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Smoke Eater - Part 2

Pairing: Firefighter!Dean Winchester x F. Reader 

Summary: Dean Winchester is the cocky, but well-respected Lieutenant at Firehouse 25. He leads by example, but he’s also known to break a few hearts. He’s starting to crave something he’s never had, though. Something stable. Something real. 

That’s when he meets you, on a truly terrible day, trapped in a rickety old elevator.   

AN: I was overwhelmed by the response on Part 1 (in the BEST way). 🥹 Thank you so much for everyone who read and sent me your lovely amazing comments! Here's Part 2 a bit early for ya. 😘

🔥 Series Masterlist

Word Count: 6,400 Tags/Warnings: Idiots flirting, with a side of sexual harassment. 😪

Part 2: "Lieutenant Winchester"

Firehouse 25 was just as much a house as it was a home.

Especially for Dean Winchester.

In the common room, he sat down at his preferred corner of the sofa with a cup of coffee. By now, the guys knew this was his spot, perfectly angled toward the new flatscreen TV someone donated last month.

Up until then, they’d had to hotwire the same tank from 1995, which had only got basic cable. Now at least the newer smart TV came with a subscription to Netflix, courtesy of the donor. 

Dean raised his favorite Batman mug to his face, expecting to imbibe some rich dark roast. What he got was a travesty.

Spitting out the brown soil water back into the mug, he coughed and grimaced.

“Jack!” he called out.

Jack Kline, the newest addition to the house, raised his head from where he was trying to scramble eggs in the open kitchen directly behind the couch.

“Yes, Lieutenant?” he replied.

“Why does this coffee taste like ass?” Dean asked. His voice was still gruff with sleep, as he depended on his morning coffee to wake him up, not assault his tongue.

Behind him, Jack blinked in confusion. “Uh…”

Dean finally turned around and gave the younger man a raised brow.

“What brand did you buy, Candidate?” he asked.

A candidate was a freshly graduated firefighter on probation. They were the rookie, the bottom rung of the totem pole, and Jack was that proverbial whipping post.

“Um…” Jack went to find the coffee canister he’d put away in the cupboards. He showed Dean the red plastic jug. “Folgers. It was on sale.”

“Fuck me,” Dean muttered. “Never Folgers, Candidate. Anything but fucking Folgers. The one thing we don’t skimp out on is quality joe.”

“That ain’t nothin’ but dirt water, son,” Benny remarked, as he and Gordon entered the common room. Benny held a to-go mug he’d brought from home. After he’d seen what Jack brought for groceries yesterday, he’d taken no chances.

“What you wanna get is Gevalia,” Benny added.

“That European crap?” said Gordon. He took his usual spot at the dining table, leaning back in his chair. It left Benny to sit at the other end of the couch with Dean.

“Better than that piss water you drink,” Benny said with a smirk. Gordon raised a brow at him.

“Tea is medicinal, jackass.” The Black man raised a finger to punctuate his point. “It’s good for you. Unlike that carburetor fluid y’all drink.”

“Whatever, man,” Dean said, even though a grin edged at his lips. “All I know is, we need premium coffee, stat. Or it’s gonna be a cranky shift.”

“I can go to the store real quick,” Jack offered.

Say what you want about the kid’s poor taste in grocery buying, he was always willing to jump in when you needed him.

“Nah, stay on breakfast,” said Dean. “I’ll go afterwards. But remember, today you’re practicing rappelling drills.”

Jack nodded. “And lunch duty. And helping clean the truck, and all the bathrooms…did I miss anything?”

Dean shared a look with Gordon. Not only did he drive the truck, but he was one of the men Dean relied on most, as he had the next highest seniority on the job out of the whole firehouse.

Well, except for Benny Lafitte, Captain of the Rescue Squad. Squad members were considered specialists in complex rescue situations. They were highly trained on more sophisticated technical rescue equipment and rappelling, even scuba diving.

It took long years for a firefighter to make it onto Squad; something that Dean used to have ambitions for. But ever since he got promoted to Lieutenant on Truck 79, he realized that his role in this house was best served on the Truck, not on Squad.

“If he gets through all that, Meg might have something for him too,” Gordon said.

“Oh, don’t bring me into this,” remarked a droll voice. “I’ve already got one pound puppy to look after.”

Their Paramedic in Charge strode in with Chuck on her heels. They’d just pulled into the firehouse driveway on Ambulance 7.

