#one thing nice is you can just buy the sauce packets and bring it back

[realtapiocafan]

OHHHH HI SORRY I JUSTTTT saw your rb tags to the hated food post are youuuuu from indonesia too?!?!?!!!?!!!?! or like south east asia skdhsksj oh my godddd the sudden BAKMI AYAMMM SOTO BETAWI 😭😭😭 I ADOREEE SOTO BETAWIII love me santan rich indo food 😭👍👍👍👍👍 god sorry but like. the suddenness of like. BAKMI AYAMMM KERUPUKKK wdym soto BETAWIIII threw me off if you aren’t i apologize LMAOOO but like. if you ARE that’s crazyyy what are the ODDS 😭

- @chasedeys!! can’t ask from my sideblog soooo

LMAO my parents are indonesian (jakarta) and we go back often since a lot of my extended family still lives there, i forgot that i never said it online whoops

[harlotofupdog]

This was meant to be a groveling apology post but it turned into a rage meta post.

I have so many fics that I want to read or finish reading from writers whose work I truly adore, and so much art that I want to stare at and squeal about, and I just haven't got to it. There are fics that I am so in love with and I just… I can't open AO3 until I can just sit, y'know?

I know that literally no-one is counting on me for this stuff because I am a tiny wonker, but I feel perpetually awful about it nonetheless. I also have a bunch of fic stuff (writing and beta) that I never get to, and I'm now at the point where I'm so overwhelmed by all the things I need to do that I'm paralysed by procrastination. There's probably a few topsy-turvy chonkadonks of recent news that haven't helped, but the main thing is…

FUCKING HOTEL ROOMS.

I spend so much time in hotel rooms. I used to love hotel rooms. It felt like a little treat every time I stayed in a nice one. Bright white sheets, little sachets of tea and shitty instant coffee, minibars, dressing gowns, inconvenient power outlets, unflattering mirrors - I loved it all. But now I fucking dread them. They are my ultimate (bad) liminal spaces - just fancy transit points between the airport or the train station or the closest fucking McDonald's where I can eat a zillion nuggets until I feel better.

I've tried to be productive in hotel rooms, I really have. I bring my laptop, I bring my sketchpad. Sometimes I have a couple of free hours in the evening, and god, why don't I use them? Instead, I sit and think and scroll while I drink all the shitty tea and shitty coffee and sometimes an entire bottle of red or whatever tiny booze they have in the minibar.

It occurs to me, after 6000 years of fucking hotel rooms, that they are… Heaven. They are, right? Crisp, light, bright, stifling. There's the concierge in their nice suit, the fancy faux marble foyer, elevators that sneak up from behind and then DING as if you're the arsehole for facing the other way, mirrors fucking EVERYWHERE jump-scaring you with your own face, the end of the toilet paper folded into a little triangle... (whose bum needs that? A tiny triangle before the rest of the paper? No-one's bum needs that!)

And Heaven is always watching, isn't it?

The binful of teabags, the crumpled up packets of crisps-for-dinner, the empty bottle of wine - they will all be SEEN, along with the sanitary bag and the snotty tissues and the laddered stockings that I've wrenched off in a rage because now I have to go buy more. (WHY DID HOTELS GET RID OF BIN BAGS?)

We haven't even made it to the mortifying ordeal of ordering room service as a solo business traveler. I order the club sandwich, because that is the first thing you should order in a hotel, always - this is a rule. I eat it, it's fine. Club sandwiches have probably hauled me back from the edge of madness/chicken nuggets at least four times now. The next night, though, I don't want a club sandwich. I want something else.

A pizza.

There is no option to order a half pizza, and if I order a whole pizza, I will eat the whole pizza. So I order a whole pizza, obviously. I eat the pizza, because of course I do - it's not great, but it's kinda okay and it's something to do because I can't do any of the other things like live or breathe or exist in regular human form.

But when the pizza is gone, I look at the empty tray sitting on the slimy glass-topped desk and the realisation hits: they will know I know they know that I sat on my pristine bed, shoving melted cheese and prosciutto into my mouth, probably in full view of some late night meeting in the next building over, while staring at a wall and fervently wishing I were elsewhere.

There is probably sauce on the sheets and a bit of rocket on the floor that I can't find, and the TV remote is greasy af. It's basically a murder scene and I will feel guilty for the next millennia and a bit.

In conclusion...

Heaven is a panopticon and so is the Hilton. But Azi showed up for it, and so will I. Hopefully we can all make it back to the comfy, dusty book-filled spaces for good one day.

[works-of-fanfiction]

Harmless Fun - Graham Coxon x Reader

Summary: Graham agrees to a date at the funfair with the reader. (I imagined 2020/21 Graham whilst writing this, but you can view him however you like.)

Requested by: Anon - who wanted to see an older introverted Graham with an extroverted reader - I put a little spin on this with Graham coming out of his shell more throughout. I hope I did the idea justice!

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 2.8k

___________________

Among the extravagant rides, flashing lights and hundreds of people, Graham and I seem so small. We link arms as we walk into the funfair, exchanging a couple pounds each for fluorescent orange paper wristbands and glow-in-the-dark hand stamps shaped like goldfish. Graham’s smudges across his knuckles a little and we both make fun of the distorted icon on his skin. “That’s a very chubby goldfish.” I giggle, tracing the outline of it with my finger then comparing it to my own.

“No, yours is just starving. Look!” Graham points at my stamp, rubbing his finger over it to try and smudge it. It doesn’t budge and I laugh mockingly before tugging on his hand to drag him further down the gravelled entryway.

We reach a red arch covered in bright lights, mimicking a stereotypical dressing room mirror, like the kind you’d see in a movie. Graham and I spend the next couple of minutes dodging couples and families taking photos, the repetitive sounds of phone cameras clicking and flashes going off. Coming to a halt, I pull Graham to the side and grab my film camera from my tote bag. I wiggle it in front of his face, donning the classic puppy dog eyes to try and get my way. “Y/N…” He starts, taking the camera from my hand. “There’s so many people here. We can take a photo inside.”

“But this is such a nice spot! It’s so bright and sparkly. It’ll make such a pretty picture, Gra.” I beg, batting my eyelashes like a spoilt toddler. He sighs, winding up the camera and holding down the flash button until it lights up. I clap my hands together happily, giving him a quick side-hug before shuffling to the middle of the arch. “Ask him to take the photo.” I whisper, gesturing towards a man stood nearby. Graham shakes his head, holding the camera up to his face.

“Let me take one of you.”

“You’re just making excuses not to be in the picture!” I whine, my hands on my hips as I stare into the lens. Graham unexpectedly presses the button, the flash catching me off guard. “Hey! I wasn’t ready.”

“But you were posing.” He teases, winding the camera again. I shake my head, laughing as I link arms with him and lead him away.

“You still owe me a photo later.” I huff, grabbing the camera and tucking it back into my bag.

Graham chuckles, giving me a kiss on the temple and whispering in my ear, “I win.” I playfully slap his chest and he gasps, pretending it hurts. “Don’t hit the old man.”

“You’re not an old man!” I protest, standing on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. He smiles, unlinking our arms to wrap his around my shoulder. He pulls me close and I settle into his side so perfectly, it’s almost like I was made specifically to be there. “Thank you for agreeing to this.” I say quietly, my arm lazily slung around his back, holding onto his denim jacket.

“Well, you were very persuasive.” He taunts, prodding me in the upper arm and earning himself another slap to the chest.

“Graham! Don’t say that in public.”

“Say what?”

“That! People will hear you.”

“Oh, they don’t know what I’m talking about.” He teases, leaning down to kiss my head. “You always know how to get your own way with me.” His hand slides further up my arm and onto my shoulder, gently massaging it. My eyes flutter closed involuntarily and Graham hums, the sound so smug it snaps me out of my daydream. He knows exactly what that damn shoulder thing does to me. I bat his hand away and point to the carousel which is the first ride we come across.

“You were saying something about me getting my own way?” I slip from his grasp and run to get in line.

“Y/N! The carousel… really?”

“Come on! It’ll be fun.”

Graham looks around, clearly worried or bothered about something. I leave the line before anybody joins behind me and go back over to him. “What’s wrong?” I ask, hands resting on either side of his arms.

“I’m just - I don’t know. We’ll stick out like a pair of sore thumbs on there.” He scratches his head, looking past me at the people climbing onto the brightly painted horses.

“Who cares?” I whisper, leaning closer to him and pressing a light kiss to his nose, before rubbing my nose against his. His glasses graze my face and I pull away, swiping his lenses with my sleeve to make sure I don’t leave any smudges behind. “Shall we?” I ask, holding out my hand to him.

He’s quiet for a moment, giving the carousel one last look before his eyes come back to meet mine. I smile hopefully, my hand still flat awaiting his to connect with it. He sighs and takes my hand, pushing his glasses up onto his nose with the other. “Alright. But I’m having that grey horse there.”

Graham’s horse is on the left, closer to the centre of the ride. I take the white horse beside him and hold onto the gold pole with one hand, the other still in Graham’s. He looks at me and smiles shyly as the ride begins to start, a corny rendition of ABBA’s ‘Mamma Mia’ playing on what sounds like an organ. We both roll our eyes and I listen out for the chorus, joining in with it. Graham bows his head, laughing quietly as I sing the lyrics at the top of my lungs, bopping from side to side and nodding my head to the music. “Why, why did I ever let you go? Mamma Mia! Now I really know - my my, I should not have let you go!” I sing, letting go of the ride to pretend I have a microphone in my hand. Graham leans over and grabs my wrist, pressing my hand back onto the pole.

“Hold on!” He shouts over the music and my tone deaf singing. I flash him an apologetic smile, cheekily blowing him a kiss and carrying on with the song. As the tune fades to an end, so does the ride. He jumps down from his horse and helps me off of mine. We head down the stairs and stand beside the ride control box where Graham stops to fix my hair, moving a piece out of my face and smoothing the rest with his palms. “Did you enjoy that?”

“Very much so!” I grin, staring up at Graham whose face is lit up by the carousel. His eyes catch the light and I can’t help but smile at just how beautiful he looks. The slight salt and pepper colour of his hair is more visible and I reach my hand up to run it through his fringe. “You’re so pretty, Graham.”

“Pretty?”

“That’s what I said.”

His gaze struggles to meet mine and I can’t help the giggle that passes through my lips. “Look at you getting all embarrassed! Is that a blush I see on your cheeks?” I tease, poking his cheek with my finger.

“Stop it…” He says, his voice small and unbelievably adorable. I wrap my arms around him to give him a hug, resting my cheek against his chest. He hugs me back, his chin resting on my head as we slowly sway under the lights. “Are you hungry?” He finally asks and I nod.

We head over to the food stalls and I find a bench, grabbing my scarf from my bag and laying it across the seat before sitting down. Graham stands, looking at the different options. “What do you fancy?” He asks, leaning down and holding onto my shoulders, his face hovering next to mine as I read the banner of each stall.

“I’ll just have some fries. Can we get donuts later?”

“Of course we can get donuts later.” He plants a kiss on my cheek and heads over to get the food, leaving me to save our seats. Taking the camera from my bag, I sneakily snap a picture of Graham as he waits for our orders. His attention is focused on something in the distance so he doesn’t notice the three clicks of the camera flash. One photo is never enough when it comes to Graham. Even if I filled a thousand albums with pictures of him, I’d still want to make it a thousand and one.

He’s back in no time with an extra large tray of fries and a bunch of sauce packets in his hand. He dumps the sauces on the table, putting down the food and untucking two cans of lemonade from under his arm. “I didn’t know if you’d want ketchup or mustard so I just got both.” He shrugs, sliding onto the bench beside me and tearing open a sachet of ketchup. He makes a space on the tray and empties the sauce out, wasting no time and tucking into the fries. I do the same but with mustard, and we assume a comfortable silence as we eat. The action continues around us as various songs play at each ride, all muddling into one and mixing with people’s squeals and screams. The scent of different foods surrounds us and almost tempts me into trying more, but I resist. We clean the tray of fries pretty quickly and decide to walk around, cans of lemonade still in hand as we explore the fairground more.

We spend the next twenty minutes making conversation about everything we spot around the fair. There’s stalls of handmade crafts and gifts which is something neither of us have ever seen before at an event like this. I marvel at the array of trinkets and lovingly crafted items, pointing things out to Graham that I think he might like. I come across a watercolour painting of a man playing the guitar, his silhouette illuminated by the night’s sky as he perches on the edge of a dock like a fisherman. The detail in the picture is spectacular, every brush stroke purposeful in making the painting perfect. I scuttle to Graham who’s a couple of stalls over and bring him over to show him the painting. I watch as his eyes light up like headlights in the snow, and we both look at each other with beaming smiles on our faces. No words need to be exchanged for us to combine some money and buy the picture. The artist carefully wraps the canvas in tissue paper before tucking it into a stiff cardboard box. I thank her and she thanks us right back for supporting her work. We look at a few other things before continuing on our walk.

“This’ll look great in your studio, Graham.” I enthuse, holding tightly onto the box. “Although I do wish you would’ve let me buy it for you.”

“It’s not just my painting, it’s ours.” He states simply, taking my hand and bringing it to his face to kiss the back of my knuckles. A rush of heat spikes up my neck and onto my cheeks, and my gaze falls to the ground like a lovesick rom-com character.

As we walk, Graham gets onto the topic of fairground mini games and how they’re rigged to make more money and have barely any winners. It’s hard not to laugh at his rambling, and I tease him for being so uptight about it. “I’m not uptight! It’s the truth!”

“It’s for kids, Graham.”

“Exactly! Which is why it shouldn’t be such a scam. It’s not fair for kids to keep losing.” As he speaks, I spot a Hook-A-Duck game and grab his arm to stop him. He notices the stall and frowns, his expression the complete opposite of the ear-to-ear grin taking over my face.

“Go on, Gra! Have a go!” I chime, wrapping my arms around his left arm like a koala bear attached to a tree. “That stuffed panda up there looks like he needs a home.”

“That stuffed panda is too big to be a real prize, Y/N. You’ll be lucky if I win that plastic snake down there.”

“It’s worth a shot.”

I pull him towards the game, handing money to the woman at the counter. She hands me the rod and I turn to Graham, thrusting it into his grasp. “You weren’t kidding.” He says, reluctantly taking it.

“Nope!”

He aims the hook towards the brightest yellow duck in the middle of the water. His grip is a little shaky and he misses the first couple of tries, but he eventually gets it. The worker grabs the duck and turns it over to show a big black star on the bottom of it. Graham drops the rod and looks at me, embarrassment covering his face as the large stuffed panda bear is brought down from the top shelf and handed over to us. “Congratulations! You found the grand prize duck.” The worker cheers, pushing the bear towards Graham. He awkwardly thanks her, picking up the oversized plush toy and carrying it over to the nearest bench.

I can’t contain my laughter as he stares at the bear, one hand on his hip and the other scratching his head. “Well, this is ridiculous.”

“He’s cute!” I squeal, sitting down and cuddling the panda close. “I’m going to name him Leslie.”

“Very funny.” Graham quips, trying hard not to smile but I can see the smirk beginning to tug at the corners of his mouth. I give the teddy bear another big squeeze, encouraging the smile to finally surface on Graham’s more than perfect face. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“Who? Me or the bear?” I raise my eyebrows and he moves closer to me, bending down to press a gentle kiss to my lips. I grab him by his jacket and pull him closer, causing him to stumble a little and almost fall on top of me. He steadies his feet, kissing me again, his hand cupping my cheek. For a second it feels like we’re the only people there, until the screams of those on the dodgems pull us out of our private moment. We both jump at the sound, Graham’s cheeks turning slightly pink before he buries his face in my neck.

“Look at us snogging at the fair like a pair of teenagers.” He mumbles, his hair tickling my skin as he talks. I find his shoulders and push him to stand up straight, standing with him.

“Oh, let them stare! I’m not embarrassed and neither should you be.” I encourage, embracing him in a hug and fluttering kisses along his jaw. He squirms a little and complains about being ticklish, moving his head around to try and dodge me. He slips away and grabs the panda bear, throwing it onto his shoulders like a parent carrying their child, or a festival-goer balancing their drunken friend. I laugh, tossing our empty cans into the bin before linking my arm with his once again.

With a giant stuffed bear in tow, it becomes increasingly more difficult to get on rides and find somewhere safe to leave it. We settle on the ferris wheel, sitting beside one another with the panda facing us. Graham stays close, his arm wrapped tightly around me as we go up into the air and look down on the view of the funfair as well as the city around us. “Sorry we didn’t get to do much. Bloody stupid bear.” Graham scoffs, gesturing to the mountain of stuffing and fake fur occupying the opposite seat.

“I don’t mind. I’ve had a lovely time.” I rest my head on his shoulder, reaching over to hold his hand. His fingers entwine with mine, his thumb rubbing circles over the back of my hand as we listen to the faint sounds of the music below us. “I’m really glad we agreed to do date nights more regularly.”

“Me too, but I’m planning the next one. Preferably somewhere with fewer screaming people.”

“Here’s me thinking you enjoyed the company of overexcited strangers.” I joke, nuzzling my nose into his neck and inhaling the addictive scent of his cologne. He rubs his cheek against my head like a cat showing affection.

“I’d enjoy having you to myself much more.”

“Then it’s a date.” I giggle, kissing his cheek and feeling his short stubble tickle my upper lip. He turns his head for his lips to meet mine, kissing me as we both mumble “I love you”s against one another’s mouths.

Graham is the first to pull away, slouching in his seat and slipping his hand into my bag. He pulls out the camera and smiles at me. “How about we take that photo together now?”

[everyhowlmarksthedead]

“SHOULD I TRY?”

GILLY LOPEZ X READER

@chibsytelford asked: Reader sees Gilly, Coco, EZ, and Angel in a bar and they all have been eyeing her up, Coco, EZ and Angel all try their luck with her but she is only interested in Gilly. He finally gets enough confidence to ask her out on a date 😊

Serie Index. Chapter 1.

Word count: 2115

Author comments: I hope you all enjoy. English isn’t my first language, I’m sorry if I have some mistakes with grammar. At first, it's gonna be one-shot but I truly like this idea, so I'm gonna write three chapters. Who knows? Maybe more.

You can't remember when was the last time you went out with your friends aka work-mates. But it's friday and have some beers and dance it's better than stay at home with Netflix on and eating cold pizza. So, here you're in front of the mirror. Black shorts high-waist and a body of the same color. Your hair is a goal to anyone this night, falling on your back like a brave waterfall. You also decided to wear those pair of Nike classic shoes, because night is young and you're not a high-heels fan. Make up on point, something soft and natural. You can't be more proud. And of course, a good outfit needs a leather jacket. Belongs to your mother, he gave you at your sixteen' before you found it in an old box, with some 80's stuff. Vintage as fuck.

You meet your friends at “Freakin' out”, a bar where you can listen and dance all kind of music; pop, latin, rock... Lots of cultures at the same local. It's one of your favourites places of Santo Padre, people there is kind and fun, the only things you need after a looooong week working without a break. “Hey, (Y/N)!”, you know Debbie is already drunk when she starts to shake a hand on air with a lot of energy and a happy smile in her lips. Oh, for god's sake. You also know that probably you'll have to bring her home, 'cause she'll not remember her own name at the end of the night.

