#josh shrine

[joshuaaaronlevy]

JOSH SHRINE UPDATE!!! (obviously more under cut)

So I haven't been able to add new pictures unfortunately, but hopefully that'll change soon because it's in a new location!!! I've moved the shrine under my bed + added a little josh cutout (right under the spock duck).

HE IS ALSO SHARING A SPACE WITH MY SQUIRTLES! I have four Squirtle plushies and I had nowhere else to put them other than here. I have way too much stuff in my room and I should probably sell 90% of my plushies, but I won't. I also moved a little chair in front of the bottom of my bed (It's a cushion with plushies inside because, again, I have too much stuff), that way I can sit and stare at the shrine. I'm sitting on it while I'm typing, this thing definitely isn't comfortable but it'll do. Also hand reveal.

Anyway, my plan is to have more Josh pictures (enough to fill the original cardboard) and then move to the wall behind the shrine to add even more pictures, eventually filling the whole space behind it. The pictures also may move to the wall beside it that's also under my bed.

Anyway that's all I have to say!! Send me ideas for what else to add I'm sort of clueless here :')

[hotchology]

i love u josh patel i love u sean hotchner

[w1cksters]

Tyler Joseph (and some josh) shrine

I might need to put it somewhere else in a few weeks if I keep adding more photos

(sorry for the lowquality photos my phone sucks)

[kholb2010]

i stapled pictures of Josh hutcherson above my bed to distract myself from my very bad irl crush. hoping the shrine will influence my dreams and work as intended

[sothisisablog]

The Josh Hutcherson shrine at my brother’s college.

[joshuaaaronlevy]

I need to make a comic about that holy shit

some of yall would melt down in this situation 😭😭 (including me)

[graysonnlynchd]

Josh Levy shrine!!! ^_^

[joshuaaaronlevy]

JOSH SHRINE UPDATE: I AM FUCKING LOSING IT.

I am fully embracing how insane I am at this point. The shrine got flowers, so I had to redo everything. It will get new pictures soon enough, not sure when soon is though. I hope to start on the wall soon. I also, noticeably, got candles, and it really adds to it all. My friend also made this small alien plushie, added that as well. Most new additions aren't that noticeable since they're so small, like the bracelet I made.

God of all power, Ruler of the Universe you are worthy of glory and praise. Glory to you for ever and ever.

[serafphim]

josh kitsune is an old spirit whos tied to the mortal realm through an ancient shrine, he lived in nature as a fox peacefully until The Humans began constructing a big office building right over his shrine so he got a job in his Regular man disguise to keep an eye on it n stay close.

[the-summ0ning]

@inv3ga tagged me on my main account 🫶🏻 thanks for including me!

Eeny meenie I tag @polteergeistt @adenobabe @dillpickleduchess

tag game: pick stuff from your room and have people vote on which one they want to take home.

(made a new one since it was getting long)

Thank you dear @ghost-raven-7 for tagging me 💜

Only if you feel like it tags: @watertankafternoon @fancassticfiction @sleep-redacted @voidenkit @insane-catlady @inv3ga @lifemod17 @adenobabe @vagueconfusion if you’ve been tagged already sorry!

[changelingsandothernonsense]

Sujamma Morndas

(since I live in the future)

Tagged by @skyrim-forever thanks for tagging me in this. Tagging @sulphuricgrin @dayundying @archangelsunited @saltymaplesyrup @firefly-factory @nyarevar @pocket-vvardvark and anyone else who's interested. I struggle trying to tag people... Topic: This week, Sujamma wants to know about YOUR OC's special someone. What makes their relationship special? How did they meet? Were they enemies to lovers? Lovers to enemies? Lovers AND Enemies? Are they romantic or platonic? What's their favorite way to cuddle? Favorite date night? Anything and everything you can think of 💕

Josh has a bit of a complicated relationship with romance. He had a string of very close loves as the era turned, but a series of losses has left him with a metaphorical hole in his heart that he's struggled to fill for the past two hundred years. His general rule has been to seek out companionship purely for physical reasons and never moving past that. He knows deep down that he can't go through the prospect of losing someone again. When he gets attached there's no prying him off and he takes rejection quite harshly, death even more so. It takes a lot to make him feel safe enough to re-enter those waters but he's managed to do it four times in 200 years so we'll go over his major romantic entanglements.

Maralie Omani

Maralie was Josh's first romantic partner, though he's had crushes beforehand, nothing really eventuated more than a kiss or a date here and there. He met Maralie when he was 17 and was skulking around the servants quarters whilst his family was staying at the Omani Manor on Elmas Island. Maralie was a few years older than him, and had faked being sick to get out of yet another stuffy party.

Josh was liberating sweets from the larder when he ran into Velanda Omani's granddaughter, and the two hit it off. Social class (Josh being Velothi) complicated things and the two would meet in secret throughout their time together at that manor and would later fall into the same arrangement whenever they were in the same city. After two years of this, Maralie would find herself betrothed to a third cousin who lived in Narsis. Josh, heartbroken by this news, started making plans to elope with her because that worked so well for his parents after all. Unfortunately the couple were found out and this led to a series of events that would see Josh end up in prison in Cyrodiil after going missing for three years. (Servitude within the Camonna Tong).

He wouldn't find out why Maralie never came to the gate that final time until after he was released from prison almost forty years later. He's heartbroken that he missed seeing his son, Adren grow up.

The two would rekindle their relationship as Josh led a group of Dunmer out of Morrowind as Red Mountain erupted (he leads out several). He started making some headway with Adren on this trip as well and thought maybe he'd get a second chance at actually parenting. Unfortunately, Maralie's husband finds out about the affair and sends Josh fleeing to Solstheim. He hears from his son a few months later that Maralie had succumbed to a sickness that had swept through the slums of Windhelm and that he was not wanted at the funeral.