“Nice. That’s how you talk about your partner of three years?” Chuck said with a frown. Meg turned to him with a wry grin.

“Only the ones who can hack it on my Ambo,” she replied. “What can I say. You’re special, Shurley. Either that, or a glutton for punishment.”

Gordon shook his head and looked over at Jack.

“Careful with that one. She chewed and hacked out her last partner in under a month.”

“Poor guy didn’t even transfer,” Dean added, making a “flatlining” motion with his hand. “He just quit. Dropped out of the Fire Academy that same day.”

Not all firefighters were made through Meg’s department, but it was a common route, working as a paramedic while getting put through your paces in the Fire Academy. Dean himself had gone straight to the Academy after getting his EMT certification.

But at Dean’s words, Jack’s eyes widened a fraction. Meg turned to him with an almost feline smile. 

“How was the call?” Benny asked her, speaking of the job they’d just returned from. Meg’s expression dimmed a little, as did Chuck’s as they both sat down at the table.

“Ah, just Henry again,” she said. “Overdosed on his insulin.”

Benny frowned, while Dean shook his head. Jack’s brows furrowed.

“Who’s Henry?” he asked.

Meg sat back in her chair with a subtle sigh. Knowing his work partner’s mood, Chuck answered the young man’s question.

“He’s homeless, lives by the river,” he said. “He’s one of our ‘regulars,’ you could say. When we get the call, usually he’s passed out. Dehydration. But sometimes it’s more serious.”

“You can’t take him to the hospital?” Jack asked in concern.

“Today we did,” Meg said. Her brown eyes met Jack’s, her mouth in a thin line. “But without health insurance, there’s only so much they can do after they get him stable.”

That fell a bit heavily into the room. It wasn’t a pleasant fact, but it was the reality. Jack was learning more and more about that aspect of this job, and learning if he could handle the darker shades of what it could bring.

“Well, breakfast is ready,” he said, bringing a large plate of eggs and toast onto the counter. Dean tossed him an appreciative half-smile and got up from the couch.

“Thanks, kid,” he said, walking over along with everyone else. He took a moment to pat Jack on the shoulder.

“What do you want to do first: run drills, or help me and Gordon wash the truck?” Dean asked.

Jack looked up with a smile. “Can we run drills first?”

Dean nodded, grinning back at him. “Good answer.”

The rest of the Truck and Squad crews ambled in at both the announcement and the smell of food. And before long, the common room was filled with conversation, good-natured teasing, and shitty coffee all around.   

From his vantage point facing the open door to the driveway, Benny caught sight of a young woman heading towards the double doors with a large tupperware bin in hand. Bonnie the receptionist happened to be coming in at the same time. You asked her a question Benny couldn’t quite hear.

“Dean… Oh, you’re looking for Lieutenant Winchester?” Bonnie asked. Her voice tended to carry. “Right in there, hun.”

“Well, that sure is interesting,” Benny murmured with a smile. He glanced over slyly at his friend. “Heads up, brother.”

Dean looked up from his plate of eggs expectantly. Benny gestured over with his eyes, just as you walked into the firehouse, both cautious and unsure of where you were going.

Dean’s brows raised. He found himself setting down his plate and getting up from the couch before he really knew what he was doing.

You looked exactly how he remembered. Though this time, you weren’t coffee stained in your professional blouse and black pencil skirt. His attention drew briefly downwards to your heels, this time solid black (and even taller than the last pair, damn).

He noticed all the same things he had last time: the shade of your hair, pinned up again with a clip as stray pieces framed your face. The way you carried yourself when you finally saw him, straightening with a subtle confidence in your shoulders, even though you looked a bit nervous. And the pretty curve of your lips when your eyes found his.

“Hey, there,” Dean said. He gave you one of his trademark smiles. “Good to see you again.”

“Uh, hi,” you said, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. “I guess I don’t have to ask if you remember me.”

Dean nodded. “‘Course I do. What can I do for you?”

Your face seemed to freeze up a bit as you looked up at him.

“Oh, um, nothing really. I just wanted to say thank you, again,” you said. And you glanced past him, where the rest of the firehouse members were discreetly watching. “All of you, actually. And my friend told me that firefighters really like food…but, I mean, doesn’t everyone?”

You laughed a little, in a nervous way that made Dean struggle not to smile too much.

