#i just had hazelnut cinnamon coffee

[vertejay]

Washer broke yesterday, so now I have to pack a basket for the laundromat, this is tragic my washer was so spacious I’m crying. I could be getting ready to go out but I have to sort this out first. 💔

[nightingale-prompts]

Just your average coffee shop AU-DCxDP prompt

What do you do when you've been blacklisted from every coffee chain in Gotham?

You have to find other sources.

That is Tim's current predicament but he put out a few messages out and an informant got back to him about a new café that opened on the outskirts of the city.

There wasn't much else on it other than the fact that it was located in an old cemetery. No details or anything.

Desperate for the black icker that made up his blood by this point Tim went.

Walking down the cobblestone path Tim began to doubt if the shop was real. The decrepit tombstones seemed to be the only people here but as he passed the mausoleums he saw a single stone crypt that had a sign.

Hours:

Tues-Saturday 12pm-3:00 am

Sunday: All day

Mon: Closed

(Vlad Masters is banned)

Tim opened the stone door and heard the faint sound of violins and saxophones. A staircase led deeper to an aged wooden door.

The rusty door henge screeched as he opened the door like a doorbell. The room was a lounge with plush seats and smooth wood tables. A dance floor was in the center currently occupied by well dressed patrons. The scent of fresh dark roast coffee filled the air. A band played live music, it was a blend of gothic folk and Jazz. The booths were filled with a few patrons cheering for the performers as they drank coffee and played cards.

The counter where he could order his drink was a bar. Despite what you'd assume they weren't selling alcohol at least not yet. The man behind the counter beckoned him over.

The barista dressed in a white dress shirt and a black buttoned vest embroidered with a ribcage design. He had fingerless gloves with matching skeletal hand design. The man's face was a pale bit warm tone with a blueish green hue on his cheekbones. His lips were a dark ashen black with a subtle shine. It was probably just the aesthetic.

"Evening, traveler." His voice practically purred as he greeted the weary young man"The rhythm's alive, and the spirits are waiting—how can I make your afterlife?"

"Coffee. Black." Tim said gruffly despite to get it in his system.

"Oh, you got it bad, don't you? Let me get you something that will actually help." The bartender said turning to brew a cup.

Tim's eyes scanned the chalkboard menu that hung above the bar.

Hot Coffee Drinks:

Graveyard Brew – A rich dark roast with a hint of smoked caramel. (Tucker's pick)

Phantom Flat White – A smooth flat white with ghostly foam art. (Danny's pick)

Latté of the Damned– A spiced pumpkin latte with black cinnamon dust. (Jazz's pick)

Eternal Espresso– A bold, double-shot espresso.

The Velvet Casket – Mocha with dark chocolate and a touch of vanilla.

Sepulcher Spice – Chai-spiced coffee with a hint of nutmeg. (Val's pick)

Necromancer’s Nitro – Nitro cold brew with a dash of maple syrup. (Dan's pick)

Iced Coffee Drinks:

Cold-Brew Crypt– Smooth cold brew with a splash of sweet cream.

Chilled Cadaver– Iced coffee with coconut milk and a shot of hazelnut. (Dani's pick)

The Frosted Requiem – Blended mocha with chocolate drizzle.

Soulful Swirl– Iced latte with caramel and a swirl of blackcurrant syrup.

Moonlit Macchiato– Vanilla macchiato with activated charcoal. (Sam's pick)

Tim definitely sensed a theme here.

"I added a few shots of expresso and some dark chocolate liquor. It should get you right and some minor heart palpitations. I think I'll call it 'The Black Veil'." The barista smiled very cat-like.

"Am I getting my name on the board?" Tim quipped without thinking as he sipped the hot coffee. Actually, it was cooler than he thought it would be. It was the perfect temperature. And the taste was amazing.

"Only if you're a regular and I think your drink might be too much for anyone else." The barista laughed softly.

"So...this place is pretty um...gothic?"

"This place used to be just for the dead but we've recently over up to the living."

"Heh, I get it."

"Get what?"

Tim coughed awkwardly. He didn't want to stop talking to the goth barista yet and the quality coffee was convincing. Maybe it was the environment. It was like walking into a different world.

"So what's this place called? So I know what Im coming back to." Tim tried to sound cool but let's face it, he's been beat.

"This is the Catacomb Club. Where the spirits swing and the night never sleeps. You should come again soon, cutie. I think I got a good surge of inspiration just looking at you." He purred in delight as he leaned over the bar tapped Tim's cheek.

Tim felt his face burn, the touch felt like electricity tickling his skin. A string of babbling seemed to come out of this mouth as he tried to respond.

"Heh heh, don't keep me waiting dear," he laughed "Oh, and by the way. My name is Danny. Catch me in the early shift. My brother works the late shift mixing the alcohol. But if you want you can catch me on the stage or on the dance floor. I might even make you an extra cup or two." Danny said.

Tim found his footsteps on the way up lighter and only when he made it back the cematary gate did he notice.

He never paid.

[farfromstrange]

Fictober Day 1: Baking Cookies

Fictober Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Pairing: Matt Murdock x F!Reader

Prompt: Baking Cookies (🌼)

Summary: You convince Matt to bake cookies with you, and it’s a rather… domestic scene.

Warnings: Tooth-rotting fluff. That’s it. That’s the post.

Word Count: 1.6k

A/n: Day 1 of Fictober and we’re starting with something sweet! The -ber months always get me in the mood for cookies, especially chai tea or matcha cookies, so that’s what inspired me. Who wouldn’t want to bake cookies with Matt on a cold and rainy day? I know I would. If you want to be tagged for all fics of this event, let me know. Other than that, I am using my respective fluff and smut tag lists that I use for just about everything I write. But if you want to be tagged for both and aren't already on my tag list, feel free to tell me in the comments! Now, I’m so happy we all get to do another October together, and I can’t wait for you to see what I’ve got cooking for you! May you all come out of this sufficiently satisfied.

Read Me On AO3!

The streets of New York are bathed in a disarray of colors as dead leaves continue to fall off the half-green trees. Before you knew it, summer had slipped away into a moment in time. The heatwave that had terrorized the city turned colder with the end of September, and then suddenly, October was knocking on your door. 

You watch the rain trickle down the kitchen windows. The air smells of roasted cinnamon and coffee beans. The billboard outside shines brighter than the afternoon sun stuck behind a sky of gray, throwing a blanket of dark purple over the apartment, and the radio has been playing the same Beach House song on repeat for the past hour. But as you look over at the love of your life, his rough fingers delicately dancing over the label on the sugar jar to figure out what’s inside, there is no doubt in your mind that this is where you belong.

Matt is wearing the maroon sweater you knitted for him last Christmas. Once the seasons start changing, he pulls it out of the closet like he couldn’t wait to wear it again. Your hands crafted something for him to wear so he wouldn’t have to suffer through the cold anymore; there are not enough words in the English language to describe how much that means to him, but you know. You always know.

He looks almost content, standing there with his hair tousled, glasses discarded somewhere in the living room, and a faint smile on his lips. His brown eyes are so soft they remind you of the hazelnut coffee you shared before you suggested, “You want to bake some cookies?”

Much to your surprise, Matt didn’t argue. You expected him to tell you that it’s not Christmas yet, and you were prepared to tell him that cookies don’t need a specific season to be baked. But his face lit up as soon as the words had left your mouth, and he was more than eager to spend the rest of the afternoon in the kitchen with you. 

“How much sugar do we need?” he asks. 

You look down at the handwritten chai cookie recipe he picked out. “Uh, half a cup,” you say. 

He nods, eyebrows furrowing in utmost concentration as his hands feel around the countertop for the measuring cups. You gently place your hand over yours and guide it to the cold plastic. 

His smile widens. “Thank you.”

You look at him like he’s the only man in the world, and to you, he is. It’s not often the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen lets someone into his heart, you learned, but you only fell harder for him when he finally did. He’s beautiful and not at all perfect, but he is all you want.

“Sugar?” Matt snaps you out of your thoughts. 

“Right,” you murmur. “Half a cup.”

He can probably hear your heart racing, hammering against your ribcage. You guide your joined hands into the sugar, filling it only half before moving over to the bowl with the other dry ingredients. He doesn’t speak, doesn’t even comment on how flustered you are, he just holds on tightly to your hands as though he is afraid you might slip away if he doesn’t. 

It is a different kind of intimacy that’s almost sensual, bodies brushing as you get a whisk to mix it all together, your hand over his and the rain pattering against the window in tune with the radio. 

The cinnamon and the chai tea mix with the faint note of Matt’s cologne on your body, on his shirt, and the scent is unlike anything you could possibly describe. You find yourself leaning closer, impossibly closer, barely stirring anymore. He’s home. He’s your home. 

“Is this part of the recipe?” Matt murmurs. 

You hum. “This step is called stirring the batter.”

He smiles against your temple. “Mh. I like this step.”

“Me too.”

One of his hands slips from yours and comes to rest around your waist, swaying you to the music. You wouldn’t dare break this magic.

“Is there a step called ‘Kiss my future Mrs. Murdock’?” he asks then.

Blood rushes to your head. You’re so fucking happy. A giggle slips past your lips. “I think that’s the next step,” you say. 

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He bridges the gap between you like a man starved, capturing your lips in a searing kiss that knocks the air right out of your fragile lungs. His hand tugs you just a little closer. You belong to me, the action screams. And while you would never allow yourself to be considered someone’s property, it is nice to be wanted. To be needed. To be desired like you are the only thing on his mind, and treated right. Because you deserve it.

After a moment, he pulls away. His unfocused eyes roam your face, but you know he is only listening to your heartbeat, smelling you, feeling you—that’s how he sees you. 

“What’s next?” he asks softly. 

You peek down at the batter, then look back at him. Your mind is still reeling from the kiss, but you manage to pull yourself together enough to say, “Wet ingredients.”

“Oh?”

“Not like that, you pervert!” 

Matt chuckles, throwing his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You were thinking about it.” You swat his chest. “I wanted to bake cookies, so let’s bake some damn cookies.”

If you don’t pull away now, you’re sure you won’t get anywhere tonight. 

“Is that what we’re doing?” he teases. 

You nod. “That’s what we’re doing.”

He takes whatever you give him, and does whatever you tell him to until the cookies are finally in the oven. He doesn’t waste another second before pulling you back into his arms.

“Hi,” he says. 

You smile back at him. “Hi to you, too.”

“You forgot this…” You watch as he reaches into his pocket to pull out a ring—your ring.

It was only natural for him to ask you to marry him. He’d been waiting an eternity to do so. No one knows him like you do. No one sees him like you do, and no one loves him quite like you. You’ve seen him at his best and his worst, and you love him not despite but regardless of all of his demons. He doesn’t know what he did to ever deserve you. Quite frankly, he’s not sure he will ever be worthy, but he’d be damned if he didn’t at least try.

Matt had gotten so used to people walking out on him before you came along that he truly believed he was beyond redemption. Beyond saving. But then you tore open the manifest of his soul, read all the pages, and you gave him your heart anyway. He has not let a day go by where he hasn’t at least tried to do right by you. To take care of you. To love you. To carry you in his very hands like the fucking ethereal being that you are. He’s so scared of losing you, he sometimes loses sight of what he wants just to make you happy, but it’s worth seeing the smile on your face when he brings you flowers he thinks smell like you, or when he gets dinner from your favorite restaurant to surprise you after a long day at work. 

Matt’s only purpose in life is to make you happy because he knows you give him the world in return, a kind of love he never thought he would get to experience. It’s unconditional, it’s deep, and at times, it hurts, but he’s learning what it is like to appreciate the life he was given.

He would steal the stars for you if you wanted them. He would die for you, and sometimes he thinks he might even kill for you. Break all of his rules just to make sure you stay unharmed. He would go up against God, even, if it meant you wouldn’t have to suffer. He would not survive losing you, and sometimes, that scares him.

It has been a long road for him, and at times it felt like he was carrying a wooden cross on his back like Jesus did, but all the suffering eventually led to a sense of peace. He learned how to love again—to love you. After Elektra, after putting Fisk away, after everything, he allowed himself to settle down. And he knew shortly after he met you that he was going to marry you. 

You wrap your hand around the ring in his hand, and he gasps softly as he returns to reality. “Didn’t want it to get dirty,” you whisper. 

Matt slips it on your finger, and it feels again like the first time he did it. “I know. I kept it safe for you,” he says. A pause, and then, “I love you… Mrs. Murdock.”