It would be the last time Josh had an interest in a romantic partner until 4E199.

Ilaba'andul-Sul Erra'am Urshilaku

If you were to ask Josh who his first love was, he would tell you that it was Erra. The two had something that Josh has never found again. Some strange, all encompassing closeness that has Josh unable to tell where he ends and Erra begins. This connection is increasingly apparent in the centuries after Erra's death where Josh becomes a walking shrine to his memory.

The two met as part of a job Josh was running for the Blades. Cosades' initial Ashlander contact, Hassor Zainsubani, had recommended Erra's services as a guide and liaison. He would speak on Josh's behalf whilst he sort an audience with the Urshilaku Ashkhan and Wise Woman, respectively. Josh managed to make a terrible first impression with being several hours late to their meeting and then shirking Erra off to go drink with some strangers.

It all gave Erra a terrible headache the next day.

The two start to hit it off once they both clear things up with each other. Erra ends up risking breaking several customs just to help Josh succeed in getting the info he needs about the Nerevarine prophecies. He'd grown incredibly fond of Josh in the month they ended up spending together, and the two end up exchanging letters. They meet up in Ald'ruhn right before Josh vanishes for three months. Erra starts to think that maybe he had read Josh wrong and had decided to try and move on when he started being questioned by Imperial Agents on Josh's whereabouts. He decides to shoot Josh a final letter to and address he had given him in Suran and ended up getting a reply back from Josh's mother and later from Josh.

He had been sick, though Josh never detailed much more than that and the two would start sending letters again for a few more months until Josh just stopped sending them.

Erra chose to wait for a few weeks, concentrating instead on purchasing a house in Maar Gan. Eventually he did get another letter from Josh asking to meet and for an escort north.

The two would not separate again until Erra's death, though it would still take the two a few weeks and a severely injured Josh for them to actually admit how they felt. Once that happened, you'd rarely see them apart. They were so close that the Nerevarine legend peddled by the New Temple just ends up merging both of their exploits to the point that the stories resemble neither of them.

Erra and Josh end up marrying/linking ghosts outside the confines of the main tribe (same sex unions were not a thing within Ashlander society until after Josh and Erra force it). It was a contingency plan for the aftermath of Red Mountain, that Erra alone would have ownership over Josh's remains and Ghost after his death so that he couldn't be messed with (Josh's worst fear is being forced to inhabit a bonewalker after death.) Only things didn't go to plan and the wrong guy died.

Josh goes into several long periods of mourning after Erra's death, still choosing to wear full mourning gear whenever he acts as Ashkhan. Josh models himself after Erra in a lot of ways, from his choice to take on mercenary work, to his auxiliary work with the Redoran, to his choice of clothing. He becomes a walking shrine to those whom he's lost, it's just that he had more of Erra's stuff on hand whereas he'd lost most of his memorabilia of the next person on this list.

Saint Jiub!

He met Saint Jiub once, you know?

Okay maybe it wasn't once, and maybe it was over a period of six years, and maybe he thought he had finally found someone who loves him for him again.

Josh met Jiub on an Imperial Prison Ship en route to Vvardenfell. The two exchanged words, though Josh was busy acting as hostile as possible. They were released separately and Josh didn't think much on the encounter.

They would cross paths a few months later when Jiub was out running supplies between Redoran outposts on his Silt Strider. He ended up spying some poor idiot being attacked by cliff racers during an ashstorm and decided to help him out. Only Josh is a difficult mer to actually help.

He ended up loading a delirious Josh into the caravan and took him to his destination. This interaction went a little smoother, though Josh's awkwardness still muddied things.

They would not meet again for another four years, after Josh gets black out drunk in an alley behind Jiub's apartments in Kvatch during the third celebration of the Nerevaine's defeat of Dagoth Ur in the Dunmeri diaspora.

Jiub ends up patching Josh up and Josh just...doesn't leave. They fall into a comfortable domestic bliss. Jiub was busy writing his memoirs, and Josh was in serious need of anonymity. They decide to move south to Bravil only for the Oblivion Crisis to strike the night before their big move.

Josh lost everything that night, fleeing Kvatch with nothing but the clothes on his back, their matching engraved rings and a heart heavy with guilt over not being able to save someone he loved.

He would move into another period of mourning and still wears the rings they had carved for an eventual marriage ceremony on his left hand.

Sydari Aralen

Josh and Sydari have a bit of a complicated relationship. They clash a lot over the first two years of their on and off relationship. This is mostly because Josh keeps pulling away whenever things get too real for him. He's old by this point and he's bogged down in so much emotional baggage that Josh's ability to assess anything is strangled by his constant expectation that he'll be left grieving again if he lets anyone get too close.

Sydari would have to smash down his walls by force.

Though the two technically met in the Retching Netch in 4E199 where Josh drunkenly makes an ass of himself, Josh does recognise her from somewhere. Namely a messy Azura propelled skooma induced vision that lead Josh out of a massacre about 90 years prior. Josh believes that skooma induced vision damaged his brain a little, making him easily paranoid (more so than he initially is). As a result, Nerevar's found more of a footing to feed into that paranoia.

This ends up pitting Josh and Sydari against each other whilst ultimately trying to get rid of the same problem and this causes a lot of mess to begin with. It was only as Sydari took it upon herself to figure things out that the two started working together. Josh falls very quickly, regardless of his attempts to stop it which sends him into a push and pull loop.

They get together briefly after Frossel only for Josh to mess things up with a freak out on his behalf. They are on and off for two years until Josh finally can't take the instability anymore and just lays his cards out on the table (well most of them). Sydari has been waiting for him to do that for a long time and the two finally get together...

Sort of...

