#like putting in a copy of the recipes me and my mom baked for the first time this year

[queenofthursday6599-blog]

Suggestions for what to put in a Time Capsule?

So my family is making a time capsule to bury this year, to be buried on new years day, and then dug up 25 years from now, at the start of the year 2050.

My grandma lead the family in making one and keeping track of it way back at the tail end of 1999 (the year I was born), and it was opened back when she died in 2014.

My family is only doing another one now because a cousin of mine has inherited a plot of land in which to bury it on, because with my grandma dead there was no one to be trusted to keep track of it and not open it before it's due date (hence why the old time capsule was opened upon her death, even though it was supposed to be opened in 2020).

Burying it solves the issue, because getting to it before we're supposed to open it will be a hassle, and also everyone would know.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what we should put in it?

My mom is thinking a news paper from the end of this year, because news papers hold a lot of general information about the state of the world. [Also something my grandma put in her time capsule.]

I want to put in a silver eagle dated for this year (because of the chance that the design will probably change in 25 years time, considering they'd updated the design on both the obverse and reverse sides just back in 2021 to commemorate I think it was 30 years of the coin being minted, so I bet they'll change it for the 50 year anniversary), along with a pack of unopened pokemon cards (which I've collected off an on since I was 6, so about 20 years now), and an unopened pack of sports collector cards (because my dad collects those).

I brought up the idea of putting in an ID of anyone who recently had their ID's renewed this year.

I know my mom had hers renewed this year, even though her old ID wasn't due to expire for a couple more years, because this year was an election year and she'd moved since the last election. So she had to get her ID renewed for voter registration reasons.

My mom is thinking putting in a few lower denomination dollar bills minted this year into the time capsule, because the Mint updates those designs pretty frequently to try and stay ahead of forgery attempts.

I'm putting in a piece of art I made over the holiday season, a water color of a snow man. I made it at one of the family parties I went to because other adults were drinking and I'm not into that.

One of my cousins got married this year, so I've asked my mom if she was going to put a copy of one of her wedding photos in. We don't know because we haven't asked her yet.

My mom wants to put movie ticket stubs in, because that was one of the things my grandma put in her time capsule, but no one in my family has gone to the movies recently and kept their ticket stubs from what we know.

I think we should take guesses on how tall the various children currently in my family are going to be as adults. Along with putting in a recent family photo of everyone burying the capsule.

I briefly thought about putting in a bet about if my sister would break a bone between now and then, but her 7 years curse seems to have passed upon her reaching adulthood, considering she didn't break one at all while being 21, and still hasn't in the years since being 21. And it'd suck to speak that back into existence and ruin her streak with how shit american healthcare is.

I thought about maybe looking for like a trendy piece of clothing that we could fold up and put in, to show the difference between the popular fashion of now and 25 years from now.

But we're in micro trend hell, and I don't even know if the fast fashion garbage that's pumped out currently wouldn't just rot away to shreds in the time capsule. Considering just how cheaply anything trendy is made now.

[madwomansapologist]

you make loving fun | nanami kento x mom!reader

after years of pain and grief, nanami found himself going home for a placed filled with love and care. he wasn't there at the start, but he will be there until the very end. it's a promise.

cw: papamin au. step!dad!nanami. kid!yuji. fluff fluff fluff. domesticity. found family. the happy ending they both deserve.

an: inspired by this post from @froody and my own experience as someone who had a dad who not only stteped up, but levelled up.

Five minutes before the end of his shift, Nanami put on his coat and muted his notifications.

Staring at the analog clock, Nanami noticed he never did that before. He was never one to rush away from the office. One to get ready, to make sure no one could bother him, and wait for his free time to finally begin.

For how long was he the last to go home? Don't forget to turn off the lights, Nanami would hear that every night from whoever left before him. And make sure to lock the doors. Did he ever said that to someone? No. Probably no.

Once if felt useful. To work overtime was to get stronger to defeat curses. And in a world you won't gain anything for free, extra hours can feel less like a option and more like a duty. Sometimes you can be guilty for not working. It can feel wrong to just live.

But back then Nanami would come back to a empty house, sleep in a cold bed and not say a single word until the next morning. Back then there was no one waiting for him by the door, smiling simply because he came back. Back then he wasn't waiting for anything expect silence.

"Good night, 'amin", and after only twenty minutes he was parking in front of your house, watching how Yuji had to stand on his toes to reach the handle of the main door.

You told him last week Yuji would turn down the volume of his shows and videogames whenever a car passed near your home. He said Nanami drives so carefully he can always tell when to open the door.

"Good night, Yuji." Nanami locked the car, now feeling how cold it was out there. It rained this morning, the road is still wet. He opened his coat to protect Yuji from the wind, and then noticed he was still wearing his uniform. "You haven't showered yet?"

Yuji gave him a bright smile. "Mom's doing a surprise for you."

In moments like that, Nanami can see your shadow lingering over Yuji. He really is a copy of his mom. That charming smile, a tendency to avoid the subject of discussion, and that trick of revealing something exciting so their wrongdoing can be ignored.

"And what's your mom doing, kid?" And just like with you, Nanami always fall for that obvious trap.

"It depends", he said. "Will you watch Caillou with me?"

Nanami blinked. That kid. "Of course", Nanami accepted the deal, stroking his pink hair as they entered the house.

"I dunno", Yuji walked straight towards the living room, leaving Nanami speachless.

He placed his glasses on the table, now working on the knot of his tie. The aroma evolving the entire house was a telltale of your baking, and the sounds coming from his belly reminded Nanami of how long it has been since his last meal.

Deep into your own inner thoughts, you didn't noticed his presence. Nanami made sure to keep quiet, admiring you as you made sure you followed the recipe correctly.

So beautiful. Unaware of his gaze, he knew there was no flourish in the way you moved or how you murmured a song playing inside your head. You weren't trying to charm him, you were just being you, and that was more than enough for Nanami to fall in love with you once more.

It still surprises Nanami. How easy it's to love you. To be in love with you. None of you are performing. There is no lies between you two. Not when Nanami holds your hair so you can vomit. Or when you hear all the complains he kept to himself for years. Nothing but truth when you worried about Yuji's grades, when Nanami cried loudly watching a k-drama with you on the couch, when you sneezed on his mouth.

You make life real. You make loving fun.

It doesn't feel like work.

But that doesn't mean things suddenly get perfectly fine when you both are together. Nanami noticed you're still wearing formal clothes. Your eyes seemed so small, glaring at the phone as if it was miles away instead of in the counter in front of you. You haven't taken your earring off yet.

This house is safe. You made sure to build it with love, brick by brick. To give your son everything a child deserves: to be happy, protected, cared for. And there is no way of doing that alone without working until exhaustion.

But you're not alone anymore.

You haven't noticed his presence, and still Nanami didn't felt you shivering when he hugged you from behind. You recognized him. Was it his perfume? The warmth of his hands? Or perhaps how they always find a way to hold you by the hips, feeling the soft skin with his fingers?

"Yuji's gonna be a attorney", he whispered against your ear. You melt against his chest, eyes now wide open and looking deep into his. Nanami wondered if you felt his heart racing.

You smiled. "Are you saying my son is an asshole?"

"Never, my dear", Nanami hid his face at the curve of your neck. Breathing deep, he felt you shivering. You were using the perfume he gave you. "You're tired."

You sighed. Nanami is a man of few words. Sadly he's also a man of surgically right few words. "And so are you."

He kissed your skin. "I can keep an eye on him", Nanami murmured. "And another on the oven. You don't need to worry."

"Are you sure?" Tempted to accept, you also didn't want Nanami to feel like you were part of his daily duties. You rather give than take from him.

Nanami squeezed your hips, slowly allowing you to go away from him. He needed you to go, but he also needed you to stay. "This house won't burn down just because you stopped working."

"Oh, but it will. I assure you", you laughed it off.

Nanami knew it wasn't just a joke. He could almost taste that bitterness that follows truth. "It won't. I won't allow it."

When he heard you closing the bathroom door—never locking because a part of you was always ready to run if Yuji needs help—, Nanami sat down on the couch. Yuji held the control, so big on his tiny hands, and put on the show he always watches when Nanami is there with him.

This time Caillou was eating some sort of chocolate dessert. Yuji moved his mouth, quietly saying the lines from every character. "Isn't it your favorite series ever?", Yuji asked, laughing as Caillou tried to eat the dessert. "Everything he eats looks so good!"

"I never watched something so great", Nanami gazed at him. It was the forth time Nanami watched this episode. "I like that one when he plants carrots. You should try eating those."

Yuji made a face. "I prefer chocolate pudding."

Nanami looked at the television. He would be free the next day. Yuji behaved well in school recently. You mentioned even thinking about buying him a new video game. "We can make it tomorrow."

Yuji turned around so quickly he almost fell from the couch. "Really?"

"Really."

Drying your face with a towel, you checked the oven. The bread you made was still growing. Good. The television had a cartoon going on, you turned it off and went after your boys.

At Yuji's bedroom, you found him deep asleep. Nanami took off his shoes and socks, covering him with a thick blanket. He was still wearing his uniform, but he looked so at peace you couldn't force yourself to care deeply about it.

You kissed his forehead, whispered sweet nothings, and went back to the living room. A few moments later, Nanami turned the lights off and closed the bedroom door.

Sitting besides you, Nanami knew.

Life was good again.

if you enjoyed, please reblog! i promise it makes a difference ♡

general taglist: @lovelyy-moonlight

@ madwomansapologist.tumblr.

[mrprettywhenhecries]

christmas cookies [g.t.]

Part One of 𝑨 𝑻𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒎𝒂𝒏–𝑳𝒆𝒘𝒊𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠

Gator Tillman ✗ Win Lewis

➼ w.c. 1.7k ➼ warnings/tags. hurt/comfort, fluff ➼ a/n. This series takes place about a year after the events of Don't Waste Your Time (on Me), and while technically the main series is still being written, I wanted to take a small break to write some fluff for Win and Gator for Christmas. ➼ cookie divider credit @/saradika

Win laments that she can't find her late mother’s special Christmas cookie recipe, but stubbornly refuses to call her dad for a copy. Despite the bad blood between them, Gator takes it on himself to make the call, surprising her with her mom's recipe.

By the first week of December, Minnesota winter was in full swing, with several inches of snow already on the ground from Thanksgiving, and several more on the way.

Win faintly registered the sound of the front door opening and Gator knocking the snow from his boots as she rifled through the kitchen cabinet, but she was too focused on her hectic search to notice him enter the room until he spoke.

“Front drive’s clean.  What’re you doing?”

Win let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through her hair.  “I could’ve sworn I had my mom’s Christmas cookie recipe somewhere, but I can’t find it,” she huffed, finally looking up at Gator.  His nose and cheeks were flushed red from the cold, but she was glad to see he’d traded his dingy green ball cap for a knit hat to keep his ears warm.

“You’re baking?  All by yourself?” he asked warily, raising an eyebrow at her, earning himself a flat stare in return, his teasing clearly unappreciated at the moment.

“No, Dot and Scotty are coming over tomorrow to help and I was kinda hoping to make my mom’s cutout cookies.  I haven’t had them since she died,” she murmured, slumping against the counter in defeat.  “I tried some store bought ones once, but they just weren’t the same,” she sighed.

Gator frowned, rounding the kitchen island to join her, looking down at the mess of recipes scrawled on note cards and scraps of paper strewn across the counter.  “Is there anywhere else you might’ve put it?” he ventured, slipping  his arms around Win’s waist and resting his chin on the top of her head. “I mean, probably,” she huffed, turning in his embrace to press her face to his chest.  “But I looked through all mom’s stuff that’s still packed away and I didn’t see it there either.  Maybe it got lost in the move, I dunno,” she sighed, her voice muffled by his hoodie.  Shutting her eyes, she took a deep breath, letting the sharp spicy scent of Gator’s cologne soothe her somewhat.

It was always Christmas-time that she missed her mom most.

When Gator didn’t respond, Win looked up at him, finding a thoughtful frown on his face that she didn’t like, already knowing what he was thinking.

“No,” she said firmly, pulling back. 

“You don't even know what I’m gunna say!” he exclaimed with an incredulous huff, but Win shook her head stubbornly. 

