#oooo warm summer rain

[queenie-ofthe-void]

Almost struck by lightning today

Just a normal Wednesday I guess

[quilna]

“Maybe someone annoys him and the water around him actively starts developing spots of ice and Jekyll has to quickly bat them under the water so nobody notices”

wait what if this also happens with with other water, like rain freezing to his skin or like the mirror frosts over when they take a shower?

also Jekyll holding Lanyon to warm him up but Hyde snatches control to make him colder (at least, that’s what he insists. He actually just wants to cuddle him too lol) and poor Lanyon ends up with quadruple hypothermia.

this also ties into an idea I had about Jekyll having a ridiculously high cold tolerance in this au. In the dead of winter, this man is going outside in MAYBE a jacket. He never runs the heat in winter to save money, but the AC is on blast all summer.

Sorry I'm late to this, was busy over the weekend!

Oooo I didn't consider that! It must be annoying to have every rain drop freeze to you when you're out in the rain, just getting covered in speckles of ice, not to mention the fact that Jekyll will have to do his best to hide it

Also hehe, Hyde making Lanyon colder when he just wants a turn at cuddling. Lanyon putting up with it because he just wants to cuddle so much that he's willing to get quadruple hypothermia

He probably would have very high cold tolerance! He's the guy who walks out in the snow in a short sleeve top and you never know how he does it

[wzrd-wheezes]

Hi Lily! Your blog is beautiful and refreshing! I love the earth tones and hues in your theme and in a lot of your collages. They just radiate an inviting friendly warmth. Yet, your song collage series includes deep saturated colors, which I adore. I’d love to make you a collage, although I usually make them by hand, so it might take a couple days. So, if I may I’d love to ask you some Qs to get to know you better, make you a fun collage, and just vibe. <3 Feel free to pick and choose questions and answer as simple or in depth as you please. 🫶🏼☀️💗

What are some aesthetics you like/literally anything that just makes your eyes happy 🤩? (from clothing, architecture, album covers, art, etc.)

What kind of light/lighting do you like (warm, cold, natural)?

What kind of animals do you like? Are there creatures that you are not fond of?

What are some go-to snacks and drinks you pick up at the gas station?

What is something that you like about each season?

Do you like the water, and do you like mermaids? c:

What are some foods, sweets, and beverages that you like?

What’s a quote, saying, fable or myth that comes to mind now and then. For me it’s been the tale of Icarus for some reason haha

What’s a music video and film that you love in terms of artistry? Whether it’s just the cinematography, or everything from the wardrobe to the soundtrack?

If I actually sent you this as an owl, what color ink and paper would you reply with? 🦉📜✒️

Thank you for letting me send you this owl <3 I send hugs and positive sunny energy. ☀️🌈🫧🌿🍧📚🩵 - Cielo aka milivanili99 lol nice to meet you <3

this ask makes my heart so happy. you’re the absolute sweetest ever and i’d love for you to make me a collage!! thank you so much!! i’m so sorry that this is so long but i had so much fun doing it!!!

aesthetics: in terms of clothing i’d say that i dress kinda alternative kinda indie but it really depends. my dad says that i sometimes dress how he did in the 90s which always makes me laugh. as far as general aesthetics go i literally like anything, my tastes in stuff seem to change but i love anything with like a retro vibe. one of my favourite album covers is smashing pumpkins - mellon collie and the infinite sadness. idk why but it just scratches an itch in my brain.

lighting: i absolutely love warm lighting. n like natural sunlight especially when the sun is setting and it goes all orange and pretty

animals: i absolutely love frogs. they’re my favourite things ever <3 i also really really love dogs.

go to snacks from the petrol station: oooo this is such a tricky one but i love cherry pepsi max, or ice tea. n if i’m getting snacks i’ll usually go for some kind of salt n vinegar crisps or like a snickers or something.

something i like about each season:

winter - i love when it’s cold out and you can see your breath, i like it when it snows but only when i’m looking at it from inside because i hate being out in the snow. i love hot chocolate and christmas and spending time with my family.

autumn - everything about autumn i love. i love wearing ugly jumpers, and drinking tea and reading books when it’s raining out side. i love when you go outside around bonfire night and the air smells kind of smokey. i love pumpkin spice and banana bread and rewatching gilmore girls.

spring - i love when it just starts to get sunny again and you can go outside with just a jacket on. i love when the flowers start blooming again and everything seems like it’s getting more colour like someone has just turned the saturation up.

summer - i love sitting in beer gardens with my friends and spending hours there not knowing where the night will take us. i love going on picnics and going on walks. i love sitting in my garden in the evening reading a book and watching the sunset.

water: i love water but the ocean terrifies me. and i absolutely love mermaids. i used to pretend to be a mermaid when i was a kid bc i had super long ginger hair. my dad always used to sing me this one silly song that he made up that was something like “there once was a mermaid in mermaid lagoon, she ate her yogurt with a silver spoon” lmao

quote, saying, fable or myth: icarus is one for me as well! i also love the story of robin hood

film: a film that i absolutely adore everything about, the story, the aesthetic, everything, is the dead poets society

owl: oooo if i had to reply i think i’d love to write back on light pink paper with dark green ink

[intothedarhkness]

Do you prefer autumn or spring weather?

bonus! What is your favourite season?

Oooo this is so tough!! I would say autumn weather because the rains tend to be warmer, and I love watching the leaves fall!!

Summer is technically my favorite season, because I love warm weather!!! But I actually love the transitions around summer where I live! So spring into summer and summer into fall, when it is low to mid 70s, with a light breeze! It’s perfect!!

[graaaaceeliz]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you.

learn to know your mutuals and followers 🏵

Awww this made me smile

I love the sea (well, firth) and how it's so changeable and how it has the mountains on the other side of it

I like most music and love a lot of it

I love my horses and I love the smell of them in summer, all herby and warm

Lying in bed during the holidays and being able to play music or listen to the rain and drift in and out of snoozing because I don't have to be anywhere

Ice cream and sorbet - especially mango, citrus, and mint chocolate chip flavours. Oooo or the damson and plum one. Yummy.

[boneappletits]

I normally have a lot of plants around summertime since that's when it's cold but not as cold as winter is, and it rains the most in summer.

apologies for the late reply, i fell asleep. i can’t imagine how cold it gets up there ! how do y’all do anything outside in the winter? 😂😭 i adore cold weather but i’m also a naturally cold person and i can’t function if i’m shaking lmao. Oooo i can imagine warm summer rains there, one of my favorite human experiences is warm rain ^~^

[storiesofsvu]

Hi love!!! I loved those autumn asks you reblogged so I have to ask, what’s your answers for Rain and Vintage? 🧡🖤

rain: fave type of weather?

this depends on a lot of things LOL. if i need to leave the house, I want it to be sunny, warm, but with a nice soft breeze, like, 12-18 degrees celcius. i used to LIVE for summer (and like, lived in orlando) so i was all about that humid heat but now a days i already run pretty hot and it's not enjoyable to be outside in that for so long anymore lol.

BUT, if im staying in? then oooo boy! give me ALL THE RAIN, heavy rain, thunderstorms, hearing it against the windows with a soft playlist going, candle lit, perfect time to write!!

vintage: fave decade?

oh lort. uh?? i don't know? like dont get me wrong, the 90s/early 2000's were BOMB, but that was also because i was a kid/pre teen and had no responsibilities, but the music was far superior.

thanks for asking!!

autumn asks!

[jackfrostsander]

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday little Robin! Happy birthday to you!

Also available on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/33374809

Friday August 20th, 2021

08:43

Robbe slowly woke up… With his eyes still closed his hand looked for the warmth of Sander’s body next to him… “San???” Robbe jumped up as his hand had felt nothing but cold bedsheets. There was no trace of Sander in his bed except for his intoxicating smell that still emanated from the bedsheets. Robbe jumped out of bed, took the first shirt he could find from the floor – Sander’s lightning bolt t-shirt – and went to check the bathroom… Nope, nobody there… Maybe Sander woke up before him and is already having breakfast downstairs?

As Robbe ran into the living room he got the surprise of his life… A large banner hang across the room saying “Happy 18th birthday!”.

As Robbe walked in Sander and his mum started to sing together:

“Long will he live… Long will he live… Long will he live in the gloria! In the gloria! In the gloria! Hieperdepiep hooray!”

Robbe ran towards Sander and jumped into his arms like a hyperexcited little child. Sander nearly lost his balance… But before he even got his feet steady again Robbe was already showering him in kisses. Sander allowed him to indulge and so for the next several minutes they did nothing but exchange kisses and ‘I love you’s’.

Eventually Robbe remembered that his mum was standing there patiently waiting to wish her son a happy birthday too so he reluctantly let go of Sander’s comforting embrace. Robbe turned towards his mother. “Happy birthday Robbe! No mum could be prouder of her son” Charlotte said. “I love you mum” Robbe replied before hugging her. She gave him three birthday kisses and then pulled back while her hands retrieved a gift from behind her back. She gave the box, wrapped in orange gift wrap, to Robbe who eagerly opened it. Inside he found a box of his favourite cookies. “Thanks mum!” Robbe said. “I have something else…” Charlotte added, “But I couldn’t wrap it… I bought you a licence for the video editing software you need for university…”. “Mum… You didn’t need to… OMG, Thank you so much…” Robbe said before hugging her again. The software was not cheap and since the breakup with his dad she had to pay everything from a single income and that meant that it wasn’t always easy… So, as happy as Robbe was with his present, he also was feeling somewhat guilty that his mum had spent so much money on his gift.