He will never tire of saying it. Not even when you’re old and gray and you can’t remember where you put your godforsaken glasses. 

You wrap your arms around his neck. “I love you, Mr. Murdock. And I can’t wait to marry you.”

The honesty in your voice overwhelms him. “You mean that?” 

“With all my heart,” you promise.

The words take a second to seep in, to withstand the doubts that are always raging inside of him, but then he pulls you in, and he kisses you again. He kisses you like his life depends on it, the delicious smell of chai tea cookies filling the air, and it’s the safest you know you are ever going to be—here, with him, and in his arms. 

@ebathory997 @the-b33skn33s @scoliobean @drmeghanjones @lanae111 @gpenguin666 @linamarr @itwasthereaminuteago @norestfortheshelbywicked @yarrystyleeza @littlenerdyravenclaw @etanordoesbullsh1t @thychuvaluswife @harleycao @schneeflocky @imjustcal @pipsqueakkitten @merlinbtch @sya-skies @thatonegamefish @amberritonicole @pigeonmama @bohemianrhapsody86 @a-gir1-has-n0-name @winkev1 @callsign-ember @chittaphonstar @buckyyyismahhlife @trublu2u @xnatyx @zomtart @ethereal-blaze @littleagxs @lucienofthelakes

[chrisevansonly]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐱: 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐜 𝐱 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: marriage and raising a family is never easy, there are bumps and waves along the way, but even the sun has to come out after a little rain…

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: slight angst, mentions of anxiety and mental health, crying, fluff

𝐀/𝐍: alright everyone we are GETTING BACK TO THE FLUFFY GOODNESS AGAIN, and welcome to chapter six, i’ll be honest idk how many chapters this will have yet, so bear with me, this also seems very shitty writing to me so i apologize if it is💀

🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️

Why did you feel so nervous, it wasn’t as if a stranger was coming to your home, no it was Charles, your Charles. The father of your beautiful little boy, and your husband, whom despite everything you loved with your entire being, of course your heart still hurt from the argument a few days ago but you had to recognize that you were in the wrong just as much as he had been 

The kitchen smelt like notes of caramel and hazelnut as you brewed a fresh poot of coffee, Matteo’s favourite cinnamon scones on the island awaiting his father who was arriving any second now

“Maman, où est papa?” the toddler asked softly, not wanting to interrupt your meticulous place setting at the breakfast nook 

“Il devrait être là dans la seconde, mon amour”

Matteo smiled, sticking to your side wanting to help you as much as he could, it had been a rough couple of days for the little boy, not understanding that his parents were fighting and it wasn’t his fault. Something that you and Charles needed to discuss because the older he got, the more anxious he became.

-

“Est-ce que papa est déjà là?”

You frowned, brushing some of the unruly hair out of the toddlers face 

“Pas ce soir mon amour..”

“Why!”

It wasn’t a surprise to hear Matteo get so upset it had been about two days since he’d seen him, far too long in his mind 

“Because Maman and Papa are just having some time apart..”

Matteo looked up at you, his eyes sad as the began to gloss over, sending your heart into a bit of a panic as you watched the gears turn in his brain trying to figure out what that meant 

“Est-ce à cause de moi?”

He sniffled, wiping his nose with his sleeve as you quickly scooped up the young boy into your arms 

“Petit amour, ce n’est pas ta faute et tu n’as rien fait de mal”

You paused for a moment 

“I promise you Matteo it is not your fault, sometimes parents just need a cool off so we can have some space and then come back stronger than before, I promise you baby papa and maman love each other so so much, and we love you so much more.”

Matteo stayed quiet but snuggled further into your chest, and you knew in this moment you and Charles needed to figure things out and do it fast.

-

Charles arrived at the house rather quickly, eager to see his little boy and even more excited to see you, he missed being home with the two of you, and was hoping today he could finally come home and work to put this behind him, he would do everything in his power to do that.

“Papa!!”

You looked up in time to see Matteo run off to the front door, straight into Charles’s arms, happy giggles spilling from his lips 

“Tu m’as tellement manqué petit prince, papa t’aime tellement.”

“Papa je t’aime tellement, tu m’as manqué encore plus!”

Charles smiled pressing kisses to the little boy’s face as they spent a few minutes reconnecting, it made you feel guilty, thinking back on it maybe you should have fixed this problem right when it happened. Not wanting to interrupt them you waited until Matteo took off with his father’s phone to play games, leaving the two of you in the kitchen together, a soft smile on Charles’s face, yet there was evident worry in his eyes. 

“Mon amour…”

Deciding against the slight hurt that remained in your chest you walked over and wrapped your arms around him, closing your eyes as your head rested against his chest 

“I’m sorry..”

“No please, don’t apologize, I shouldn’t have pushed you..”

Shaking your head you looked up at him

“I threw my anxiety in your face and-and I know how important racing is to you and you want to show Matteo everything but-”

“But nothing amour please, I understand why you are scared, Matteo is your baby as is he mine and it was wrong of me to push and push when you weren’t ready and I saw that from the very first time I brought it up…”

He paused just enough to catch a tear that slipped down your cheek before he continued, his thumb remaining on your cheekbone gently 

“I should have never raised my voice at you like I did, I made a promise to you and I broke it, something I swear to you I will never do to you again, all I can say now is I am so sorry amour…tu es mon soleil, mes étoiles, ma lune et le plus beau cadeau que j'ai jamais reçu. Je ne veux jamais te perdre.”

Charles didn’t have to say anything else in the moment, because you were quick to press your lips to his, his hands holding onto your face gently, cradling it as if you were made of porcelain. A kiss that brought you back to your wedding night, one that was filled with so much love you thought you might pass out, but god would it have been worth it. 

“I love you, so much Char…come home please and-and we’ll figure out the rest another day.. I should have never made you stay away from us like that, I’ll kick myself for it…”

“No enough, I’m not mad at all baby I don’t blame you..come lets go have a movie day with Teo”

Nodding your head you let him lead you to the living room where Charles was quick to order your favourite lunch, while recruiting Matteo to make the couch into the comfiest movie watching space you’d ever had. A smile coming to your face at the excitement in his eyes, and excitement you’d missed seeing from him the past few days. 

There really was nothing better in the world than having your little family back together, even if there was still much to be discussed and talked about but for right now, this was just perfect. Matteo settled in between the two of you, a happy smile on his face.

“I love you Maman, I love you Papa” 

Charles looked over at you before pressing a kiss to your forehead, letting you settle onto his shoulder comfortably, everything was absolutely perfect, there was nothing that could come between the three of you again.

He would make sure of it, no matter what he had to do.

ʚlittle karter taglist

@goldenalbon @goldenmclaren @a1leexxa @treehouse-mouse @therealcap @wintfleur

english translations:

Maman, où est papa? - Mom where is daddy?

Il devrait être là dans la seconde, mon amour - He should be here any second my love

Est-ce que papa est déjà là? - is Daddy here?

Pas ce soir mon amour - Not tonight my love

Est-ce à cause de moi? - Is it because of me?

Petit amour, ce n’est pas ta faute et tu n’as rien fait de mal - Little love, it’s not your fault and you have done nothing wrong

Tu m’as tellement manqué petit prince, papa t’aime tellement. - i missed you so much little prince, daddy loves you so much

Papa je t’aime tellement, tu m’as manqué encore plus! - Daddy i love you so much i missed you even more!

Tu es mon soleil, mes étoiles, ma lune et le plus beau cadeau que j'ai jamais reçu. Je ne veux jamais te perdre - you are my sun, my stars, my moon and the greatest gift i’ve ever gotten, i never want to lose you

[pininghermit]

Shattered Armor

Request: @mairablue Hi 💞 Are you still taking requests for spin the wheel event about Adrian? I got the prompt, "He fell first". Can you please write a story with the prompt? Thank you!

AN: Hi friend, thanks for requesting! Please do excuse my own inner angst for this one but this was so cathartic to write.

Genre: He fell first

Pairing(s): Adrian Tepes x female Reader

Summary:Long ago Adrian had walked away from your world. World that never slept. Run by meetings, contracts, profits, grind. Adrian had left it for his mother’s cafe. To the world that smelled of roasted coffee and Mediterranean sandwiches. A glimpse of himself is perhaps what attracts him to you. Like a moth to flame, his heart follows.

Adrian remembers your coffee order as if it were etched into his mind.

Grande, half-decaf, oat milk latte with two pumps of hazelnut, one pump of vanilla, extra foam, and a light sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Exactly 135 degrees.

It was etched there from the first time you walked into his cafe. Typing away on your phone, a Bluetooth headset snug in your ear, you barely glanced at him as you rattled off your intricate order.

You had the air of someone important, busy, and detached. A person who lived in a world that never stopped spinning. Adrian had immediately dubbed you a corporate asshole in his mind.

That’s what he thought as he made your coffee the first time.

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at your request, even as he worked to make it perfect. But when you tipped fifty dollars with a casual shrug and moved on without looking back, Adrian had to pause.

Who was he to judge?

When he brought the coffee to your table, he’d planned to offer you a free muffin as a gesture of goodwill after that mountainous tip. But as he approached, his words faltered.

Gone was the polished, confident figure in an expensive suit who had walked in just moments earlier. Instead, you looked small, as though the weight of the world had folded you in on yourself.

You were slumped back in your chair, staring blankly out the window. The person who’d walked in moments before had vanished, replaced by someone far more vulnerable.

Your shoulders were hunched, your hands limp in your lap, and your eyes, distant and red-rimmed, spoke of a weariness that felt all too familiar.

Adrian had frozen, caught off guard by the rawness of your expression.

He knew that look.

It was the same one he used to see in the reflection of office windows late at night. Back when his days were filled with meetings, contracts, and expectations. Back when the weight of his father’s company pressed down on his chest, even in the rare moments of stillness.

World was harsh to all. But it made itself harsher for women. It forged the might of iron to shape them into the form that it deemed acceptable.   

Long ago Adrian had walked away from your world. World that never slept. Run by meetings, contracts, profits, grind. Adrian had left it for his mother’s cafe. To the world that smelled of roasted coffee and Mediterranean sandwiches. A glimpse of himself is perhaps what attracts him to you. Like a moth to flame, his heart follows.

Without a word, Adrian swapped the muffin for a sandwich. Sugar wouldn’t help someone who looked like they were barely holding it together. He set the plate down quietly, careful not to disturb you, and slipped away before you could respond.

Yet he saw it, the way you glanced down at the sandwich, brows furrowed in confusion, before hesitantly picking it up. Your movements were slow, deliberate, like someone unaccustomed to acts of care. Adrian had watched from a distance as you chewed, your expression softening ever so slightly.

You come during the quiet hours now, always slipping in like you’re sneaking moments away from something relentless. Adrian watches as you sit by the window, eyes tracing the slow crawl of traffic. He notices the way your shoulders loosen as the minutes pass, how the tension drains from your body in the comfort of the cafe’s stillness.

He doesn’t ask questions. Instead, he keeps leaving sandwiches by your coffee. Most of the time, you don’t finish them. He often finds the leftovers in the bin or in your hands as you leave, your fingers brushing crumbs from your lap.

Adrian doesn’t know why you linger in his mind. Maybe it’s the reflection of himself he sees in you, the person he once was, drowning in a world that demanded too much. Maybe it’s the quiet grief that clings to you, invisible to everyone else but glaring to him.

What he does know is that every time you walk out the door, holding a sandwich you’ll probably forget to eat, something inside him twists in ways he thought he’d left behind.

And so he keeps watching, keeps waiting. Because in the stillness of the café, he’s found something he never expected: a tie to someone who reminds him of what it’s like to need saving.

Patrick Len sent a meeting invite.

The notification flashes on your phone just as you’re about to place your usual order. The familiar chime of the Slack app makes your stomach turn, and for a fleeting moment, you imagine hurling the damned device off Mount Everest.

You suppress a groan, the simmering frustration bubbling beneath your skin. You’d just told Patrick about your lunch break, a rare and sacred 30 minutes of freedom. Yet here you are again, accepting the last-minute invite with the same resigned flick of your thumb.

As you place your order without even looking up, your mind replays the mechanics of your daily grind. The way your gaze always seems glued to your phone, your head perpetually bowed as if in servitude to the towering skyscrapers of the corporate hub that looms over your life. Every day, they press down on you, making it harder to breathe.

