#on a walk through botanical gardens or the forest

[littleplantfreak]

Umemiya does that thing where he plants a tree when his kids are born so it grows with them. Chooses the type carefully so it has meaning, and even when they’re babies he takes them out every so often and tells them that’s their tree and looking at how they’re both growing makes him teary eyed

[fridgemissionmaster]

Barbatos x Reader Drabble/Ficlet: A Butler’s Excuses

In which Barbatos finds reasons to spend time with you.

Word Count: 1111

Warnings: N/A

AN: I really should get back into tap dancing, it's been too long.

@om-adventcalendar

You didn’t even need to look at your phone to know what that sound was, Lucifer reminding you dinner would be ready soon and that you needed to get back. Diavolo and Barbatos too knew that sound all too well, the merry making and chatter from before instantly silenced.

“Perhaps you could stay for dinner? Or the night! We have yet to discuss your report on the current exchange program.” The young prince’s smile was already beaming at his own suggestion, his butler nodding in silent approval.

You thought for a moment, ultimately sighing. “We already used that excuse last time, if we keep pushing this he’ll start coming over to pick me up himself or sit in on these things to make sure we ACTUALLY talk about that.”

These visits to the palace had become one of your favorite things upon your return to the Devildom. With how the exchange program was handled the first time you honestly didn’t think Diavolo took it at all seriously but it seemed since then the prince had decided to switch up his strategy, now having you drop by regularly to discuss you. How your time here has been, if there was anything to be improved on, anything demons don’t know about humans that they might need to, like how humans get depressed without sunlight and need special lamps so the eternal night of the Devildom wouldn’t make them miserable. However usually they end up being about ‘you’ as an individual and not ‘you’ humans.

To Diavolo’s disappointment Barbatos already began cleaning away the tea set and tiered biscuit tray.

After thanking them for tea and treats you quickly took your leave, little D no. two by your side to escort you out.

Even putting aside the lovely company these visits were worth it just for the walk. Upon getting through the front gates you rarely ever went through the palace itself, instead the gardens to get to your meeting place that gazebo beside the shimmering lake.

One could so easily get lost in the gardens at times the place more like a forest, or sprawling botanical garden. Dirt and cobblestone paths marked the way, a guide by your side just in case though you had long memorized it by now.

On occasion there was a surprise, like Barbatos off in the distance by the gates, an umbrella hanging off his arm.

“I shall escort you the rest of the way.”

“Oh, okay, thank you?”

The Devildom and the Human world may have many differences but at least one similarity they had was the weather and from what you could tell, it was rather clear out, a little windy but even if it did rain you should have had enough time to reach the House of Lamentation. Little D no. two too seemed confused but quickly scurried away upon understanding their duty was done.

And with that the pair of you left.

It was rather quiet for a Devildom… evening? Despite your time there your mind always wanted to think ‘night’ when referring to any time of ‘day’ in the place.

The distant buzz of city life could be heard but the sound you were focusing on was the tap, tap, tapping of Barbatos’ footfalls against the cobblestone road. Rhythmic and light, simple yet lovely.

They suddenly came to a stop, halting you in your tracks. With a pop the umbrella was opened and held above.

.

.

.

It was sprinkling.

“You didn’t have to get an umbrella for me just for this.”

“No, I did. It wouldn’t do for you to come down with a cold from your visit, the young lord would be so saddened by the thought.”

… What was that in his voice; the slight lit, the hint of playfulness on the tip of his tongue.

“Then I must inform him humans aren’t that fragile… in that respect at least.”

“Truly? Even so, it also wouldn’t do for you to return and be wet, that’d be a failing on my part.”

It was tough to gain a more animated expression from the man beside you, but you could easily see how he studied you, your quirked up brow and the giddy, mischievous smile pulling on your lips.

You took a step back out of the umbrella’s protection.

He took a step forward, a new smile on his face. The butler had many smiles, a neutral one, a polite one, a furious one, and now this new one you couldn’t recall seeing before.

You hopped back.

He hopped forward.

You slid to the side.

He slid to the side.

“Mc”

You could not tell the tone, if he was simply saying your name or questioning your actions.

You shuffled back, on the last step hitting your heel to the ground before kicking your foot up a little.

His foot slid forward before he hopped, landing on the toe of the other. He stood so close, just a hair’s width apart.

Sliding to the side he spun on toe before sliding his other foot out getting in front of you!

A small step, a strike of the toe to the ground before a strike with the heel, then a little hop, your back foot landing on the toe. Your partner did a larger leap, one foot sliding further back, maintaining that little distance.

Perhaps it was simply a reflection of the town’s lights on the shimmering stone but you could swear your partner’s eyes began to sparkle. You couldn’t repress giddy laughter as the pair of you continued to dance along, one always chasing after the other, never too far. The clacking of sole on wet stone, the light tinkle of water against the umbrella, and his quiet chuckle your music.

It was intriguing how his movements so differed from yours, something elegant, purposeful and natural in each of his movements, long strides, yours fast, short, bursts of step meant to tap along.

It was beautiful in his demon form, his tail trailing behind his steps almost like a ribbon. It too danced on occasion, lightly curling around you, making sure your differing styles didn’t accidentally take you too far apart.

Taking your hand you were spun around and taking his he was dragged into hops and heel brushes.

“AHEM!”

Lucifer stood there, arms crossed. “You’re late.”

When had you arrive at Lamentation’s front gate!?

Barbatos placed a hand on his chest, taking a little bow. “Mc thought to teach me a few human dance steps on the way here, it seems I got so absorbed in your lessons. I hope we may continue this soon.”

“O-of course! I’d love to!”

[asumofwords]

The Sublet - Roommate!AU

Warnings: She/her pronouns, slow burn, angst. Tags will be added as the fic goes along. Angst.

Pairings: Modern!Aemond x Reader

Summary: Living with Helaena Targaryen was one of the best decisions you had ever made. Meeting at university, the two of you became thick as thieves and quickly best friends, moving into a flat together. But what will happen when Helaena has to leave, and her quiet, brooding, brother moves in?

Notes: Oh lordy, we all need a friend like Helaena don't we? She is just such a sweet angel. Here is the next chapter, hehe. Enjoy <3

Chapter 12: The Red Keep

The flight to the Red Keep was quick, and you had been almost horrified when the driver had driven you onto the tarmac at the airport and up to a small jet. Your eyes had widened, and the driver had to insist on you getting out of the car and into the private plane. 

You had sent Helaena some nervous texts, promising to pay her back, feeling guilty about how much it would have cost, to which she had replied that it was Viserys’ money and he had plenty of it.

It did little to quell the guilt that built within you, but you thanked her profusely in the air anyway, wifi available on the flight. 

It felt weird to be surrounded by sudden wealth, Helaena never usually opting to use it and making her own way in life. If this was what she had at her fingertips, you wondered why she didn’t use the convenience of it more often. 

But then again, you grew up with no money, and she didn’t. This could be as mundane as a bus trip to her.

The flight would have been barely over an hour long, and when you had landed, you were met by a sleek black Mercedes on the small and private landing strip amongst rolling green hills. 

Criston Cole sat in the driver seat, a tanned man with dark curly hair and darker brown eyes, dressed head to toe in a black uniform, greeting you politely by your last name as he took your bag for you, putting it in the boot swiftly before opening the door for you to get in.

The Keep was situated outside of the city, a large estate on many acres of land, surrounded by sea, rolling green hills and forests. It was a historical site that had been passed down through the Targaryen family for hundreds of years, with almost a hundred rooms within to match. They even had their own private botanical garden with the rarest of plants within, that housed one of the oldest trees in Westeros.

It was extravagant, and you felt a sudden sense of anxiety as you drove up a long and winding path, large gates opening automatically as you jiggled your leg in your seat. The Keep towered atop a hill, red brick work looking like they had been soaked in blood in the dark of the night as the car rolled up, headlights shining at two large wooden doors to the entrance. 

Helaena was standing in the spotlight, large slippers on her feet and oversized lavender sleep shirt sliding off of one shoulder. When you jumped out of the car she let you walk to her quickly, throwing yourself into her arms as she held you, soothing your back as tears threatened to fall once more, apologising meekly into her neck.

“Shhh,” She cooed, gentle fingers running along your spine, “You’ve done nothing wrong. I could never be mad at you.”

“But I-“

“-I’m mad at my brother. Not you. Let’s get some sleep, hm?”

You let Helaena drag you up through the Keep, Criston following closely behind with your bag. You had tried to turn and take it from him, but he had given you a stern glare with his handsome face, insisting he carry it for you.

The walls of the Targaryen’s Keep were tall and made of stone, various portraits of Targaryen ancestors strung on the walls, and tapestries of art from across the years and realms hanging delicately for decor. You couldn’t help but notice some newer editions to the Keep, heavy green works and sigils of the Seven Pointed Star that almost outnumbered the Valyrian traditions.

When you reached Helaena’s room, it was larger than your entire apartment. It had four poster bed with draped lavender and cream curtains in the centre, and its own sitting room. A writing desk was pushed into the corner on a far wall near a large stone fireplace. She guided you to sit on the bed, taking your bag from Criston before she thanked him and dismissed him for the night.

“I’m sorry-“

“Shh.” Helaena’s voice came out sharper, “Go to sleep, bug. I don’t want to hear another apology from you, okay?”

The way she spoke reminded you so much of Aemond. 

You nodded sadly, and pulled back the sheets, crawling beneath before Helaena joined you, turning the lights off as she settled against her pillow. She let you cry beside her, and stroked a soothing hand up and down your arm. 

Eventually the both of you fell to sleep, too exhausted to stay awake or cry any longer.