“First gift of the day” Sander said while handing a drawing over to Robbe. It depicted Robbe spray painting the garbage truck. A memory of the first time Sander had seen him and had instantly fallen for him… “It’s amazing San! Thank you!” Robbe exclaimed before pulling his boyfriend in for a kiss. “Oooo wait… I am not done yet…” Sander said as he handed Robbe a long rectangular box that was wrapped in Sander's favourite Bowie gift wrap paper. "For me?" Robbe asked surprised. "For who else..." Sander teased. "Thank you San!" Robbe exclaimed as he started to unwrap the box. Inside he found a plain cardboard box. Robbe burned with curiosity for what was hidden inside this box. He opened the box and... "A skateboard!" Robbe blurted out in joy. "Check the bottom side" Sander instructed. Robbe turned the deck over and... Most skateboards have some kind of art decoration on the bottom but this one... This one had been spray painted by his artist... "Sander..." Robbe said with an open mouth as he admired the work of his talented boyfriend. Robbe put the board down, turned towards Sander and pulled his lover in for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around Sander's neck while his lips never departed those of Sander. He could spend the whole day like this... Just being with Sander... Feeling his skin against his own... Feeling those soft lips and warm tongue... Inhaling Sander's mesmerizing smell... Oh, he didn't need anything more to have a perfect birthday...

Then Sander took Robbe to the kitchen where a pile of freshly baked pancakes was waiting for them… There was butter, jam, different sugars, chocolate topping, and whipped cream as complements to the pancakes. Robbe was instantly salivating at the delicious smell. How lucky was he that his boyfriend could cook… Because he didn’t get much further than instant noodles… But Sander could make all sorts of things. Not just croques but also spaghetti with homemade bolognaise sauce, steak frites, witloof with ham in cheese sauce,… and the fresh soup he made for Robbe when he was in bed with a cold. Sander nursed him for days until Robbe felt better again. For sure, Sander’s fresh soup and honey-spiked warm tea had helped to clear his airways.

“Are there any croques with cardamon?” Robbe teased his boyfriend. Sander made a disgusted face upon being remembered of Robbe’s little experiment at the sea earlier this summer… Sander had told him that they would taste awful but Robbe had stubbornly ignored his boyfriend’s advice. When the croque was ready it really did taste badly but Robbe forced himself to take several bites to avoid having to agree with Sander…

Robbe grabbed a pancake from the pile and added whipped cream and chocolate topping to it. Next, he rolled it up into a delicious sweet bite-sized roll from which he took a bite. Hmmmm, heaven… He wanted to share his creation with his boyfriend so he turned towards Sander and fed him another bite from the rolled up pancake. Sander closed his eyes as he enjoyed the food liking the chocolate sauce from his lips with his tongue… Robbe nearly combusted at seeing Sander act like this. He wasn’t sure if it was intentional on Sander’s behalf or if he was oblivious to the effect that his actions had on his boyfriend… Well… knowing Sander he probably was well aware of the fact that he was a massive tease by licking his lips like this…

Robbe couldn’t control himself and before Sander had opened his eyes Robbe’s lips were pressed against his. He tasted the chocolate/whipped cream/pancake taste from Sander’s lips mixed with the black coffee that his boyfriend must have had earlier today… This kiss quickly deepened and Robbe nearly forgot that he was in his mum’s kitchen… Luckily he remembered where he was before things got too far… He pulled back and looked deeply into those emerald eyes of his perfect boyfriend. How lucky he was… He could stare into those eyes all day and not grow tired off it. He was mesmerised by his boyfriend’s beauty… He started to caress Sander’s cheek while whispering “I love you soooo much”. And Sander melted into a puddle in front of him…

11:03

"Come" Sander instructed while extending his hand in Robbe's direction. "Where are we going?" Robbe demanded to know. "Surprise... Come" Sander repeated. Robbe smiled softly. The unpredictable nature of Sander was one of the things he loved the most. He loved the cute and special surprises that Sander regularly planned for him. He knew that with Sander by his side life would never be boring. So, he enthusiastically grabbed Sander's extended hand and allowed himself to be pulled out of his mum's home on the way to whatever adventure Sander had in stall for him...

Once outside Robbe wanted to grab their bikes but Sander stopped him. "Let's walk" Sander suggested. Robbe gave Sander a quick rub on his back before interlocking his hand in Sander's. And so, hand in hand they walked across town... Stopping regularly to take some artistic pictures or inspect some street art...

12:19

Robbe's stomach growled. "Getting hungry?" Sander inquired. "Fainting" Robbe replied. "Well, that's perfect on schedule..." Sander replied earning him a confused look from Robbe. "We're nearly at the restaurant where I reserved a table for us..." Sander clarified. "Not at the hospital, I hope?" Robbe jokingly asked. Sander was confused for a moment until he noticed that they were indeed walking past the hospital. Sander snorted. "Nope, something much better than under-seasoned bland potato puree they serve in hospitals..." Sander replied with a smirk.

Not even a minute later they arrived at Sander's chosen restaurant. Robbe had expected to eat some burgers and fries or pizza... Or maybe a steak frites at a brasserie... However, that was clearly not what Sander had in mind for today… "A one Michelin star restaurant!?" Robbe exclaimed in disbelief. "From the best dessert chef of Belgium" Sander added. "But... That's too expensive..." Robbe said. "Nothing is too expensive for you..." Sander replied before pulling Robbe towards the entrance gate of the restaurant.

"Good afternoon young gentlemen. Do you have a reservation?" the maître d' asked. "Yes, on the name of IJzermans-Driesen" Sander replied. "Ok, let me show you your table" the maître d' said as he guided the two boys to a lovely table at the terrace outside of the restaurant. It was the ideal weather to eat outside. Not too cold and also not oppressively warm… Just the perfect mild Belgian summer weather with a slight breeze. Only rain could be a problem according to the weather forecast but so far it had remained dry and the sky looked clear...

The maître d' handed the boys the menu cards and asked if he could already bring an aperitif. "Two glasses of champagne" Sander immediately replied. "Champagne?" Robbe said in disbelief. "It's your birthday sweetie" Sander said. Robbe's worries about Sander's spending become even worse when he opened up the menu card. "Any idea what you would like?" Sander asked. "Maybe just the brioche wagyu" Robbe suggested. "Sweetie, its fine. Ignore the prices..." Sander said, "What do you think of the tacos as a starter?". "Tacos... That's sounds nice" Robbe said. "Ok, and what do you think about sea bass for a main?" Sander suggested. Robbe quickly checked Sander's suggestion... 49.50 euro for the bass... Robbe felt so uncomfortable to have Sander spend that much money on him... Sander must have noticed... "Sweetie... You only once become 18... Just relax and enjoy... Sometimes one just should stop thinking about things and just enjoy the special moments..." Sander said. Robbe smiled. "You're special enough..." Robbe said, "I don't need fancy food... Just having you by my side...". "You're such a romantic..." Sander teased.

13:55

After a mind-blowing starter and an exquisite main dish the boys were waiting for dessert when... The chef of the restaurant, Robbe recognized him from his TV-show that his mother watches, walks out with two plates and comes over to them. He places a desert plate in front of Robbe with in chocolate glace "Happy 18th birthday" piped on it. "Happy birthday young man" the chef says, "I hope you have enjoyed your lunch?". "It was outstanding! A true delight for the palate!" Robbe complimented the chef. "Thank you. Enjoy your desert and the rest of your birthday" the chef said before returning to the kitchen.

14:22

After an astonishing gastronomic lunch the boys decided to use the restrooms before leaving the restaurant. As they walked in Robbe observed that they were alone there so in an impulse he changed plans and pushed Sander against the wall… Before his head could hit the wall Robbe inserted his hand. He pushed his body impossibly close to Sander’s and they started to kiss passionately… Robbe moaned… His body burning with desire… No matter how close their bodies were it would never be close enough for Robbe… Sander… Sander… Sander… was the only thing Robbe could think about. He was in a public space… He shouldn’t take things too far… But trying to constrain himself was soooo difficult… It felt like his whole body was screaming for Sander… He was slowly losing the battle that was going on in his mind… Until… Footsteps… Someone was approaching the door… Robbe quickly withdrew and went to the sink to wash his hands while Sander went to use the restroom…

21:15

"Come" Sander said as he pulled Robbe towards what looked like an abandoned factory. "San, what are you doing?" Robbe objected as Sander pulled him past the fence. He had no intention of getting arrested for trespassing on his birthday... But Sander didn’t seem to care. "Come..." Sander instructed again. He pulled Robbe towards the door and opened the door…

“Surprise!” dozens of voices shouted. Everyone was there… The broerrrs, his parents, Sander’s parents, his aunt, his grandparents, Zoë, Senne, Milan, Yasmina,… “Third surprise” Sander beamed.