This time, you put your phone on silent with a little more force than usual, slamming it onto the table and fighting back the prickling sensation behind your eyes. You will not cry. Not until the handsome barista brings your coffee, at least.

By now, Adrian has probably witnessed a dozen of your near-breakdowns. Would one more really be that surprising?

There’s something about this cafe, though something that makes it impossible to hold back the cracks in your armor. It’s far enough from the looming heights of your office, just a 15-minute drive that feels like a lifetime away. Here, you don’t have to sit under the shadow of your desk, with its endless agenda waiting to devour your soul.

Here, you can breathe, if only for a moment.

You glance out the window at children skipping home from school, their laughter floating into the street. Middle-aged women huddle together, their grocery bags heavy but their conversations light. Dogs prance by with their owners, tails wagging, paws pattering. And then there’s Adrian, the barista who brings you the best sandwiches you’ve ever had, always with a smile that feels unearned.

In this tiny pocket of the world, no one is watching for your cracks. No one is calculating the sincerity of your smile or judging the perfect precision of your project briefs.

It’s liberating and miserable all at once. Liberating to step away from the chaos, but miserable to know how fleeting it is, how high the price is for chasing your so-called dream.

A silly dream, stubborn and relentless, the kind you can’t quite let go of no matter how much it costs you.

This cafe has become your refuge, the only place you allow yourself to slip from the relentless mold of perfection. A place where you let the cracks widen, if only a little, as you sit and let the world drift by.

Yet, this cafe is where you dare to let go of your shattered armor. And allow your nurse Joy (yes Pokemon Go had some great gems here) to allow you some healing with the most amazing hummus dressings.   

The $50 tips? Excessive, even by your standards. But you leave them anyway, for Adrian. For the barista whose eyes follow you with a softness you can’t quite understand, like a puppy waiting for a reason to stay close.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s why you keep coming back.

[esilher]

Art: @esilher   Fic: @mynonah  Thank you so much @bossymarmalade for the quick beta reading! <3  You can read it on AO3

Winter Magic (Part 2) → (Please read Part 1 first here )

“Wait… You think I’m a spy?” Kurt’s eyes widened.

Blaine raised an eyebrow, and Kurt noticed the tension in Blaine’s body at the question.

“Aren’t you?” He asked harshly.

“Of course not! I just told you I work at Vogue.” Kurt replied. “And if you happen to find a coffee shop with that name, please let me know, because I’m pretty sure that name is trademarked.” Kurt snapped. “God, I just…”

“You just…?” Blaine interrupted impatiently, leaning forward in his chair.

Kurt sighed. “I made a bet with my roommate,” he spat out. “We made a bet on whether I could reproduce our favorite winter coffee at home,” Kurt explained. “Her birthday is the deadline. Which is tomorrow, by the way," he added sadly.

Blaine sat back in his chair and tried to process what he had just heard. He studied Kurt’s disappointed expression, wondering if he should believe him.

“You could have just taken a cup of Winter Magic home and put it in a mug, you know.”

“That’s cheating!” Kurt said indignantly. “And I know I can do it.” he added confidently, taking a sip of his coffee. His eyebrows immediately furrowed.

“Are you sure?” The barista asked and Kurt put down his coffee, pursing his lips.

Blaine shook his head, turned his attention back to his coffee, scraping the seam of the paper cup as he thought about it. He took another sip and sighed.

“What did you bet?” He asked, still staring at his coffee.

Kurt looked up at Blaine hopefully. “If I lose, I’ll have to do all the dishes in the evenings.”

“Forever?”

“As long as we’re roommates, yes.”

“Ugh,” Blaine groans sympathetically. “And what if you win?”

“Rachel can’t start warming up her vocal cords before 6am. And I need my beauty sleep, Blaine!” Kurt looked at him meaningfully.

For a moment, a warm feeling filled Blaine’s chest. It happened every time he thought Kurt remembered his name before he realized he was wearing a name tag. Finally, he looked at Kurt again, and seeing the miserable look on Kurt’s face, he couldn’t help but laugh. Okay, he’s probably not a spy, Blaine decided. Thank God… 

“You use too much cinnamon.”

“I like cinnamon.”

Blaine smiled. “Noted. I’ll definitely think about it next time.” He took another sip. “Otherwise, it’s quite good,” he added.

“I know," Kurt replied, as if nothing could be more obvious. “But it’s not the same as yours.”

“No, it’s not. But… I think you’re missing just one ingredient.”

Kurt looked at Blaine excitedly. He leaned forward over his table, his eyebrows raised in question. Blaine leaned forward too, close enough that their faces almost touched. 

“I guess if I told you, that would be cheating too,” he whispered.

“Shit!” Kurt growled. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “You’re right,” he grumbled. 

“I’m sorry,” the barista smiled. “But don’t be hard on yourself, this recipe has many elements.”

“I don’t understand,” Kurt shook his head. “I’ve used soy milk, I added star anise, ginger, nutmeg, hazelnut syrup, cloves, cinnamon, cocoa nibs, turmeric and saffron, a touch of chili, pumpkin syrup…”

“I’m impressed, by the way.”

“What am I missing?” Kurt asked, sounding desperate. “Some exotic spice that I couldn’t find even if I looked for it?”

Blaine laughed, but stopped when he realized it was making Kurt look even more miserable. He took another sip of his coffee and leaned a little closer. “How did you get the proportions so right?”

“Well, I could lie and say it was easy, but since you know I’ve been suffering with this for weeks now…” he covered his face with his hands in embarrassment.

“Kurt, I’ll be honest. I know seasoning isn’t atomic physics, but I’ve been working on these specialties for months to get the perfect balance of ingredients and make them all special, something the customer can’t get anywhere else. You copied our best-selling coffee specialty in two weeks.”

“Well, I did not, did I? I missed something.” Kurt grumbled.

Blaine smiled and twirled the cup absentmindedly in his hand. “I want to know how you did it.”

Kurt shrugged. “I’m pretty good with spices.”

“I can see that.”

“I like to cook and bake, that’s all. I’ve experimented a lot since I was a kid, it’s just fun. There’s not much difference between trying to find a new character for a cookie and this,” Kurt pointed to his coffee and the spices. “It drives me crazy.”

Blaine watched as Kurt tensely organized the small jars in front of him. He was really impressed that Kurt had gotten this far in figuring out his recipe. Blaine was already convinced that the guy in front of him wasn't a spy. He believed him, and he knew that Kurt would soon figure out the last ingredient.

Blaine sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Tell me what spices you use in your favorite cookies.”

Kurt opened his mouth to reflexively say no, since he never shared his recipes with anyone, except Carole. But he froze when he realized that it probably wouldn’t be fair to say no at this point.

Blaine noticed Kurt's hesitation and raised an eyebrow. “Is that a secret, Kurt?” He asked, amused. He leaned closer to Kurt across the table, a playful smile appearing on his face. “I think you owe me that much, Kurt.”

Kurt shook his head, but smiled back at the barista. He opened his mouth to speak, but Blaine cut him off by raising his hand.

“Wait,” he said, and grabbed Santana’s arm as she was about to walk past them. He whispered something in her ear, she nodded and walked on. “I’m listening now,” Blaine turned back to Kurt.

“My favorite recipe is actually quite simple,” Kurt began, playing with the paper cup in front of him, his eyes on the coffee. Cinnamon dominates, of course. No surprise,” he glanced up at Blaine for a second, who smiled at him and nodded encouragingly. “I use cardamom, ginger, vanilla, a little cumin, it gives it character, and…” Kurt’s eyes widened as he finally put the last piece of the puzzle in place. “I can’t believe it,” he looked up at Blaine, who was grinning at him. 

“You’re welcome,” Blaine said, then drank the rest of his coffee, picked up the empty cups and stood up.

“How could I have missed it?!” Kurt shook his head in disbelief.

“It was too easy, I guess. And it doesn’t dominate at all. I’m not a fan of it, but if you use just a very small amount it can balance out the other spices.” Blaine explained. “I have to go back now.”

“Of course.” Kurt nodded and thanked him.

The moment Blaine left the table, another tray landed in front of Kurt with a freshly brewed, steaming cup of espresso, hot water and a vanilla bar next to them.

"Boss ordered this for you. It’s on the house," the waitress said before disappearing among the tables.

-

A few minutes later, Blaine spotted Kurt at the counter, and he couldn’t help but smile at him. 

“Did it work?” he asked as he walked up to Kurt.

“I don’t know yet.”

Blaine looked at Kurt then down at the coffee cup questioningly.

“You tell me,” Kurt said, placing the cup in front of Blaine. “I made this one for you.”

“Thank you.” Blaine smiled in surprise. Slowly, he raised the cup to his lips, and keeping eye contact with Kurt, took a sip of the coffee. He’s nervous, Blaine observed. Cute.

“So?”

Another sip, just to be sure. 

“Wow. It’s perfect, Kurt. It really is.”

“Really?” Kurt jumped with excitement, making Blaine laugh. “Thanks for helping me.”

“I didn’t do anything, you figured it out on your own,” Blaine shrugged. “And you know, if you were looking for a job…” Blaine started, and he realized he was only half joking. But Kurt laughed. 

“No, I’m not. But with this offer you’ve convinced me, I guess the coffee turned out really good,” he said. 

They said goodbye before Kurt headed for the door.

As Kurt walked out of the coffee shop, Blaine leaned against the counter and drank the rest of his coffee. He stared at the empty cup in his hand, lost in thought and smiled. He wondered when he would see Kurt again. He hoped he would come back. Even if Blaine just helped him make his favorite coffee at home, so he had no reason to... 

Oh, shit. 

The thought knocked him out of his good mood. I should have asked for his number. He was wondering how many men named Kurt could work at Vogue, and if trying to find out what would be considered stalking, when Santana appeared next to him.

“I’m an idiot,” he groaned.

“Yes, you are, Boss,” she said, patting him on the shoulder. “But at least he’s not,” she added as she reached over and swirled the cup in Blaine’s hand, revealing the handwriting on the other side.

* * * Free refills, anytime! :) Kurt (555) 555-5555

[archangeldyke-all]

i’m so excited for halloween. i love all things fall/october.

could you write an autumn fic? 🍂

more specifically— i feel like the reader would have to force sev to wear some kinda costume for halloween >:) how do you think sev x reader would dress up? how would they spend their night together? ly mootie! ♡

my city's in the middle of a heat wave and it's HUMID too, it's horrible-- so yes, let's think about fall for a while hehehehe

men and minors dni

there is no doubt in my mind that fall's her favorite season.

and i think halloween is probably her favorite holiday too.

she's not a festive person, so even though she loves fall, she doesn't really indulge herself in things like decorating or baking.

but you do.

sevika doesn't realize how much she loves fall until she meets you. because you treat fall like it's your birthday or something. sevika's shocked to see how much you incorporate her favorite season into your day to day life. and even more surprising, she's shocked to find that she kind of loves it.

as the leaves start to change, you start making her coffee pumpkin flavored, sometimes adding a bit of hazelnut and cinnamon too. she fucking loves it, it's the best coffee she's ever had.

your apartment always smells like pumpkin pie or autumn leaves or flannel-- various candles burning and filling your space with the cozy smells and a lovely warm glow when the days start to grow dark earlier.

you start cooking hearty, warm meals-- stews and chilis and soups and curries-- sevika fucking adores it. there's nothing like a freshly baked slice of bread scooping up some kind of meaty sauce.

and your baking. sevika's almost cries the first time you hand her a plate of freshly homemade triple chocolate chip cookies, with a tall glass of milk.

she adores watching you start to get cozier as the days grow colder. your home becomes slowly filled with fuzzy blankets, you string up some fairy lights to flick on in the dark afternoons, pumpkin decor starts to decorate your tables and shelves.

she loves watching you cuddle into a hoodie, or pull a scarf up over your nose when you're outside and it's chilly. she especially loves cuddling with you under a blanket on the couch.

sevika just can't say no to you. she hates it. (she loves it.)

this means she ends up carving jack-o-lanterns for the first time in her life with you at the big age of forty three. she's surprised to find that she loves it-- scooping the guts of the pumpkin out is so satisfying, and she's always loved stabbing things. (what she loves most of all is the way you arrange your jackolanterns right next to each other on your front stoop, a scarf strung around the two of them, just like when you share your scarf with her.)

this also means that she wears a halloween costume for the first time in nearly thirty five years just for you.

obviously, it has to be a matching costume. sevika will not humiliate herself unless it's to show the world that she's yours.