Josh does this the same day that Sydari has to infiltrait the Thalmor embassy and ends up uncovering Josh's identity. The two have a huge fight and break it off. Josh ends up wandering Skyrim off his face for a month until Hircine finds him and Sydari spends her time avoiding Thalmor Justicars and picking up old men from the Ratway.

In that time Sydari gets Josh's dossier translated (or what could be translated, his journals are written in a code on a select few people know). From what she could gather, Josh hadn't been keeping his identity from her for malicious reasons. (Boi is 99% trauma responses). She writes a letter of appology to Josh, hoping it would make him come back.

He comes back, but not with the letter.

The two spend a week locked in Sydari's suite at the Sleeping Giant Inn. Partually because Josh needs a rest and partually because he's finally telling her everything.

They become completely inseperable afte that night. Which is why Josh takes Sydari's dissaperance so hard. Sovngarde takes her away for six years and he kinda loses his mind and bargins with the island of Solstheim trying to find her.

Gotta drop Josh and the Husbando art.

[kbsd]

my aunt still refuses to take down the christmas tree just in case the josh allen tree topper is what's keeping the bills' postseason alive, while my uncle is turning the butler pantry into a josh shrine. i love it here

[sterkeyra]

Side Character Election - Story Prompts

As the Side Character election is over we are already aware of the winners and the 10 stories that we are going to get. However, among the election options, there were quite a few interesting plot prompts! Some are a bit like fanfictions, others feel like trolling, but some are also interesting because the plot prompt alone tells us more about some characters. So I thought I'll combine all the stories that we will get and those that we could have gotten

Top 10

These are the character prompts that will get a story! You can look forward to their stories soon!

Takeru Momose Her Love in the Force "What if you fell in love with Momose instead of Tsugaru?"

Hayato Miyayama Her Love in the Force "What if you didn't date any of the instructors and started to fall in love with Miyayama?"

Toru Kyobashi Metro PD "What if I became Chief Kyobashi's secretary for a limited time?"

Daisuke Chiba Her Love in the Force "Will Chiba's love finally be returned!? Or…? A bittersweet unrequited love story of his youth."

Mitsuharu Kyogoku Romance MD "Unpublished story about Kasumi and Mitsuharu during their medical student days"

Ryosuke Inui Kissed by the Baddest Bidder "What if you and Inui fall in love?"

Zack Thompson Masquerade Kiss "xx Year ago. When Zack was still young, he actually got to work together with a CERTAIN person?! A hidden story from Zacks past. (Story without MC)

Takatomi Jinguji When Destiny Comes Knocking "Upon receiving a revelation from the Moeki Shrine, you decide to play pretend lovers with Jinguji. Every date with this hidden high-spec guy is a first-time experience. Could this person indicated by the gods possibly be your destined partner?"

Daisuke Agasa Metro PD "Story about falling in love with the master of Monkey Station"

Eito Ichinomiya Kissed by the Baddest Bidder "What if Eito met the child of another bidder? The next generation will have a spectacular crossover"

Not-Elected Story Prompts

These are the characters that haven't been chosen, so they sadly won't get a story. I'll still list the prompts because some are quite interesting and tell us more about the characters, or the routes if they would have ever gotten one.

Also it might inspire someone to write fanfiction, and maybe just maybe they will be more popular if Voltage did another side story election. I will group the prompts by title and have a miscellaneous section at the bottom.

Robosuke (Meguros Robot) Oops I Said Yes "I am alone at home with Robosuke (?!). I'm trying to get Robosuke to tell me Meguros secret"

Ryo Hayase Oops I Said Yes "What did he think of your as he developped feelings for you in Togo's Main Story Season 2? Experience it from His Pov"

Tadashi Daimon (Togo's brother) Oops I Said Yes "While Togo is away, his older brother Tadashi suddenly comes over for a visit. He tells you stories about the time when Togo was still a child"

Mamoru Yushima (MCs Junior Colleague) Oops I Said Yes "What kind of life would await you, if you accidentally got married to Yushima, who always wished to get married?"

Kaito Ichinomiya Kissed by the Baddest Bidder "Kaito, the middle child, is not as cute as he looks but also... What if you spend a day alone with Kaito?"

Yu Ichinomiya Kissed by the Baddest Bidder "Yu is just like Eisuke, he even looks like him?! What if you spend a day alone with Yu?"

Koichi Samejima Kissed by the Baddest Bidder "What if you and Samejima fall in love?"

Erika Matsuda Kissed by the Baddest Bidder "Erika actually worked for a different companies hotel before she changed to Tres Spade a long time ago. Find out about her unknown surprising past."

HUGO Masquerade Kiss "The story "HUGO's Secret" will explore the father-son conflict between HUGO and Shigematsu"

Caleb Townsend Masquerade Kiss "A secret story about Calebs past when he met Chad."

Josh White Masquerade Kiss "A story about how the members of the Garden of Eden (GoE) try to stop Kazuomi from being taught a bad habit"

Theo Maria Bertolucci Masquerade Kiss "Theo hosts a party for Kei that is limited to MCs ex-boyfriends" (Kei's route)

Louis St. Alfans Masquerade Kiss "A story about Louis becoming "family" with Kei and Kai by visiting the amusement park together." (Story without MC)

Takumi Shiba Masquerade Kiss "This is a story about Takumi Shiba vs. Kei Soejima where Takumi is struggling with all his might to defeat Kei."

Kai Soejima Masquerade Kiss A story about going on a mock date with Kai, because he never had a proper date. He ends up getting a little nervous (Kei's route)

Kengo Katayama Masquerade Kiss "A story of the past when Yuzuru, the founder of SHIBA, scouted Katayama." (Story without MC)

Tamotsu Suwa Romance MD "What if you get injured and have to do rehabilitation with Dr. Suwa?"