When you woke the next morning, it was to light streaming into the room from Helaena’s sheer curtains, the bright suns rays warming the room already. You stirred, looking beside you to find Helaena already awake and on her phone.

She turned her head to look at you, scrunching her nose, “You snore.”

Your mouth gaped, “I do not.” You blushed, feeling embarrassed.

Helaena hummed cheekily, before her face turned more serious, “How are you feeling?”

“Like shit.” You grumbled, tummy aching as you remembered your forgotten noodles uneaten and left behind in your room.

An uneasy quiet settled around you as she watched your face, phone set flat against her chest as she took you in. Her lilac eyes bored into your own, and you fought the urge to not wriggle in the spot.

“Do you love him?” Helaena asked abruptly and you felt your mouth turn dry.

Love him?

Did you?

It was too soon to tell.

But there was no denying there was something powerful that you felt for her brother.

“I don’t know.” You said quietly, and Helaena looked at you as if she knew the answer herself. 

The silver haired woman shifted in the bed, sitting up before she ripped the sheets away from you, “Right. No more moping. You had one night and one night only for the sad girl special.”

You looked at her incredulously.

“Hel, what the Hell?”

“You hungry?” She ignored your comment, crawling out of bed, stretching high on her toes to stretch her spine, long arms in the air.

Helaena was giving you an out.

A distraction.

And so you took it.

“Starved.” You chirped back, though the tone fell flatter than you intended.

Helaena turned around and lifted a brow at you, “Come on, let’s go eat before the boys demolish everything in sight.”

You nodded in agreement, going to stand before you followed her down to a large open kitchen at the bottom, back doors opening up to a grassy garden which led to a tiled area with chairs and tables littered here and there. A creamy white gazebo was seen a few ways away, and the sitting area bled into a large swimming pool, spa nestled beside it.

“Woah.”

Helaena, noticing your eye line scoffed, “I know right? Talk about gaudy. Mum had the pool upgraded. Not that she needed too. It’s only her, and she doesn’t even use it.”

Two chefs moved about the kitchen quickly, large island in the centre being gradually filled with food of all kinds. Pastries, meats, breads, fruits, eggs. It was almost a buffet style.

You felt strangely out of place. 

“Morning.” Helaena greeted the two chefs, to which they turned and nodded 'morning' back to her. Her face met yours and she grimaced.

You were glad she felt just as uneasy as you. 

At least you had each other. 

You grabbed a plate, following Helaena and piled it full of food that you wanted to eat, asking your friend where you could make some tea. Hel pointed you to a kettle, and you felt grateful that you would be able to make your own tea for breakfast. Though there was a sting in knowing that a certain silver haired man hadn’t done it for you.

“Good morning, girls.” A voice chirped from behind you, and you turned to face the auburn haired woman you had come to know well.

“Morning mum.” Helaena returned, eyes not lifting from where she piled another pancake upon her already high stack.

Alicent Hightower stood in a green dress shirt, darker green blazer thrown over the top, matched with a pair of black slacks and heels. She wore a dark red lipstick and gold jewellery, nails matching her lips. 

You couldn’t help but notice a similarity between her and Alys, but shrugged it away.

“Y/n,” Her hands were held in front of her, “I’m so glad you could make it.”

Alicent stepped forward to kiss at the air beside both of your cheeks, a blush rising along your neck as you awkwardly and stiffly returned it. Her long curly hair was pulled back away from her face with a butterfly clip at the back of her head, and against her chest was a Seven Pointed Star.

You shook your head, “Thank you for having me. I’m sorry I-“

“-None of that.” She chastised in a motherly way, “You are always welcome here at any time.”

You wet your lips and nodded, “Thank you.”

“It has been a while since I saw you last. I trust you know your way around?”

“Kind of.”

“Not to worry, Helaena can make sure you don’t get lost.”

Helaena groaned, and Alicent shifted on her feet.

“I’m leaving for the day, have some work I need wrapped up.” 

Your lips parted, about to apologise for leaving your job on such short notice. 

A job at her firm no less.

She eyed your sudden shift and dismissed you, “No need to worry about this week, I have already informed Larys you are on carers leave for family business here.”

Carers leave?

But that was paid leave.

“Alicent I-“

Her look stopped you in your tracks. 

There was no arguing.

“Thank you.” You said again, feeling sheepish and all too overwhelmed with both her and Helaena’s generosity.

She nodded as though she approved of the way you had responded, as if it was the way that you should have responded, as though it was a response that had been written down in a book to be studied, ‘Duty to guests and hosts.’ 

Alicent Hightower stepped over to Helaena to kiss her cheek. You watched as her daughter shied away from it slightly, but allowed it nonetheless with a stiff spine. 

“Behave.” She warned her, before casting you one last smile, “If you need anything, let Criston know." And then she set off with a click of her heels.

Helaena rolled her eyes, grabbing her stack of pancakes as you finished making your tea. 

You both made your way outside to sit at a large table, eating your breakfast with hungry speed. It was a beautiful day. The sun shone warmly down on you, the sounds of birds was loud in the distant trees, and the softest of breezes rolled over your bare arms and legs.

“So, did you bring your swimmers?” Helaena asked, mouth full of pancakes.

You nodded in affirmation, “Uh huh.”

“Good,” She smiled, “We can claim the pool first if we hurry.”

“Claim? Hel, It's huge.”

She swallowed the chunk of pancake she had been chewing on, syrup on the corner of her lip that she licked off with a quick swipe of her tongue, “Yeah, and the boys have been having a pissing war with each other, calling dibs on the pool. It’s been driving me insane.”

You laughed softly, imaging Aegon and Daeron bickering amongst themselves, “Is Jace and Luc here yet?”

Helaena smiled, “Yeah, and they’re the worst of all.” She snickered, “Can’t know a moment of peace with those two. They’re so chatty. Not that Aegon helps. Daeron is more observing than usual which is nice.”

You were excited at the prospect of seeing Luc and Jace again, but you worried that the news of your arrival, the reasoning behind it would only cause more family rifts than there already were. 

“Don’t worry," Helaena began, her sixth sense picking up on your sudden quiet, “I won’t tell anyone what’s happened, okay?”

You nodded, “Okay.”

Helaena swiped a finger through the syrup on her plate. How she managed to inhale all seven pancakes in one sitting amazed you. She brought the sticky digit to her lips which she sucked clean.

“Let’s get changed and have a pool day!” She beamed, and her excitement rubbed onto you. 

-

You laid in the sun for hours side by side, intermittently jumping into the pool to cool off. 

Helaena told you about how her dad was doing, and from the sound of it, they expected him to pass any day now, which made you feel selfish in having intruded on their pre-mourning. But Helaena had shrugged, and told you that he had been sick for a very long time, most had already mourned his loss despite him still being there. It was a waiting game. And each morning they waited with bated breath to see if he would rise from his sleep.

It was brutal, but honest. 

Warmth spread over your body as you laid on your back in a pool chair, the heat of the sun almost pulling you into a nap from how comforting it was. It was nice to not be at work, and to be away from your apartment. To have a moment of respite and relaxation.

A shadow crossed over your body, and you frowned. 

Damn cloud.

“Boo.” 

You shrieked, jumping up from where you lay, eyes wide and darting up to a short silver head of hair, wild smile on his lips. 

Aegon.

“Egg, you prick.” Helaena groused, turning onto her side to look up at her brother, book long forgotten and large floppy hat tilted sideways on her head.

You sat up higher in the chair, looking up at Aegon as he smiled down at you, “Miss me?” He teased, waggling his brows at you.

You pulled a face. 

He was in his swim shorts and nothing else. 

Aegon was wider, stockier, and shorter than Aemond or the other siblings, who seemed to be made of long, graceful limbs. And Aegon was anything but graceful. His face was softer too, looking much more Alicent than any of them did. 

Aemond was the outlier with his sharp jaw and nose.

“Like a hole in the head.” You teased back, standing to hug him tightly. 

His embrace was warm, snug, and not at all as flirtatious as it once had been. 

“Enjoying the Palace goodies?”

“Go away.” Helaena whined, falling back onto her back, long groan pushed out of her chest. 

“Am I not allowed to say hello to our guest?”

“You’ve said hello. Now say goodbye. It’s our pool today.”

Aegon mock gasped, and you had to chew your cheek to not laugh, “What would mother dearest say? ‘Sharing is caring, Helaena.’”

The silver haired woman huffed, “You share a bit too much…” She grumbled quietly.

“What was that?”

A slender hand lifted and presented a solitary finger in Aegon’s direction. 

His laugh was contagious. 

Aegon sat himself down in the chair beside you, catching up on the both of your lives, bar your recent escapades with his brother, and you learnt that Aegon was considering studying at Kings Landing University but was undecided on what he wanted to do.

You watched as he eventually pulled himself to stand, looking down at you, “You coming in?” He asked, hand held out to you in invitation. 

“Nah, not yet. In a minute though.”

“Lame.”

Aegon ran and jumped, diving, ungracefully, into the water with a large splash near the edge, though it was more like a belly flop with arms that bent downwards to enter the water first. Water splashed out of the pool and small droplets landed on you, where as a large splash crashed onto Helaena. 

“Ah!” She cried, “You fucking asshole!”

Aegon came up, tossing his wet hair away from his face with a laugh, smirk pulling on his lips as he came up to the edge slowly. There was no denying that he was handsome, white teeth peeking through soft pink lips.

Helaena sat upright, “No.” 

Aegon’s smirk only widened.

“Aegon, don’t you fucking dare.”

His violet gaze flicked to you and then back to his sister. 