i'm thinking about the classic lesbian couple costumes: werewolf and vampire.

sevika tries to get away with being a vampire by just drawing two little dots of red lipstick on her neck. you go all out-- buying a werewolf mask and gloves. and on the night of, when you reveal your costumes to each other, you pout at sevika until she rolls her eyes and gives in-- putting on the vampire costume you bought at the same halloween store you got your mask in.

you go to a party at silco's house, the adults drinking while the kids binge on candy, spooky music blasting, vander trying to jumpscare every guest by the end of the night.

you only show up for an hour before you decide to head home, both of you overwhelmed by the party.

sevika tugs on your sleeve as you wander through the leaf-covered sidewalks toward home. "babe, look." she whispers.

she swipes her vampire-cape to the side and reveals one of her fanny packs on her hip-- stuffed to the brim with candy she's stolen from the kids.

you burst into laughter and smack her shoulder, before pulling a kitkat out of her bag and crunching into it.

when you get back home, you spend the rest of the night smoking a joint on the front porch together, snuffing it out when kids approach and ask for candy.

sevika's shocked when you reveal the box of full size bars you'd bought to pass out, and you just shrug. "it keeps me on the good side of all the neighbor kids for the rest of the year."

she knows this isn't the real reason you do it though, you're too much of a softie. the real reason is the giant smiles and excited laughs the kids give the pair of you when you pass them the giant chocolates.

at one point, a little boy dressed in a dinosaur costume approaches with his parents trailing behind him. he seem's shy-- scared to run up onto your porch-- but with a bit of encouragement from you and his parents, he finally climbs the steps.

when sevika hands the boy the candy bar--nearly the size of his head-- his entire expression changes, a huge, toothless grin taking over his face. "thanks scary ladies!" he shouts, before running back down the stairs to show his parents his bounty. sevika chuckles to herself about this for the rest of the night.

by eleven, most of the kids have gone home. you and sev turn in, blowing out the jackolanterns, leaving the box of chocolate out for any teenagers looking to make trouble, hoping that they'll take the bribe and keep from egging or tp-ing your house.

you get in your (matching flannel) pjs and crawl into bed, snuggling and lazily making out as coraline plays on the tv.

taglist!

@fyeahnix @lavendersgirl @half-of-a-gay @thesevi0lentdelights @sexysapphicshopowner

@shimtarofstupidity @chuucanchuucan @badbye666 @femme-historian @lia-winther

@ellsss @sevikaspillowprincess @emiliabby @sevikasbeloved @hellorai

@glass-apothecary @macaroni676 @artinvain @realgreeniebeanie @k3n-dyll

@sevsdollette @ellieslob @xayn-xd @keikuahh @maneskinwh0re

@raphaellearp @iamastar @sevikitty

[piratefishmama]

Crossing the Line | Part 2

For Eddie Munson, it started with a tweet. A random little tweet in his mentions that ignited his incredibly hard to control impulsive curiosity. One of his long-time followers and his best friends little brother, a boy with a love of DnD who only begrudgingly followed him after he recorded one of his campaign sessions and posted it to YouTube, pinged him a mention with a single link in it to Instagram captioned “roast him he’s ruined Crazy Train!”

Michael Wheeler you little shit. He’d get Nancy on that one, Mike’s obsession with roasting people was getting mildly out of hand.

But Eddie was a curious soul and someone had apparently ruined an Ozzy masterpiece, so of course he followed that link, he didn’t even hesitate, even let out a cute little “boop” out loud as he clicked it.

Now. Eddie Munson, could have probably been classed as a bit of a music snob. He wouldn’t go too far with his snobbery, but for some people... it was just an unwritten rule that some people deserved the snobbery to the max. They deserved the shit storm that came with Eddie’s brutal honesty and lack of verbal filter.

And Nepo-babies with nothing better to do than *fix* legendary metal tracks with their top 10 bubblegum bitch bullshittery were 100% deserving of the roasting his bitchiest of little sheep had called for.

Did he go a little overboard over the following week while bored shitless in between customers at his shitty non-chain coffee shop gig? Absolutely. Did he feel bad? Absolutely not. It’d taken him all of five minutes to decide Steve Harrington was the worst.

Even if the nepo baby thing wasn’t enough, he was spotted with a different piece of arm candy every month, he had girls and guys falling all over themselves to get a glimpse from him in their general direction, like, there were articles about fights breaking out in the audience of his shows because fans couldn’t decide which one of them he looked at. He lived in some fancy ass house if his insta photos were anything to go by which no doubt his parents bought for him, he did way too many PR stunts to make it seem like he was a good guy, and while his voice was��� okay, it wasn’t bad… passable, it was passable…

It sure as fuck needed to stay in its own goddamn lane.

So, the boredom in between the rare rush thanks to the Starbucks down the street was filled with what could only be described as obsessive online bullying, his ADHD hyper fixated so hard, but no way was he even going to notice it, so Eddie didn’t even feel bad about it. The guy had so many people falling all over themselves in hopes he’d notice them that his measly little insults would probably wind up just buried in the sea of hormones and the occasional desperate “COME TO BRAZIL” hashtag Brazilian flag and several thousand heart emojis.

And just as a fun little topper on the ice cream sundae that was his weeklong bitchfit into the void, a lovely little cherry on top, he covered Crazy Train on his channel. Not just the guitar bits, but he made chords and tabs for the lyrics too, letting his sweetheart sing for him, he never sang on his channel, vocals were just for the band gigs, his channel was primarily game music covers but this one, this one he declared “This is what it’s supposed to sound like” in the intro then rocked it.

Eddie was all about freedom of musical expression, but Steve Harrington could go suck a fat one if he thought he was getting away with ruining a masterpiece with his croony bullshit.

“So” The week after he’d finally put his one sided feud to rest, found one Nancy Wheeler, the instigators older sister sidling up to the counter mid-way through the most boring Sunday shift Eddie had ever worked in his life.

“Wheeleeerr, my sister from the most boring of misters, what can I get you babydoll?” He didn’t even need to ask, and she didn’t actually need to say it, he was already halfway through making her fancy little favourite, a cinnamon hazelnut latte with soy milk knowing she probably only had five minutes before she’d have to bolt again.

“Eddie… why have you spent the better part of a week harassing a celebrity on Instagram?”

“I think you mean an entire week, your little brother released the dogs of war. Aaaand the ADHD told me to do it.” He grabbed one of the little honey buns from the treats display and popped it onto a plate for her “forgive me honey bun?” A pet name AND a treat combined. She rolled her eyes fondly before accepting the free treat. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” There was absolutely a reason, but… honestly he brought whatever was coming to him upon himself. Sort of. She'd stand in his corner if shit got real. “I’ll handle Mike, don’t harass celebrities until you’re actually a celebrity, and even then, don’t harass celebrities.”

“It’s not like he’d notice, let’s be honest he has more fans than there are stars in the sky, all of them, and I do mean all of them, fully up for bearing his children.” Seahorse dads in the house! But also, mpreg too, ass babies unite. “It’s not like some rando having a questionably obsessive and lowkey aggressive meltdown over his ‘I’m bored as shit’ experiment would ever grace his radar.”

“I’m just saying Eddie, you never know who you’re going to reach with your online nonsense, if you ever want to get out of this place, you’re going to have to play nice with people from all walks of life, including nepotism babies.” The bark of laughter that erupted from Eddie Munson would have probably insulted most people, but Nancy had known him for years. He was listening, he was, there were just layers upon layers of automatic reactions to get through before he’d visibly take in what you were saying. “He could be nice, you never know.”

“Oh yeah, his royal highness seems lovely. Did you know people used to call him King Steve?” Seemed like the worst person on the planet masquerading as a semi-decent guy. Eddie wasn’t fooled in the slightest. “Your drink, mademoiselle!” He presented her with a large to-go cup filled with her favourite beverage.

“Don’t you have some odd little moniker on your youtube channel?” She asked behind the lip of her cup, before taking a sip and humming in appreciation. Even if he was a little shit, Eddie could make a mean latte.

“That’s a persona, it’s an online personality! People calling me Kas is different, people just called him that cause of how much ass he got. It’s weird, I bet he started it himself and paid his cronies to use it until it caught on.” That was good, maybe he’d pick his feud back up just to lay that one on him. “Seems very nepo baby of him, y’know? Can’t get a good nickname circling so he’s gotta buy one.”

“Wouldn’t his parents have bought it for him?”

“Ohhhh Wheeler good one! Nice nickname, did your daddy buy it for you? Babe, sugar plum, I love you. Imma write that one down for later.”

“Please don’t.” He was already off, and she caught sight of her smartwatch beeping about some meeting she was close to being late for. “Shoot! Gotta run, no more harassing celebrities!”

“I promise nothing!” Ah well, it probably wasn’t that big of a deal that Steve Harrington’s best friend had DM’d her, probably not a big deal at all, probably meant nothing... probably.

Part 4

[hermitcraftheadcanons]

About the "if late: give [player] Starbucks: true" ask

What if the complexity of the drink increases if the player is late again and again and again? So the first time the Hermits are late to a meeting, they might get a black coffee, the second time it's a latte, then the latte had a fluffy foam and some cinnamon sprinkled on top, then there is latte art on it... you get the idea

The current leader in the lateness category is Doc. He often forgets about the meetings when he's working on one of his projects. The last coffee that appeared in his hands was a... quad long shot grande in a venti cup half calf double cupped no sleeve salted caramel mocha latte with 2 pumps of vanilla substitute 2 pumps of white chocolate mocha for mocha and substitute 2 pumps of hazelnut for toffee nut half whole milk and half breve with no whipped cream extra hot extra foam extra caramel drizzle extra salt add a scoop of vanilla bean powder with light ice well stirred... he can't even pronounce half of those ingredients, nor he can drink the sugary monstrosity!

(Yes, I had to google "longest starbucks drink order" for this xdd. It doesn't help that I never ordered anything from them either)

At this point, he might as well just stop showing up to meetings at all if he's going to be a couple minutes late. However, the curiosity always wins...can the server get even more complex with it next time? He has to know!

~ Mod Shade

[leiawritesstories]

Familiar Feeling

written for @throneofglassmicrofics using the prompts "Fight or Flight" and "Daylight"

a continuation of Familiar Stranger

Word count: 698

Warnings: some angst, soft ending :)

enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tucked into a cozy brick storefront at the corner of Main Street and Fifth Street was Mistward, Aelin's favorite bakery in her hometown. She'd been a regular customer there since she was a child, and the warm, cinnamon-tinged air wrapped around her like one of Emrys the baker's hugs every time she pushed open the bright blue front door. She stood in line behind an adorable older couple, waiting to step up to the counter and order the chocolate hazelnut croissant and iced latte that had been her staple for years, when the bells on the front door chimed and all six foot four of Rowan Whitethorn ducked into the suddenly-too-small space.

Her chattering brain went silent, along with the hum of the bakery ambience, as her eyes crashed into his with all the force of the Pacific during a winter storm. Her spine flashed hot and then cold, a surge of adrenaline kicking her fight or flight instinct into high gear, and she was all but poised to take off like an Olympic sprinter when a warm, soft voice broke through the haze.

"Aelin, dear!" Emrys caught her shaking hands, his dark eyes crinkling with his sunny smile. "I've missed you."

She beamed and hugged him, his comforting scent of sugar and spices grounding her. "I've missed you too, Emrys."

He flicked a single, sharp glance at the man who remained frozen just inside the doorway. "Something tells me he's missed you as well."

"He doesn't get to miss me." Only a whisper, but sharper than a razor blade.

Emrys simply nodded. "I'll get your usual, dear. On the house today."

She thanked him and, carefully avoiding Rowan's presence, crossed the bakery and sat down at a weathered wooden table next to the expansive bay windows. Warm golden sunlight spilled across the old, smooth-worn oak surface, early summer daylight breaking through the morning fog, and she brushed her fingers across the tabletop, drawing in the hint of warmth.

Her coffee and croissant were set gently on the table, and she glanced up to find Rowan beside her table, nudging her plate towards her, a steaming mug in his free hand. "Emrys had me bring this for you. My name is Rowan."

"I..." Her brows wrinkled in confusion. "I'm Aelin."

"Lovely to meet you, Aelin." He dipped his head at the empty seat across from her. "May I?"

Reining in her flight instinct, she nodded. "Why did you just introduce yourself to me as if we don't know each other?"