Kappei Maekawa Romance MD "A story about being indebted to Dr. Maekawa for a day" Taku Tsuchiya Romance MD "What if you had decided on cardiac surgery instead of joining the ICU?"

Mizumi Shirayuki Romance MD "Why does Shirayuki-chan love being kind? A close-up documentary story."

Theo Wilson Romance MD "What if you were Theo's assistant in a hospital in Thailand?"

Asuka Shinozaki Romance MD "A story about how the friendship with your classmate developed during your college days"

Noa (future Tsugaru?) Her Love in the Force "How does Noah feel about Tsugaru and you? A story about a little boy's first love (?)" Shirogane Her Love in the Force "What is the relationship between Gin and Noah? The story reveals the surprising contrasts of the iron-faced man."

Taketo Oishi Her Love in the Force "A love story where you are approached by Oishi, who has fallen in love with you as his senior"

Chaen Her Love in the Force "A story about Chaen being obsessed with you as a public safety detective, and him trying to make you his own in every way possible".

Blood Moon Kings of Paradise "Blood Moon kidnaps you when you got divorced and are heartbroken. During our escape, he gives me the love life I had dreamed of. A story of a wanted man and a love that defies the world."

Kasatsubaki Satsuriki Kings of Paradise "A romance between two divorcees, where love and physical relationships are kept separate. Tsubaki's overwhelming love fills your void, but with the appearance of your ex-boyfriend Taki, a love triangle emerges… Which man will you choose?"

Tomohiro Fuyuki Kings of Paradise "A story about two people who once drifted apart. Despite numerous difficult times, I can't forget his smile. A story of a remarried couple where the former husband had a change of heart and transforms from the worst to once again being your beloved."

Sydney (Tenshi Sakuto) Kings of Paradise "You used to really dislike reptiles. However, after living with Taki, you start hearing Sydney's voice?! You'll hear her true feelings for the first time… A story of female friendship."

Akito Sakamaki Metro PD "What if I had a fateful encounter with Mr. Sakamaki?"

Koichi Minase Metro PD "A story about his date with Tomomi Minase"

Tomomi Minase Metro PD "A story about her date with Koichi Minase"

X PLUST "After falling for the bold fanservice of the flashy and somewhat dangerous X, you wake up in his bed the next morning…?! A forbidden love story between him and you begins with a XXX relationship."

Ys PLUST "Ys is reliable enough to lead ThrONE, that consists of very skilled musicians. However, you witness his true nature. A story about saving YS's past and heart through love."

Zeus PLUST "An unexpected day-zero marriage with your crush?! You start a pretend-newlywed life with Zeus for the sake of him composing music. As Zeus's doting intensifies, the fate of this limited romance becomes uncertain."

PLUST Manager PLUST "The manager of PLUST is always working hard. You work together with him on a marketing plan for PLUST, but when you see his true self for the first time it sparks romantic feelings."

Shizuo Furuya Liar "What if I had forgiven my ex boyfriend for cheating on me back then? The story of an eventful date with my boyfriend when we got back together"

Mr. Takuro Irresistible Mistakes "Researching the unknown ecology, daily life, and his past… Shall we explore the true face of Takuro-san, who quietly supports and cheers on your love from beside you?"

Fuzzy Pirates in Love "Fuzzy's matchmaking story?! While watching the happy MC, Fuzzy realizes it's her turn to have a happy ending and she travels around the world to find her soulmate."

Natsuo Umesaki Bad Boys do it Better "Natsuo is a beautiful, tall dormitory leader with a loud voice. Ume-chan is like an oasis in a dormitory filled with rough boys, however when you catch a glimpse of his "Natsuo" side, you unexpectedly fall in love for the first time."

Yuki Tsukishiro Our Private Homeroom "What if you fell in love with your classmate? A sweet and sour story unique to high school classmates.

Tatsunoshin Uzuki Loves Hella Punk "Love Story with Uzuki" (Separate Setting from Tengokus)

Momogo Sato Dreamy Days in West Tokyo "A story about Momogo watching over the love life between you and Ichigo"

Bianchi Our Two Bedroom Story "A story in which you, a new editor at Seasonelle, start to fall in love with Bianchi at Jinbuono."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My thoughts

The Masquerade Kiss stories are quite interesting and some seem to tease more about the story or relation to other characters! You can tell by the amount of context of Blood Moon and Kasatsubaki, that this is most likely how their routes would have been like if they weren't cancelled. Especially Blood Moon sounded interesting to me. Together with Chaen they might be one of the few Yandere types in the app. Chaens prompt holy moly. I would have been very intrigued how that would have played out. I'm curious what else they have planned for him. Also why can't Chiba just be happy. He got a story but it looks like he is STILL in the unrequited love dilemma :') Also happy to see more content about Mitsuharu! Though i wish it was a what if story with MC or maybe a story with Sen, as we already know a bunch about Kasumi and Mitsuharu, but that's complaining on a high level. Any Mitsuharu content is good content! Speaking of Plust, i was surprised by the sudden amount of steam when you jump to X (gosh he sounds like twitter)! Almost like MC became a groupie ohmy! I can only imagine the drama. The manager being a place short of Tomohiro is almost insulting xD It seems like PLUST or Throne in that matter did not appeal as much as hoped. I still hope we get to see more of it! It's even funnier that Furuya of Liar is that popular even though he is just as much cheating scum like Tomohiro. I guess people actually wanted to see a redemption arc for him?

Another story I would have loved to see is Fuzzys? Because I love her a lot and i want her to be happy as well. It would have been so funny to see how she hunts for men! Also Tatsunoshin! OHMYGOD There were so many good options!!