“What's up, guys?”, you said, giving a hug to everyone at your table. You take a sit by Alex's side, your best friend. You met him four years ago at the supermarket. A random day talking about tomatoes and carrots, 'cause you love cook and those ones are your worst enemies in a sauce. That was pretty fun and you two always remember that fact when you're drunk. “What are you drinking, hm...?”, you ask looking every drink on the table with curiosity.

“Tequila!”, Debbie is on point, everybody start to laugh loudly. You shake your head before getting up to your way to the bartender. You wait with your arms supported on the bar, having a look around you. People dancing, drinking, talking about all and nothing, having a good time. And then, before you put your eyes again in the bartender, you can see a specific table. Leather jackets, tattoos, shitty faces, empty beers and rings decorating their fingers. Bikers. The Mayans ones. You know them, not personally, but who the hell didn't heard before about them in Santo Padre. They make the rules.

“Oh, god, please not tonight...” you whisper to yourself when one of the Mayans gets up and walk to your position. Supporting his worked body against the bar, he looks to you from top to down. You try to ignore him, making him believe you didn't notice his presence.

“Yo', I'm Angel, but I can be whoever you want me to be”, he offers you a hand waiting to be shake. A funny smile in his lips and you asking in silence to yourself if this works with other girls. It's not gonna work with you. You're not into bad boys.

“Great, congratulations”, you answer turning your no-friends face at him. He knows. You're not that easy.

“Hey, I'm tryin' to be friendly, what's wrong with ya'?”, he asks pretending to be offended, before he starts to laugh at you.

“I have a lot of friends, thanks”.

“Do ya' know who I am?”

“Yes, I buy at your father's carnicería”, you look at him, ignoring the fact that he's a Mayan and he wants to let you know.

At that moment, he already knows he's not gonna impress you with his Harley. So, he nods in silence and comes back to his table. You can see how his crew palm his back with peals of laughters for the lost battle. Another fallen soldier. A minutes later you come back to your table too, holding a beer between your fingers.

“Only you could say ‘no’ to a Mayan... Sweet Jesus, (Y/N), you're fucking crazy”, James shakes his head. You shrug having a sip of your drink.

“Well, I actually said ‘no’ to /this/ Mayan”. Of course you've been looking at them all, and you have your interest put in one specifically. But you have the suspicion that he's not gonna ask you out.

The night go on. You dance with your girls for long minutes and good latin songs. You're hips moves so easily that seems like you've been dancing all day long. Of course, alcohol has a lot to do on it. Also you're fucking happy you decided to put your Nikes shoes, when you're friends start to complaining about the pain they feel on their feet.

Without wanting, you collide with someone at your back. You turn at him putting your hands on his chest, with a loudly laugh in your throat. “Oh, god, I'm so sorry. You ok?”, you ask, before you know another Mayan is in your way. The younger one, maybe the one they call ‘prospect’. He nods smiling with a sweet gesture. EZ Reyes. You knew him at his father's shop two months ago.

“Are you having fun? Sorry 'bout my brother's shit”, he says pointing at him with a finger, just for a moment.

“Yeah, it's been a long time since I hanged out with my friends. And... don't worry about him. I can imagine how is him”.

“Really? Please, tell me”.

“He's not you. But you already know it, smart boy”.

“So, this fact lets me share a drink with you, ah?”

“Nice try, prospect”, you palm his chest with a hand, shaking your head before leaving him in the middle of the dance floor.

You come back to your own crew, they're looking at you with a incredulous gesture. Your mates think you're terrible and probably you're gonna die alone with this attitude. For the next five minutes, James and Shawn argues with you about you should accept a drink of one of them. You roll your eyes getting up and looking for a cigar in the inside-pocket of your jacket. You need some air after four beers and the loudly voices of your friends pushing you into the Mayans. It's not what you need and you start to think maybe Netflix and cold pizza was a good plan too.

You leave your back against the wall, with a leg flexed. Smoke goes out by your nose. Fresh air always help with this kind of situations, you can't stop thinking about the idea that you're almost on your twenty seven and you only had one boyfriend. The most asshole of all. You broke up with him last year and he continues calling you to tell you your a fucking shit, before starts to cry and telling you how much he miss you. He also went to your work a couple times with flowers. You hate flowers. You hate him. You have a horrible taste to choose men, so you prefer to be alone. But, that doesn't mean you don't wanna hang out with the Mayan your eyes are on.

“Bonita, have one?”

“Sorry, what?”, you turn to the man at your left. More tattoos than man, actually. He's looking the cigar between your fingers. In silence you give him the packet, so he can pick wichever he wants.

“You smashed Angel's ego, gurl'”, he says to you, adopting the same position by your side.

“I can do it the same with yours. Look, I go to war everyday, you're not gonna intimidate me”.

“Oh, really? I was sniper”, his proud smile points at you, turning his face to look at you a little better. Probably he thinks ‘between soldiers’ could be easier to share some drinks. Poor deluded.

“I work at a preschool”.

“Shit, gurrrrl”, he laughs having a puff away. “I'm Coco”.

“(Y/N)”, you say then. “Are you all try to ask me for a drink, or a date, or something like?”

“Eres muy bonita, we had to try”, he nods.

“Yeah, for sure. . . Is the only thing you matter about? I mean, I'm more than an ass and tits”, you throw the cigar to the floor when it finished, with a sigh in your lips.

“Hey, Coco! We're leaving!”, EZ voice makes appereance, few meters away. The crew have their helmet in their hands, near of the motorbikes they drive. Probably you're never gonna see them again, and you start to feel bad about the fact that the one he likes you didn't propose nothing. The man by your side shake his head one time saying goodbye, walking to his mates. Another sigh comes out. You start to move your legs with resignation, feeling a little like the Mayans you fucked up. Maybe he's not for you in anyway. Maybe there's no men for you, in the way you want. Find someone who shares similitudes with you it's hard. You're not complicated to understand or to treat, but looks like in Santo Padre is only bad boys or asshole or both.

“Go, try it, don't be stupid”.

“You don't have nothing to lose”.

“C'mon, Gilly”.

You can't avoid to hear the guys talking to the fourth one, pushing him away of his own bike. You try not to smile 'cause it's pretty fun how they think you're gonna say ‘no’ to him too. They're wrong. Very wrong. Secretly you've been watching him from your table, from the bar, from the dance floor, trying to get his attention. Yeah, he looks exactly like Angel, EZ and Coco. But he also looks like a good guy. You heard before some jokes he made and you have to tell that he's pretty fun.

“Fuck, Gilly. Go ask her”, EZ push him into your way, making you stop your steps.

“Oh, hey...”, he says with a hand on the nape of the neck. He looks nervous, maybe he's gonna sweat in a moment. Is trying not to look at you from top to down, keeping his eyes on yours. You cross your arms on your chest, with both eyebrows up waiting for another word. But he doesn't say anything, staring at you in silence.

You snort rolling your eyes. It's not your night, it's not your week. You turn around your feet, taking the door to pull it and go back to your table, maybe you'll finish your beer and go home.

“Wait, wait!” You hear his voice again, a big hand pushing the door to not be open. “I was... asking myself... if you...”

“Yeah?”

“Ifyouwouldliketohaveadatewithme?”

“Fockin' Gilly”, Coco talks sitting on his bike.

You look at him for a moment, before giving all your attention to the shy big guy in front of you.

“A date. You and me. You know... A date”, he repeats, more or less the same question.

“I thought you would never ask”.

“So... you want?”

You give him your phone, just to make it more interesting with the “I'll call you” shit men usually do. You're one step ahead as your three older brothers teached you. With a smile, he takes it typing his number.

“I'm Gilly”.

“Yeah, I heard it because your sniper friend”, you finally say. “My friends are more pretty than me”.

“You've been talking about maths and children with the guys”, he says then, pointing the fact that he's not like Coco, EZ and Angel. You can't avoid to smile, getting down your eyes at your shoes. You leave a lock of hair behind your ear.

“I'll call you”.

“I hope so”.

[surveys-at-your-service]

Survey #405

“today i went to therapy, told him the embarrassing issues that i’m having with my life  /  he told me that i need to change; life is not a video game, so stop playing & open up your eyes”

What was your favourite sweet as a child? Things like Baby Bottle Pops, Ring Pops, Airheads, etc. Do you like to wear socks to bed? NOOOOOOO. I don't wear socks unless I have to. What’s your favourite berry? Strawberries. If you have a job, how long is your shift? I don't. Do you like sunflowers? Well yeah. Are you counting down for anything? No. Are you watching TV? What’s on? No. Do you have make-up on? No. I haven't worn makeup since last October. Are you any good with kids? People have told me I am, but I beg to differ. What if you had a baby with the last person you kissed? We're both cisgender women, we physically couldn't. Do you think you’ll be married in 5 years time? It'd be nice honestly, but I kinda doubt I will be. What is your favorite card game? Magic: The Gathering. What is the weirdest thing you’ve done in public? Ha, probably the times I've gotten down on the ground beside the road to photograph roadkill... More than once has someone stopped and asked if I was okay, haha. Favorite sleeping position? Twisted half on my side and stomach with my legs just sorta splayed out. What is your dad’s name? Ken. Have you ever been on a diet? Multiple times. Do you own any jersey shirts? No. Are you proud to be of the nationality you are? There are two moods I have on this: I'm either neutral or embarrassed. Can you remember what you last clapped for? Omg the woman who facilitates my TMS treatment was telling Mom and me about this one time a tiny snake got in the lobby and I did a lil squeal and clapped a bit because I was just excited to hear about a little snake, haha. What is the geekiest part of your music collection? *shrug* Maybe game soundtrack music. What do you eat when you raid the fridge late at night? Well, not really the fridge, but w/e. I'll usually get a granola bar or something of the sort. What is the little physical habit that gives away you're insecure moment? Kneading/wringing my hands together is a dead giveaway. Do you have too many love interests? No. How much money would it take to get you to give up the Internet for one year? If you want honesty... probably no amount would lmao. I rely way too heavily on the Internet for so many things. Do you talk a lot? It depends on my mood and who I'm around. Do transient, homeless, or starving people sometimes annoy you? What a fucking awful question. They don't annoy me. It can be awkward driving past them, but they're in no way annoying. Do you consider yourself to be a nice person? I definitely try to be. What is your ideal marriage location? Either a gothic-looking mansion or something of the sort or a wooded area in the fall. Do you tell your friends about your sex life? I don't have one to talk about. Would you ever admit to having done plastic surgery of any kind if confronted? Yeah? No shame. What kind of watch(es) do you wear? I don't wear watches. What do you cook the best? My family likes my scrambled cheesy eggs... basic as that is, haha. When my sisters would go to Taco Bell all the time and save the hot sauces for later use, I would use some packets in the eggs I cooked. Honestly amazing. What's one car you will never buy? "Anything that is two door, or low to the ground." <<<< This right here. On the other end of the spectrum, I also won't ever buy a car that's high up. I need a good medium so I can actually get in with ease. What's one thing you're a sore loser at? Hm, I dunno. What kind of first impression do you think you give to people? "Wow, she's awkward." What's one thing you like to do alone? Draw. When's the last time you cried? Not long ago at all because I was just so exasperated over my weight gain. Do you think you're cute? God no. Do you have problems changing clothes in front of friends? I don't change in front of anyone if I can avoid it. Did you like kissing the last person you kissed or the one before that more? The last person. I gotta say I was not a fan of kissing Girt because for whatever reason his lips were ALWAYS wetter than lips naturally should be and I just didn't dig it, man. That and every kiss with him was awkward. Whose bed other than yours did you last lay on? My mom's. What turns you off immediately? Acting sexist, to name one. Which city do you particularly enjoy visiting and for what reasons? I don't like going into cities. Do you often take pictures with the camera on your phone? No. I don't like the camera on my phone. In the past year, have you lost weight or gained weight? How much? Gained. You don't need to know. What year was the last car you rode in/drove? I have zero clue. What’s your worst/funniest experience with one of your neighbors? "Worst" and "funniest" are very different... but I can tell you the worst easily. At my childhood home, our next-door neighbors had a pair of Rottweilers in their back yard within a chain-link fence, and we had a LOT of outdoor cats at the time. (I will emphasize every time I bring it up to NOT keep cats outside.) Somehow the dogs got loose and went on a rampage trying to kill our cats; one young one was killed, while our fearless mother cat, Chance, literally fought them off to defend her new kittens. More were maybe killed, I honestly can't remember. My mom was hysterical and threatened to call animal control if it ever happened again. I was absolutely, utterly heartbroken. The last time you burned your tongue or mouth, what were you eating? Ummm I want to say it was some sort of pasta that I didn't let cool long enough. Honestly, are you shallow? Far from it, honestly. Can/could your parents tell when you were lying? Not always. Besides clothes, shoes, and accessories, what’s your favorite thing to shop for? I love window-shopping at Morph Market, haha. AAAAAAAAAALL those ball python morphs, man... *drools* Does/did your parents ever go through your computer or cell phone? When I was younger, Mom was very intent on figuring out why I was always so secretive about what I did on the computer (mostly RP-related things) that ohhhh yeah, she'd do some digging. The night she finally snapped, demanding I tell her my passwords to everything, and she ultimately found out about me being a forum RPer, was literally almost traumatic to me, I think. I know, that sounds INCREDIBLY overdramatic, but I'm not fucking joking. I was in my room SOBBING on my best friend's shoulder, who was spending the night. I was just so embarrassed, and I *still* am when I share that fact with people I know, even though I have no reason to be. Like I don't do any weird or kinky RP shit, it's just genuine, artistic writing with actual, well thought-out plots, but I still feel like people would think it dumb, childish, and just weird. What song reminds you the most of a particular day in your life? Why is that? "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin. I've talked about it a few times before and really don't feel like doing it again. Do you have any close friends that were adopted? I don't think so. Who, in your opinion, is the best thriller writer? I don't know. Does your mom eat meat? Yeah. Was your dad ever on a sports team? Lots in high school, I believe. Do you prefer thick or thin crusted pizza? Thick, by a long shot. What do you have in your fruit salads? Not a fan of fruit salads. Have you ever spent more than two weeks in a wheelchair? I've only needed a wheelchair once in my life, and that was just to get inside and maneuver around the doctor's office when I tore a ligament in my foot. So no. What are your favorite word? Serendipity, tranquility, lucid, etc.; pretty, peaceful words like those. Is there a lot of drama in your life? Nope. I don't do enough or have enough people in my life for there to be. What are you listening to? An extended version of "Nightsong" from WoW. Do you hear any animals right now? No. I'm sure I'd hear birds if I didn't have my earplugs in, though. Have you ever played fetch with a dog? Yes. Have you ever pet a stingray? No. Who is the last baby you held? Emerson, my youngest niece. Do you have any scars from an animal? Yeah; I've got looooots from my cat playing too rough. Have you ever seen an Igloo? I don't believe so. Do you like Korn? They're high on my list of faves. Are you more afraid of tornadoes or hurricanes? Absolutely tornadoes. Do you like mushrooms? Ugh, NO. Have you ever been on Omegle? No. So do you have a favorite M&M? Just the regular ones. Have you ever snuck out? No. Do you currently feel like you have pretty stable career goals/a pretty stable life plan? Have you ever felt this way? I don't know, man. I know what I WANT to do, I just don't know if I'm ever going to get there. Or if what I want will be financially supportive enough, now that I'm really losing interest in photographing people. I might just have to if I want to be financially stable with photography, which would be okay, but bleh. I'd much rather just work with nature. If you could buy an android that was was convincingly human and could be tailored to be your perfect partner, would you want one? No. I don't want to build my own partner, nor do I want my romantic partner to be an android. I want life to just introduce me to a person who is uniquely themselves, who have built themselves from their own life experiences, and not just have a perfect spouse tailored to everything I like. If you do not identify as being “straight,” can you remember back to your childhood some things you did that were, in hindsight, possible indicators of your future sexuality? Yes, especially in middle school. I thought women were prettier than probably a straight kid would, and looking back, I definitely found the natural curves of the female figure to be attractive. When you consume media (movies, books, etc.) with a romantic element, what sort of romance scenarios interest you most? Hm. I know I prefer serious ones over silly; like I'm a sucker for Nicholas Sparks' style, if that says anything. If you are female, do you feel connected to other women as a class? What sort of things make you feel a strong sense of sisterhood or female empowerment? This is too big of a question for me to feel like delving into right now, haha. But I can say it more so depends on the individual than the gender when it comes to feeling connection over anything.

[lovelyirony]

These lyrics are from a song about a human falling in love with a robot but I think they also apply to Tony and whoever you interpret. "They say you cant feel with a heart made of steel, but who says that steel isnt strong?"

Tony Stark cares. Which is kind of surprising when a person first gets to meet him because he just does things without thinking, which isn’t really associated with kindness in any way. 

Pepper Potts is a young woman (who barely feels like a woman even though she can legally buy wine now) and she is struggling to make it to work on time, has on a hand-(shittily)-tailored skirt, and thinks that accounting can suck it because she actually doesn’t like it as much as she thought she did, mainly because it’s not challenging. 

She spent the last two hours of her last day learning how to knit. 

How to knit. 

So then she switches to sudoku and the New York Times’ crossword puzzle (which, by the way, is stupidly hard for no good reason) and then reviews over other people’s numbers for fun. She never volunteered for that, or never thought she would. 

But then she did and she found out that Sam Wittenger has had some very interesting numbers to report that apparently, no one else has questioned. 

She’s not sure if it’s because she’s stupid or if she doesn’t trust authority as much as the next Tom, Dick, or Harry, but something seems off. 

So Pepper goes to their superior and he basically tells her that she’s just being paranoid. 

“Women tend to be emotional,” he chortles, as if he’s not just invalidating everything she’s bringing up professionally. 

And she can’t even say shit about that because then it’s “oh no need to get unreasonable, sweetheart” and there goes her job. 

But she starts to notice that she keeps getting the worst assignments and then she gets put on job probation. 

On probation. 

Which, by all accounts, doesn’t make sense because you’re supposed to report when something is going on, and she doesn’t get why her boss is being so...something about this. 

So, she emails Tony Stark. Because he might answer. 

Oh, he answers. 

Tony has nothing better to do with the rest of his day and he’s been ignoring Obie’s requests for a meeting with Justin Hammer because that’s just like asking if you want to voluntarily stick a knife up your nose. Gross and entirely unnecessary. 

And then he gets an email from someone from accounting. 

Accounting never has problems that they can’t fix on their own. Ever. So there’s this chick named “Ms. Potts” and she tells him that there’s a mistake on someone’s account, but they won’t do anything about it. 

Tony looks through the numbers. Takes about twenty minutes, but only because everyone in accounting generally does their paperwork on time--except for Gary, but that’s because Gary is paranoid about the government and uses at least three hours out of the day to research aliens. Tony loves him. 

Someone’s been using money for a little bit of extra cushion. Which Tony would get if he was a corrupt businessman who cheats his employees out of health insurance. But he doesn’t. 

And then he finds out that Sam Wittenger likes to entertain models at mansions and while it’s not really putting a dent in anything, it’s more of the professionalism mood that gets it. 

That, and the fact that the SO of the whole accountant unit, Mr. Leopold Smith, put Ms. Potts on job probation. 

For essentially nothing. 

And then Tony does some digging and even if Smith works in a company that is known for technological growth, he’s really not that good at hiding any tracks. 

So Tony pays a visit to accounting on a Monday morning, lays it all bare, and tells them both to get the fuck out so he can start hiring more people. 

