#or summer on the coast or smth

[rambleonaud]

My human lizard of a brother who loves heat: This is my ideal temperature.

Me, sweating, overstimulated and generally inoperable in the heat: I know you aren't bragging but it doesn't make me want to stab you any less

[ferociouslycreativemystery]

So is there an actual reason that they don't sell the haribo crocodiles over here or is it just to piss me off specifically?

[lovevalley45]

u know maybe i'm not a fan of this ep bc i would never want to go back to being a kid

[malusokay]

maluuu thanks for always posting!! :) my day actl does get better when i see your posts, the monthly mail is smth i look forward to

in regards to the journaling prompt one, what is summertime sadness...? ik it as a lana del rey song and when i googled it thats what came up too, idk if i got the context right fjjkdjd

I think the definition of "summertime sadness" is different for everyone. To me personally, the end of summer feels like the true ending of the year. People always talk about seasonal depressions when it comes to autumn/winter, but for me, the hardest seasons are always spring and summer; I feel like I lose parts of myself and get more emotionally vulnerable, nostalgic, drowsy, and melancholic during the warmer months, and return to my usual present, focused and happier self when autumn comes around.

regarding the journaling prompt "Do you feel the summertime sadness?" I personally would answer it somewhat like this just to give a little example:

things have been difficult in probably every aspect of life lately. A new academic year starting soon, moving once again, and of course, the summer situationionships that have caused endless sleepless nights. If it wasn't for Mo (one of my dearest friends) I probably would have lost my mind. The busyness of the coast (I currently live in Marbella) is getting to my head, and even if I do manage to catch some sleep, I feel restless; I'm truly yearning for the calmness of autumn.

[restlesspazzi04]

somebody asked if there was any music i listen to while writing but i cant find it, but here is a my full fledged response for anon

one of my writing rituals is that i pick one or two songs to listen to while writing a chapter/scene to get me into the mood for what im trying to write

so if u want to listen to smth while u read this would be my recs as it's what i listened to while writing each chapter of slow falling

chapter 1: welcome and goodbye by Dream, Ivory

got me in a nostalgic mood for this chapter bc i wanted the shock of their loss of contact after introducing how they met to feel the way this song makes me feel

chapter 2: animal by neon trees

their first kiss, so yeah

chapter 3: home by Edward Sharpe

its funny because a pazzi edit to home is what got me into writing this fic

state fair chapter was probably as fluffy as it was because of this song bc the idea of them being each others homes is too cute

chapter 4: little bit by lykke li

felt right for this chapter ngl but also i j like this song a lot idk

chapter 5: champagne coast by blood orange

mostly bc i rly like this song but also because that was the vibe i was trying to go for with the lakeside/summer vibe of nostalgia

kinda wanted to emulate the soulmates vibe they give and this song gave me that vibe idk

edit: birds of a feather by billie for essentially all of these chapters forgot abt that

im a massive writing nerd and don't have any other outlet for this other than tumblr so hope i didn't over explain for anon lol

also idk if this is a spoiler but chapter 6's song is probably going to be house of balloons by the weeknd bc of the you belong to me part ngl but it might change so idk

lmk if this is smth ugs wanted to know and if not j ignore this post this is all for anon lol

[pancakehouse]

wip snip sunday !

tagged by everybody's fav genius @wolfpants xx

But Sirius glances back, just once, before pushing into the restroom. And he’s hit with nearly the same expression he first saw ten years ago now. On a hot summer’s day, two courts down, right off the coast of the Mediterranean. Those same bright brown eyes and overlong lashes. That softly parted mouth, chapped lips, cheeks flooding with colour -- in surprise, or perhaps embarrassment.  That slow blink of recognition.  They look at each other, and Sirius swallows hard. Remus opens his mouth like he’s going to say something, but then a hand reaches out – whoever he’s with still hidden behind the light beam – and tangles into those humidity-blown curls, gripping tightly.  Remus stills, but he doesn’t look away from Sirius. Just watches him, unmoving, shadows carving out the edges of his face. Pressure thuds against Sirius’ sternum. Tension wrangles in his chest; tension – and something else. Something that twists at the sight of Remus still on his knees, at his hair all messed up from someone’s fingers, at the fact that hours previous Sirius finally said it and now Remus is here, so if he wanted to, he could–  Sirius turns away, ducks quickly into the men’s.

hiii if ya wanna share smth @colgatebluemintygel @mblematic @sectoren @mostlyoptimisticdinosaur + open OBV mwaah !!