Now onto the winner I COULDNT BE HAPPIER IT'S MOMO. Sure a CG would have been nice but i keep my hopes, up that we might get one with Tsugaru together eventually or maybe we would even get his own route! But... BUT... they just had to have Tsugaru comment on his win. And he says he's pleased, so Momo is also happy that he entered. PLEASE he's about to get your girl haha Agh. This will be a very interesting story. I really wonder how they'll handle his girlfriend and Momo connection to Tsugaru. I GOT WAY TOO EXCITED ABOUT THIS ELECTION. I am a side character afficionado. Also Miyayamaaaa!!! Last but not least: Where's Tokyo Love Hustle at :') I'm not sure if I'm happy that the rest of the cast is not listed as side characters (would mean their routes got cancelled) or if i'm sad because we might have been able to get some more content with it if they were?

[seenoversundown]

Amongst The Stars: Chapter One

Josh x Quinn (Nonbinary OC)

Warnings: People who are disgustingly in love, mentions of secret relationships, questionable midday PDA, brotherly taunting, Sam, atrocious ex partners.

Word Count: 4k

Summary: Josh has always loved love, and he's finally found it. Buuuut, he can't exactly tell anyone. Join him as he navigates the ins and outs of his sweet, secret romance.

Author's Note: *pounds fists on table* JOSHUA. MICHAEL. MONDAY.

Sorry this is a bit late... they've been too active today and it distracted me Anywayyyyyy. I hope you all enjoy this. I have been obsessed with writing Josh and Quinn and I hope you love them as much as I do (plus, you get a little peek at some other familiar faces).

I Think We’re Alone Now - Tommy James & The Shondells

“I think we're alone now. There doesn't seem to be anyone around. I think we're alone now. The beating of our hearts is the only sound.”

Present Day

“Thanks, Chuck,” I shout after the older gentleman heading out the front door, “Always a pleasure to see you in here!”  I sigh in relief, wiping down the area he just vacated and placing his used pint glass in the sink beneath the bar as the door closes behind him. It’s midday, and Old Man Chuck is typically our only customer until the after-work rush.  I swear Jake only opens this early to accommodate him, I think as I toss my towel back into the fresh Sani-Water bucket, He could probably save so much money if he stopped. But he loves that old man. 

I dry my hands off and lean my elbows against the bar top. I survey the area and let my eyes fall on the only occupied booth.  Quinn.  A small smile creeps its way up my face while I watch them. 

I take in their intentionally disheveled, curly pixie cut. I take in the way their glasses slide down their nose as they lean over the iPad, sketching away at something with their apple pencil.  Three, Two, One. I mentally count down, and then they push their glasses back up, and my smile widens.  There we go.

The thought of knowing their mannerisms well enough to be able to guess exactly when they’ll adjust their glasses makes my heart soar.  I let my eyes rake over their vintage brown and orange striped sweater and down their charcoal gray cigarette pants, stopping to admire the bit of ankle peeking out between the top of their boots and the cuff of their pants. 

How did I get so lucky? 

I press myself back up off the bar, stopping to pay a small tribute to the small Blackbeard shrine that Jake insisted on setting up behind the bar, and slowly walk around to the jukebox in the corner, ensuring I don't draw attention to my movements. I perused the options, smirking to myself as I keyed in A-23.

I turn around, leaning against the jukebox, as the opening chords to “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tommy James and the Shondells ring out from the speakers.  I wait a beat to see if Quinn will recognize the song, our song, but they’re so engrossed in their art that they don’t even look up. With that, I walk over to their booth and sit beside them. I quietly sing along to the chorus, grabbing their chin and tilting their head to face me.  “Sorry to interrupt, Bug,” I start, kissing their lips gently, “but I think we’re alone now.”  Giggling, they set their apple pencil down on the table.  “Mhm, there doesn't seem to be anyone around.” 

I wrap my arm around their shoulders, pulling them closer to my side. “What are you working on?”  “Just a new coloring sheet for the kids, nothing important.”  “How many times do I have to tell you? Your work is never nothing important,” I squeeze their shoulder, “those kids love you, and I won't stand for you minimizing that.” 

They breathe a small sigh through their nose and lean deeper against me. I bend down and press a kiss to the crown of their head.  I try to give them some grace, knowing they aren't used to having a supportive partner who believes in them. 

“I love seeing your work, Bug,” I kiss their forehead, “You’re passionate about it, and you're good at it.”  “You do know you’ve already won me over,” they laugh, “right? You don't have to keep unnecessarily complimenting me.”  “They're not unnecessary compliments,” I entwined our fingers together, “and, actually, I hold back most of the time.” I raise our clasped hands to my lips and kiss the back of their palm. “Oh, hush.”  “I don't think I will. In fact, I don't think I can. I could praise you day in and day out, and it still would never be enough.” 

I watch, grinning, as their face heats at my words. I reach out and cradle their face in my free hand, gently rubbing a thumb over the apple of their cheek.  

“Hmm, Cute,” I whisper out.  “Aghhhhh,” they let out a small groan, flopping their head back against the booth behind them, “You’re gonna kill me. You know I’m traumatized.” “I’m trying to fix that, dear,” I giggle, poking at their side. 

My phone buzzes in my pocket, interrupting our moment. 

Of course. Even when we’re alone, we’re not really. There’s always someone waiting to interrupt us. 

I sigh as I pull it out and see three new texts from Jake

Kiddo 🥸: Hey Bub, heading to the Farmer’s Market.  Kiddo 🥸: Do we need anything for the bar?  Kiddo 🥸: I have a list, but maybe I forgot something.  Me: The bar is fine.  Me: Wait, is this a thinly veiled attempt to check on me? Kiddo 🥸: :) Me: You’re getting better at hiding it.  Kiddo 🥸: Gotta keep you on your toes. 

