in the door and asked a compromise. No. You waited for YEARS to get this book, he would just have to admit defeat. And in a moment of genius the manager agreed to a deal in which both of you will own the book, and every week the other gets to keep it. Hell no!

confiding in a stranger — chongyun, AYATO, thoma, diluc, xiao, ZHONGLI, kaveh, KAEYA, kazuha, heizou

Life just keep on getting worse. And now you stand there in the middle of the street as water keep on pouring in... there was no point in sheltering from the rain. At this point you embrace it. But when all went terrible, your head no longer felt the water. Your body no longer felt the rain.

Suddenly your waist was encircled by his arms, you met his gaze for the first time. His eyes... it looked like a bad day for him too. And you both just stood there... still wet, less cold. Still hurt but not alone. You didn't care who he was or why he was here, you cared that he was here when everybody left.

love at first sight — pantalone, aether, bennett, KAEYA, venti, ALHAITHAM, albedo, CHILDE

Running fast pace, you were almost late. Not minding a rock, just then he entered and both of you crashed into each other. Your hands in his chest... his eyes were beautiful. Seconds went ro minuted before you let go of his eyes, dusting up your comfortable clothes. You were late.

His eyes dare not leave you. You eyes were beautiful, you were beautiful. Before caring to dust himself he checked if you have a bruise or two, making sure you were okay. Even if he was the one that hit the ground. You skipped to work that day, you lost your daily income but you gained a "special" friend.

[glowettee]

becoming your dream self: part 1 - creating your aesthetic blueprint ♡

hello darlingssss, it's mindy here to start our journey into becoming our most ethereal selves. especially for 2025, i already have a 2025 series, i'll be creating the masterlist for it soon!! but today we're laying the foundation of your dream persona, but not in the way you might expect. forget traditional vision boards - we're creating an aesthetic blueprint that speaks to your soul.

first, let's do something unconventional: spend a week documenting the moments that make your heart flutter.

i keep a tiny notebook in my favorite cardigan (i wear almost everydayyy) pocket and write down everything that causes that magical feeling - the way morning light hits your teacup, the sound of vintage jewelry boxes closing, the rustle of paper when turning pages in old books. the smell of rain, dark academia spotify playlists, etc! you don't need to keep a notebook in your pocket (as most notebooks don't fit) so you can bring a normal-sized one but just bring a bag with you that your notebook fits into. ex: tote bags.

here's my secret technique: create what i call "sensory anchors." choose five specific sensory experiences that embody your dream self:

a signature scent (mine is a mix of rose water and old books, or even victoria secret perfume)

a specific texture (i chose raw silk)

a recurring sound (my antique music box melody)

a taste (earl grey with lavender honey)

a visual motif (pressed flowers between glass)

next, we build these into daily rituals. instead of just planning how you want to look, plan how you want to feel.

my tip: create a "dream self hour" - the first hour after waking where you live exactly as your dream self would. don't check your phone, don't rush. move slowly, deliberately, like you're in a soft-focus film.

note: your dream self isn't just about appearance - it's about creating an atmosphere that follows you everywhere. i keep tiny vials of my signature scent in every bag, pressed flowers in my wallet, and a music box tune for my ring tones on my phone. these little touches help you embody your dream self even in mundane moments. it's really the first step to creating your dream self/persona

homework for this week: identify your five sensory anchors and practice incorporating at least one each day. document how it makes you feel in a dedicated journal.

with love and whispers of possibility, mindy ♡

[acepalindrome]

SDV QoL Mod Recommendations

(1.6 Edition!)

Some years ago I made a big list of some of my favorite Stardew Valley mods, because I am a mod gremlin and there are so many fun and cool things you can do with your game! Modding has changed a lot since then. Some of the old mods have been abandoned and aren’t compatible with 1.6, and lots of new ones are popping up all the time to help keep this 8 year old game fresh and interesting! So I’ve put together a list of mods that currently work with 1.6. Since there are so, SO many mods, I’m just going to list quality of life mods for now. Let me know if you guys are interested in recommendations for expansions, cosmetics and other fun stuff!

Firstly, if you’re new to Stardew modding and don’t know how to start, I highly recommend checking out Salmence’s How to Add Mods video on YouTube. He walks you through all the steps and makes it very easy to get the hang of it! And without further ado:

The Mods

UI Info Suite 2: I’m new to this mod, but now that I’ve got it, I’m not sure how I lived without it! It does so much! It shows your daily luck, any birthdays, if it’s going to rain tomorrow, when tools are ready with Clint, when the traveling cart is in town and more! It also shows the range of your sprinklers, scarecrows, bee houses and junimo huts, and if you mouse over your crops, it shows when they’re ready for harvest! Super useful, and the daily icons are small enough that they don’t feel intrusive. I usually get all my mods from Nexus because it’s easy and reliable, so I had put off trying this one since it’s only on GitHub. I absolutely should have tried it ages ago.

NPC Map Locations: Shows where everyone is on the map. No more running around trying to figure out where someone is to give them a birthday gift! This is an essential mod for me, it’s such a simple but good improvement!

Look Up Anything: This one basically eliminates the need to have the wiki open in another window. Virtually everything in the game can be clicked on to give you more information. Mouse over Shane and press a button to see his birthday, how many hearts he has and how many points to the next heart, and all loved and liked items (with items you have on hand highlighted!) Select the hardwood in your inventory to see how many you have total (including storage you don’t have on hand,) everything it can be used for and how many you need for each thing, so you know how many you need! Almost everything can be selected to give more information!

Visible Fish: Useful AND pretty! It shows all the fish currently available to catch swimming in the water, so you don’t spend ages trying to catch something that doesn’t spawn at a certain place or time! Also it just looks really nice. I love seeing the fish in the river when I’m just passing by!

FriendsForever: Eliminates friendship decay, so people don’t hate me if I forget to talk to them for half a year! Also works on animals, so I can ignore my pigs all winter and they still love me.

To-Dew: You can make a to-do list that will appear on the screen and can be marked off as you complete different tasks. No more will I take a trip to town for seeds and forget that I also wanted to donate to the museum and give Caroline a daffodil! You can also set items to be reoccurring on certain days of the week, if you want to remind yourself to look for forage on Saturday, or make Thursday your designated day to empty and refill your kegs. Very customizable! I also like to make lists of all the seeds I want to buy every season.

TreeTransplant: Robin can now move trees around your farm just like she moves buildings! I’m really bad at planning my tree placement, and it’s so frustrating to have to cut down full grown trees to change my farm layout. Now you can move trees anywhere!

Fishing Made Easy Suite/Combat Made Easy Suite: I love these mods over others that make fishing/combat easier because you can decide the exact degree you want to make things easier! You can make fishing anywhere from 5% easier to 99% easier, if you want to just take the edge off the difficulty, or make it impossible to fail a fish. You can take just a little less damage from monsters to make the Skull Cavern less daunting, or become unkillable and oneshot everything. They also have options to do fun things like put legendary fishing in fish ponds or craft magic rock candy. You can also make things harder, if that’s what you want!

Automate: Machines can pull items from chests, process them, spit them back out into the chest and pull in the next item automatically, without you having to do anything! It can be a little op early on, but it’s super handy when you have a million machines to keep track of. I especially like it for things that have shorter processing times. I can stick a chest of ore and coal next to some furnaces and let it do its thing! Or put a bait machine, recycle machine, crab pot and chest all together. The crab pots will empty and refill every day from the bait generated by the bait machine, deposit fish and trash into the chest, and any trash will be processed by the recycling machine! There are tons of fun ways to combine different machines!

TimeSpeed: Lets you stop, slow or speed up time! You can select time to freeze at certain locations (I like time to stop when I’m inside a building, like in old farming games,) set time to move slower or faster in general, or press a button to change it on the fly!

That’s all I have for now! Links will be coming in a reblog because tumblr is weird about posting links sometimes. Let me know if you’d like recommendations for other kinds of mods, like cosmetic mods, expansions, stuff that adds items or changes dialogue! I love to share the cool mods I find!

[medusapelagia]

Sea Storm

written for @steddiemicrofic (prompt: Top, wc: 510) and STWG Daily Drabble (prompt: Mermay) rated: T TW: no one

When Eddie asked the wizard of the sea to transform him into a human he thought he knew what he was asking for. In reality, he didn't.

He exchanged his voice for a pair of legs, renounced seeing his uncle Wayne anymore and now he can’t touch the water if he doesn’t want to be turned back in a merman. Still, the man who he did all of this for isn’t considering him.

Yeah, Steve took him to his castle, fed him, but that’s all.

Every time Eddie tries to spend some time with him, someone drags him away. And it would almost be funny if it wasn’t for the fact that Eddie needs a kiss: the sea wizard gave him three days, and two of them are already gone. 

If only Eddie had his voice, he could talk to Steve, telling him it was him who saved him from the storm weeks ago. But he can’t. So he sighs, sitting on a rock, waving at the two boys that are playing on the beach. At Eddie’s side, hidden between the rocks, his crab friend reminds him that making a pact with a sea wizard it's dangerous.

As if Eddie had ever had any other chance.

Steve kneels on the ground and grabs a few colored pieces of glass that shine in his hand when he turns toward Eddie to show him his treasure. 

The sad smile Eddie gives him it’s not enough, so Steve steps closer to Eddie asking him what’s wrong.

At that moment big black clouds appear from nowhere and the waves start to get bigger and bigger. 

Steve turns toward Dustin, who is on top of a big rock, just a moment before a huge wave crashes and drags him away.

Steve yells, running toward the rocks, and jumps in the water, screaming his brother’s name. 

From the shore, Eddie freezes. His eyes wide with terror while the waves get bigger and bigger. He glares at the waves’ white foam and then steps into the water.

“Go back to the shore!” He orders Steve when he gets to him, ignoring his questions about his magically regained voice, “I’ll find the kid. I promise.” He assures him, and then he dives into the water splashing Steve with his red tail. 

Eddie finds Dustin unconscious and brings him back to the surface where Steve is still waiting for them. He takes his brother out of the water and starts to breathe into his mouth until the boy wakes up coughing. 

Once Steve is sure that Dustin is ok, he turns toward Eddie who is hiding behind a rock.

“You talk!” He exclaims, and Eddie nods quietly, “Good. Because you have to explain so many things to me.”

“Aren’t you horrified?” Eddie asks, hiding half of his body behind the rocks.

“Horrified at the person who saved both me and my brother? No. I’m grateful. And maybe even a little bit in love.” Steve declares, stepping in the water before cupping Eddie’s face and kissing him under the rain.

[jayden-killer]

DREAMS ARE MY REALITY.

what would happen if your favourite fictional character appeared in your bed..?

Part 2

A/N: finally came back! Exams period is almost done, so I can mainly focus on writing fan fics and replying to your comments. Thanks to everyone who never stopped giving me support during these months.~ For this story I was heavily inspired by the "Reality" song by Richard Sanderson. Last night I watched "La Boum" and something clicked in my mind the moment the movie titles came by. I highly recommend that movie (and its main song!).

☆

Fantastic. Another day gone bad. Not only I lost my notes taken at university with great effort (who knows where they flew thanks to the wind...), but it had rained until the end of the afternoon and a careless car passed by at great speed, soiling me with rain and migo mixed together.

«Ugh! You fucker!» My feet stomped hard on the dirt, realizing that what had just happened was just the beginning of a long evening. I'll just open the front door, walk into the kitchen, and throw my comfort on the sofa that I look forward to.

It seemed like an eternity would pass on the way back, and my body barely even managed to walk, almost like a dead weight. Don't walk on the ground. That would have been the last straw.

«Shit,» I thought aloud, the moment my eyes saw my house from afar, «Finally home». Taking the keys out of the backpack was also, a real pain in the ass: a real tangle of wires and metal had formed there since my headphones had not been folded properly. A sigh escaped from my lips the moment I walked through the front door, searching with difficulty for the light switch. I didn't waste any more time removing the ruined clothes (and placing them in a water bath) and letting a hot shower melt my nerves. It was just what I needed.

I knew I had a smile as I lathered my body thoroughly. Now the scent of lavender was something calming.

``I should make some tea too``.

~

«Oh, now that's what I am talking about! ». My smile didn't leave my face, as I excitedly opened the book I had left hanging a few days ago, due to my exam period. Being under stress didn't help me find the concertation and desire to identify myself with the main character of the book. ``That's enough``. This thought flooded my mind. ``Now you can rest, because you deserve it, so enjoy your reading``.

``Thanks, other me, maybe you're right`` I replied to the little inner voice that I assumed had a satisfied grin on her face.