[azrail-has-a-vendetta]

oh my fucking god. STORY TIME

I got lost while driving today and ended up in front of a PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS’ building. I looked them up, it’s legit, I read the reviews and the first one is GOLD it’s like a mini episode.

I need 4 seasons and/or a podcast. I’m ready to make this my entire personality, just ummm here (this is probably illegal or smth):

“I used their services in the summer of 2015 and was assigned Nicholas. He is former British military and has an incredible attention to detail. I was contacted by him almost immediately and was in touch with him in real time throughout several periods of the investigation. His reporting was thorough and unbiased, with extensive detail on locations, times and pictures that proved to be a difference maker legally. Those are things I expected when I decided to pay for investigative services.

What surprised me, pleasantly, was Nicholas' empathy and compassion throughout the investigation. There were several moments that proved too difficult to hear or see. In each of those instances, Nicholas was both brutally honest (at my request) and offered a much needed ear for me to vent and process. It was like an old friend helping me through a very difficult few moments. He didn't have to listen, or be there for me. But he was. After his services were rendered and paid we kept in touch every few months. He asked about my personal situation and I updated him on the good that came from his work. We even shared some laughs about topics not related to the investigation. I have never seen his face or shaken his hand, but would take his call or answer a text at any hour of the day. And I forgot the mention, I live on the east coast, and did throughout the investigation. I was compelled to write this public review because of this kinship, over a year later.”

bro what the fuck? I have never seen his face or shaken his hand, but would take his call or answer a text at any hour of the day.

I am CRYING, how do I get a job shadow or internship here?

also how do you get a license in stalking?

I swear I’m normal now. (I’m a lier)

[ireallyliketalldarksultrymen]

17, 12, 21 for the asks

omg thanks for the ask rors!

my earliest obsession might’ve been the sound of music?? i think, cause my mom always made my siblings and i watch it. that or mlp (i got so many mlp ponies for christmas once and i think might’ve taken off their heads and put it on each others bodies 😭😭)

rn my favorite commercial is smth silly; it’s for a cereal brand (i forgot which ahhh) and like a character seemingly leaves the house for something and their spouse thinks the coast is clear so they pull out the cereal, and they talk to it like they’re having a secret affair or something?? idk it’s hard to explain. anyways the other comes back overhearing this and is like “yk i’ll always accept you!!” and their spouse shows them the cereal and goes “i’m sorry baby 🥺🥺🥺” and the other character is like “OHHHH you were talking about the cereal”

i’m fairly certain my first celebrity crush was marina or uhhhhh josh groban (im gettinf flashbacks to my obsession with him last summer. those were horrible horrible times)

[lestappenforever]

Here for the unusual asks stuff !!

41,94 . Also, i wanna add smth of my own .

I'm assuming you live in Norway. So , have you gone on one of those road trips with those jaw dropping views that the internet talks so much about? I love those kinda places so much . Norway seems like such a dreamy place to live . Do you really see that kinda view often?

I'd love to know the answers , if you're comfortable sharing them.

Have a nice day :)

DK, my darling, thank you so much! ❤️

41. top 10 favorite songs Ooof, this is a tough one, and it changes all the time. But currently, I'd have to go with:

1. You're Losing Me - Taylor Swift 2. Trust Me Mate - Dean Lewis 3. Empty Room - Jamie Miller 4. champagne problems - Taylor Swift 5. Cruel Summer - Taylor Swift 6. Calm Down - Rema & Selena Gomez 7. Endless Summer - Alan Walker & Zak Abel 8. Wish You The Best - Lewis Capaldi 9. The Middle - Jay Filson 10. How Do I Say Goodbye - Dean Lewis

94. favorite lyrics right now "'Cause there's a light gone from your eyes Like the whole world's not as bright until you find another high There's so much pain inside your voice And you try to drown it out with anything to fill the void" - Trust Me Mate by Dean Lewis.

As for your final question: I do live in Norway, yes, and I can confirm that those breathtaking views are every bit as breathtaking in real life, and it's so easy to experience. You can practically drive from anywhere, in any direction and experience some truly wonderful sights here in Norway.

I'm originally from a city on the west coast, but I've lived in Oslo for eight years, which is on the east coast, so I've driven from there and to my hometown many, many times, and there are so many roads you can take just for that distance alone that lets you see some truly gorgeous parts of Norway. So yes, you definitely get to see those kinds of views if you go on a road trip here, regardless of whether you drive west, east, north or south!