His mind was made up. 

His arm crashed against the surface of the water, sending it flying at Helaena. 

It soaked her in her seat, frustrated growl falling from her lips as she stood, throwing her soggy hat to the side. 

Aegon’s smirk dropped. 

You couldn’t control your laughter, stomach clenching as you watched Helaena jump nearly on top of Aegon’s head as he tried to swim away from her, her hands slapping at him and pulling his hair childishly. 

“Okay, okay, okay!! Mercy!” He cried, finally throwing Helaena from his back and into the water again. 

She emerged with a scowl, wet hair slicked backwards, “Douchebag. You ruined my book.”

“Buy another.”

“Ugh.”

“Did you see mother this morning?” Aegon looked at you finally, swimming over to you as he watched you sit on the waters edge, legs dangling into the pool. 

You nodded. 

“Oh good.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes, “She was worried she wouldn’t catch you. The twins will be here soon.”

“Thank the Gods.” Helaena praised, “I need a break from you and the boys stench.”

Aegon frowned, “Who says we stink?”

Helaena dipped her head into the water, sucking some into her cheeks as she spat it at her brothers face, his hand coming to shield it poorly, “Me.”

Aegon turned to face you again, “Do you see how mean she is to me? How do you even stand her?”

You smirked, biting at your bottom lip, “I don’t know what your talking about.”

His eyes narrowed, “The Stranger will get you for your lies and deceit.”

You spent the rest of the day in the sun, Aegon settling beside the two of you, his presence clearly annoying his sister, but you acted as a buffer and indulged him in minor conversation. Daeron had joined you a while later, and you had hugged him tightly to you.

When the day grew long and you had spent more than enough time in the suns rays, Helaena took you back to her room and the ensuite joined to it, insisting you shower and get yourself ready for some dinner. 

You washed your hair, running shampoo through it to get the smell of chlorine out. Helaena jumped in straight after, talking to you as you began to put some light makeup on in the large mirror at the double sinked basin. 

This was something you had missed in her absence. Getting ready together, talking and chatting mindlessly, playing music as loud as possible as the both of you sang as loudly as you could. You didn’t know just how much you had missed her until that moment, and a wave of sadness crashed over you. 

She wasn’t the only person you missed. 

Your mind strayed to Aemond. You wondered what he was doing. How he was feeling. You wondered if Alys was back in your apartment now that you were gone. 

Did she stay the night?

Was she in his bed with him?

Did she-

“Oi. Cut it out.” Helaena’s voice broke you out of your revery. 

She was wrapped in her towel, cheeks flushed pink from the sun and hair dripping down her back. 

You smiled at her sheepishly, “Sorry.”

“If I hear you say sorry once more, I’ll drown you in the pool.”

You held your hands up in surrender as she came beside you at the mirror, pulling down her skin care to rub moisturiser into her face and body. 

“What are you wearing tonight?” She asked you, long pale finger rubbing circles into her cheek as her lilac eyes locked onto your face in the mirror.

“Dunno. Something casual?”

Helaena screwed the lid of her moisturiser back on before putting it in its spot on the shelf, “Hmm. No. Wear something nice. A cute dress. Tonight we are letting loose.”

You chuckled at her, brushing mascara over your eyelashes, “I don’t need to dress up to let loose.”

“No, but I’m not having you mope about. Got enough of that as is from my mother and Eggy. Dress up for me,” She turned to you, putting on her best puppy dog eyes, bottom lip sticking out, “Please.”

Shaking your head you snickered, “Fine. So needy.”

“Yes!”

Thanks so much for reading along with me, if you wish to be added to the tag list please let me know :) Likes and reblogs are greatly appreciated ! Enjoy <3

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[madintersexmermaid]

Advice for the day: don't ever let anybody make you feel bad for being an academic and an academic nerd (especially as most of us academic nerds were once neurvous overachievers who also later turned out to be neurodivergent autistics later in life!).

But anyways, I love you, academics. The dark academics. The light academics. The punk academics. The goth academics. The emo academics. The hillbilly academics. The Appalachian academics. The leftist academics. The anarchist academics. The socialist academics. The forest academics. The ocean academics. The academics who collect tons and tons of books that they don't read. The academics who collect tons and tons of books and DO read all of them. The academics who stay up late studying for exams the next day and listen to whatever music (i.e. classical, orchestral, lo-fi, pop, metal, R&B, punk, folk, etc.) helps them concentrate. The academics who frequently spend time in solitude reading books in between hallways in their local library or bookstore. The academics who study, read books, write poetry and listen to music while taking a ride on the train. The academics who daydream and overthink. The academics who have passionate yet lively and animated debates and discussions about politics, movies, music, TV shows, books, literature, pop culture, social justice and real world issues with their friends. The academics that watch old black and white movies while drinking a cup of tea or coffee on a rainy day. The academics who spend time in botanical studies and grow their own gardens. The academics that take calm serene walks in the park and spend their time people watching or drawing art sketches. The academics that wildly run through the forests and have outdoor picnics with their friends, without a worry in the world. The academics who are theater nerds or musical nerds. Academics that live in the city. Academics that live in the country. Academics that attend community colleges. Academics that attend pretigious universities. Black academics. White academics. Asian academics. Latino academics. Jewish academics. Arab academics. Desi academics. Middle Eastern academics. Palestinian academics. Iranian academics. Native/Indigenous and Aboriginal academics. Southeast Asian academics. Romani academics. Māori academics. Poor academics. Rich academics. Working academics. Homeless academics. Academics that live in the inner city. Academics that live in the suburbs. Queer academics. Intersex academics. Autistic academics. Disabled academics. Academics who are Christian. Academics who are Hindu. Academics who are Muslim. Academics who are Catholic. Academics who are Buddhist. Academics here in the United States of America. Academics across the pond in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, etc. Academics in South America. Academics in Spain. Academics in Africa. Academics in other parts of Europe. Academics in the Middle East. Academics that were the only folks out from among their household to attend school and graduate. Academics that were bullied, disrespected, abused and picked on for being different and looked at as freaks, losers, oddballs and outcasts. Academics that fight tooth and nail to have an education in the midst of war, poverty and humanitarian crises. Academics that literally have to fight for an education while having to deal with various stumbling blocks such as financial difficulties, gender discrimination, racial discrimination, class discrimination, religious discrimination or unsupportive people. Elderly academics who went to school, got an education and graduated later in life.

To academics everywhere, whatever your race, gender, religion, socio-economic status or situation is, I love you all. From an academic nerd to other academic nerds everywhere.

[sundew199]

All For You

tags: Fluff, reiner's pov, modern au, no specific p/n’s used

You had the roughest day yesterday, falling into his arms the second you stepped through the door, burying your face into his chest. It was a bit of a downer on his part, having planned a nice date night for the two of you but deciding what you needed was a night in, curled up on the couch and watching reruns of your favorite show. Reiner hated to see your spirit dampened, the glow from your face dimmed and somber from the actions of other people. He wanted to shield you from that, like a parent protecting the innocence of their child.

Even though he knew it would be best for you to quit your job or transfer to a different office, Reiner didn't want to put the pressure, you were an adult who could make their own decisions. That same night, while curled up in bed after nearly falling asleep on the couch, you quietly mention wanting to spend a day in nature, walk through sprawling gardens of flowers and sit in a thick forest of trees to clear your mind of everything weighing you down. That's where he got the idea to take you to the arboretum, buying tickets from his phone once he swore you were asleep.

He woke up earlier than usual the next morning, bringing you coffee in bed and shying away from your prying question, insisting he always does things like this for you, which wasn't a lie, Reiner's life might as well have been centered around you, his love and dedication driving him. And how could he not, you were his person, the other half of his heart and all things good, making it less of a challenge to fall more and more in love with you.

The morning was expectantly slow, curled up back in bed with you after taking a few sips of your coffee, head tucked under his chin and arms wrapped around his neck. He would've stayed like this all day, but there was somewhere the two of you had to be.

"Where are you going?" Hearing your whine that made him pulling away feel like a villain.

"To get dressed." Kissing the tip of your nose and watching your face turn to pondering.

"It's Saturday, our day off."

"Yea, but I'm taking you somewhere today."

A litany of question followed, eager to know where he was taking you, following him into the bathroom and into the closet. Gently he brushed them off, telling you the surprise would be ruined. That seemed to work, watching you turn giddy with excitement Time slowed as he tried to focus on getting dressed, distracted with watching you get ready, the detail you put into your appearance and just how much he loved the little things about you. And there were so many he could spend days listing them off to anyone who dared to listen.

He had your things ready to go by the front door, handing them off to you and interlacing his hand in yours for the short walk out the front door to the car. The drive was lengthy, but not horrible as Reiner got to listen to your ramblings, relieved the previous bad day at work had been overcome quickly by you.

A man at the gate scanned the tickets from his phone, directing him where to park. You were busy texting someone to notice where you'd arrive at, and Reiner was kind of glad, adding more sweetness to the surprise outing today.

"Where are we?" Asking as you walked beside him in the parking lot, hand in hand, swinging his arm back in forth with yours.

"The arboretum." Answering with a smile, swelling with adoration at your soft gasp and falter in your steps.

"You were listening?"

"When am I not?" Stopping to squeeze your hand and give a quick peck to your lips, hurrying you along so you could spend all the time you wanted in the botanical gardens. The woman who scanned the same tickets handed you each a brochure highlighting the different areas. The magnolia grove was first on your list, dragging Reiner along in excitement and him happily being dragged.