“I know exactly what you’re gunna say, Gator,” she refuted, spinning away from him to gather the mess of recipes from the island counter and straighten them.

“But he probably still has the original—”

“Nope!” Win insisted, interrupting him before slipping away, but Gator wasn’t ready to give up yet, following her into the dining room.

“You’re being ridiculous, you know that right?”

Win finally spun to face him.  “You of all people should understand not wanting to have contact with your father,” she said, her mouth pressing into a hard line.

For a long moment, they stared each other down before Gator sighed, deflating.

“I know,” he breathed, and the space between them pained him.  “Are you really gunna let that get in the way of getting something of your mom’s back though?” 

Win opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out and she snapped it shut in frustration.  “I–  I dunno!” she finally exclaimed, throwing her hands up.  “Maybe Dot has a similar recipe,” she said, losing steam, and the defeated look on her face only twisted Gator’s heart.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you,” she mumbled, shaking her head as she closed the gap between them to fold herself back into his arms.  “I just miss her,” she whispered.

“I know,” Gator murmured, pressing his lips to the crown of her head as he squeezed her tighter.

“You hungry?” she asked after a moment, lifting her chin to peer up at him.  “I can go pick up some Chinese,” she offered, her go-to comfort food.

“Sure, sounds good.  You know what I like,” Gator replied, reluctantly releasing her.  For a moment, he almost offered to go with her, when he had an idea.  “I’m gunna shower while you’re out, kay?” he said, nodding toward the stairs.

“Okay, I’ll be back soon,” Win said, thinking nothing of it.  Brushing a kiss to his cheek as she slipped around him, she grabbed her keys and shoved her feet in her boots before heading out the door, shrugging her coat on as she went.

Gator waited for her to back out of the drive before pulling his phone from his pocket and climbing the stairs.  Scrolling through his contacts, he found the one he wanted, though he’d only used it once before.

As uncomfortable as this call would be for him, if Win wasn’t going to do it, he would.  For her sake.

Dialling the number, Gator took a deep breath and brought the phone to his ear, each shrill ring twisting his gut tighter, but by the time he reached the second floor landing, however, the line clicked and a voice answered hesitantly.  

“Hello?  Who is this?”  

For a moment, Gator was so shocked that Win’s father had picked up that he couldn’t make his voice work.

“Hello?” David Lewis repeated more firmly.

“Uh, hey,” Gator blurted out, pausing to wet his lips.  “It’s Gator… Tillman.  I know this is gunna come outta the blue, but I kind of… need a favour.”

There was a heavy pause before the other man spoke.  “And why the hell would I want to do any favours for you?”

Gator winced, but he wasn’t exactly surprised by his father-in-law’s cold response.  David was clearly still less than pleased that he hadn’t found out about the wedding till after the fact, and even less pleased about Gator’s… less than savoury past.

“Cause it’s not for me, it’s for Win,” he said, hoping that might change his mind.  While there was no love lost between father and son-in-law, the man still cared for his daughter, even if he often had a poor way of showing it.

“So why isn’t she the one calling me, then?” David scoffed and Gator had to fight back a sarcastic laugh.

“Cause she’s stubborn like that.”

David grunted in agreement, but didn’t speak, and Gator took the opening and ran with it.

“Look, I know you’re not my biggest fan, but I just want her to be happy, and doing this for her might just go a long way towards getting the two of yeh back on speaking terms.”

Gator waited, hoping David would take the bait.

There was another long stretch of silence before David sighed.  “Alright.  What do you need from me?” 

Gator’s lips tugged into a cautious grin.

“Do you still have a copy of her mom’s Christmas cookie recipe?”

“Gator!  Dot and Scotty are here!  Are you coming down?”

Win’s shout from the bottom of the stairs roused Gator with a jolt and he sat up, blinking blearily in the dim bedroom before finally focusing on the numbers of the digital clock on the nightstand, surprised that Win was already awake and up.  Running a hand through his hair to tidy it, he slipped out of bed and quickly threw on some clothes before heading down.

The strong smell of fresh coffee filled the kitchen and Win handed him a cup as soon as he entered the room.

“Here, just the way you like it.”

“You’re an angel,” Gator murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple before bringing the cup to his lips for a sip, banishing the chill that had gripped him since leaving their warm bed.

“Morning sleepy head,” Dot chuckled, grinning at him as she dropped her tote bag of baking supplies on the counter, a floral patterned apron already tied round her waist.

“Mornin’,” he echoed, flashing her a rueful grin in return.

“Hey Gator, are you gunna help us bake cookies?” Scotty asked hopefully, perching herself atop one of the stools lining the marble island.

“Yeah sure, as long as we can make a certain recipe,” he replied, hiding his smirk in his cup so Win wouldn’t see.

“We were already plannin’ on making oatmeal raisin, y’know,” Dorothy pointed out, but Gator shook his head.

“Actually, I was thinking ‘bout this one,” he replied, pulling a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and sliding it across the counter to Win.

A puzzled frown creased her brow as she picked it up to unfold it, her eyes flicking curiously to Gator before returning to the paper.  Her mother’s distinctive graceful scrawl stared back at her and her eyes widened.

“Oh my God,” she breathed, gaping at the page as tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision.

“What is it, hon?” Dot asked, moving closer to get a better look.

“It’s– it’s my mom’s recipe, the one I was telling you I couldn’t find,” Win explained faintly, hastily wiping the dampness from her eyes before her head snapped up to fix Gator with a questioning look.  

“Where did you get this?” she asked, and Gator shrugged, biting back a grin.

“I have my ways,” he said simply, his lips twitching with amusement.

An incredulous smile spread across Win’s face and she threw her arms around his neck, practically jumping into his arms before kissing him breathlessly.

Dot watched the heartwarming display before shaking her head fondly and turning back to her daughter.  “Hey Scotty, why don’t we start getting out the ingredients we need?” she suggested in a hushed voice, ushering the girl toward the pantry to give the couple some privacy.

“I can’t believe you did that for me,” Win exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion, only guessing at the lengths Gator must have gone to to retrieve the recipe for her.

Gator let out a soft laugh and lowered Win back to her feet, though his hold on her didn’t loosen.  The tip of his nose brushed hers as his eyes searched her flushed face.  “Don’t you know by now?  I’d do anything for ya, Winnie.”

Win bit her lip, her hands moving to cup Gator’s cheeks before she raised her chin, pressing her lips to his once more, softer this time, kissing him slowly.

“I’m starting to get the picture,” she breathed, unable to stop grinning.

“Good,” Gator said, pulling back, though his hands lingered at her waist.  “Now, let’s get bakin’, cause I wanna taste these famous cookies of yours.”

➼ taglist. @super-unpredictable98 @heartbreak-sandwich @sailorskunk @emperorpookie @professionalpromqueen

@thecreelhouse @girlwiththerubyslippers @buckysgrace

[whore4hockeymen]

Cupcakes

~Jack Hughes~

the loml 😍

TW: a little swearing, kinda heated towards the end

Word Count: 1239

It was July 7, and you were in the kitchen with Jack making cupcakes for his mother’s birthday which was the next day. You had known the Hughes’ family since you were little, so Ellen was pretty much your second mother. Jack and his brothers had come down to Michigan to celebrate their mom’s birthday, and you had roped Jack to come to your little apartment for some baking.

“Do you have eggs?” Jack asked, peeking into your fridge. You stood at the counter in front of the laid out ingredients, “Of course I have eggs,” you replied.

Jack hummed, “Really? ‘Cuz I’m not seeing anything particularly egg looking in here.” You scoffed and walked over, nudging him out of the way and looking into my fridge, which did not have a lot of contents.

“Dammit, did I really forget eggs?” you complained, shutting the fridge, “It’s fine, I’ll just go ask the neighbors for some.”

Jack snickered, “Unprepared, as usual.” You smacked him in the shoulder and walked out of the door. The old lady next door kindly gave you two eggs and you went back to your apartment.

You were greeted with the sight of Jack wearing your frilly pink apron you got as a joke a while ago, inscripted on it in cursive as ‘World’s Sexiest Baker’. You stifled a laugh and Jack turned around with a smile, “You like?” he asked, twirling it around.

“It looks better on you than it does on me,” you replied, setting the eggs onto the counter. “Alright do you want to get started on the cupcake part and I can do the frosting?”

Jack nodded and peered at the recipe you printed out on a piece of paper. You settled yourself on the other section of the counter and started to mix together the ingredients to the frosting recipe that you knew by heart. It was a comfortable silence as the two of you worked, the occasional sentence exchanged here and there. Soon enough, the cupcakes were in the oven and the frosting was in the fridge.

You dusted off your hands and turned around to face Jack, “Want to watch a movie while we wait?” you asked.

However, Jack didn’t respond, he was staring at something on your face with a lopsided smile, “You’ve got some frosting on your cheek.” You rolled your eyes and swiped your hand against your cheek, but nothing came off. “No, not that one, here.”

Your eyes widened slightly as he stepped closer, you could smell his minty breath from the gum he chewed a while ago. Your heart started to beat faster, is it too late to mention that you were madly in love with your best friend? It felt like time slowed as he reached his hand out and swiped a thumb across your cheek. Frosting was on his finger that he drew away, but he didn’t stop there. It was like you were in a trance as you watched him then pop his finger into his mouth, tasting the frosting. You were definitely blushing.

“That was pretty good,” he said with a smile, still very close to you. You both stared at each other for a moment, a weird tension starting to fill the air. You broke it by turning around, “Of course it is, I made it.”

Jack laughed and you made your way to the couch, trying to will the redness away from your cheeks. Sitting on the couch, you put on a random movie, but you couldn’t pay attention to what was going on. The scene kept replaying in your mind over and over, it also didn’t help that Jack had an arm lazily draped behind you on the couch.

A few hours later, the cupcakes were out of the oven and cooled. The two of you stood in front of the multitude of dessert that was on the counter, piping bags filled with frosting in hand, “Ok so watch what I do,” you said, turning your focus to frosting a cupcake, creating a perfect spiral.

Jack attempted to copy you, but it didn’t work out very well, “I suck ass at this.” You laughed, “You’ll get a hang of it.”

As you two both kept frosting cupcakes, Jack slowly started to improve and you fell into a nice rhythm. That is, until you heard Jack groan, you looked over to see frosting covering his hand, “Goddammit.”

You laughed, “How did you manage to do that?” He shrugged and looked around for something to wipe his hand off, unfortunately there were no rags in sight.

“Guess I’ll just have to use something else,” he said and turned to you with a smirk. Your eyes widened as he lunged towards you, wiping the frosting on his hand all over your face. You gasped as he stood there triumphantly.

“You are going to pay for that,” you said, picking up a cupcake and smushing it into his face, the remains falling onto the ground. He laughed in disbelief, “Oh it is on.”

You shrieked as he grabbed another handful of frosting, but you were ready and dodged his hand, running away. He chased you around the counter and into the dining room, you tried to use the chairs to block his path but it was no use. You skidded down the hall, running to the bathroom with the idea to lock yourself inside. However, you felt a strong arm wrap around your waist and drag you back. You screamed as Jack used his other hand to spread the frosting on your face, even in your hair.

He eventually let you go and you turned around to face him, taking in the sight of cupcakes and frosting all over him. You both broke into a fit of laughter, you had to lean into his shoulder and clutch your stomach, you were laughing so hard. Soon though, the laughter died down and something else replaced the air. You looked up at him, he stared at you with an intense look in his eyes. His Adam’s apple bobbed and you watched as he licked his bottom lip.

You couldn’t breathe as he took a hand and placed it under your chin, tilting your face up. Your heart was beating so loud, you were sure that he could hear it. He got closer to your face, your lips barely brushing against each other. You couldn’t take it anymore, you closed the distance, fully pressing your lips to his. He immediately wrapped a hand around your waist and drew you close, your own hands wrapping around his neck. He tasted like the vanilla frosting you made and you assumed you tasted the same. The kiss was soft at first, but it soon got more and more deep. You nipped at his bottom lip and he groaned, tightening his hold on you. He suddenly drew away, but his attack didn’t stop. His lips traveled down your jaw and your neck. You shivered as he licked some frosting that was on your neck.