“You’re believing a rookie over me?” Wittenger fumes. 

“Yes,” Tony says. “Her newness does not negate her concerns. Besides, should I believe a new employee who shares concerns about the company and errors or the fact that you used your company card for funds transfer and then spent it on two women who are being really obvious about scamming you for spa money? Hmm, really hard decision. So hard, really.” 

Tony then swivels to Leopold. “And you. I would’ve thought you had better morals then that, but it appears you have all the sense of an amphibian that likes snow. So I’m going to fire you. You get the rest of your paycheck and some of that extra pay until you find another job. Hammer Industries is always hiring.” 

The crowd is silent as Tony walks around. 

“Where is Ms. Potts?” 

Pepper doesn’t bother to try to cower or hide. She walks towards him. 

“I’m here.” 

“Excellent work. You’re hired as a PA.�� 

“Who says I want to be a PA?” She asks. The crowd murmurs; no one really says no to Tony Stark. 

Tony raises an eyebrow. 

“I see two sudoku books from here, a copy of the New York Times which is just outlandish, and one of your knitting needles is in your hair. You’re bored and I am, and I mean this in a factual way, one of the least-boring people in business. So follow me if you want the chance for the interesting.” 

Pepper does follow him. Because he’s noticing way more and she wants to know why. 

“It’s an unofficial part of my job,” Tony mentions when she asks. “If I don’t notice things about people and what they do, I tend to not do as well with business, and I really don’t like that.” 

So Pepper starts working as a personal assistant. 

It’s fun is what it is. Even if she has to remind Tony about fifty different times that he has a meeting at seven, and yes he’s supposed to get there at six-fifty. Even if she has to chuck a couple of snacks at him. 

“...are these fruit snacks? Pep, I’m a billionaire.” 

“Sorry, the grocery store didn’t have that fancy cheese for three hundred thousand dollars. They were sold out.” She pulls a frowny face and puts a middle finger up to flip him off. 

Tony loves having Pepper as a PA. He gives her an astronomical pay raise within the first three months of her job. 

“Why?” Pepper asks. 

“It’s a Thursday. Nothing really happens on Thursdays.” 

“That cannot be the reason.” 

“I’m a mystery, Pep. No one can figure me out, Rolling Stone said so.” 

“Rolling Stone also said that they thought Bob Dylan was a good singer and I’ve doubted their opinion ever since.” 

Tony gasps in mock offense, and the question is forgotten. 

...at least, until two hours later when Pepper realizes that he never gave her an answer. 

And as she works for him and gets to know him better, she realizes that really? Tony is a caring guy. 

He goes on random trips to send things to Rhodey in care packages: things like toys from fast food chains, one random packet of soy sauce, and a couple of letters and pictures of updates. 

Happy Hogan gets treated to the best pay, benefits, and even is on a friendly enough level with Tony that sometimes they watch boxing matches together and discuss the dynamics of television shows and what should be a rerun and what should be forgotten. 

And he pays attention to things. Like what kind of wine she mentions once in a conversation, or what Rhodey writes about in letters. He’s considerate and caring. 

So when the articles come out about if he truly has a heart, she has to smile. 

“Of course you do,” Pepper says simply. 

“And how do you know?” 

“You get pulp-free orange juice,” she answers. “But not because you hate it. You actually don’t mind that disgusting mess. But I do and I don’t always eat enough for breakfast and you let me raid your fridge to find said-pulp-free orange juice. Which is a very nice thing to do.” 

“Oh.” 

Tony doesn’t say anything, but he smiles after she clicks her heels and tells him that she needs to pick up his dry-cleaning after they finally got back to her. 

[peaches-of-1]

Peachtober | Day 14: Overgrown

Black!Reader x Monster Woo

Summary: Monster Woo is a simple man who sells flowers for a living and you are an Instagram photographer. Your models’ faces are better known than you yourself, but Woo wants to see what’s behind the camera.

Genre: Fluff

Moodboard and reaction requests open! Mstrlst in bio!

During a sunny Spring Day, a new shipment of flowers come in at 꽃벌 (play on words of flower and bee). It is the largest one since it is the start of the season. Valentine's Day is long gone, and White Day was a hit. All of the red and white roses being 70% of the seasonal inventory and now going back to its regular 40% since roses would sell no matter what season or occasion.

Youngwoo rolled up his burgundy sleeves to help the part time worker carry large sacks of fertilizer and dirt into the back while she balanced seedlings and vases under her arms and even atop her coily buzzcut.

“Naveah, once you’re done bringing in all the pots, can you start organizing them please?” He asked.

“Sure, Big Daddy.” She replied.

The tall man sighed, “I told you to stop calling me that.”

Naveah just smiled in response and continued to carry the rest of the product until the truck was empty. Then she began sorting pots by height and material while Woo worked on answering calls and writing down some new clients and jobs they were wanted for. A few weddings, a birthday, two divorce parties. One he turned down because they were planning on burning flowers, and he could never imagine putting his beautiful gifts through that.

A young woman about 20 or older came in dressed in purple slacks, heels to match, and a white shirt. Her typha colored hand reaching into her purse for her phone to check if she was at the right location.

She entered the store and Woo told the woman on the phone, “One second.”

“Hello.”

“Hello, I am Y/N and I run a photography blog. I was wondering if you would be interested in hiring me to take pictures of your flowers for advertising. I have experience with both still life and live models.” She said, setting her card down on the desk.

Woo picked it up and read the Hangul and the English translation. She was a photographer for sure.

“Why does your name seem so familiar?”

She gave a smile, “A few of my models have walked during Seoul Fashion Week this past bit cuz they saw my photos.”

He smiled, “Ah, right. It seems like  with a face like yours, you would be the one in front of the camera.”

Y/N began to blush, “Oh, um. Thank you.”

The two just stared at each other and smiled for a moment before she spoke up.

“Well, I should get going. You have a phone call to get back to.”

Woo nodded, “Oh, right. Yes. It was nice meeting you and I will be in contact.”

The woman left and the florist finished the call, thankful they hadn't hung up. Y/N...jeez she was beautiful.

The sound of a glass vase breaking snapped the tall man out of his daze. He sighed and called out the worker's name before heading over to get the broom to hand to her.

After work, Woo locked up and said farewell to his worker before taking a taxi home. Before going to bed, he looked up the Instagram page that was on the card Y/N gave him.

She was really good. Like, it was so much better than he had expected. Pictures of flowers in vases and people and so many beautiful faces. A lot of her stuff was currently flower based. It seemed she didn’t delete the stuff from her early days either. The camera quality had gome up so much too. Woo couldn’t help but like one of them that made him think of a tattoo. Wait, no.

It was from 4 years ago! She was going to think he was a creep! No, no. Y/N wouldn’t do that, right? It was just a possible employer checking out an employee’s past work to see if it would affect his current business. He made up his mind. Woo would hire the beautiful black girl to work for his company. All of his current photos were taken by him and Naveah, so they weren’t that great. If they could up the photo quality of the inventory, then they would sell more.

The large man soon fell asleep thinking about what floral arrangements he would make for each tier. Each one was linked with a color, so he could make it monochrome. Or maybe most of that color. Y/N looked really cute in purple. Hair like an allium.

The next day at the shop, Youngwoo called her while setting up the flowers he would use for this week’s specialty arrangement.

“Hello, this is Photobomb Productions, Y/N speaking.” She said in English and then repeated it in Korean.

Woo smiled, “Hello. This is Youngwoo from 꽃벌. I would like to take you up on your offer of becoming our floral photographer. I have been meaning to take some new pics for some summer deals.”

He could hear her squaling out of excitement in the background and then she cleared her throat and talked professionally, “That is great to hear. What day or time would the photographic subjects be ready for me to photograph?”

“Today is Friday, so I will be busy all weekend. I can get them done by either Tuesday or Wednesday since I already have sketches. All I have to do it put them together.”

“Perfecto! How does Tuesday at 2pm sound?” Y/N asked.

Woo looked at his schedule, “I have a delivery at 1:30 in the afternoon, but I will probably have my worker handle that one.”

“I see. Alright, well, I will see you then. Do not hesitate to call me if we have to move it to Wednesday. Have a nice day.”

“You too.” Woo replied and the woman hung up.

“Who was that, Big Daddy?” his worker asked, carrying in a box of seeds to set up in the seed bin near the front.

He rolled his eyes, “That woman who came in yesterday. A photographer. She’s gonna take photos for us from now on. I’m gonna be up late drafting up a contract and then we’ve gotta--” The tattooed florist sighed. “I shouldn’t bore you with technicalities. Let’s get these arrangements done.”

“Let me bring over the vases.” The short haired woman said.

Woo looked at the workbench, “Neveah, where are the Calla Lilies?” he asked after her.

“We had two weddings that wanted them, so we are getting an emergency shipment in, but not until tomorrow.” She replied, making sure the seed packets fell flat before adding more on.

He nodded, “Right. Right. Um…” then he remembered the thought he had last night and went to a sky blue bucket and picked out a bulbous purple flower with a long stem. “We’ll use these today instead.”

And so for the next few minutes before the sign was flipped, the two made matching arrangements. Neveah had always wanted to do more now that her probation was up. Woo’s shop was known for flowers and arrangements, served weddings of all types and even funerals. The most important thing about it was who it employed, however. Former convicts and people who were needed someplace to work while on probation.

Youngwoo believed that everyone deserved a second chance and that humans could change, which is why he hired who he did.

“Ah, it didn’t come out as well as yours.” Neveah said as hers had a bit of a bend in the long stem and just seemed overall more messy than the one her boss made.

“Don’t worry about it. This is only the third one you’ve ever made, so I think you did really well. In fact, yours will go on the box instead of mine so people will see it first.” The man set hers onto the white wooden box in the window and placed his next to it.

Dark pink roses and sunflowers graced the top of the white vase with solid aster placed in here and there. The allium rested above each one like a proud head. They would stay in the front for the week and then they would be dead and turned into compost for a nearby flower nursery.

The woman smiled and then it was time to flip the sign. Business didn’t pick up until around lunch which was the usual thing. People buying either a single flower or a dozen on the way to a date. When Neveah left for the day, Yieun clocked in and hugged Woo having started this business together before she tried and failed to become an idol.

“Is the car filled up yet? Remember, I have to drop off some stuff for a business meeting and a 16th birthday today.” She said.

“It’s all packed up and ready to go. Feel free to double check, but it had been pretty quiet today.” He replied. “Ah, are there business cards still inside?”

Tuesday came, and Woo was nervous to see her again. They had talked over the phone for the past couple of days to finalize things. Y/N was really kind but he could tell how much her work meant to her. It was a small business that she was ultimately running on her own and often didn’t get paid for her time because people hardly ever took the arts seriously. Photography was no exception.

People thought it was just sitting in good lighting, point and click, which it wasn’t.

Woo had three different arrangements made for each color level. White, green, purple, and yellow. Each added the amount of flower types and the default price was a clear glass vase. A custom vase color/type would cost $3 extra. The second and third were in custom vases and set up in the workshop.

It was extra clean for today and there were no arrangements to be made. Mondays through Wednesdays were the slowest of the slow most of the time. That meant today was perfect for Y/N to come in.

She arrived right on time in a yellow long sleeve top tucked into a rainbow skirt and white and rainbow shoes. Rainbow accessories too, but carrying a duffle bag of work stuff.

Yieun was out on her current delivery, so Woo fixed his brows and hair before greeting her with a poliot bow.

“Hello, Y/N. How are you doing today? Have you eaten?” He asked.

“I am doing well, and yes I have. I went to a taco place. It was good, but the sauce stained the jacket I was wearing.” The woman sighed, tying her hair back before she set up everything.

It wasn’t the most glamorous thing, but Woo asked if he could watch. She said as long as he stayed behind the camera, it was ok. However, the man wasn’t watching the flowers, but instead watched how she worked. The way she bent over to get a better angle from her tripod and set up the lights.

She seemed so delicate, like she herself was a rose petal in need of much care. However, they way she pursed her lips seemed to go perfectly like thorns. The man knew she wasn’t thinking about him. Her eyes were on the flowers, but at the same time, Y/N was all he could think about for the past week.

Sometimes his imagination would try to run away with the idea of her, but that wasn’t fair to her. He barely knew her last name.

The shy and strong Woo was enchanted by the photographer. Ah, he wanted to say something to her. To ask her out, but she was so professional. This was just work for her, and he didn’t want to get in the way of her job. Still, wasn’t it worth a chance to at least get a proper answer instead of wondering “What if?”

“No, no.”

“Um, Youngwoo? Can you help raise this up a bit more?” She reached her brown hand towards the top of the light.

As the taller man helped her, he decided to just go for it, “Hey, um, Y/N. Feel free to say no, but I was um. I was wondering if you would possibly maybe want to go on a sort of kind of date with me?”

“Oh, um, sure. Right there is good.”

Woo tightened the stand, and she began taking pictures again.

“What kind of place were you thinking?” She asked. “Y’know, for our date? Dinner and a movie?”

“I’d like to take you on a picnic. I know it’s sort of cliche, but Han River is really nice and there’s usually some nice busking that goes on there.” He said was her felt his heart beat outside of his chest, “I am leaving the shop to Yieun and a part timer this weekend. We can do it then.”

Y/N smiled up at him as she stood on the other side of the arrangement, “Sounds like a plan, Youngwoo. I shall wear a dress.”

“You can wear anything you want. I’m sure you’ll look great.” The man answered earnestly.

A surprised smile before Yieun called for him. Woo said he’d be right back and went to go talk to his co-worker about what had to be done. It wasn’t much. Just a bit of organizing here and there and sweeping. Simple things that took a while.

“By the way~” She whispered. “Did you ask her out? Niveah said she’s all you talk about.”

“I did.” He replied, playing coy.

“And? Did she say yes?”

A smile broke out on his face, “She did.”

Yieun put her hands up for a high five and asked for details one their hands met in celebration.

The following days, Woo kept sending his friend photos for potential outfits. She kept telling him to ditch the dress shirts because he looked awkward in them. It was just a casual thing, so he went with some gray sneakers, khakis, and a black and white striped top. Because of the pollen forecast, he opted out of contacts and just wore his glasses. The most expensive thing he wore was his gold watch from a birthday.

He had decided on a simple picnic instead of the ferry for dinner. Maybe if things went well, but he didn't wanna look too far ahead. He knew of a spot away from the main busy area where a few weeping willows provided the perfect shade.

“Youngwoo-ssi!” Her familiar voice called.

The man was breathless as could be as Y/N walked towards him, her copper skin covered in a blue and white dress that allowed for her arm to be bare except for a gold and white bracelet. Simple makeup other than a pink matte lip that accented her smile.

They bowed and greeted each other.

“You look...amazing.” He couldn’t help but stared.

“Thank you. You look great, too. I think this is my first time seeing you without an apron on.” She replied.

Woo smiled in response, “Thank you. I have a super special spot for us. A friend told me about it.”

She smiled, “Sounds great.”

“Have you had any other clients lately?” He asked.

“Oh my gosh, so I had this really sweet woman come in yesterday with her pregnant wife so that we can do the pregnancy announcement pictures and stuff. This is fine. I had it set up and such for that because she made an appointment.”

The tall man smiled, “Oh, that is really nice.”

“However, she went into labor in the middle of me taking the photos.”

“She what?”

“Right?

Woo asked, “Did she not know she was going to give birth?”

Y/N shrugged dramatically, “I guess not, but luckily, my next door neighbor is in her last year of training to become a nurse. She helped to deliver the baby in my bathtub.” She laughed. “I spent most of the day cleaning it.”

Both of them laughed at the whole story. That’s what it was like to have an at home studio as a photographer.

“Ah, here it is.”

Behind the leaves of a willow tree, there was a perfect little alcove where a red gingham blanket was spread out and food was separated between the two in the form of sandwiches. Conversation flowed smoothly as the overgrown tree provided shade for the couple that fate decided to put together. They talked about work and of family.

Kim Youngwoo blushed when she complimented him on being a good person, taking in people society had rejected because of a series of bad mistakes.

He told her about how he just wanted to help people like him, how the U.S. basically deported him back to Korea because of--

“I don’t care what you did, Youngwoo.” Y/N said honestly. “You’re obviously not the same person you were back then, or at least you are doing much better. Besides, that isn’t the person I’m starting fall for.”

“Who are you starting to fall for?” Woo asked, hoping his heart was beating for all the right reasons.

She bit her lip and then looked up at him after hesitating to say the truth, “You.”

[avengerscompound]

My Love,

My Love, - A Captain America Fanfic

Buy me a ☕ Character Pairing:  Steve Rogers x Reader

Word Count:  3349

Warnings:  Fluff with a side of angst

Synopsis:   Steve writes you a letter every time he goes on a mission. They usually arrive after he gets back.

A/N:  For my #Happy Steve Bingo Fill: Letters

I really hate being away from you so long.  That’s the nature of the job I guess.  At least it takes me to interesting places.

France is nice.  Definitely prettier than the first time I was here.  Not too surprising really.

Even with the mission, Tony keeps splurging on things.  Paris definitely knows how to do opulent.  I try and imagine what it would be like if I went back in time and told myself that my life would turn out like this and all I can think is I’d have tried to fight myself for being a liar.  Size difference and all.

The food here is good.  Rich but you don’t eat much of it.  Sam ordered a cappuccino which is an Italian drink.  Bucky thought it was hilarious when the waitress rolled her eyes and then charged him tourist prices.

I’m hoping we can see the Louvre before we leave but I doubt we’ll have time.  I’ll try and wrap up as quickly as I can though.  I do like art.  It would be nice to see it.

If not, maybe I can bring you some time?  Just for a vacation.  There’s a bridge where lovers engrave their initials on a lock and lock it to the railing.  We could do that together.

I miss you, With love, Steve

I got your letter a week after you got back.  I still feel the need to write to you though because that has by far been the cutest thing you’ve ever done.  Who stops mid-mission to go to a post office?

I would, however, love to go to France with you.  Thank you for the tip about cappuccinos.  Knowing me I’ll screw something up though.  You’ll have to do all the ordering.  Just remember I’ll want to eat all the cheese.

I know you didn’t make it to the Louvre so we will make sure we go together.  There is nothing I like more than seeing you being all artistic.  Maybe they’ll inspire you.

I missed you like crazy too.  I’m so glad you’re home. XXXOOO

London is dreary.  It’s been raining almost constantly since we got here.  That kind of rain that almost just hangs in the air and soaks you to the bone.

Even though it’s changed, being here reminds me of Peggy.

I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.  I miss her.  It’s good to remember her and us.

Is it bad to be talking about a lost-love with a new one?  I’m sorry if that stepped over a line.

Sam won’t stop doing a bad English accent when he talks to locals.  I swear if he says ‘cheerio gov'na’ to one more person he’s going to get decked.  Bucky has been finding it extremely funny though.  I mean his accent is terrible.

Clint is obsessed with English breakfasts.  None of the rest of us understand it at all.  I mean, it comes with beans in tomato sauce and blood pudding that’s usually like rubbery disks.  He can’t get enough of it though and even though it’s eggs, bacon, beans, sausage, blood pudding, and toast, he still goes back for seconds every time.

We haven’t done much sightseeing this time.  I’ll buy you something really cheesy.