I hope you're having a wonderful Tuesday. ❤️

[theclowncowboy]

thanks for the tag @headgehug and thank u for not color of the skying me <3 gbless

relationship status: very single (happily, but that doesnt stop one from yearning)

favorite color: forest green, burnt oranges, dark browns, any blues, blood red (earthy tones>jewel tones)

3 favorite foods: i can fuck up any pasta, soup, or yalanchi u put in front of me (where i live its very hard to come by good yalanchi but its fine we prevail) if we wanna go into specific (we=me) ill say chicken marsala, fiedo soup and yalanchi :3 

song stuck in my head: .......1882 wings. as it has been for the past fucking 12 days 

last thing i googled: ive been using this website called ���songslikex” in an attempt to expand my taste a bit :) last song i was trying to find smth similar to was “im your man” leonard cohen 

dream trip(s): like prev said a roadtrip in america is like. yeah. ive been really wanting to go to the east coast (ive never been? always wanted to see Maine being a big nerd about stephen king movies, and boston/pittsburgh) uhh even a europe road train trip would be amazing. i might get the chance to study abroad in italy next summer so cheers to that! 🍻

time: 10:44 am :( im tired

anything i really want rn: to go back to BED.. i didnt go to sleep till 4 am. also sushi. <3 

tagging uhh: @dickiemcgee @synchroonicity uhhh thats all i can think of SORRY no obligations obviously...if anyone else has urges to do it tho just lie.....ill edit the post for u :p

[dykefever]

been so so cold and so so jealous of the people of the southern hemisphere experiencing the Bliss that is summer and i know you are not there either and hate to put salt in the wound BUT tell me smth about australia! something you miss or love! anything!! xoxo

hi gorgeous beautiful liv xxxx

i’m feeling a little nostalgic for australian summer but i do love the cold!! i am missing the beaches and specifically the beach days my friends and i would take to the gold coast + missed the jacarandas blooming all over brisbane this year which is always so beautiful and signals spring is here/summer is coming :-)

[polandspringz]

journaling

So my 23rd bday just happened. It wasn’t bad at all, I just did a small thing with my family- breakfast at a local place w my mom, we actually got two cakes for me this year (the carvel snowman ice cream cake I have every year, and then a more custom real cake ordered from Stop and Shop bc I wanted to try out smth new this year), and my sister ordered door dash from a big restaurant for all of us + we watched Barbie which my dad had yet to see

I enjoyed it. It was a good day. I relaxed.

But I always feel weird on my birthday. Well not always, but the past few years I’ve felt weird.

It’s not about the aging, it’s more about what I’m supposed to be DOING. No matter how hard I try, I always feel disappointed, complacent. Like something’s missing.

I made a post a week or so ago about “kids who have a birthday after Christmas unite”, because part of it stems from that, but I can either give a BIG lead up of all the reasons why first or I can just. Say what I want first and make it easier but either way it’s difficult for me.

It’s really. Like really hard for me to say what’s on my mind because I know how it will sound. Selfish.

I guess deep down I kind of want a big birthday. I want it to be a big deal, for my friends, not just my family, to shower me in attention, to make me feel special. I want a big party, I want presents. I want friends to invite me out somewhere and for them to surprise me with something planned just for me.

I’ve felt this way for a while. But I don’t voice it, I’ve been bottling it up, and there’s are multiple reasons why I 1) don’t voice it and 2) feel this way.

The first is that is selfish sounding. We covered that one. But let’s get into the other reasons.

The first is my birthday falls so close to Christmas. I know everyone is broke afterwards, and while my family doesn’t give me combined gifts and have always made sure to give me an equal amount of gifts for my birthday and Christmas despite the cost my parents have endured from doing this, they tried to make me never feel that way. However I know for others it’s more difficult financially. This isn’t something I’m like DEMANDING from my friends, it’s more that I wish my birthday was in a different month, a little further off from the other holiday, because I buy them gifts for Christmas and their birthday, but I understand and know I’ll sound selfish for saying it out loud. I don’t really judge them or resent them for not getting me birthday gifts, it’s just a part of this weird longing feeling inside of me.