“Jack,” you whispered breathlessly. He made his way back up to your lips and pressed a softer kiss to them. He smiled and rested his head against your forehead, absentmindedly drawing shapes on your hip.

“Yeah those cupcakes do taste pretty good,” he said, licking his lips. You rolled your eyes and drew him back in for another kiss.

You couldn’t agree more.

[doctorofinhumaneletters]

First Steps

by the Doctor of Inhumane Letters

Chapter 1

Thursday. Red day.

The red box in the breakroom fridge already lay ransacked, and Friday’s clear box was still at home. This week Ashlee was trying baked chicken thighs. Half a dozen chicken thighs were about ten bucks. One she ate Sunday night, to make sure her recipe worked, then packed up five copies for the week. Today, though, might be a two-lunch day. The call with mom had interrupted breakfast.

“ Hey honey, I just wanted to say hi.”

“Hi, mom. I’m just getting ready for work.”

“What’s on the menu today? Did you get those chicken recipes I sent you?”

“Yeah, they’re great. I’m trying one every day.” Technically true. Trying one. Every day. But it made mom happy to hear, even if it did elicit two minutes of food reviews. Ashlee watched the seconds march past on her watch.

“What are you doing at work today?”

“Oh, we have two bids due today for the Interior Department. We’re just finishing them up.” That was what Stetson Logistics’ Deputy Chief Counsel was up to today -- renewing a 90-day contract for stationery at a Bureau of Land Reclamation division. Mom always liked to hear the full name of the Cabinet office, the same way Deputy Chief Counsel sounded like a good job for a University of VIrginia law grad. More so, at least, than one of two lawyers churning out boilerplate for paper and toner to feed the Federal machine.

8:05:30, 8:05:31, 8:05:32 … flashing remonstrations growing ever more urgent. She couldn’t concentrate on leaving with mom on the phone. 10 minute walk to the train station. The timetables scrolled through Ashlee’s mind. The burbling stream of mom’s chatter was incrementally sweeping away breakfast options. There’s still time to buy a sandwich and coffee. Flash, flash, chatter, still time if there was no line and she ran. She was counting down to grab and go coffee when it came.

“So, any news on the marriage front? Have you met anyone special yet?"

Ashlee tensed up. She knew this question was coming. "Uh, no, Mom, not yet," she said, trying to sound casual. At least this signaled the imminent end of the conversation.

"Well, you know, dear, you're not getting any younger.”

“Thanks mom. Neither are you!” Like the preamble on one of Stetson’s contracts, this little back and forth almost always passed between them. The call had wound down and Ashlee had left with time for coffee, and a roll if the line was short.

It was never short. Coffee had clawed at her empty stomach. She'd wolfed down lunch in the breakroom before ten, and her crossed eyes struggled for a foothold on the bid she was reviewing. If she hurried, she could get out for her actual break. She was leaning back rubbing her eyes when Sarah crossed over from Admin.

“Hey, Ash!”

“Just 15 more minutes, Sarah. I’m making myself finish this before lunch.”

Sarah dismissed this with a wave of her hand. “Every secretary at BLR has the flu. If we sent it today, It would just sit in the inbox and we’d never see it again. This is just a social call”

“Well let me finish so it can sit in yours.” This sneaked out with more acid than she intended. Ever since college, Sarah had been able to carve out chat time.

“Screw you, Ash!” laughed Sarah. “What’s eating you?”

“Mom again,” Ashlee sighed. “She hosed my morning.”

“Did the ‘M’ word come up again?” asked Sarah, coming right to the point.

“Of course.”

Sarah smiled evilly. “Just tell her you’re gay. That would put a stop to it.”

Ashlee grimaced. The vision of that conversation played on fast-forward behind her eyes. “If I tried it, she would dig in. When she found out I wasn’t joking, she’d rip me a new one, then she’d never talk to me again.”

The smile grew eviller. “Sounds like it would solve all your problems, then.” Ashlee opened her mouth to snap back, but Sarah filled the space: “Let's get out of here. Nothing’s going on.”

"Are you serious? It's almost … Jesus, it's 12:45 already! God, I'm starving!"

"I'm getting my purse. Come on, girl!"

Ashlee finished the bid. It actually only took ten minutes, and five of those were accompanied by Sarah staring out the window and swinging her purse in a meaningful manner. It was a clear, bright day in Washington, and if work was coming to a standstill at Stetson, Sarah's impatience was understandable. All things considered, Ashlee could just about justify a late lunch.

The elevator carried them down the three floors to where it disgorged the pair onto H Street. Sarah strode purposefully up the sidewalk, half a step ahead of Ashlee. She and Sarah knew that Ashlee had a hard time saying no to Sarah, and they had agreed years ago that Sarah would limit how many times she dragged Ashlee somewhere. Consequently, when it happened, Sarah was serious about it.

Sarah followed her phone into a hole-in-the-wall Greek place, with Ashlee still trailing a close third. A tall, slim, dark girl waved them to a table. Ashlee’s finger trickled down the menu till it found moussaka. She pointedly laid the menu down, folded her hands over it, crossed her legs, sat up straight and fixed Sarah with a stare.

Rather, she tried to. Sarah’s right hand was languidly holding her menu, while her left hung by the pinky nail from her teeth. Her eyes were scanning the middle distance over Ashlee’s left shoulder. Oh, no, thought Ashlee, she’s planning something.

Ashlee guessed right. Apropos of nothing in particular, Sarah, asked, “You wanna get laid?”

Briefly taken aback, Ashlee rallied. “With you? No way!”

No reaction. Still chewing her pinky, Sarah inclined her head forward slowly, eyes still tracking something behind Ashlee.

“Her.”

Risking a glance, Ashlee saw the waitress. She was bussing tables, but she took a moment to smile back and gesture “one minute”. “Sarah!” hissed Ashley. “Are you crazy? Is that why we’re here?”

“Yeah.” Her hands dropped and she leaned in. “That girl is a catch. Sweet as soda pop, tall, skinny, pretty, and one thousand percent gay, I'm sure. I almost wanna fuck her myself.” She thumbed her phone, and a moment later Ashlee’s buzzed. “When she comes over here, you are going to say that.”

Ashlee read the text. “No goddamn way!” But she knew it was hopeless. She had followed Sarah’s smirk to dozens of clubs, camping trips, and a host of other places she hardly ever regretted. Sarah’s ideas usually turned out mostly fine, even though this one might be a little rich for her blood. Sarah leaned back, and the smirk was there again, declaring her triumph.

Only seconds remained to prepare. If she was going to do this, she had to go in full throttle. The girl came up. The nametag read “Felicity”. Ashlee mustered up all the charm she could and smiled at her.

"Hi, um Felicity, I'm Ashlee. Can I ask you a question?" she said, trying to sound as casual as possible. She avoided the glare she knew was coming from Sarah.

Felicity looked at Ashlee with a curious expression. "Sure, what's up?"

"I was just wondering if you could recommend something on the menu. I'm in the mood for something light and refreshing, something I can really get my tongue around .”

Time froze. Sarah was quivering with anticipation. Felicity’s tan face was brightening in a blush. Ashlee had never prayed so hard for death.

[brokenmusicboxwolfe]

A rest day….

Wakes up before dawn. Pain. or rather PAIN! as I struggle to walk to the bathroom.

Lies awake a few hours, hurting, hurting, then thinking of things to worry about, like “OMG, what if a line goes on the boat during this storm”

Sleeps.

11:45 am!!! NO!!!!!

PAIN!!! Rushes to get my feet bound up. Rushes isa bit slow when you are hobbled. I can barely put any weight at all on my bad ankle, but the animals need food. I am spared their grumpiness at my lateness by the rain.

I tear everything off my bad foot and try to call Mom. An aide is giving her a bath. At least the hour gives me a chance to brush my hair, eat, brush my teeth….

Breakfast. Or is it lunch after noon? One of the pumpkin bagels, I baked a few days ago, some stewed grapes I got from a recipe (deseeding made it not worth it), canned pears (couldn’t afford non-Ryoga related fresh fruit yesterday), but I forgot the cheese.

Rebinds up the foot. I must have done something right because instead of PAIN! it’s only pain!. Does chores, stupid chores.

There are things to do at Mom’s house, including hauling in the trash can before the storm topples it. Gets the mail out of the box, and finds another damn People magazine. I can’t get the company to stop sending the stupid things, and I have less than zero interest in gossip about celebrities, or should I say “celebrities” ‘cause 75% of these people I haven’t heard of anyway. I don’t shield it from the rain.

I sit on the porch to call Mom, bad foot unwrapped again and propped up on the back of the bench, droplets from the heavy rain misting me. We talk for about an hour. I tell her about yesterday, moan about my pain, talk about news stories, and tell her the story of the latest What We Do In the Shadows **that I watched. Finally she is struggling to hold her phone, so we have to say goodbye.

Determined to rest my damn sore ankle, I go lie down in the bedroom with my stuff.

I listen to the rain in the dark a couple minutes before turning on a lantern to read from one of the magazines from the days when I used to read tons. It turns out to be a copy of Film Comment, and I end up reading one on Ingmar Bergman’s legacy.

I pop in my earbuds to listen to music while I read, and it starts off with a track from Terminator (the flashback/dream of life in the future human hideouts) then shuffle gives me Green Day.

Yeah, Wake me when September ends indeed. I’m lying on the bed my parents slept in until Pop died, surrounded by my things where 99% are from when Pop was alive and before Mom’s stroke took her away from here. It’s been 9 yrs since Pop died, and Mom’s stoke was five years ago. I think anyway. Time is getting blurry and squishy, and with Mom I spent about two years thinking she would get to come home. I’m feeling the grief.

Then the rain falls so hard I can’t hear the music.

I need to go do something, feel useful and not get all sad again. The storm is getting heavy, but I drive back to the house with electricity. The radio is on and Don’t Fear the Reaper is playing. Of course.

UPS finally brought the dog meds. And of course they left it out in the rain on the trunk of the broken down car. They never go up to the house, and though I asked one UPS driver to put packages in the car, there seems to be a different driver every time. Leaving a package out in the rain during a tropical storm makes sense if you don’t give a damn, and why would they?

I make jelly from some of the grapes, and juice some more. I discover that the surejell no longer contains the instruction sheet with ratios of sugar snd juice, so it’s Google time. And the jars have no sticker sheets like they used to, so I won’t be able to label them.

This is NOT resting my foot! All this boiling, preparing jars, cooking juice, and such…I have to stand in the kitchen to do it. But I get it done, seven jars of jelly.

I remember I will have to wash all this later, walking around on my stupid feet and ankles, and boy have I made a mess.

Time to feed the animals. The dogs stay safely in their houses, the cats are fed on the porch, and then there is Ryoga. I stand in the rain holding my umbrella over him while I get soaked. Pigs hate rain, but it’s a bit absurd.

More juicing, and now I tear the screen on the filter so now I have to get seeds out.

The sun about to set, the swim dilemma arrives. I always swim without missing a day until I stop for the year, but this year I went to take care of Mom during swimming season. I feel like I haven’t swum enough yet.

Reasons against: The water cools very fast, so has already gotten dangerously cold. (my infamous “hypothermic cardiac event” has made my super vulnerable) Yesterday it was painful to get in. Almost worse, I’ll have to walk to the pool, with no ankle braces or boots. That’s a looong way out there.

Reasons for: I LOVE swimming and now every day might be my last. I had made a goal to swim until the start of autumn, and I am so dang close. I love swimming during a tropical storm. Did I mention I LOVE swimming???

I go swimming. Pain. Cold. Something falls near the pool. More cold. I push things, swimming across the bottom with the cold stinging. The pain walking back gets over shadowed by the “cold wobblies”. Yikes.

Okay, so swimming now might not be wise, but I’m glad I went. I am also cold.

And have more grapes to juice.

And supper to cook.

and OMG my feet and ankles hurt!

Yeah, I dunno if I exactly rested my problems with my feet and and ankles. But by my standards it counts. I mean, I didn’t have the ankle brace and boot rubbing at the sore for most of the day for the first time since May!