A canopy of trees shielded the paved path, familiar white blooming flowers with dark green leave blowing in the wind. Reiner hadn't noticed how sweet these flowers smelled, heavy with an odd trace of lemon that pulled him into memories of when you'd get home from work before him and was wiping down the kitchen counters. From the moment he talked to you before mustering up the courage to ask you on a date, he knew you loved flowers and not just bouquets to put in a vase, no you had a passion for the delicate beauty of nature.

Steps lingered in the grove, Reiner watching you take pictures of the trees from every angle, smiling from a distance and wondering how he got so lucky. You were pure, full of passion for the things that took your interest and unabashedly expressed your love for the things that caught your eye, Reiner just so happened to be one of them.

"I saw there was a Koi pond, let's go there next." Suddenly standing in front of him, concluding your photography session with the Magnolia trees.

The arboretum was expansive to the point it could take all day to explore every area, and he knew you would want to. The Koi pond was unfortunately on the other side of where the Magnolia grove was, with plenty of areas to stop by on the way to the pond.

"We can stop by the rose garden and butterfly greenhouse on the way to the pond, if you want." Suggesting, seeing you nod idly while looking over the brochure while walking down the paved path. You were focused on planning out your sightseeing, brows slightly pinched and lips pursed.

"Let's go." Grabbing his hands and picking up the pace in your steps, weaving in and out of the other people walking the other way, set on making it to where he had suggested.

Elegant roses of nearly every color filled the flower beds of the enchanting garden. There were people sitting in the eloquent spiraling benches, taking in the scenery or reading a book they had Brough for ambiance. Reiner felt entranced, never seeing roses look prettier than they already were, glancing in your direction to see you examining the flower. He came up behind you, softened when you looked back at him with a gleeful smile, like a little kid living out a fantasy and that stirred something in Reiner.

Seeing you happy made him swell in his chest already, but to see you guileless and almost innocent just reestablished how lucky he was. God he loved you, swore he loved you more than the average man loved their partner, with the way you always brought a genuine smile to his face at just a mere glance.

"I wish I could pick a few, maybe dry out some of the petals, press them into a journal." Saying to no one, but still catching Reiner's attention and having him look to see if there were any signs that instructed patrons to not pick the flowers.

Guiding you away, further from where majority of the people say on the benches, he did his best to look unsuspecting for what he planned to do. Confident both of you were out of view, Reiner bent down close to your ear.

"Which color?"

Your head snapped to look at him, almost immediately with how close you nearly collided with his face.

"What?" Whispering through your teeth in a hiss, not believing what you were hearing.

"Pick a color, hurry." Digging around in his pocket for the small pocket knife he carried, weighing his actions by moving this wallet to the opposite back pocket from where it was to ward off suspicious eyes, if there were any.

"Peach or the yellow red tipped one."

Giving a nod, bending down at the knees, balancing his weight of his feet, he slide the blade of the pocket knife right under where the flower bloomed, handing you the peach colored one first. The yellow red tipped one was in close proximity, repeating the method again and handing you the second one, flipping his knife closed and shoving it away.

It was a stroke of luck that it was slightly chilly enough for jackets to be worn, watching as you carefully placed two heads of roses into your inner jacket pocket, giggling when you casually took his hand to walk away.

"Thank you."

"All for you." Kissing your cheek as he pulled you by the hand into his side, headed towards the way you came into the rose garden.

[mixtapemag]

JULIEN BAKER AT THALIA HALL

Photos by Christopher Hall

Julien Baker kicked off her fall 2024 tour with an unbelievable show full of twists and turns on Monday night in Chicago. Julien walked on stage solo to start the set - launching into "Guthrie." The set saw live debuts of "Conversation Piece" and "Crying Wolf" and the debut of a brand new song named "Middle Children."

Julien introducing "Middle Children" was met with an excited roar from the crowd before the room fell completely silent - each human being in Thalia Hall feeling new Julien music wash over them. The song was beautiful and synthy and full of harmonies. It feels like a big new warm direction for JB.

The rest of the setlist bounced back and forth between Julien backed by her big band and just her and a guitar. There was a funky "Shadowboxing" and a big loud "Turn Out The Lights" which kicked off the encore. A one-two punch of "Ringside" and "Hardline" off of Little Oblivions closed the night.

Monday night was the start of a multi-city North American tour that runs through the end of October. Julien and the band sound spectacular and you should make it a priority to get out to a show ASAP.

Check out everything Julien Baker over here.

Previously on Mixtape:

Photos of Julien Baker at The Kennedy Center.

Photos of boygenius at connect festival.

Photos of boygenius at pryzm.

Photos of boygenius at the piece hall.

Photos of boygenius at way out west 2023.

Photos of boygenius at the idaho botanical garden.

Photos of boygenius at the forest hills stadium.

Photos of boygenius at the fox theater.

Photos of boygenius at the premiere of "the film".

Photos of Julien Baker at Fox Theater.

Photos of Julien Baker at 9:30 Club.

Photos of Julien Baker at Amplify Decatur.

Photos of boygenius at Brooklyn Steel.

Photos of Julien Baker at Shadow of the City.

Photos of Julien Baker in Prospect Park.

Photos of Julien Baker at White Eagle Hall.

Photos of Julien Baker at Union Transfer.

Photos of Julien Baker at Outside Lands.

Photos of Julien Baker at Newport Folk Festival.

Christopher Hall posts over here. Go see Julien & the band.

[softproser]

jadetham 𓂃 jade ෆ al haitham

pardis dhyai, nigh midnight. it's just-past-sabzeruz and AL HAITHAM [silvertongued, moonshine handsome, oyster-throated] has brought JADE [equally silvertongued, eggshell-boned, but with a heart cut from diamond] to the botanical garden to show her the new species of flower he's cultivated. a precious gift for his precious lover.

al haitham's hands cup jade's as she holds one in the cradle of her palms, the butterfly-beats of his fingers tickling her skin. the hybrid flower heavily resembles nilotpala lotuses, blooming into soft shades of blue and indigo beneath the moonlight that casts a silver glow through the glass windows, glinting off the unfurling petals as if they're cheekily saying hello.

JADE: [half-smiling, head caught in an inquisitive tilt] so... this is what you've been up to the past few weeks, spending all that time with tighnari and collei. don't tell me you're planning on leaving me behind in the city to join the forest rangers.

al haitham huffs out a breathy chuckle, the corner of his lip curling into an infuriatingly handsome smirk.

AL HAITHAM: never. [a terse pause, and then his smirk spreads wider] if i did, who else would you have around to keep you on your toes?

he plucks one of the bloomed flowers from the garden, walking around behind jade to tuck its stem within the roots of her braided hair, sealing its spot with a whisper of a kiss to the crown of her head.

AL HAITHAM: i've been doing some reading on flower language, and—

JADE: [playfully] as if the 20 languages you already know aren't enough?

her question breaks off into a lovely little peal of giggles as al haitham responds to her teasing by flicking another flower towards her face, splashing the nighttide dew from the petals over her cheek.

AL HAITHAM: [rolling his eyes in faux exasperation] — and, the lotus has historically been connected to eternal devotion.

jade gives him a sly look, and he can't help but smile at the sight of how she sucks in her cheek between her molars in that adorable way she does when playing coy with him.

JADE: eternal devotion, hm... might you be hinting at something, al haitham?

there's a beat of silence as al haitham admires jade like this, as she stands before him in all her coquettish beauty, beneath the milky moonlight. the subtle hitch of his breath that doesn't go unnoticed by her, the gooey melt of his gaze that usually strikes one upon the realisation of how deep in love they've drowned.

AL HAITHAM: [hushed, as if he is to speak a secret] you really want to know?

JADE: [humming in playful contemplation] i do.

AL HAITHAM: alright, then.

there's a mischievous twinkle that swims around his eyes as takes a step toward her, ghosting his pointer finger over the strand of hair that falls by her face, tucking it behind her ear before holding so delicately her jaw in the seat of his palm.

AL HAITHAM: [with an uncharacteristic softness] you see, there is this woman i am quite devoted to— this clever, witty, maddeningly beautiful woman who finds it most amusing to keep me on my toes... that i would not mind spending the rest of my life with.

jade catches him shuffling his free hand around in his pocket out of her periphery, and her heart begins to thump a little harder in anticipation at what might occur in the seconds to follow.

JADE: [grinning, but the slight wobble to her voice gives her away] the rest of your life? that sounds exhausting for her. how do you know she's up for it?

the two share a charged look, and al haitham thumbs at jade's ring finger, searching for something that is soon yet to find its home there.

AL HAITHAM: [barely a whisper] have i ever been wrong when it came to matters surrounding her? i'm willing to take my chances.

— happy two years of love my precious jadetham 🌱❄️ here is something small, a memory of you both captured in my eyes as the fly on the wall ♥︎ i hope you can forgive me for being so late to the occasion .. @silkjade

[not-orphaned-account]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I'm keeping to my break from writing, but I love the holidays and wanted to do a little something for Christmas. Just some well-deserved love and rest for the boys with cuddles and gifts. I hope you enjoy!

“It’s really coming down.”

Satoru glances up from the TV to see his boyfriend standing by the window, peering out into the street below. They’re far up, so he has to crane his neck a little; they’re technically on a mission, but thanks to the Gojo family fortune, they get to spend their downtime in a hotel room that’s more like a luxury apartment. It makes Satoru feel a little smug—the fancy digs don’t really faze him, but the fact that he gets to technically treat Suguru while they’re on business makes him feel good. 

He loves stuff like that: getting him gifts, taking him out on fancy dates and lavish trips. Suguru has never really liked the latter—he let him know at the beginning of their relationship that he really prefers date nights in, or simple things like going the arcade or the botanical gardens. So, Satoru does what he can, like splurging on missions and gettting him too many presents (in Suguru’s words.)