“Anyway, I like to bake,” you twittered on, “and I had some time this week after…well, you know what happened. So…I brought this!”

You raised up your tupperware with a smile.

And you were damn adorable, Dean thought. His own smile deepened as he glanced down at the offering, then at you. He took the container and opened the lid, and was honestly surprised at what he saw.

He could’ve sworn these were Bonafede, just-poured-out-of-the-box Girl Scout cookies. Dozens of them. He saw shortbreads (complete with the little wavy lines), Samoa cookies with the coconut flakes, and even what looked like chocolate covered Thin Mints. They also smelled delicious.

“Wow. Thanks, sweetheart,” he said, with genuine warmth. “I’m pretty sure the guys are gonna tear these apart the second I put ‘em down.”

Your face brightened, and Dean noticed how it reached your eyes with a bit of a blush.

“Well, I hope you guys enjoy,” you said. Your hands fiddled with your purse next.

“Heading off to work now?” he asked.

“Yep,” you nodded, with a certain glint in your eye. “I plan on taking the stairs this time.”

Dean raised a brow. “All 22 floors?”

“Gotta get my steps in somehow,” you joked. “Besides, I wouldn’t want to become a repeat offender, make you guys come all the way back across town again.”

“Aw, I wouldn’t mind,” he said, meeting your eyes. And he found that he meant it. In fact, he didn’t think he’d mind if your building’s elevator broke down every damn week.

Your expression shifted towards amusement. “Well, you must be very dedicated to your job.”

“Protect and serve,” Dean teased back. “That’s our motto, you know.”

“Isn’t that for police officers?” you quipped.

He chuckled. “Hey, if the shoe fits.”

“Well…” you considered that with a tilt of your head, more seriously than he expected you to. You met him with a more earnest gaze. “I think it does.”

Right then, Dean had a feeling, deep in his gut, that he needed to know you. He had half a mind to heed his instincts, to take advantage of the signals he thought you were sending him, and ask if he could take you out sometime.

But it was unprofessional here at the firehouse (not that that had stopped him before). He’d been making efforts to curb that kind of behavior for the past few months.

He also remembered the 30 floors of your massive, fancy office building. He considered the price tags that probably came with the admittedly sexy, high-powered corporate look you had going on. Those were probably a lot more zeros than he was used to seeing on his paycheck.

So for once, he didn’t pull the trigger.

“Well, thanks. I really do appreciate that,” Dean replied. His smile then was more sincere, if also more professional. He gestured at the container in his hand. “And on behalf of all the guys, thanks for this too.”

“You’re welcome,” you replied. “I have to go, but…thanks again, Lieutenant Winchester.”

“Ah,” he shook his head, “just call me Dean.”

You agreed by smiling, just a little bit more.

“Dean.”

He nodded back, sending you off with a smile of his own. He forced himself to taper it down after you left, and he had to turn around to meet his friends. Their grins reminded him of piranhas.

“All right. Out with it, you freakin’ jackals.” He waved his free hand in a “bring it on” gesture.

Meg was the first one to burst out laughing. It spearheaded the rest of them, whooping and catcalling and generally being menaces. Even Jack was grinning at his lieutenant’s expense.

Meg got up from her seat and bumped Dean’s shoulder on her way to the kitchen, where she dumped her dishes.

“Thanks again, Lieutenant Winchester,” she mocked in a saccharine sweet voice. Then she lowered it into an exaggerated mimic of his deeper one, “Call me Dean, baby girl. Fucking priceless. You should get your own Hallmark movie.”

Dean rolled his eyes. He’d been prepared for this, but his face was still getting warm.

“Shut up, Meg,” he tossed back. They all had an ongoing Family Guy joke that never failed to make their PIC narrow her eyes. And she did so now, giving him a fake grimace as she left the kitchen.

“All right, kiddos. If you need me, don’t,” she said. “Chuck! Let’s sort the ambo’s inventory.”

“Got it,” her partner nodded. He too got up and placed his dishes in the sink before he took off after Meg.

This left Dean with the rest of the guys, who still gave him knowing smiles as he set your bin of cookies down on the table. He blew out a breath before he returned to the couch and sat down heavily across from Benny and Gordon.

“I never thought I’d see the day that Dean Winchester bitched out,” Gordon remarked.

Once again, Dean rolled his eyes.