Yet my eyes fell on the mega poster that took up most of my bedroom wall: Miguel O'Hara. This man was going to be the death of me one of these days. I remembered the day when my heart wanted him only for me: in the new Spiderman, starring Miles Morales, many would have said that he was the perfect villain, even if I kept countering, claiming the opposite. Of course, his anger issues didn't help get people on his side. He was perfect in every aspect: tall, muscular, intelligent, thoughtful. My god, where do I have to sign to have him next to me?

«Too good to be true». I sighed aloud again as I pulled my attention away from the poster and back into my book. I think it wasn't long after I started reading and my eyes started to get heavy. I might have let go of the book, and fallen asleep with it on my chest. It had been a bad day in every way. Perhaps that is the reason I imagined hugging Miguel more than once. Maybe that's why I also felt my mattress getting heavier under my back.

~

I was awakened by the sun's rays penetrating through the curtains of my room. I loudly grunted at the thought of getting up early to do my daily cleaning chores around the house. But what harm would it have been to stay in my warm bed for at least an hour longer? Turning over, I had the feeling that my bed had gotten much heavier. Or was I still dreaming of hugging Miguel?

Slowly my eyes opened and focused on an unfamiliar figure lying next to me. I had a moment of confusion. Why...was there a person in my bed?

Only when I fully focused on who was in front of me I almost fainted on the spot.

"AAAAHH!" I grabbed the first pillow nearby, slapping the stranger hard several times, and leapt out of bed, the pillow still in my hands. The man, taken aback, tripped on the ground, and a great thud resounded in the bedroom. I hugged the pillow tightly to my chest. Oh, holy god. What was happening at that moment? I was so confused I could have sworn my face was as just as confused.

The man grunted aloud and scrambled to his feet, throwing his hands in surrender.

«What the fuck did I do?!» he yelled, in sheer confusion too. Maybe at that moment, I could have passed out, I swear to whoever you want! Because whoever I had in front of me was a real dream.

«Holy shit...»

«What?!»

I swallowed hard. «You are Miguel O'Hara. Miguel O'Hara was in my room, in my bed!»

[allinthemagicshop]

Not How I Wanted to Meet Your Parents

Bangchan X Fem!Reader

wc: ~3000

Angst, fluff at the end

Again, this makes me cringe a little bit looking back at it but also I think I see some potential to grow from this so here's yet another from my vault

No warnings that I can think of, besides pet names maybe? Insecurity, crying also present. Some cursing.

I do not own the rights to Stray Kids or anything related to them, this is a work of pure fiction and just for fun

Channie💕: hey babygirl, I’m so sorry. I have to stay late at the studio again. I’ll just go back to the dorm instead of waking you up so don’t wait up. I’m sorry.

I crumpled into myself. Texts like these have been coming daily for the last three weeks straight. Every single date night was canceled, always for the same reason. I can’t bring myself to think of it as an excuse. That would be he is trying to find ways to avoid me. Unless he finally realized that I’m just holding him back from creating more, creating better. Maybe I am just a pawn to find inspiration in, like a learning experience more than a loving one. I lay my phone down on the nightstand and glance over at the sweatshirt Chan left the last time he stayed the night. It’s been nearly two months since then, his scent long gone. Instead of replying, knowing I wouldn’t get a response, I leaned over and shut my lamp off. Maybe in my dreams he would love me again. 

●●●

The morning light shines through the small crack in my curtains. I sit up, rubbing my eyes as I lean over to grab my phone. No new messages. My heart sinks. This is the part I was dreading the most. Never had Chan canceled a date night and not immediately tried to reschedule. So this is it then. Taking a shaky breath, I shut down my phone. It’s no better than a paperweight right now when all I’ll be doing is waiting for him to reach out first. It’s childish of me, I know I could reach out first, but that brings more brewing of hope that it isn’t over if he responds. Or worse yet, if he does respond and confirms that it’s over. 

Letting my despair guide me, I shuffle towards the bathroom. Turning on the shower, I peel myself out of the clothes I wore to sleep in and step under the cold water. I don’t want warmth, that’s what he was. I just want to hide in the rain and gloom as these thoughts take over my body. It’s not like I can pack up and move out, we don’t share an apartment. Changing the code to my apartment is a possibility, but then I have to let all my friends know the new code and explain why it had to be changed. The only other option I can come up with is going back home for a few days. I moved to Seoul for school, but my family was back in the States. It’d give me the distance I need, and maybe some home cooked meals would heal the hole in my heart. I know Dad would pay for it, he’s been asking me to come home for a couple months now.

Taking a deep breath, I shut the water off and wrap a towel around me as I step out. Sighing, I walk back towards my bed and sit down at the edge. Bracing myself as I start my phone back up, I immediately call Dad as soon as it allows me to. “Hey! I know I’ve been delaying coming back home but I really miss you guys. I have the next two weeks off and was wondering if that would work for you and Mom?”

  “Darling, anything works for our little girl to be back in our arms. Give me a second to look at flights. How long would you need to pack? We still have plenty of your clothes here, you know.” Laughing a little as I struggle to keep my composure, I glance around the room. “I can be ready to go as early as tonight then.”

“Really? There’s a flight that leaves at 5pm, your time. You’d have a couple hours to pack. Is that enough time?” His giddiness is almost palpable through the crackling speaker. A genuine snort forces its way out. “Sure, Dad. Thank you, I love you and I’ll see you soon then.” I stand up as he replies, “I love you so much, honey. Your mom is going to be so happy to have her baby back home for a while.” I hang up a little after a little more farewells are exchanged, insisting that I need to start packing. I make the mistake of glancing down at the screen before I get changed.

Channie💕: good morning, sweets. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can attempt to reschedule. It’s so hectic here with the comeback so soon and the album not being near ready enough. We’ll talk soon

Dread coils my gut, nearly knocking me over. That’s two messages without the words I need most. With shaking fingers I finally respond back, Oh okay. I love you. I throw my phone on the bed and walk away towards the closet, changing quickly. I refuse to look at my phone again until I have a suitcase packed. 

●●●

Almost two hours later, I finally find the courage to pick my phone back up. Checking the time, I notice two notifications: one text and one email. Unlocking the screen, my heart shatters. Both are from Dad. The email is the flight information, informing me that I have around an hour to get to the airport.

Father Dearest: y/n, I forwarded the email with all ur flight info. Oh, honey, I can’t explain how excited I am to have u home with us. If u haven’t finished packing yet, good luck. Love u!

Sighing as tears finally fall down my cheeks, I order an Uber to take me to the airport. I know I should text Chan, but I can’t bring myself to allow even the possibility of going unanswered again. I’ll let him know before the plane takes off, using the cushion of the flight to allow me the escape I’ll need.

An agonizing 20 minutes pass before I’m climbing into the Uber. I spare a glance  up at my apartment as we pull away. A part of me hopes he’ll show up to find me gone before I can even text him. It’s selfish and petty, but I just want Chan to feel a part of the agony I’ve been feeling. A simple conversation might be able to solve all of this, but we haven’t been able to have a solid 5 minute conversation in the past month, let alone one long enough to require what needs to be said. He couldn’t even get time off for a quick phone call on our one-year anniversary last week. Tears are slipping down my face before I know it. I quickly rub my sleeves over my face, not wanting the driver to ask questions. 

We finally pull up to the airport and I climb out, thanking him for the ride. I barely feel present in my body as I walk through the motions of the airport. Next thing I know, I’m sitting in my seat staring out the window. The announcement comes that phones need to be turned off soon. Taking a deep breath, I prepare the text for Chan.

Hi, Channie. I want to start off by saying I’m not mad, I completely understand. You’re an idol and I knew this was going to be difficult when I agreed to be your girlfriend. I guess I misjudged exactly how difficult it would actually be. I want to thank you for the last year. You were such a blessing in my life, crashing into me and claiming your spot in my heart. I don’t know if you feel the same, I can’t talk to you anymore to confirm or deny my suspicions. The distance between us recently has said more than we’ve been able to. I’ve decided to make it more physical for a little while. I’m headed back home for a couple weeks. I know the timezone difference is going to be hard to communicate, but we’ve gotten so used to it that it shouldn’t feel any different. If this is goodbye, all I ask is that you just remove your stuff from my apartment before I get back. I’m sorry I couldn’t be stronger. I do love you, Chan. I just miss you too much to keep this up.

I hit send just as we begin our take-off. Shutting my phone and my feelings off, I lay my head back and drift to sleep, keen on waking up only when I can step off the flight into my parents’ arms. 

●●●

I didn’t last the whole flight, but the last few hours were filled with reading the book I had packed just in case sleep evaded me. It was enough to not think about Chan, but never enough to dull the ache in my chest. We finally landed and shuffled off the plane, all heading towards baggage claim. Refusing to turn my phone back on, I felt like a robot on autopilot as I followed the crowd. I grabbed my suitcase and squared my shoulders as I prepared to face my family. They knew about Chan and I’s relationship, but I don’t want this trip to be about my broken heart. I walk out the doors and it takes me only a minute of scanning before I hear my name being shouted seconds before Dad barrels into me, lifting me off my feet in a hug. Mom wraps her arms around me as he sets me down, tears falling down all our faces.

“Oh my baby! You’re finally home! I’ve missed you so much.” Mom sobs into my shoulder, holding me tighter than should be humanly possible. I hug her back before tapping her shoulder, in need of oxygen. She pulls back with a relieved smile. “I have your favorite dinners planned for the whole time you're here. How’s Chan?” 

My own smile falters for a split second before I straighten myself out. “Oh, you know, he’s just busy with his comeback. I had plenty of time to myself to make an impromptu trip,” partially the truth, just not the whole story. I can work with that easier than an outright lie. I smile at both my parents as they nod in understanding, Dad grabbing my suitcase to put in the car while Mom pulls my hand to get us going. The ride home is full of small talk about how work is going, how school was this last semester, how they are enjoying Dad’s new bonus from work. I fall into a comfortable silence as they keep the conversation flowing between them. 

●●●

After dinner I finally find the courage to turn my phone back on, it’s been nearly six hours since I landed. It’s early morning back in Seoul, close enough to a full day since I sent the text to Chan. As my phone turns on, I’m bombarded with notifications. Missed calls and texts, nearly all from Chan.

Channie💕: Baby what?

Channie💕: You didn’t actually leave did you?

*two miss calls from Channie💕*

Channie💕: Y/N please answer me. I can’t stand this, don’t leave me. I love you so much

Channie💕: I know I haven’t seen you in a bit or been able to talk to you but I don’t want to lose you

Channie💕: Baby please be at home, please let this be some cruel prank

Channie💕: You’re really not at home. Oh my god, baby please come back to me. I can’t lose you please don’t do this I love you

*four missed calls from Channie💕*

Channie💕: I get it. Baby, I understand it’s hard. I should’ve tried harder for you. You mean so much to me. I fell into my typical work pattern and left you out, I’m so so fucking sorry. You’re a priority too and I neglected that. I need you

Channie💕: you went back home… for fuck’s sake I screwed up. I just saw the date. Oh my god y/n im the worst. I didnt even take off for our anniversary. You were waiting for me to even acknowledge it and i couldnt even do that. I fucked up so bad

Channie💕: Babygirl… i feel like i cant even breathe right now, my heart’s been ripped out and flew across the world with you

*eight missed calls from Channie💕*

Channie💕: okay okay, I know this is getting excessive and I get that you’re on the plane but you should’ve landed by now. Just let me know that you’re alive. 

Channie💕: My sweet girl, I will fix this. Fix us. I can’t imagine going through life without you in it. 

Channie💕: I hope what I’m about to do doesn’t further break us, I love you so much, to the moon and stars beyond

The last text sent my heart into a stuttering stop. What did he mean by that first part? A wave of relief followed by anxiety floods my system. The last text was sent almost four hours ago. Tears welled in my eyes as I listened to the multiple voicemails he left. All practically the same as his texts, only I could hear the voice breaks and sobs between words. My heart cracked open and pain seeped through me. 

Chris what are you doing? I understand that you’re busy, you don’t need to apologize, I’m the one who couldn’t handle it. We can talk when I get back, just focus on the album. Maybe with a longer time to plan we can sit and have a proper conversation. I still love you.

I chewed on my lower lip nervously as I waited for his response. After staring at the screen for nearly 30 minutes with no reply, I sighed as I assumed he just had to go back to work, blocking out the relationship that was sinking underwater. I quietly changed and crawled into bed. One last glance at my phone showed no new notifications. Tears flooded my face as I turned over in my childhood bed, resigned to sleep until the pain subsided.

●●●

I woke up to my mom shaking my shoulder. Blinking, I turned over to her, my face swollen from crying until I passed out. “Oh honey, I’m sorry to wake you up but there’s someone here to see you,” Mom bit down on her lips, like she was trying not to smile. I sat up and grabbed my phone, realizing that I’d slept for nearly 14 hours. “Okay, who is it?”