“Yeah?” he sits up, stretching his arms above his head and letting out a yawn. Suguru hums.

“Yeah. Look, it’s like a blanket out there.”

It’s not like they’ve never seen snow before, but Satoru just smiles to himself and pushes himself to stand, joining Suguru by the window.

It really is snowing pretty hard; the streets are covered by over a foot of powder, and more is falling fast, thick, fluffy flakes dancing in the golden glow of the street lamps. The twinkling lights from the Christmas decorations outside almost every building down the block paint the snow with colour, watercolour splashes against a frozen canvas. It’s pretty, but Suguru—standing in front of the window, staring out at the snow as the multicoloured lights from below reflecting in those dark eyes—is breathtaking.

There’s something so enchanting about the way Suguru looks at beauty. It’s a quiet sort of joy, something that lights up his face and makes his eyes shine. Satoru sees it: he sees it when they’re walking through the forests bordering the school, when they fly above the clouds on the rainbow dragon, when they gaze up at the sky on missions that take them outside of the cities, away from the light pollution where they can actually see the stars. When Suguru looks at Satoru.

And, more recently, when he looks at the twins. At a different point in his life, Satoru might have thought that he’d feel jealous seeing that look directed at someone other than him; as things are now, though, he couldn’t fathom the thought. The girls have only been a part of their lives for a few years, but already they’ve taken over every part of it, and it shows in the little things: in the little pink socks that got mixed in with their laundry and turned Suguru’s uniform shirt pink; in the juice boxes in the door of their fridge, the gross ‘fruits and vegetables’ stuff that Satoru turns his nose up at, but are perfect for growing bodies; in the pattering footsteps that run and dance through their house, the chattering voices that fill the silences that Satoru finds he doesn’t miss at all. The girls are only theirs on weekends and holidays—they need a proper education for now, one they won’t get on the Jujutsu Tech campus where he and Suguru have made their home. But they are still such a big part of their lives, and he really wouldn’t have it any other way.

Suguru looks like that now, that same soft glow in his eyes that he loves with, and Satoru can’t help but wrap his arms around his waist and press a kiss to his shoulder. His hair is silky and soft, dried from his shower and smelling of vanilla and spice, and his skin is warm where Satoru’s lips meet it, just above the collar of his sweatshirt.

“Come watch the movie with me,” he murmurs, tugging at the hem of Suguru’s shirt. Suguru snorts, but allows himself to be walked backwards toward the couch, and subsequently pulled on top of Satoru as he lays back down, sprawling out against the cushions as he holds Suguru against him. 

“There’s no point,” Suguru murmurs, but he tucks his bangs back and rests his head on Satoru’s chest, turning his eyes to the screen. “I don’t know enough English to get most of it, and the sound quality is so bad that I doubt I could understand it anyways.”

“It’s the Grinch, how much do you need to understand?”

“Not all of us grew up taking international trips all the time, Satoru. I don’t know all of these Christmas movies you keep watching.”

“Well, there’s not much else on,” he says with a shrug. “It’s Christmas Eve.”

Overseas missions aren’t all that common, even for them, given the scarcity of curses outside Japan. Still, he thinks this is one of the better times they could’ve been sent to North America; there’s a sort of energy in the air, a thrumming excitement that he supposes comes with the holiday.

They watch the movie together, Satoru absently running a hand up and down Suguru’s back, Suguru tracing idle patterns into the base of his skull, occasionally scratching his fingers up into his hair. It’s comfortable, and Satoru finds his eyelids getting heavy as he watches the cartoon on screen, finding himself a bit lost every so often with the nonsense words thrown in.

It ends soon enough—too soon, really, now that Suguru is acting as his personal weighted blanket. Still, there’s something that’s been itching under his skin for days now, and he despite how comfortable he is and how it’s technically not Christmas yet, he doesn’t think he can hold it in any longer.

“Hey, Suguru?”

Suguru hums, eyes still fixed on the screen. He seems half asleep, and Satoru almost feels bad, but he nudges him anyways.

“You should go look in my bag.”

That gets him looking up, a confused little crease between his brows that Satoru desperately wants to kiss.

“What do you need? Why can’t you get it?”

Satoru suppresses a sigh, kisses the tip of his nose.

“Just do it.”

Grumbling, Suguru pushes himself up and wobbles to his feet, clearly still sleepy. Satoru watches him as he disappears into the bedroom, keeping track of his movements with Six Eyes as he finds his suitcase on the floor and opens it.

A beat of silence, then two. Then, Satoru hears a sigh from the bedroom, and his face splits into a grin.

When Suguru emerges holding a long, flat, messily-wrapped box, he looks like he can’t decide whether to be amused or exasperated.

“What is this.”

Satoru’s grin widens.

“Merry Christmas.”

“Satoru, when have we ever celebrated Christmas?”

Satoru pouts up at him.

“What? It’s the spirit of the season. Ho ho ho and all that.”

Suguru looks up at the ceiling for a few seconds.

“You’re…”

He trails off, shaking his head. Satoru just laughs and sits up, crossing his legs and impatiently drumming on the cushions in front of him.

“Come on, open it, open it, open it!”

“Alright, alright.”

Taking a seat on the other end of the sofa, Suguru turns the box over in his hands, clearly trying to find a good place to open the paper. Satoru bites hard on the inside of his cheek to resist the urge to just grab the box from him and rip it open himself.

Suguru starts to carefully open the gift, but not even he is immune to the rush of tearing open a present. He rips the paper off and throws it on the floor, slitting the tape on the box lid with his thumbnail and carefully opening it.

He stares down into the box for a long few seconds, and Satoru tries not to squirm. The look in Suguru’s eyes when he finally raises his head, however, is worth the wait.

“Satoru,” he says, and his voice is soft and sweet and Satoru falls a little more in love with him. “It’s beautiful.”

“Do you want to put it on?” he asks. Suguru brushes his fingers along the polished wood base of the kanzashi. 

“I don’t have my hair done.”

“We can do something quick. Come on, let me help you.”

He all but drags Suguru to the bathroom, unable to stop grinning. Suguru looks a little exasperated but oh so fond as he lets himself be positioned in front of the mirror, meeting Satoru’s eyes as his own crinkle in the corners.

Satoru ties half of his hair up at the back of his head as he gently lifts the kanzashi from the box and hands it back to him. He places it carefully, arranging the rest of his hair to keep it in place. The white jade dragon adorning the dark wood stands out beautifully against his hair, the delicate dangling chains giving the appearance of glittering water trailing down and falling between the strands.

Suguru tilts his head to admire it, and Satoru grabs the hand mirror from the counter to show him the back. His eyes glitter like the silver strands, and Satoru wraps his arms around his waist and rests his chin on his shoulder, watching him in the mirror.

“Do you like it?” he asks, softly, unwilling to break the spell. Suguru rests his hands over Satoru’s, stroking the skin of his wrist.

“I love it,” he murmurs, tilting his head to catch Satoru’s lips with his. Satoru smiles into the kiss, melting a little when Suguru brushes his fingers against his cheek. “Thank you.”

“You look beautiful,” Satoru hums, kissing his jaw and looking at him in the mirror again. “I’m so lucky.”

The tips of Suguru’s ears turn bright red, and he averts his eyes, missing Satoru’s grin in the mirror. 

It quickly turns to a frown when Suguru reaches up and deftly removes the pin, letting his hair fall free.

“Hey!”

“I don’t want to ruin it,” he says, carefully placing it back in the box. “It’s too pretty to sleep in.”

He tucks it ever so carefully into his suitcase as Satoru flops onto the couch again, turning his attention back to the TV where a new movie has started playing. When he comes back, he lays back down on Satoru’s chest, loose hair falling over his shoulders as he rests his chin on his chest and brushes his knuckles against his cheek.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get you anything.”

“Don’t,” Satoru tuts, pressing his thumb between Suguru’s brows. “I like getting you pretty things.”

“I don’t need any more pretty things,” Suguru says with a sly little smile. “I already have the prettiest thing all to myself.”

Satoru feels the blood rush to his cheeks, confirmed by the way Suguru’s grin sharpens and his eyes sparkle. He grumbles, tugging lightly at his bangs and pointedly ignoring his chuckle.

“I got the girls some stuff too,” he admits, watching the screen and willing the flush in his face to go down. “They’re probably a bit tourist trap-y but I think they’ll enjoy them. And I sent Riko and Kuroi theirs already.”

“Dangerous,” Suguru hums, though he doesn’t sound too serious as he continues stroking his cheek, watching the antics of the dancing snowman on the television. “You shouldn’t really be sending gifts to dead people.”

“Nobody’s going to track them down,” Satoru waves him off. “We did a good job. They’ll be living peacefully and anonymously for the rest of their lives. Oh, and I got the Fushiguros some stuff as well, but I’ll give it to them when they come back for the break.”

Suguru doesn’t answer for a moment, and when Satoru looks down, he’s staring right at him with stars in his eyes, lips slightly parted. He raises an eyebrow, and Suguru blinks, an unreadable expression passing over his face.

“You’re soft,” he eventually says, pinching Satoru’s cheek. He yelps, batting his hand away.

“Ow!”

“Shush, I can’t hear the movie.”

And Satoru calls bullshit, he can barely tell what the canned voice from the TV is singing, but Suguru’s eyes are trained on the screen, and he has the feeling that he should just drop it.