“Truly incredible,” Benny added. He shook his head when Dean just crossed his arms. “She was eying you like a pork cutlet, and you just let her walk outta here.”

“We’re in the house, guys. What was I supposed to do?” Dean groused.

Benny and Gordon looked at him like he’d just denounced Led Zeppelin (his favorite band of all time). 

“Get her goddamn number, Winchester,” said Gordon. The man’s lips curved. “Or at least, introduce her to a brother.”

Dean shot him a glance. Gordon Walker was damn good at driving the truck, but he was also known for being a hunter of the ladies himself.   

“She seemed nice,” Jack put his two cents in with a smile. He was standing behind the couch, leaning his elbows on it. Gordon scoffed, nodding his agreement.

“Yeah, with a fat ass too,” he said, sipping his tea. 

Benny reached over and hit his shoulder to shut him up. 

“That’s a lady, Gordon,” he said. Though a suspect smile graced his lips as he glanced at Dean. “A lady with a nice ass.” 

Dean shook his head, but he couldn’t disagree. The first time he met you, he’d been impressed by the way you stood your ground with your asshole boss. Dean thought you were going to chuck that lethal looking heel at the guy. But behind that steely exterior was a kind little softie.

Today, he got your sweet side. It was equal parts sexy and adorable. 

And damn if you didn’t have a nice ass, nice curves, and a nice mouth. 

But your eyes, he thought. Those were nothing short of beautiful. 

About twenty minutes across town, an apartment building was swarmed by police cars. One unit in particular was sealed off with yellow caution tape as a team of officers drifted in and out. 

What a fucked way to die.

Detective John Winchester observed the unnatural angle that the victim—Jerry Stillwell, a certified public accountant—had his throat cut with a jagged weapon.

It hadn’t been clean in the least. And he’d bled out across his work desk and a stack of papers, as well as his desktop computer. He was 45, unmarried, and murdered in his own home in the middle of a Friday afternoon.

The computer wouldn’t turn on, and not because of the blood. It had been wiped with magnetized technology, most likely by the intruder. Though there was no sign of forced entry, according to John’s partner. The murder weapon was missing as well, though it looked like a knife wound.

John leaned over the on-site medical examiner’s shoulder to peer closer at the man’s wounds. Stillwell had most likely been grabbed from behind. So far, the signs pointed to the culprit being someone the victim knew.

They probably took Stillwell by surprise, but he was a large man. If John had to guess, over 250 pounds, unathletic, but still, not easy to overpower. Likely the suspect was a man over 6 feet; strong, and efficient. Though the messiness of the kill made John think this guy took "pride" his work, so to speak.

“Signs of struggle,” said the M.E. “Skin under the fingernails. He fought back, and…huh.”

John’s interest piqued at the man’s shift in tone. “What?”

“Take a look at this.” The M.E. was holding Stillwell’s right hand, palm-up, revealing a small burn on the inside of the wrist. John’s gaze sharpened on the mark.

“Cas, come here,” he said. Across the room, Detective Cas Novak paused in his task of examining the entry points of the apartment to join John at his side. His blue eyes widened a fraction at seeing the burn. It was a symbol of a snake eating its own tail.

“That makes four,” Cas said.

“Yep. We’ve got ourselves a murder cluster,” John said. Cas nodded. He beckoned John to the side, making sure the M.E. was out of earshot before he spoke. “Isn’t it time we brought Sam up to speed on this, at least?”

John’s brows furrowed.

“No,” he said. “Sam’s an ADA. We don’t go to him until we have someone to indict.”

He walked away from Cas, who frowned. John knew damn well that wasn’t what he meant. This was the fourth murder within six months of this nature. The fourth to be branded with the mark of Azazel…a criminal who supposedly disappeared decades ago.

Shortly after November 2, 1983, the day of Mary Winchester’s death.

Seeing Dean again had gone better than you thought it would. It left you feeling light and downright cheerful when you left the firehouse this morning. Unfortunately, the great start to your morning only crumbled when you reached your office.

Now, even at the end of your day, finally back at home and in the familiarity of your kitchen, the tension headache was back.

“Dre, I’m tired. Can’t we do this another night?” you asked.

Your cell phone was balanced between your ear and your shoulder as you counted out your grandfather’s pills, and placed them in each “Monday through Sunday” box in the blue container.

“No, we absolutely cannot. Because today was horrific,” Andréa said. “For me, because my coworker decided to play hookie on the day our top account needed the mockups of their new website. Never mind that she hadn’t even started.”