Mom shook her head and finally let the smile break free. “I think you should check for yourself, they said they’ve been wanting to see you for a while.” I cocked my head, confusion etched across my face. She just smiled brighter as she backed out of the room. “Just get dressed and I’ll send them up in a couple minutes. They’re finishing some tea up with your dad.” Tea? Dad doesn’t even like tea, he’s a die-hard coffee lover. Confusion still clouding my mind, I walked to my closet, ignoring the suitcase on the ground and threw on a sundress I had left here. I didn’t know who was waiting or how formal I had to be. I quickly threw my hair into a braid before checking my face in the mirror. The puffiness wouldn’t be able to go away in time, as I already heard rushed steps up the stairs. It finally dawned on me that whoever it was was being sent up to my room. Who would my parents have me meet in my room instead of downstairs with them?

As soon as the thought finished, my door was practically kicked open. I had less than 2 seconds to process who it was before arms were around me and squeezing me almost as hard as Mom had at the airport. Instantly the familiar scent hit my nose and I reeled back, surprise taking over the confusion and tears welling up faster than ever before.

“My sweet babygirl, you think I could handle two weeks with you in another country across the world after what I did?” Chan smiled as tears streaked down his face, clearly wary of my reaction. “I- fuck. I’m so sorry for everything,” he fell to his knees in front of me. “I didn’t expect to meet your family like this. Hell, your dad’s first impression of me was with tears streaming down my face and blubbering out what I did before I was even invited in,” Chan laughed at himself a little. “Of course, then I was immediately brought to the kitchen where he had me sit down and explain everything. I felt like such an idiot saying it all out loud. I wouldn’t have forgiven me if I was him. But then he said it wasn’t up to him, it’s your decision on if I should get kicked to the curb.” I stood in silence, staring down at him. He wrapped his arms around my legs, shaking from the sobs he was clearly holding back. “Baby, my y/n. I don’t even know where to begin. I screwed up so tremendously. The company couldn’t even stop me before I had booked a flight and had Bin race me to the airport. Felix called me a moron before I left,” at that he leaned back and rubbed the back of his neck.

“He’s not wrong.” I sunk down to my knees to be level with him. His eyes widened and tears still silently slid down his cheeks. I shook my head as I pulled him to me, finally hugging him back. “You’re a moron for coming here when you should be working on the album. But I don’t think I’ve ever loved you more. We can get through this. I just- it sounds so selfish- but I needed to truly see if you still wanted this. This was more than I ever expected.” I pulled back to look him in the eyes, bringing my hands to his cheeks to wipe the tears away. I leaned forward and connected our foreheads, breathing in his presence.

His words were barely a whisper as he breathed them into our shared space. “I thought I lost you. I swear on my career that I will change for you. You mean too much to me to watch you slip away again. I love you more than words can express. To the moon and stars beyond, my angel. Always.” I closed my eyes at his confession, breathing in the love he was giving back to me.

“How about we go back downstairs and reintroduce you to my parents. Since, you know, you’re meeting them now.” I giggled softly as he stiffened. 

“Can we hold each other a little longer first? I look like a mess and it’s been long overdue to have you in my arms again.” I fully laughed at that. “Of course, love. You’re mine, they can wait to see the best version of you while I piece it back together for a bit.” He pulled away and stared at me. Without another word, he launched into a tackle, hugging me like he would never let go. 

[ahsokathegray]

Rain Over Me

Pairing: Rexsoka

Prompt: Rexsoka Monthly Dec. ‘23 - Unexpected Encounters

Summary: When it rains, it pours. At least, that’s how Rex had always heard it. But he soon finds even the most dreadful of rains give life back to that which lacks it.

Tags: angst, bittersweet, rainy confessions, lost without each other, established relationship, post bad batch

Word Count: 3,426

A/N: this was just an excuse to write sad, lonely Rex with a reunion in the rain and I’m only somewhat sorry (@rexsoka-monthly)

read on ao3! / masterlist

The wood on the dusty, old shack was darker now with the onslaught of rain. Its months dry boards drank in the water and was hydrated once more, appearing to be in its prime again if only until the rain cleared. In more ways than one, it had been a dreary summer and the rain was much needed.

Rex had grown fond of the little restaurant — if one could call it that.

It wasn’t kept up to standards, he was most certain. He’d only seen someone sweep the place once. It was a sad little place, but comforting in its own right. The only faces that were constant here were those of the owner or the employees. Rex never saw anyone else twice.

Maybe he saw a bit of himself in the old shack — weary, unkempt, a stranger to itself, lacking energy.

He wasn’t an old man, no, the cure had stopped all that. But he did feel like it, and he’d always look older than his true age. Seventeen years of life didn’t reflect what he felt in his joints, what he recalled in his mind, what was on his false chain code, and what he saw when he looked back at himself in the mirror.

Yeah. Like the shack in the rain, he felt he was falsely young in appearance. It felt wrong not to age so quickly anymore, even though it was the most normal part of human life.

Rex carded a few fingers through his short, blonde curls, wicked the rain off his coat, and ascended the creaky steps. He took a menu, even though he knew he’d order the same thing as always, and seated himself at his usual booth.

The owner, who was old, wordlessly brought him a steaming cup of caf.

“I see we are past the point of asking now,” Rex observed, a corner of his mouth turning up.

A raspy laugh filled the stale, humid air, “What can I say? You’re my favorite regular, Rex!”

The other corner of Rex’s mouth raised, “I’m your only regular, Mr. Kip.”

“And a damn good tipper too,” the Ithorian man smiled, winking before walking back into the kitchen.

Well, he had nothing else to spend his credits on.

Rex scanned the menu items as if he didn’t already have the selections memorized. Even the daily special was the same every single day. Nothing changed and he found he had no qualms about that. After years of unpredictability and pushing his body, mind, and heart to their limits of strain, he found peace in the monotony of routine.

After much deliberation, Rex settled on the Single Sun Breakfast to no surprise. He half expected his meal to be brought out without confirmation, but old Kip stopped back by to make sure anyway.

He could get used to it — the not talking. It was rare he did much of it anyway these days, what with living alone. And, truly, he did enjoy the company of the staff, but the more minimal the interactions the better. Getting attached to people was a flaw he would never risk again. Losing so many loved ones in such a small frame of time would prompt anyone to make such vows.

Rex very much hoped there was a version of himself out there that hadn’t sworn it off, that he was happy and surrounded by those he held dear.

His fork was turned around in his fingers as he tried to ignore the fact he’d finally acknowledged that he was unhappy. It had been that way for years now and it was difficult to revisit the last time the opposite had been true.

It had been warm on Mandalore, when rumors of the war ending sparked hope rather than memories of almost; when battle felt good and he felt invincible and life had been first punctuated by something like love and a woman like her.

Squeezing the cutlery, he set it back down and threaded his fingers together, glancing out the condensating window instead.

Rain came down violently onto the flora just outside the establishment, but pattered softly on the windowsill. Every now and then, a drop found its way inside, or perhaps it was the water droplets still clinging to his hair. Oh, if that illustrious Captain could see him now. That version of himself would disapprove immensely of so many things — but his hair would be at the top of the list.

He did not wish to remind himself of what came second and was thankful when he spotted his plate emerging from the kitchen. His breakfast was brought out with little fanfare and looked as if always did. This pleased him.

As he ate, he thought of what he needed to get done in the upcoming week. He needed to give the old Y-wing a fresh coat of paint; the Republic and medic insignias were becoming visible again, as well as a damning shade of blue. The hole in the roof of his tiny home needed to be patched still. He kicked himself for not doing it sooner and added purchasing a bucket to his growing list.

Something like a laugh escaped him around a bite of rolled omelette, thinking about his helmet being used to collect water from a roof leak. It was when his head lifted up to do this that he saw a pair on montrals facing away from him, seated at a booth closer to the door.

There was a tightening in his lungs and the gaping hole in his heart was reopened; discarded of anything he’d ever used to cover it with. Rex swallowed hard and placed his head in his hands, counting as he regulated his breathing.

This happened every time he thought he saw her.

And, without fail, it was never her.

He ought to have internalized that by now. It had just been so long since the last time he mistook someone else for her. Lone Togrutas were not a sight seen often; they didn’t tend to stray very far from Kiros or Shili.

Rex wished that wasn't the case.

Seeing them more often might’ve kicked this fool’s hope earlier — the one that bubbled up violently inside him whenever he caught a glimpse of three lekku rather than the usual two or, like today, a set of montrals.

They were femininely shaped and blue, just like he knew hers to be, which didn’t help matters.

Getting up from the table to visit the refresher solely to see if it was her was something he was not going to let himself do. He had to get over this. He couldn’t let it control the trajectory of his day each time it happened.

Exhaling and centering himself, Rex finished his meal with a difficulty that hadn’t been present before and told himself his appetite was still there even though that was far from the case. Memories of similar breakfasts in similar restaurants with her bullied their way to the forefront of his mind. Small bouquets of freshly plucked flowers, dirt still clinging to them, being given to her and then placed in a cup of water from wherever they’d been eating.

Rex couldn’t help himself.

Once his plate was clear, he looked across the six booths that separated them. But the woman’s montrals were nowhere to be seen. Rex waited a little longer to see if she was just leaning down looking over a menu or taking a bite of food, but the montrals did not reappear.

Panic swept through him, his veins turning into hot plasma underneath his skin.

He rose promptly from his booth, eyes glued to the one she’d been at. Only a half finished mug of tea sat on the table. She never did like caf. His heart rate shifted into high gear and he made a beeline for the register, already fishing around in his pocket for credits, his fingers shaking.

“Oh, there’ll be no need today,” Kip said with a particularly pleased smile.

The hand in Rex’s pocket stilled and his heart leapt into his throat. “What do you mean?” His voice rattled as he spoke.

“Why, the young lady who just left covered your meal. Said to thank you for your service,” The Ithorian pointed to the entrance as the door slid closed.

For the first time in a long time, the world around Rex melted away and began to slow. Everything became muffled. The credit chits he had in his hand were placed onto the counter despite what the owner had just told him and before he could even tell them to do so, his feet were carrying him to the exit.

“Rex, what do you want me to do with this?”

“I don’t care,” he answered without looking back. “Pay it forward.”

Thick sheets of rain now came from the sky, pouring down so heavily that the world around him had turned white. The clouds flickered and thunder sounded, accompanied by angry strikes of lightning. Any footprints that might’ve been left behind in the mud had been washed away as quickly as they were made.

Whoever she was… she was gone.

A hand was clapped to his shoulder but Rex didn’t look down.

Kip sounded confused yet sympathetic. “She’s not gettin’ away in that, if that’s what you’re thinking.” The old man paused. “If you’re after her, I reckon’ she’ll be back again tomorrow.”

The hand was removed and Kip walked away, but Rex stayed frozen in the doorway. If it was her, he was doubtful she’d be back for breakfast the following morning. She could get away even in the most hopeless conditions.

Rex clenched his teeth, pulled his raincoat tighter and set out anyway.

It was like he hadn’t been living on Dantooine for the past year and a half. He was directionless, as if all the memorized paths, landmarks, and shops had been washed away with the rain. There was no departing vehicle, no lights, and no indicator of where the woman had gone.

Defeated, Rex looked up into the sky with his eyes closed, letting the rain fall over his face and streak through his hair. His chest had knotted itself and his knees threatened to buckle under the torrential downpour.

But Rex stood firmly, shoved his hands into his pockets, and let the rain soak him to the bone as he walked towards the small town.

He spent the remainder of his morning stopping by every establishment there was until the shopkeepers started closing up due to weather. The folks he did manage to speak with hadn’t seen her and each tried to hand him an umbrella or invite him inside until the storm passed.

He declined.

Straggling passersby still caught in the rain gave him funny looks as they ran to get to cover. Rex was in no such hurry.

The overgrown road that led to his tiny home was taken in the shortest possible strides. He did not wish to return there, especially not to a datapad he knew would have no messages on it. He had half a mind to turn back to the restaurant if he didn’t think they’d already closed up like everyone else.

Rex stepped into his home and was greeted by the sound of dripping water. He sighed deeply, unmoving in the doorway until he could suppress the viscous tears that taunted him behind closed lids. Once they were managed, his boots and raincoat were discarded, the mess from the leak was mopped, and his helmet was removed from its place under the bed to sit and collect the intruding water.

He watched the rain fill his bucket until it went past the visor before he fell into the awaiting embrace of sleep that was always there to help temporarily subside the pain.

More than anything, Rex wished he could say that he hadn’t woken up early, that he hadn’t gotten up before the neighbor’s nunas began to stir. He wished he could say it wasn’t in his plans to go sit up at the restaurant and wait all day to see if the woman turned up.