Love you and see you soon, Steve

Oh my god, I love you so much do you know that?  You are such a dork but so sweet I don’t even know what to do with you.  This time your letter arrived two days after you.  Kudos to the postal service.

You did come home with a bear dressed as a Queen’s Guard and stories of the Tower of London so lucky you got some sightseeing time.

Of course, you can talk to me about Peggy.  She was much more than an ex to you.  She was a first love and a lost life.  That’s important.  I love you and I don’t want you to hide important things from me just because you’re worried about petty things like jealousy.

I’m glad Sam was able to keep Bucky entertained.  I heard that accent, it was equal parts bad and hilarious.

I kind of want to try an English Breakfast now is that weird?  Or maybe I just want to see it. We’ll have to go together sometime too.  Also, let’s get fish and chips.  That’s a thing right?

I don’t think you understand how much I love you.

With all my heart XXXOOO

The middle of nowhere Serbia has nothing worth noting.  It’s cold and empty and it brings back bad memories.  No one is happy.  I don’t get cold easily but I hate it when I am and right now I am cold to my very bones.

Bucky has shut down almost completely.  He barely says anything to anyone.  Not even Sam or Clint are able to make him crack a smile.  I hope this is over soon.

I miss you.  I miss you like crazy.  I miss talking to you.  I miss holding you.  I miss how your lips feel against mine.  How mine feel against the rest of you.  I want to hold you and taste you and make love to you and instead I’m stuck here in the cold remembering what it’s like to die.

I love you.  Please don’t forget that. Steve

You can have whatever you need.  I’m right here.

I always like visiting China.  We don’t really get to come here often enough.  Even if it is for work.  Beijing is such an interesting city.  These temples that are older than Thor just alongside these wonders of modern architecture.

Also, everyone drives like maniacs.  I’m glad we have Clint to drive because I took a cab one time and thought for sure that was going to be the day I died.  And as you know, I don’t think those thoughts very often.

Natasha and Bucky speak fluent Mandarin and I think Bucky keeps saying shit about Sam to the locals because they keep giving him the weirdest looks anytime they speak to Bucky.  He won’t tell me what he’s saying though.

There’s a street food you can buy that’s like a savory pancake with an egg fried into it and some kind of crunchy thing that I’m not even sure what it is.  It tastes amazing though.  It has a spicy sauce that I can handle.  I’ve bought so many since I got here.

There is a fashion trend where people were little plastic flowers or leaves that look like they’re growing straight out of a person’s head.  Wanda loves it and bought herself a daisy.  She looks very cute wearing it.

We get stopped on the street a lot.  I’m glad we aren’t doing spy work because there is no way we’d be going unnoticed.  I will say I won’t miss the fact I get to have a small amount of anonymity back in New York.

I bought you a packet of Oreos with green and pink cream.  I think they’re peach and grape.  Only Clint was brave enough to taste them and he didn’t seem impressed.  And hot fish soup flavored chips.

Miss you.  This might be on the list of places we go.  What do you think? Steve

Man, this trip was a long one.  I miss you like crazy and I’m actually posting this to you before your even home.  Maybe it will be waiting for you before you get back.

At least it sounds like you’re having a good time.  I’m going to bug the hell out of Bucky to find out what he was saying about Sam.

I’m interested to see what the treats you’ve bought me are like.  Scared.  But interested.  I hope you buy me one of those head plants too.  They sound cute.  I definitely want to see Wanda wearing hers.

I hope you’re home soon.  I try not to, but I do worry when you’re gone.  I know you say it’s okay and normal.  And I know logically that that’s true, but I feel guilty about it.  Like you will then worry about me worrying about you.

Miss you so much.  I hope you’re ready for an embarrassing amount of PDA when your back.

XXXOOO

Austria is another country I think.  God, the buildings in Vienna are beautiful.

Tony is splurging again and I can’t even blame him.  It’s just one of those places.  A honeymoon place if you know what I mean?

When you order coffee here they serve it on a silver tray with a glass of water and a silver spoon.  Even places like McDonald’s serve it like that.   Clint says it’s about time he was treated like royalty because of his addiction.

The food is usually very heavy and meat is a big part of it but there’s always the lightest salad served on the side and the cakes here are amazing.

There are are some huge museums here in really old buildings.  I’d like to go see them.  Lots of art galleries too.  Gustav Klimt is from Vienna and his art features on a lot of banners around the city.  I would love to see it in person.

I’m surprised by how many people here dye their hair vibrant colors.  I mean I know it happens everywhere but I’ve never seen it in so commonly done.  Mostly young people in their late teens/early twenties but also lots of people of all ages.  Bucky said I should dye my hair so they fit in better and I kid you not an hour later Clint showed up with lavender hair saying he’s never going back to natural.

I miss you and love you.  I should be home soon. Steve

A honeymoon type place huh?  I see…

I got this letter a week after you got home.  Clint’s hair had already mostly washed out and I wish I had seen it so badly.  If you wanted to dye your hair I’d be okay with it.  As long as it wasn’t red, white, and blue.

I will definitely go to Vienna with you just for the cake and coffee experience.  If we have time I guess we can see some art too.

All my love XXXOOO

New Zealand is beautiful.  We’ve been traveling around with this one and in many ways, it reminds me of England in that it’s so green and it has been raining a lot.  But there’s something more … primal and … raw about it?  I guess those are the right words.  The mountains are huge and there’s a lot of volcanic activity.  Thor seems almost more alive here than I’ve ever seen him.

There is a lot of talk about Hobbiton and the Lord of the Rings around here.  Like that’s the thing you do in New Zealand.  I’d like to see it.  I read the Hobbit when it was released though I haven’t read the others or seen the movies.  They all came out while I was still on the ice.  Another thing to add to the list I guess.  That thing is getting longer and longer and I don’t seem to be making much of a dent in it.

The birds here are all very interesting.  I haven’t seen most of the really rare ones, although some government officials have organized to let us meet a kiwi once all the official work things are taken care of.

They call corner stores here dairies and Sam can’t stop laughing about it.  Oh also, one time we needed a cooler to store some… things… and the guy we bought it off called it a chilly bin.  Only with the accent, it sounded like chully bun and Sam didn’t stop laughing for a good hour after we left the store.   And then just randomly Bucky would say chully bun and set Sam off again for another 20 minutes.

I really love seeing them that happy, you know?

I bought you pineapple lumps because of the name.

I miss you.  I hope this wraps up soon. Steve

Oh my god, this one is a record-breaker.  It was a month after you got home that your letter arrived.  Man, the post office was in no hurry at all.

I have the Lord of the Rings movies here.  We can watch them next time you sleepover.  Which can be tonight if you like.

I really liked those pineapple lumps.  We should go to New Zealand just to get them.  I’m jealous that you got to hold a Kiwi bird.  I am totally framing that photo of you with it.  I’ve heard they have actual dinosaurs in New Zealand and I want to see them too.

I have to say, getting these letters from you is always something I look forward to.  It takes the edge off you going.  Like I know when you’re away at some random point in time I’m going to get a letter from you and I can look forward to it.

I love you so so much. XXXOOO

Santiago is such an intense city.  There are so many people.  It’s crowded all the time and the pollution hangs low to the ground.  It does make it easy to blend in though.  Even for us.

I love how the mountains loom over us.  They just go up so drastically that even though they aren’t even close it looks like they’re in walking distance.  I want to climb them but then also I really don’t want to do that either.

I’m having a little trouble with the food with my poor Irish stomach.  I have however discovered Ceviche.  Bucky is very uncertain as to why I would want to be eating raw fish but it is so good.  I think I’m going to try and make it when I get home.  I’ve probably eaten it every single day.

We aren’t getting to see very much this time though.  It’s pretty much been constant work.  We did have a naked Clint situation but I might let him tell you about it.  Make sure you ask him though.

I miss you and love you. Steve

Your Ceviche was wonderful and I’m so glad you have that as a thing you can make.  If nothing else, I’m glad you went to Chile for that alone.  Though I wish I could go with you on these things.  I mean, obviously, I know you can’t but still, the bed feels empty without you in it.

You are welcome to climb those mountains, but I think you might have to do it without me.  Unless you want to carry me.  You can probably carry me if you like.

Naked Clint situation you say?  Well, I guess I’m coming over to the compound.  I’ll see you soon.

Love you XXXOOO

I have been to Germany so many times I stopped seeing it as something interesting.  I’ve never been here for the Christmas markets though and I am absolutely bringing you back for them.

I have never really understood Christmas lights until seeing them here. It gets dark so early and it just looks magical.

I have never seen the team so happy to be on a mission before.  We’re doing the work… but we blend into the crowds in the dark. On the time off they’re going out and buying drinks in the street.  Maybe not the most responsible thing to do I guess.

Sam has found a stall that sells skewers of meat with a potato stuck on the end and he carries them around pretending he’s a Viking.

I bought you an ornament.  It’s not super Christmas themed so you can just put it up if you want to all year round.  It looks like a bird.  Clint keeps asking me if I want you to be thinking about him when I’m not around.  So of course now I’m only going to think of him when I see it.

I have never wished you were with me as much as I do right now.  I think you would really like it here.

I miss you and love you, Steve

It sounds amazing.  I love the bird and I will absolutely not think about Clint when I look at it.  I will think about how much I love you and how you always surprise me.

The Christmas Markets do sound good and you all looked very relaxed when you got back.  That doesn’t happen very often.  I really hope we can go one day.  There are so many things I would like to do with you now.   We are definitely going to have to organize a trip together but you’re always so happy to be home.  I don’t want to drag you away from that either.

This time your letter arrived three weeks after you did.  Not a record but I was starting to wonder if you forgot.  I should have more faith in you.

Love you XXXOOO

Sydney is really pretty.  It’s been really warm here despite coming off the tail end of winter I feel like I’m steaming to death in my uniform.  It’s funny when you go to a place and it’s just like the pictures on TV look.  The Harbor is like that.  With the Bridge and the Opera House.

I got to try Tim Tams.  Finally knocking some things off my damned list.  They’re pretty good.  One of the locals showed me this way to eat them where you kind of use them as a straw.  It was a little too sweet for me but Sam made sounds like he just had an orgasm.

It’s interesting the kinds of wildlife you see right in the city too.  I mean it’s not kangaroos or anything.  But they have those big white parrots.  Cockatoos?  Is that what they’re called.  And at night there are the biggest bats I’ve ever seen in my life.  Every time we see them Sam starts quoting Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Bucky tried eating kangaroo.  He said it was gamey but okay.  It’s funny how the rest of the team were too scared to do that.  We’re superheroes.  Oh well, I guess being too scared to eat marsupial isn’t going to end the world.

They sell opals everywhere here.  I bought you something.  I really, really hope you like it.  I think you will.

I miss you and love you.  See you soon. Steve

Five weeks!!  Five weeks this letter took me.  I can’t believe it.  And what do you mean present?  You never gave me a present.  Or are we talking those Tim Tams because I thought they were from Sam?  Sam definitely tried to make it very clear they were from him.  The whole ‘you may want to ditch Steve for me after this’ thing and all.

They were pretty damn good, but it will take more than a chocolate cookie to pull me away from you.

I really want to see giant bats.  Is Australia on our list?  It’s pretty big.  There’s got to be more to it than just Sydney.

Love you so much. XXXOOO

I’m writing this on the plane on the way back from Sydney.  Even with the Quinjet, it takes a long, long time to get from Sydney to New York.  Lots of time to think.

Obviously, I was already thinking this, because I bought the ring before I wrote the letter.  I just wanted to make sure you knew exactly how I felt.

I love you so much.  You are the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I think about when I go to sleep at night.  When we are apart every small thing I enjoy I wish I was sharing with you.  When we are together I feel as safe and happy as I ever have.

I love you and I want to share the rest of my life with you.  I want us to visit the world as a couple enjoying all the little things I always miss.

Will you marry me? Steve

[musicalluna]

nice, a sequel

this is a commission for @ishipallthings who requested a sequel to nice

--

It's late spring in Manhattan and the weather's perfect when Steve leaves S.H.I.E.L.D. The sun is warm, but the breeze is cool, and Steve takes a deep breath as he starts toward the bus stop that will take him back toward the Tower. Days like this he likes to stay above ground where he can see the world go by. Today he doesn't pay as much attention to the trip as he normally might—his mind's somewhere else. On someone else.