That leads into the next reason though- the month I was born in. Being born in the East Coast of the USA means January is cold and often snowy. In elementary school I was one of the only kids with a birthday in January in my grade. Everyone else had summer birthdays. I was always envious of the kids with cool parties, specifically pool parties, or at places like Nail Salons or (ESPECIALLY) build a bear. But either my parents couldn’t afford to do a party like the nail salon and (actually there’s an “incident” involving this) build a bear. But also the weather ruled out any pool parties. 90% of my childhood birthday parties were at bowling alleys. I’ve come to resent that experience. Today’s birthday was actually kind of a mess when it came to ordering food because we have a state of emergency due to weather conditions, and we weren’t sure the door dashers would be able to arrive on time with the food due to road closures if we ordered from one certain place.

Next reason is media and just having an older sister. Media like television shows and movies and books and games always have a cliche of like a big party or a just a really cool looking birthday party. Of course that’s going to shape the idea of what you think and feel you “should” be doing on your birthday. And having an older sister who was in high school while I was in middle school (and graduated right as I entered said high school) gave me some sort of fantastic expectations about birthdays. I would hear stories about my sister and her friends decorating each other lockers, something that I remember arriving early to school to do for my friends, because I wanted it to happen to me, so in a reverse golden rule, I did onto others as I wanted them to do onto me. To be honest, I can’t remember if someone ever decorated my locker for me. It’s been years now. I want to say they didn’t, but I feel like there’s an off chance that it happened once, so I don’t want to rule it out. But that sort of learning expectations bled into stuff outside of high school. My sister is lucky to have a birthday in May, right before the weather gets unbearably hot. Her friends have surprised her by driving her to picnics and things like that, planning whole days of activities and food for them to celebrate.

I’ve always wanted an experience like that. But I’m born in January, and I know a big problem is that I’m always so busy. I don’t want to fault anyone for not doing that because I know I have an impossible schedule that unless people check with me or just let me plan our hang out activities it won’t happen because I need to organize everything within my life. So again, I don’t fault anyone or am upset this doesn’t happen, it’s just that I wish it would. It’s the same thing with the lockers in that, because I don’t have it, I try to make sure others do. I tried to do a picnic for my friends’ birthday one year, and while it was a very fun experience, we’re all very different people and have food tastes/allergies/preferences, so rather than being a dream-like “we all share a big picnic with fun foods” it was more like everyone brought their own thing and sat around and even then we barely ate anything. It was a fun day and a good way to celebrate my friends, but it’s another case where I dread what would happen if anyone but myself organized something like that, or what would happen if we all tried to do something like that for my birthday.

It’s just a weird feeling. I don’t know how else to put it. I always get in this weird funk days before Christmas and then it bleeds over it my birthday. The anticipation of all year waiting for these holidays to come ago, but right before they happen this sort of depression hits me. Like “oh Christmas is tomorrow, it’s already OVER” and same with my birthday, it’s already over. I don’t know how else to describe most of my feelings without sounding like I’m just screaming “I want to feel special!” Like a spoiled child. It’s just. Longing. I’m unfortunately a very materialistic person, so I always want presents, I always want gifts, lol. These are just the thoughts that have been circling through my head throughout the day. I’ve tried channeling them into writing before (one of my Designing in Devildom fics is about this desire) because I don’t know how to voice these things without being scared, without feeling like I’ll be perceived as selfish). When I was going to therapy I briefly touched on these topics with the therapist, and he did talk to me about just. Communicating what I want because we can’t just assume people know what we are thinking and feeling, and really communication is key, but it’s just awkward. Awkward and uncomfortable to voice this feeling inside of myself that wants MORE when I feel like/know that it’s selfish sounding to ask for more. It’s not that I don’t appreciate doing things within my family only, but despite my social anxiety I’ve been cursed with a mind that craves the spotlight. I want to feel special and regarded as such on my birthday. I want to have things done with me that I don’t have to plan or anxiously keep track of. I want to be gifted things. And it just feels weird. And wrong to ask.

[caspianxth]

hey bestie!! i Can only hOpe you’Re doing good. what’s somethiNg you’ve had on your Mind lately? personally, i’ve been Under a lot of stress with school and work (i got my First job recently!), but other than that im doing pretty good. on another note, are you excited For eras tour to start!!? i’m so pumped and excIted to see taylor and meet people at my show in tampa. see you sooN!

oh my goodness hi!!! I am pretty good, I'm done with 2/3 of my graduate classes for the semester and I passed both of them (we have a weird schedule but essentially I take one class at a time but do a whole semester of work in a month) so my first semester of grad school is off to a great start! and the listings for summer classes should be coming out soon!! I'm sorry ur under stress tho, working and school can be super tough I worked 32 hours and took 15-18 credit hours during my undergrad and it was Brutal so I feel u. I hope it gets less stressful for u soon!!!