Shadows flickered across his face. "You said we were strangers." He set down his mug--Americano, one sugar, the same coffee he'd been drinking since they were sixteen. "So I did what any stranger would do when he sees a beautiful woman."

A long-buried, achingly familiar feeling tugged on Aelin's heart at the sincerity in Rowan's words. "Okay." She sipped from her coffee, willing the beverage to give her strength. "Why are you here, Rowan? I thought you promised to never come back."

"We both know I could never stay away." Deep green met sunlit turquoise again, both stares open, searching. "Aelin, I...I was every kind of idiot, and you're right. I should have tried to--I should have tried."

Slowly, she nodded. "I was...in a difficult place, mentally and emotionally, and I've made a lot of progress since then, but I know now that nothing would have changed." She twisted the hammered gold band around her right forefinger. "I come home every summer."

"I know." He laughed sheepishly at her incredulous expression, a coral flush dusting his cheeks. "Uh...I might have asked my mom to tell me if you came back."

"You little snoop," she teased, and the mischievous humor that glinted in her eyes warmed his heart like a shot of pure sunlight.

His fleeting grin washed over her like the tide. "I could never let you go, Ae."

She reached across the table and laid her hands atop his, stilling his tapping fingers. "Then don't."

Her figure was framed in a golden wash of daylight as she leaned across the table and touched her lips to his, softer than the brush of morning mist against his skin.

~~~

TAGS:

@live-the-fangirl-life

@superspiritfestival

@thegreyj

@wordsafterhours

@elentiyawhitethorn

@morganofthewildfire

@mariaofdoranelle

@rowanaelinn

@house-of-galathynius

@tomtenadia

@julemmaes

@swankii-art-teacher

@charlizeed

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@earthtolinds

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@sweet-but-stormy

@clea-nightingale

@autumnbabylon

@darling-im-the-queen-of-hell

@llyncooljones

@silentquartz

@aelinschild

[guardian-of-time-if]

500 Followers Celebration: Q & A

Happy Saturday everyone! As I promised earlier this week, here is a Q&A. Some of the questions were a bit more serious than I remember, but it starts ridiculous and ends ridiculous.

What are the character's thoughts on socks?:

Lukyan: “I mean they make my boots much more comfortable, but they are way too fickle. They never shrink or discolor exactly the same way after you wash or wear them, and they always seem to go missing. All in all, more effort than they’re worth, and I often walk around the palace without them.”

Tzesar: “Have you ever been to the northern part of the Empire? It's way too cold to even think about not having fuzzy socks on you at all times. No matter how much my brother likes to make fun of me. I can assure you everyone is hiding at least two pairs of socks under their boots..”

Sentinel: “Am I really supposed to have an opinion about something so nonsensical?”

Naxok: *wrinkles his nose* “I actually don’t wear them. I spend too much time in the water, so they usually just end up soaked and wet plus freezing cold is terrible for you no matter how many layers of wet there are. Besides, I enjoy leaving my bare feet in water far too much to appreciate them.”

Albien: “Socks are an important part of keeping warm. I just wish they wouldn’t go missing so easily.”

Gaderous: “What a funny question. I suppose like most people I appreciate them keeping me warm, and get annoyed when they slip off my feet or get holes in them. Although, I will say that sock puppets freak me out a little.”

What would they say are the worst food crimes imaginable, both modern and setting accurate?:

Lukya: His are actually the same for both- eating raw meat or fish. Just if it had to be hunted it needs to be cooked. 

Tzesar: Setting accurate- cooking vegetables in stew. Vegetables are best appreciated as God intended, fresh and void of spice or sauce.

Modern- Salad dressing, and serving ranch on a veggie tray

Sentinel: Setting accurate- using any ingredient in food that has alternate uses in magic spells/rituals/potions (most of these can’t be eaten, but the few that can have lingering magic in them that Sentinel swears he can taste.)

Modern- Lattes (or any coffee fancier/further from basic black than that)

Naxok: Setting accurate- Sea monster is delicacy in some parts of the world… A fact that Nax likes to pretend does not exist because it makes him think of his precious pet Nellie.)

Modern-The concept of deep frying

Albien: Setting accurate- Its popular among House Phoenix (his mother’s family) to light food on fire before eating it, but the flame changes color based on the types of protein in the food, and makes everything smell and (to Albien) taste like smoke

Modern- There are too many to count, but the simplest way to cover everything is processed junk food that kids like (He’s basically like a health food parent when it comes to modern food) 

Gaderous: Setting accurate- It’s really popular where he grew up is to take roasted hazelnuts and  wrap them in a plant called Garensweed, which takes the shape of a leaf with the texture of cooked spinach, covered in a berry flavored jam. Then they smoke it over a fire. His dad commits the atrocity of putting pickles inside his, and dipping it in a cinnamon caramel sauce. Gaderous has been so traumatized by his dad’s version, that he always checks for pickles when he buys one from a bakery. 

Modern- I think he’d be open to trying pretty much anything in a modern setting, and would really only label something a food crime if it's so wrong it would make someone sick, or just can’t conceivably go together. 

How would they act in a hypothetical game of Catan?

Naxok and Lukyan would be treating it like its risk and over analyzing the best military strategy, despite the fact that you don’t actually have a military in Catan. They also both stubbornly refuse to trade with each other until they realize that one has no wheat and the other has no bricks, so they really should, but won’t until all other options have been exhausted. Sentinel is playing up both sides, and while trying to hide his competitive streak. The only thing he hates more than sharing, is losing, and it shows. Not only will he win, he will crush everyone. (And if he thought they’d give him an edge, would have no qualms about using his powers to win.) On the other hand, Tzesar is naturally the best at it, but he spends most of his time trying to get the two achievements, longest road, and largest army. Most of the guys assume that he’s not paying too much attention to the building aspect, and leave him be. He wins pretty quickly and everyone else is dumb founded, and Sentinel is pissed. Meanwhile, Albien is just really chill, and smiling even though he’s in last place and like Tzesar, is not really trying. He’s kind of like a dad who got sweet-talked into playing with the kids, and is letting them win because watching them get so invested in the game is more fun than winning. His intentionally bad trades are also the reason that Tzesar won so easily. Meanwhile Gaderous is making up rules to confuse people and spends most of his time making development cards, and convincing players to make weird trades with him. He’s not actually trying to win, he just wants to make Sentinel lose because he thinks it's funny to annoy the elf.

How would the guys react, after being in a relationship with the MC to being asked the question: Would you still love me if I was a worm?

Lukyan: Lukyan would be very confused by the question, and would stand there silently for long enough that the MC probably thinks he’s not going to answer her until he finally says, “I would still love *you*, but since worms don’t have consciousness, you wouldn’t be *you* if you were a worm.”

Tzesar: Depending on what he was doing when asked, he might stop listening after “would you still love me…” and just answer yes while finishing whatever he was doing. If the MC had his full attention he’d be academically intrigued by how it would work, but would try to avoid showing that and answer the question seriously with “If you had gotten turned into a worm then yes, I would, and I would stop at nothing to get you back. If you were born a worm then sadly probably not because we never would have met.”

Sentinel: If he had a more teasing/bickering relationship with the MC then he’d be like “Who says I love you now?” with a single eyebrow raised. If pressed he’d give her the same answer he’d give a more gentle/sensitive MC which is, “The only thing that could turn you into a worm is witchcraft, so I could undo it with a snap of the fingers, making the whole conversation moot.”

Naxok: The man lives on a boat (excuse me, ship) which is not the safest place for a worm, so he would just shrug, and tell her it wouldn’t really matter. “Nellie would probably eat you regardless, so I might be sad that you were gone, but there’d be nothing for it.”

Albien: He would take it as a frivolous way of demonstrating a real fear, and instead of answering the question would pull her into a hug (if standing) or into his lap (if he was sitting), and ask her if there was a reason she was afraid of being unloved. If it really was just a joke he would be unimpressed.

Gaderous: He laughs and turns the tables. “Would you still love me if I was a worm?”

How would they react to a surprise party?"

Luk: Does not like surprises in nearly any context, and has no friends, so a surprise party is basically his worst nightmare because he has no control over the situation and is surrounded by a bunch of people he probably doesn't like. He would probably be uncomfortable the whole time, and depending on who threw the surprise party might assume someone is trying to kill him. He probably only stays if there’s food, and leave as soon as he can.

Tzesar: Would handle it a lot better than Luk. He’d say hi to everyone invited, thank whoever threw the party, eat, and mingle with all the guests. If there’s courtiers invited then he’s a little thrown off because he likes to prepare before interacting with them. If the party is only with his friends, he just relaxes and enjoys the festivities.

Sentinel: Has somehow found out about the party and just doesn’t ever show up. Is then not seen for a week. 

Naxok: Is overjoyed, completely invested in the party and gives a bear hug to everyone involved.

Albien: Takes a moment to register what’s going on, but ultimately enjoys it, though much less enthusiastically than Nax. 

Gaderous: He’s extremely touched. He’s always wanted someone to throw him a surprise party, but has never told anyone because he thought it wouldn’t mean as much if he told someone he want a surprise party and they did versus coming to that conclusion themselves. 

How would they react to an unexpected kiss from MC?:

Lukyan: Still does not like surprises and goes stiff as a statue. If MC is sad/disappointed/worried/nervous/trying to apologize/ect. because he didn’t kiss back, then he’ll try to explain and do a really bad job of it, before realizing he’s only making it worse, grunting, turning around taking exactly three steps before it occurs to him that walking away would be even worse, turning back around to kiss her himself. If MC is amused/smug/flirty because she caught him off-guard then he’d just raise an eyebrow and be like I hope you're pleased with yourself, and walk away. 

Tzesar: Blinks a couple times before trying to return to whatever he was doing before only he seems to have forgotten, then asks MC what he was just doing. Does the same thing to her a couple days later.

Sentinel: Intentionally keeps his face as void of emotion as possible until MC moves away, then he just picks her up. Then he whispers in a low voice “You forgot two very important things, never start anything you can’t finish, and remember I always win.” while he carries her somewhere where A there’s privacy and B he’s got enough space to lay her flat on her back, where… tickles ensue (I bet that’s not where you thought this was going did you.)

Nax: Can’t stop himself from grinning. Somewhere between “what was that for?” and “I know this means you want something, but I’m too happy to care.” If there is in fact an ulterior motive, he gives MC a kiss on the head before doing what she wants, if there is nothing, then he pulls her into a hug, after kissing her head instead. 

Albien: Laughs a little bit. “I’m not sure I deserved that, but I’m pleased you thought so.”

Gaderous: Probably makes a stupid joke about how MC has fallen into his trap or if she’s not careful, then he’ll never leave. Then he’d give her another kiss after. 

How would they react to MC having a pat duck?:

(This one I saw on another Tumblr blog, and sent a screenshot to my friends because I thought it was funny. Since it was around the time we were doing this Q&A I decided to answer it myself because it was cute and funny.)

Lukyan: Would be confused about why she wanted a duck, and concerned about keeping it alive during the Nythrian winter, but ultimately put up with it because his family has spent way more money on way weirder things. He wouldn’t pet it though, and would draw the line at allowing it in bed with them. (He also has a pet polar bear, so no right to judge weird pets.)

Tzesar: Thinks it's cute, but will not touch it, and makes sure it stays outside. 

Sentinel: *face palms* “I can’t believe this is what my life has come to.” to MC, “You care about this thing? I guess we have a pet duck now.”

Nax: Feels he has no right to judge given his pet, but is nervous about allowing the duck near Nellie, fearing she’ll eat it. Jokes on him because Duck and Nellie are great friends.

Albien: Is wary of having it in the house, but he’s got a nice lake in the garden it can share with the swans and MC can visit whenever she wants.

Gaderous: He thinks it's cute, and thinks MC holding it is cute. Is more than willing to have it as a full member of the family.

How would each character react to The Last Stand by Sabaton blaring at full volume in the middle of the night?

Ignoring for a moment that the instruments required to play those songs don't exist in world and pretending it would be a recognizable song for them, 

Lukyan: This is me asking, but please don’t. Any time the man is woken up by a loud noise, he immediately assumes its because he’s under attack, so he would jump out of bed, grab his sword, forgoing armor, and run straight to where the MC is, if she’s living in the palace at this point or they’re on the road somewhere. If MC is nowhere near then he’s going straight to his younger sisters. Once he found out it was just a song he would be incredibly relieved, but unable to go back to sleep after. 