He and Tony had sat in the kitchen for hours talking and passing the spoon back and forth while they made a considerable dent in the carton of ice cream the night before. With the cat out of the bag, Tony had wanted to know everything about the little gifts, details about the classes Steve was signing up for, which edits he'd liked best. Now that Steve was watching for it, he could see Tony taking mental notes of their conversation. More gifts would come out of it, Steve could feel it to his bones. He'd gone to bed feeling lighter than he had in years. Even now, in the searing spring sunshine, the memory hasn't tarnished. Without asking for anything in return, and without any recognition at all, Tony has been making Steve's life more bearable. Something he's realized as he thought about it is that no one does that for Tony. They ask him for things and thank him when he does them (it's fifty-fifty odds as to whether or not they also give him a hard time). Tony doesn't seem bothered by it or inclined to stop, but it bothers Steve. Now that he's paying attention, he knows he's been less gracious than Tony deserves for all he's done. Ma would be disappointed. Which is why Steve stops by a place on his walk from the stop to pick up a burger and fries. It's not unusual for Tony to show up in the kitchen ravenous because he's forgotten to eat. Bringing him something before he gets to that point isn't much, but it's something Steve can do. He pauses at the door to the workshop and says, “JARVIS, can you ask Tony if I can come in?” JARVIS doesn't respond, but inside the shop, Tony cocks his head and then glances back over his shoulder. Steve waves. Tony says something, and the door opens with a hiss. “To what do I owe the honor?” Tony asks and the question is casual, but there's something guarded in the way Tony looks Steve over. It makes Steve feel worse. Tony does all these nice things for Steve, but he still doesn't trust him. Pushing the thought aside, Steve holds up the bag. “I stopped for lunch, and I thought you might be hungry.” Tony stares in surprise for a moment. Then he gathers himself and says, “Yeah, I could eat.” To say the meal is awkward would be an understatement. Steve doesn't know where the easy conversation from the night before has gone, but he feels like a dolt as they stagger their way through. “Well, I'll see you later,” he says, when they've both finished, and Tony's eyes keep sliding over to the holographic displays nearby. “Oh,” Tony says, a mishmash of emotions crossing his face, “yeah, sure, okay. Thanks for lunch.” “Anytime,” Steve says and then makes a not-too-hasty retreat. That had been a disaster. Steve can't understand it, and he wants to, so he goes to the gym and starts going through his routine with the bag, trying to break things down like he would after a battle. He's nearly thirty minutes in when it hits him—Steve had come in the afternoon after finding out Tony's been giving him all these gifts and immediately given something to Tony and stood right there. Steve had liked that he didn't feel pressured to react in a certain way or to reciprocate the mystery nice person's gestures. Maybe that's why Tony had done it that way in the first place, and Steve's gone and put that exact pressure on him. “I have to be more subtle,” he realizes aloud. “Aim for the stars, Cap,” Clint calls from across the room. Steve swipes a wrist across his forehead and shoots Clint a dirty look. “I didn't ask the peanut gallery.” Clint grins toothily at him. “I offer my nuggets of wisdom freely.” “Let me offer you a nugget,” Steve retorts. “Don't.” – Before Steve gets a chance to try again, Tony beats him to the punch. Steve has an appointment with S.H.I.E.L.D. medical. He despises medical, but he recognizes that it's necessary to do regular checkups to be sure he's recovered from old injuries and to make sure he's healthy. Anything he might catch could easily kill the other Avengers. Better safe than sorry. He's not sure how Tony finds him, but he strides out of a hallway Steve passes on his way to medical and falls into step with Steve. His eyes are hidden behind a dark pair of sunglasses, his hands tucked casually into his pockets. “Hey, there, Cap. Where you headed?” “Medical.” Tony glances over at him, sunglasses glinting under the fluorescents. “Care for some company?” It's embarrassing, but Steve does. The idea of Tony watching on while the doctors poke and prod at him relaxes the knot in his belly. Tony won't let them do anything they shouldn't. “I'd like that,” he says, and Tony's mouth curls slightly at the corners. “You got it, Cap.” Tony talks the whole way to the medbay and hardly lets up once they get there. He talks about his projects and asks Steve questions to help him with the new advanced helmet he's working on for Steve. He wants to put a heads-up display into the eye holes. While the doctors put him through the shoulder maneuvers for the physical exam inspecting his muscles and joints, Steve tells Tony what kinds of information would be useful in a HUD and what would just be a distraction. Tony keeps trying to talk him into adding things, and Steve keeps patiently reminding him that as smart as the serum made him, he's still no Tony Stark. It makes Tony look quietly pleased. “Come on, Cap, I think you're underestimating the amount of data you can process.” Steve chuckles. “No, you're overestimating it, Smart Guy.” Tony's presence makes the appointment go by that much faster, and it should be uncomfortable doing all this in his skivvies while Tony watches on, but Tony keeps his eyes firmly on Steve's face and at this point, the more naked he is, the more comfortable he is with Tony there. He knows Tony will have his back. It's a funny, warm realization. – Steve's next attempt to be nice is less showy. Tony doesn't even see him doing it, because what he does is guard the coffee pot so there are still a couple mugs worth of Tony's favorite in the carafe when he comes to the kitchen. It takes a week worth of watching Tony to see what coffee types he likes best, JARVIS' help keeping track of his movements, and Clint being annoyed with him, but he does it. It makes him proud, and the satisfaction of watching Tony's contented expression as he takes his first sip motivates him to think of more things he can do to make Tony happy. Once he remembers Tony saying that's why he started doing it, that makes it much more comfortable. He's beginning to recognize what Tony looks like when he's happy and starts scribbling notes in his sketchbook alongside his doodles whenever he notices something in particular. Tony always seems pleased by gifts, even when they're stupid things like Natasha giving him a sauce packet from a restaurant with Iron Man on it, so Steve keeps his eyes peeled when he goes out and picks things out occasionally. A scarf with gold flecks that reminds him of Tony's eyes, an itty bitty Iron Man figurine, a pack of his favorite snack, anything that makes him think of Tony. Once he buys Tony a piece of art—a painting of the reflection of a chrome bumper—and Tony's face when he presents it to him makes him flush and start to draw back. “NO,” Tony says loudly, and grabs hold of one edge of the painting. “It's mine now. Thank you.” Steve swallows, his heart pounding at the base of his throat. Tony's fingers are touching his, and he feels completely unmoored. “You're welcome,” he finally manages. – It doesn't occur to him how much things have changed between him and Tony until he goes to the SI R&D department to deliver fifteen bags of take out because Tony had told him his team was working sixteen hour days trying to fix something that had gone wrong. Tony smiles as he watches the team dig into the bags, but it's heavy on his face, his eyes lined and his face a little gray. Steve curls a hand around the back of his neck and says, “Hey. You all right?” Tony looks at him and sighs. “As all right as I can be. My back hurts, and it feels like my brain's bleeding, but sure.” Steve squeezes his neck lightly. “Well, I can't do anything about the brain bleed, but I could rub your back?” He realizes immediately how intimate what he's proposing is, but before he can think better of it, Tony says, “Could you really? I might die.” That settles it and Steve nods. “Of course. It may not be very good, but I've got strong hands.” “You've got strong everything,” Tony mutters. “Come on.” He leads Steve over to one of the conference rooms and slumps down on to the nearest armless chair backward, pressing his face into the leather back. Steve puts his hands on Tony's shoulders but doesn't start in intense right away. He rubs his palms slowly over Tony's back, kneading lightly with his fingers, but not using too much pressure. He drags the tips of his fingers across Tony's shoulders and then down either side of his spine, just getting him used to the touch. After maybe five minutes, Tony's posture softens, and he leans heavily into the chair back, the tension slowly easing out of his shoulders. That's when Steve starts massaging more deeply, using his whole hands to squeeze the muscles and pressing harder. Tony groans. It gives Steve an immense sense of satisfaction to see Tony come apart like that, bit by bit.  There's something about it that just makes him feel accomplished, like he's done something that really needed doing. He keeps at it for the better part of half an hour. By that time Tony's slumped against the chair back, his face mashed into the leather, arms dangling loosely at his sides. Steve's pretty sure there's drool on the chair. “Ngh,” Tony finally grunts. “'f I don't go back I never will.” Steve slows his hands, kneading more lightly at Tony's shoulders. “All right. Let me know if there's anything else I can do.” “Help me up?” Tony asks. Steve helps him find his feet, steadying Tony when he wobbles precariously. Tony's face is right there, his eyes hooded and his breath warm on Steve's jaw. Steve freezes, staring directly into Tony's eyes and he watches them widen the slightest bit, Tony's breathing suddenly stuttering. His skin is warm under Steve's hand where he's still touching him, lingering on his skin because Tony's shirt is unbuttoned halfway and his collar's open and he smells like espresso and sweat and the lotion Steve had grabbed off a nearby counter at some point. Steve's heart is beating so hard in his chest it feels like being small and weak again, it feels like tachycardia, it feels like panic and anticipation and an urgency he hasn't felt for anyone since he said goodbye to Peggy seventy years ago. Realization takes his breath away. Oh. Oh. That's why he wanted so badly to give back to Tony. Why he wanted to see him happy. It's not gratitude, and it's not teambuilding, or it is, but it's all buried under the need to see Tony happy, thriving. He's in love with Tony. He doesn't know when exactly it happened but now that he's staring at it—Tony—straight in the face, he knows that's exactly what this is. At his back, the door opens, and panic lurches up Steve's throat. He steps back, letting go of Tony so fast he tips forward a little. Steve turns his head enough to see Pepper peering around the door. “Tony?” she says. “Here you are, they've been looking for you. Oh, Steve. Hello.” Steve reacts on pure habit and nods his head. “Ma'am.” He winces the minute it's out of his mouth because Pepper told him a long time ago that she didn't want him calling her ma'am or Miss Potts unless they worked together which they did not. She doesn't seem to notice though, busy approaching Tony who's trying to get his shirt back in order. Steve flushes as he watches them, suddenly all too aware of how this must look, him and Tony squirreled away in a conference room, Tony looking mussed and dopey. With an intensity that surprises him, Steve finds himself wishing that was precisely what had happened, and that Pepper knew it. “...lost track of time,” Tony is saying. “Captain America gave me a massage.” He sounds smug, and Pepper smiles indulgently at him. “Well, that was very nice of him, you needed something like that. Unfortunately, we need you back out there being brilliant now.” “Story of my life,” Tony sighs, but it's in good humor. “I should go,” Steve blurts, “let you get back to work.” “Hey, thanks, Steve. I feel a million times better.” Steve nods and smiles and flees. – Steve goes out to a coffee shop where he can get some distance and think. He does this often enough that he has a usual spot and one of the baristas smiles at him from where they're wiping down the other tables as he sits down. He sketches while he considers the piano that fell on his head while he was with Tony. He's interested in Tony as more than a friend. This isn't the first time he's felt something like this, and it's not even the first time he's taken a shine to another man, but. Well, he'd been aware of it then, it hadn't hit him like Thor's hammer out of seemingly nowhere. He feels guilty for it because if he'd only been doing nice things for Tony out of some kind of attempt to get Tony's attention that was wrong. As his sketch of the shop storefront develops though, the guilt fades. He hadn't been doing them to get Tony's attention, he'd been doing it to see Tony happy. As happy as Tony had made him. Steve's breath catches and his pencil stills on the page. Was that why Tony had done it? “You deserve to be happy, Steve.” The thought that Tony might reciprocate Steve's feelings fills him with a giddy bubble of happiness. When Tony has some time, Steve will talk to him and find out if he's right. – When he gets home, it's early evening, and Steve is feeling loose and contented, still warm with the thought that there may be something between him and Tony they can explore. He brightens when he walks into the kitchen to find Tony in his rumpled dress shirt leaning against the island countertop. He's grinning across it at Clint who has his hands thrown up in the air. “A dog park!” “Yes,” Tony says, voice thick with amusement. He takes a bite of the breadstick in his hand. “In the Tower!” “Where else would I put it?” Tony asks. “Lucky should be able to run around with his friends.” “You're unbelievable,” Clint says, which is his way of saying thank you. Tony grins. “I know.” Clint throws a wadded up napkin at Tony's head as he leaves. “Send pictures!” Tony yells after him. Then he catches sight of Steve and his smile widens. “Steve, hey. Thanks again for earlier.” Steve shrugs. “You needed it. What was Clint all worked up about?” Tony returns his shrug. “I had a dog park installed on the fifteenth floor. A high-rise isn't the best environment for a dog, you know? Clint doesn't get up early enough to take Lucky to Central for the off-leash hours, and SI's got plenty of employees with dogs—I figured why not?” “That's awfully nice of you, Tony,” Steve says, feeling his heart sink to his feet. Maybe he's not so special to Tony after all. – Steve feels like a heel for his reaction to discovering Tony does nice things for the others. He should be happy that Tony is a good, kind person who does stuff like this for no reason. It's part of what Steve loves about him after all. Despite the logic of that, he's jealous. He wanted to mean something more to Tony, that's all. It's embarrassing, how badly he misinterpreted things. More than ever, he owes Tony repayment for all the good things he's done. He just...can't quite face Tony with how foolish he's been, so he does his best to repay Tony's kindness without interacting with him directly. Natasha watches him enter the kitchen one morning just after Tony's left—Steve had waited in the hallway until he'd heard him leave. “Steve,” she says tone heavy with unspoken words. Steve grimaces at the coffee pot. “What's going on with you and Tony?” she asks, and he sighs. Of course she knows. “Nothing,” he says, knowing it's a feeble denial at best. “Mhm.” She sips her tea judgmentally. “Did he—say something?” Steve asks, voice getting stuck part way through the question. “Why, what would he say, Steve?” Steve shakes his head, feeling the back of his neck grow hot. “Nothing. That I know of.” “Which is why you waited in the hall until he left.” Steve's heart throbs, caught out. Natasha sighs. Steve slinks back out of the kitchen with his coffee, feeling guilty. Later, he's in the gym (after making sure Tony isn't, of course) and Clint strides in with a sigh. “Steve, man, I love you, but what the hell did you do?” Steve pauses his workout, wiping a hand across his sweaty forehead. “Uhh…?” Clint throws something at him—a small piece of paper that Steve catches against his chest. When he lowers his hand to see what it is, the paper drifts into his palm and Steve's throat goes tight. “Where did you get this?” he rasps. “Tony gave it to me and told me to give it to you.” Tony. The small paper is a photograph. He doesn't know who took it or where or how, but it's a photo of him and Peggy. There's a hand on Steve's shoulder in the picture that he's almost positive is Bucky. “Why's Tony giving things to me to give to you instead of giving them to you himself.” “What?” Steve says and tears his gaze away from the photo. “He made me an errand boy. Whatever you did, fix it, Steve.” Clint kicks him in the ankle, none too gently, and leaves. Steve looks at the photograph again, his heart clenching like a fist in his chest. He's never seen this one before, and Peggy looks… For a moment, the loss yawns so wide and dark inside him it feels inescapable. Then he remembers why he has this photo, and he swallows down his embarrassment and disappointment and heads down to Tony's workshop. Tony is sitting at his workbench working with a screwdriver and some kind of electronic with a hologram hovering close by feeding him readouts. “Tony,” he calls, “I can't...I can't accept this.” Tony pauses in his work and then turns slowly, one eyebrow rising up his forehead. “What exactly do you think I'm going to do with it?” Steve doesn't know how to answer that. Tony planned this he realizes when he meets Tony's eye. Tony's lips press into a thin line, and he whaps the screwdriver against the meat of his palm. “Why'd you stop talking to me, Steve?” Steve swallows, pulling the photo back in toward his body. Miserably, he says, “I'm sorry, Tony. I keep trying to fix this, and I just keep making it worse. I thought if I got some distance I could stop myself.” Tony frowns. “Stop yourself from what?” Steve closes his eyes, chin dropping. “Stop myself from being a jealous jackass.” He sighs. “Obviously I'm not doing a very good job.” “Jealous?” Tony echoes. “Jealous of what?” Steve scrubs his face with his hands. The sweat from his workout has dried, itchy and uncomfortable on the back of his neck. “I thought… I thought I was special. That maybe...you were doing these things—” He holds up the photo. “—because you—” Steve trails off, grimacing. “But then you gave Clint the dog park and—” He sighs again. “It's nothing you did, Tony, honest.” “Hang on—you're jealous because I gave Clint the dog park?” “I shouldn't be upset that you're a good guy, Tony, but—” “But you are.” “That's not why I'm upset!” Tony gives him a profoundly skeptical look. “I'm upset because I thought it—meant something.” Steve is mortified when Tony stares at him. He starts backing toward the door, hands raised. “I'm sorry—Tony, I'm sorry, I am. I'm going to—stop, I promise.” “Hang on,” Tony says, raising his voice, and Steve freezes. Then, very carefully, Tony says, “Steve, how many dog park-like things have I done for you?” Steve shrugs, uncomfortable. “Dozens, maybe?” “And do you know how many I've done for Barton?” Steve shakes his head. “One,” Tony says. Then after a beat, “Okay maybe two or three. A handful. But nowhere near the dozens I've done for you. Do you know why that is?” Steve swallows, his heart suddenly beating faster in his chest. Tony's eyes are intense, his lips trembling ever-so-slightly. “Because you're different, Steve.” Steve can't find his voice around his pounding heart. He's special to Tony and Tony's a good, kind person. “You're...something else, Tony,” he finally croaks. “I hope someday I can be half the man that you are.” Tony's eyes go wide, his tongue darting out nervously over his bottom lip. He gives Steve an uncertain, puzzled smile. “You're Captain America,” he says like that's half as important as Tony constantly working himself to the bone to make the people around him happy and, not only that, to keep the world around him safe. Steve is just a sickly kid from Brooklyn with something to prove. He shakes his head. “Tony, you fight the little everyday battles alongside the world-changing ones. You're the reason I can keep fighting at all.” “I think you're underselling yourself.” “I think you're underselling yourself.” Tony's mouth twitches upward on one side, and he twists the screwdriver between his hands. “So...you think I'm pretty great. And I think you get where I'm coming from now. So.” His eyes flicker to Steve's. “What now?” “Well,” Steve says, taking a slow step forward. “My last good kiss was in 1945.” A grin blooms over Tony's face, brightening until Steve feels like he's going to burst with the warmth filling him up.

[olgagarmash]

14 Healthy Snack Ideas Even The Kids Will Love

In many ways, science says, kids are what YOU eat.

Kids’ eating behaviors are shaped by their own experiences with food and watching what others—like their parents—eat. If you eat a healthy diet, chances are your kids will too—and not just because you’re in charge of the shopping and cooking. Parents are their kids’ first role models. Even if you’ve had some bad habits in the past, your kids will be observing all the healthy changes you’re making now and may want to join in.1

Since you ARE in charge of the shopping and cooking, you can help yourself and your kids by not bringing tempting snacks into the house. It’s tough to be satisfied with an apple when your kids are crunching your favorite chocolate chip cookies.

It’s time to up your snack game! Stock up your kitchen with healthy snacks for kids that also fit into your healthy weight loss plan. Here are some easy snack ideas and healthy snacks for kids—plus some recipes—that will keep you and the kids happy, healthy and satisfied.

1. Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt Dip

Fruit kabobs are a fun and creative way to get in fiber and nutrition. All you have to do is grab some skewers and slide on your favorite fruits! Slice up any combination that you enjoy into bite-sized pieces. Sliced grapes, strawberries, bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe, whole raspberries and blackberries are all tasty options.

Houston Family Nutrition recommends serving fruit kabobs with a side of vanilla yogurt for dipping.2 Just make sure you are choosing a low-fat option that isn’t loaded with a ton of sugar. You could also purchase a plain low-fat yogurt and sweeten it up with a little stevia and vanilla extract.

2. Fruit Parfait

Instead of filling up on store-bought baked goods and sugar-filled desserts, consider making a healthy parfait at home. They are a tasty snack that doubles as sweet treat! Simply layer low-fat yogurt in a glass with fresh berries or fruit, then top with a sprinkling of granola.

Try to find a low-sugar granola at the store for the kiddos, or consider making this homemade Chocolate Granola recipe! > If you’re on the Nutrisystem weight loss plan, you can prepare your own personal parfait using the Nutrisystem Granola while the kids enjoy a different kind.

3. Homemade Potato Chips

Satisfy your sweet and savory cravings with a homemade chip recipe! When you make chips at home instead of buying them at the store, you can control the ingredients and calories that are added. Better yet, using an air fryer can really cut down on the fat by eliminating the need for tons of oil.

Lucky for you, The Leaf Weight Loss Blog has several healthier chip recipes that fit into your weight loss plan! They’re so good, even the kids will love them. Our BBQ Sweet Potato Chips recipe is easy to make and can be made in the oven or the air fryer. Get the full recipe here! >

4. Air Fryer Desserts

If your kids are always asking for a sweet treat, healthy dessert recipes are a must for your meal prep menu. Air fryer desserts are a great option because they’re quick, easy and fun to prepare.

Give our Air Fryer Skinny Chocolate Donuts a try! You and your kids won’t believe that this is a healthy snack, but it is. These whole wheat donuts are topped with a homemade chocolate glaze and taste just like you picked them up from the local bakery. Your kids will love how great they taste, and you’ll love how they fit perfectly into your Nutrisystem plan!

5. Veggie Sticks with Dip

A delicious dip is the ultimate hack for helping you and your kids get in your daily veggie servings. Simply chop up vegetables like carrots, celery and cucumbers into sticks and whip up an easy dip recipe to dunk them in. Buy pre-cut vegetables and you have a quick pick-me-up!

Our Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip recipe makes your veggie sticks taste like hot wings. Can’t handle the heat? Explore this list of 20 healthy dip recipes to find one your whole family will love! > 

6. Energy Balls

Energy balls are sweet healthy snacks for kids that really pack in the nutrition! It’s all healthy stuff—oats, nuts, dried fruit and spices—but you and the kids will think you’re eating cookies. Most energy ball recipes only require a food processor and a little time in the fridge. Check out some of our favorite energy ball recipes below:

7. Homemade Granola Bars

Sure, you can buy granola bars at the grocery story. However, then you have no control over the fat and sugar content. Making your own granola bars at home is a much better option, as you can pick and choose the ingredients and flavors that your family loves.

Our Homemade No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bar recipe is easy and quick to make—just combine peanut butter, honey, rolled oats and semi-sweet chocolate bits in a saucepan, cool and press into a pan which sets in the freezer. You can make a couple of batches at the same time to last the entire week (unless the kids go back for seconds). Each bar is 199 calories. They even fit into your Nutrisystem plan as one Smart Carb and one PowerFuel.

8. Apple Slices and Nut Butter

Apples and peanut butter are a snack time staple. The dynamic duo pairs fiber-rich fruit with the healthy fat and protein that is found in nuts. This balanced snack is a great option to pack for s school or office lunches. Want to switch things up? Almond butter makes this old standby special. You can buy a jar of almond butter and smear one tablespoon on a sliced medium apple, or look for single-serving almond butter packets at the grocery store.

9. Ants on a Log

Every kindergartener’s favorite treat! Smear peanut butter on a celery stalk and stud with raisins. Just like the last snack, you can swap in almond butter for something different. You can even use different types of dried fruit instead of raisins. It’s a simple, three-ingredient treat that the kiddos will be asking for all week!

10. Healthy “Ice Cream”

Stop buying tubs of ice cream that are loaded with added sugar, fat and calories. If you have a powerful blender, you can easily make your own ice cream at home that’s just as delicious! “Nice cream” is the trendy frozen treat that everyone is blending up in their kitchen. Most recipes use bananas as the base as they create a creamy and decadent consistency that’s just like real ice cream. Then you can have fun and add all of your favorite toppings and additions.

To make a peanut butter and chocolate version of nice cream, grab your blender and combine a quarter-cup of powdered peanut butter with one medium frozen banana and a tablespoon of sugar-free chocolate syrup. Blend until creamy and then eat it right away. It doesn’t keep.

11. Black Bean Brownie Dip

You might want to keep the black beans as a secret ingredient when you serve this healthy snack to the kids. They’ll never know! They’ll also never know that medjool dates and maple syrup supply the sweet to this Black Bean Brownie Dip, which also includes unsweetened vanilla almond milk, Dutch processed unsweetened cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Serve it up with strawberries or graham crackers.

12. Spicy Buffalo Deviled Eggs

If your family loves buffalo wings, they’ll love this egg version made with hardboiled eggs, buffalo sauce and light mayonnaise. Each satisfying serving (one whole egg) is only 81 calories. You can count it as one PowerFuel if you’re on the Nutrisystem plan. Get the full recipe here! >

13. Banana Pops

This “popsicle” is healthier than any other option you will find at the store. Featuring fresh bananas and low-fat vanilla yogurt, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego recommends peeling and cutting the bananas in half and sticking a popsicle stick in the flat end. You will then roll each banana in the yogurt.3

After coating it in the yogurt, we think these tasty pops would be even more delicious with a coating of chopped nuts or granola. Pop them in the freezer when your done so they can firm up before eating. Yum!

14. Chocolate-Covered Fruit

Fruits covered in chocolate are great healthy snacks for kids.  They can even help out in the kitchen with this one! Simply melt some semi-sweet or stevia-sweetened chocolate in the microwave. Once it’s cool enough to handle, let the kids dip their favorite fruits in the chocolate. You can even use dried fruit like dried pineapple slices, mangoes, oranges, apricots or raisins. You can even sprinkle them with chopped nuts, seeds or even sprinkles!

Looking for more healthy snacks for kids? Click the link below for tons of after school snack ideas!:

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2678872/

https://houstonfamilynutrition.com/kid-friendly-fruit-kabobs-recipe/

https://www.rchsd.org/health-articles/banana-yogurt-popsicles/

source https://wealthch.com/14-healthy-snack-ideas-even-the-kids-will-love/

[yesimgoingtopeacecorps]

The Guinean Peace Corps Guide to Packing

This list obviously isn’t perfect, but I’m sure if you’ve stumbled onto this blog post you’re looking for a good Peace Corps packing list, especially if you’ve just been accepted to Guinea and you’re getting ready to leave. I’m currently in my 6th month of living in Guinea and I’ve received a few things from home along the way.

Just as a reminder, you’re technically only allowed two large suitcases, at 50lbs each for the trip. However, I knew some people who paid extra for another bag, and, looking back, I should have just done that. It would have saved me and a lot of people at home money on the expensive overseas shipping to Conakry.