Really, he should be using his time to buy paint for his ship as well as a proper bucket for the leak, but neither of those things seemed to matter much at the prospect of running into her.

It was pathetic. He knew that.

He could’ve just saved himself all this trouble if he’d gotten up and used something as an excuse to see her face. But no, Rex chose to be strong when it mattered the absolute least.

His thin blanket felt as though it weighed ten tons when he rose out of bed, dreading vehemently the idea of waiting around all day for nothing — dreading the pit in his stomach he knew all too well when it wasn’t her after all and just some stranger. Rex’s feet hit the worn wooden floor and he rubbed his bleary eyes, aiming first for the refresher and then for his helmet.

A considerable amount of rainwater had been collected in the makeshift-not-makeshift bucket and more was being added still. The rain had yet to cease but it had slowed a great deal. He picked it up carefully and walked it to the door, yawning as he did so. Soft sheets of rain greeted his bare feet as the door slid aside, coming down now in a gentle shower-like way as opposed to yesterday’s storm.

Rex decided that when the rain stopped, he’d call it. He’d tie his mood to it, give himself an allotted period of time to feel this incessant pain before forcing it down again.

He swung his helmet to the left and watched as the water landed on his long-dead flowers, before looking out at the state of the rest of his yard.

The helmet nearly fell from his hands.

A hooded figure was inspecting his ship, an orange hand running across a partially revealed red sigil and skirting across blue paint. Any fleeting thoughts of making a grab for his blasters vanished. Rex knew that hand better than either of his own.

She turned and lifted slightly the hood of her cloak to get a better look at him.

There she was. Then she was as if no time at all had passed. As if she’d been down the road all along.

Ahsoka was dressed in that gray cloak he knew well, with lekku he used to know but that were now nearing her waist. Her montrals were taller than they were last time. He wondered if they’d be eye to eye this time, and if looking her in the eyes would still feel the same as it always did, as he wanted it to — needed it to.

Even from this distance, he could see her bottom lip quiver.

“I had to be sure,” she called out over the rain.

Rex struggled to speak, suffering from having too many words in his mouth and yet not at all.

She glanced back at the Y-wing behind her and ran a hand over the chipped paint job, revealing a bit more of that 501st blue.

“I knew your face as soon as I walked into the restaurant yesterday, but I wasn’t certain that it was the one… that it was the one I had loved,” she continued.

He joined her in the rain now. It was cold on his bare shoulders and worse as it streaked down his torso, but he didn’t shiver, nor did he care he’d be tracking yet more water inside. Rex’s chest tightened and his mouth dried. “Loved? As in the past tense?” he called, water beading on his hair and lashes. Not all of it was from the rain.

Ahsoka shook her head, droplets running off her lekku.

The pause between them was occupied by the steady fall of rain.

“You know the worst thing about love?” he asked.

She nodded, looking briefly at her feet, “That you remember it.”

Rex’s tongue pressed into his cheek and he nodded with her, “I knew from the moment we parted the first time that I’d spend a lifetime missing you.” He waited a bit. “It’s proved true so far. Each time it gets worse.”

He couldn’t tell her tears from the rain, but knew that she was crying. Rex was always aware that it hadn’t ever hurt any less for her. “I never intended it to be that way,” she called.

“I know.”

She stepped closer, weighing her words. “Rex, the hardest thing I’ve ever done is walk away still madly in love with you. There’s not a minute that goes by that I don’t regret it — that I don’t sit and wonder about what you do each day.”

“Well currently, it’s wishing I’d gotten up as soon as I saw you sitting at that booth. I’d know your montrals anywhere. Convinced myself it wasn’t you.”

“And before that?”

“Wishing I never let you say goodbye.”

She swallowed hard. “I have a lot to make up for. I know that. And I know this doesn’t begin to cover it, but do you think I could start with breakfast?” she asked, holding up the takeaway box that was under her cloak. “Mr. Kip told me where I could find you, said you ran out after me.”

Rex couldn’t suppress his smile. “No. Breakfast was covered yesterday. I think you’ll have to get more creative than that today.”

Ahsoka laughed and bit her lip, her eyes overcome with emotion. Shaking his head, Rex dropped his helmet into the flowerbed and all but ran to her, holding her trembling frame to him with possibly too much strength. The box fell. Her arms wrapped under his and he found that she fit better than she ever used to. He removed her hood with desperation and his chin fell into place between her montrals, still having at least one head in height over her. Rex kissed repeatedly the space between her uppermost chevrons as the sobs took control of her body.

The rain slowed to a drizzle and, as he’d vowed earlier, his mood lifted with it. Morning rays peeked out at them from behind the trees, warming their skin.

Being with Ahsoka was like walking into the sun, like walking directly into sunlight after the longest winter.

She pulled away first, though by the look on her face, it seemed to be the last thing she wanted to do. Her eyes were glued to the mangled scar on his chest, momentarily ashamed of looking him in the face.

But Rex’s hand slid under her jaw and moved her to look up at him. “I can’t think of anything better than breakfast with you. We’ve suffered enough, Ahsoka. Come inside. Stay with me until we have no choice but to leave; and even then, stay with me until there are no more planets left to run to. Let’s have breakfast together for as long as this life allows us because life without you is no way to live.”

“I haven’t had breakfast in a year and a half,” she said, tears streaking her cheeks.

Rex wiped them away. “You’re not missing out. It doesn’t taste the same when we aren’t together.”

Ahsoka eyed the slightly crumpled box of food on the ground and Rex picked it up, popping it back into its correct shape and wicking the water from it.

Apologies tumbled from her lips, but Rex wouldn’t hear any of it. She’d fought and offered her aid to the Rebellion until she couldn’t any more; until she was sure they could manage without her and that Rex wouldn’t die if she came home. It was the type of thing he had long since accepted — back when it had been cold on that moon, when rumors of another war began, and battle no longer felt good and he no longer felt invincible unless he was with her. Only one thing stayed the same. Life had still been punctuated with something far greater than love and a woman named Ahsoka.

His eyes did all the asking as he leaned in close. Ahsoka gave the faintest of nods, allowing him to kiss away her apologies; first slowly and then with an energized passion only she could provoke.

And just as he hoped they would, Ahsoka’s fingers found his curls, and he carried her and their very cold breakfast inside, leaving his helmet to become the home for several long years of blossoming flowers.

[blueberryarchive]

Peaches and Cream. (Pt.1)

In which Jungkook, a one-star Michelin chef, gets the information: a new blogger, you, gave him a bad review of his restaurant, and he gets obsessed with the things you wrote; and in the process, with you. Wanting to show you he's a good chef, he invites you to a good meal cooked by him.

—⁠☆Pairing: Bi Chef!Jungkook & Blogger!Reader

—⁠☆Genre: au, enemies to lovers.

—⁠☆Word Count: 4.3k

—⁠☆Warnings: filthy mouth Jungkook, like so much for no reason. smut, two doms trying to dom each other, stalking, dub-con, masturbation, prejudice/bigotry, depictions of queerness and family. (these are the warnings for the whole two-part series)

—⁠☆a/n: this the first part of a 2 part ff, i hope you gals can help me get better at writing in english since it's not my first language. as always thank you for reading.

The morning painted the windows of his office with a slight dew, the clouds announced how gray that Friday would be. Every time it rained it wasn't busy in the restaurant, but Jungkook appreciated the sweet aroma the concrete emanated in the alleys. 

The smell of the city of rotting garbage and asphalt goes to give way to childhood memories of him. Running home, jumping through long puddles, the taste of freshly cooked rice. Mild and fluffy in the mouth. 

Jungkook dropped his cigarette halfway to the ground as a van turned the corner. Grocery shopping was one of the favorite parts of his job. Maybe the best. At 4 in the morning, he would open the back doors of his restaurant, clean and file his knives, which he kept wrapped in cotton cloth that his grandmother sewed for him with his initials. In a rather old mocha pot, he used to put three spoons of freshly ground coffee and water and stayed waiting for the men from the market, who came to bring him the freshest products for that day's dishes. Cup of coffee in hand and a lot to say.

He loved to touch, press, smell, taste and pinch the vegetables; pick them up on the light and complain that the salmon was from yesterday and the courgettes were too big. Loved to bargain with Tomas the price of trivial things. 

"Tom, don't be a bitch. I'll have to throw away half of these tomatoes before four o'clock." 

"Jung-" Tomas, a Hispanic man with the face of that painting from Alexandre Cabanel, inhaled sharply, placing two fingers on the bridge of his nose. He didn't know what Tomas was saying in Spanish, but Jungkook knew, somehow, that it involved fucking his mother. 

"You take the two boxes and the Montserrat." Tomas repeated.

"Tom, what am I going to do with shit as acid as Montserrat tomatoes. Green ones." Jungkook yelled, almost spitting out his coffee, taking a healthy tomato in his hand. 

"Shove it up your ass." Tomas shrugged casually. Jungkook hit him on the shoulder, and both laughed. 

"Okay, give me both. Maybe Vic will think of making something with your fucking tomatoes..." the imaginary disgust on his palate at the thought of a Montserrat tomato sauce or a salad. Worse: fried. 

Tomas knew that silence and the lost look of Jungkook's idiot fuckface. "You can't change your mind anymore, chef. I already had my boys put the boxes down." 

"I know. I'm just regretting letting you win." 

Tomas clicked his tongue, revealing a perfect smile to the ched. "Sometimes you have to let it go, chef." 

"Go away, motherfucker." Jungkook smiled, still looking at the boxes of green tomatoes. 

"Bye, Chef." 

"Mmm," Jungkook took the last sip of his coffee as the truck pulled away. Now it was time to lift the boxes. That kept Jungkook's arms in good shape. He rolled up his baggy shirt to reveal his colorful tattooed arm. Smoothly tying his wavy hair in a low ponytail. With one arm, he lifted the sack of rice to the kitchen island, then the oysters, then the crate of vegetables. 

With precision and finesse, he grasped the knife with the curved edge from his collection and began to peel each vegetable. Everything was with the accuracy of a surgeon. 

If lifting sacks was his daily exercise, cutting and peeling the preparatives was his meditation. With so much attentiveness to his peeling, he almost cut himself when he heard his cell phone vibrate. He growled and cursed in a breath. He hated getting called on the phone. If it weren't for his mom, he would have thrown away that piece of plastic years ago. 

Vic, the screen said, the face of a curly-haired man in a perfect afro, teeth so perfect as he smiled into the camera. Jungkook took that photo about a year ago, just outside his favorite café. He had months without buying a cup of coffee there.

With his knuckles, he opened the call. "I thought you were coming over to help me with the oysters, Vic," he demanded with a frown concentrating on peeling the shiitake mushrooms until soft and white. 

Vic didn't answer until after a lengthy silence. Pretty long, considering he had just finished peeling a couple of mushrooms. Jungkook looked at his cell phone. "Victor?" 

"Here I am," he replied reluctantly. 

"Why the hell are you calling me if you aren't going to talk? I'm busy." 

"I thought, when I met you, that you cuss so much and act like a piece of shit because you wanted to be like Gordon Ramsay or something." 

"What's the point, Vic? The oysters are still here unopened, and Helena doesn't come in until six, and I-" 

"You're busy." They both spoke in unison. That made Jungkook feel a sting in his throat, a slight tickle. 

"Are you going to come, yes or no?" 

"My God, Jeon, just for a moment, stop thinking about the damn oysters and pay attention to me." 

"I do, Victor, and you still don't answer my damn question. Do I have to pick up a fucking bum off the streets to do your job?" 

"Why did you come to my house on Tuesday?" Jungkook stopped the fluid movements of the knife, his eyes on the phone. 

"You wrote me to go," the chef replied.

"Yes, but for you to pick up your things." 

"I did that." Jungkook snorted, finishing with the mushrooms and starting with the carrots. 

"Yeah, after fucking me and telling me you loved me... like twice in the process." Vic sounded hurt. Jungkook hated it when he did that because he knew how dramatic Vic could be. 

"And after that, you kept treating me as your sous-chef the next day."

"You are my sous-chef, Victor." He interrupted, leaning on the metal table.

"Yeah, but I'm talking like outside of work."

"Yes, because you're still my sous-chef, Victor. I don't get-"

"Do you do this to Marianne? Or Helena, Joseph, or every waiter with an innocent little face when you tell them they're your favorite." 

"Vic," warned the chef. 

"Or maybe you were in a year-long relationship with your maitre d' so he wouldn't fire you. No, that was me. If it weren't for me, that place wouldn't have the popularity it has" 

"Vic," Jungkook growled, feeling the blood rush to his head. 

"You are a pest to your restaurant, Jeon Jungkook." 