Tzesar: Would sleep through it unless he was already awake at which point everyone else grumpily waking up to it would make him realize how late it was, and he’d go to sleep as soon as the commotion was over.

Sentinel: Sentinel does not sleep often, so he’d likely still be awake. If it was a rare moment when he was sleeping, he’d be pissed, and just leave identifying the culprit. He might also assume the music was coming from his dragon companion trying to annoy him instead of being real music. 

Naxok: In all honesty, Nax is likely the one who is blasting Sabaton in the middle of the night. He also typically stays up late, and would likely be awake at whatever time someone plays said song. If it was a rare occasion he happened to be asleep, he would be extremely irritated, but otherwise he’d be jamming also and singing all the words. 

Albien: In true vein of being the only normal member of the cast, Albien would just groan, and pull a pillow over his head to go back to sleep.

Gaderous: Is used to being woken up in the middle of night for emergencies, but would be annoyed that there is not emergency. Also is not a metal fan, and wouldn’t enjoy anyone blaring the song during the day.

In a modern AU who would be offended that Pluto isn’t a planet anymore?

I don’t know why, but I feel like Sentinel would. He’s not someone who would bring it up, but if directly asked, he would defend Pluto’s right to be a planet.

Tzesar would stick with a scientific definition and not think beyond that. Nax would only care about astronomy as it pertains to sailing, and none of the others would care one way or another. Although if it was super important to someone he cared about Albien would champion the cause with them. 

Would they lie to get someone else out of trouble?

Yes: Lukyan, Sentinel, Gaderous, Naxok

No: Tzesar, Albien

How easily could they be convinced to do something that goes against their morals?

Luk: Short answer is hard. The longer answer is very hard, especially as he gets older. Young Luk doesn't really have a distinction between personal morality and his father's rules, but the more disillusioned he becomes with Emperor Konstantin the stronger moral stances he takes and the harder he walks the line. This is something MC can actually notice about the difference between 23-year-old Lukyan and 13-year-old Luk. 

Tzesar:Most of the time he does what he thinks is right, and is very strong willed, however, if you can present an intelligent argument about why his moral stance is wrong, it'll be fairly easier to change his mind about what is moral, so while it'll be hard to persuade him to act against his morals per say, you could easily convince him to change them.

Sentinel: Not a chance. The man has lived a long time and is very set in his ways.

Nax: Rarely has an issue sticking to his morals. He spends a lot of time with people his culture would consider to be living immoral lifestyles, yet he finds them to be good people, so he questions sometimes. He's more likely to allow others to do things that go against his morals without addressing it than to actually do something that goes against his morals. If actually was convinced to go against his morals it would likely be related to someone on his crew. 

Albien: Being a king has taught him a lot about the importance of having a backbone, especially where morality is concerned. While many kings routinely live amoral lives, Albien has spent a lot of time studying how this behavior impacts people living in the country, and has decided not to be like that. He’s also had some problems impulsively acting on his anger before, and the consequences of that made me a lot sterner about sticking to his morals, even when he’s angry. 

Gaderous: He can very easily be persuaded to act against his morals, and very often does. 

Would any of them perform a “Surprise adoption”?

I thought about taking this one out because the entire question is a reference to my unfinished, unpublic fantasy novel Treason Reassigned where the main character a younger woman who is the apprentice spymaster complains to her male best friend that her mother is pressuring her to quit, so she can get married. He says his mother is pressuring the same and jokingly suggests they get married to get their mothers to leave them alone since neither of them are interested in marriage (at the time of this particular scene.) Then they talk about their plan for what to do when their mothers pressure them to have children, and one of them suggests kidnapping an orphan. (the “surprise adoption” in the question). I’ll leave it in because it’s kind of a funny question. 

Lukyan: Well, kidnapping an orphan is basically what Emperor Konstantin did to MC (depending on how you look at it) so he'd probably be confused why MC wants to kidnap an orphan. He would be very cool about adoption in general, but would be adamantly opposed to the kidnapping aspect because he often felt like he never had a choice in a lot of his life, and would never do that to a child. 

Tzesar: He doesn't really understand the point. Why would you grab a random kid off the street instead of following the legal procedure. It's not that complicated and he has the money and political power to adopt legally and quickly.

Sentinel: His situation would more likely be, he attracted the attention of this kid, who followed him into a potentially dangerous situation that he now feels responsible for until the child is basically his. Or the kid just always wants to talk to him whenever he's in town until he develops an attachment.

Naxok and Albien: I put these two together because their culture has a unique situation as it applies to orphans, and I don’t think it would actually be possible for either of them to “kidnap” an orphan unless they took one from outside their own country, and I don’t see either of them doing that.

Gaderous: He’s be down, but not in an active kidnapping situation, more like I’m going to ignore proper legal procedure because this child needs a home and I can provide it kinda thing. 

How would they view time travel?

See this is such an interesting question because Tempurion actually can time travel, and give the person he’s bonded to that power. It won't come up in game, but it is actually possible. 

Lukyan: Luk would be very wary of it, and it kind of freaks him out a little. 

Tzesar: would think it's the coolest thing in the world, and keep very detailed notes about how it would work. 

Sentinel: Sentinel has seen a lot of harm caused by people trying to make-up for their bad decisions, so he would be alarmed by what people might do with time travel. 

Naxok: Nax lives so much in the moment, I'm not sure he'd care too much unless it was directly impacting him, and then he'd mostly be confused. 

Albien: He'd be interested in the history he could experience, but not really interested in seeing the future. 

Gaderous: Gat... would actually enjoy it if it was more the adventuring type of time travel, but he wouldn't want to see his own future... or past.

If your characters were flavors of Jello, which flavors would they be? Pudding counts too.

Luk: Candy Cane pudding 

Tzesar: Piña Colada jello 

Sentinel: Black Cherry 

Nax: Mixchief Grape Color-Changing 

Albien: Classic Turtle 

Gat:Margarita (is apparently a real Jell-O flavor, who knew)

I looked up the official list of flavors of gelatin and pudding made by Jell-O. And no I will not elaborate.

[wheelin-after-midnight]

48.

:: Favourites ::

Part One

Accent:

I love a lot of accents. One of the top ones though is Irish. Specifically the light lilt Pa picked up from his parents growing up. I always used to feel grounded and calm listening to him talk, no matter how terrible things got. I miss him so much. I wish I had recordings of his voice.

Aesthetic:

Minimalist, but like.. Homey and personal with touches of myself everywhere. Art on the walls that my Nan did, my musical influences wall that I put together, just like, you walk in and there's pieces of who I am everywhere, but not in a terribly messy, cluttered, or over stated way.

Age you’ve been so far:

There isn't one.

Artist:

I have a lot.

A handful of the top ones, speaking specifically of soloists:

Whitney Houston

Tina Turner

Jennifer Nettles

Patsy Cline

Selena Quintanilla

Kelly Clarkson

Ball game:

I don't have a favourite.

Band:

Sugarland, Zac Brown Band, Shalamar, The Temptations, ACDC, Evanescence, Steve Miller Band.. Once again, there are a lot.

Body part on preferred sex:

This sometimes depends on the person, and often someone I'm attracted to will have several features that are my favourite, but we're a shameless supporter of the All Kinds of Titties Committee ™️ over here. Eyes I can get lost in draw me to someone also.

Book series:

So many! I don't read as voraciously as I once did, but the Heartland series, Dear Canada series and A Series of Unfortunate Events books are a few I really loved when I was younger.

Brand of clothes:

I don't care about this kind of thing at all.

Brand of drink:

Same here. I'm not really staunchly brand loyal with much of anything, usually. There are a few exceptions. I do prefer Pepsi over Coke these days. Used to be the opposite on that.

Brand of food:

Brand of jewellery:

Brand of perfume/cologne:

Brand of shoe:

Budget store:

Dollarama

Candle scent:

Apple cinnamon/pumpkin spice, sometimes vanilla scents.

Candy (bar)

Several varieties of KitKat, but definitely the Espresso Biscuit and Ganache one or whatever it's called. I think that's the name. I haven't gotten one in a while.

Candy (non bar):

The little sticks of winter apple chocolates in the merci winter collection box or Reese Stix from the Reese Lovers Collection.

Car brand:

I don't really care cause I can't drive, but I love mustangs. I would want a white one.

Celebrity (male):

Don't have one.

Celebrity (female):

All of the ones I listed in the favourite artists question could apply here.

Character in a book:

Too many to choose one favourite right now.

Character in a movie:

I loved how Kate Winslet played her character in The Reader, but she wasn't necessarily likeable or to be sympathized with through the entire film.

Character in a tv show:

Once again, Kate Winslet's role in Mare of Easttown is one of them. She's definitely one on the top of my short list when it comes to favourite/best actresses.

Chat app:

Facebook's Messenger app and TextNow are my most used.

Children’s game:

I can't think of anything.

Children’s tv show:

Franklin is one of them.

Chocolate type:

Pretty much any of them, except orange chocolate. I find it kind of.. Meh.

Class subject:

Any language classes, Sociology, Drama, Law.

Clothing item:

Leggings, graphic sweaters and tees.

Coffee brand:

McDonald's, though I'm not brand loyal to it when I pick up packages of grounds to make at home unless it's on sale because it's gotten so expensive.

Coffee type:

Light or medium roast.

Coffee syrup:

I don't use syrups often but I guess vanilla bean or hazelnut.

Colour:

Blue. Most shades.

Colour to wear:

Black, white, grey, blue, pink, purple.

Comic:

I don't have a favourite now, but I read a lot of Archie comics during extensive hospitalizations and used to like those. I got into Riverdale when it first came out because of that.

Comedy show:

I loved all Jo Koy's Netflix specials. He really makes me laugh.

Comedian:

Jo Koy, Robin Williams, Wanda Sykes, Kevin Hart.

Condiment:

Sour cream, mayo, sirracha mayo, soya sauce.

Cuisine:

Italian, Mexican, Asian, Greek.

Dance:

I love watching people who are skilled hip hop dancers, and I love the salsa.

Day of the Week:

Don't care.

Design/Pattern:

I love plaid and hounds tooth, but there are a lot of others too.

Dinner/Meal:

Pizza, homemade mac and cheese.

Dog breed:

Golden Retrievers forever! I love all dogs, but I've always wanted a Golden soooo much. Such beautiful sweet babies 🥰😍🥹

Drink (alcoholic):

Hard seltzers that aren't super sweet or artificial tasting, preferably made with vodka, dry wines, sometimes whiskey mixed with something.

Drink (non alcoholic):

Sparkling waters, peachy flavoured things occasionally.

Drink (hot):

Coffee.

Fandom:

I'm not heavy into any right now.

Fast food restaurant:

It changes depending on what I'm feeling. I don't get to go out often.

Filling for cake:

I'm not a big fan of cake at all except for carrot cake. I do like the pudding and jam fillings in a good English trifle, but that's something I don't get to eat very often.

Filling for doughnut:

I don't like doughnuts with filling in them.

Flag:

I feel like I gotta say my own. So Canadian. I do have others I like, though. Jamaican, Ukrainian, the pride flag, the lesbian flag.

Flavour biscuit:

The plain homemade ones Nan always used to make for strawberry shortcake! God I miss those! I miss her with my whole heart. :(

Flavour: cake:

Carrot.

Flavour soda/fizzy:

Pepsi or Dr. Pepper.

Flavour Icecream:

I don't really have a favourite. I'm not big on ice cream. I really have to be in the mood to want to eat it. If that happens, I'll choose something on a whim at the time. I do much prefer soft serve, though.

Flower:

White roses, peonies, and lilacs

Food (non meal):

Sourdough or pumpernickel breads or crackers or chips with really good dips.

Foreign / non native language:

Spanish.

Fruit:

Raspberry, strawberry, pineapple.

Fun activity:

Movies or concerts or drives or whatever with Brittany.

Gadget:

Tablets.

Game (online)

Game (console):

Game (board):

Cards Against Humanity.

Game (other):

AIR HOCKEY! So fun!

Gemstone:

My birthstone, so Aquamarine. Also Amethyst.

Gift received:

Babe's ring.

Gift given:

I've enjoyed giving gifts every time I've done it but I don't feel the need to list the things I've gifted or ways I've helped anyone.

Gig / concert been to:

The second time out of the three that I've seen Jann Arden was my favourite, in terms of live ones. But if I can count the theatre showing of Whitney's Durban South Africa show, since that's the only way I've gotten to see her, that would top all of them.

Grade been in:

None.

Hobby:

Theatre acting, though I've not had opportunity to in ages since I was in school. Singing, writing.

Holiday:

None.

House lived in:

THIS ONE. I JUST WANNA BE ABLE TO STAY HERE FUCK MY LIFE. fgytftyyffyygfy 😭

[flintox]

Eviction Duty. [Story + Illustration.]

"Latte, with extra cream, extra hazelnut syrup and a pinch of cinnamon." Gaius placed the warm cup on the desk carefully, along with a small brown paper bag, stained with spots of grease. "And a cheesy pastry." The towering mouse said, not daring to try to pronounce the name of the weird cheese egg bread thing he'd just delivered.