He’s insane. You’d think this bar is his living, breathing child. I mean, shit, it may as well be.

Me: Well, put me in a tutu and call me a ballerina, boss.  Kiddo 🥸: [Picture] Kiddo 🥸: Eat shit

Bark out a laugh, looking at the photo Jake sent me of his middle finger facing the camera. 

Me: Leave me alone. Someone has to run this place while you’re galavanting around town. Me: Tell Lin I said hello. 

I slide my phone back into my pocket and pat Quinn’s thigh under the booth, then begin to slip out of the booth.  

“Unfortunately, Captain’s on my ass. I better go clean something before he accuses me of ‘Ruining All My Hard Work’ when he gets back from The farmer’s market.” Damn, fine Jake impression. 

Before I can get too far, Quinn grabs my wrist, effectively stopping me, and pulls me closer.  I watch their eyes dart back and forth between mine and my lips. “You sure?” they ask, batting their eyelashes.  I groan internally.  “Mhmmmm, yep. I need to —” They cut me off, tugging my arm the extra inch or two needed to connect our lips before pulling back and looking into my eyes.  “You need to what?”  I groan externally.  “I need to work. You need to work,” I gesture wildly at the forgotten iPad in front of them.  “We don't need to do anything, Starlight.”

They're a monster. An ethereal monster. They know I can't resist them when they call me that name. 

I pop my head out of the booth, searching for the open sign lit up at the front entrance.  I could turn it off and take Quinn up to the apartment for a little bit. Jake would never know. We aren’t going to get any more customers for at least an hour.  I lean back in, connecting our lips again.  “Okay, 20 minutes. I can lock the doors for 20 minutes.”  A pleased smirk makes its way to their face, and they let me go, practically shoving me out of the booth.  “I can work with 20 minutes,” they shout after me, laughing.  “Trust me, I know you —“

The fucking door opens as I’m reaching to lock it. 

“OH! Hi, I didn’t see you there!” I practically shout, scrambling to let Quinn know that our plans have been foiled.  Why the fuck did I say that? Of all the things I could have said. Why that?  “Didn’t really expect you to, man,” the man mutters as he shoves past me and makes his way to a seat at the far end of the bar, near the piano. 

His voice sounds familiar. That’s interesting. 

He walked past me too quickly for me to get a good look at him, and a Boston Red Sox cap partially obscured his face, so I chalked it up as me being paranoid about almost getting caught with Quinn in the bar. 

I wish I didn’t have to be paranoid, but the timeline is still too murky for Quinn and me to be open about our relationship. Jake is the only one who technically knows.  Oh, I can’t wait for the day we decide to tell the others. It’s eating me alive. I want to scream my love from the highest rooftop. I want to walk down the cobblestone streets hand in hand. I need everyone to know that I am in a soul-consuming relationship, and I couldn’t be happier. 

I quickly walk back behind the bar, stopping in front of him.

He couldn’t have chosen a closer seat; had to make me walk all the way back over here? Okay, Josh, no need to be bitchy over a customer. You do work in a customer service establishment. It comes with the territory. 

“Sorry about that. I just wasn't anticipating any customers. It's usually a ghost town around this time of the day,” I rush out, setting a coaster and a menu in front of him.  “Perfectly fine, man,” he responds, removing his baseball cap to make eye contact. 

I suck in a breath, eyes widening as I realize that I do know this man. He smiles as he takes in my recognition of him.  Craig, Quinn’s absolute douchebag of an ex-boyfriend. The reason Quinn and I aren't open about our relationship.  I open and close my mouth a few times, apparently having forgotten how to say, “What can I get you to drink?” and his smile widens. 

He's like a fucking shark, and he can smell blood in the water. 

“Whenever you’ve finished cosplaying a goldfish, I’ll take a Miller Lite.”  My mouth snaps shut, and I give him the fakest smile I can muster. “Of course, sir. I’ll have that right up for you, just have to go grab a fresh case from the cooler.” 

I turn on my heel and practically jog from behind the bar and down the hallway beside the jukebox, past Jake’s office and the bathrooms. I don't stop until I turn the back corner to our stock area.  I lean against the wall and rip my phone from my pocket.  I take several deep breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth and pull up my texts to Quinn, seeing that they were clearly a step ahead of me. 

Bug �� : is that Craig?  Me: YES, HIDE  Bug 🐛 : How?! I can't just walk past him.  Me: No, you're right.  Me: When I come back, I’ll distract him and you sneak into Jake’s office.  Bug 🐛 : Do you want the bad news or the bad news?  Me: NO NEWS  Bug 🐛 : well  Bug 🐛 : Childish Sambino and the larger one just walked in.  Me: beautiful! 

I let out a muffled wail before clicking into Jake’s texts. 

Me: Code Red

I walk into the cooler and grab a case of Miller, that I definitely did not need. I need to learn to lie better, while I wait for a response from Jake. 

Kiddo 🥸: The ex? Do you need me? I can be there in 5.  Me: No, it's okay. I just wanted you to know.  Kiddo 🥸: you sure?  Me: yeah, Sam and Danny just got here, so I have backup.  Kiddo 🥸: Okay  Kiddo 🥸: If Quinn is still there, send them to my office.  Me: That's the plan.  Kiddo 🥸: Love you, bub  Kiddo 🥸: You got this. 

I slide my phone back into my pocket and sigh in relief. 

Everything will be fine. It'll work out. If I can't distract Craig, I know that Sam and Danny can. Quinn will be safe. 

I pick up the Miller and walk back to the bar, decidedly calmer. 

I hear Sam before I see him. Though I can't quite make out what he’s saying, I can tell he’s upset about something.  Sucks for him, but by the sounds of it, it should be easy enough to distract everyone long enough for Quinn to slip out. 