Oh no, is that a sore throat? What’s with the sudden sneezing. And I feel like I’m coming down with something, like a fever creeping up….

Well, if I do get sick maybe THEN I will stay off my bad foot long enough for it to heal!

**I had the first two seasons on DVD, but have finally given up that they will release more. I can’t afford streaming, so I went with “other means”. With my internet it’s an endurance test to get through, but both of us enjoy the show. If only my brother had a place to watch it among the approximately one zillion services they subscribe to I would have watch some of it with Mom back in June.

[withlovelica]

leche flan

Hello from my somewhat sunny room.

Newsflash: it did not rain today! or yet because it is only 4 pm and who knows what tonight may hold for those of us who are obsessed with weather. I check the forecast on my phone regularly. Am I the only one who does that? Anyway, the mere sight of sun made me happy. Thank you, Lord. :)

LECHE FLAN. The whole purpose of this post to begin with.

Before I continue, the reason for the recipe was because Spanish friends of my father will be coming over for dinner tomorrow and this Filipino delicacy was for the dessert. Although, I think there is a Spanish counterpart for this sweet thing. They call it Tocino del Cielo, but the twist that we are presenting this with is the Halo Halo. Ha! I do not think they have that, do they?

That post will be for tomorrow.

AGAIN, LECHE FLAN.

It is your typical flan - a delicious amalgam of egg yolks, milk, sugar and vanilla extract baked in pan called llanera.

What makes ours different is that it is steamed over a stovetop instead of it being baked inside the oven. Again, is that something uniquely Filipino? If you happen to chance upon my post and you are not from my country, tell me how you prepare you flan. I am curious.

I got my recipe from Panlasang Pinoy hahahaha. My go-to cooking bible. He is just good. I trust his Filipino recipes. He knows what he is doing.

________________________

Leche Flan recipe by Panlasang Pinoy

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 45 minutes | Yield: for three people

Ingredients

5 pieces eggs

0.5 can condensed milk (14 oz)

0.5 cup fresh milk or evaporated milk

0.5 cup granulated sugar

0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Using all the eggs, separate the yolk from the egg white (only egg yolks will be used).

Place the egg yolks in a big bowl then beat them using a fork or an egg beater

Add the condensed milk and mix thoroughly

Pour-in the fresh milk and Vanilla. Mix well

Put the mold (llanera) on top of the stove and heat using low fire

Put-in the granulated sugar on the mold and mix thoroughly until the solid sugar turns into liquid (caramel) having a light brown color. Note: Sometimes it is hard to find a Llanera (Traditional flan mold) depending on your location. I find it more convenient to use individual Round Pans in making leche flan.

Spread the caramel (liquid sugar) evenly on the flat side of the mold

Wait for 5 minutes then pour the egg yolk and milk mixture on the mold

Cover the top of the mold using an Aluminum foil

Steam the mold with egg and milk mixture for 30 to 35 minutes.

After steaming, let the temperature cool down then refrigerate

Serve for dessert. Share and Enjoy!

(sorry, I just copy pasted it hehe)

that darn cat, Pocket.

Have you ever seen anything like this? It's my mom's steamer! Instead of a stovetop, I placed the leche flan inside and waited for 30 minutes. :) It's a brilliant piece of art.

and, voila!

Yup, I was the one who took a bite off that thing. I do not understand why the edges are jagged though? I was using a spoon.

That's it for now.

I will post how I added this to another Filipino dessert called the Halo Halo. Are you excited? you better be! haha kidding.

Bye.

[thewholecrew]

@headstrongblake: alec & nick. / verse: all american.

alec's eyes brightened when nick laughed, talking about his mom and how she would do the same. alec giggled, "see, some would say to keep a note book in the kitchen to write down your recipes but it's much more fun to look through them when they're written on all kinds of things, gives them more character!" by the time alec was in highschool though his grandma had lost most, if not all her vision so a lot of the last recipes he had from her he'd written down himself. he too found himself writing on random pieces of paper, napkins, cardboard. he'd been her hands, whether in baking or cooking or gardening near the end but it didn't stop her from participating, giving it her special touch. alec couldn't help but laugh again at nick's answer, nodding, "that will work," he promised playfully before he tilted his head, "so, you used to bake with your mom then?" he asked gently with a smile as he rolled the oatmeal cookies into balls before placing them on the pan, evenly spaced out.

"what would you guys make?" he couldn't help but ask, not only because alec wished to know a bit more about nick but also he always loved hearing what people enjoyed to cook or bake or plant. often times it would inspire him to try it himself and he also loved swapping recipes and stories, it just was one of the ways he found he could connect with people and he adored it. his cheeks grew warm and rosy as he realized how rare a moment like this was with nick. they didn't often hang out just the two of them without kassy or octavia or rev in the mix, and while the three were definitely around, in and out of his home, they were busy doing their own things. at nick's agreement, alec nodded, handing him the bag of sugar as his smile brightened, "mhm! i thought so too! octavia was showing me some ideas on how to put some of the pages together, like adding the recipes but also pictures and pressed flowers to make it... like a keepsake and a cookbook."

nick's comment about the dough had him giggle once again, eyes shining, "yeah?" he asked playfully as he grinned, "ah, you're more than welcome to try the dough! kassy always says the dough is better than the cookie," he began before glancing around as his voice got a bit quieter, "but i think its because she has too much dough so then she's too full for cookies," he confessed playfully before watching as nick tried one of the fresh gingerbread men. hands clasped together happily as nick enjoyed it, cheeks turning rosy again at the compliment. bashfully, he shrugged, "oh! thank you, but really it's all thanks to my gran, she really taught me everything i know... if you really like the gingerbread i could give you a copy of the recipe!"

@thewholecrew: alec & nicklas | all american universe

while nick had grown used to christmas being shoved in his face these past four years with octavia, after many years of distancing himself from his childhood christmas, he's sure they've never done it like this. the girls planning an extravagant christmas party that's sure to fill his home much like the decorations already have. if he didn't know any better, he was sure that some new decorations for the festivities were strewn about every day he came home. despite outwardly denying it, this is exactly how he wanted his home to be. an inviting space for his people to enjoy themselves together. after everything they've been through, all he wants is for them to be happy together. it's why he had no issues with alec taking over his kitchen for the baking kassy surely asked for. why he tried to make himself scarce throughout the day to give alec the space he'd need to bake.

but after ensuring the yard and walkways were cleared and ready for any mingling guests outside, nick couldn't help himself. alec's baking made his entire house smell like heaven, and in the pit of his stomach, a warm sensation spread. as he walked into the kitchen, a soft smile pulled at his lips, watching alec bake. the smell. the image. the entire kitchen and all the christmas decorations. this all reminded him of home with his mom and sister.

nick really wasn't going to linger in the kitchen. he had only come in to wash his hands before sauntering off to his office to comb through some work before changing for the party. still, when alec offered him a cookie, his plan swiftly changed, offering to help alec instead. after rolling up his sleeves, nick joined beside alec, taking the recipe on a makeshift christmas card with a soft laugh. "sounds like my ma, she was always scribbling down notes and recipes on whatever she could find," nick remembered fondly, ignoring jacob's berating voice in his mind that would shout at katherine for her doodles he'd call them. "i use to bake some," he shrugged, looking over the spread alec had everywhere. "nothing like you, but i know my way around a kitchen or two," nick added with a wink before he set off to work on the sugar cookies.

as alec chattered on about kassy and octavia, nick chuckled quietly to himself. "that's a good idea y'know, keep everything organized and protected," he agreed. there were one too many times when samantha had been pouring in some ingredients and instead ended up soaking the counter and his mom's recipe. though it never did seem to bother his mother. "hey if you need someone to eat some of the dough, you just say the word alec, i've got you covered," he grinned before plucking one of the warm gingerbread into his mouth. it practically melted in his mouth as he glanced over at alec. "okay my mom was a good baker, the best i thought, but she ain't got nothin' on you, alec."

[linphd]

Taking care of their baby alone | Headcanons

gender neutral

-> It had been around 6 months your baby was born, but it was the first time he had to take care of them alone, you being ready to return to your hero paperwork.

-> (S/N) is son’s name and (D/N) is daughter’s name. Obviously, the students are adults and pros.

-> Denki Kaminari, Katsuki Bakugou, Shoto Todoroki.

Denki Kaminari

Denki ? Alone with a baby ? Of course he was panicking ! He couldn’t even take care of himself ! « You’re old enough to make and have a baby, you’re old enough to take care of one. » you had told him in response to his whines.

And here he was, sitting (S/N) on his lap while staring at him. « It’s so funny how I love you so much and you didn’t even do anything, right ? » he asked the toddler. He snorted at the lack of emotion in the baby’s eyes, and decided to change to some baby channel on TV.

« Here ! Cool music, right ? See ? » he said, turning the kid so he could face the TV. « Little cats ! Mio, Mao, Mio, Mao, lalalalala ! » he started singing. But his son groaned. « Awwwn, you don’t like it ? But it was your dad/mom’s favorite baby show when they were a little baby just like you ! » he explained.

But then he understood why (S/N) groaned. « Oh. You pooped. » He made a disgusted face, but he changed him anyways. After all, he had trained with Kirishima and Sero to be the fastest diaper changer, so he was kind of an expert at changing diapers.

But after that, (S/N) started crying. « Nooooo ! What do you have ? » Denki whined, hugging his son. But then he got an idea. He would sing him a song from his childhood ! … but he wasn’t really inspired right now, so the only thing that came out was :

« It’s a piece of cake to bake a pretty cake- » and unfortunately, this only made the poor baby cry louder. « Noooo, I’m sorry dadda’s stupid ! » Denki whined again. « I’m a bad dadda ! » he hugged his son closer. « You laugh the most when I’m dumb from my quirk on TV… OH. » He was a genius !

He quickly went to the living room again, looking for an extract where he got dumb on TV. « See ? It’s me ! It’s dadda when he overused his quirk ! » he said, imitating himself with his thumbs up. And just like that, (S/N)’s tears made place to laughters.

Katsuki Bakugou

Katsuki was nothing but confident about taking care of his baby alone. (S/N) was an exact copy of him, after all. And he knew how to take care of himself ! « Too bad you’re feeling down today, you won’t have a perfect day with daddy. » he said, picking him up.

Indeed, (S/N) had been kinda sick during the night and had thrown up a few times. His forehead was still warm today, so Katsuki was being careful. « I’m gonna bake a cake for mommy/daddy, you better not throw up when I do that ! » he said, babywearing him on his stomach and hips.

Katsuki allowed his son to taste some melted chocolate from the recipe, but that was all. He ended up falling asleep while his father baked, and the blonde thought he was an expert at being a dad… until (S/N) woke up.

Luckily, he was in his crib, because he threw up and started crying. Katsuki went to pick him up and kiss his forehead. « Shhhh » he kept saying. Once (S/N) wasn’t crying anymore -but still with teary eyes- the man took off his clothes to put him in pyjamas instead. « Clean clothes ! All good. »

Still, his son looked very sad. « I hope it’s not the little taste of chocolate I gave you earlier. » he said, laying next to his kid, looking at him. « You’re the cutest little shit, I’m gonna take care of you forever. » he murmured. « Hey. I know something that made me laugh. Maybe it will make you laugh too. »

Katsuki remembered that time Camie made an illusion of Shoto and it had made him laugh hysterically. So, he stood up and said « I wanna see your cute face » looking (S/N) right into his eyes. The toddler laughed so much he rolled on his back on the couch and… threw up again… from laughter this time.

« Ohhhh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry ! » the blonde said, picking up yet again his toddler full of vomit. Luckily, he wasn’t crying this time. « It’s okay, we’re gonna take a bath so you’ll be all clean when mom/dad comes back. » he said, taking his son to the bathroom. Yep. Being a dad was so easy.

Shoto Todoroki

Shoto seemed confident to take care of his daughter without you in the house to arrive in case something happens. So you had left happily. In reality he was absolutely terrified. Sure, he had seen you taking care of (D/N). But it was his only example !

The little girl didn’t seem to mind that you were gone, which was a good start. Shoto only had to change her and play a bit with cubes with her, and then he got bored of it so he decided to bring a little baby illustration book. « See ? A cat. Meow » he started.