"Mhm-" Without a word the older mouse reached across the desk, grabbed the cup and took a sip without looking up from her tablet.

Gaius stood there silently, hands behind his back and a professional smile on his face. The day was almost over and he was hoping that he might be let off early or get some easy job that didn't take too much time. Usually, Miss Haytham-Trench didn't have too much for him to do so late in the day, only simple stuff like helping clean up. Miss Haytham-Trench had a bad habit of dropping pens and often had him pick them up for her. Or giving her a shoulder massage, evidently she had really bad shoulders and far too little time to go to a spa so she would have Gaius massage them for her...and her feet, and occasionally her back.

Miss Haytham-Trench glanced up from her tablet, locking eyes onto Gaius. "I'm gonna be leaving early today."

He lit up. If she was leaving early that meant he was leaving early. "Oh?"

"It's the anniversary of my marriage to my husband." She said flatly as she packed up the tablet and reached across the desk to grab her handbag.

"Nice! Congratulations!" Gaius smiled.

She smiled back as  she slowly leaned forward across the desk, resting her chin on her palm and kicking up her legs, staring back at Gaius through a half lidded stare. "Are you...busy tonight, Mr. Prince?" The black suit dressed mouse leaned back, sighing softly as she ran a hand down her torso, smoothing out the creases the clothing made around her considerable curves. "I might have some...overtime assignments I need help with."

"Well uh-" He tensed up. Gaius felt his hands get clammy. "I already made plans with some friends, actually. Going to see a movie-" The mouse quickly answered, eager to escape any overtime work.

Her stare intensified, showing a hint of annoyance. "I don't think you understand." the older mouse mused as she slowly undid a top button on her shirt. "I need someone large and strong to help me~"

He swallowed back his nerves, tugging on the collar of his tight white shirt. This happened quite often. Gaius, despite being a mouse, was tall and broadly built. Miss Haytham-Trench, (or Kathrine, a first name that Gaius didn’t feel he knew her well enough to refer to her with.)  had once joked about him having been a bull in his previous life before asking if he wanted to be a bull in this life too, to which Gaius had answered that he was quite happy being a mouse. Since he was the big tall strong person in the work group or friend group he was often picked out to help with heavy lifting. "S-sorry Miss." The mouse said sheepishly. "I already paid for tickets and everything."

Kathrine stared at him blankly, visibly disappointed. She quickly redid the button on her shirt and stood up. "Right. Anyway, we got a habitat unit that just missed their deadline." The dark dressed mouse said, a hint of annoyance in her tone as she leaned over her desk and wrote something on a post it note.

He blinked. "Oh?"

"I'd deal with it myself but-although I-" The shorter, older mouse began but stopped, seemingly thinking about something, almost hesitant. "No, I gotta head home early and deal with my-i mean spend time with my husband. I'm going to need you to deal with the eviction."

His tail stopped flicking excitedly. "R-really?" He stammered as his employer handed him the post it note.

"Sure. Why not." She snatched up her cup of coffee and pastry. "Just remember to lock up afterwards and don't make too much of a mess."

Gaius felt a pit form in his stomach. His boss always dealt with the evictions herself, always. She would spend hours in the safe room and would always come back out exhausted and sweaty like she'd just finished a vigorous workout, but always in a really good mood. Gaius had walked past the safe room and heard the noises of straining coming from within. "I-isn't it like-- really hard?"

"Not really." She sighed, walking past the much taller mouse. "Just make sure to do it on the center table so the other habitats can see."

"But how do i-" Gaius stammered. "How do I do it?"

Kathrine stopped, turning around to look at Gaius. She slowly looked the towering mouse up and down, lingering on his broad chest before her eyes trailed down, lingering for a moment on his crotch as she bit her lip softly. Gaius looked down, worried he might have spilled something on his pants. "Just--just get creative." She finally said as a wide smile crept across her face.

"C-creative?" Gaius repeated, adjusting his glasses. 

"And do it in a way that sends a message to the others to make sure they know to keep paying." She quickly said. "See you tomorrow, 9 o' clock, sharp. I'm gonna need a massage before an early meeting."

---

He felt on edge as he typed in the code to the safe room, named so as it was the room where they kept their customers safe. 

The room itself was fairly regular and not really that safe compared to other rooms aside from the keypad access needed to enter it, which everyone in the insurance office had. 

The console beeped and the door slid open, allowing Gaius to step inside the room. It was a small chamber, only enough to fit a single table and five shelves, shelves housing small devices. Their clients.

It was a spin on a very simple business. Out in the vastness of the universe there were so many, ridiculously many ways to die.  Not just on an individual level, entire ships, bases, towns, cities, countries and even star systems could vanish in a blink of an eye. Of course, those events were rare. Most of the time places and people would suffer a slow, agonizing death too horrible to put into words in even the most descriptive languages of the vast universe. It was an endless parade of cosmic horror out there. Unless you had money.

Through a very expensive process, richer worlds could buy safety. Or rather, insurance. For most of their worlds. It was really simple actually. Using a third party contractor offering a very specific service (and free delivery) entire continents could be compressed and downsized until they could fit in the palm of a large hand. After that, those continents could be housed in a container and kept in a remote, undisclosed location where none of the horrible things that could happen in space could possibly come for them...for a reasonable monthly price.

This room was one of those undisclosed locations.  An insurance office that housed a total of 271 clients paying for the privilege of staying safe while their planets suffered some atrocious fate that would lead to their destruction.

Gaius scanned the shelves with his eyes, glancing down at the note in his hand. 8IHI. After a brief search, the mouse spotted the container he was looking for.

It was a nice looking landmass. No wider than his palm, not counting the container. With lush fields of blue plants. He couldn't remember the name of the planet it came from but Gaius could recall that they were in a big hurry to get off their planet. Something about an invading empire--or was it some civil war on their own planet. Gaius hadn't really been listening since he got distracted by the guy delivering the container. He still regretted not getting that cute lynx's number.

Carefully, he unplugged the container and removed it from its spot on the shelf and moved it over to the table. When he first started working there, the idea of holding onto something housing billions of people had him all sorts of nervous but he was used to it by now. After all, those casing were insanely durable. He dropped one on accident at least once a month and so far it hadn't caused any problems. Or at least that's what Kathrine had told him.

The mouse stood over the container. He was starting to feel a bit awkward. It was a really nice looking world and he was sure that the blue plant covered landscape probably looked amazing up close and not nanoscopic on some table. How was he supposed to do this? He'd been told to do it in a way that sent a message to the others. It sounded gruesome but according to his boss they needed the extra incentive because they needed to make sure the clients remembered why they needed to keep paying for the service. Plus, they couldn't be burdened with the extra cost of sending them back to their home worlds where they would meet the same fate anyway. There was no other way around it, that world had to be utterly destroyed.

How was the question? He couldn't just...dump it in the trash...could he? Compared to the various ways the universe could obliterate something, being chucked into a plastic bin didn't exactly scream 'incentive'. Miss H-T said to send a message.

His train of thought was derailed by a red light that started blinking on the side panel of the container. "Oh no." Gaius sighed.

Each container was fitted with a boatload of functions made to keep the continents within safe and healthy. One of those features was the ability to talk to normal sized people outside the container. A handy way to update monthly fees or exchange billing information. Gaius had heard about this from the boss. Of course the rulers of each container knew that they'd missed the deadline and would often call at the last minute to negotiate or beg. It was really sad since company policy was not to allow any sort of renegotiation. as Kathrine had said, if you give them an inch they take a mile.

Gaius gave the container a sad smile and denied the call. Best to not delay this more than he had to.

Deftly, he tapped the password into the tiny console on the side. "Pass...word...1." As soon as the last letter was input, a loud hiss sounded from the container and the glass like ceiling popped up and the steel rim clicked, allowing Gaius to slide the mechanism away and leaving the continent sitting on the small steel plate that remained.

He took a moment to examine the tiny continent closer. It had to be terrifying to be so small and he couldn't imagine how horrible the civil war or whatever they were hiding from had to be to warrant making themselves this vulnerable. In a way, going out in a controlled environment like this was probably way better than sending them back. Gaius rose to his full height. "uh-Hey!" The mouse spoke in as clear a tone as he could manage. "So uhm- Y-you have failed to keep your payment schedule and your accounts have therefore been terminated. S-sorry about that. I'll try to make this quick and painless!"

Despite his promise, he wasn't sure how to accomplish that. He could just step on them but that would leave too many areas to the sides left undamaged and he wanted to make sure there was no chance anything got left in ruins. That would bum him out. Using his hand to just flatten the continent was also an option but he wasn't sure if there was some poison stuff on that world. As pretty as that blue landscape was, it was likely super poisonous to someone not native to that world...and they didn't stock gloves at the office.

An idea popped into his head. A method that would eliminate the world as quickly and painfully as possible while also keeping to his boss’s  orders of making it impactful for all the other worlds watching.

Gaius turned around, leaning his rear over the tiny continent. It was the perfect plan! His butt was large enough to cover the entire world and plush enough to make sure no little things got left behind. Plus, it was clothed so he wouldn't catch some alien poisoning and it would definitely send a message to the other worlds. He couldn't imagine there were many worlds that wanted to meet their end under someone else's end.

He softly ran a hand across a khaki pants covered cheek, giving it a firm squeeze. The mouse was just a little proud of his hind features. After years of squatting and sculpting it, why shouldn't he be? Surely, the world below would appreciate a quick and merciful end under his butt rather than whatever else the universe might throw at them.

Slowly, the mouse leaned his rear back, trying his best to keep an eye on the world on the table at the same time. He could barely see it over his shoulder, the rounded shadow of his cheeks looming over them. The tiny lights of tiny cities could be seen in the shade, with small flickers floating out from the tiny gray clusters. Often, members of the civilization would try to escape on ships after their rent time ran out. They didn't really bother dealing with those since they were too small to be an issue and would most often just get destroyed by the office air conditioning, though Gaius did inhale a gnat sized battle cruiser that got stuck in his nose once.

With a smile, he slowly lowered himself down, trying to aim his rear the best he could to perfectly cover the tiny continent fully.

*Crunch-Crrrack!*

As soon as his ass touched down, the thin bedrock plating under the continent snapped as the plush cheek covered the entire landmass. Gaius felt a small shiver as he felt the subtle crunch under his butt. If he'd been wearing anything thicker than his gray khaki pants he would likely not even have felt it. He lingered in his seat for a moment, wiggling his hips in place and feeling the remains of the world crumble under him before rising back to his feet and turning around to inspect his handiwork.

The charming little blue continent was gone, replaced with what looked like a smoothed spot of dirt on a plate. Not a single part of the continent remained. 

"Huh. That was easier than I thoug-" Gaius froze, feeling a slight dampness on his cheek. Craning his neck back, he spotted the cause.

Adorning a majority of his left cheek and the entirety of his right was a large blue stain, clearly visible like the sun in the sky across the rear of his khaki pants.

"Darn!" Gaius cussed. "Crud!" The mouse quickly took his pants off and laid them across the surface of the table besides the former home to billions that he'd just sat on. He fished a handkerchief out of the breast pocket of his shirt and tried his best to clean it off, with little success. He had no idea how the hell his employer managed to do this sort of work without any stains on her clothing. She could go through several containers in a single day and her clothes would look as clean as the morning she walked into the office in them.

As the mouse struggled to get the blue off his butt, he spotted a small slip of paper that had fallen out of his pocket in the commotion of finding his handkerchief. The post-it note his boss had given him earlier. IHI8.

He blinked a few times, turning the note around a few times. Gaius glanced up at shelf IHI8, spotting another container there. An unplugged container. "OH crumbs!"