pal (pls know I mean pal-affectionate! I'm just weird and the only 20smth I know that says pal sorry) I am sO EXCITED for the eras tour I was fortunate enough to have a friend who was able to get she and I tickets through the like ticketmaster direct email system thingy and it's on a night that a lot of our friends are going too!!! so we get to meet up before and after the show which will be so fun we talk a lot but most of them live on the east coast and I do not so I don't see them as much as I want. but now I get to see most of them and also taylor in the same day!! v exciting!! ! I'm so hyped for u to be able to meet ppl at ur tampa show too!!!!!!! do u have a costume!!! I have a costume idea but idk if I have the drive to execute it tho so I might like get fabric markers and make a shirt or smth idk yet but ur gonna have so much fun I'm so excited!!!!

[parcai]

summer bops honestly hit different in the wrong season

[formulawonu]

back to you / daniel ricciardo

(not my gif! credits to the owner <3)

part two of this!

warnings: nothing much just kinda bittersweet again :/ but a bit more hopeful ? idk

summary: bumping into daniel months after your summer getaway with him and catching up on life with the hope that something more may still happen

a/n: hi i've been so mia skdujghdjhs was going through some stuff and had writer's block or smth but it's here! it's a little late but this is in celebration of daniel's monza win i am forever so proud of this dude! slowly getting through the requests i am so sorry it's taking forever <//3 but enjoy this one! kinda rusty and not proofread oops. oh what i would give to walk the streets of Italy with Daniel

The elevator stops just a floor after you’ve gotten on. You’re on the 16th floor so it’s normal that someone else gets on before you reach the ground floor. You don’t pay attention as you’re looking at a text message on your phone. “Erm… Excuse me…” The voice pauses. “Y/N?” You look up, confused that someone has just said your name. You’re only in Italy for 24 hours for a delayed stopover. It takes you a moment to process who is standing beside you. “Michael?!” The man just a few feet from you is someone you haven’t seen in a little over half a year. The last time you saw him was on a small island off the coast of Spain. “It can’t be you! Oh my god.” There was no mistaking the familiar accent. You both share a look then burst out laughing, partly because of the absurdity of the chances of bumping into each other in an elevator and partly because of the memories of the summer that you both spent in each other’s company with your friends resurfacing. “Does Daniel know you’re here?!”

Daniel. A name you hadn’t heard or spoken in a while. You had been devastated the moment your plane had taken off and left the island that time a few months ago — along with Daniel and the sweet memories that remained between the two of you. You smile at the name. “No, I’m here for a layover that got delayed. Are you guys here for vacation?” Michael laughs. “No… We’re actually here for a race. We decided to fly in a bit earlier than everyone.” It all made sense to you now. It was a Monday but you had wondered for a second if it was just normal that most people walked around wearing Ferrari merch. You did know Italy was big on Ferrari. “No way! I haven’t been catching up with the season actually. This is crazy… Enchanté, I guess?” You both laugh at the phrase. “Daniel’s gonna be pleased to see you.” You and Daniel hadn’t really tried making the whole friend?ship thing work after your short rendezvous on the island. Sure, you had texted a bit when the trip was still fresh but as time progressed, communication just stopped naturally and you had been fine with that. Of course, there was always the question of what ifs and what could’ve beens but you never really bothered diving too deep into it. What you had experienced with him on your little island was enough for you.

“Is he doing well? I haven’t spoken to him since the trip actually… Neither have I spoken to you! Are you well?” The elevator was fast approaching the ground floor now; there was only so little time an elevator ride could buy you. Michael nods. “Yeah, we’ve both been okay! Kind of busy with the whole season going on but we’re alright. You?” The elevator dings open. You both step out of the lift, still chatting. “I’m doing great too! Forever traveling here and there.” You both laugh and you can tell this is where the conversation naturally ends. “Well, I’ve gotta head out and deal with things but I’ll be sure to tell Daniel I bumped into a pleasant surprise.” He pauses to wink. “It was so great seeing you. How long are you here for?” You nod understandingly. “It was great seeing you too! I’m here for,” You pause to check your watch. “A little less than a day then I’m off to somewhere in Norway.” Michael frowns at the timeline. “How unfortunate you won’t reach the race. Anyway, I’m off! Don’t be a stranger.” You wave goodbye and head off to your favorite café in the city.