The old factory was in fact a party venue and it had been completely decorated… All his family and friends were standing around cocktail tables covered in black spandex. The sealing was covered in various coloured spots, party lasers and mirror balls. There was a bar, dance floor and music installation. Hanging on the wall in front of him was “18” spelled out in silver Mylar balloons surrounded by floating black and white balloons. But nothing could have prepared Robbe, and also most of the people present, for what was coming next…

21:21

Suddenly, Sander got down on his one knee. In the background Bowie’s Wedding song started to play… “Robbe IJzermans… My angel… The love of my life… My soulmate… The sun who illuminates my existence… Would you do me the honour of becoming my husband?” Sander asked while he presented Robbe with a flat silver, satin-finish, comfort-fit, 7 mm wide engagement ring that had a lightning bolt engraved in it. It was a truly stunning ring, clearly chosen by someone with impeccable artistic taste…

Robbe was speechless… This wasn’t happening… Did Sander really just asked him to marry him??? Robbe’s heart skipped a beat or two and his brain went into a mild epileptic seizure as he was trying to comprehend what was happening… “Marry… you…” Robbe finally stuttered in a questioning tone. “Yes, I want to marry you” Sander replied.

Robbe was silent for another brief moment before he spoke: “On one condition…”. This must have taken Sander by surprise as he instantly gave Robbe a confused look. Robbe bended down and whispered in his ear: “I am not marrying nude”. Sander snorted at Robbe’s joke but also blushed a bit when he remembered the conversation from almost 2 years ago... “Condition accepted!” Sander loudly proclaimed as he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and started to kiss him. Both boys were in tears now. Happy tears.

The beginning of their relationship had been a bit chaotic and Robbe struggled with his internalized homophobia and Sander with the demons in his head and the doubts about if Robbe would stay with him when all aspects of him got revealed… However, it didn’t took Robbe more than two months after first meeting Sander to be completely convinced that this was the boy he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Sander made him feel things that he didn’t even know one could feel… And those feelings have never changed… Every time Sander touches or kisses him still feels as special as that first time… Every single time Robbe gets butterflies in his stomach, chills though his spine, and Chernobyl in his head… A never ending honeymoon phase…

Their family and friends started to applaud. After making out for a few minutes the awkward position started to become uncomfortable enough to force them to stop kissing and get up. Sander quickly placed the ring on Robbe’s finger before pulling him in for more kisses.

After a few minutes of pure bliss… Making out with Sander… The boys finally broke apart ready to accept the birthday and engagement wishes from their family and friends. But first, Sander snapped a picture of his fiancée’s hand with the ring and uploaded it on his Instagram. As caption he added a fragment from Bowie’s wedding song:

I believe in magic

Angel for life

Robbe got a message from his mum. It was several pics that she had taken of Sander proposing to him. Robbe quickly looked through the pics and decided upon the best one. He was going to upload this on his Instagram to show the world that Sander was his. Robbe isn’t the boasting type of person but he can’t help to feel soooo lucky and proud to say that Sander is his and the whole world can know it. Sander is his… Even after all this time this thought was almost surreal to Robbe. Why did the universe grant him such happiness? “Nowhere as happy as we are…” Robbe remembered Sander’s words. How true this statement was…

"But where will we live?" Robbe asked Sander. "You and Sander can keep living with me... If you want at least... Until after you finish university and have the means to find a place of your own..." Charlotte interrupted. "I have the best mum and boyfriend in the whole world!" Robbe exclaimed while jumping around his mum's neck like the baby koala he is. "Fiancée" Sander corrected him earning him a playful push from Robbe back.

In the meantime Sander’s parents had walked towards them… “Happy birthday Robbe and welcome in the family” Isabelle said. “Thank you” Robbe said as he hugged Sander’s mum. “You’re the best son-in-law that any mother could imagine… And know that you and Sander can always count on us if you need our help” she said. Robbe smiled: “Thank you so much”. He felt Sander’s father’s hand on his shoulder so he let loose of Isabelle and turned toward him. “Happy birthday Robbe!” Charles said. “Thank you” Robbe said with a smile. “We have something for you that you will soon need…” Charles said as he handed over a box. Robbe opened the box and found… “A Nikon Z6 II!!!” Robbe exclaimed. Sander’s parents were quite well-to-do but that was exuberant even by their standards… “I… I… can’t…” Robbe stuttered. “We’ve only got one future son-in-law… And you deserve it Robbe. You really do. Look at Sander. We’ve never seen him this happy in his whole life. And I know you will make all of us proud with your movies” Charles said. Robbe blinked away a tear. Not only did he have the best boyfriend but also the best parents-in-law that anyone could wish for… Indeed, Sander’s parents had always been there for him and Sander… From the first day they had welcomed him with open arms.

Suddenly his dad showed up and grabbing him by the shoulder he lead Robbe a meter or two away from Sander and his parents. “Happy birthday son and congratulations with your engagement” Louis said. “Thanks dad!” Robbe replied. His dad took a little box from his pocket and gave it to him. Robbe unwrapped it… “A new phone!” Robbe exclaimed. “Your current one is quite beaten up… So, I think you can use this…” his dad explained. “Yes! Thank you dad!” Robbe smiled. Robbe was about to turn around when his dad hold him by the shoulder. “You know… I mean… You’re still young… You don’t have to rush into things…” Louis started. “Dad, what are you saying?” Robbe asked in a slight fierce tone as he didn’t like where his dad was going. “Your mum and I also got married at young age…” Louis added. Robbe didn’t like this conversation at all. He would like to tell his dad what he thinks about the fact that he cheated on his mum and then left her. But this was a happy day and he was not going to let his dad ruin it. So, he just turned around without saying something. “Robbe…” his dad yelled but Robbe decided to ignore him.

He didn’t get far before Sander appeared next to him. He must have noticed that Robbe was irritated after that short talk with his dad. His boyfriend is so observant. “Nothing, I am fine San” Robbe replied. Sander clearly didn’t believe it as he gave Robbe a ‘tell me what’s wrong’ look. “Just my dad… He’s annoying again… But I am not going to let him ruin the happy mood” Robbe said. He gave Sander a smile to let him know that he was truly fine. Sander didn’t seem fully reassured yet so Robbe added: “Nowhere as happy as we are”. This sentence had since become one of the reoccurring lines that they used to profess their love to each other…

Robbe and Sander spend the next half an hour going around to everyone to receive Robbe’s birthday wishes and presents and their engagement wishes. Zoë gave him a new beanie. Jens gave him two presents. One from himself and one in name of Jana who was back in New York. And then there was Noor… She had given him a lightning bolt earing. Robbe seriously doubted he would get the opportunity to wear it as his boyfriend would probably steal it… After all, Sander got his right ear pierced recently…

22:02

“DJ Sobbe!” Jens yelled. “Sobbe! Sobbe! Sobbe!” everyone started to chant as the boys made their way to the music installation. Robbe grabbed the mic and yelled: “Who’s in for a partyyyyy!” while Sander got the first song playing. Moyo came over and handed the lovers two beers. “Cheers!” Robbe said as he clinked his bottle against Moyo’s. “The first broerrr to get married…” Moyo said, “I am focking proud of you!”. Robbe beamed.

02:18

The party had ended about twenty minutes ago and Robbe at first thought that Sander was walking him home but he soon noticed that they were heading in a different direction… Now, they were walking down the ‘Keizersstraat’. “Could it be?” Robbe started to wonder. And of course… They halted in front of THEIR hotel. “Penthouse suite for the night? Large bed and nobody to interrupt us…” Sander asked. “Sander…” Robbe said in disbelief. There didn’t seem to come an end to the surprises that Sander had in stall for him… “Shall we repeat that night?” Sander asked. Robbe beamed. “I promise I won’t run away this time” he added. “You better don’t or I shackle you to the bed…” Robbe teased. “Ooooo… I like your thinking…” Sander replied with a smirk. Most often Sander tended to dominate in bed but he also loved to occasionally give complete control to Robbe… “Be careful what you wish for…” Robbe continued to tease.

[contreparry]

For a DADWC prompt: Hug with a kiss, Carver/Merrill!

Oooo! Okay, I’m going to try my best because you’re the master of Carver/Merrill! Here’s some cute modern!Thedas Carver/Merrill for @dadrunkwriting!

“Oh, Carver’s coming home? Your home, I mean, not my home, I haven’t got room for him. I don’t think Carver could fit on my couch,” Merrill mused, and Hawke laughed. He had a nice laugh, like a big boom of thunder, and when Isabela’s laugh joined Hawke’s it was like a storm over the ocean, big and strong and overpowering. But nicer than a storm, obviously, because Garrett Hawke and Isabela were lovely, really, and quite welcoming.

“He’s going to be thrilled you asked about him,” Hawke laughed, and when Merrill flushed brightly Isabela wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders and hugged her close.

“Don’t you worry, sweet thing,” Isabela said soothingly. “Little Hawke’s been asking after you, too.” Isabela meant for that to be comforting, she knew that, but Merrill tossed and turned all night when she thought about Carver and his imminent arrival. It had been nearly a year since they last saw each other, and emails and texts and the occasional video call were poor substitutions for in person meetings. And Carver was- Merrill sighed and rolled out of bed. If she was going to wistfully sigh over the man she had a crush on for nearly all of her years working as an adjunct professor of Art History at the University of Kirkwall, she was going to do it with a cup of chamomile tea.