Things I packed:

Clothes

a note about clothes, try to get things that are quick dry or make for an active lifestyle. You will be washing your clothes by hand and you’ll want things that are very easy to clean, don’t show dirt, and don’t hold smells. I suggest Lululemon, Athleta, Patagonia, and those kind of brands. You can find cheaper and discounted clothes online at backcountry.com and Sierra Trading Post (also a great place to find any of the camping or hiking gear listed on here). You  can also check out TJMaxx and Marshalls. Also, you’re going to get clothes made here and people are always leaving stuff “up for grabs” at the regional houses, so don’t pack too much clothes wise.

For girls, I will say, error on the side of caution when it comes to shorts, skirts, and tops. You can always cut things or have them tailored but where I live is pretty conservative and as much as I hate it, I wouldn’t be caught dead walking out of my house in a thin strap tank top.

  3 pairs of pants that youcould wear in an office setting but also wear hiking (try Athleta for these)

1 pair of hiking or durable pants that you don’t mine messing up- I use mine to garden

1 pair of black leggings

2 pairs of running/workout leggings

3 pairs of shorts (try to  make them longer/knee length)

2 pairs of compression     shorts/spandex

1 pair of jeans

5 or 6 nice shirts (at least one long sleeved one, I promise there are places that it does get cold here)

2 or 3 tank tops

5 casual t-shirts/workout shirts

2 skirts (well past the knee and flowly)

3 day dresses

1 or 2 nice dresses (but not heavy or thick, the place where you train for three months is very hot)

10 pairs of underwear (check out ExOfficio for great travel underwear)

6 sports bras

2 or 3 regular bras

2 or 3 pairs of hiking/thick socks

7 pairs of regular running socks

1 pair of Chacos or tevas (I live in these shoes)

1 pair of running shoes

Hiking boots or closed toed shoes with a very good grip (the only real tourist thing to do in Guinea is hiking and you will definitely use them. I also use mine when gardening)

1 or 2 bathing suits (these are hard to find in Guinea)

1 good durable raincoat

1 lightweight jacket

1 sweatshirt

1 sweater/cardigan

Other wearables:

A good hat

Cheap sunglasses (you can buy more here and I’ve already broken three pairs)

Two scarves

HAIR TIES

Non-valuable jewelry if you  like that sort of thing

A good backpack

A small foldable bag for market days

A purse

A small cross-body purse

 Electronics:

INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE     (Clements Worldwide is the one I use. It was $150 for a year but it saved     my life when I got robbed during training and was reimbursed almost $2,000     for the stuff stolen

My Macbook

A kindle or tablet- I use     mine every day

An iPod (I also brought my     old iPod touch in the case that I got robbed… it was definitely a smart     move)

A smartphone (MAKE SURE YOU     CAN REMOVE THE SIM CARD AND PUT IN A DIFFERENT CARRIERS SIM… I had a lot     of friends have issues with that because they were tied to Sprint or     another carrier that had the phone locked)

A lifeproof or otterbox case     for the phone

A rechargeable external     battery

A solar battery charger for     phones (I recommend DragonX brand)

2 Luci Lights (look it up,     it’s a solar light)

2 headlamps

4 power adapters/converters

A surge protector- trust me,     my iPhone died my first month because there was a power surge and it fried     my phone

Multiple charging cables for     anything USB related

Three pairs of good earbud     headphones

An external hardrive (2TB)     (mine has hundreds of movies, tv shows, and workout episodes on it. I     highly recommend this)

A digital watch

  Home and Kitchen

Scrubba Wash Bag (look it up,     in my opinion it makes doing laundry here a lot easier)

Duct Tape (if you forget     everything else, remember to bring duct tape)

Electrical tape

Can opener- trust me on this     one

Garlic press

A few good kitchen knives

Thin, plastic cutting boards

Three quick dry towels

Compressable pillow (I     recommend ThermaRest brand)

An all purpose tool

Toiletries

Shampoo and conditioner     (Seriously, you will want this. I ran out of both during training and     there was no place to buy either of them where we were. You can also try     LUSH bars, solid shampoo and conditioners, expensive but worth it.)

Dr. Bronner’s All Purpose     Soap

Toothbrusth and toothpaste

Facial toner and cleaner

Face wash

Hairbrush

Lotion

Sunscreen (you are given some     but I’ve found it clogs the pores in my face)

Basic makeup: eyeliner,     mascara, lipstick, coverup, blush, and a small thing of eyeshadow.

Tweezers

Your favorite nailpolish

Headbands

Deodorant

Razors

Nail clippers

File

Alcohol wipes or a small     bottle of alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.. Peace Corps doesn’t issue this     and this has definitely saved me from infections a few times

Medical tape

For girls, Diva Cups (they will save you from using the crappy tampons medical gives us and keep you from having to buy pads, which are expensive)

Baby powder

Hairbrush

Mini bottles of travel hand sanitizer

Mouthwash

A few toothbrushes and a toothbrush top

 Other Gear

A really good pocket knife

A few pens

Colored markers or crayons

A mini stapler

Rubberbands

A portable mini safe (I use mine here and just wrap it around the table leg. I keep all my extra money, my passports, and my credit cards in there.)

A mini sewing kit

At least two Nalgene water bottles

Liquid chalk markers (are cool for writing things on your walls and for using in the classroom)

Hair cutting scissors (multiple uses and of course, for cutting your hair)

Tape measurer

Wooden clothespins

  Things I wish I brought:

My Birkenstocks or my Rainbow     flipflops

A nice travel yoga mat

A nicer pair of dressy  sandals

More packets of dried food (knorr pasta sides, etc.)

Cliff bars, energy bars, etc.

Tuna packets (you can find sardines here but tuna is almost 3 dollars a can)

Workout gear

More photos of my family and friends

A small projector (I got one brought over for me and cost me 85USD. It’s perfect for movie nights and doing presentations)

Lots of charging cables

A small and light extension cord

Small fan (you can also get decent ones here when you get ready to move to site, but not having one during training was brutal)

Essential oils (can be used to do all sorts of things, especially when it comes to repelling bugs)

A good set of twin sized bed sheets. (SHEETS ARE EXPENSIVE and the sheets here not always that comfortable. Dig up your bedsheets from freshman year of college and bring them along)

 Here’s a list of things you can totally live without, but are nice to have:

 For the Cook in You:

Rennet tablets (for cheese     making- a project I’m still learning how to prefect)

A scoby to use to start making your own kombucha

Lots and lots of spices (you can buy them here but they’re expensive)

Measuring cups and measuring spoons

A small KitchenAid type  handmixer and blender

A mini mortar and pestle

Beeswax

Cheesecloth

Small bottle of Truffle oil

Peanut butter

Lots of water flavoring or     Gatorade packets

Oatmeal packets, dried food     packets

Dried cheese powder (cheese     isn’t a thing here and you’ll miss it more than you realize)

Bottle opener and wine opener

Any snacks you can think of     that you can eat without preparation (training is rough when it comes to     food verity, I legit ate a can of green peas once because all I wanted was     something besides rice and sauce)

 For the Workout Fanatic:

Soccer ball (I had a deflated     one sent to me, just add it to a care package list you won’t want to take     this with you)

Soccer cleats

Soccer socks

Resistance bands

Yoga mat

Arm band for iPod or phone     for music

 For the Gardener:

A good pair of gardening     gloves

Packets of all kinds of seeds

A small hand shovel and small     hand rake

  For the Hiker and Camper:

A hammock with a mosquito net     or a small tent

Carabineer clips

An ultralight sleeping pad

Compressable pillow (I     recommend ThermaRest brand)

Moleskin for blisters

A dry bag to store your stuff     when it rains

A steripen for water

 For the Future Pet Owner:

*I got a kitten in Guinea and it was the first thing I did when I got to site. If you’re preparing to get yourself a furry friend, here’s a number of things you’ll want because buying anything pet related in country is super expensive

Cat or dog collar

Flea collar or medication

Small toys for them

Deworming medication

 Things you can leave at home or could buy in Guinea:

High-heels. Trust me on this. You will never wear them (except maybe at Swear-In, but if you want there     are places to find cheap heels here.) Save the space in your bag.

Most kitchen utensils (but I  would suggest bringing at least one fork and one spoon)

A lot of books- theres lots     of them here at the regional houses and if you bring a kindle or tablet,     you can buy more or trade kindle books with other volunteers

A portable camping shower     (you’ll get use to bucket baths and trying to set it up was much more     effort than it was worth.)

A hair straightener and mini     blow dryer. (You won’t use them)

 That’s all I’ve got for you! I hope this list helps and if anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me or shoot me a message!

  Sarah

[cutsliceddiced]

New top story from Time: A Guide to Expert-Tested Cooking and Baking Substitutes if You Can’t Find Your Usual Ingredients Anywhere

As we enter the second month of stay-at-home orders across the U.S., the strain on the home kitchen is already clear; stores and vendors are adjusting to changing food demands and the supply chain has been impacted.

Certain ingredient shortages we encounter while managing with limited grocery shopping runs make cooking dinner — and breakfast, and lunch, and snacktime, and dessert, and midnight snack — all the more difficult.

For those battling food insecurity, school meal services and food banks are working overtime to help provide necessary meals and supplies. But for those looking at empty pantry shelves while delaying a grocery trip to stock up further on in-demand items like beans and oat milk, a few innovative swaps can mean that a missing ingredient here or there won’t throw off your meal planning. For advice, TIME turned to Alissa Wagner, chef and co-founder of the popular downtown New York City restaurant Dimes and co-author of the recently published cookbook Emotional Eating, as well as baker and Great American Baking Show winner Vallery Lomas, who’s popular on social media as the “Foodie in New York,” and pastry chef and Milk Bar founder Christina Tosi, who has been teaching fans with daily live Instagram tutorials.

Wagner called from her restaurant’s associated market, which is still serving prepared foods — and remains busy and well-stocked. “Start simply and play around with things,” Wagner says. “You really can look at cookbooks and recipes and try not to be intimidated and enjoy it.” Lomas, meanwhile, has been testing out simplified recipes from her studio apartment in Harlem that are “fuss free” and work for smaller crowds — or even portioned just for one. “Don’t let fear of failure stop you,” she said. Tosi keeps things interesting by playing music themed to match her culinary pursuits (like a “queens of pop” playlist while making popovers) — and sharing what she makes, as much as she safely can. “Kitchen time never feels like a chore when you approach it with a generosity of spirit mentality,” she says. “Now is the time to spread the love more than ever.”

Here, Wagner, Lomas and Tosi share their suggestions for what to do when you run out of some of the basics. And while this guide doesn’t cover everything you might need to make your preferred dish of the evening to the recipe’s exact specifications, it might help you come up with some creative solutions. “I like to look at my pantry with a sense of imagination,” Tosi says. “Approach every ingredient with a ‘What does this typically bring to the dish or snack I use it in?’ Write it down and come back to it when you put your apron on.”

Egg Substitutes

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Eggs are a refrigerator staple, but once you’ve worked through your regular dozen, you may find yourself uncertain of what to use as a replacement. If it’s a breakfast protein you’re in the mood for, Wagner recommends turning to tofu, which can be prepared as a scramble and lasts a long time in the fridge.

Although eggs are hard to match in taste as a standalone food — and Tosi cautions against trying to replace them in a recipe if it calls for more than a few — there are a number of workable stand-ins. If you’re baking, do as the vegans do: consider swapping in apple sauce or another fruit you can cook or puree, which provides the same binding properties in baked goods as eggs. (Mashed bananas are a common option, too, and very cost-effective if you buy bunches in bulk. They can also be frozen for later use.) Tosi says a neutral-flavored oil could also help provide structure and moisture.

Lomas and Tosi also recommend the “flax egg” — letting a tablespoon of flaxseed meal soak in a few tablespoons of water for a few minutes. The resulting jelly-like concoction will work in lieu of real eggs, and is “every vegan’s favorite trick,” Tosi says.

If you’re looking for egg whites, the water in a can of chickpeas, called aquafaba, will suffice. Meringues, mayonnaise and cocktails like a pisco sour can use aquafaba instead of real egg whites. Vegans have been using the replacement source for years.

Milk Substitutes

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When dairy supplies run low, fortunately there are plenty of milk substitutes that are more shelf-stable than perishable dairy. Wagner particularly likes coconut milk, which you can keep in your pantry and will work as a replacement for regular milk when thinned with some water. (“It’s a lot fattier than regular milk,” Wagner explained.)

“Match your milk sub with the flavor profile of what you are baking,” Tosi says. So for bundt and loaf cakes, for instance, she sometimes turns to sour cream and Greek yogurt.

If you have nuts lying around, making your own nut milk is also a possibility: Wagner recommends a three-part water to one-part nut ratio, soaked overnight and blended. A clean t-shirt will do as a strainer, she says. Wagner likes cashew milk, which has a “really nice sweetness — and it’s a little cheaper than almonds,” making it a more cost-effective option. Almonds and oats also work, and Tosi says nut milks are a good option for pancakes, crepes and bar cookies. “I’m not above melting down vanilla ice cream to sub in for milk, either,” she adds. “Embrace all the milky things,” she said. Yes, even whipped cream.

If you don’t have milk, Lomas suggests simply using water instead of milk for a substitute in baking. “And when all else fails,” Tosi notes, “don’t underestimate the power of milk powder,” which you can mix with water, too.

Cheese Substitutes

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There is an almost infinite variety of cheeses on the market. But when it comes to the cheese that we use most often, it’s generally as an additive on other dishes for that umami kick. Nutritional yeast will work as a substitute in many pasta dishes, Wagner says. Or for saltiness, you can try out capers and olives, which last in the pantry and fridge and bring in the “salty brininess” you might be missing when you run out of parmesan, notes Wagner.

For Tosi, the pantry or snack cabinet could also hold answers. “I’ll take the flavor packet from my mac and cheese to make my own Cheez-Its, or use a box of cake mix and some cream cheese for a gooey butter cake,” she says.

Butter Substitutes

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For cooking, oil — olive, canola or even grapeseed or avocado — can generally be used as a butter substitute, provided you select an oil with a flavor that complements the rest of your ingredients. “It depends on the recipe as to how well this swap will work,” Lomas says. Coconut oil, for instance, has a flavor all its own. Used in a cookie recipe, canola and vegetable oil will result in a “sandier textured cookie,” Tosi says. The conversion is also not a direct one-to-one swap between butter and oil, since butter also has milk fats that an oil may lack; you might need a few tablespoons fewer of oil than butter for a cake, for instance.

Then there’s old school shortening, which Tosi says is a “best bet” for matching butter’s flavor and structure; margarine is another option, although not as flavorful. If the butter is being used as an especially creamy component, like in a risotto, you could try a heavy cream.

Bread Substitutes

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If you’re craving homemade carbs — perhaps inspired by the proliferation of amateur baking projects you’re seeing on social media — there’s plenty to choose from. Amid flour and yeast shortages, there are still breads you can make that don’t require yeast.

Cornbread, Wagner says, should fit the bill — provided you can find cornmeal. Simpler bread recipes like focaccia are another option, as it is made without yeast. Tosi turns to her “fool-proof beer bread,” since beer already has yeast in it. (Her recipe: 1 beer, 3 cups flour, 4 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ cup butter melted.) She also recommends adapting bread recipes by cutting “all but one tablespoon sugar out” and throwing spices and seed in, like za’atar or curry powder, for a more aromatic loaf.

Lomas has been baking basics like wheat bread from scratch using whole wheat flour. Other alternative flours, like rice or chickpea, are common in gluten-free recipes and can be used widely. Wagner likes chickpea flour which is less “gummy” than rice flour and makes “really good savory pancakes.” Tosi suggests cake flour, which has a lower protein content. Nut flours — nuts ground up in a food processor until they are “sandy,” with a few tablespoons of cornstarch to encourage the binding — are her recommendation for cookies. Oat flour (ground up oats) also can work: 1 ⅓ cups oat flour for 1 cup all purpose flour, says Tosi. Lomas is also a proponent of oat flour, which works well in her cookies and is a decently affordable option.

Even beyond the expected flour alternatives, Tosi suggests turning to other dry ingredients that can grind down into a flour-like consistency, like popcorn and pretzels. (“Popcorn flour is fire!” she says, but keep an eye on the overall salt content if you use pretzel flour.)

Sugar Substitutes

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When running low on sugar, look to other sweeteners you have at hand: maple syrup and honey, both of which are actually lower on the glycemic index than regular processed sugar, Wagner says. Plus, both maple syrup and honey last a long time without going bad. Lomas even uses honey in her homemade whole wheat bread recipe. Agave is another natural sweetener option.

Tosi suggests thinking even further beyond the basics when it comes to bringing sweetness to a recipe. “Most things you crave late at night can work, too: marshmallows, chocolate, white chocolate chips, peanut butter, sorbet melted down, and candy.”

Brown sugars can also be whipped up at home if need be: light brown sugar can be concocted by adding a splash of maple syrup to granulated sugar, while to mix your own dark brown sugar you can add molasses. And powdered sugar, to top things off? Blend granulated sugar with a pinch of cornstarch. “In the baking world it’s called 10x, in reference to it being ground down 10 times,” Tosi says of powdered sugar’s origins.

You can also look beyond sugar for flavor in your baking. “If you like a salty-sweet combo, throw potato chips, pretzels, butterscotch chips — you name it — in your cookie dough or loaf or pancake batter,” Tosi says.

Keep up to date with our daily coronavirus newsletter by clicking here.

Meat Substitutes

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Alternatives to meat — like plant-based brands Beyond Meat or the Impossible Burger — are buzzy, but can get pricy. To fulfill the central protein portion of a meal, Wagner looks farther afield to vegetarian staples like tofu, which can be bought in bulk for a more cost-conscious solution, or chickpeas. “They’re very filling and versatile; they take to spice and herbs very well,” she says, suggesting a simple preparation with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, sea salt, chopped cilantro and red pepper flakes (or Aleppo pepper if you have it).

Or turn to canned goods. Canned fish — like sardines, anchovies and tuna — is shelf-stable and stores well, and works as a meal centerpiece. Wagner suggests a spin on the classic French Niçoise salad, featuring a canned fish and “any vegetable” you have on hand, or you can serve the fish on toast.

Greens and Vegetable Substitutes

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By the end of two weeks without restocking at a grocery, vegetables may have wilted. But Wagner reminds us that “any kind of soft herb” or the green part of a vegetable can be used as a base for a salad or a green addition to a meal, including parsley, basil, cilantro, kale or chard. “Carrot tops, beet greens, even fennel fronds — anything like that you can use, instead of throwing it out,” she says.

And don’t overlook your onions. “One thing people always have lying around that can upgrade anything are onions. You can pickle them easily and throw them into a salad; you can fry them and throw them in with beans, or sauté them into your eggs. It adds a ton of flavor in a really easy way,” she says.

Pickling is a helpful way of extending the lifespan of leftover vegetables, too. “All you really need is vinegar, salt and sugar. Everything else is a bonus,” Wagner says of the pickling process.

Please send any tips, leads, and stories to virus@time.com.

via https://cutslicedanddiced.wordpress.com/2018/01/24/how-to-prevent-food-from-going-to-waste

[studyshrine7-blog]

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Skip the package of taco seasoning at the store and make your own at home with my homemade taco seasoning recipe. 

We eat a lot of Mexican type food in our house. The majority of it is in the form of tacos, nachos, and burritos, all of which I use ground meat and taco seasoning. 