The smell of coffee beans and the sound of coffee shop soundtrack in the background feels like home to you. You’re sitting in a table by the window, watching people walk by and live their own lives. It’s the table that you personally feel is yours every time you come to Italy. Far away from the entrance and if you angled yourself well enough, it felt as if you weren’t even in the place. Life is great. You think about your chance encounter in the elevator with Michael and how you could’ve easily gone your whole time here without knowing they were even town. How silly the universe works. You think about whether you’re actually going to see Daniel or not. Sure, Michael had said he was going to mention you but who even knew if Daniel even wanted to see you? What would you both even say to each other? The possibility that maybe you both had gotten along so well with each other solely because you were both in the same place at the same time then suddenly feels so real to you. What if you both actually had nothing to talk about? Your phone buzzing snaps you out of your thoughts.

3:57PM

I thought I told you not to come stalk me whenever I had races in your area?

Laughter comes naturally, something you always did whenever Daniel was around. It was one of the last few things he had told you when you had said goodbye to each other all those months ago. You type out an easy reply.

3:58PM

You finally noticed! I was getting ready to give up back at the last race. Took you long enough.

3:58PM

Thought I kept seeing someone in the corner of my eye at the track. Sneaky. Where are your whereabouts?

3:58PM

Who’s the stalker now?

3:59PM

Fair play. If I say please, will you tell me where you are? A little bird told me time is ticking quite fast today.

This is one of the things you had missed the most about him. The light back and forth that flowed so easily between the two of you. Your stomach drops at the thought of spending time in Italy with Daniel. You imagine him seated beside you, telling you about something incredible that’s happened to him. You think about his huge smile and how great it always felt to be the reason it came out, almost always paired with his infectious laughter. Daniel is right though, time is very limited for you both today. You text him the name of the café, a small nook in a small alley that luckily isn’t inhabited with tons of people that usually come into more well-known coffee shops. This is what you liked a lot about the place — if you didn’t know it existed, you didn’t know it existed.

“You stalk other people too? Thought I was special.” You freeze in your seat and your breath catches in your throat. The familiar accent reels you into memories of the smell of the sea, the feeling of sand in your feet, and of summer flings. You hadn’t noticed him come in because you were busy looking out the window, people watching while you tried to gather your thoughts on how the afternoon had turned into something that you had completely not expected. You were supposed to be on the way to Norway. You turn around and you are greeted by arguably your favorite smile in this whole world. “Daniel!” You get up from your seat, stepping into his open arms as if it is second nature. It feels like something you do all the time. His arms wrap around you, his arms tightening as you relax yourself into the hug. He is just as you remember him — you both fit into each other almost perfectly. Just like before.

“So I really can’t get you to skip your flight tomorrow?” Daniel asks as he takes a sip from his coffee across you. You both had fallen into conversation so easily, updating each other on how your lives have been. Daniel was ever busy with the craziness that came with racing all over the world, but you could see how his eyes gleamed with passion as he spoke about what he loved doing most. You could feel the excited energy radiating off of him. It’s such an amazing thing to be able to meet this version of Daniel; it makes you appreciate him even more. “Wish you asked me that back in Spain.” You reply, winking at him. “But no, I really wish I could but I have to catch the flight or else my friend is going to actually kill me.” “One, I did say you could rebook your flight back in Spain,” Daniel points out, lifting a finger. “And two, but this is to come watch a race! That I’m racing at, if you didn’t know!” He chimes, wildly gesturing with his hands. You laugh at his enthusiasm. “Yes, Daniel, I’d be incredibly disappointed if you were inviting me to come watch a race you had absolutely no part in.”

“Hey, that wouldn’t be too bad. Any time is a good time.”

You look at him funnily. “You say the oddest things that make sense.”

“It’s another one of my many talents.” He says, winking at you.

Time seems to contradict itself; it feels both slow and sped up as you exchange tons of stories with Daniel that will give you much to think about after you’ve left Italy but the sun is quickly setting and it is nearly dark outside already. “How’d you get here?” Daniel asks. “Believe it or not, I walked here.” Daniel laughs, probably thinking about how you were always so lazy to go on hikes back then during your last vacation. “Well, I did too. We should be heading back, no?” He checks his wrist watch, looking at the time that has passed. “Trying to get rid of me so quickly?” You tease. “Never. I just may be a bit behind schedule for this thing I have with the team.” You nod, standing up and checking your table for anything you might leave behind. Daniel does too and it still feels surreal to you that he is standing right beside you. Everything about him feels unreal: from the way he carries himself to the way he is looking at you, despite the coffee shop filling up just a slight bit more than when you arrived. It is like you are the only person there.