As she sipped on tea and curled up on her fern green velvet couch (one that she and Isabela thrifted, very chic), Merrill wondered if Carver’s time abroad was everything he was looking for. He had always seemed restless when she knew him, like Kirkwall was holding him back somehow. Taking a year away to work in the field as a travel photo journalist was probably good for him, but Merrill missed him rather terribly. Carver had always been so kind to her, so considerate and concerned as she settled into a new city and a new life- and Merrill liked him. Liked him a great deal.

It helped that he was handsome, with pretty blue eyes like bits of a summer sky. Merrill lost count of how many times she was planning a lecture while out with friends at The Hanged Man, arguing with Fenris over the interpretation of some Tevinter sculpture, and then she’d look over at Carver looking at her and completely lose her head. And then Fenris would smugly declare himself the winner because Merrill stopped arguing with him, which was a frustrating battle that she would NEVER let die. 

But thinking about those debates brought her back to the reason she couldn’t sleep- Carver was coming back to Kirkwall, and Merrill didn’t know what she was supposed to do about that. Because she liked Carver a good deal, and she was fairly certain that he cared for her- liked her!- the same way, but a year was a long time to be away. Things might have changed. Things might be different now. Merrill finished her tea and stumbled back into bed, where she fell into a fitful sleep with dreams of sky-blue eyes and pink blushes, hesitant smiles and stammered conversations.

That morning Merrill nibbled on oatmeal and tried to read Anders’ latest manifesto on Mage Rights, but her boring, sleepy morning was interrupted by a knocking on her apartment door. Merrill scrambled out of her seat and peered through the peephole, only to see- she gasped and quickly unlocked the door, pulling it open. She stared up at Carver Hawke, who looked adorably flustered and slightly rumpled on her doorstep.

“Uh, hi,” he said sheepishly, and if Hawke sounded like thunder Carver sounded like steady rain. “I, um, didn’t interrupt anything, did I?”

“Just breakfast,” Merrill replied breathlessly. “But that’s alright, I can make more if you like?” Carver’s brief laugh and shy smile were precious little treasures, and Merrill wished she could hug them close to her chest. Instead she smiled back and wondered what Carver was doing here, at her apartment, instead of back at his home with his mother and brother and sister- oh! It was a bit chilly, wasn’t it?

“Oh no, I’m so sorry! You should come inside- I mean, it’s very cold out, would you like to come in? Unless you’re busy, of course,” Merrill amended quickly. “I’m glad you came to call, I’m being a terrible hostess.”

“You’re doing fine,” Carver replied as he stepped over the threshold. “I- I really wanted to see you, but my plane touched down at three in the morning. Not the best time for a visit.”

“I was up,” Merrill confessed. “I couldn’t sleep.” He was awfully close now, close enough that Merrill could see the dark circles under his blue, blue eyes. Impulsively, Merrill threw her arms around Carver’s waist and hugged him tightly. And she grinned when Carver’s arms wrapped around her, strong and sturdy and warm and better than she imagined.

“I missed you while you were gone, Carver,” Merrill mumbled.

“Missed you too, Merrill,” Carver replied softly, and when she looked up his face was close. Very close. And Merrill wasn’t completely clueless, and she certainly wasn’t a coward- she knew that voice, those words, that expression, and she knew that Carver- somehow!- cared for her. Romantically. And she recognized the tremble in Carver’s fingers, the flush on his cheeks, the growing panic in his blue eyes, and Merrill wasn’t going to let anything stop them from moving forward. She balanced on her toes, cupped her hand against the back of Carver’s neck, and quickly pressed her lips to his. After a moment of shock, Carver kissed her back, warm and welcoming and as generous as Merrill always knew he could be.

“Breakfast?” Merrill asked once she pulled away. “You can tell me all about the places you’ve been.”

“I’d like that,” Carver said shyly, and he let Merrill lead him deeper into her apartment.

[superwholockian309]

50. What’s your favorite kind of weather?

Either warm spring weather right before summer or cool fall weather right after summer.

I don't like to be too hot or cold, it usually messes with my sinuses a lot.

Oooo, and warm rain 😊

[athingthatwantsvirginia]

Bowie Didn’t!

PART EIGHT OF THE DO YOU SEE HER FACE? SERIES

Pairing: Jess Mariano x Original Character (Ella Stevens)

Warnings: mentions of death, plentiful pop culture references

Word Count: 3.7K

Summary: On the night of Sookie’s wedding, Ella visits the diner and encounters a surprise. 

Though the sign on the door read Closed, Ella gave only one knock and rushed in. She could see Luke closing up, wiping down the main counter. Upon looking up to see her, Luke groaned and hung his head. Ella only smiled, a slightly wicked look. The lights were turned down low and it was shadowy, adding to her fatigue. Sookie’s wedding, out under the early summer sun, had been a fun, all-day affair, and it had taken the wind out of her. But she only had a night left before she shipped off to New Britain for the rest of June, and she had to get one dose of Luke’s food in before the three-week excursion.

“Ella, how many times-”

“I’ll help you clean up whatever mess I make, alright? I know the procedure,” she insisted, her grin growing.

He sighed. “Fine.”

“Thank you, Luke. I am eternally grateful,” she said with mock severity. “I just had to get another look at the place before I depart forever.”

Luke rolled his eyes. “You’re only gonna be gone for a few weeks.”

She scoffed. “To a youth like me, that’s practically a lifetime.”

“What can I get ya?” he snapped, over her theatrics, but in his usual gruff, lovable way.

“Fries, please. And a water?” she asked. Luke nodded and disappeared into the back.

Smiling still, she shrugged off her jean jacket, left in only the army green dress she’d worn to the wedding. The air was clear and full of promise. She would miss the diner, of course, but it would be a welcome escape from her family. Not that her father was entirely behind the idea, but she’d wheedled enough to get him to agree to not send the police looking for her while she was gone. It was odd, considering he usually gave less than one percent of a shit on a daily basis about where she was or what she was up to. Suddenly, feet thumped down the stairs to the apartment and Jess emerged from behind the checkered curtain. He was rubbing his big brown eyes with the heel of his hand. When he looked up and saw her sitting there, he staggered back in slight surprise.

“Hi,” he said, nodding a little.

She raised her eyebrows at seeing him back in his old haunt. “Hi.”

“So,” Jess began with a sigh, raising his hands and gesturing to himself standing in the diner.

Ella nodded, pursing her lips. “Yep. Guess you didn’t think to mention this on the phone two nights ago?”

He chuckled. “Of course I didn’t. Gotta keep things exciting.”

A crooked smirk on his face, Jess ambled over and leaned his forearms on the counter in front of her. Before she could ask him any questions, he shifted toward her and produced a shiny silver quarter from behind her ear. She furrowed her brows at the action but smiled. Holding out the coin to her, he smiled back. He heard Luke puttering around in the kitchen behind him. The deep fryer sizzled lowly. She took the quarter and rolled the cool metal between her fingers before shoving it in the pocket of her jacket.

“How was the wedding?” he asked, his chin propped up on his hand.

She shrugged. “It was a wedding.”

“Hence the name.”

Luke came back around with a basket of fries and a glass of water, eyeing Jess suspiciously, and said nothing as he set them down in front of Ella. She shot him a pointed look. “Thanks for keeping me in the know, boss.”

Sighing, Luke rolled his eyes. “Seems like you figured it out on your own. You’re gonna be gone all month anyway.”

“Gone all month?” Jess echoed.

She nodded. “The New Britain aunt. She just asked me yesterday if I could help her out for a while. She's getting married next week, and they already have a couple kids. I’m babysitting while they’re on their honeymoon.”

“Thrilling,” Jess quipped.

“Should be.”

“Guess I’ll just have to call you here for a while then. You’ll be waiting at the phone, desperate just to hear my voice,” she said in a breathy, dramatic voice, reminiscent of 1940s screen queens.

“Keep dreaming.”

“I always am.”

“Well, it’s not too far. Maybe I’ll return the favor. I’ll show up and you can take me on a tour of all the New Britain hotspots,” he said dryly, though there was a joking tone.

She scoffed. “No such places exist, Mariano.”

“What’s he talkin’ about?” Luke asked, crossing his arms over his chest and looking down at her.

Pausing for a moment, Ella shrugged, feigning nonchalance as she stared down at her fries. “I went and saw Jess in the city a couple weeks ago.”

“What?” he asked, throwing an accusatory glare to a smirking Jess. “When?”

“Mother’s day,” she said shortly, finally meeting Luke’s eyes again.

A knowing expression passed across Luke’s face. “Oh.”

“Mm-hmm,” she hummed in response, aware he wouldn’t say another word about it. Lost in her mind for a moment, she cast her gaze over to the door of the stock room, memories rolling over her like waves.