(D/N) mostly looked at him rather than the book. She was very young, after all. But one page caught her attention. Shoto pointed to a prince. « Prince. He has a nice costume. » he said, talking as if she understood. But she actually poked the illustration, touching her father’s hand.

« Oh ? You like it ? » Shoto remembered about his Halloween costume you had kept ; a prince outfit. He took his daughter and went upstairs, changing. When he was fully costumed, he heard her squeal and she grabbed her feet. He snorted. « You’re adorable ! » he said, picking her up.

They went back downstairs and Shoto put on some baby songs and cartoons on TV. He didn’t know if she really cared or understood, but she stayed calm the whole afternoon. After giving her food, making funny noises and having to eat some baby food to make her accept to eat everything, Shoto hugged her to sleep.

When you arrived back home, you found them on the couch, (D/N) sleeping in her father’s arms. « I’m back ! Was she nice ? » you asked. Shoto nodded. « She’s really well-behaved for a baby. » he replied, making you giggle.

« And you’re wearing your Halloween costume ? » you asked, a bit confused. « We played dress-up ! » he replied, making you giggle -how could you have not guessed ?! Seeing you happy about how he took care of (D/N), Shoto thought that taking care of a baby alone wasn’t so bad, after all.

[willowcrowned]

I like to bake, can we please get the apple cake recipe?

Sure!

This cake is a not-too-sweet recipe that my mom resorts to as her default on holidays as it's parve (dairy free!), and easily altered to work for most solid fruits you have too much of. (She's planning to get rid of a bunch of hard pears with it next week). According to her, she got it from a website a decade or so ago (which has since taken the page down) but she wrote the recipe in a word doc, which I’ve copied here

Apple Cake

(makes two 9x5 inch loaves (or one decently-sized cake in a bundt tin, if you're me))

Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

1¼ cups canola or safflower oil

¾ cup dark rum

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

4 Granny Smith* or other tart apples, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped**

1 cup raisins

1 cup currants

*I used honeycrisp, since that's what we had, and I think the mellower, sweeter flavor really worked with the rum, cinnamon, and cardamom

**I ended up only using about 2.5 cups of shredded apple (which I pressed a fair amount of water out of before I added) and that gave the cake a really lovely soft, moist texture, but the dominant flavor was definitely the rum. One could probably sub apple brandy and apple cider for half the rum and get an applier flavor—or, if you don't like an alcoholic flavor, use only apple cider, but I've not experimented with that so I can't tell you how it would go. My mother tells me that she usually adds the whole four and a half cups of apple and ends up with that super extra moist sticks-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth almost-underbaked sort of cake (which she likes and I don't), but she also gets a much more apple-y flavor.

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Grease and lightly flour two 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pans (or one bundt tin if you're me) and set aside.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt in a large bowl and stir to mix.

Cream together the sugar, eggs, oil, rum, and vanilla in a separate bowl with an electric mixer.

Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir just until the dry ingredients are moist and blended. Do not over-mix.

Put the apples in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade and pulse several times; you should have 4 to 4½ cups processed apples. Add the apples, raisins, and currants to the batter and stir until just blended. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.

Bake 1 to 1¼ hours,* until the breads have risen, the tops are slightly cracked, and a toothpick inserted in the center of each loaf comes out clean. (Note: This is a very dense, moist loaf.)

Let rest for 10 to 15 minutes before removing from the pans. 

*I ended up baking it for an hour in my single tin and it came out perfect. Baking time definitely grows exponentially the more apple you add.

[solarpire]

I'm posting about it

So my dads birthday was the other day and they wanted rum cake, so I said I'd make it for them.

We have a recipe from my grandma (moms side) that's really good, but the card has faded a lot over the years, so they just copied all of the info onto a new card and left it for me.

Day of, I'm making this cake and being careful to be SO exact bc we only got the one box of cake mix and I cant run out and get another if I fuck it up, so I am sticking so very carefully to every direction on this card (I do add just a touch of vanilla though bc I think a little vanilla enhances any baked good) so I finish mixing the batter, and the first 2 things pop up as red flags:

1. There is enough batter now that I have to transfer to a different mixing bowl

2. The batter keeps wanting to separate

So, not looking good. I double check, triple check, scan every inch of the card for something I might have fucked up but I followed it perfectly. So? I guess this is right. Not like I could fix whatever I did wrong at this point. So I mix it together one last time, pour it in the bundt, and throw it in the oven.

I'm chill, I'm making the glaze, it fucks like hell, whatever.

I go to pull the cake out and red flag number 3 pops up:

Though the cake looks solid, when I pull it out liquid comes pouring out of the bottom (it's a 2 piece bundt pan, the middle pulls out to make it more easily removable)

Once again, concerned, read the card, still has not changed since the last ten times I looked at it. The cake looks solid enough, so I carefully let the rest of the liquid drain out onto a plate and then continue as usual

Finally pull the cake out of the pan, she looks like this (pre glaze on top)

Which looks, I figured? Fairly normal.

I glaze it, I stick some candles in it. It looks great.

We all sit down to eat it, I warn that it seemed weird but I followed the instructions so idk what's up

My dad eats a whole piece and says it's good bc they dont want me to feel bad

My mom is half asleep and eats it bc it was put in front of her

My sibling eats it bc they are a garbage disposal

I eat it bc my dad said it's normal so I guess its fine??

It tasted more like vegetable oil than it did like rum. We talk about how weird it is a little afterwards, and my dad goes to check the card.

They compare it to the card they had copied it from

They had accidentally misread it. The original card said ⅓ cup of oil

They wrote 3 cups of oil

That is 1/3 cup of oil per slice

My younger sibling ate 2 more pieces

Oh you know what should I post about my rum cake disaster

[greenshirtimagines]

Baking With Bnha Boys (Izu, Todo, Mirio)

A/n: Why do I find headcanons so difficult to write??

(Masterlist)

Izuku

Personally, I don’t think he’d be the worst in the kitchen

He did make Eri that candy apple, after all

He’d be good at following the directions

But

Will definitely overthink things

“‘Zuku, it doesn’t have to be exactly 1 cup-”

“But won’t it mess the recipe up?”

Will probably continuously pour ingredients in and out of the measuring cups trying to make them reach the exact measurements so please stop him

Don’t even let him think about weighing the ingredients I beg of you

Is overprotective of you and will definitely get distracted in making sure you’re wearing oven mitts and ends up burning himself

Go ahead, kiss it better ;)

Don’t tease him about his muscles while he’s mixing, he’ll definitely get flustered and accidently fling ingredients out of the bowl

Then he’ll get flustered when you make him wipe your face off

Once again, it doesn’t matter if you’re baking a layer cake or cookies, he’ll try to make sure they’re exactly the same size

“Alright, time to take them out of they oven”

“But the timer hasn’t gone off yet?”

“It’s okay, this oven tends to bake things pretty quickly”

“Oh okay. Are you sure?”

“It’s literally my oven-”

Is really proud that whatever you baked is tasty, 100% brings some to his mom

Maybe you and his mom can even exchange recipes :)

His mom loves you, by the way

Your biggest shipper

Anyway

He will definitely use it as an excuse to see you again

He still gets embarrassed to ask you out even if you’re dating, but can you really blame him? You’re such a catch

Will also volunteer to wash the dishes for you but please don’t abuse that

Todoroki (+ Family)

You can’t tell me he knows what to do

“What’s a tsp? And why’s it different from a tbsp?”

If you need to melt something, he will probably try to use his fire

Please just tell him to use the microwave

Is very exact in his measurements, but easily accepts it if you say it doesn’t matter too much

Understands that there’s probably a difference between granulated, powdered, dark, and light brown sugar, but doesn’t know what

Thinks he can chill ingredients by using his ice

You have the freezer for a reason, please just make the most of your appliances

“I can try using my fire instead of the oven-”

“It will reduce the electricity cost”

Don’t let him do that either

Just use the oven

Has no clue how to decorate

Anything

Just sort of stands there awkwardly

Ends up trying to copy you but fails

Still, he gets points for effort

Probably doesn’t have a preference between baking or cooking or anything, I think he’d just be happy to spend time with you

Also brings some to his mom

She loves you too

But she especially loves the look in her son’s eyes when he talks about you

If you give him extra he’ll also give some to Fuyumi and Natsuo

Oh look, Biggest shippers number 2 and 3

Fuyumi will definitely invite you over to bake/cook with her

You two definitely bond with each other and she loves hearing you talk about Shouto

It means so much that he has someone in his life like you

Natsuo is banned from the kitchen after interrupting your talk and constantly teasing you about his brother and the wedding date

And stealing too many cookies

Todoroki has a broken family but they’re really fun??

Endeavour doesn’t get your baking until he proves himself worthy

That’s right mister, YOU have to be the one to prove your worth

Not just anybody gets (Y/n)’s baking

It’s a blast, really

You’ve already won over your (future) in-laws :)

Mirio

This clown spills flour all over himself to make you laugh

It’s not so funny anymore when he inhales the fine particles and hurts his lungs please be careful when baking

10/10 will start a food fight with you “on accident”

Don’t get raw egg in your eyes unless you want salmonella

Definitely wins

He doesn’t really know anything about baking?

Despite knowing this fully well, will also move onto other steps before you’re ready

Doesn’t ask you how to do anything either

“You know microwaving chocolate at 100% will burn it, right?”

“Oh really?”

“Did you just put a metal bowl in the microwave?”

“Yeah! Oh was I not supposed to?”

Probably doesn’t realize how strong vanilla extract is and likes to up the amount from 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon

Or heck maybe even 3 you better watch him

“If we bake these cookies at a higher temperature, will they bake faster?”

He probably knows better (with some of these things), but he likes to see your reactions

Unlike Izuku, he will intentionally burn himself so you kiss it better

Don’t let him get away with this it’s not okay

Likes to add in other weird ingredients to see what happens

He’ll try to shape cookies into hearts for you

“I’ll name this cookie (Y/n), cause it’s a sweetheart! Get it? It’s shaped like a heart and it’s sweet? And you’re just as sweet-”

Please accept his terrible puns

He knows they’re bad

You know he knows they’re bad

He knows you know he knows they’re bad

You know he knows you know he knows they’re bad

Will give you a surprise kiss out of nowhere

“I wanted to see if you’d taste like cookies!”

Overall, he’s fun to bake with

But please keep constant watch over him, you never know what he might do

[foralwaysandforever]

hello~ so I've read your post and I'm quite in the mood for a hobbit matchup rn! I've had a good day and matchups always make me smile so I figured, why not?

about me... well. if I'm honest I'm basically a hobbit :) I hoard books and pretty rocks, I'm a plant mom, I love to read and write and bake, and as much as I yearn for adventure, I do enjoy the quiet of a peaceful home. sitting in a tree in my very own garden where I grow herbs and fungi, my dress swaying in the cool breeze while the afternoon sun shines down on me and my now empty teacup, and I sigh dreamily and put away my book only to lean down and brush a hand through my lovers hair??? I think you can hear how much I enjoy just the mental image <3

so what's there to know about me except for my hopes and dreams? I could tell you about my type, but that would really just be me trying to get a certain someone..... which there surely is, but I really want to see the result without having any clue before.

something else then!