It took me years to find a homemade version of taco seasoning that we liked. I made so many different versions and we were disappointed again and again.

I would always end up going back to those little packets of taco seasoning that you buy at the store.

I have been asked many times if I had a homemade taco seasoning recipe. I would always have to admit that I bought those packages of seasoning from the store.

Several years ago after trying to get it just right I finally found a homemade seasoning that tastes just like the store bought kind. I no longer have to season my taco meat using those little packets from the store.

I finally came up with a homemade taco seasoning that my family really enjoys because I basically just stopped trying recipes for taco seasoning and used the spices that my family enjoyed.

We ended up with a version that we love and that tastes very close to the real thing.

My version is a little different than most homemade versions. Mine has a little brown sugar and some cornstarch. Yes, I know that sounds a little odd for a taco seasoning, but it helps give it a flavor that is very close to the store bought kind of taco seasoning. 

Tips for making the best taco meat

Use tomato sauce instead of water when you mix it with the ground meat. You can use water, but the tomato sauce gives it extra flavor that is really good. 

Add the seasoning while cooking the meat, not after the meat is cooked. It helps bring out that flavors of the seasoning.

Make a large batch of the spices up and keep it in a small jar in the cupboard. All you have to do is add in the tomato sauce and beef when you are ready to cook it. That way it is still a homemade seasoning mix, but it has the convenience of the store bought version.

Why make taco seasoning at home? 

One reason to make it at home is that you can control the ingredients. You know exactly what is in it when you make it yourself. 

It is also cheaper, especially if you buy you seasonings in bulk or at store like Costco and Sam’s Club. You can make a small container or jar full for the same price as a package or two at the store. 

Skip the package of taco seasoning at the store and make it homemade with this easy homemade taco seasoning.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt ( add more or less depending on how you salty you want it.)

2 teaspoon cornstarch

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1 pound ground beef

Instructions

Combine chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, salt, cornstarch, and sugar.

Add seasoning to ground beef and cook until beef is completely browned and cooked.

Drain off any fat.

Add tomato sauce and continue cooking until meat is heated through and sauce is slightly thickened.

Serve as a filling for tacos.

Notes

You can use water in place of the tomato sauce gives it a nice flavor.

You can make this in a large batch and store it in a jar for using as needed. I use about 3 1/2 to 4 tablespoons of taco seasoning mix when I make it this way.

Originally posted February 2011. Updated May 2019. 

Source: https://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/homemade-taco-seasoning/

[shannrussell-blog1]

So, you’ve decided to finally bite the bullet and start training and planning for a huge multi-day hike. Whether it’s Larapinta, Bibbulman, or the Overland track – one thing you need to start thinking about is the kind of food you’ll need to fuel your body for the entire journey.

How much weight should I allow for food each day?

You should allow for approximately 700g – 1kg on average of food per day, depending on how much you know your body will need. It’s also a good idea to bring extra food in case you need it – an extra meal plus snacks should do the trick, just in case you have to spend an extra night on the trail.

Where can I get lightweight hiking food?

Meal prep for hiking is as easy as jumping in the car and heading down to your local shops, so you won’t need to stray far to get mostly everything you need. You can buy all your condiments, snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinners from the supermarket, and then for more specialised items like freeze dried meals – head to your favourite online camping or hiking store.

Here’s what approximately a day’s worth of food might look like. 

How should I pack my meals?

The best way to go about it is to do a little bit of food prep and planning in the week or days leading up to your trip (the night before is not a good idea!). Remove all excess packaging that you don’t need to bring with you, as that will just weigh you down, and take up valuable space in your pack. Ziplock bags are perfect for hiking, as they form a tight seal that won’t leak, they’re super lightweight, and they’ll keep your meals fresh.

Pre-mix your meals e.g. put your muesli, powdered milk, and dried fruit together- and label each bag carefully with the day number, meal, and even what’s in it (you’d be surprised at how similar food can look in low light conditions) so you know exactly what it is, and when you’re going to eat it.

You can also separate your meals into different bags in your pack, as that might make it easier rather than sorting through lunch and dinners looking for your morning brekkie.

Ziplock bags are a lightweight, and easy way to pack your meals and keep them fresh.

Breakfast

Depending on your schedule you may want to cook something that involves the least amount of prep time as possible such as a muesli or power bar, or you might want to put something warm in your belly to start the day – especially on a chilly morning!

Instant oatmeal with some honey, fruit or nuts added is a solid choice that’s a good start to a long day of hiking. If you’re set on a cooked breakfast, you could bring instant pancake mix, so all you have to do is add water and shake and you’ll be on your way to a hot breakfast on the trail.

Don’t forget a cup of tea or coffee as well to get you going!

Food ideas for breakfast

Instant Oatmeal

Muesli

Cereals

Powdered milk

Pre-made pancake mix

Muesli, protein or

Protein and carbs are just what you need after a long day of trekking. 

Dinner

If you’re more of a gourmet eater, you might prefer preparing your own meals on the trail. If you pack staple carbs such as instant rice, pasta, couscous or noodles, and then add some protein, dried vegetables, and sauces or spices – you’ll have a pretty tasty meal that will provide you with the protein, carbohydrates and fats you need after a long day of exertion.

You do want to provide yourself with options, as the same meal 7 nights in a row will get pretty tiresome. When coming up with your hiking menu, also check how long it will take to cook certain foods as the longer the cook time – the more fuel you’ll have to bring.

For example, something like quinoa might not be the best food to take on a hike, as it takes around 15 minutes to cook – which isn’t the best use of your precious fuel.

Food ideas for hiking dinners

Fast cooking rice

Pasta

Couscous

Noodles

Tuna, salmon, or sardines in a packet (not a tin)

Jerky, salami, or other dried meat

Cheese such as gouda or cheddar

Lentils

Dried vegetables

Instant mash potato

Dinner can be as simple as adding a sauce to pasta, or you can get a little more creative. 

Freeze dried meals

If you know that you’ll be a complete zombie after an intensely long day of hiking, then you might want to consider bringing freeze dried pre-packaged meals.

Freeze dried meals are a great option as they’re lightweight, involve very little preparation, and come in an array of different options from

All you have to do is boil water, add it to the pack, let it stand for 10 minutes, and the meal is ready to eat. They do end up costing a little more than if you prepared it yourself, but for some, it’s well worth it for the convenience alone.

It can be difficult to guess how much water to add to your freeze dried foods, so a good tip is to take a drink bottle with measurements on the side, so you don’t go overboard and end up with watery food. If you’re eating straight from the packet, it’s also useful to take a longer spoon or fork to stir with – that way your hands won’t get grubby in the packet.

Serving wise, if you normally have a big appetite, then definitely go for a double size – you’ll be starving after hours of trekking and you don’t want to go to bed hungry. Freeze dried meals also come in 

Freeze dried meals are a convenient and lightweight menu choice that makes food planning a little easier. 

Dehydrate your own food

If you prefer for your ingredients to have as little preservatives and additives as possible, then dehydrating your own fruits and vegetables may be right up your alley.

Dehydrating food is cheaper than buying freeze dried meals and it’s a great option for when you want to add more texture and flavour to starchy meals, but it’ll involve a little more effort on your part.

Dehydrating reduces the volume and weight, but it requires a little extra water and time to rehydrate. Plus it has the tendency to be a little more on the chewy side once rehydrated – so that’s something to keep in mind.

Snacks

Regularly refuelling your body as you hike is very important to keep your energy levels up, and to also treat yourself when you take a break from the trek. It’s best to keep snacks in an accessible area, like the hip belt or side pockets of your pack so you don’t have to sort through your pack to find them.

Snacks to bring on the trail

Dried fruit, or fruit leather

Nuts and seeds

Chocolate

Nut butters

Muesli bars, protein bars,

Instant pudding

Powdered custard

Lollies

Grazing throughout the hike is important to make sure that you don’t deplete your energy levels. 

Condiments and spices

Whilst almost anything will taste great when you’re that tired after a long day, you’ll be patting yourself on the back later for bringing along various condiments and spices to make your evening meal as delicious as possible.

Bring along a selection of your favourites, so you don’t get too tired of the same basic meal each day. If you’re pre-packaging each meal into a ziplock bag, you can add it straight in, or carry it separately if you’d prefer to add to taste as you go.

Condiments and spices to pack

Curry powder

Tomato paste

Garlic and onion flakes

Capers

Olives

Sun-dried tomatoes

Parmesan cheese

Chili flakes

Jam

Honey, rice or malt syrup

Packet sauces

Powdered sauces

Hummus

Tahini

Sauces

Salt and pepper

Beverages

If you’re a serious caffeine fiend, then you’re probably rather attached to your coffee machine at home. If the thought of granulated coffee touching your lips sends involuntary shivers up your spine, then perhaps a lightweight espresso maker made just for hiking, may be worth an extra 200-300g in your pack.

Not everyone is fussed about taste, so if this is you – then just pack plenty of tea bags and granulated coffee for your early morning caffeine kick.

During the day, a smoothie or hydration drink is nice to break up the monotony of plain water now and again, and in the evenings a sachet of hot chocolate or Milo can go down a treat on a chilly evening before bed.

Beverages to take

Instant coffee

Powdered milk

Tea bags

Freeze dried or powdered smoothies

Hot chocolate sachets / Milo

Take along several different drinks to mix it up, as it’s important to stay motivated to drink fluids on the trail. 

Top 5 meal planning tips for multi-day hikes

Make sure you give some of the recipes you’re planning a test run before you go. This way you’ll know what meals you’re going to enjoy and get the most out of on the trail.

Variety is very important for longer trips. This helps to keep you motivated to fuel your body for the entire trek.

If you want to be super organised, use a spreadsheet to record your food (and gear). This way you can weigh and add up the total weight and also how much energy you’ll get per day.

If you’re a big eater, try to find ways to cut down on weight in other areas of your pack so that you can take more food with you.

Pack some food that doesn’t have to be cooked in your stove breaks or you run out of fuel.

Do you have any excellent tips for packing your food like a pro? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Food Planning Tips for a Multi-Day Hike appeared first on Snowys Blog.

[thecoroutfitters]

Written by R. Ann Parris on The Prepper Journal.

Are vices really and truly a must-have item? No. History is full of periods and survival situations, particularly during the exploration of the colder climates, when even people accustomed to “modern” conveniences went months and years without goodies.

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Our vices aren’t necessary to our survival in many cases, but when you cut us off from them, hard times and adjustments just get harder.

The ramifications on families and partnerships in stressful but not life-threatening situations are out there to be viewed in rates of dissolution’s, divorce, separation, domestic violence, addiction-abuse, and suits and counter-suits. If you think a crisis will smooth those away, I have a bridge to sell ya.

We can add one more stress to those difficult times, or we can find alternatives (some of them long-term sustainable) and plan supplies and caches to make things as easy as possible.

Top Vices

Some of the top vices are going to be sugar and caffeine, with tobacco and alcohol right there with them. I can’t do anything to prepare a family to lose internet and TV besides make sure we have puzzles and games, but I can slow our transition away from some of our other vices.

Bad times are already stressful, and we’re already looking at making some hard adjustments. Things that we consume daily before we even feel human are worth stocking – in bulk and out of proportion to the rest of my supplies, really.

If I like coffee, I might also consider stockpiling tea. I can get gallons to the cup per dollar for tea, without taking up much if any more space than pre-ground or instant coffee.

If I’m in a warm enough climate, I might even go so far as to plan greenhouse or protected space for a yaupon holly for caffeine and tea camellia species. Herbal teas will lack the zing, but many tea herbs have the benefit of being perennials and hardy.

There are a wide range of trees that can be tapped for syrup, all of which (and honey) will boil down into candy or can be dried to crystals. Sugar beets and stevia are just two options for producing sweet syrups and flavor at home even outside sugarcane territory.

Everyday Cravings = Higher Priorities

While we tend to look at sugar, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco as the common vices and see them high on bartering lists, they’re not the only things we’re doing without. Pure sugar is a fantastic preparedness item with both vice and food-preservation value, but we don’t all have a sweet tooth.

Our vices are our feel-goods.

They’re our comfort foods – be they salty or sweet or savory – activities, and even exercise or hobbies. All of those may be crimped in an emergency, whether it’s widespread or personal.

Know your actions, and those of family.

Just because my priority leads me to crunchy-salty goodies and chicken broth, and I am willing to scoff off sweets, without sweets my lover is pretty miserable. He is also annoying, gets antsy, and breaks down and goes to the store.

When determining priorities (and budgets), snag and stash the store receipts for a couple of weeks or months. Snag them ahead of holidays and in-family events as well. Do it in all four seasons.

They will rock-solid determine what you’re getting, and even when.

Just going by the shopping list and menu plan isn’t enough. I recently realized that a full third of our Walmart-supermarket spending is not on the lists. They’re not even impulse. They’re actually the things my lover ends up going to the store for because they aren’t on my radar as much.

Those are the kinds of everyday priority to watch for.

My vices, my parents, the kids’ – they’re taken into account with small, compact puzzles to bring out, stashed books, a portable hard drive of movies, little games, baking mixes, inexpensive instant pudding, Hershey’s syrup, and the ability to add crunch to our lives on a regular basis through familiar cold cereals, chips, crackers and dry cookies.

It didn’t actually add all that much to the preparedness budgets to do it, and it allows “treats” and normalcy in unrest, even if I never harvest anything else.

Anticipated Cravings

We can look at history and the way modern North Americans and Western Europeans eat to anticipate some of the food cravings we’re likely to see and can account for with our storage.

Meat – For most of us, meat is going to become a treat, just as it has been for most of human history. It will go back to being more of a flavoring, especially if a crisis drags on.

Anticipating that, I stock it.

I have no lost love for t-rats and MREs. I dislike canned meats pretty much across the board. But they’re in my pantries and caches, because the men in my life will dive after them, and I might wind up desperate enough to eat my share.

Things like pouches of bacon bits, canned hash, the less-expensive freeze-dried meats like crumbled sausage, and the TVP-soy products we can buy for long storage can at least give me and my guys some flavor and the hint of our usual meats.

Things like Slim Jim’s and small beef sticks can be used as a snack, presented as a whole to bite into, or sliced into cold pasta and wheat salads.

Non-Spoon Foods – Maybe somebody eats oatmeal and farina, soup for lunch, and Hamburger Helper or shepherd’s pie pretty much daily. Most of us are probably accustomed to picking up, cutting or stabbing something somewhere through there.

For parts of the growing season, we can adapt how we prepare fresh foods to create a fork-and-knife meal. Some fruit trees will also allow us to present a crunchy for weeks or sometimes a couple of months after harvest.

One advantage to MRE entrees like the feta chicken is that it’s not as gag-worthy, but also, it’s a nice, whole breast portion. You can flake it with a spoon, but you can also stick it on a bun or a bed of couscous.

Planning for pancakes and omelets, to turn Bisquick into pseudo-tortillas, stashing dry cookies in canning jars with oxygen absorbers, and stashing bigger pastas and spaghetti for fork meals will help alleviate the boredom with spoon meals.

Dairy/Cheese – Without dairy animals and specific skills, a long-term crisis will affect us hard and fast in the cheese category. We love fresh cheese. I’m lucky enough that we also really like Bega, and I buy it on sale cycles.

Local stores sell tins of mild cheddar chip sauce at a fairly reasonable price, and it can readily top potatoes or be used as a cracker spread or pretzel dip, even if chips are painful to store due to the bulk they require. Velveeta and Cheez Whiz live on shelves as-is, too. Cheese soup can season rice, potatoes and macaroni.

Powdered parm from the pasta aisle can at least impart some flavors and toast up on top of zucchini, or be used in pasta salad.

There are shelf-stable cheese sticks and slices from companies like Northwoods and those awful combo packets put out by Jack Links and others, but they’re almost as expensive as freeze-dried cheese (and soooo much worse tasting).

I also keep most of the cheese packets that come in our processed foods. I dislike them, but as mentioned in the article about canning jars, being able to whip them up to top or season something makes them well worth a few oxygen absorbers.

Portion Control

The canning jar article also talked about portion control, and how I accomplish it on a regular basis. That goes for both the annual “events” and the weekly-monthly allowances we put back.

If we’re accustomed to free-grazing coffee and tea (I am), we may very well start our path to ratcheting back by only pulling out enough for a day at a time instead of buying things in a giant tub. Maybe we only buy instant packets for a week or a month, and keep it somewhere *else* in the house or kitchen to keep us and our families from snagging out of habit. As we adjust to our new levels, we might bring it out more often.

Cool drinks are another place where we might portion things out.

Instead of mixing up a pitcher and trusting all the kids (and adults) to pour the same amounts, which is bound to lead to arguments (adults, too), maybe we stash a rotating couple of short juice bottles with the wider mouths. We mix up the pitcher, everybody gets their (labeled) bottles. Once that’s gone, that’s it. No discussion of “I only poured half a glass earlier” or “everybody’s pouring extra and I only got half a cup” or “I’ve only had one cup of coffee, but the whole tub is empty, and now I want my second cup with my cookie”.

And I’m serious – anticipate that stress and aggravation or just personalities will pull that crap out of adults as well.

Once things settle into a new normal, no big deal. But I can drink an entire pot of coffee without realizing it until it’s empty, and I’ve seen people mow through a bag of chips or pack of cookies one or two at a time without realizing just how many they’re having.

Portioning things out can also help us truly plan for daily, weekly and monthly uses.

Not everything needs to be strictly regimented, but some things are really easy, and would be easy to lean on early, until they’re all gone. That big stack of canned meats looks like a lot, but can drop fast.

A case of canning jars (or three) and a couple of boxes or kitty litter buckets labelled 1-12, cold or warm, lets us really and truly portion things out.

Pudding fits 3, 5 or 6-8 in a jar, and might be a monthly or quarterly allowance. We might stick our Lorna Doone’s and Cheez-Its in baggies before we put them in a Mylar bag, and take out only this week’s or month’s to jazz up a plate or have as a snack. Instead of just calling it “good” with a few dollar-store boxes of Slim Jims and pepperoni, a test run and then busting in and separating will help them last, in an appropriate amount.

Vices in a Crisis

Not all disasters are equal. Some are very personal, and some are widespread – localized, regional, national, international. Some are short term, while some leave a question mark and some we can anticipate being truly devastating and taking years to recover from.

Or stored supplies and our resupply-production plans should reflect those varying possibilities.

Regardless of the crisis, it’s likely to be stressful. Change itself is stressful. Combining the two is already a recipe for hard times.

Adding the dynamic of spouses and family, any partners, and the potential of neighbors and coworkers to still be contending with creates additional stresses and variables.

Regularly our vices are not all that good for us. It’s still not a great idea to go cold turkey on all of them immediately or shortly after a life-altering job loss, spouse/partner death that affects funds, natural disaster, long-term outage or rolling brown-outs, or big-time disaster.

At no other time in our lives are we likely to be so grateful for whatever our vice is – a couple little cookies and a cup of tea, strawberry syrup for topping pancakes, campfire tin-can cakes topped with applesauce, something nice and salty and crunchy, popcorn with Molly McButter, a cracker-cheese-meat snack or meal after a week of beans and various grains, a new puzzle or game, the ability to put our feet up and watch a show, or delighting Grandpa and the kids with some little Lego vehicle kits to then race across the dining room table.