.   .   .

one year and three weeks earlier

It was summer when she died, almost a full year before. The warming weather brought with it unpleasant, familiar stirrings in the pit of her stomach. She could hear the keys of her mother’s piano, smell her perfume, feel her mother’s hands brushing her hair when she was a child. Order after order, she brought pancakes to happy families. There were mothers with bouquets of flowers in their arms milling around out on the street. And she was happy for them. But it was so hard to maintain the facade when she had nauseating clouds of grief washing her in gloomy rain. She hadn’t even known it was Mother’s Day until she left the house, her father and brother not having yet awoken. But the looks people were giving her told her something was wrong. The chalkboard outside the bookstore announcing the holiday sale solved the mystery for her.

Blowing strands of hair away from her rosy face, Ella felt the throbbing of her sore feet and wanted nothing more than to be listening to her Stevie Nicks tunes on a low volume in her bedroom. She wanted to be reading Dickinson and wallowing in the misery she had no idea would befall her. There seemed to be nothing on the Earth which would cheer her up until the bell over the door jingled and she saw the faces of Lorelai and Rory.

“If it isn’t my favorite mother-daughter detective team!” Ella smiled as they sat down at the counter in front of her.

Luke came over to greet them as well, a cheery expression on his stubbly face. “What can I get ya?”

“Pancakes with chocolate chips that spell out ‘Mother of the Year,’” Lorelai said immediately, batting her eyelashes.

Sighing, Luke looked up from his writing. “Is that a serious request?”

“Am I one to joke about pancakes?” Lorelai countered.

Grunting out an affirmative monosyllabic response, Luke went back into the kitchen. Ella shook her head. Her boss would do anything for that woman.

“We’re gonna have to wolf those pancakes down if we’re gonna get through all the movies today,” Rory reminded Lorelai, a sweet smile on her lips.

“Oooo, what kind of marathon is it?” Ella asked.

“Audrey Hepburn,” Lorelai answered through a grin. “Funny Face, Sabrina, the whole nine. Maybe we’ll add some Katherine, too. All the Hepburns.”

Feeling her heart drop into her stomach, Ella hid the crestfallen look which threatened to cross her face. “That sounds great. I um...I gotta go get some extra chocolate chips from the back if Luke’s gonna fit all those words on the pancakes.”

Rory furrowed her brows in confusion, but Lorelai realized their mistake almost as soon as the words left her lips. However, Ella was in the stock room before either of them could say anything to correct themselves.

Ten minutes passed before Luke noticed his waitress was nowhere to be seen. Admittedly, he had to search his mind to remember if she’d told him he was taking a break or not. When he decided there was no such memory, he returned to the counter where Rory and Lorelai were finishing up their candied pancakes.

“Did you guys see where Ella went?” he asked.

The two women looked between themselves with hesitant looks. Lorelai sighed and shook her head, a conspiratory whisper to her voice. “She’s back in the stock room, but I would just give her a minute.”

“Why? What’s goin’ on?” Luke was immediately concerned, and Lorelai’s face softened at his worry.

Rory chimed in, looking guilty. “We told her we’re doing a Hepburns marathon for Mother’s Day. And her mom also loved Katherine Hepburn and it just slipped out and it’s Mother’s Day and-”

“She’s probably just gonna need a few minutes,” Lorelai cut in, finishing for her daughter.

Luke’s face dropped and he blew out a long breath. “Oh. I...I should go talk to her.”

“Should you?” Lorelai asked doubtfully, but Luke was already walking away. “Luke?”

Back in the stock room, Luke found Ella on the floor near a rack of canned goods. The room smelled of tomatoes and dirt, but it was homey in an odd way. She rested her head on her crossed arms, elbows on her knees. Luke hadn’t seen her so small since she was a toddler, sitting there crumpled up into herself. Her shoulders were shaking slightly, though her cries were silent. Wiping his hands on his jeans, Luke almost returned to the diner but Ella’s muffled voice stopped him before he could leave.

“I know you’re there, Luke,” she said, though she didn’t raise her head to look at him. “I’m sorry, I’ll be back out in a second.”

He sighed guiltily, then shuffled on his booted feet a moment before taking a seat next to her. Though she could feel his presence at her side, she still didn’t look up. There were dark smudges around her eyes, she knew, and tears steadily streaming down her cheeks. Even at the funeral, she didn’t cry. No one had seen her cry since she was a small child. It was only nights alone in her room when she finally let her heart open up and bleed. In a million lifetimes she never would have imagined a simple mention of Katherine Hepburn would break her down in public, or that Luke would be the one to see it. But in the last year, she had learned how grief would come and go like a flash flood. The thought of the loneliness, the pure isolation she’d brought upon herself while coping with the loss, sent another shuddering sob up her spine. She swallowed it back and sniffled, her face still buried in her jeans. Suddenly, she felt Luke’s arm around her shoulder, and she flinched at the touch. Her muscles were tense.

“I’m sorry, Ella,” he said solemnly.

Before she could stop herself, she blurted out a tearful whisper: “Everyone else gets to have a mom.”

Luke nodded, and he wrapped his arms around her as she brought her head to his shoulder and cried into the flannel of his shirt. “I know, I know.”

“I don’t have a mom anymore. I’ll never have a mom again,” she murmured through her tears.

“Yes, you do. She’s still with you. It’s gonna be okay,” he spoke softly, feeling his heart break for her. He knew exactly what it was like to lose a mother at a young age.

And there they sat for the next half hour, until Ella’s breathing finally slowed to a near-normal pace and her hands had calmed their shaking. Luke let her go early, and promised her Mother’s Day off for the rest of eternity, or however long she might work there.

.   .   .

Her high heels fell rhythmically on the sidewalk as she and Jess left the diner and strolled through the balmy night. There was a warm breeze, and somewhere far off an owl hooted, a loon called. After she had washed up the dishes from the fries and the water, Jess had suggested they go out and do something since she’d be missing in action for three whole weeks. The flowers were blooming all around town, and the gazebo was adorned with hydrangeas of pink, blue, purple.

“Hey, you gotta see this,” she said, grabbing him by the sleeve and marching the both of them up the steps.

“Jeez, relax,” he grumbled at her insistence.

She only grinned, her eyes travelling up when they reached the gazebo’s center. They sat down next to each other on the small wooden bench. A fragrant floral sheet cloaked them. Jess followed her gaze to the sky, and immediately understood. There was a hole in the gazebo ceiling, small but enough. There was a beautiful view of the stars, through a cloudy lattice of flowers.

“Huh,” he chirped, nodding slightly.

“Wow, don’t act so impressed,” she scoffed, annoyed at his ambivalence.

He smirked at her, looking over at her profile in the moonlight. “No, really, it’s cool. Something you should paint.”

“Maybe,” Ella agreed, finally meeting his eyes with a tiny smile.

“How’d this happen, anyway?” he asked, gesturing up to the hole.

She shrugged, scrunching up her nose. “Something about Kirk and a batting machine a few nights ago. I just tune most of it out at this point.”

“A wise choice.”

“I think so. Anyway, it'll definitely be fixed in the next few days. Figured you should see it before it was gone.”

“Well, I’m so honored you thought of me,” he teased.

Ella rolled her eyes and flushed, staring ahead at the square glowing silently around them. “Don’t flatter yourself, Mariano.” She paused and spoke again, losing her wistful air. “So, come on, don’t keep me in suspense any longer.”

“What?” He furrowed his brows.

“Well, what are you doing here? And are you visiting or are you...here?” she asked hesitantly, avoiding his eyes.

“I’m here. I came back. I just...wanted to.”

“Why?”

Jess shrugged, running a hand over his mouth. “World bites you, you bite back, right?”

A full smile crossed her lips, and she nudged him with a joking elbow. “That’s right. Took my advice, huh?”

“Just this once. Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late.”

“Yeah, I figured,” he said. “Besides, it wasn’t like my mom was suddenly gonna want me back there.”

She hummed and nodded, appraising him. His arms were crossed over the chest of his Clash t-shirt, his hair mussed and his eyes tired. Again, she thought of Jess wandering out in the city alone in the middle of school hours. A pit of guilt settled in her stomach at the thought of leaving the next day, just as he had returned. But she thought better of it. He didn’t need her, and she instantly felt more than a little presumptuous. Without thinking, she chewed at the nails of her right hand.

“You need to quit that, honey,” he scolded with good nature in his voice.

Ella rolled her eyes and scoffed, casting him no more than a momentary glance. “Yeah, I’ll quit biting when you quit smoking.”

“Touché.”

“I’m just nervous.”

“Really? I couldn’t tell,” he quipped.

She snickered and shook her head. “Shut up. My dad doesn’t want me to go, and there’s probably gonna be hell to pay. But I have to take my escapes where I can get them.”

“Don’t I know it,” he agreed. Her makeup was smudged around her eyes, her lipstick faded. There was a stoic look across her features, guarding her thoughts. Jess found himself frustrated at her unreadable expression.

“Hey, just for the record?” she began, breaking the silence.

“Hm?”

“I think I might hate your mom,” she admitted.

Jess laughed bitterly. “I don’t know. You two do share the inclination toward Stevie Nicks.”

She scoffed. “The one commonality. She doesn’t think you’ll go to college, right?”

“More like I’ll never amount to anything, but close enough.”

“That’s bullshit, Jess,” she said with earnest.