I have that side I talked about already, that wonderful, flowery, dreamy, dark academia side... and then I have that one that knows how to kill a man in less than 30 minutes through poison and how to make murder seem like a heart attack (I'm a writer, not a serial killer, btw). there's that side that reads tarot cards and curses people I hate, a side that says 'fuck' every third sentence, that snorts like a pig and sings like a dying duck. there's a side that can laugh about myself when I trip because I'm clumsy, a side that sniffs wine but doesn't drink it, that forgets everything two seconds after it's said.

something that really fascinates me about middle earth are those Dwarven customs about their hair. it just... it seems so foreign yet so utterly human? and I adore the concept so much. I really just want to braid someone's hair, brush my fingertips carefully along their scalp, curl a strand around my pinky and tug slightly and laugh when they grunt. hair is just seen so completely different in their culture and I want to learn and do that- I've always been fascinated by hair, even in this world, and the thought of a whole race sharing that admiration is so wonderful?!!! like how romantic would that be.....

what else can I tell you? my love language are gifts. I know that it sounds boring at first, greedy, even, but it's not the more one thinks about it. like, what's sweeter than seeing a flower and thinking 'I'll bring this to them, to brighten up their day, or just because I've thought about them in that moment'?? what's sweeter than baking a dozen cookies just for one single person? what shows better that you love someone than gifting them your annotated copy of your favorite book? I love gifts, because I love giving them. I haven't received enough to say the same for that, but I once read a fan fiction about a secret admirer leaving little presents at night, just a flower, a little stone, and... yes, that does seem quite nice, doesnt it? but also I'm really into physical touch,, just cuddling and.... hair braiding~

thanks for reading through this, and hopefully you'll decide to match me up with someone <3 have a great day or night hun!!

oh, before I forget, which as I said I do a lot- I'm genderfluid and don't mind female/male lovers both, so ship me with whoever you want. if you do want to, of course

Okay, first of all. I love, love, love how this ask was written! It was so poetic and pretty, I literally imagined the scenario in the beginning <3 I hope you don't mind who I matched you up with! (I know you said you had a person in mind already). So with no further ado-

♡°♡°♡

I match you with Thorin!

•He loves your energy. Something about you just brings the best out in him. Although he is gruff, your light and bubbly personality never fails to make him smile. He loved when you baked for him, he was a man of refinement, but he was always willing to taste new recipes for you. He enjoyed reading with you, but sometimes he'd request that you read to him just so he could listen to your voice.

•Thorin loves spending time with you. The thought of just enjoying your company or you playing with his hair makes him unexplainably happy. You mean very much to him, and because of his past he holds onto you dearly. Strangely enough, he had never been affectionate in the least. He would give a hug here and there to his nephews or friends, but with you it was different. He would lay his head in your lap while you were reading, he would kiss your knuckles whenever you held hands, and all around be very loving.

•At first, he is very, very, very confused by your different sides. He never knew what to expect, which frustrated him. He loved order, but as time went on, he realized he loved you more. Your complexity allowed him to loosen up his standards, to be more relaxed. He often needed reminding that he was allowed to be calm and relaxed, not everything needed to be a battle. He also finds you very endearing. The fact that you can trip over your own two feet and then laugh at it was almost uncomprehendable to him. He learned to know exactly when you were about to knock something over, trip, or fall, and he would be right there to catch you or whatever you knocked over.

•Thorin was surprised at your love of all things hair related. To him, it had always been normal. But to see how fascinated you are made him have a new appreciation for his heritage and culture. He would let you braid or mess with his hair whenever you felt like it, which took some getting used to for him. In return, he would braid your hair in the same fashion as his, or he would ask Fili or Kili to model for him so he could try and braid your hair like theirs. He had never really had someone as affectionate as you, but he was quickly learning that he loved it!

•Thorin is a generally selfless person. He didn't shy away from giving Bilbo the Mithril chainmail even though it was quite valuable. So when he learns that your love language is receiving gifts, he was excited. As a Dwarven prince, he could literally supply you with anything you wanted. But he loved to get you those heartfelt gifts. Sometimes he would ride a pony out to a thicket of roses to find you a perfect one, getting himself cut up by the thorns in the process. It was not the most glamorous thing, but he knew you appreciated his effort and meaning behind it.

•Oh, and Thorin wanted you to have everything you ever wanted. So when he heard you mention a garden once, he specifically picked a plot of land for you to have your garden. He sent soldiers far and wide to bring back foreign herbs, flowers and vegetables, so that you could have a variety of different plants to grow. He loved to see your enthusiasm, and even though he was not a plants type of guy, he would listen to you ramble on about your garden in rapt interest, just because he loved you.

♡°♡°♡

I sincerely hope you liked it <3

Here are the Matchup Guidelines for whoever wishes to request!!

[jimlingss]

Sugar and Coffee [Finale]

Chapter 22 - Chapter 23 [Finale]

➜ Words: 5.1k

➜ Genres: 99.5% Fluff, 0.5% Angst, Pâtisserie school!AU

➜ Summary: It isn't hard to be a pâtisserie chef, but it's not a piece of cake either. It seems like for you in particular, life keeps throwing in one wrench after another. It always finds ways to make your sweets bitter. The cherry on top is Jeon Jungkook — a rival with a sensitive sweet tooth who always finds ways to complain about you.

cr.

Baking is an art form. It takes more than just having ingredients and following a recipe. It’s the flavour, texture, taste, and the presentation. It’s knowing why when things go wrong and how to fix it. It’s knowing the right kinds of ingredients to pick, how much of each should be combined, what techniques and methods to use. Baking is therapy. Baking is scientific. It is art.   The ingredients are as follows: 

Fresh strawberries

White chocolate sponge cake

Sugar

Butter

Eggs

You place the fresh strawberries into the refrigerator as the stand mixer whips the six large egg whites and two cups of sugar. When it's combined, you place a bowl over a double boiler on the stove and whisk until the mixture is hot. You put it on your stand mixer again until the white chocolate swiss meringue buttercream is stiff. The cubed butter and white chocolate is added shortly after until it's smooth.   Once you’ve got your components prepared, you slice the cooled white chocolate cake into two layers and set the bottom layer on a cake board on the turning cake table. You spread the meringue buttercream evenly with an offset spatula and layer the strawberries.    Afterwards, you put the other chocolate sponge cakes over it and repeat the process.   You finish the white chocolate strawberry swirl cake with white chocolate strawberries on top for decorative purposes and pipe flowers with a twelve inch piping bag.   “It looks fucking incredible.”   Jungkook leans over the counter, peering at the frosted cake you’ve just made.   “It was supposed to be white chocolate raspberry swirl, but I know you like strawberries, so….”   The boy grins, a wide smile that makes his big nose scrunch. “I love it.”   You burst out into giggles. “You haven’t even taken a bite yet!”   Jungkook begins slicing the cake. You’re proud of what you’ve made — but it’s kind of sad at the same time. This is the final product of your portfolio before it's ready for submission. You’re glad it’s over, but it also means your journey here is ending.   It’s November now. And it’s been one whole year since your relationship with Jungkook shifted.    A year ago — when the internship posting went up and you found out he was going to be your partner over the summer. When you were made his exam partner in your fine pastries class. When that Friday night happened and you bursted out crying in the kitchen, and he comforted you to no avail despite it being a cold night where the air bit his skin and turned his cheeks rosy. Where he bought you grape soda for no reason whatsoever other than a poor attempt at trying to make things better.   It seems like it was so long ago, but it’s only been three hundred and sixty days.   It makes you wonder what will happen a year from now or two or ten.   “Not too sweet?”   You watch your boyfriend’s expression carefully. Jeon Jungkook has his brows deeply furrowed with a thoughtful expression like he’s trying to give honest output. His fork is cleaned empty and it lowers to grab another bite.    “It’s perfect.” He melts into a smile. “Maybe you made my sugar tolerance go up.”   “Maybe because I improved.” You loll your head to the side, challenging him. “It’s almost as good as your chocolate-covered strawberry cupcakes, huh?”   Jungkook scoffs lightly. “I wouldn’t go that far, babe, but we can all dream.”   You sulk. “I’ll find out that recipe one day, Jeon. You mark my words and when I do, I’ll profit off of it.”   He laughs, the sound tickling and boyish, causing another smile to rise onto your features. Jungkook digs in, having yet another bite and he lets his teeth rot with the sweetness.    It’s not long before he remembers something, strides away with a hum and returns with a cold tray. “What is it?” you ask curiously as he sets it down and removes the saran wrap.   “It’s truffles. I made it in my art of chocolate class, but it’s an original recipe. Give it a try.”   He pushes the tray towards you and you don’t hesitate to grab a chocolate truffle. You would never, on any planet, deny the opportunity of consuming chocolate, especially when it’s made by Jeon Jungkook. You’ve never said it out loud before, but for some reason he always makes the best.   No grocery brand or chocolatier can beat what he often bakes for you.   So you try not to devour the truffle all in one bite, opting to relish and savour it. You take half of the truffle into your mouth and chew with the same consideration he had for you. And you’re surprised as the deep flavour melts on your palate. “Coffee?”    Your brows furrow and you lick your lips. “Did you put black coffee into it?”   “I was inspired by a memory,” Jungkook says with a soft smile. “What do you think?”   “I love it,” you exhale in awe, finishing the bite and licking your fingers.    It tastes kind of bitter, but it has a sweet note at the end.    It’s bittersweet. But mostly ends up sweet.

Life with Jungkook continues. Lectures and workshops become more hectic the closer the end comes, but in between classes and late nights spent in the kitchens next to ovens, you and Jungkook still find plenty of time with one another. Or at least enough that you still have your dumb debates and have your hour of snuggling — which Jungkook regularly falls asleep during.   The honeymoon phase of your relationship eventually fades away, but luckily it molds into a comfortable pattern that neither of you mind whatsoever. There are still knowing gazes shared across busy rooms, his hand that often comes on your lower back that you find security in, tender kisses shared when the two of you greet each other and bid temporary farewells.    You still love Jungkook very much and you don’t ever find yourself afraid of him leaving you abruptly.    Your relationship becomes normal too, so Yoongi and Taehyung has little to tease you both about. They instead relish in bullying Jimin when he ends up going out with a coworker of his at his new part-time job, much to the shorter man’s dismay.   Hoseok, on the other hand, while no longer in a relationship, finds an interest in teaching and starts to look into what it would take to become an instructor. You’re happy for him and so is Aeri who tells you she’s considering going abroad someday to expand her culinary skills and cook more international cuisine. She keeps herself preoccupied by improving herself and becomes someone worthy of your admiration.   But for the most part, things remain consistent and constant. There’s still bickering over lunchtimes and dinner times across the cafeteria table. Still nights of crashing Yoongi and Hoseok’s apartment and playing games. The five of you also start playing Dungeons and Dragons much to Taehyung’s delight who becomes the dungeon master — and while Yoongi always says he wants to stab himself halfway through every session, you’re sure he enjoys it as much as everyone else does.   The memories made are ones you cherish the most.   And before you know it, graduation has come.   “You look beautiful, dear,” Jungkook’s mom holds back tears as she grasps your hands tightly. “Congratulations.”   “Thank you.”   “Come on, you two!” His dad suddenly calls, holding an old camera up to his chin. “Let’s take some photos to remember the occasion!”   One hand holds your rolled certificate and the other holds your navy gown, you stand in front of the school sign with Jungkook who adjusts his black cap. He drapes his arm over your shoulder and the both of you tilt your heads towards each other and give the biggest grins.   The camera flashes. Again and again.   The corner of your mouth starts moving as your smile twitches. “How many is he taking?”   “Just smile,” Jungkook mutters through his grin as both his parents, his aunt and uncle, Lia and Eunbi, and grandma look on proudly. “He’ll do more if you try to argue.”   “Two more!” His dad shouts, despite taking another five.   His entire family seems so elated that your heart swells with endearment.   “I didn’t know your family would be so happy when you told them we were dating,” you murmur, switching your poses a bit. “You know, your grandma just asked me when we’re getting married.”   “Really?” He glances at you and then scoffs with another smile that’s more genuine. “Be lucky she has half a mind not to start asking when we’re having kids. Unless…...”   “I swear to god, Jungkook, if you get down on your knee in the middle of our graduation with everyone watching, I’m going to kick you in your shin.”   He giggles, nose scrunched, eyes crinkled.    It’s not long before Jungkook’s mother drags over Jimin overbearingly by the hand with Taehyung, Hoseok, and Yoongi for a group photo. There’re so many parents, family members, and phones and cameras being passed around that your plastered smile starts to break on your face. Everyone’s mother and their goddamn cousin’s cousin wants three copies of the same exact picture.   “Oh my god, kill me now,” Yoongi groans but still has that dumb fucking grin on his face. He looks more like a kid showing off his braces or a grandpa who has his dentures stuck.   You think he’s putting on that idiotic grin just to ruin the pictures — even his mom is yelling about it on the sidelines.   “Just a few more,” Jimin whispers with more perseverance than anyone else has.   “Who is even taking our picture, right now?” Hoseok asks, his brows furrowing. “Does anyone even know who that lady is?”   “I think she’s the associate dean’s assistant who’s going to put it on the website.” Taehyung breathes out, his cheeks aching from his smile. “Either that or that’s my cousin’s brother-in-law’s younger sister’s friend.”   “Alright, that’s enough.” Yoongi gives up and walks out of the frame. Everyone starts dispersing before there are protests and they’re rounded up for another pointless photo session.    But after a while, you’re granted some freedom to roam around with Jungkook. There’s still a few more photos taken, ones with Aeri and classmates and teachers, like Miss. Kang, who you always liked.    “I always knew the two of you could be close.” The female teacher has the cheesiest smile and you have to admit, you’re glad she never changed Jungkook’s internship like he wanted. In a way she’s like your matchmaker, but you’ll never say it out loud in case you give her more credit than it’s due. She already seems to know it anyway. “Good luck on your future journeys. You both have great potential.”   Namjoon and Sejeong also show up to congratulate the pair of you as well. And they meet Jungkook’s family who seems to adore the couple straight away, asking plenty of questions of what their shop is like and if their son was in any way helpful.   But while you’d like to stick around to hear all the conversations, it’s nice to take a break from the bustle to just walk on the paths that you used to take all the time with Jungkook.   You don’t know what it’s going to be like when you leave this place.   “Aren’t you kind of sad?” Your hand squeezes Jungkook’s and you turn to look at him.   “Yeah,” he admits. “But I’m also happy we don’t have to submit projects or do exams anymore. I’ll miss the routine. Of being able to hang out with the guys and eat with them all the time. But they’ll still be around and I have you.”   Jungkook’s gaze meets yours. His eyes are tender, soft.   You smile at him. That’s right — this chapter might be ending, but you’ll still have many more with him.   “Y/N!” There’s a call of your name and you turn to see your family waving at a distance. Your mom holds a flower bouquet, most likely for you and your cheeks swell with a smile.   Your arm extended in the air to wave back and your steps quicken with Jungkook’s to meet them.