I finally round the corner and go to the storage cooler under the bar to put the fresh beer in. 

I pour one beer into a glass and set it on the coaster I placed in front of Craig earlier.  “Sorry bout that, bud,” I shrug and offer him a half smile, “I'm sure you know how it goes.”  He rolls his eyes but pulls out his cell phone and begins browsing through apps. 

Satisfied that Craig is content, I finally turn to Sam and Danny and level them with a fake glare. 

“Why are you two in here harassing my customer?”  Sam opens his mouth to speak, but Danny beats him to it,  “Dude, I cannot speak Kiszka when you all get like this,” he gestures to a distressed Sam, “Please fix your brother.”  Sam says nothing but slowly lowers his head to the bartop and lets out a feeble groan. 

Oh, Sammy, what happened?  My heart lurches at seeing my youngest brother in such a state, but I can’t let him know that right up front. 

“What did you do, Sam?”  He mumbles his answer into the floor beneath him. “C’mon, man. Speak up.” He flings his head back up, meeting my eye. 

Fuck, he looks like he’s about to cry. I can’t do this right now. I’ll cry with him. 

“I need advice, Josh,” he starts.  “Okay,” I stare at him, realizing that was the end of his sentence, “Care to elaborate on that?”  “Girladvice,” he breathes under his breath. ”Come again?” I ask, teasing him a little bit.  “GIRL ADVICE,” he whisper-shouts back at me.  “Ahhhhh. Well, don’t really know why you’re asking me,” I pause, carefully choosing my next words, “I mean, have you seen me with a partner in the last decade?”

Craig huffs out a humorless laugh from the other end of the bar, and I shoot a glare at him Don’t need your commentary right now, bud. But thanks anyway. 

“But, I can try to help.”  “GOD, we’re all helpless, aren’t we? You’re a perpetual bachelor. Jake is married to this bar and then we have One-Date-Daniel over here.”“Hey, you don’t have to be mean to me because you caused a problem,” Danny snaps back.  “I’m just being hooooonest,” Sam groans, tossing his head back again.  “Can we get back on topic,” I interject, stopping an entirely different spiral. 

Sam and Danny are the absolute best friends, and they love each other deeply. But… That also means they sometimes bicker like an old married couple, and no one has time for that right now. 

“You’re right,” Sam acknowledges before recounting his entire work trip to California with Willa Clarke, the bane of his existence (the love of his life, to anyone with eyeballs). 

I glance around the bar and find that everyone, including Quinn, is engrossed in his story. I try to get their attention a few times, and when their eyes finally lock on mine, I entirely naturally, thank you very much, stretch my arms back toward Jake’s office, signaling them to go. 

They shoot an annoyed glance back at me, seemingly angry about having to leave in the middle of the story.  It’s not like Willa won’t tell you everything later, I think as I watch them slide their way back into the hallway next to the Jukebox. I know that Sam and Danny won’t see anything, but I keep an eye on Craig to make sure Quinn doesn’t catch his eye. 

I vaguely hear Jake’s office door swing shut, and I sigh in relief.

”Sorry, Sam,” I turn my attention back to my rambling brother, “Can you please give me the TLDR version of this? I don’t have the Brain Power to sift through your word vomit right now.” “Did you just admit to being stupid? Proud of you,” Sam laughs for the first time since he stormed in from the airport, and I have to try my hardest not to laugh with him.  “All I admitted to was not understanding the raving ramblings of a love-sick fool.”

Sam rests his head back on the bar top and lets out a damn near bone-weary breath.  I fucking hate seeing him like this. Please, I just want to help my baby brother. 

“That’s me, isn’t it? Love-sick fool,” he lifts his head to make eye contact with me, and I reach out, patting my hand on his shoulder for comfort.  “Unfortunately for you, yes.” “I think Josh is right this time,” Danny adds in.  “Thank you for seeing reason, Danny,” I laugh, “But seriously, Sam, TLDR Me. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s happening, but I don’t need to know every single detail of your trip.”

Sam rolls his eyes but sits back up. I move to make him his favorite cocktail, a Clover Club with extra garnish, as a consolation prize for having to relive what is, clearly, a Traumatic Event. 

He recounts the parts of his story that he deems essential: one bed in the hotel room, drunk girl, sleeping together. I piece together the rest of it as I finish pouring his cocktail. 

“So, if I understand correctly, you got trapped in some Romance Novel level situation with a coworker you hate. And you slept with her?”

God, what an idiot. Everyone knows you never sleep with your coworkers. Poor little shit is just a hopeless romantic, though. 

“That’s the thing, Josh,” he takes a sip of his cocktail, “I don’t think I hate her. I never have. We just butt heads.”

Craig lets out another chuckle from his seat.  If he doesn’t stop eavesdropping… 

“So you decided to work out that tension in the stupidest way imaginable?” “Hey! The heart wants what the heart wants.” “Sure. But, clearly, her’s doesn’t want you if she’s ghosting you now. What else did you do to her?” “I legitimately don’t know,” he lets his head fall into his hands, “From where I was standing, everything went well, and we were finally starting to get along.” “So, when you’re finally getting along with a coworker, your first response is, ‘Wow, maybe I should dick them down!’” I have to laugh, “You realize how unhinged that is, right?” 

I see Danny just nodding along out of the corner of my eye. 

“Yes, Josh. I know it was stupid. But Willa and I are like magnets. I don’t think we could have stayed away from each other if we tried.”“Except, now she is staying away from you…” “Well, yeah, NOW.”  “And you want her to stop that?” “Yes? That’s the whole reason I’m here, so PUH-LEASE take pity on me.”

I take a moment to think about how my dumb brother can get himself out of this situation. It’d be nice if they could get their shit together; I’d love to eventually be able to go to Quinn’s apartment openly. But I’ll kill Sam if he makes it awkward for me. 