So he does. He tangles his hand loosely in Suguru’s hair, lightly scratching his fingers against his scalp and holding him against his body with his other hand. He’s warm, and he’s comfy, and at this point Suguru’s eyes are closing and his own are starting to feel heavy, and they should really move to the bed so they don’t wake up sore. He really can’t be arsed to move, though, and he thinks Suguru might bite him if he tries to get him up now, so he just lets his eyes close as the television drones on in the background.

*~*~*

Satoru wakes up with a crick in his neck, pins and needles in his foot, and a headache beginning to scratch at the back of his skull. The curtains are drawn but there’s a sliver of light shining in, too white and piercingly bright from the snow outside. He grunts, then stretches his arms and legs, groaning as his joints crack and his blood starts flowing again. 

He sits up and opens his eyes, squinting around the room. Suguru is nowhere to be seen, but there’s the smell of coffee lingering in the room, and when he looks over his shoulder, the pot is sitting on the counter beside the coffee maker. It’s empty, only a thin layer of coffee at the bottom, which is odd; Suguru is the only one of them that drinks coffee, and he always complains about wasting it as if he has more than one cup in the morning, he gets all jittery.

Footsteps thud against carpet, and he looks to the door of the bedroom just in time to see Suguru, still in the clothes he was in last night and holding a mug of coffee. He looks surprised to see him up, but Satoru feels like he’s the one who should be surprised; he’s usually the first one awake, and it looks like Suguru has been awake for a while now.

“Morning,” he says, yawning so hard his jaw cracks and ruffling the back of his hair. “You been awake long?”

“No,” Suguru says quickly, then hesitates. 

“Yeah.”

Satoru snorts a little, resting his chin on the back of the couch and grinning up at him.

“Okay, what’s going on? You’re terrible at secrets.”

Suguru looks like he wants to argue, but he just bites his cheek, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

“I got you something too,” he says finally. Satoru blinks.

“You got me a Christmas present? But—”

He doesn’t get a chance to finish his questions before Suguru spins and brusquely walks back into the bedroom. He stares after him, sleepy brain a little too sluggish to process what exactly is going on.

When Suguru returns, it’s with a bundle of something that takes him a second to recognize as the same wrapping paper as last night.; he must’ve used the scraps from his gift to wrap Satoru’s. Everything about his behaviour is strange, but Satoru knows that it’s best to let him gather his thoughts before he speaks, so he just sits and lets him do what he has to, quietly watching as he sits on the sofa beside him and stares down at the gift in his hand.

After a few seconds, he takes a deep breath and turns to face him, extending the bundle of paper. It’s a little hard to tell there’s anything in there, and the tape is barely sticking, but Satoru thinks it might be the best present he’s ever gotten already.

“Merry Christmas,” Suguru says, the heavily accented and a little stilted, and Satoru grins.

“Sap,” he says, leaning forward to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “You’re getting soft, babe.”

“Just—open it.”

Satoru chuckles but obliges, sitting back and tearing at the paper.

It’s pretty heavily wrapped, but after a few seconds, he manages to pull out a small wooden box, plain but pretty, with a delicate carving of two swimming betta fish on the lid. He thumbs over the design for a moment before going to open the box, but Suguru’s hand over his stops him, and he looks up.

Suguru is staring down at their hands, but he lifts his head to meet Satoru’s eyes. He looks a little pale, and his lower lip is red where he’s obviously been biting it.

He looks like he wants to say something, but instead just pauses for a beat before closing his mouth, slowly removing his hand from Satoru’s. Satoru watches him for a moment, heart beginning to beat a little faster as he slowly opens the box, still staring at Suguru.

When he looks down, his breath catches in his throat.

The ring is beautiful: a modest opal set in a gold band, the stone cradled by delicate gold detailing, making it look like a rose in bloom. It’s not overly flashy, nothing overstated; a quiet sort of beauty that settles in Satoru’s heart, familiar and warm. He goes to brush his finger over the stone, but pauses, looking up instead.

Suguru is staring at him, lower lip caught between his teeth. Moving slowly, Satoru catches it with his thumb, gently tugging it free.

There’s no words to be said, so he doesn’t say anything; just leans forward and presses his lips to Suguru’s. All of the tension appears to leak out of him, and he lifts a hand to cup Satoru’s face, tugging him closer. When the kiss breaks, his pupils are blown, and he stares at Satoru like the sun.

“Is that a yes?” he croaks. Satoru can’t help it; he bursts out laughing, thunking his forehead against Suguru’s.

“Depends on what you’re asking,” he teases. Suguru makes a pained noise, and Satoru grins, holding his face.

“Idiot,” he says fondly. “In what world would I ever say no?”

They embrace on the couch for a few more moments before Satoru pulls back, just enough to look at Suguru. His ears are red, but his eyes are starry, and he looks a lot less freaked out than he had a few minutes ago.

Still, Satoru is Satoru, and he can’t help but tease.

“I can’t believe you proposed on Christmas, you sappy fuck. Who was it going on about not celebrating, again?”

“I wasn’t planning on it,” Suguru huffs, bumping his knuckles against Satoru’s forehead. “I got it a while back, been keeping it on me. Kept going back and forth on whether to give it to you.”

“Hm, I don’t know. I think you’re getting sentimental in your old age.”

Suguru snorts.

“Ah, yes, the ripe old age of twenty-four.”

“Hey, your birthday is coming up. You won’t be youthful for much longer.”

Suguru shakes his head, but he can’t seem to stop smiling. 

“Are you going to let me put it on you, or are you going to keep bullying me for the rest of the day?”

The ring fits him perfectly, and Suguru keeps his hand cradled in his own, running his thumb over his knuckles. As if he can’t help himself, he lifts it to his lips, pressing a kiss to his fingers and making Satoru swoon a little inside.

Something pricks at the back of his mind, and Satoru’s brow furrows a little. Suguru catches it immediately, raising an eyebrow.

“What’s wrong?”

“You said you’ve been ‘keeping it on you,’” he says, grabbing the box from the sofa cushions and holding it up. “No way you’ve been walking around with this in your pocket.”

Suguru winces a little, and Satoru narrows his eyes, pulling his hand away.

“What?”

He chews on his lip for a second before sighing. His cursed energy spikes in a brief moment before a familiar purple worm appears over his shoulders.

Satoru stares at the worm. Stares at Suguru. Stares at the worm again, eyes boring into that ugly baby face.

And then he recoils.

“Ew!”

“It’s completely sanitary!” Suguru protests, pulling out a small knife, ignoring the slime-like saliva before dispelling the curse. “See? All traces of the curse disappear when I recall it.”

“You put my engagement ring inside a fucking—a gross purple baby worm!”

“It’s no different than the cursed tools!”

He summons the curse again and feeds it the knife before letting it go again. Satoru pouts, glaring at the spot on his shoulder where the thing was sitting.

“Given where that thing came from, I’m frankly offended.”

Suguru sighs.

“You’re being dramatic,” he says, pinching Satoru’s cheek. Satoru scowls and bats his hand away, and he raises an eyebrow.

“I can take it back if you want.”

Satoru gives an offended gasp, clutching his hand to his chest.

“Don’t you dare!”

Suguru rolls his eyes, pinches him again, then catches his chin between his fingers and draws him into another, deeper kiss. He uses Satoru’s indignant squawk as an opportunity to slide his tongue over his lips and into his mouth, curling it against his with a practiced, dirty move.

This time, it’s Satoru’s turn to be starstruck when the kiss breaks, mouth hanging open and cheeks hot. Suguru smirks, tilting his chin up a little.

“Still mad?”

“‘Bout to be, if you don’t do that again.”

Suguru presses his laugh into Satoru’s mouth with another kiss, placing a hand on his chest and pushing until he sprawls onto his back on the couch, wrapping paper crinkling under him.

Outside, the snow continues to fall.

[wullfric]

Anyways uhhh... trip review! Yay yippee hurray etc!

What we did: We went to the botanical garden using one of those fancy two floor buses. Everyone fell victim to the novelty of it and went to the second floor, except for me and five other people. This made the ride feel pretty chill because there was not much noise and I got two seats all for myself.

When we got there we were given some time to use the bathroom before meeting the guides, so I took that time to wander around a bit and found this cool pond

Then, I went to meet the guide and they took us to an orchid green house (they mainly study orchids here). I did not gain any new information apart from learning the name of the orchid's modified lower petal. I did take some pictures though

Then, we walked through a secondary forest area, which really did not have anything particularly noteworthy apart from a lot of golden weeb spiders. We did find some ginger root plants and that lead to me learning that the liquid secreted by its flower is used as a higene product by some of the native groups here, which was cool

(The flower that was used by natives was the red variant, I used the yellow one because the picture I took was cooler. Nor sure if there is a substantial difference between the two)

After that, we arrived at the fern area (there are ferns there). Once more, I did not learn anything new and, once morer, I took some pictures

I had never seen a fern three in real life, so this was really awesome. There was also a pond with some water lilies there for some reason

The cactus area followed this, and it was really underwhelming. There was a fucking inflatable there and some people grilling, nor to mention that the presentation of the cactus was terrible. I learned nothing new (not that they discussed the cactus much). Also I got left behind here

After someone finally answered my desperate calling on the group chat, I managed to be reunited with my group. They where at the japanese garden (that is there for reasons), but my late arrival caused me to miss the lore of the place. There were barely any plants there, but they got some nice looking architecture (although I do not know anything about it)

(The second and third photos were taken by a classmate. I used them because I had barely any time to be here)

And that was it for the guided tour. They just dropped us on a picnic area near the japanese garden an told us to go to the reaserch building in an hour. It was really disappointing

In the meantime I got a cool shirt and saw some flowers

The building tour was like ten minutes long. There was a cool library some laboratories where they did micro propagation of plants (taking some meristemas [cells that allow the plant to grow] and leaving them to grow in some substrate while being shaken around so the cells do not differentiate and create roots, leaves or other stuff and then they divide those cells and use them to grow new plants[I knew about the practice, but not the process]) and a photography room where they take apart the plants and make informational images about their individual parts. It was ok

Then I went home the same way on the bus. The end

As for my final thoughts: This trip follows the last trip's thing of feeling way more like a fun little visit than an educational experience and I heavily dislike that. There where some moments in last one that were actual field biology that were absent in this one, so I find this one worse. The shirt I got here was cooler, though. I hope you enjoyed this because I basically doxed myself with this and do not forget to like and subscribe for more in depth biology lab (and more classes in the future) field trip reviews

Final rating: 6/10

[bestghanatours]

Experience Pure Bliss in Ghana's Natural Havens with Best Ghana Tours.