A lot happens after graduation.   There are many changes and alterations. While you’ll still always be learning until the end of time, you’re no longer an official student and you’re thrown to the hounds called the real world.   But it’s not all that bad.   You get hired back at Kim’s Wedding Cake Company and work with Soohyun who’s returned from maternity leave. Yuna also sometimes joins during the weekends and much to your delight, she tells you that she’s enrolled in the institution as she had wanted. You can only imagine what kind of knowledge she’ll gain and stories she’ll end up having there like you did. But there’s not a lot of time to reminisce when there’s work and a ton to learn, but you find yourself enjoying it more than finding it difficult.   Jungkook, on the other hand, doesn’t return to the company. He instead gets hired at a chocolatier shop not far from where you work. It’s only a ten minute walk down the block; five for each of you when you meet halfway like you frequently do for lunch.   He tells you that he’s learning a lot, on what it takes in the artistry of chocolate, that there’s more meticulousness than what meets the eye. It sounds like an absolute nightmare to you, but he loves it — especially on the days when he smells sweet and there’s some chocolate smeared on his cheeks. And you don’t hate that he often brings you home truffles and caramels to try.   The two of you also move in with each other, sharing an old apartment not far from your workplaces. It’s not much different from how you used to live on campus at different dorms, except now there are bills to be paid and Jungkook steals all the hot water in the shower.   You wonder if this is what it feels like to be an adult.   “Y/N?”   There’s a familiar voice, but one you haven’t heard in ages. A smooth timbre that sounds light and humorous at the corners. You whirl around, regarding the tall man with dark hair, dressed in a dark turtleneck and a black trench coat. His sheepish eyes crinkle in his smile, lips pink and plush.   “Jin?” A grin spreads into your face as well. “Oh my god! How are you? It’s been so long! What are you doing here?”   “I live here, remember,” he reminds in the midst of squeaky giggles. “And I’m good. I’m actually on my way to a meeting. I’m working in management of Toute Pastries and Pâtisseries.”   “Wow, working in commercial bakeries? That’s impressive.”    But you’re not exactly surprised. You knew Seokjin always had it in him and you feel proud that someone you used to know has become so great.   Seokjin laughs. “Not really. It’s kind of less hands-off than I’d like, but what about you?”   “I’m good too. Just heading to my friend’s bakery.” You hitch a thumb over your shoulder. “Today’s the opening. Do you want to come?”   “I’d love to, but the meeting starts in twenty. I saw the sign the other day though. The bakery is that place that was being renovated on Imlingss Avenue, right?”   “Yeah. It’s next to the department store.”   “I’ll swing by when I have some time then.”   “When you have some time?” You eye him playfully and cross your arms. It might be inappropriate to be so sarcastic with an acquaintance, but being with Jungkook has made you more snarky than is probably socially acceptable. “So you’re a hot shot, now, aren’t you?”   Luckily, Jin doesn’t take offence and simply laughs. “I swear I’m not!”   It’s good to see him. You thought you never would again, at least not face-to-face like this. But what you least expected was that your conversations could be so light and natural. It isn’t difficult at all and you don’t find yourself uncomfortable nor holding any resentments. You aren’t sad or angry.   It’s like seeing an old friend again.   “I heard you were with Jungkook,” Jin says with the corner of his mouth quirked. “That’s a surprise.”   “Isn’t it?” Whenever Jungkook used to come up in a conversation, all you ever said to Seokjin was how trash he was. But that was before you really knew anything about him. “But he’s great. An idiot sometimes. But it’s great.”   Jin can see the happiness radiating off your face and it’s infectious. “I’m happy for you, Y/N.”   He says it sincerely, genuinely, and your smile widens. “Thanks.”   The both of you share a little more small talk before you’re on your way. And once farewells are said and done, you don’t look back or peek over your shoulder for another glance at him.    You’re content continuing straight forward.   “Sorry, I’m late.” The door chimes as it slowly shuts after you, the warm furnace heating the air and melting off the coldness of your skin.    “Of course you’d be late.” Yoongi is in his black apron, white shirt rolled up to his elbows and his arms crossed. “We already took the photos, don’t expect that we’ll re-take them.”   “A joy as always, Yoongi.” You smile at him, taking off your jacket and putting it on the coat rack at the corner. Jimin comes to greet you and you sigh softly. “Why’d you ever agree to open a bakery with him, Chim? You must be a saint to deal with his shit all the time.”   “I heard that.”   Jimin laughs. “Trust me, he kept on asking Jungkook when you would come. He’s all bark but no bite,” he whispers but it’s loud enough that Yoongi looks sorely unimpressed.   The shop is cute and spacious. It’s rather modern with square tables and chairs lining the walls. The lights come from the sides of the fancy ceiling, and there’s a counter to check out at with a main glass case where people can choose pastries from. In the corner, there’s also several smaller pastry display cases where patrons can grab trays, tongs and fill up their own plates.    You quickly greet everybody and then move to grab your one prized possession.    “Lemon meringue pie?” Taehyung laughs, watching you put two on your plate.   “You know I just have to.” You smile and sit at one of the tables, luckily having it on the house. Taehyung sits across from you. “Man, you’re so nice to let Yoongi have the entire recipe since it’s yours too.”   He shrugs. “It wasn’t like I had any plans with it in the first place, plus it was Yoongi’s idea to add the secret ingredient.”   “Which is?”   Taehyung grins his infamous boxy smile. “Nice try.”   “I’ll find out one of these days,” you warn. Taehyung handed you the recipe a long time ago but he conveniently omitted the secret ingredient and you haven’t forgiven him since. “And then I’ll be making it for myself every other night instead of giving my pretty penny over to Yoongi and Jimin.”   “Yeah, good luck with that.” He leans back in the comfortable chair. “I’m sure Yoongi will be protecting that from you for the rest of his life. He might be willing to exchange information though if he can get his hands on Jungkook’s chocolate-covered strawberries.”   Taehyung wiggles his brows, but you shake your head with a sigh. “He won’t tell me. I swear he’s holding it above my head so I can never ditch him.”   The man laughs and takes a look around the new shop.   Everyone is here — Hoseok, Jimin, Yoongi, Jungkook, Taehyung, Aeri and you — the entire crew with no one else missing. There are other people as well, sponsors and Yoongi and Jimin’s other acquaintances, but you muse how hard it is these days to gather up like you used to.   Everybody was busy and on their own paths. Doing their own thing. But it’s what made moments like these more precious.   “I would’ve joined them, should’ve,” Taehyung says wistfully with a sigh. “The original plan was actually Jimin, Yoongi, and I.”   “Yeah, but you wouldn’t have been happy.” You take another bite of the pie, chewing in your cheek.   “Yeah, that’s true.”   “Do you regret it? Going back to school?”   “No.” Taehyung smiles gently. “I love learning and I knew after graduation, I wanted to keep learning. I’m not as good at cooking as I am at baking, but it’s still fun and I think I’m getting better. The only issue is Yuna.” The man visibly and dramatically shivers and it elicits laughter from you.   “Does she bother you a lot?”   “Less like bothering and more like she literally pops up wherever I go,” he tells. “Sometimes I’m just minding my own business and then boom, out of nowhere, I turn the corner and she’s there. I’m starting to think she’s like a ghost or like….like…”   “—a witch,” Jungkook finishes and then leans down to plop a kiss at the top of your head. “Hey.”   “Hey.” You smile and he leans down to steal a bite of your pie, but you don’t mind much. “You’ll never guess who I saw earlier.” Curiosity gleams in Jungkook’s eye and you grin, wanting to put him suspense for a little longer. “I’ll tell you about it later, but is everyone grabbing dinner afterwards? I haven’t checked the messages yet.”   “Yeah, we are.”   Soon, Hoseok comes over and introduces his lady-friend that he brought with him as Naul. But you know through advice he’s sought through you a few weeks back that he’s been seeing her and taking it slow.    It’s nice to finally meet someone you’ve heard about, and you find that her calm and collected personality fits into Hoseok’s quite well.   You also meet Jimin’s girlfriend who is sweet and an avid talker about all things deli meats.    At your surprise of how ham supposedly doesn’t taste as good as some other cold cuts, she insists that you and Jungkook need to have a double date with her and Jimin so she can enlighten you on the world of salamis — to which you agree needs to happen. She’s peculiar, but sweet and cute when she’s with Jimin.   “So you’re really going?” you ask after Aeri confirms it. She had told you a month ago that she applied to study abroad and you couldn’t be anything but happy. Especially now that she’s just told you that she’s been accepted, you have nothing but eagerness for her.   “Yeah, I’m a bit nervous, but I’m super excited.”   You pull the girl into a tight embrace. “I’ll miss you, but have fun and stay safe. Stay in touch.”   “Thanks and I will, Y/N.” She giggles against you and pulls apart. “I hear Amsterdam is really nice and my aunt keeps advertising it, so I’m looking forward to it.”   “Apparently, those Dutch men are really something,” you murmur and she laughs. “You know, if I wasn’t in a happily committed relationship and with my dream job, I’d probably ask if I could come with you cause damn, they’re like a tall glass of water. You need to take advantage of that.”   “Who’s a tall glass of water?” Jungkook approaches with a sorely unimpressed expression.   It makes you go tight-lipped and Aeri giggles, slinking away before she’s caught in the crossfire.   While you and Jungkook playfully bicker in the middle of the store and he grabs you in a chokehold and you tickle him — much to the shock of the other patrons who don’t know you — Yoongi looks on behind the counter with a displeased expression.   Except that’s only his natural resting bitch face and not what he thinks internally.   Or at least that’s what Jimin realizes when Yoongi says to him privately— “They’re a pretty good match, huh? Jungkook and Y/N.”   “Yeah.” Jimin smiles, watching the two of you act like children. “They are.”   It’s sad when the opening event eventually ends. The night comes and dinner is soon over too. Everyone ultimately says their farewells, waving before they go off on their own way and you linger just a moment until everyone’s gone. It’s nostalgic to be around them, reminding you of days that seemed simpler and easier, and when you were unaware of these facts.   It’s sad to say goodbye since you don’t know when you’ll see all of them again. At one place. At one time. But at least you have Jungkook with you, so you’re far from being alone.   “Don’t worry,” Jungkook jokes around, “They’ll be back for our wedding.”   “When is that going to happen?” you scoff, looking at him and how his features are illuminated under the lampposts that you pass. You squeeze his hand in yours.    “It’s a surprise,” he answers slyly.   You grin. “And what if I reject you?”   “Then I’ll be a very sad man.”   “And if we don’t work out at all?”   “Then we’ll still be best friends,” Jungkook says and interlaces his fingers with yours. “I’ll always be here for you. Because I’m lame and I think I’ll always be head over heels for you.” He smiles wide, bunny teeth revealed and features soft. “It’s a promise.”   And one you believe in.   Luckily, you and Jungkook never split.   You end up getting married two years later with Aeri as your maid of honour and Taehyung as the best man — the brunette giving you so much anxiety with his spontaneousness that you nearly wish it was Jimin who was the best man instead. But everything ends up without too many hitches or difficulties.   It’s hectic lives that you and Jungkook lead, but ones you love.   Ultimately, the pair of you get a townhouse together halfway between the suburbs and the city. You wind up running Kim’s Wedding Cake Company with Yuna many years down the line after Namjoon and Sejeong step down to retire. And Jungkook achieves his dream of becoming a chocolatier and ends up getting silver in The World Chocolate Masters competition.    The two of you have your first child together one drunken night when you both think it’s a good idea to have sex in your sacred spot — a professional kitchen. It’s the first and last time, swearing you’ll never do it again when you’re both on your hands and knees afterwards, sanitizing the entire area for fear of losing your jobs for the violation of health codes.    But you end up conceiving that night and it’s the first of many kids — rascals with sweet-tooths.   Life with Jungkook is a mundanity you could’ve only dreamed of. And you often count your blessings that you somehow ended with such a cheeky, lovable boy.