“Okay, so, my advice is, replay the whole situation in your head. Everything from the few moments before you slept with each other all the way to the flight home.” “Oh, I’ll have no trouble doing that,” a sly grin forms on Sam’s face. “Gross, dude,” Danny adds.  “Yeah, I can’t imagine why anyone would want to let you get away,” I plaster a sarcastic smile on my face, “anyway, Make a list of things you could have done to potentially piss her off between sleeping together and coming home.”

Sam already begins tallying things off on his fingers. 

“Really, man?” Danny watches as he keeps counting.  “She thinks I’m really annoying, Daniel.” “She’snottheonlyone,” Danny whispers under his breath as Sam keeps counting.  “I resent that, Daniel,” Sam starts, “Do you have a piece of paper, Josh?”

I press the button on the receipt machine, tearing off a length of paper, and I hand it to Sam along with a pen.  I watch him begin to scribble down a list of things and hold in my laughter as I see realization dawn on his face every time he thinks of a new thing. 

While he’s busy, I grab Craig another beer, sneering at him as I place it in front of him. I do a quick lap around the bar, ensuring that all tables are wiped down and Quinn didn’t leave any of their items for anyone to find. Satisfied with the state of things, I head back behind the bar just as Sam sets his pen down. 

I wordlessly extend my hand, asking for Sam’s list, and start to read it. 

“Sam, you can’t be serious,” I say, setting the list face down on the bar top.  “What?” “You have ‘breathed too loudly’ listed here THREE times.” “Well, yes. Willa doesn’t like it when people breathe too loudly before she’s had her morning caffeine.” “Buddy, I don’t think it’s ‘Breathing’ that you need to apologize for. Why don’t you look a little deeper and try to find something more meaningful that you fucked up.”

I see the little wheels start turning in his head, and he quickly stands up from his stool, nearly knocking it over in his haste. 

“You’re a genius, Josh.” “Alright, well, you can thank me later,” I shoo him away, “Always lovely to see you, Danny. But please get Sam out of here. Some of us actually have work to do.” 

I grab Sam’s empty glass and put it in the sink, then wipe down the bar top before finally turning back to Craig. 

“Willa’s going to hate that, you know,” he chuckles, “So, good job potentially dooming your brother.” “Willa is going to hate being apologized to?” “No, Willa is going to hate being apologized to by him. He doesn’t even know what he did wrong, and she has minimal patience for stupid men,” he shoots back.  “Oh, well, I’m sure you’d know about that,” I smirk at him.  “Good one, bud.” "I did think it was kind of funny.” 

I grab the empty from in front of him and toss it in the trash. 

“Speaking of stupid men,” Craig starts, “Are you still trying to hide your relationship with my ex?”

Jesus Christ, can I get one single moment to breathe?

“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.” “So, Quinn didn’t run to the back while your idiot brother had a mental breakdown?” “Mmm, no. I think I’d know if someone ran back there.”

He turns around and looks toward the booth that Quinn had previously occupied.

“So, that’s not their's?” I follow his eyes down to the floor beneath the table. 

Fucking Apple Pencil. 

“Nah, dude, that could be anyone’s. Do you know how many people are in and out of here every day?”  “Josh, it’s fine,” he stretches his arms behind his head, “You can tell them to come out. I’m not stupid.”  “I’d beg to differ,” I let out a small puff of breath from my nose. 

This might actually be the only time he’s correct about not being stupid. Fuck. 

“It’s not that hard to piece together. Quinn meets you, Quinn breaks up with me. Seems pretty straightforward.” “Did you consider that Quinn left you because you were a lazy prick?” 

I see a look of determination flash across his face as he takes in my words. 

Don’t love whatever that means.

“Okay, Josh,” he fixes me with a sarcastic smile, “You can keep your little secrets. But just know that you’ll see more of me around here.”

He slaps a $20 bill on the counter and stands up. 

“Keep the change.” 

Once the chime on the door stops tinkling and I’m confident Craig won’t return, I lock the door and scurry back to Jake’s office. 

I shove the door open, almost knocking Quinn over in the process. My little eavesdropper.  I let out a manic giggle, “Not to alarm you, dear.. but I think we have a problem.”

Next Chapter

ATS Masterpost | The Caravel Tavern Series | Masterlist

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[babyjujubee]

Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Josh Harnett and Alden Ehrenreich win the Outstanding Cast award for Oppenheimer at the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California on February 24, 2024.

[hometoursandotherstuff]

I'm not a football fan, but this is supposed to be the home of Josh Lambo, former kicker for the Jaguars, who apparently sued the team b/c one of the coaches kicked him. So, now the 1970 home in Jacksonville, Florida is up for sale, and has a pending offer, but he's accepting backup offers. 4bds, 4ba, $2.250M.

The outer entrance has a beautiful Buddha shrine, very Zen. I'm thinking maybe he isn't with the team and can't afford it, anymore?

The entrance then passes thru this sunny hall.

And we emerge to a lovely sunny courtyard on one side and a sunken living room on the other.

Look at this- a second sunken sitting area.

That's a very unusual fireplace, if that's what it is, and it's double-sided. The kitchen is very modern and on the other side of the mirrored hearth.

Professional chef's kitchen.

Nice separate smaller kitchen dining area/breakfast room that opens to the yard.

Family room.

Love the built-in desk in the home office.

Lovely powder room.

Large primary bedroom has a terrace.

En-suite with walk-in closet.

The home gym.

Nice guest room.

Lovely courtyard garden with a fountain.

Deck and porch.

Beautiful waterfront view and look at the size of the docks.

Covered boat slip and dock.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3215-Front-Rd-Jacksonville-FL-32257/44556153_zpid/