That was it. Jungkook dropped the knife on the table and gripped the device as close to his mouth, thin lips brushing the screen. 

"Victor, if you hadn't opened your legs to me, you wouldn't even have the chance to lick the leftovers from my alley." 

"Bullshit, if I'm the whore, what makes you?. Who did you have to fuck for your place, chef?" 

"Everyone." Jungkook laughed sarcastically, "And yet, I'm the one who has a fucking Michelin star under my name and my sweat... what have you done with the fucks on your record?" 

Victor was silent. "You are a prick." 

"Okay" Jungkook didn't understand where this was going, but it was almost six in the morning, and he had to start removing the skin from the salmon. His walking around the station didn't keep him calm, nor it was productive. 

"I don't know why I let you into my house." 

"You were alone, just like I felt that day too. And you also act like it doesn't turn you on when I drunk fuck you." Jungkook waited for an answer, but there was nothing. "Vic?" Silence. When he saw the screen of his cell phone, there was no longer the photo of Victor or the creaking of the telephone line. "Vic, the oysters" He didn't even know why he was trying, he closed his eyes and put the cell phone in his pocket. 

The door opened suddenly, startling Jeon. It was Helena, a curvy thirty-something girl taking a last puff from her vape. With a rush, she put her hair in a high ponytail. 

Jungkook tried to act as naturally as possible. 

"Good morning, chef." Helena hastened to say, putting on her apron. 

"Mm," he muttered as he followed his work, musing among the damn green tomatoes that he had no idea what Vic asked them for.

A long time passed while both, Jungkook and Helena, worked at their stations. 

"Chef," Helena broke the silence by pressing her lips together. 

"Yeah?" 

"I'm trying to make a list for my future...you know I want to open my place one day." 

"Everyone wants their own little place," Jungkook interrupted, opening the oysters with swift movements. 

"Yes, yes. But I really don't like getting fucked in the ass, and it's not that there are a lot of women in this business, much less lesbians." She burst. Jungkook grinned against his own will when she wasn't looking. 

"Fuck you, Helena. Cut the mangoes for the sauce." Jungkook hissed, and set the oysters aside as Helena laughed at him. "I'm going to the market for more onions and tell Joseph to finish the oysters by himself" 

"Yes, Chef." voiced Helena with a grand smile.

Jungkook left the station, the cold air soothing the remains of his anger. Without thinking much, he reached into his pocket taking out a cigarette.

He started walking through the streets of New York. Vic had worn him out, and his 14-hour shift hadn't started.

The steam rising from meats, the incessant sound of vegetables being cut, three different sauces being stirred. Jungkook's kitchen was alive, it was seven at night and this was the time when his guests arrived like flies on the cake. Men in Italian brand suits and their girlfriends of the week, older women with picky palates, fanatics, high-class tourists…you name it, you find it.

Normally, Jungkook would be in the front. Preparing each dish, tasting each sauce, checking each cut, and scrutinizing that each dish looks like something he is proud of.

But here he was, in the dark alley behind his restaurant as he called Vic over and over on the phone, the cigarette in his hand melting with the wind and light drizzle. His hair and his white suit getting wet as he left the umpteenth voice note for Vic.

"Victor, for God's sake, I have the restaurant full tonight. It's a fucking Friday, why the fuck aren't you here?" he breathed sharply, the tension had his shoulders tense and the veins in his arms looked like they were going to explode.

The messages did not reach him, the wretch had turned off the phone.

"Shit," he muttered as he thumped into the kitchen that blazed with the heat of thirty pots on the stove. What happened after going through the door seemed…uncanny. All of his cooks looked at him at the same time, fleetingly to return to their tasks again.

They knew something that Jungkook didn't.

He sighed deeply before tying his hair into a half-bun. He rolled up his sleeves and went to his station, reading the orders aloud.

"One duck, two mussels, one Bok Choy" Jungkook ordered.

"Yes, chef," the others said in unison.

Food was piling up around Jungkook, sauces, and stir-fried vegetables. With a spoon he tasted the first and nodded slightly, then the shiitake. With agility he grabbed an empty plate and began to order each detail: first, the sauce spread like a brush, the green color so bright; then the piece of meat, glistening with juice, three drops of yellow radish sauce, a delicate yellow flower for the final touch.

"Service!" Jungkook pushed the plate away towards the waitress on the other side of his table.

"Fuck," Joseph muttered in the kitchen.

"Stop being an imbecile and attend your damn station," Charlie, the poissonier, snarled, hurling a frying pan into the sink with a crash.

"Where are my mussels?" Jungkook was sweating, his eye trembled slightly.

"Joseph just screwed them up, I have to do them again"

"And what are you doing wasting time talking?" Jeon interrupted on the verge of screaming. The others tensed, again that look from everyone.

"Sorry, Chef" said Joseph and Charlie.

"Hurry up, damn." Jungkook continued with his task of plating each meal, tasting over and over again everything that was within his reach.

"Where is my sauce?" he growled when his hand reached to his right, and Helena nor the sauce wasn't there. 

"In a minute, sir." 

"I don't have a minute."

Helena took the pan and stirred while going to the prep station. Jungkook took a small spoon and tasted it.

"More salt," he said, furrowing his eyebrows.

Helena seemed confused. "More, Chef?"

"Don't make me repeat myself, dear." 

"Yes, chef." Helena went back and added more salt, a few seconds later, he was pouring the sauce into the mushrooms. 

"Service!" the waiter took the plate, he started to feel a pain in his lower back and was exhausted. "Helena," he called, continuing his job. 

"Chef."

"Call Vic, tell him that if he isn't here in twenty minutes, I'll fire him."

There was no 'yes, chef', no answer at all. Actually, it was a little quieter in the kitchen. He didn't look back. "I said-"

"I don't think you want that, chef." This time, he turned around, and there it was: the look.

"When I say something, misses Gallo, I mean it" he felt more intense than usual if, that's even possible. Helena felt like she just saw a ghost. Jungkook knew she joked around with him, but she knew her time and place.

"Vic it's not coming back, sir." The youngest, Joseph, tilts his head down in fear. 

"Why is that?"

"God, how I abhor when things like these happen." The elegant man entered the kitchen with his sleek blonde hair and a black suit, calico eyes, and the most pretentious-looking glasses you could find. It was Jimin Park, his maitre d'. 

Jimin was the one who gave the classiness Jungkook lacked when it came to treating his clientele. He greeted and took care of everyone like they were his friends. 

"She's here." 

"Who?" Jungkook couldn't be more out. Jimin gave him his phone, and on the screen was a girl eating a plate exactly like the one he made minutes ago. Wait, that was his restaurant. 

"Oh my God, she's actually here. I didn't know Vic was such a petty bitch." Helena laughed while watching the live stream. Jungkook turned off the screen. 

"What the fuck is going on?"

"Vic tweeted to her to come here because his ex fired him for being a good cook, something like that." Jimin shrugged. Jungkook felt his chest contract, he started biting the ring on his lower lip.

"Who is she?" 

"She's a mukbanger but like a mean one, she's an icon," Joseph said smiling. 

"She's like the new wave of food criticism." Jimin took his phone and put it in his pocket. "Our world doesn't care anymore about magazines or what the paper says."

A waitress came bursting from the door.

"Mr. Park, the girl went away." 

"Am I supposed to be scared because she's going to tweet about some overcooked lamb?" he asked the waitress who didn't know what to say. 

"She's gone?" Jimin raised his glasses taking a deep sigh, he looked at Jungkook and lightly smiled. "You're fucked, Jeon." 

"Fuck you, Park. No, I'm not" he was offended, how could he say that in front of his group?

Jungkook took Jimin by his forearm and took him to his office. The others were left watching through the little window looking for the infamous mukbanger.

For a second, Jungkook was going to look back and ask his sous chef to take care of the kitchen. But he didn't have a fucking sous-chef. 

This couldn't be possible, he had a Michelin star because of his discipline, the way he cooked, his crew, and the stories he told through the food. He had the perfect ambiance, the most amazing maitre d' in New York, and the perfect culinary experience. He worked his ass off for this.

He was above the trolly reviews from Yelp, the people who thought he just did something to fill stomachs. But why did he feel this was not the same? Why did she leave? He made sure everything was perfect. Everything. 

"Hey!" Jimin snapped his fingers in Jungkook's face. For a moment, he put his palm on Jungkook's forehead. 

"Jesus, you're burning" he saw the expression on his chef, with his eyebrow rose, the pierced end moving slightly. Lost in thought. 

"Do you really think this is going to ruin me?"

Jimin's heart felt heavy, he denied occupying his hands with some papers. 

"I don't know, Kook. Perhaps she went away because she didn't find anything bad to say, or maybe she had to go and that's it. You know how those people are."

Jungkook nodded, none of them were sure that Jimin said the truth. But it had to do for now. 

"Now go, the kitchen will be a mess without you."

It's already a mess.

Jungkook nodded again, hands behind his back. He needed to know who you were. As soon as possible.

Jungkook doesn't remember the last time he sat on the couch in his apartment, his legs were covered with two sheets and he had a black hoodie covering his chest and lanky hair. He doesn't remember how strange morning TV was: everyone was wearing makeup and smiling as they talked about how climate change was inundating homes in India. It couldn't be more bizarre. Maybe it was the fever that had him glued to the screen in front of him or the ache in his tired muscles. 

The icing on the cake, he was sick. 

The night of the influencer's drama, Jungkook came to his room. His hair was wet from the rain that fell that night and his body soaked. His body sank into the sheets with his uniform, the fever began to make him have strange dreams where orders came but never came out. He woke up around four in the morning the next day and called Jimin, his voice raspy as he changed out of his uniform.

"Call Jin, tell him to cover me this week."

"Okay," Jimin replied with a breath.

"Okay? No questions?"

"No, I already knew you were going to get sick." Jungkook pursed his lips into a small smile, eyes closed from exhaustion.

"As soon as the fever stops, you won't need Jin. I promise."

"As much as I want that to be true, I don't want you in the restaurant until you're completely well. It's enough for the restaurant that a cute girl says absurd things about your food and then we get rumors about you cooking with your boogers" Jimin blurted out.

"Absurd?" Jungkook looked for some boxers and changed, throwing his body on the living room furniture. "What did she write?"

"Um...," Jimin put the chef on hold as he thought of an honest but not unseemly way to tell him the review. "Well, she said she was sick of seeing the same wave of elite restaurants for the decadent new yorker elite, the same exotic cuts of a bird, and the environment with walls as white as a psychiatric hospital. She said that I looked like a nurse going from table to table to give them their pills in porcelain saucers to the long-lived of New York," Jimin laughed. "That was funny...it's like the truth-"

"And about me?" Jungkook felt the fever consuming his body, a headache approaching like a shadow behind his neck.

"Well, she said the food was tasteless and you screwed up the only thing she was looking forward to"

"The mushrooms?"

"How did you know?" 

"Of course, it was the mushrooms," Jeon muttered, squeezing his eyes shut, cursing Vic with the wrath of a thousand seas, wanting him to be engulfed and convulsing for all eternity looking for oxygen. 

"The sauce was salty to the point that she wanted to throw up, she said."

"The sauce was salty," he repeated and then smiled so as not to destroy the room in his sickly state.

He doesn't remember much of what he did those three days that had passed. Jimin would stop by his apartment to bring dinner and pick up the shirts from the floor. He complained about Jin for half an hour with a glass of wine in hand, until Jimin realized that Jungkook couldn't even stay focused.

"Hey, wake up." Jimin patted his cheeks and Jungkook didn't even flinch.

"Vic has been there? In the restaurant, I mean," Jungkook grabbed the wine from Jimin's hand, drinking it all in one gulp.

"No, he had a friend go get his things the next day."

"Who, the youtube whore?"

"No," Jimin chuckled. They both saw each other and laughed under their breaths.

"It was a redhead."

"Oh, you mean Chris."

"Yeah," Jimin answered looking at his friend with tipsy eyes. "When was the last time you got laid?"

Jungkook began to fidget around, looking for something to occupy his hands with.

"It can't be that Victor-" Jimin's mouth tightened. "Of course," he chuckled, a light rose painting his cheeks.

"What the hell do you know, Park?"

"I would have known."

"Are you spying on me through the cameras you have in my bathroom to see if I jerk off?" His hoarse voice was screeching, and Jimin couldn't take his anger seriously.

"There's a certain je ne sais quoi to it when you fuck, like you stop yelling so much and actually do your job."

"I do my job."

"But it would be better if you didn't scream all the time like a fucking maniac."

"Mmm," tiredness wouldn't let him continue answering. He had taken a pill for the flu but he didn't know it was going to hit him so fast. Jimin noticed.

"Well, I'll let you rest. I brought you a couple of plums and oranges from the market."