[Epilogue]   “And that’s how I met your grandmother.”   There’s a plump toddler sitting on his knee, slobbering as he babbles, and a slightly older girl sitting cross-legged in front of him on the carpet. She’s no more than five years old and blinks up at the old man with matching doe eyes.   “So a stupid man dumped grandma and then you came in and saved her?” she asks in a high-pitched voice.   “Essentially.” The old man nods and takes off his rounded spectacles to place on the small table beside his plush armchair. It’s his special seat for story time, placed under the picture frames of you and Jungkook over the decades, from your graduation to your wedding. “We were friends first and then started to date afterwards, but yes, it’s right to say I did save her.”   “Like a superhero?”   He grins and confirms, “Like a superhero. Now, do you know what the moral of the story is?”   His granddaughter shakes her head. “No. What is it?”   “The way to a person’s heart is through the stomach,” he declares with a smile. “If they like chocolate, you make sure you’re good at making chocolate. You like chocolate, right?”   “I like grandma’s cakes!” she exclaims much to his amusement.   “What nonsense are you telling her?” You’re leaning on the doorframe leading to the kitchen, sighing lightly as you shake your head with your arms crossed.   Your hair is slowly turning gray, but you’re still as attractive — if not even more so. Jungkook always mused how much more beautiful you got the more you learnt and experienced. And he likes the wrinkles around your eyes, even when you don’t. It reminds him of how many times he’s made you laugh over the years.   “Grandma!” Your granddaughter jumps up with a big grin that’s reminiscent of a bunny. She has big doe eyes that seem to sparkle in the afternoon light shedding into the cozy home. “Grandpa was just telling me how you guys met. He said he saved you. Is that true?”   “I saved him, dear.” You pat her head gently. “Without me, your grandpa would be hopeless.”   The older man at his armchair chuckles. “That is true.”   “It’s time for lunch, you three.”   You hold up your grandson and your granddaughter skips towards the kitchen.   Jungkook staggers upwards from his seat with weaker knees and muscles that feel exhausted to the bone. He’s still in rather good shape though for just turning sixty three two months ago. Even when you constantly worry about him, he can still play catch with the kids in the backyard and put them on his back without hurting it much.   When he comes into the kitchen, the two kids are in their seats and busy already digging in. His mug that says ‘Jungkook — World’s Best Chocolatier’ sits at the corner of the fruit place mat you bought at the thrift store. The letters of the mug are worn around the edges, handle chipped at the bottom, but it’s still his favourite.   But Jungkook doesn’t sit down to eat just yet.    He rounds the table and comes to the sink where you’re humming away. He leans his arms on the edge of the counter, standing right behind you and leans in as you turn your head.   Jungkook kisses your cheek. “I love you.”   You smile, the same one he fell in love with all those decades ago when you both were still young students who knew nothing about what was to come. “I love you too.”    Much to Jungkook’s contentment, you lean into him, filling his senses with your scent as you press a soft kiss to his lips. And it’s not bitter whatsoever.   It’s sweet.

[cipheress-to-k-pop]

Amadeus Cho when his Future child comes to the Present

Anon asked:  Amadeus Cho’s kid comes to the present? Please 🥺

A/N: This is the first one that I’ve written where the child is older. The reason I did this is because first Amadeus is already young so if a baby went back to the past chances are they won’t be able to recognize their parents. So I thought that an older child who has seen pictures of their young parents and can recognize features was a good turn. Plus it’s funny.

Also! Thanks to @spacesuitsforemergency​ for helping me decide !

Similar headcanons:

Danny Rand when his future child comes to the Present

Peter Parker when his Future child comes to the Present

Sam Alexander when his Future child comes to the Present

Your lovely boyfriend Amadeus had a bad habit of spending too much time at the lab

As a result, you ended up spending too much time at the lab, bored out of your mind but not trying to touch anything because it could quite possibly blow in your face

You mostly took naps in a quiet corner where he put a huge beanbag for you

But today, just as you were about to fall asleep, a huge explosion rang out in your ears and you immediately ducked for cover

Before the fumes cleared out of the way, Amadeus was covering your body with his

“What the heck do you think you’re doing?”

“Shhh.”

It was only then that you could see a silhouette of a person through the plumes of smoke

Just as the smoke cleared you caught a glance of the person

She was older, around Peter’s age and Amadeus called his armor and got into a fighting stance before locking down the lab before the person could leave

He used the smoke to cover himself and slowly surrounded the intruder

The girl coughed and tried to get the smoke out of her face

And then

“Oh man! Dad is gonna kill me!”

When she heard the sound of his iron spider legs hitting the floor she froze and turned around with a nervous smile

“Dad, please don’t be mad, it was an accident.”

“I’m not your father.”

She snorted, “I know I messed up but come on, it isn’t that bad.”

“I’m serious. I’m not your father.”

She got into a fighting stance, “If you’re not my dad then what are you doing with his suit?”

He copied her, firing up his blasters and she ducked and it was then that she met your eyes

Cue her getting shocked

“Mom...?”

“Pretty sure I’m not your mom, and not just because you’re older than me.”

“What year is it?”

“2020.”

She is shell shocked

“Dad is so gonna kill me.”

You then find out that she was messing around with her dad’s—Amadeus’—time machine and it malfunctioned, sending her back a few years

“Serves you right for messing around with something that doesn’t belong to you.”

“What if I can’t go back?”

Her scared voice made you sympathetic and you held her hand tightly

“It’ll be okay, S.H.I.E.L.D. will figure something out.”

The fact that you were supposed to be her mom made you kind of uncomfortable but you quickly figured out the kind of mom you would be

The mediator.

Because it seemed that both your daughter and Amadeus were stubborn as they come

Especially when it came to rebuilding the time machine

“Get out of the way! I’m smarter than you and I can build it better!”

“You seem to forget that I’m the one who has actually seen this time machine! Take a seat, pipsqueak!”

“You watch your tone young lady!”

“I’m older than you, short stack! You aren’t my father yet so I don’t take orders from you!”

“I swear when you get back to your own time, you are getting the grounding of a lifetime!”

It’s hilarious to watch your boyfriend dad out, calling her young lady and telling her to watch her tone

It’s amusing to the rest of the team too

“Uncle Peter!” Your daughter smiled and rushed up to him

“Wait wait wait! He’s your uncle?” Amadeus and Peter still weren’t on the best of terms

“Yeah, he comes over like every weekend.”

“Seriously?”

The both were in shock.

“Yeah, you walked mom down the aisle on her wedding day.”

Peter is shell shocked and Amadeus is bright red because married?

I mean it was kind of obvious that you two got married and had a kid but actually hearing it made his ears and cheeks turn red

“Also, I’m dating Uncle Peter’s son.”

“What?!”

“Tell your son to get his hands off my daughter!”

“You tell your daughter to get her claws out of my son!”

And you’re just on the floor, laughing so hard that you’re crying

As you get to know your daughter, you find that she’s more than she lets on

She looks up to Amadeus very much, she has an interest in science, like him

They spend a lot of time in the labs just being daddy daughter goals

“How’d you get this scar?” You asked, pointing at a small scar on her hand

“When I was 8, dad took me to learn how to ride a bike but I said I could do it on my own and then I fell and my hand broke my fall.”

It sounded painful but she said it with a smile on her face

“After that I was too scared to ride a bike on my own so dad told me he made me a self-driving bicycle so I wouldn’t be afraid but it was just a regular bike and I was riding it all my myself.”

You couldn’t really picture yourself as a mom, especially since she was a teenager but these stories made it easier to picture it

One day, after about a month of her being here, you found her crying

“What happened? Are you hurt? Did you fight with Amadeus?”

She shook her head, “No, I just—I miss home.”

You comfort her as much as you can and then ask her if she wants to bake some cookies with you

Luckily, the recipe has been in your family for ages so the cookies taste almost identical to the ones that you make in the future and makes her feel at home

Finally, after constant trials and experiments, the time machine is up and running and she can finally go home

Before she leaves, she gives you a big hug

“Thank you for everything, but no offense but I’m not gonna miss you as a teenager.”

You laughed, “It’s gonna be weird to see you as a baby next time.”

She hugged Amadeus as well, “Thank you, for helping me get home.”

“Don’t give your mom and I too much trouble.”

She ran through the portal, excited to get back home and her face brightened up when she saw who was waiting on the other side

She barrelled into her parent’s arms and you hugged her so tightly she couldn’t breathe

“I missed you.”

“We missed you too, honey.”

“I’m so glad to be home.”

“We’re glad you feel that way because that’s where you’ll be staying for the rest of the month. You’re grounded.”

“Dad!”

“You called me pipsqueak!”

[ask-will-and-nico]

"I always have plenty," Mrs. Parks says. She heads inside for a few minutes, and Nico takes a moment to look at the flowers. He really hopes Will likes them. They had a soft smell, and the colors complemented each other nicely. "Here you are, dear. You two have a nice date." She turns to Michael. "And you keep an eye on them." Michael nods. "Will do, Mrs. Parks." He winks at Nico. Nico rolls his eyes. He doubts Will would like Michael checking in on them.

-

“Oh?” she asked. Nico blushed a little and nodded shyly. “My mom taught me how to cook and bake when I was a kid, and I’ve been helping Naomi out in the kitchen. I was hoping to make a fresh lemon cake today,” he answered. “Well, I’ll give you lemons in exchange for a recipe, then,” she said with a smile. Nico smiled back and nodded. She led them into the house where there was already a big bowl of lemons sitting on the counter. “They were just picked this morning. Take as many as you’d like,” she said.

-

"I was thinking I'd make a lemon cake or something," Nico says. Mrs. Parks smiles. "I can get you a copy of my recipe, if you'd like." Nico nods. She was so sweet, and it was clear how much she cared about Will. It made Nico happy to know that Will had friends like this in the community. "Here you are! I know you'll make him very happy with this. Just don't let him eat it all at once." Nico laughs. "I'll try my best. Thank you so much!" Mrs. Parks smiles. "Just get him to come visit soon, okay?"

-/-/-

Nico smiled and nodded. He could definitely suggest it. “Think you’ve got everything?” Michael asked. Nico nodded again. He wasn’t sure what else he might need, but he was sure Naomi probably had it. He should get back to start baking and putting their lunch together before Will gets in from his chores. “Okay, we’ll be heading out then, thanks Mrs. P!” Michael said, giving her his most charming smile and a wave. “Don’t be so much of a stranger,” Mrs. Parks said in response. They made their way back to Michael’s car, Nico’s arms full of his bounty.