In a panic, the mouse paced around for a moment. Kathrine was gonna kill him or worse, fire him!

Thinking fast, Gaius hopped over to shelf IHI8 and grabbed the container, rushing with it over to shelf 8IHI and plugging it in there. Tiny lights lit up inside the container, making the small green continent inside slightly more visible. Surely his boss wouldn't notice it, right? "D-don't tell my boss about this-please?" Gaius whispered to the container.

Glancing over his shoulder, the mouse quickly moved back over to the table in the center of the room and hopped back into his pants, quickly throwing the remains of world 8IHI into the trash and putting away the container to be used for another world before heading out of the room, heart pounding in his chest.

Maybe he should call in sick tomorrow...

[never-not-ever]

My psych appointment from Tuesday got changed to today at noon.

Then at 11 they called but I was in the shower so I tried calling back worried I got the time wrong and was supposed to be there at 11… but they never answered so I still left and headed to get coffee.

Finally they answered and said they had to push it back to 1:30. Which is fine. I was debating canceling anyways.

I was going to get coffee at this shop in town but there was no spots and I couldn’t double park cause I had cash and therefore had to order and wait instead of ordering ahead. You’re welcome for all that useless info.

So instead I went another 15 minutes out of my way to Mary Lou’s cause at least there there’s parking. I got a cinnamon hazelnut fluff with mocha and real cinnamon and it’s “okay”. It’s not “out of this world” like it used to be.

It’s funny to think that my outpatient psychiatrist and inpatient psychiatrist know each other and I guess he used to be her mentor/teacher? I forgot how she worded it. He looks like he could be Santa and she got offended that I thought she was that old but I told her that I swear she said they were worked together at MGH way back when. He’s kind of similar to her. I’m surprised I even like him as much as I do but I just totally didn’t think I’d like the stereotypical old white guy doctor.

The closer it gets to 1:30 the more dread I have. I really don’t want to talk about anything. But I guess the good part is unlike therapy on Monday he’ll probably be more interested in the med changes. Which will be an easy quick convo. I’m going to ask to increase the topamax and ask about other prns. I just hope I don’t say anything snarky that I’ll later regret. It’s too soon.

[slippy-socks]

in honor of me filling out half of the “what do you think the ghouls smell like” form and then accidentally closing the tab before i finished i’m posting my thoughts here (on my most ghost-related blog lmao) bc i had so much fun with this :)

GHOUL SCENT HEADCANONS

AETHER: spicy, patchouli incense. like the inside of an occult shop. velvet and magic itself. a bit of his own sweat but not in an unpleasant way.

CIRRUS: similar to 11:11 by lake and skye. ozone, almost aquatic but not quite. clean and crisp and bracing.

CUMULUS: like cirrus but warmer, more amber/white musk-y. like freshly laundered sheets, a little sweet. like milk by dedcool with a bit more dried flowers

SODO: gasoline, like an oil slick in a parking lot a kid would take a picture of and post to tumblr in 2014. the smell of a put out fire rather than the fire itself. smoky with the faintest hint of wet pavement under it all

MOUNTAIN: ponderosa pine (bark smells like vanilla/cinnamon). sharp in the nose at first like the bite of high altitude air, but quickly turns deep and woodsy/mulchy/hazelnut-y

AURORA: the frosting on those store-bought sugar cookies, the best parts of outdoor childhood birthday parties, very nostalgic. sweet but not headache-inducing. or floral, mostly rose (le labo rose 31 vibes)

PHANTOM: plum and stone fruit in general. deep and rich and warm, like how the color purple looks

SUNSHINE: i don't know how but she smells like the way sparkling orange wine feels in your mouth. citrusy and bright, invigorating. maybe a little bit of sunscreen but not in a bad way. brings back memories of midday picnics and sunburnt shoulders

SWISS: leather and spices and smoke. like firecrackers at summer night festivals. like the tall handsome stranger in an old western movie

RAIN: well, rain. musky and a little heavier. just the tiniest bit of seawater, maybe a salty bite. a bit of that pleasant old book smell. his scent clings to other ghouls a little longer than most

IFRIT: cherries and vanilla. he smells like he's important. decadent, like he should be dripping in diamonds and gold

ALPHA: gunpowder, tobacco, rum, what those old spice/just for men products wish they could be. effortlessly masculine

ZEPHYR: woodsy and fresh, that cold and wet smell of fresh fallen snow. coffee beans. maybe a little lily if you squint?

MIST: evenings at the lake in the late winter. cool and green, minty, lavender, similar to you or someone like you by etat libre d’orange

[leehopehocarat]

You make my World Freeze 💙✨💫🫂

Chapter 1 | Mr. & Mrs. Tastebuds

When one of your names is said in conversation, a beaming smile is sure to follow on each of your faces...

You and Han Jisung are best friends, soulmates, the literal Ying to each other's Yang.

But could you be more than that.....

Synopsis: Sarice had moved to Korea to continue to pursue an education at one of the best Universities there. Like any other day, she walks into the local cafe to get her regular "unique" order. When it turns out, it's not just unique to you, but to The 4th Gen Ace himself, Han Jisung; who just so happened to be standing next to her taking his order at the same time as you. From there a friendship bloomed, but other feelings trickled in that may put a thorn in her relationship with him.

Sarice and Han Jisung

When one of their names are said by the other, or by someone else in conversation, a smile that beams brighter than actual light itself appears on each of their faces.

~~

I had moved to Korea years ago to start university and begin pursuing an education in Korean History and language. Growing up in a place like NYC, discovering new cultures was a norm. But my love for learning and my naturally inquistive nature led me to being fascinated with details about any culture, and what made it unique.

So I decided after gaining a degree in Anthropology, it was time to go global. And Korea was number 1 on my list.

Now, I have been a fan of K Pop since 2NE1. CL stole my heart and I wouldn't even attempt to try to get it back from her. Then there was Shinee, Big Bang, Girls Generation, 4 Minute...... the list goes on!

As of today, my Ult Groups are Stray Kids, BTS, Ateez, and Seventeen. I found each of these groups in times in my life where I truly felt it was destiny for me to find them when I did. And for that reason, they all hold special places in my heart.

~~

It was almost the end of my first year in uni. I was honestly expecting myself to struggle a lot, but I managed to pass my classes enough to keep my A- average!

I had gotten an earlier than usual start to my day to make sure I had a bit of extra time to just sit and chill at my new found favorite cafe. It's also conveniently a block away from campus, so it's a win win for me.

I walk inside the cafe and get hit with lavender, cinnamon, and ground coffee in my nostrils. I never get tired of feeling like I'm stepping into a quaint cottage with those scents in the air. Brick walls, stained cedar wood tile floors with matching tables and chairs, and an endless rotation of tropical plants. The cafe screams comfort corner, and it's why it's become my favorite.

I make my way to the cashier and am greeted by Lisa, who always somehow manages to be the one to be at the register when I come in the cafe and place my order. But I ain't complaining, cause I swear she put's magic in the Hazelnut Cold Brews when I order them. She's around my height (5'10"), an asymmetrical bob cut with a shego green color dye, and a slim built. She has a sweet and genuine smile, cause she really loves her job and it shows.

As if by a freak accident, as I'm telling my order to Lisa, a deep but soft voice says word for word my exact same order. It legit took me a moment to realize that my voice wasn't doubled but that there was someone next to me placing their order at the same time I was.

I stare bug eyed at Lisa and I was legit frozen. My social cues went out the window as my anxiety started kicking in. Lisa flashed a reassuring smile and gently motioned her head to the side, signaling for me to turn and look at whoever it was next to me. I took a shuddered deep breathe, and slowly turned to the left to get a look at who apparently, has the same taste in food as me. It was a man. Chocolate brown frays of hair were peeking out from under a black beanie. Black/Brown boba eyes that shined like the reflection of light off a creek in spring time. Cheeks that just made me want to pinch them, they were round and looked so soft (I didn't by the way, even though I REALLY wanted to). He wore an oversized, baggy, black distressed shirt, paired with baggy, flared bottom jeans, and chunky platform converse. My eyes made their way back up to his face, and I realized who I was standing in front of.

Han FUCKING Jisung!

1/3 of 3racha, the production, rapline and Ace of Stray Kids.

I was internally screaming!!

I didn't realize how zoned out I was until a small, deep toned chuckle left his lips.

"I-I I'm sorry. I-I just didn't t-think someone would have the same taste in coffee as me." I somehow manage to get those words out my lips, and I'm mentally slapping myself on the forehead for my stupid stuttering. My eyes went straight to the floor that I wish would just swallow me up at this point.

"Well......" He says with a pause. My head shoots up to see him looking at me with the warmest smile. "That just means we have superior taste buds." He had such a reassuring look in his eyes, that it melted away any bit of embarrasment that was settling in my body. With that, a small smile appears on my face.

"Well Mr. Superior Taste Buds......" I reach my hand over to grab my order from off the counter, that was actually sitting there ready for a few minutes already. "I have a bit of time to spare and would love to hear your take on food, care to join me?" My smile widens and I give him a wink. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE FUCK THE WINK CAME FROM, BUT A BITCH WAS BEING BOLD THAT DAY.

His eyebrows shoot up and his eyes slightly widen at my sudden showing of boldness. He was quite impressed and deep down inside thankful that she made the first move, cause his heart was RACING.

A small smirk comes across his face. Keeping eye contact with me, he reaches his hand out to pick up his order from the counter. "That would be nice, Mrs. Superior Taste Buds." He winks back at me and puts his hand out for me to grab it.

AXZVXBHEJHOESHVKJSGHR

WHAT DO YOU MEAN MRS.?!?!???!?!

With no hesitation, my hand finds it's way to his. As our palms touch, a warmth surged through my body and my cheeks felt hot. Now me being a black woman, I don't usually have a visible blush.

BUT BABY............ THIS MAN HAD ME MELTING

His thumb gently rubbed over my fingers and knuckles. "I'll take you to my favorite table to sit at." He turns towards the back of the cafe leading the way. I turn my head to quickly steal a look at Lisa who was SHOOK at what just happened in front of her eyes. "WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS TOMORROW" she silently mouths to me, and I give her a quick thumbs up, turning my head and my attention back to Han.

~~

From that day at the cafe to 3 years later. I'm in my last year at university and best friends with Han Jisung.

Life has been nothing short of amazing, especially with gaining 7 brothers, aka the other members of Stray Kids. If I'm not hanging out with Han, I'm on facetime with Channie as he's in the studio and I'm studying, spamming Lee Know with Cat memes, roasting red carpet celebrity looks with I.N, having a personalized gym routine made by Changbin and having him occasionally join me in working out, trading obscure recipes with Felix and trying them out together, dance practice video calls with Hyunjin, and Seungmin volunteering himself to be my tutor while he tells me random Korean history facts. Needless to say, these boys have added so much to my life. But with that, there's a burden I've been carrying the whole time.

Han being an idol has its challenges, but we've created a system that still allows us to have quality time with each other. Today is one of the days where I get to chill with him in the studio. What he doesn't know is that I've surprised him with his favorite, his go to order from the cafe that we met at, along with a slice of chocolate cheesecake.

I make my way into the JYP building and greet the different staff members I bump into on the way to the floor the studio he's in is on. I finally make it to the elevator and immediately slump against the wall, a groan of a held in sigh leaves my mouth.

I've been in love with Han Jisung since we met in that damn cafe. It's grown into an overflowing bucket that always tries to make itself known when I'm around him, but I put a lid on it.

I really did try not to fall in love as quickly as I did but..... can you blame me?!?!?!

He laughs with his whole body but makes sure to land gentle touches on me when I'm sitting next to him during one of his laughing fits.

His eyes put fairy lights to shame, when he talks about anything he's passionate about. And it's always followed by deep conversations that I adore.

And he just always knows how I'm feeling; He's fucking psychic I swear!

He knows when to hold my hand, caress my cheek and brush strands of hair out of my face.

AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON HIS HUGS!

Time stops whenever I'm in his arms. He's my safe place.

On nights like tonight, I usually just sit in silence in the background working on assignments, while he's working on a song. Being in silence together is probably one of my favorite things I do with him. But tonight, if there is silence after my plan of pouring out my heart to him..... then I hope to God the earth actually swallows me whole this time.

~~

Hey Guys!

This is my first time writing a story like this, and I'm honestly proud of myself for taking a step into trying something new for myself.

This story was inspired by a Character AI chat I actually have for Han, lol

I accept constructive criticism but rudeness will not be tolerated!

I hope you all enjoyed the story!

TAGLIST:

@adestayskz

@semi-semiisbae

@guqsnfics