“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger,” he snapped defensively.

Before she could stop herself, she shifted to face him and raised her eyebrows doubtfully. “The messenger? Like you don’t walk around acting like someone you’re not.”

“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” Jess exclaimed, brows furrowed.

“Just…” she sighed, trailing off. Then, she doubled down and took a big breath before beginning again. “This whole Holden Caulfield thing, acting like you’re too cool to want anything!”

“Like you know what I want,” he countered. “And college isn’t the end-all be-all of existence!”

“I didn’t say that! Who gives a fuck if you go to college? Bowie didn’t!” she agreed, voice still raised.

“Exactly!”

“But, that’s not the point! Jess, what do you want?!” she asked. “You go through like five books a day and you almost failed eleventh grade! I mean, Jesus, you could do anything you wanted if you tried!”

“Like it’s so simple,” he grumbled.

“I didn’t say it was simple,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You’re just too fucking smart for your own good, Mariano. You can’t waste it.”

He shook his head, biting his lip.

Ella sighed, running a hand through her curled hair. “Fine, don’t listen to me.” Again, she bit at her thumb nail, gazing over the town. Luke was finally finished closing up, and she saw him shut off the lights.

“I’m listening,” he muttered, his voice not without frustration.

“Whatever you say, jackass.”

Before he could respond, Ella stood up and smoothed her hands over her skirt. Her hair fell down her back in golden curls, and the silver chain around her neck glinted. Jess could hear the gentle buzz of insects beneath the thick blanket of night. Upstairs in the apartment, there was a Hemingway novel awaiting him. But he had an inkling he would have a harder time concentrating on it than normal. He thought she was going to leave without uttering another word, but instead she turned and stood back against the rail of the gazebo. She leaned down and unclasped the strappy black shoes she wore, gathering them up by the heels in one hand.

“You’ll get an infection walking around without shoes,” he warned lightly, hoping to drop the subject of his ambiguous future.

She smirked, and Jess felt himself relax. “Maybe in New York. Not so much in Stars Hollow.”

“Oh, was Manhattan not up to your small town standards?”

Her smile grew into something more genuine and she crossed her arms against the summer breeze. The night was quickly cooling, and she had only her jan jacket to shield her. “No, actually, it exceeded them. It was so...dynamic. Just like you described. But there was no five-dollar street corner sex!”

Jess laughed, though his heart fluttered inside his chest at the look in her eyes. The one of glittering wonder she’d had while they watched the Hudson. “Yeah, well, can’t win ‘em all.”

“Next time?” she teased expectantly.

“Next time,” Jess assured her, nodding.

“Well, I gotta get home,” she said, glancing behind her in the direction of her street. “I have to finish packing.”

“Right,” he sighed, glancing down at his boots, then back up. “Guess I’ll have to keep that place in business until July, huh?”

“I suppose,” she said, descending the stairs of the gazebo and calling back over her shoulder. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“I’ll try my best,” he shot back. “But no promises.”

She rolled her eyes and threw him a glance. “I would expect nothing less of you, Mariano.”

And with one final wave and a shouted goodnight, she turned away and continued on the short walk back to her little blue house. Jess smiled after her, watching her glide barefoot over the grass of town square and down the main street until she took a left and disappeared. And he felt a tug at his heart at her absence, but shook his head to himself before trudging back over to Luke’s.

.   .   .

The mid-morning bloomed warm and sunny, a break from the showers which had recently hung over Stars Hollow, and much of the north East. Pebbles crunched beneath the tires of Ella’s big blue Station Wagon, loaded with her duffel and her suitcase, various books in a grocery bag on the passenger seat. After the morning she’d had, she was biting her nails down to the quick. If she hadn’t admonished Jess the night before, she might have even smoked a cigarette or two. She had smoked for only a short period, the few weeks following her mother’s death. And every now and then when she incurred her father’s wrath. Watching her load up her car had made her father’s ears steam, and he’d broken one of the kitchen chairs. Being hungover certainly hadn’t helped him keep his temper under control.

As she rolled past Luke’s Diner, the radio blasted a sharp Liz Phair tune. Ella sang along at the top of her lungs, but quieted as she slowed down and let her gaze wander to the diner. For a moment, she debated stopping in for a final cup of tea, but she had to blink twice to make sure what she saw was accurate. Jess, with his black hair spiked up and dressed in his familiar camo shirt, had his hands in a girl’s back pockets. They sucked face as they leaned against the diner, right on the sidewalk. Ella scrunched up her nose at sight and scoffed as she turned her eyes back to the road. Apparently it didn’t take Jess very long. Had he even been back for twenty-four hours yet? She ignored the way her palms began to sweat. As she sped away from Stars Hollow, she turned the speakers up until she felt the music’s vibrations in her chest.

[jbeverywhere]

Myths about Poland and Poles

It’s time. Let me explain you some things. I hope this post will be a nice Polish culture lesson.

I asked some foreign friends what they think about Poland and Polish people, what had they thought before going there, how it was different at the end, etc. And also I added what I usually hear and drives me crazy 🤦‍

1. Temperature

Polish person: “It’s cold” ; Foreigner: “but you’re from Poland..”

And what? I’m Polish and I don’t feel cold? Aha. I think this is the most annoying answer which I hear a loooooot of times.

People have really bad image of Polish climate especially when they haven’t stayed there for longer time. So we have 4 seasons (+ 2 transitional ones).

early spring - March and April when the weather is going crazy. One day is snowing and -10⁰C, another day sunny and +15⁰C. You never know :D So if you go to Poland that time - be prepared for that, take different kind of clothes.

spring - May - first storms, during Juwenalia always rains, but the first week last years was really sunny and warm - perfect for Polish barbecue opening season :D

summer - may be hot as f.ck or colder and rainy. Many storms especially in August. Nights are much colder than days. But - surprise- temperature around 30⁰C is normal. And because the nights are colder you can sleep well - you won’t melt in your bed.

autumn - colder nights, leafs are brown, it may be really beautiful. More rainy days but still can be sunny.

early winter - October/November - crazy like early spring - may snow, may rain, may be sunny. You feel the winter in the air.

winter - yes it’s cold, but outside. Inside the buildings - it’s warm - surprise. For example I don’t have special pyjamas for winter nights because in my room is around 20⁰C. You go outside you put winter jacket and boots on. May be even -20⁰C (omg wow omg) but then you enter the house and t-shirt is enough. For example in Spain - I’m dying. Winter in Barcelona and in the flat for 3 months 12⁰C - IN THE FLAT. I opened the windows to put some warm air. In Valencia maybe not that drastic (probably it depends on the flat as well) but still I slept with 1 duvet, 2 blankets and the warmest pyjama ever xDDD So please, don’t tell that I’m from Poland and 12⁰C in the room should be perfect. Please.

So in Poland it’s like from minus extreme to plus extreme - variety! I think I like it, I just don’t like that the weather changes immediately. But the most important - inside the buildings - nooooo extreme. It’s pleasantly. So please don’t say to Poles that we should be used to the cold temperature. It’s personal not national thing, I love when is warm and I’m “more ok” with the summer in Valencia than Valencianos (they should be used to that hot no? XD exactly).

2. Music

“Omg la polaca knows reggaeton songs”

“OMG there is Polish reggaeton” 

Ok. Music is a difficult topic. But yyy yes, in Poland they use to play reggaeton (fortunately or unfortunately). For example - in Warsaw and Krakow there are clubs: Teatro Cubano - where there is only reggaeton and some latino rhythms. So if you love to dance to this kind of music, don’t worry, you will find a perfect club for you. 

I really like Polish music, especially now I think it’s really good one. But I like others as well, I have Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, even one German song in my playlists because - why not - variety! And reggaeton I like for the energy and dancing rhythms. Also I like it as a “culture”, for me it’s interesting and fascinating - I can talk about it hours! :D

3. The look

“Polish people are blond with blue eyes” XDDDD hehehehehehhehehehehehhehe

I’M NOT BLOND - first thing to note. The sun in Spain makes my hair lighter but still is not blond. In Poland there are different types of hair and skin. We are not so white. And blue eyes are not thaaaat common. Brown, green, blue, grey - but also not that brown like Spanish ;) AAAAAND - surprise - we can be tan! Wow! xD There are people who have really white skin and the sun changes it to red, but mostly Poles are tan in summer and even I would say that we love to be morenitos ;) What is funny for me (here we have the Spanish myth) that I’m more tan than many Spaniards. So let’s repair the myths: Poles may be tan in summer Spaniards are not tan at all (the Latinos yes - but also not always!).

4. Location

OK. It’s geographic lesson time.

What I heard once: “For me everything what is on the right from Germany is RUSSIA” omg. Where is my patience. omg. Please, think before saying shits like that. It hurts.

We are not that small in Europe. We have 7 neighbors, OWN language which is not Russian (it’s juuuust a liiiiittle bit similar, like some words). I can understand somehow Slovaks and Czechs but Russians - few words. AND IMPORTANT - we have Latin alphabet! Not Cyrillic like Russia. We are Slavic countries, our language is from Slavic family, Slavs love each other (in their way of love ;* ) but each of us is different and we exist, we are not Russia - note that in your head.