"Tell Jin I say hi in the morning," Jungkook mumbled.

Jimin patted him on the shoulder and left Jungkook's phone on the table with your Instagram open. "Stop watching morning TV, your brain will melt."

Jungkook didn't touch the phone for a long while thinking about the words that were repeating like a broken record: "tasteless" and "elite for the elite"...Jungkook didn't even come from a wealthy family. It was foolish.

He lazily swiped his way down through your profile, looking at the thumbnails of your photos where you smiled like nothing was wrong. 

You liked showing cleavage, he realized. In addition to being a liar, you liked the attention. There was one where you were in a jacuzzi with a glass of champagne and another where you were on the French shores.

Besides the fact that you liked the attention, it was for a reason. The way your lips curved into a smile as if your breasts weren't pinched in that bikini two sizes too small. 

What kind of reporter were you?

Without realizing it, Jungkook was lying on his bed looking at your photos while eating a plum. He didn't know if it was the sweetness of the ripe fruit or the fever, but he felt strange. His body felt like it was floating between the satin of his bed. 

Another brush up to your profile: more food, more cats, travel, you in a bikini. One, in particular, caused the lower half of him to brush against the sheets. It wasn't that different from the others, but for some reason this time you weren't smiling. You looked at the camera with a certain judging that made Jungkook's throat boil.

His fingers were covered in prune juice, the wrinkled seed clenched between his teeth. What he was going to do wasn't one of his most dignified moments, but the meds made him delirious, not fucking someone besides Vic made him even sicker. 

His sticky fingers trailed from his navel to the edge of his boxers. When he felt the wetness of his slimy fingers on his tip he clamped the seed harder into his teeth, growling in loathing.

Your face caused his chest to swell with anger and his dick to rise at the slightest touch of his tattooed hand. Thinking of your tongue tasting his cock on a plate, no garnish, no cutlery. He wanted you to swallow it and shed tears on your cheeks.

A shriek. He tossed the phone onto the bed and covered his embarrassed face with his forearm. His hand trembled under his Calvin boxers, saliva pooling in his mouth as he couldn't swallow. 

His tongue flicked over the seed in his mouth, and like a flash, the image of him covering your clit with his spit flashed by. He growled like a fleeing animal as his orgasm made him arch his back. He removed the seed from his mouth.

"Fuck," he mumbled when he saw the stain on his pants. Air rushed out of his nose for the first time all day. He closed his eyes in pure bliss. Two minutes later, he wrinkled his nose and repeated: "Fuck," this time rolling his eyes, angry with himself for what he was going to do. He turned on his cell phone screen and opened the dm of your profile.

jkookcooks: So what kind of reviews do you do when you leave mid-meal? You didn't even try dessert. If you really want to do something worthwhile and not your unnecessary sensationalism, maybe you should come try something made by me.

He almost threw the cell phone when he hit send. Feeling the cold of his cum in his pants and the words he send to make him cringe.

When he got up to clean himself up, he heard his cell phone vibrate almost immediately. 

Didn't you have things to do on a Friday night?

CherryCloud: Just say the day, chef.

A smile left Jungkook's lips. He'd love to grab your face and make you eat the best meal you ever had, to see if you'll shut up that way... He'd have to plan the menu for the night.

Why did he feel a sudden fear? He saw the photo again: your judgy eyes, hugging your knees.

[strangerthingsstuff4]

A Story of Another Us- Chapter Six

Dahlia hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep, constantly on edge of any little noise she had heard. She had left Aemond to go back to sleep reluctantly but had drifted off for a few hours. All dressed for another morning run, she quietly shut her bedroom door and passed the stairs, gently opening Aemond’s bedroom door peeking in to see him still fast asleep in bed, a damp flannel long forgotten on the pillow next to him. Despite him usually being up and out at this time, she shut the door and allowed him to continue sleeping. She bounced down the stairs and headed into the kitchen, opting to go without her morning coffee for the time being and pulling her hood up, sliding the doors open and stepping out into the rainy weather and jogging down to the stables.

‘Morning guys! You’re stuck with me today sorry’ she announces to the horses, receiving a few neighs and gruff’s in response.

She goes about the tasks that she assumes Aemond takes care of every morning. Refilling the horse’s pales with a scoop of grain and untying a fresh bale of hay from the back empty stall. Dahlia is stuffing the basket with hay to Balerion’s stall while he nudges her with his nose, sniffing at her and nipping at her, between her giggles and the rain hammers against the ground outside so heavily that she doesn’t hear the approaching footsteps.

‘Hey… you didn’t have to do this, should’ve woken me up’ Aemond mutters timidly as he watches her but avoids her eye contact at all costs.

‘Oh it’s… it’s okay, figured you could use the extra sleep’ Dahlia replied, smiling softly at him.

‘Right… about last night’ Aemond sighed, closing his eyes in embarrassment.

‘Don’t mention it’

‘Thanks… could you er… could you not tell anyone about it? I haven’t had an episode like that in a while and mum will make a fuss and ring the doctors and… well it’s a lot’ he mumbled as he moved to help her filling the baskets.

‘I won’t say a word’

‘Thanks, they all fed?’ he asked, slightly more confident speaking to her.

‘Yeah, although I saw that Balerion takes some vitamins for his joints but I didn’t know how you like to administer them so I’ve just left them for now’ She informed him as she finished off forcing the hay into the basket while avoiding Balerion’s nipping.

‘Okay, thank you again for doing this… I appreciate it’ Aemond repeated, actually making eye contact with her this time.

She noticed that his eye was bloodshot, red rings sat around it and his skin still had a slight red tint to it behind the leather eye patch he adorned every day. Dahlia offered him another soft smile and placed the bucket she had been using on for the hay onto the table the other side of the stable, she pulled her hood up once again and moved to exit the stable into the down pour.

‘You’re going running?! You’ll get soaked through’ Aemond exclaimed, stopping her in her tracks.

‘It’s just a bit of water, although I am dubious how well these trainers will cope with the mud on the trail’ she grumbled, looking down at her running shoes.

‘I could use some help here… if you wanted to stay that is’ Aemond muttered quietly, turning away from her and grabbing the bottle of tablets from the cabinet at the other end of the stable.

‘You sure? Don’t wanna step on your toes or anything’

‘Yeah, as long as you keep that know-it-all attitude to a minimum’ Aemond smirked at her as he threw her a grooming paddle.

‘You’re hilarious’ Dahlia muttered dryly as she caught the brush, her face splitting into a grin.

Aemond and Dahlia spent the morning together in the stables, he showed her how he preferred administering medication to the horses, he showed her the best way to saddle them and how to do a quick daily check of their hooves. They stood together in Sunfyres pen, Aegon’s prized blonde stallion, each stood on a side brushing him down. There was no tension between, no anger or heaviness, it was almost nice.

The rain was still falling heavily, Jace and Baela had taken a moment for just the two of them, away from the others. They sat outside of the house under the terrace just next to the kitchen, snuggled up together onto a wicker bench, listening to the rain and sipping on hot drinks. It was like a moment out of a rom com.

‘This is nice’ Jace smiled down at his girlfriend

‘Yeah, I miss spending time with just us’ Baela smiled up at him, leaning back against him.

‘I’m gonna see about booking us a proper holiday this year, maybe see if Rhaena and Luke want to come with’ Jace suggested, bringing his cup to him lips.

‘That’d be fun! Maybe we could go…’ Baele stopped speaking and held her mouth open as she examined the scene in front of her.

Aemond and Dahlia wandered up the hill together, both looking like wet dogs but laughing. Their faces both held big smiles despite being soaked through.

‘Well looks like they’ve made up’ Jace commented watching them walk through the rain, disappearing into the kitchen.

‘Was… was Aemond smiling? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smiling!’ Baela stated.

‘Yeah, it’s disturbing isn’t it’ Jace chuckled.

Aemond had allowed Dahlia to head up the stairs before him, both had agreed that they needed a shower to heat themselves up before coming down with a cold. Aemond had given her a genuine smile before disappearing into his room. Dahlia had pulled out a clean pair of joggers with a t shirt and matching hoodie, laying them out on her bed before she stripped down of her sopping wet clothes and stepping into the bathroom. She turned the shower on and went about grabbing her toiletries while the water heated up. After a few seconds she checked the water by holding her hand underneath the spray of water, it was still cold.

‘Fuck…erm…. Fuck’ Dahlia groaned looking around for some way to amend the issue.

She tried the tap again on and off but to no avail, what the fuck was she suppose to do?! She was naked! Wrapping herself in a towel, Dahlia grabbed her phone and rang Haelena, explaining the situation and waiting for a minute or so before she appeared at her door.

‘I dunno how to get it on, it’s been fine the last few days’ Dahlia huffed as she watched her best friend fiddle with the shower.

‘Yeah it happens sometimes, usually just have to give it a shake but… doesn’t seem to be working’ Haelena grumbled, walking out of the bathroom and towards the bedroom door.

‘Aemond! Can you come give me a hand please’ She yelled loudly down the hall.

‘Hel! I’m naked!’ Dahlia exclaimed at her best friend.

Her heart dropped as she heard the door at the other end of the landing open, shaking her head Dahlia turned away ready for the floor to swallow her whole.

‘Hot water’s not working’ Haelena explained briefly, allowing him past her into the room.

Aemond walked into the room and his eyes shot to Dahlia, scanning her down quickly as a rosy blush burnt at his cheeks, Dahlia gave him a tight-lipped smile as her own cheeks heated up and she avoided his gaze. Aemond awkwardly padded across the room and into the bathroom.

‘Hel! I think I burnt the food!’ Rhaena shouted up the stairs.

‘How?! It’s French toast!’ Haelena exclaimed walking towards the door.

‘Haelena don’t you dare leave me!’ Dahlia hissed at her best friend.

‘Byeeee’ Haelena sang with a smirk as she ran out of the room.

Dahlia had half chased her to the door but had failed at grabbing her, she was going to kill that girl. The spray of the shower got stronger behind her and she heard Aemond clear his throat as he exited the bathroom. She turned awkwardly, only looking at him for a second before averting her gaze to the floor. She felt like a teenager again, crumbling under the eyes of the coolest guy in school. She felt pathetic.

Her hand held tight to the towel that she had wrapped around her as she shifted uncomfortably. She would not look at him, still wearing his own wet clothes from being out in the rain, only now his jacket was missing and his t-shirt was clinging to his taught torso.

‘I sorted it… pressure drops sometimes’ he mumbled quietly.

‘Thank you’ she murmurs back, nodding her head.

Aemond chuckles lightly and starts towards the door, he attempts to step out of her way but stands in front of her as she had the same idea.

‘Sorry’ she giggled looking up at him, catching him as he looked at her lips for a second.

Dahlia held his gaze for a moment, the tension between them getting heavier and heavier the longer they stood there. She could feel herself struggling to breath as she stood in such close proximity to him, she could smell him, his aftershave powering through the damp. Dahlia’s mouth had gone dry and she couldn’t take it anymore.

Her eyes ripped away from him and looked straight at his chest, his ripped toned perfect chest. Gods she felt like she was about to pass out.

‘Give me a shout if you need anything’ He muttered out before practically running out of the room.

‘Mhmm’ Was the only thing Dahlia managed to get out as she tried to calm herself down.

The way she felt in that moment a cold shower sounded like the best thing in the world. She stepped under the hot water and relished in the feeling of her skin breaking out into goose pimples from the welcome change in temperature, a heavy shiver running over her as her nipples pebbled. Dahlia couldn’t begin to comprehend what had just happened between the two of them, was she the only one that felt the sexual tension or was she being crazy? Maybe he just thought she was being weird or annoying and here she was thinking that it meant something. She needed to stop, stop thinking that there was something there, even if there was he was her best friends brother, off limits. Damn that just made it hotter.

Scrubbing like her life depended on it did not help in getting the tall toned beautiful man out of her head. The way he arms had bulged through his shirt when he had lifted the saddle onto SunFyre earlier. How his big hands had completely enveloped her own the night before. How his hair framed his face when he wore it down, she wondered how it would feel having that hair dance over her skin as he lay above her.

Dahlia sighed frustratedly before climbing out of the shower and wrapping her towel around herself one again. She dried herself off and dressed in the comfiest clothes she owned. The grey joggers that she had lay out on the bed were soft as they slid over her skin. Considering the rain was still pouring heavily outside, everyone had decided to have a film day once the standard chores were done. Dahlia joined everyone in the large sitting room, torn between her relief that Aemond had decided not to join everyone and the devastation that he wasn’t there.

‘I save you space!’ Helaena grinned to her best friend from her seat on the three-person sofa.