Ghana, a country renowned for its vibrant culture and rich history, also offers some of the most serene and picturesque natural havens in Africa. At Best Ghana Tours we specialize in curating unforgettable experiences that allow you to immerse yourself in the pure bliss of Ghana’s natural landscapes. Whether you’re seeking lush forests, tranquil lakes, or pristine beaches, we have the perfect retreat for you.

One of our top destinations is Kakum National Park, home to Ghana's famous Canopy Walkway. Suspended high above the forest floor, this walkway offers breathtaking views of the lush rainforest. As you walk among the treetops, you can enjoy the calming sounds of nature and spot a variety of wildlife. Best Ghana Tours provides guided tours that delve into the park’s unique flora and fauna, ensuring a serene and educational experience.

Lake Bosomtwe, Ghana's only natural lake, is a tranquil oasis perfect for relaxation and adventure. Formed in a meteorite impact crater, the lake is surrounded by scenic hills and verdant forests. Our tours offer opportunities for boat riding, fishing, and swimming in the calm waters. For those seeking peace, our lakeside accommodations provide stunning views and a soothing atmosphere, making Lake Bosomtwe an ideal spot to unwind.

Just a short drive from Accra, the Aburi Botanical Gardens is a peaceful haven filled with exotic plants and towering trees. Established in 1890, these gardens offer a serene environment for a leisurely stroll or a quiet picnic. Best Ghana Tours organizes guided walks through the gardens, highlighting the diverse plant species and offering insights into their history. The gardens' tranquility makes it a perfect retreat for nature lovers and those looking to escape the city.

For beach lovers, Ada Foah is a must-visit destination. Located where the Volta River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Ada Foah boasts beautiful sandy beaches and clear waters. Our tours include boat rides along the Volta River, bird watching excursions, and visits to local fishing villages. The serene beaches provide an ideal setting for sunbathing, beach combing, and enjoying the gentle ocean breeze. Ada Foah’s peaceful ambiance is perfect for a relaxing coastal getaway.

Mole National Park, the largest wildlife reserve in Ghana, offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquility. With Best Ghana Tours, you can embark on guided safari tours to see elephants, antelopes, and baboons in their natural habitat. The park’s vast landscapes and remote location create a serene environment, making it an excellent destination for wildlife enthusiasts seeking peace and solitude.

Ghana's natural havens provide the perfect backdrop for experiencing pure bliss and tranquility. At Best Ghana Tours we are dedicated to creating memorable journeys that showcase the serene beauty of Ghana's landscapes. From the treetops of Kakum National Park to the peaceful shores of Ada Foah, we ensure that every moment of your trip is filled with relaxation and wonder.

Ready to experience pure bliss in Ghana’s natural havens? Contact Best Ghana Tours today to book your personalized tour. Let us guide you through the serene landscapes of Ghana and create unforgettable memories of tranquility and natural beauty.

[headingalaxys-spicy]

Hello ! Can I request an headcanon for Russia please ? Russia has been in a relationship with a human (gender neutral please) for almost a decade and one day he decides to tell them that he's a nation. After the confession his s/o decides to reveal to him that they're not human but immortal (like they were born in France at the beginning of the 19th century, so they are about 200 years old), how would Russia reacts ?

Thank you in advance, have a nice day ❤

Incoming fluffy post. I don't know why; just this ask filled my mind with clouds.

Enjoy anon~

From the outset of an innocent romance that began when you were in Tomsk. You had seen a tall and imposing giant on the opposite side of the lake looking over at you. At first, his stance toward you seemed ominous. He looked like a legend of a summer Yeti, greyish blond locks slightly rustled in the wind, ever still and watching from the foliage out at other humans that he knows whose lives are transient like that of the mosquitos other small insects that buzz incessantly in his ears. He'd been watching you for a while now since your arrival in the spring to a small cottage home built of pure stone.

Since you were new, you paid him no mind. For he only seemed to appear at random times through the first couple of months. You kept track of the times that you would see the "man beneath the trees" A fun little pastime while adjusting to the new realities of being in a new nation. It was fun and also extremely depressing at times.

You wouldn't be lonely for much longer. Though for one day, he brought his eager cat, who go overzealous and dived into the river. Somehow it swam fast over to your side of the river.

'My owner needs to be bold and get a grip. This is the only way to accomplish it.' As the Siberian Forest Cat speeds away even though it's coat was heavily laden with water from the pristine lake.

From that point on, he finally decided to talk to you. It started a decades-long relationship. That involved long nights walking through secret botanical gardens only he knew about to old war sites that carried history that he deemed essential to him. Some days would be filled with frigid silence after an argument. Others were strange where you only wanted to hold his hand, but not hear his voice. The extreme highs reached the icy tips of Mount Elbrus to the deep lows of the murky black sea. Your type of love is enduring, real, and rare.

Which is why it was easier ...yet still vexing for him because losing you would be a detriment to him, but it could also be spellbindingly exciting. He would no longer have to edit his feeling and speech with you. He could lament about his past and sing you the songs of which he sang while he was lonely.

You were in the same place where you met him when he decided to let the truth soar into the sky.

"Y/N?" He grips your hand tighter than usual. It was a polar bear grip that he had whenever he'd had a harsh truth to tell you. This action pulls you out of your mind and away from the blooming sunflower fields that were only 15 ft away from your vision. You maneuver your now worried eyes up towards his glowing lavender shades. His face is still primarily unreadable. You knew you had to depend on his subtle gestures to read him. You turned your body to face him, and you felt a little wobbly on the grassy ground that had small sprouts, lightly sweeping your snow shoes.

"Ivan."

"I'm a nation. Which means that I'm immortal and I've been alive for hundreds of years. I'm not like you at all but....You're one of the only beings to ever struggle with what love is, and I....." The words came rushing from his mouth like the Neva river reaching the Gulf. He wanted the unpleasant moment to be over in a flash. He know he'd lose you now. You'd think he's crazy, power-hungry, a mons-

A lone hand gently caresses his face to ease his fears. You're unsure of how to react to a confession like that. You don't accuse him of lies or of trying to gain some sort of tiktok fame. You simply just stay silent and allow you smile to bring the sunshine that he's always loved gleaming over his tattered soul. It was a safe haven for him.

"What's wrong sweetheart? If you're afraid you'll lose me because of the confession well consider that fear invalid."

You reached up onto your toes to give him a reassuring cheek kiss. He will in turn accept and let his cheeks go full flush. His face is as red as the last stripe in his flag.

"Y/N?" He asks again as his heart quivers, he's unsure of how to handle the host of new feelings that come along with being as free as a songbird released from it's cage.

If you got Russia of all nations to confess that he’s a nation… Holy Shit that’s a lot of emotional labor that you put into the relationship. Not only that he’s the hardest to get to confess. 

This is a topic that the two of you will have to work out over time. You’re going to be shell-shocked by the truth for a while so much so to where you do leave for a while to work out how you feel. Although during that time you reassure Ivan that you don’t hate him, it’s just a lot to consider. Since he trusts you, he doesn’t freak out about your sudden trip back to your home country. He knows that you need time to process. He’s witnessed you when you’ve been baffled and acknowledges that you need space. Although right before you leave and right after you come back, he will be high-level of clingy. So be prepared for that. You’re the longest stable and HEALTHY relationship he’s ever had so he doesn’t want to mess it up. However, since the foundation of your relationship is solid and not transactional in any manner. His confession to being a nation will draw the two of you together closer.

Neither of you spoke for the rest of the day. You didn't need to. For the sturdy foundation of trust that was already built was enough for you to not worry about what he said but now you were curious as to what the real implications of his confession would be. But none of it scared you or made you anxious. For as long as you had trust that flowed freely between the two of you, nothing else mattered. You grabbed both of his thickly gloved hands and looked him dead in the eyes.

"I love you, Ivan Braganski." as a bold proclamation as if you were about to implement an immediate takeover. You rose to your feet once again and the sprouts seemed to bloom and push you upwards so that you could give him a gentle kiss.

[skymagpie]

Do you guys think that back on Al-An’s home world, the Architects have some kind of huge botanical garden with plant specimen from all around the universe? Same with animal specimen, or perhaps just the DNA of millions of species that they could synthesize as needed?

That would also be interesting with Robin’s arrival, will maybe Al-An try and find all the Earth plants they have and try and offer her familiar food since she has been on 4546B food for so long? Or if the garden has actual living plants, walking through miles and miles of different forests and fields would be really nice.

[signs-of-blossoming]

hello hellooo o/

for the platonic f/o asks:

🏝 Where would you like to travel with your platonic f/o?

📌 How soon and why did you decide to make them an f/o?