5. Religiousness

This is difficult topic. Yes, we are mostly Catholics and we don’t hide it. But not everybody. Many people are very religious - and I respect that. It’s kind of beauty, traditions and everything. It builds the culture. The problem appears when someone forces others to own rights. When religious is an argument in the politic world. And this I agree - in Poland we have a problem with that. But when you visit Poland don’t show your aversion to the religion. Respect it and be curious - then you can discover many nice things, interesting traditions and some kind of passion. I love to talk about our traditions and you can see it in my posts about Christmas and Easter.

6. Safety

This is more region problem than country problem. I mean, everywhere you go - you can meet bad people. In Kraków there were “bad times” but it was long time ago. When I was living there I felt really safe. Many times I came back alone and I’ve never had a strange/dangerous situation. And I always passed so many police during the night. So I think in big cities the government cares about the security. 

Just don’t enter any places where you can meet pseudo-fans of football and don’t scream any football team name. This I see still as a problem in Poland. But I don’s say that going to the matches is a bad idea.

7. Food

This I’m writing thanks to the opinions of those who visited Poland and tried Polish cuisine. So what I heard, that some Erasmus were afraid about the food, that it may be a bad quality and not tasty, but theeeen - surprise! - Where are you from? - from Poland - oooo soplica!!!! (ok, this is not food) - żurek! - pancakes - placki ziemniaczane! - PIEROOOOOGI <3 

So if you haven’t visited Poland yet, you haven't tried Polish cuisine - be prepared 😋😋😋

And you have me to ask before!

8. Language

Hehe Ok, it’s not the easiest language in the world. But it’s not an impossible one! So if you are planning to spend in Poland even only few days it’s nice to use: - dzień dobry - good morning - dziękuję - thank you - przepraszam - I’m sorry/excuse me - proszę - please/you’re welcome - do widzenia - goodbye - dobranoc - good night

Poles will appreciate a lot! We love when someone is trying to say something, and we know that it’s not easy. 

And! I know some people who stayed to live in Poland and their Polish is - wow! So as you see, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE ;)

9. Character

Hmmm I heard that some of you were afraid that Poles won’t be friendly but then again surprise. Well, I think we are nice people xD We are for sure hospitable. There is always a bottle of vodka and some cookies for a casual visit.

English is not our native language, more and more people can speak it but still not all (well like in other countries). But we won’t leave you without helping you when you ask. Gesticulating, speaking slower and louder (because this changes everything xD) - there is always a way to communicate and express yourself. 

So smile and don’t be afraid of us, especially me, I don’t bite! :D

Meme to sum up

10. Famous Poles

I think you may know many but even you don’t realize that. So let me remind you or introduce you Poles who have changed the world.

- Robert Lewandowski - football player in Bayern Monachium

- Jakub Błaszczykowski - was a football player in Borussia Dortmund

- Nicolaus Copernicus (Mikołaj Kopernik) - Heliocentrism, stopped the sun, moved the Earth ;)

- Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin - composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era

- Marie Skłodowska Curie - (note: her first surname is Polish. And in many places they skip it -.-) - physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and the only woman to win the Nobel prize twice, and the only person to win the Nobel Prize in two different scientific fields

- Tadeusz Kościuszko - military engineer, statesman, and military leader who became a national hero in Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and the United States.

- Pope John Paul II - Karol Wojtyła - the first non-Italian pope since the 16th-century, the second longest-serving pope in modern history, one of the most travelled world leaders in history, visiting 129 countries during his pontificate. Etc, etc. We are really proud of him and you can see that - everywhere there is his name, a looot of monuments etc.

- Lech Wałęsa - statesman, dissident, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who served as the first democratically-elected President of Poland.

- Andrzej Wajda - film and theater director. Recipient of an Honorary Oscar, the Palme d'Or, as well as Honorary Golden Lion and Honorary Golden Bear Awards.

- Roman Polański - film director, producer, writer, and actor. There was a quite big scandal with him - no comment.

- Robert Kubica - he became the first and only Polish driver to compete in Formula One.

- Anja Rubik - supermodel, activist, philanthropist, and businesswoman.

- Adam Małysz - former ski jumper and rally driver, one of the most successful athletes in the history of the sport.

- Wisława Szymborska - poet, essayist, translator and recipient of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature.

- Robert Korzeniowski - the best walker in the world, he won 4 gold medals at the Olympics (Atlanta, Sydney and Athens).

- Izabella Scorupco - actress, singer, and model. She is perhaps best known for having played Bond girl Natalya Simonova in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye. 

- Justyna (Justi, JB) Biel - Polish butterfly with Latin blood, author of this (and the other) blog. Known by you, one day by others as well.   

and much much more!

11. Alcohol

Yes, I know, I shouldn’t forget about the most important - vodka. Yes we drink it, yes, on the parties, birthdays, etc. Yes, shots. We drink shot of vodka and then one/two/many sips of juice/coke/water/etc.

But come on, I don’t get why it horrifies you. Like vodka is 40%, rum, whisky, gin - all which you drink is also 40% and for me has even worse taste (especially gin, uff please don’t offer me that, never). Or tequila! Madre mía.

We don’t drink vodka with the dinner, like many people do with wine. Wine is also kind of alcohol I would like to remind.

And yes, we love beer a lot. And normal glass of beer is 0.5l - we don’t have smaller ones.

So, I hope... since now when I ask you to drink vodka on the before party - please, don’t be afraid and drink it with me, I’ll appreciate it! 

Ok. I think that’s all. I hope that since now your image of Poles and Poland is much better - the correct one. Here you have everything in one picture xDD

[yamagache]

26, 8, and 20!

Oh Jkl-fff what would I do without your random bouts of friendship! 😊 thank you for indulging me in a fun ask meme. You truly are too good for this world.

26. Three favourite non-English songs.

Hmm what I like about my taste in music is that I have no favorite genre or stay in my lane when it comes to the language barrier with music.

If it sounds good, it’s on my phone.

With that said, what I like does tend to change like the seasons, so I’ll pick three songs that never get old no matter what state of mind I’m in. 😊

1. Dernière Danse by Indila (A great bop!!) - French

2. Hello Hello by FT Island (The song structure is so interesting to listen to that when it comes up on my shuffle I have to listen to it XD) - Korean I think.

3. Sexy Als Ik Dans by Nielson (found this one playing on the radio when I was visiting family in Belgium) - Dutch

8. Three songs that remind you most of summer and vacation.

Oooo what a tuffie. Cause like my favorite season is fall so finding songs for that is easy. Summer not so much. But I guess I can find some songs that make me think of vacations.

1. I See Love by Jonas Blue ft. Joe Jonas (Yes I did 100% found this song watching hotel translyvania 3. Everyone goes on vacation!!! It’s the perfect song and a real bop!!)

2. Mermaids and Poets by Ruby Summer (If this doesn’t scream beach vacation I don’t know what does. Also confession time, this is in my Mabifica Playlist cause this song also screams the Gravity Falls gang and Norman having a good ol time on the beach.)

3. LDN by Lily Allen (The vibe this song gives me, is a hot HOT hot day in summer. The deceptively happy tune with negative lyrics is a ride on its own)

20. Three songs that remind you of the person who sends this one.

So like three songs I associate with you Mr Jkl-fff? Hmm... Never gave that much of a thought honestly. To brandish a person with a specific song is not something I normaly do with real life people. Now Cartoon characters? All the time! I mean I have a Parapines playlist!! (And mabifica + others lol)

But I take up this challenge nonetheless! 💪🏻

1. Rain by The Script. (Ok so I have three songs that I heavily associate with Parapines. And two of them I kinda also associate with the two driving forces for me finding this pairing. You @jkl-fff and @niczka. Without you too I wouldn’t be who I am today. Cheesy I know. The song I associate with @niczka is Undertow by Ane Brun. It’s Parapines for me all the way and makes me think of her heart warming yet sometimes heart crushing Fan Fics. The third song is I Move On by Sintel very Parapines. But back to you. You get Rain cause as bad as it sounds you get the male singer and she got the female singer. Does that say something about me? Maybe. But that’s my brain for yeah. This song is very Parapines for me. And when I hear it I automatically think of you and your fan fics. Good shit. Real good shit.)

2. How Do You Sleep? by Sam Smith (Is it cause he’s gay? Yes. All of the yes. And it’s great! 🏳️‍🌈 this song makes me smile much the same way I smile whenever I read your thoughts on any number of posts you give your opinion on. You have a way of making me learn things without making me feel bad for being ignorant about it in the first place. Is it cause your a teacher? No. Cause I’ve had shitty teachers. Your just a genuinely curious guy who’s learned a lot and got to a point where you can passionately teach others what you’ve learned. And I wish to be you one day. Wisdom wise. ☺️👌🏻

3. The Wolf by SIAMÉS (Why? Couldn’t tell yeah. I just thought to myself ‘what’s the first song that comes to mind when I think of the name Jkl-fff? And this is what came up. What it means and what it stands for? Don’t know. But it’s a good song and your a good person? ... sigh what a stretch. Lol.