Dahlia joined her friend as they settled in to watch their first movie of the day, all clad in their comfortable clothes or pyjamas. It was just the day she needed, they made food and had plenty of snacks, even had some of their duvets on the couches with them. With Jace, Luke and their girlfriends all snugged up together Dahlia and Haelena had decided to be each other’s snuggle buddies. The sun outside had started to descend as they decided on what was likely to be their fourth and final film of the day, the glass doors from the kitchen sounded as they were opened and closed. Aemond appeared in the doorway as the opening credits appeared on the screen.

‘Hey, you wanna join? We’re just starting Rush Hour three!’ Haelena grinned up at her brother.

‘No thanks, I’m good’ he mumbled, eyes catching Dahlia’s briefly before heading to the stairs.

‘Aeg’s up there with a girl by the way’ Hel shouted after her brother as he disappeared up the open plan staircase.

‘I saw that’ Baela smirked at the red headed girl that was snuggled into Haelena’s side.

‘What?’ Dahlia questioned, confused.

‘I saw the look’ Baela chuckled.

‘What look?’ Haelena quizzed looking between the two girls.

‘She knows what look’ Baela wiggled her eyebrows before the sound of Aemond returning downstairs sounded over the thrashing rain outside.

‘On second thoughts, I’m not listening to him hump that fucking banshee all night’ Aemond huffed hopping down the stairs, causing Jace to chuckle and Baela to grimace.

Haelena scooched up enough to allow him to slump down next to her before she snuggled into his side. Dahlia rolled her eyes at the smirk that Baela offered her from across the room, yes, the atmosphere in the room had gotten slightly more tense for her but she was sure that was just in her own head. The film rolled on and Dahlia could feel her eyes growing heavier and heavier. Convinced that she was just going to rest them she allowed herself to close her eyes for a few moments, obviously falling into deep sleep. No one had noticed until a vibrating sound erupted from Haelena’s phone.

‘Oh shit, Dahl I gotta get up’ she muttered to which she received no reply.

‘She’s asleep’ Luke informed them from his seat on the opposite couch.

Aemond tensed a little as his sister wiggled out from underneath her best friend, gently placed her sleeping body down against Aemond’s side on the couch. Dahlia’s head lay on his thigh, red hair splayed out across his pants sending a whiff of her almond shampoo up his nose, her hand moving up to instinctively nestle into him. Baela couldn’t help herself as she discreetly held her phone up and snapped a few photos, it was too adorable not too. Aemond’s hand had instinctively rested against her side and was drawing soothing circles into her side as Dahlia continued to sleep soundly.

They were an odd pair to anyone that knew them but it worked. Aemond was this tall lean asshole with the tough exterior, and then there was Dahlia. She was soft and kind and precious; it was all very Beauty and the Beast.

When the movie eventually drew to a close it had gone 9pm and everyone was more than ready for bed. They all shuffled about grabbing their blankets and getting rid of left over food and rubbish. Haelena had not returned from her phone call, everyone figuring it was the new love interest that she had been so giddy about lately.

‘Dahlia, gotta wake up chicken’ Rhaena cooed softly, bending down slightly to speak to her sleeping figure.

‘It’s alright I’ll take her up’ Aemond muttered as he lifted her head off his lap gently, allowing him to move out from beneath her.

Baela once again used her ninja skill to snap a few photos of the burley beast scooping up the delicate lady in his arms to carry her off to bed. She wasn’t as heavy as Aemond had expected when he lifted her sleeping form into her arms. He shushed her gently when she began to stir and tried to hide in his chest. Ignoring the fact that he could feel the rest of them watching him, he padded his way up the stairs to the top floor, his heart beating heavily at the concept of the whole thing. There she was curled up in his arms sleeping soundly, burrowing her face into his shoulder, this was the same girl that he had wanted to rip the head off only the day before. It infuriated him the hold she had on his entire being but he knew he would always crave more.

Aemond reached the top landing and noticed the screeching from Aegon’s bed warmer for the night had stopped. Once he had gotten Dahlia’s bedroom door open he gently placed her down in the middle of the bed and pulled the floral sheet over her. Huffing at the sight of all the clutter on top of her bed, Aemond began to clear it, smirking to himself lightly at the sight of her underwear, black thong he liked it. He couldn’t help his mind wander, thinking about how she’d look wearing it. How it would hug her hips and frame the curve of her perky behind. Aemond swallowed deeply as he felt himself twitch from the mental image.

Once her bed was clear, Aemond double checked that she was comfortable and covered by her blanket, lightly brushing a strand of her ginger hair from her face he couldn’t help but smile lightly as the little whine that escaped her. Despite how ridiculously irritating and infuriating she could be, Aemond could not deny that she was beautiful, her porcelain skin was smooth as glass and only marked by the soft freckles that adorned her nose and cheeks. Her orange hair was a sign that she had been kissed by fire, a fire that he swore he could breathe all day.

Aemond exited the room and gently closed the door behind him. He returned to his own room to take a long cold shower.

[the-kr8tor]

NOO YESTERDAY'S ASK DIDN'T GO THROUGH.. I was crying I saw the Wild Robot and fink the fox made me sob every time he got vulnerable like stop being me ur supposed to be a childrens film Daily Hobie HC! I might do general hobie hcs to make up for missing yesterday's one>:) - Hobie tells the most corniest dad jokes at the worst times, and it got worse when Billie and Ramona came into the picture. You know he does it purposefully just to hear a sigh escape your lips and his girls giggle, calling him corny. Somehow though, those 'dad jokes' manage to be the prompt of some very interesting conversations which can go on for hours. - In my opinion, I'd say Hobie's love language is all of them. Of course, his main one is teasing, but the other ones are also there. - Most of his gifts consists of little trinkets from other dimensions or his own, mixed with a plethora of his own scribbly doodles of him reminding you to drink water or eat foot, especially if he knows you've been focused on something. Sometimes, these notes will consist of him having done a scribbly chibi design of the two of you holding hands or cuddling with floating hearts everywhere. - I feel like his physical touch would look more casual, but its a slow notice. From simply just hooking his finger into your belt loop to leaning on you like an armrest, Hobie likes to be close to you. Anything you wear around your wrist isn't safe from his harmless fiddling from when he's holding onto you, especially to make sure you don't get lost in larger crowds. One of Hobie's favourite ones, you've observed, is him coming up from behind you and draping his arms over your shoulders, his chin resting against the top of your head. His heart melts when you reach up to grab onto his wrists as he does this, holding onto him as well. - Quality time with Hobie is never boring, whether it's teaching you how to pierce clothing with spikes, piercing your ears for you, or just watching a movie together. He likes spending time with you, taking you out to watch the stars on top of his canal boat (pretending that its not choking in pollution) on some days where the sky is extra clear. Or just staying in and relaxing against each other underneath the covers as the sky turns grey with rain pattering against the windows. - Hobie always offered to help you with things, like doing the chores around the house or helping you cook food. Especially during your pregnancy with the girls, Billie and Ramona, Hobie was as helpful as ever, almost making you cry. He'd give you some of his baggier shirts and comfy pants whenever you needed them just so you could feel more comfortable. Hobie took the role of cooking food whenever you were sleeping or just resting, and whenever you'd point it out, he'd simply roll his eyes in an affection manner, peck your forehead and respond with that he needs to learn not to burn down the houseboat for the kid's sake, making you both laugh at the memory. - Never doubt that Hobie's always your number 1 fan, always. With whatever you do. Art? He has an entire box dedicated to the pieces you thought he got rid of, yet he adores looking through at your improvement. Writing? Hobie will always make sure that you've had something to drink and expertly massage the cramps from your hands, as well as gladly proofreading your work for you. Music? He'll be strumming along to you whenever he can get his hands on his guitar, encouraging you to keep going and listening to you. And he never lets you forget that he loves you, always murmuring it against your skin as he peppers kisses to the side of your neck lazily, having woken up from a nap. -🐦‍⬛

OH NO!! I was waiting for it! I thought you were too busy 😔 no worries tho!!

I didn't know that's out already!

Daily Hobie HC ❤️❤️❤️

AHHHH YESSS HIS DAD JOKES ARE THE BEST! Also the most eye rolling ones 😂 b and r love it so much tho! Hobie is definitely the silly dad

Bro is so good at teasing you until you're flat out shrieking in laughter or about to hurl a pillow at him 😂

The tiny chibis!!! 🥺🥺 I can imagine him making such silly notes too

I agree! For a bit he's less touchy but still very affectionate but as time goes on he's not seen anywhere without his hand on you!

Stargazing on top of his houseboat 😍😍😍

Aishwisjwbs this one is my fave 🥹 he's so lovely and caring where do I find a man like him? 😭

Hobie joking that he won't burn down the house with his cooking is always a treat

HE'S A CHEERLEADER FOR HIS PARTNER YOUR HONOUR

I love himb sm

[stormwaterwitch]

I'm not the anon who you were responding to, but I found your blog through the thing about your 12-element paradigm. I'm fascinated, largely because the non-traditional 8 are (mostly) all aspects I work with, but I hadn't considered them as elements?

Idk what I'm asking specifically, but I would love to know m9re about how you came to look at things this way and how you use it in the day-to-day practice!

Thank you for your time!

Heya!

When I started really thinking about the elements I was drawn to things that I interacted with on a daily basis to make it easier to incorporate into my day to day practice (ie: thinking about things and stuff)

I think I went into this a bit more on this post but I broke them down into three categories: The Touchables, The Untouchables, and The Effectors. Touchables is pretty standard as it encompasses the elements you can reach out and touch. I mark them as Fire, Water, Air and Earth (Disclaimer: Fire Hot. Please don't touch fire okay? lol) but these are the elements you can actually touch and have a physical reaction register as you connect with them.

Untouchables are the elements are kind of a mixture between the effectors and the touchables as they CAN effect you but you cannot reach out and touch them the same way you could the first set.I mark them as Light, Dark, Time and Space. These are more sensations as you can feel the presence of Light or the absence of it in Darkness. You are aware of the passage of Time and your presence in a physical Space that your body occupies.

Effectors are the elements that can change the directions of a person's path but cannot be truly influenced by a practitioner overall. I mark them as Luck, Fate, Order and Chaos. They effect and influence the way our lives go. It can be tricky to discern between them when starting out: Was it Luck or Fate that you met the right person at the right time to get the job of your dreams? Do your rituals for your practice really need to follow the Order of the steps as written or would you get the same result winging it in the Chaos?

As for how I work with them it's very casually. Mostly notating how and when I feel them around me in my day to day life. Sometimes its squinting into the halogen light bulbs at work (or admiring the chandeliers) the quiet that takes over in the dark when I curl up in bed with my Kindle to read before bed. The whoomph of my gas stove lighting up, or sitting on my front porch swing to listen to the rain. the uneven rocks under my bare feet as I go to check the mail to the whips of wind that race along the parking lot as I walk to my car after my shift at work.

To me the elements are a lot of little experiences adding up over time and the balances they maintain when working all together. :) -oOo-

Now as for discovering your own elemental set(s) to work with, I would suggest taking some time every day to really pay attention to the things around you. The sensations you feel and take in as you experience life.

Next I would say investigate some Pop Culture influences and see what other people have utilized in their elemental systems. Why does Pokemon use Poison/ Fairy/ Steel Type? Why does Avatar include Metal/Lava/Blood Bending? Would Gravity, Ink, Blood or Sound be a viable element for you to work with?

I say this because I almost included Blood into one of my elements to work with but I couldn't find a way to make it work with the sets that I had so it didn't make the cut.

Some examples found below vvv

Some Ideas of things to consider as Elements: +Metal/Steel +Spirit/Aether +Gravity +Sound +Wood +Color/Light Spectrum +Gasses/Plasma +Energy +Crystal

Some questions to ask yourself: +What do I think is missing from the four elements that most people work with that I am looking for in my own practice? +How many Elements would be too many for me to feasibly work with? +Could these elements combine together? What elements would they make if they did?

I hope this helps! Feel free to send more in if there's anything else I can answer :D <3

Tagging @arisprite since they were interested!

[crazylittlejester]

DAILY BRAINROT

Okay, so I did some fact-checking and learned that Sky, Legend, and Time all experience prophetic dreams. Although it should be noted that those dreams are only usually about Zelda and the bad guy. Probably so that they don't give away the entirety of the plot.

Side Note: Apparently Wild can have prophetic dreams about horses under specific conditions or something, but he's not really on the list because that's weird and not exactly helpful for Sky Angst.

Anyway, I'm going to take advantage of this and try to figure out a way for Time and Legend to bond over the horrific experience of trying to prevent Sky from dying in the future because I can.

I ended up adding a new document to my WIPS folder, so here you go. In exchange for listening to me plot out how I'm going to torture these guys, I've got a snippet.