🧃 Were you and your f/o childhood friends? If so, what were you like? If not, what would it have been like if you’d known each other as kids?

for mitsuru and/or niki?:3

omg haii hello haiii bestie :D going to answer for both mitsuru and niki

🏝 Travelling gets me very stressed meaning theres like. 0,5 people in the whole world whom id travel with to some place i haven't been in before, so for this one im picking from places ive visited already :3

Mitsuru and Arisu are going to Georgia :3 I had to live there for a bit + came back there several times, and its actually a pretty nice place. I already know where the best bakery in Batumi is + they're going ham on achma and khachapuri + going to the botanical garden together but accidentally going on the wrong bus so Mitsuru and Arisu have to walk five billion hours uphill through the forest on the roadside hust to get there, and then its four hours of walking through it so Mitsuru (unbothered king, still running around) has to drag Arisu back to the exit afterwards <- based on true story. They had fun tho ^w^ A lot of walks near the sea too!!

Arisu and Niki Thailand trip is so real to me. The whole time I've been in Thailand i just kept thinking that having Niki there would be sooo fun. Eating insects without people being weird about it 💗💗💗 Going to a night market to try something different for dinner every time 💗💗💗

huh i really made both of those about food huh....

📌 If we're talking about specifically establishing them as my f/os... Pretty close to this blog creation ngl ^w^ im new here teehee. I have figured out me and Niki share an unbreakable bond pretty much as soon as ive read hot limit (and main story itself to some extent tbh) and i got a soft spot for Mitsuru after reading What Day Is Today and Purple Wisterias of May so... whenever I got my hands on those tls?

🧃 Arisu isn't from Japan originally, so they had zero chance of being childhood friends TwT7 But in an alternative universe....

Arisu used to be much more awkward in the past, but they got along with younger children well enough, so I'd imagine it would be Mitsuru dragging this older nervous kid into his adventures... Fun to imagine indeed hehe :3

And Niki and Arisu i feel like would constantly visit each others houses, to the point where their parents set an extra plate for dinner every time. And when Niki was left to live alone Arisu would come over even more often so he doesn't stay alone

[oliolioxenfreewrites]

Time's Eden: Prologue

In a world where nature has whispered its last breath under the crushing weight of human neglect, a solitary figure walks through the remnants of what was once known as the Eden of Time, the world's last botanical garden. This is Alex, a resilient botanist whose eyes hold the fervor of a fading hope, a hope to revive the barren earth that now stretches endlessly around them.

The garden, a mere shadow of its former glory, lies forgotten, its secrets buried beneath layers of decay and lost memories. Here, amidst the ruins, Alex stumbles upon something extraordinary — an ancient clock, its surface adorned with intricate carvings of flora long thought extinct. This clock, however, is far from ordinary. It hums with a strange energy, an energy that whispers of times past and secrets untold.

Driven by curiosity and the desperate hope that this clock might hold the key to reviving the earth, Alex investigates its mysteries. They soon discover that the clock is not just a keeper of time, but a gateway to it. With each turn of its hands, Alex is transported to different historical points, to times and places where the plants carved on its surface thrived.

But this power comes with a price. For in the shadows of the past, a figure emerges — Jordan, whose fate seems intricately linked with the garden's history and secrets. Their encounters, fleeting and filled with questions, hint at a story much bigger than Alex could have imagined.

As the sun sets on what was once Eden, Alex stands at the precipice of a journey that will span centuries. A journey to uncover the secrets of the past, to revive the barren present, and perhaps, to discover a love that transcends time itself.

But the clock is ticking, and with each journey, the mystery deepens. Who was Jordan, and what role did they play in the garden's history? Can the secrets of the past really save the future? And is Alex prepared for the truths they might uncover?

Join Alex on their journey through time and nature in "Time's Eden," a tale of hope, love, and the relentless pursuit of revival. #TimesEden

Next Part: The Clockwork Secret — Alex's first journey takes them to a time of lush forests and forgotten lore. But not all is as it seems, and danger lurks in the beauty of the past...

[bumblebeeappletree]

We meet Professor Kingsley Dixon, AO, a botanist whose devotion to science has transformed our understanding of native plant cultivation.

He lives on a 160-acre garden and bush block south of Perth, in the Darling Range. This is the passion project of Professor Dixon, an internationally recognised botanist who revolutionised native plant cultivation and is now cultivating a botanic garden of his own. Kingsley, his husband Lionel, and their dog, Rufus, have been working on this historic garden for almost 10 years, lovingly restoring the 12 acres of formal gardens, amassing collections of native and exotic plants, and observing the unique wet temperate forest surrounding it.

Kingsley has decades of important contributions to plant science in Australia, and created the Science and Research department at Kings Park, which he helmed for 32 years. Most notably, he led the team that discovered it was not heat or ash from a bushfire that stimulated the germination of so many Australian plants, but chemicals found in the smoke. This year, he was recognised for his contribution to Australian plant science, receiving an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). He was also Western Australia's Scientist of the Year in 2016, and was featured in David Attenborough’s BBC Private Life of Plants documentary series.

Kingsley grew up in Bayswater, in the eastern suburbs of Perth. ‘My family loved gardening but we were really working class. My dad was a tractor driver but he collected water lilies, we were always building lily ponds!’ His family were largely unaware of native plants though, as were many people at the time.

"My first experience working with native plants was in the summer holidays of 1965/1966. I was 12 years old and had nothing to do, so I would sit in the car with my father while he worked as a bulldozer driver for the rubbish dump. Every day, we drove by a sign for Wyemando Native Plant Nursery, and I finally built up the courage to ask him to drop me off there in the morning and pick me up on his way home from work. I walked into this nursery and asked if I could help out."

The two sisters who ran it, Nancy and Susan Harper, begrudgingly obliged, and his mind was opened to the wonderful world of native plant cultivation.

"Working there exposed me to extraordinary diversity that impressed me so much. I wanted to find magical places that they talked about seeing and collecting plants." This obsession motivated him through his studies.

Along with a team of colleagues from Kings Park and the Universities, he undertook an 11-year study to identify the specific chemical in smoke that is responsible for germination. More than 4000 chemicals in smoke were analysed. This led to the discovery in 2004 of a new class of molecules that they named karrikinolides, after the Noongar word for smoke, ‘Kerrick’. Karrikinolides were the first new class of plant growth regulation hormones discovered in 30 years, and are now used in the common horticultural product, smokewater. "Few other single ecological findings have had such a profound impact across so many areas of Australian ecology.’"

Kingsley has also led significant research in the study and cultivation of native terrestrial orchids. He was one of the scientists who studied the link between orchids and their mycorrhizal fungi, which are crucial to their growth. In the field as well, he was the first to describe at least 3 species of orchid, and Caleana dixonii, the Sandplain Duck Orchid, was first identified by and later named after him.

His research now largely focuses on rebuilding landscapes, such as mine site rehabilitation.

At home, he is also excited to have grown one of Western Australia’s rarest plants, a carnivorous aquatic species called the Waterwheel Plant that traps small insects and animals in the water.

Filmed on Pindjarup Country in Waroona, WA

[bali-adventure-time]

🌴 Ready for an Unforgettable 4-Day Bali Adventure? 🌴

Day 1: Exploring Ubud 🌿🐒

Morning:

Tegallalang Rice Terraces 🌾: Walk through the beautiful rice fields and take photos.

Ubud Monkey Forest 🐒: See playful monkeys in a lush forest.

Afternoon:

Ubud Palace 🏯: Visit this stunning palace and learn about Balinese history.

Ubud Art Market 🎨: Shop for unique crafts and souvenirs.

Evening:

Campuhan Ridge Walk 🌄: Enjoy a scenic walk with amazing views.

Dinner in Ubud 🍽️: Try crispy duck at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Adventure in East Bali 🚵‍♂️🕌

Morning:

Tirta Empul Temple 💧: Visit this temple with holy spring water.

Gunung Kawi 🏞️: Explore ancient rock-cut shrines.

Afternoon:

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) 🐘: Discover a mysterious cave and beautiful pools.

Lunch at a Local Warung 🍛: Enjoy tasty Balinese food like Nasi Goreng.

Evening:

Relax at Your Hotel 🛏️: Enjoy spa time or relax by the pool.

Dinner 🍜: Have a quiet meal at your hotel or a nearby restaurant.

Day 3: Beach Day in South Bali 🏖️🌊

Morning:

Nusa Dua Beach 🏄‍♀️: Relax on the beach and try water sports.

Water Blow 🌊: Watch big waves crash against rocks.

Afternoon:

Jimbaran Bay 🦞: Eat delicious seafood at a beachside café.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park 🦅: See the huge statue and explore the park.

Evening:

Uluwatu Temple 🌅: Visit the cliff-top temple and watch a Kecak Dance at sunset.

Dinner at Jimbaran Beach 🍤: Enjoy a seafood dinner on the sand.

Day 4: Exploring North Bali 🌺💦

Morning:

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple ⛩️: Visit this temple on a lake.

Handara Gate 📸: Take cool photos at this iconic gate.

Afternoon:

Gitgit Waterfall 💧: Hike to this beautiful waterfall.

Bali Botanic Garden 🌳: Explore the gardens and see tropical plants.

Evening:

Lovina Beach 🏖️: Relax at this quiet beach and maybe see dolphins.

Dinner in Lovina 🍽️: Have dinner at a beachfront restaurant.

Additional Tips:

Transportation 🚗: Hire a private driver for easy travel.

Accommodation 🏨: Stay in central places like Ubud and Nusa Dua.

Local Etiquette 🙏: Dress modestly at temples and respect local customs.

Enjoy your Bali adventure! 🌴🌞

For more information, visit our official website La Esperanza Travels or contact us at 9811822579.