The walk back to the hotel is full of light conversation and the banter you so dearly missed having with him. There were a couple of times your hand briefly came into contact with his and you had been thinking about how silly you are to wish he could hold your hand as you walked down the streets of beautiful Italy. You think about if he wants to hold your hand too but won’t because you’re in public and there have been a couple of people who have recognized the famous driver or if he isn’t even thinking about it at all. “It must be tiring having all of these people look at you all the time.” You say. “Don’t humble yourself, they are probably looking at the beautiful woman walking beside me.” He replies without hesitation, a smile on his face. “Glad you finally admit I’m the good looking one of us two.” “Debatable, but fine, you win.”

“I wish I could take you to my favorite pizza place here.” Daniel says as you both stand outside your hotel room door. It strangely feels like deja vu. “I wish I could see if it’s really as good as you claim it to be.” “You really can’t stay another day? Or until Sunday?” He asks, the brown of his eyes seemingly looking a bit lighter despite the tinted lighting of the hotel hallway. You shake your head. “I really can’t. It’s a shame I bump into you on borrowed time. Feels like timing just doesn’t want it to happen. Can’t you move the race to Norway?” You joke. Daniel pauses to think, pretending to think of how to move a race. “My power can only go so far, I don’t think I can. Your flight’s leaving early morning tomorrow?” You nod in reply. “You’ve got to start picking later flight times!” He says, laughing. “But it’s been so great seeing you, you know that right? Feels like a breath of fresh air.” Daniel opens his arms, just like he had when you first saw him in the coffee shop, and you step into them, wrapping your arms around him. You hug him tight, taking a deep breath because you can already feel your heart dropping at the sadness that will come once it sets in that you don’t know when you’ll next see him again.

“I’m gonna miss you.” You mutter into his shirt. “I’m gonna miss you more.” He whispers, his voice so close to your ear. As you pull away, he plants a short kiss on your cheek. “Take care of yourself. Don’t be a stranger!” “I should be telling you that!” You say, desperately hoping he does not notice the way you are blushing. If he does, he doesn’t say anything. “Don’t forget to take breaks, Dan. I’m always a text away if you need a laugh.” You add, smiling at him. You turn briefly to tap your hotel card into the lock of your room. When you turn back, you catch a fleeting sad expression on Daniel’s face. Without thinking much about it, you quickly plant a kiss on his cheek. What should’ve been cute ends up a mess as you had to tiptoe to reach his face and as you pull away, your forehead bumps into his jaw. “Ouch!” You say, holding your forehead as you both laugh. “So much for a romantic goodbye!” “Well, I was always the romantic one between the two of us.” Daniel points out. “True.” “Goodbye, Y/N.” He says one last time, stepping back. “Goodbye, Daniel.” You step into your room and take one last look at him, trying to remember how he looks in this moment. Your favorite smile in this whole world. Right before you close the door, his voice stops you.

“We’ll find our way back, right?” You tilt your head at his question, the seriousness in his expression something you don’t see often. “I mean, we found our way back to each other in Italy, of all places. You’ll come back to me, right?” You smile at him and say, “As long as you come back to me.” He nods, thinking about it. “I will. We will. We can make it work, can’t we?” You get the feeling that he might be referring to something else but you simply nod, refusing to give into the hope of something that seems nearly impossible. “Of course, I’ve still got a lot of stalking to do.” Daniel breaks out into laughter, it is a hearty one. You’re happy that it is one of the last things you get to do before you say goodbye. “Alright, until our paths cross again!” He says, finally beginning to move closer to the elevator. “Goodbye, Daniel!” You say, waving at him one last time. He lifts two fingers to his forehead, saluting.

Until your paths cross again.

[antihell]

An excerpt of Twisted Stitches (Chapter One)

by @antihell

AUDIENCE: NA POV: 3rd person limited STATUS: writing first draft TW: body horror, homophobia mention WORD COUNT: 938 or smth

There is no way in Hell Oliver Kaito is going to make it through this semester.