CW: this is technically a scene in which a child is murdered

It was dark, only the stars that winked from behind thick, storming clouds providing any light to see with. There was a sharp crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning cut across the horizon viciously. The mud underneath his feet had been sandy soil not that long ago, but the pouring rain had already turned it into a slick surface unfit for traveling. He couldn’t get quite enough air into his lungs, and what he did manage to breathe in was half water, choking him as he spluttered and tried to spit it out. There wasn’t time to take a moment and calm his heart, though, because a large and imposing figure loomed in front of him, a massive steed with armor glinting in the night. Another bolt of lightning struck a nearby tree, and he almost choked for a second time when he recognized the face of the man before him. Ganondorf. The Gerudo king raised a sword threateningly as he struggled to lift his sword arm, only to realize that the hand had been mangled in the handle of a shield and his other arm was broken in more places than one. A weak sound of fear slipped past his lips as the sword came down, the ravenous cold that had been in his body suddenly being driven out by the explosion of hot pain and blood that burst from his chest—

Oooh yeah, limiting prophetic dreams to Zelda and the bad guy was probably necessary for protecting plot. And go crazy dude that sounds awesome >:)

We love Wild and his odd prophetic horse dreams 😔💔

WOAAAAAAH IM SO INTERESTED TO SEE WHERE YOU’RE GOING WITH THAT SNIPPET. Thank you for sharing with me, as always. I know i’ve said it before but i really do look forward to these every day :)

[misty79]

Stardew Valley Basic Mods Guide

I’ve been playing a lot of stardew valley because 1.6 is dropping soon and I’ve never done a Joja run before, wanted to see it before there were any potential changes. Anyways since I’ve been playing modded and while looking for new mods I realized it’s kinda overwhelming to find ones I like, so here’s some I recommend.

First off How To Mod Stardew Valley its much easier than it sounds. Every mod requires SMAPI or Stardew Moding API, Follow that link or go to nexus mods and search SMAPI then do manual download, slow download, then unzip the zip folder into your stardew mods folder (i recommend pining this to quick access), then follow the instructions in the installer and your all set, just add any mods to that mod folder, unziped, and your all set. Trouble shooting Guide on the stardew wiki or linked in the description on the nexus page.

Note, there are other ways to download mods that aren't through nexus, but nexus is the most simple in my opinion and has the most mods on it.

UI info suit, if you’re watched any modded playthrough you’ve seen this one. It adds icons under the mini calendar on the top right showing your daily luck, if the traveling merchant is there, if it’s someone’s birthday, if Queen Of Sauce is on, how long machines or crops take to finish, and so many other things you can check out on the nexus page

To-Dew, the name explains it pretty well, it is a to-do list that you can add things to and they show up in the top left corner. These can be daily, seasonal, a certain day of the week, certain week of the season, one day of the season, raining/not raining on farm/island, you can add headings if you have a lot on the list. It is one of the most useful mods I've found.

Convenient Inventory, sorts items from your inventory to nearby chests, you can also favorite items so they are not sorted out of your inventory

Generic Mod Config Menu, This mod allows you to change settings on almost any mod added while in the game from the bottom of the game settings page.

Visible Fish, Another super popular mod for almost any playthrough you could find, adds catchable fish to waters and optionally trash.

Dynamic reflections, Adds reflections to the water, puddles after rainy days, stars in the water at night

See NPC Map locations, Just what it sounds like, shows NPC locations on the map

Stardew Notification, adds more notifications for machines, cave harvests, morning silo report, next day weather, birthdays and more

CJB Show item sell price

Seasonal Outfits

Dynamic night times, adds transition skylines between day and night

Part of the Community, when you talk to or gift villagers if others are near they also gain friendship

Skillful clothes, Adds skill increase to clothes based on what they are, ex farmers pants +1 farming, sailor top +1 fishing

Cat Gifts, your cat will occasionally leave gifts for you

Happy Birthday, Adds your birthday to the game, on your birthday villagers will gift you when talked to

I have over 100 mods downloaded so there's more I can talk about but these are my favorites and don't change the game too much.

[lovelikedestiny]

For @socialanxietyrabbit<3 I hope some blind!Nicky can cheer you up a little.

Tip-tap. Tip-tap-tip-tap. Tiptaptiptap.

The rain creates an unique symphony of sound, each droplet of water forming a different tune as they’re pouring their life-spending beauty over the world. Jewels of the sky. Crystal and glass, so fragile and yet unbreakable. 

Nicky tilts his head a bit more to the side, fully immersing himself in the masterful piece nature is only playing for him. A private concert meant to be cherished. Meant to remind mankind of the humble gifts their environment offers them every day. Meant to make them aware what they have been blessed with and what they tend to forget in the fast paced daily routine. When they cannot even take a tiny fragment of time to themselves to simply breathe and exist. 

That’s precisely what Nicky is doing at this very moment. He is.

Letting his mind wander without aim or intention, relishing in the various sounds, smells and other sensations he can perceive during this magnificent cloudburst. 

The air tastes vivid and promising with a hint of lightning’s tingling electricity, the rich earthiness of the forest surrounding their current residence, and the sweet humidity of the rain Nicky is listening to.

He can smell the trees more clearly through the extreme moisture, distinguish the whiff of delicate moss and comforting resin. It’s the promising tale of summer, already speaking of days filled with kind sunshine and mild evenings under a sky Joe likes to describe to him as a kiss between night and day, moon and sun, before he kisses Nicky, because “you’re my moon in darkness, habibi, how can I kiss you not?”. 

Nile simply describes the sky as purple.

The raindrops sound differently when they splash on leaves, a staggered rhythm created as they get unexpectedly caught by branches in various heights on their way down. On the rooftop of their safehouse it resonates constantly, almost like a monotonous lullaby, and on the meadow it is nearly quiet like the rain wouldn’t want to wake the sleeping flowers, thriving in its fall. 

Nicky is so engrossed in harking to what mother nature is telling him that he misses Joe’s soft, unhasty footsteps approaching behind him, and only registers his presence by his scent having accompanied him for centuries, the whiff of freshly brewed coffee, and a gentle touch on his shoulder.

He doesn’t flinch, though.

“Thank you,” he says as Joe places a warm mug in his outstretched hand, letting his fingers linger longer on Nicky’s knuckles, caressing the sensitive, thin skin.

“Not for that.” Joe’s voice is drenched in the honey of love and Nicky wants to tell him that he will thank him every day as long as they live for his mere presence and each smile Joe gifts Nicky with which he may not be able to see but can feel whenever he maps his beloved’s face with his hands.

Nicky only smiles, because Joe knows his trail of thought, savoring the cinnamony steam of his hot beverage.

It is strange how the pure simplicity like Joe being aware of the way Nicky prefers to drink his coffee - black with just a touch of cinnamon - can have so much power to make his heart stutter in his chest.

The real source for the comfort seeping into his bones and erasing the last remains of the past mission however, is the missing taste of copper in the air.

Joe has freshly showered and the clean, soapy scent of an unharmed body without the sticky, overwhelming thickness of blood and death lets Nicky relax with a silent exhale of relief.

On their job this morning, in the crisp, breathtaking cold of dawn, Joe had been shot three times while shielding the abducted children with his body to protect them.

A heart too big for this world.

Even though it hasn’t been the first time one of them has died and it certainly won’t be the last, Nicky had still waited in agony next to Joe, anxiously spending the dragging on seconds it took his husband to heal listening for a sharp inhale or feeling for the onset of his heartbeat under shaking hands, pressed to Joe’s chest.

The physical reminder of this nightmare may be swept away, down the drain, but Joe’s missing breathing and warmth have persistently taken root in Nicky’s own chest. A parasite in its own form.

Joe and he sit and drink in silence for a few minutes, content with each other’s company, shoulders touching, thighs plastered together. Nicky is focused intensively on the sounds Joe creates, not paying attention to the rainstorm anymore - cooling blows in his mug, sipping the hot fluid, black like Nicky’s own, but with precisely three tablespoons of sugar. Focused on any signs of discomfort, a tense shift of Joe’s posture, a suppressed hiss of pain, an uneven breath.

He perceives none of that but one reassurance is left for the sake of Nicky’s soul.

The hand he holds out to the love of his life moves hesitantly, almost timidly, and his voice is nothing more than a whisper. “May I?”

Joe hums fondly before grabbing Nicky’s wrist, slim artist fingers curling protectively around delicate bones, to guide his palm to the place where Joe’s heart is reliably and strongly beating in his ribcage.

“You never have to ask, Nicolo.”

Joe places his own hand on Nicky’s, sensing the familiar thump of the other half of his soul, the rhythm engraved in his very bones.

And finally, finally, the last trace of unease diminishes, melting away under the sheer devotion Joe radiates like a cozy campfire with his warmth.

Nicky’s own personal sun.

“I’m okay,” Joe promises him and crosses their fingers until their palms are slotted together like a perfect matching puzzle.

“I’m glad you are,” Nicky replies, allowing the smile that tugs at the corners of his mouth to come into bloom.

Joe kisses the top of his thumb, letting Nicky’s breath hitch with a faint touch just like this, and continues to press his lips to each of his fingertips. “I was worried about you.”

Incredulously Nicky moves his head to the side, a twitch of confusion, and instinctively tightens his grip on Joe’s hand. “About me? You got shot,” he reminds him softly, oh so softly as to not rouse the begone horrors of today. “You died, Yusuf.”

“But I know how it feels for you and I am sorry it happened this morning, hayati.” 

The uncertainty. The suffocating vines of nothingness. The overwhelming thorns of fear. The helplessness of listening, praying, for a noise of life. The disorientation.

Most of the time, Nicky doesn’t miss his sight. How could he miss something he never had? But whenever the other half of his soul dies, he feels so utterly lost it frightens him, shaking him to his core. How dependent he is on sound. 

Spending seconds without an indication of Joe coming back to life, returning to a world they both share, is excruciating. Torture. Making his handicap more obvious to him which ignites a spark of self-hatred in him that comes with the dangerous feeling of being useless.

Nicky stays silent a little too long, prompting Joe to scoot closer to him, bridging the last minimum of free space between them, so that their whole sides are pressed together. Sharing warmth and comfort like life-spending oxygen.

“I’m sorry,” he repeats, more gentle this time. The real apology behind it brushes gossamer over Nicky’s cheekbone. 

I’m sorry for leaving you.

Nicky shakes his head no, an automatism because he never has to apologize for something he has no power over. 

A heart too full of love.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he points out, setting his mug carefully down on one step of the stairs they’re perched on to use his free hand to touch Joe’s face, cupping his beautiful jaw like something infinitely precious.

Joe smiles, lips curling into the beloved shape under Nicky’s thumb. “It wasn’t yours either.”

Yes. Because I hadn’t got your back. Because I couldn’t protect you. Because I was useless.

“You led the children to safety.” Joe has guessed where his bad thoughts have dragged him. Of course he has. “You did great, Nicolo.”

I didn’t do enough.

He doesn’t voice it, though, Joe can read the words clearly on his face anyway and makes an unhappy guttural sound.

“You saved them,” Nicky points out.

Joe doesn’t respond to that but the stiffness in the atmosphere gives Nicky enough indication. As he withdraws his hand from Joe’s face, letting it fall limp in his lap, Jow draws a pattern onto the skin of the hand he is still holding. Each brush of his fingers conveys another emotion Joe is wordlessly communicating to him. Pride. Trust. Devotion. Support. Concern. Heartache and sadness for the troubled thoughts on Nicky’s mind.

“Doesn’t change the fact that you did great, ya amar. We saved them. Together.” Needless to say, Joe knows of these moments of doubt and self-consciousness Nicky experiences from time to time about his missing sight. And as always he does what he can do best: show Nicky his love.

You’re not worthless, their first kiss tells him.

You’re worth something, the second says.

You're worth everything, the third and final kiss expresses.

Exhaling deeply, his nose buried in the safe crook of Joe’s neck, Nicky stays for a few minutes, allowing the supporting words of his partner to wash over him, plucking the seeds of self hatred out of his heart before they can sprout.

Joe holds him without disrupting the pleasant rush of the rain weaving a protecting cocoon around them. Hiding them in their personal little bubble. For now.

“How can I make it up to you?” Joe eventually wants to know tenderly, not for Nicky’s but his own sake, his own guilt for contributing to Nicky’s feelings although he certainly is not to blame.

Nicky moves his nose slowly across Joe’s mouth, following the curve of his cheek until it boops slightly against Joe’s, causing the latter to huff in amusement. 

“Enjoy this concert with me,” he invites him with a lopsided smile.

Relaxed, Joe settles back, reaching for his mug again, but not breaking their skin-to-skin contact one. “It would be my pleasure, tesoro. What is it called, if I may ask?”

“The lullaby of the rain.”