Welp i tried!! And I had a lot of fun with this!!! Thank you again. 💚😙

[sunnyville36]

oooo you’re italian, are you?

and gosh that sounds so fun! i hope you have a wonderful time 🥰🥰🥰

and nope, it’s summer here HAHAHAHA scorchingggggg hot. well– not really. it’s not so bad today bcs of the rain but yeah still rather warm. i’d love to go be in a cold location rn :’) i love winter. it makes me feel so warm inside. like… it’s cold, but it forces you to stay bundled up in warm, fuzzy clothes and drink comforting warm soups and drinks, and cuddle up close with loved ones to share heat 🥺

truly the warmest, fuzziest season 💛

- ☃️

I’m American, but my mom’s family is of Italian descent, so we make the same food and things like my great-grandparents did!

I also prefer winter/colder weather!! You can’t always make yourself cooler in the heat, but you can always get more bundled up and cozy 🥰☕️

Do you have a favorite warm and/or cold weather activity?

[royalmedani]

What is the terrain/climate of your Kingdom like, and what kinds of outdoor activities are popular there?

Oooo appropriate to my interests question as I have been thinking about this a lot lately. It took me a good while to decide on what the climate system looked like in the Isles but I think I've finally settled on the csb or the "Warm-summer Mediterranean climate." For me that means their summers are reasonably mild but their winters are extremely rainy.

As for the terrain, aside from the mountain chains on the border of Fiedeli and Apricus, most of the area would probably be classified as riverlands and marshes. Unfortunately this also means they tend to have issues with major floods from time to time when the rains get particularly heavy.

So as you can imagine with all this, these are people that are largely defined by their relationship to water and this comes out in their leisure as well. They love river cruising, boat races, fishing, swimming, diving, etc. Just about anything related to the water they are all about, especially in the summer time. There's actually an local Olympics style competition at the end of every summer that includes a lot of variations on on these activities. The teams and people who win are big time celebrities. Dominic and his siblings biological father for example is a famous swimmer.

Also being generally a flat place, horses took quite well to the environment when they were brought over by continental invaders some 650 or so years ago. So wealthier folks especially like to take part in horse related pursuits. Ima for example owns a very large animal "ranch" of sorts not too far from her ceremonial home where she raises horses and dogs for sport purposes.

Another major outdoor activity popular in the isles is Kingball, which came over with Atrean pirates during their incursions a couple centuries ago. There's an outdoor public court in practically every town and people get pretty worked up over their local team.

Anyway, there's so much more I could talk about regarding this topic but I think this is probably long enough of and covers what was actually asked about. Thank you for asking and letting me ramble about this.

[leatherbookmarking]

in which this humble shrimp tries to say something substantial about 黑白#K, starting from #2: Free me

SUBSTANTIAL lmao what a joke i am but a ball of ‘wow!!! nice!!! oh yeah!!!’

THIS SONG FUCKS AND ALSO SLAPS i had to fucking Pause as the second half dropped because ohhhh my god. so far this album is wonderfully creepy and wet in that both songs could easily play in the bg of a movie scene where a character is Having An Emotion Or Trying To Hide It In The Rain After Dark. the texture? of kk’s voice is So Nice, both light and slightly hoarse, like very lightly carbonated water or an article of clothing made from fabric that’s full of Holes.

moments when i !ed: that soft chuckle (reminded me of yoongi! get well soon dude) and please. hnnnng

okay. okay, this song has it all. elegant and creepy instrumentals! a more hiphoppy second verse! Guitars! (hey kuankuan do you know agust d and have you heard the last? asking for a me)

i understand why it’s his favourite because Yep

03. 决堤!

oooo a classic ballad but i dearly appreciate the guitars, esp the high-pitched tone that begins in the intro and carries over through the verse(s?). also maybe it’s just me, but it feels like in his own house lol he’s... slightly less carbonated? as in, he still is, but not as much as in other songs. good! i love his clear voice, and ahhh in this track there are moments where he hits this lllllow voice and it’s so nice, so warm.

this song in general has a pretty warm, end-of-summer colour? at least for me, for some reason? can’t wait/i’m shaking in fear of when someone translates the lyrics. someone on twt said they’re all sad and horny. this is my celeb crush brain speaking but can’t say i’m surprised

04. 重心偏移

ahhh so it’s this song, and not the last one! who knew!! godddd i missed it lol

okay, i guess i could call this song fucky if the bass was a bit more pronounced, it’s got this really nice mix of airy/light and low (thanks to the occasional bass and kk’s voice, aaaaaaa dude pls)

is this weird for me to say i like the hmmmm Noises? the alarm clock-ish one at the end of the intro and now the phone call sound. and a fadeout! Yes Thank You Nice

05. S

(obligatory haha @ the title)

SQUINTS AT THE LYRICS does he title drop the previous song wwwww

ohhh okay this one is more whimsical? lighter? ahhh i can’t find a good word. slightly fucky, even, perhaps. it’s def catchy, his higher notes in the chorus are very Yes Nice and the tattata parts just add to this (vague gesture) lying on your bed dead frog style thinking about things, and also stuff vibe

also lol @ welcome to the club of Rappers Who Say Girl

06. 备忘录

ah, this is the second one he played an excerpt of in that one live! very chill and nice but not without the Slightly Off feeling. i think the slight change of the mood that comes with the chorus reminds me of some other song i’ve heard before but i Can’t Say Which lol

mmm yeah Yes i really like the Sounds that happen in his songs, like you have this (again catchy. is it the song or is it me) melodic line but also some crackling in the bg, something that sounds like rain pattering against an umbrella, ahhh i dig it also damn the songs pass by really fast when i’m trying to write down my thoughts lol

07. 失语之前

fun thing, i’m assuming the last two characters mean something like “before (something)”; but then 失语, according to wiktionary, can mean either ‘to experience a partial or total loss of speech skills’ (so basically, aphasia?) or ‘to misspeak, miscommunicate’. jisho (a japanese dictionary because i can’t help myself) also adds the more talking-around-the-issue meaning of ‘forgetting the words; inability to pronounce a word correctly’. 有意思。

ah we are starting with Low kuankuan, yes nice nice thank you oh that one was so sweet. and then melting into milkis voice!

oh the drums are really nice in this one...! adding to the dramatic aura ww;;

his voice seems particularly hm. hmmmm Wet? slightly wobbly here, it sounds really nice with the instrumentals that sound a bit like FUCK DON’T END ON ME like a sound equivalent of diffusion. vibrating and vanishing in the air, something like that. and the end! i always love an interrupted, alarm siren-like noise. Yes

08. ES

ensemble stars? eternal summer?

OPEN YOUR EYES!! greetings from ateez

god fuck the chorus happened so fast when i was still collecting my thoughts, why is time a thing that exists!!! also, isn’t it boring if i say i love it all the time!!!

anyway, this album is a Gift, so many good hoarse low kuankuans. the chorus! hnnn

noises return! the airy atmosphere from the previous track returns and Intensifies and aaaaaah that was a nice high note yes good good sweet thank you ohhh this boy has a voice

his english lines sound so smooth and 😳

09. Free Me (J)

ohhhhhhh so THIS is the version of the song from the teaser!!! opera fuckery! creepy plink plink!!! gun cocking noise! yes!!! yesssssssss creepy haikuan my beloved

oh fuckkkkk this one has a second verse instead of a rap verse and DOES his voice do THINGS!!! the way he does 灰尘 holy fuck that’s Good and i Enjoy it (while also having a single corpsefuckening laugh lol i’m really curious about the lyrics now)

OH WHISPERING, ARE WE, I SEE and the slight key (?) raise in the v last chorus!!! and the fadeout!! aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh

10. 对你说!!!

ooo another ballad, this one’s definitely more suited for a last track! this one is slightly more bare, often with just the strings and kk’s voice until oh!! electric guitar! my king your fucking brain

omg is that a harmonica :’‘) end of summer feels intensify :’)

ah no but it’s really working for me. high notes (violins in the bg, piano) mid (?) notes (kuankuan) + low notes (cello!!!) = ahh shrimp is satisfied.

and his voice gets so light/airy/quiet at the end! ‘我不懂留恋’ :’)

OVERALL THOUGHTS: none, i’m just wiggling in Yes!!!

honestly, i was kind of excited-but-anxious about this release because What If It’s Not My Jam, or if it’s all Chill Hiphop Beats but in that bland way that i forget the second after the song is over? yeah well! nope! it’s a good album. It’s A Good Album Brent! and it’s... really nice because yes, he did work w/ the same people on most of the songs, so it should be expected, but at the same time there really is a kind of, hmm, Style? Theme? that’s coherent and the songs go well together without sounding the same. i really loved the instrumentals and you can see a lot of work went into them -- it’s like! details in a piece of art, but musically! and voice-wise, ohhh was i satisfied! kk can really amp up the carbonation in his voice, and i think i’ve said a couple of times that i’m not exactly a fan of it, but here -- yeah! sometimes his voice Was carbonated, but not to an extent that would bother me, and it was balanced by the times when he got either very low or quite high, and i do adore when he does that! his voice can get so sweet when he goes particularly high and i! am! a big! fan!!!

tl;dr RATTLES THE CAGE OF MP3LESS WESTERNER EVEN MORE