Oliver is seated at his desk in his dorm room as he bites at his cuticles, tearing each one from jagged hangnail to root, while his mother incessantly yaps at him over the phone. He spaced out a long time ago, but that’s not unique to his mother. After a long time without sleep, it’s a lot easier for Oliver to coast between that shaky period of sleep and wakefulness. That place is where Oliver calls the shadows, but only to himself. Nobody else really knows the extent of his insomnia. Truth be told, he does not remember the last time he slept.

“Attendance is the easiest grade to get, Oliver! There’s no reason for you to miss points because you skipped class. Oliver? Oliver, this is important! Are you listening to me?” His mom drones on, not waiting for any sort of acknowledgement from her son. “Go to class, Oli. I know you’re struggling. Just- Just go to class, okay?” It’s as if she’s calming herself, collecting her chakras or whatever they’re called before Oliver can even complain. Maybe all those spiritual retreats have been beneficial after all.

“Yeah, okay Mom,” Oliver sighs. “I’ll go to class. Just don’t tell dad about me missing, okay?” His desk is littered with bloody tissues from trying to stop the blood leaking from his fingertips, but to no avail. His finger draws a sticky dot of red on his phone screen as he presses to hang up.

As if on cue, his roommate Carson comes in, surely ready to set into motion some scheme he has come up with to get Oliver laid. Oliver isn’t sure why Carson is so obsessed with his sex life, but he won’t stop Carson from having his fun with it. “Alright,” Carson begins, taking a deep breath, and Oliver is ready to nod along to whatever plan he has cooked up. Nodding along is about as much you’ll get out of Oliver as a response these days. “There’s a girl in my philosophy II class you’ll love. She’s really smart with all that metaphysical science shit you’re into.”

Oliver can’t find it within himself to tell Carson that metaphysical science is kind of an oxymoron. He still hasn’t bothered to tell Carson that he’s gay either. Oliver doesn’t want to spoil the fun for Carson.

“Alright, what’s her name?” Oliver says, pretending to be interested, collecting all his bloodied tissues from his desk and tossing them in the trash bin beneath his desk. He rolls his desk chair around to where Carson is, combing still-bleeding fingers through his hair, getting much too long even for his own standards. His mom would throw a fit if she knew he had not gotten it cut since he left home in the little town outside Spokane for the summer semester 300 miles away.

“Kayla Greene,” Carson replies, as if Oliver should already know who she is. Carson’s eyes are dead focused on his laptop as he looks her up on social media and pulls up her page. “Okay, I know she’s white but…” Carson tells him, trailing off. Oliver has not once said, or implied, that he wouldn’t date a girl that’s white. His mom is white, for God’s sake! Still, Oliver looks more Japanese than his genes, and Carson gets so excited that Oliver doesn’t want to interrupt and trip him up.

The dreary pace of the dorm internet is pretty infuriating sometimes. Her page finally loads, and Oliver is alarmed at first to see how much skin is showing. And he hates how that trips him up. Hates it. He hates how he seems to have inherited some signs of bigotry his dad has always displayed. His dad would probably call Kayla Greene a trollop from what little clothing she is wearing.

“She’s cute,” Oliver says, convincingly enough. Carson seems pleased.

“Yeah? Total stunner, right? And brains, too. I know that stuff matters to you, and shit.”

Oliver, again, hasn’t even had enough time to tell Carson that he wants someone smart to date. Carson just gets those vibes from him. Oliver is frankly comfortable knowing that.

“Also a sophomore,” Carson begins reading off her supposedly attractive traits. “20 years old. Does gymnastics. Philosophy major. Eh? Eh?” Carson finally looks at Oliver to gauge his opinion. Oliver laughs to make his smile appear more genuine.

“Yeah, she’s cute,” Oliver repeats, nodding with fake enthusiasm.

“Just cute? Come on, roomie.” Carson insists on calling Oliver his roomie, even giving it as a nickname, on a regular basis. “She’s into all that mindful crap you’re into.”

This time Oliver’s laugh is genuine. “Alright, I’ll give her a chance.” He tilts Carson’s laptop up so he can see the screen better. She looks like a nice girl. Oliver just is not into girls. He considers telling Carson now. It would save a lot of time and effort. But Carson always gets so excited when he’s setting Oliver up on these potential dates, none of which ever follow through for obvious reasons. Maybe he should just put his sexual orientation up on his profile. But the risk of Oliver’s parents finding that out is far too great. So, Oliver will let Carson have his fun.

“You know dating is not all that important to me, right?” Oliver asks him.

Carson laughs, shutting his laptop. “I know.” He doesn’t seem too upset about it.