With a little forethought and planning, we can readily and affordably still have and give our loved ones those feel-goods, to enjoy with a candlelit game of Tsuro or clustered around a screen watching old cartoons. They’ll offer breaks from reality, just as they do now, and help destress our lives a little.

The post Prepper Must-Haves: Vices appeared first on The Prepper Journal.

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[theartificialdane]

Galactica, part 231

In this Sutan goes to the dentist, Courtney argues, Kim enjoys a drink, Bianca has a meeting and Violet goes to the gym!

Thanks a million to @toriibelledarling @samrull and @veronicasanders <3!

Sutan was tapping his fingers against his knee, his entire body screaming at him that he had to leave, or at least get a proper smoke. The white walls of the clinic made his skin itch, and Sutan had been about to leap out of his chair and make a run of it when a child came in, both front tooth missing after a crash, but Violet had grabbed his hand, gently holding him down. Sutan knew he shouldn’t be worried, knew intellectually that it was most like only hyper.. Whatever Violet had called it, and that it would be over quickly, but it didn’t make his urge to run any less real. He believed Violet when she had said he only had.. Hyper whatever, but that didn’t make his fright any less real.

“Here.” Sutan turned his head and looked at Violet, the woman holding out a little green packet towards him. “Take it..”

“What is it?”

“It’s Nicotine gum...” Violet took his hand, gently rustling a piece out in his palm, her voice low.

“Why?” “So you’ll calm down… I can practically feel you freaking out...” Violet smiled a little, a sparkle in her eyes, and Sutan felt himself calm down instantly. He popped the gum in his mouth, gently chewing on it, the taste strange but Sutan appreciated it. Of course Violet had thought about everything and bought gum with her, his girlfriend the definition of a research nerd. She had chosen the dentist, and had even found a place that did hypnosis. Sutan wasn’t sure if he believed it would help, but if Violet believe in it, he was going to give it a shot, and he guessed it would be nice as well not to wince whenever he took a sip of coffee.

“Mr and Miss Amrull?”

“Here!” A nurse stuck her head out, and Violet stood up, instantly marking that they were there, quickly gathering her bag before Sutan had even heard his name get called, his girlfriend taking his hand and walking into the dentist's office. Sutan felt a warm hot rush go through him, not only at the fact that a stranger had once again assumed they were married, he was almost used to that by no, but no, this was because Viole hadn’t hesitated for a second, the woman there for him and supporting him.

***

“Aaaand open!” Katya smiled, her spoonful of mashed avocado making it into Ivan’s mouth, the little boy green in the head, but he was smiling brightly and giggling at the silly faces his mommy made. “Aaand close.”

Trixie laughed, his wife looking ridiculous as she chewed along with her son, her facial expressions overdramatic, but Katya had read somewhere that imitation was the easiest way for children to learn. Trixie could hear Pearl giggle, and then Max elbowing her in the side, but he was honestly just happy, his silly wife the best mother he had ever seen, his son slowly and steadily making his way through the vegetable.

***

“I mean, honestly, Nina is just impossible. This morning she actually accused me of fucking racist hiring practices,” Bianca ranted, pounding a roller against a mound of pizza dough.

“Wow,” Courtney said, carefully moving the wine glass out of the way. “Did she say why?”

“Some bullshit about nepotism and political hires which by the way EVERY FUCKING BODY DOES and it’s not my fault the system is rigged and what am I supposed to do, run a business like it’s a charity for inner city youth? Sorry if the board of directors sometimes has kids who want fucking jobs.” She slammed the roller into the dough again.

“So...she has a point, then?”

“What?!” Bianca’s head snapped up, eyes blazing.

“I-I mean, it sounds like you kind of agree with her, theoretically, but you just are sort of stuck dealing with political hires, you know, from a practical standpoint.” Courtney braced herself for the wrath to come.

“No, I think she’s a fucking cunt who’s just as privileged as any alleged political hire but is now using her skin color as a weapon to try to manipulate me. I’m not racist. I’m fucking Latina. Just like her.”

“Right, but…” Courtney stopped, biting her lip.

“But /what/?” Bianca asked, eyes narrowed.

“Well…” Courtney hesitated. “I mean the magazine staff...and the content… /is/… very… white… and--”

“SO IS AMERICA!”

“Right. I just…” Courtney tilted her head and leaned her elbows on the counter.

“Oh god. You have that look on your face.”

“What look?”

“That ‘I’m about to give you a dissertation’ look.”

“Well…”

“Come on, let’s hear it.” Bianca rolled her eyes, spreading sauce on the now flattened rounds of pizza dough.

“I was just thinking about...you work in the beauty industry. And you kind of...don’t be offended, but you have very specific idea about what is beautiful. I mean, remember when you told me that you don’t think you’re sexy? I mean, that’s objectively ridiculous. You look like you were hand-drawn by a horny 12 year old.”

Bianca scoffed.

“You do! But that aside, look at your sexual history. No one can deny that you are someone who buys into a very traditionally Eurocentric idea of beauty. Don’t roll your eyes. That doesn’t mean you’re RACIST, but it might mean that you’ve been influenced by cultural biases that play out in different ways, most of the time on a subconscious level. Which is really how institutional racism is the most damaging. Because when people try to talk about it, we feel attacked and so we get defensive and then it becomes about us saying ‘I’m not racist!’ rather than trying to solve racism.”

“Alright...so I’m racist and unaware. Thanks.”

“I’m not insulting you! I’m just saying that maybe Nina has a point! You know, maybe it wouldn’t kill you to try and keep diversity in MIND when you’re hiring. Make it a priority. Not the ONLY priority, but--”

“So affirmative action. That worked out great,” Bianca said, sprinkling cheese on one pizza and vegan cheese on the smaller one. “This cashew cheese is repulsive, by the way. And you’re welcome.”

Courtney laughed. “Thank you. And speaking of successful programs, maybe you should make some more black and latino friends.”

“Oh yeah? And who are your black and latino friends, Miss White Diversity?”

“Tyra, Naomi, Morgan’s boyfriend Dequan, Jeremiah. And I’m not sure you knew this, but my girlfriend and my best friend are both Latina.”

“Oh, I suddenly count as Latina? And here I thought I was a klan member.”

“Your ass counts,” Courtney winked at her.

“Fetishizing my latina ass. I’ll be sure to mention this at the next POC summit.”

“Aaanyway...my manager is also black. And Tatianna is...Brazilian, I think.”

“Tatianna is Italian.”

“Really? She’s so tan.”

“That’s a spray tan. Being from New Jersey is not a race.”

Courtney shrugged, giggling. “Well, the rest will hold up in court.”

“Whatever. I mean congratulations on your United Colors of Benetton life, little gringa, but that has nothing to do with anything. Nina’s trying to undermine a spread I gave to Violet. Violet, who I could honestly give a shit about except that she’s TALENTED.”

“And she works for Fame.”

“It is really annoying that you are taking her side, here.”

“I’m not! I just think sometimes you get so mad at the idea of people questioning you that you don’t listen to what they have to say. Especially when they come at you aggressively. Maybe she’s being a cunt, but that doesn’t mean she’s 100% wrong.”

Bianca glared at her and tossed back the rest of her wine.

“I mean, for example, Joslyn is very sweet and does a great job, but would you really have hired her, even given her a chance, if she wasn’t Juju’s mum’s neighbor? You’d have eaten her alive.”

Bianca rolled her eyes.

“Okay, how about this? What if you tell Nina that you want her help with a diversity initiative? Whether that means featuring a young designer every month, or bringing in interns and letting her oversee the program. Empower her and make her in charge of it. That way, you solve two problems. She stops with the power grabs because she feels valued and listened to, and also, you know, you get the diversity you are lacking. Win win.”

Bianca added some veggies to the pizzas, lips pressed together, face inscrutable.

“Alright, I’m just gonna shut up now. Sorry.” Courtney walked up to her and tilted her face up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to antagonize you. I just thought...maybe I could help...I’m sorry--” she was cut off when Bianca grabbed her around the waist and pressed a kiss to her lips.

“Don’t be sorry. It was actually not...the worst idea I ever heard.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Courtney grinned and stuck her finger into the bowl of sauce, licking it off. “I’m smarter than I look.”

Bianca cupped her face, saying very seriously, “Thank god for that.”

Courtney smiled, then after a beat, wrinkled her brow and exclaimed, “Hey!”

***

“Fuck!”

“Shane! What are you- I was so close- Why would you- Urgh!” Betty tore her head, and if she could she would have trashed up on the bed, the anger in her chest making her see red, but Shane was holding her down, his weight on top of her making her unable to move, his cock still inside her. “I was /this/ close!”

“I’m sorry, fuck, didn’t you feel that?”

“I felt nothing because someone stopped what he was doing!”

“Betty…”

Betty had been about to launch into a full blown rage, but Shane’s voice stopped her, her leg still over his shoulder, and that was when she realised that she was lying at an angle, her head down even though she had been flat only moments before, something digging uncomfortably into her back.

“We just broke the bed.”

***

Violet stood outside Bianca’s office, her hand on the rack of clothes she had prepared, pacing, digging her nails into her palm. She had arrived early and of course now had to sweat it out while the editor in chief finished her previous meeting. Joslyn glanced over in sympathy, asked if she wanted something to drink, gestured to the sitting area, but Violet just shook her head miserably, wishing the day would end already.

And then, of course, things took a turn for the worse, as none other than Nina Garcia rounded the corner, eyes narrowing like a cat the second she saw Violet standing there. She approached slowly, deliberately.

“Violet...what a surprise to see you here. I just spoke to Bianca about putting this little editorial on pause and now here you are. It seems our intrepid leader is as much of a team player as ever…”

“I…”

Nina waved her hand. “That’s not your problem. Let’s have a look, shall we?”

Violet tentatively displayed a few pieces for her. Nina eyed each one closely, then stepped back, brow furrowed.

“That’s an interesting color pallette. You think gold is a good choice?” “Yes, miss.”

“I’m not sure I agree. Gold is very old fashioned, and Marie Claire is a lot more modern. That one there reminds me of my grandmother’s curtains.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s not a compliment.”

“I didn’t take it as one.”

“And all these JEWEL tones. One of the things I generally admire about you is your restraint. What is going ON here, Violet?” Nina made a clucking sound with her tongue.

“Jewels seems appropriate for the holidays.”

“Yes, yes, one is reminded of the overly decorated Christmas trees of the nouveau riche. I don’t know, Violet. This is all a lot. None of it is particularly cool, or edgy, or fun, though…” she sighed.

Violet clenched her fists, her stomach burning hot with rage, her nervousness from earlier disappearing slightly. Violet knew her designs were good, but if someone was willing to critique her, she was going to listen. Nina’s opinion didn’t matter very much, even though it stung. The collection was ordered by Bianca, not Nina. Bianca wanted over the top, aspirational holiday gowns for girls like Courtney Act, and these dresses were as close to Courtney as Violet would ever get. Violet felt hope slowly slip through her fingers as Nina continued to critique, but perhaps she still had a chance… Unless of course Bianca had invited her here to slowly destroy her and crush her spirit, which was still very much an option

“I mean, I just don’t know,” Nina repeated, as the door to Bianca’s office swung open.

“Joslyn, tell--” Bianca looked over at Nina. “Oh. Nina. Hey.” She pursed her lips.

“B...I was just looking at Violet’s little collection. Some very interesting choices, here.”

Bianca rolled her eyes. “Alright, why don’t you join the meeting, then? You can both meet the photographer I just hired for the shoot next week.”

Nina followed Bianca into the office, followed by Violet, struggling with the heavy rack. Joslyn helped her.

“Tracy, this is Nina Garcia, our Fashion Director. And that is Violet Chachki, the designer, who’s about to take us through the collection you’ll be featuring.”

Tracy, a young black woman in bright blue frame glasses, stood up to greet them. “Such a pleasure to meet you both,” she said, extending her hand.

Bianca perched on the sofa. “Tracy used to be an embedded reporter in Afghanistan, and since she’s been back, she’s been doing commercial fashion and street photography. Check out her portfolio, I think she’s perfect for this spread.” Bianca crossed her arms, a smug expression on her face.

Nina flipped through the offered ipad, checking out her portfolio. “This is incredible work,” she agreed.

“Great!” Bianca slapped her hands together. “Okay, Violet! You’re up!”

Violet, her hands shaking as she went through the half finished pieces, her mind telling her again and again that it was just like critiques at Parsons, just like showing what she had made on the thursday meetings at Galactica, but no one had ever acted like Nina did, the woman openly the whispering, badly, to Bianca.

“Overworked...so heavy...joyless...see what I mean? That collar!...”

Bianca tilted her head and squinted her eyes. “Hey, Violet, is this everything you have?”

Shame washed over Violet, the color draining from her face, but she stood her ground. She had asked for at least 6 weeks, and it was only early october. That she had enough to show was a miracle in itself. “Yes, Ms-Bianca.”

“Hmmm...I mean, I see what you mean about the heaviness, Nina, but a lot of that is a styling issue. You know, we need more casual hair and makeup, nothing overly fussy, minimal jewelry. And we obviously need young, edgy, cool models, right? Like that Tati girl, and maybe Anya, and that kid with the legs...Violet, you know who I mean, the one who just fucked your boyfriend in the ass over the D&G deal?”

“... Are you talking about Naomi Smalls?”

“Yes! Naomi. I like her. Girls like that.” Bianca approached Violet at the rack of clothes. “As as far as making things lighter… You know, I think if we get rid of a few elements here, like this collar, I agree with Nina about the collar.”

“You need to go through all of these gowns with a very discerning editorial eye.”

Violet nodded, knowing perfectly well that the elements that needed to be removed would be picked by Bianca. Violet loved the collars, but this was a collaboration between her and Marie Claire, and something that had, somehow, turned into a bizarre pissing contest between the women in front of her.

“Yes, exactly. Simplify. Replace some key areas with cleaner lines...and I think it will all work. Nina, I have no issue with the colors.”

“Of course you don’t,” Nina said, rolling her eyes.

Bianca looked at Tracy. “Can you make these colors look young and fresh?”

“Absolutely. I have a concept for you, wanna hear it?”

“Hit me.”

“We shoot by the Met, but not some cliché thing on the steps, with a red carpet. Like just around that area, at night, hair and makeup looking like they partied all night, they are the squad you wish you were with. T Swift’s crew, but cooler and more fun. They’ve left the fancy, stuffy gala and now they are like, hailing cabs and buying hot dogs and playing with puppies at the park or at the playground...shit like that.”

Violet felt her stomach clench. She hated the idea, absolutely hated it, and she didn’t trust the photographer as far as she could throw her, but she kept her mouth shut, already calculating in her head how she could cut work time on the garments, and figure out a way to make them hot dog proof.

Bianca closed her eyes for a second, picturing how Tracy’s idea would play out editorially. “I love it. Sold.”

***

“Theeeere you go!” Kim said, putting the finishing touches on Naomi’s face. Alaska stood nearby, nodding approvingly.

“Goddamn, she’s stunning.”

“Thank you,” said Naomi.

“I was complimenting Kim, but you’re welcome too,” Alaska laughed.

Kim giggled. “I mean, it is her bone structure.”

Alaska waved her hand. “I mean, sure, but that it some fucking artistry. Those BROWS. Mother did not give her those brows.”

Naomi made a face.

“Calm down, peaches, you’re beautiful. You’re the muse, but she’s a fucking artist. Come on, let’s walk you to set.”

Kim put an arm around Naomi, muttering under her breath to the model, “Don’t mind her. We’re at a hotel with a really nice brunch buffet. She’s been drinking since 8 am.”

“I heard that! Don’t fucking judge me, I’m on vacation!”

“It’s a business trip.”

“Whatever, it’s Hawaii. Same diff.”

Kim giggled. “See what I mean?”

Once on set, Alaska appeared to be all business, though, conferring with the director and D.P., setting up camp at video village. She watched the first few takes silently before deciding that she needed to jump in and assist.

“Naomi,” she said. “We need more of a performance from you here. Really sell this character. Every girl in America has to want to be you. And want to fuck you. We need to fear you and want you, all at the same time.”

They started the next take, and Naomi smoldered at the camera.

Alaska called out, “More, Naomi! You are a tigress on the prowl! You are hungry, and you have all the answers! You’re a spiritual guru, but at a high powered law firm!”

Naomi paused. “Um, we’re on a beach.”

“In your miiiiiind!” Alaska said, exasperated. “Kim, please help me out.”

“It’s a metaphor, Naomi,” Kim added helpfully.

“Yes. A metaphor. Can we try this again? Reset.”

The director rolled his eyes, motioning for the A.D. to follow Alaska’s instructions. When he called action, Alaska whispered something to Kim, who giggled and yelled, “Think of bold, bright, daring colors!”

Alaska called, “Break free of chains, devour the hearts of your oppressors--”

“But soft face! Soft face!” Kim said. “Yaaaaaas!”

Both women were now laughing hysterically. Naomi looked more and more confused. The director called cut and walked over to video village. “Um...Ms. Honard?”

“Yes?”

“I think...I think you might be confusing the talent. I can assure you that we’ve got a handle on the creative. It might be best for you to go back to the makeup tent to get the next model ready, and let us...you know...do our jobs.”

Kim bristled indignantly. “We are the client, SIR, you are FIRED!”

Alaska put a hand on Kim’s arm, saying, “Easy, girl,” and then turned back to the director. “Sorry, we were just fooling around. I’m a little drunk.”

“Yeah. I can tell. I mean…”

“Aloha life, bro,” Alaska explained, giving him a fist bump.

He laughed. “Word.”

***

Violet was at the gym, hot and sweaty since she just finished her boxing lesson with Boomer. He’d laughed at her a lot since she was so aggressive but the meeting with the Marie Claire team had made her crazy anxious and she had to get it out somehow. Boomer’s body had seemed like an appropriate target, since he was massive and pretty much in every way like a rock. Violet could punch him as hard as she wanted, and he barely even felt it, and often even laughed at her. Violet opened the door to the women’s gym locker room, coming face to face with none other than Tatianna.

Naked.

Dripping wet.

Violet’s mouth went dry and her pulse quickened, palms getting sweaty, a blush creeping into her cheeks.

“Violet! Hi girl! Didn’t expect to see you here, that’s so nice!”

“I…”

“I just finished pilates. Did you enjoy your class?”

“I... You look very fit... “ Violet blushed even more, her cheeks burning. Tatianna was beautiful, her dark skin, her long hair, her full lips and her lovely eyes.

“I do? Thank you!” Tatianna smiled. Violet grabbed her gym bag, desperate for something, anything to distract her, but then, it happened. Tatianna started talking and Violet had no idea what to do.

“What class did you take? Oh, did you bring any lotion? I totally forgot mine. I hope it’s okay I’m bumming yours.” Tatianna sat down right next to Violet, so close she could practically feel the heat of Tatianna’s hot, wet, naked skin against her arm. Your boyfriend would totally kill me if I neglected my skin care routine.” She giggled. “He’s so strict.”

“I… I…” Violet rummaged through her bag, her fingers closing around her Dior products, her brain totally blacking out. “I have to go.” Violet tossed a bottle of lotion and a jar of face cream in Tati’s direction and hightailed it out of the locker room as fast as she could, heart pounding.

“Violet!” Tati called after her. “Don’t you want this back?!” Tatianna shook her head. “What a weirdo,” she said softly to herself, opening the body lotion. “But at least she buys nice toiletries.”