Pause for an aggravated breath, through which you frowned in sympathy. She’d told you the entire story over lunch today.

“And for you, because Nick once again displayed why he’s a subhuman neanderthal, in spectacular fashion,” she added.

Your grimace deepened at the reminder.

Earlier today, just before a sales meeting you were set to lead, you’d turned away from the conference table to set up the projector. Nick was early for once, making it just him and you in the room.

He’d sat back in his chair and uttered a remark that set the hairs on the back of your neck on end.

“I’ll tell you what, babe. You sure know how to wear a skirt.”

Your back straightened, and slowly you turned. Your face was set in stone, save for a solitary raise of your brow.

“Excuse me?”

Nick’s smirk was lazy as he kicked his feet up on the table. His hand held a tumbler of whiskey. You noted the half empty carafe, which just yesterday had been full and untouched.

“Fucking fantastic legs,” he said, vaguely outlining your shape with his hand. “I applaud you. It’s all very…sexy secretary. Oooh! Sexcretary. Fucking brilliant.”

You gaped, trying to put a clamp on the furious spike in your blood.

“Are you drunk?” you asked incredulously.

He raised his fingers an inch or so apart, scrunching up his face and trying not to laugh.

“Actually nah, not at all,” he bluffed. 

He let his hand fall back into his lap. You shook your head and set down your papers in order to cross your arms.

“Good. Then you’ll hear me clearly when I say, I’m filing a formal complaint with Billie in HR,” you said.

“Whaaat? Why?” he complained. You huffed incredulously.

“For your little comments, which are getting more and more heinous. Not to mention your excessive drinking during company hours.”

Nick pursed his lips. “Christ on a stick. Can’t you take a fucking compliment?”

“No,” you deadpanned. “What I refuse to take is any further sexual harassment. This isn’t the first incident I could disclose, but I’m damn sure you’ll want it to be the last.”

He kicked his feet off the table and slowly stood. You didn’t want to be afraid of this sloppy, frat boy drunken attitude, but a tendril of trepidation still laced down your spine as you took a step back.

“You could do that,” he nodded, tilting his head. “Or, I’ll give your Zimmerman account to Josh, along with your commission.”

You frowned, and shock made your entire body tense. 

“You…you can’t do that!” you exclaimed. Your insides fairly shook with frustration tinged with anger. “I’ll sue you.”

“With what money?” Nick scoffed.

Your brows knitted together then. How the hell would he know anything about your finances?

The man noted your reaction with a nod.

“Yeah, I know all about grammy and gramps. Surgeries, funerals, treatments…” he said. He leaned against the table with one hand, and still he fairly loomed over you.

He wasn't as broad as someone like Dean, but he was tall and lean. His dirty blonde hair was swept to the side, his blue eyes bearing down on you.

“I am this company. If you don’t like it, you can get the fuck out, sweetheart,” he said.

His gaze lowered, roaming your glowering face.

“And good luck getting anywhere else without a reference from one of the biggest corporations in Lawrence, Kansas.”

You sighed. Yeah, you might’ve shed some frankly embarrassing tears in the women’s bathroom after that. You hadn’t even told Andréa the full story, which included the details of his comments, along with his threats.

You didn’t want her to worry. And maybe, more selfishly, you were embarrassed at having to deal with it at all.

Truth be told, you still didn’t know what the hell you were going to do. About Nick, or your job…but somehow, getting drunk at a bar seemed about the last thing you should be doing.

“I need a drink,” Andréa insisted. “Which means you definitely need a drink. And I know exactly where we’re going.”

After a long moment, you leaned your elbows on the kitchen counter and rubbed through the persistent ache in your forehead. Maybe, just this once, you deserved to forget about reality. Just for a little while.

“Fine. Where?” you asked.

“It’s this great bar Meg told me about. The Roadhouse.”

“Ah, the usual suspects,” Ellen drawled at the men who managed to find seats at her bar, next to the rest of their party. The Roadhouse was packed on a Friday night, but she always had room for these two.

Benny and Dean wore similar tired, but pleasant smiles as they greeted their esteemed barkeep.

“What’s it been, Ellen, a whole shift since I’ve seen your delightful face?” Dean said.

Ellen gave him a mocking smile as she poured him his favorite beer on tap. Dean grinned and clapped his younger brother on the shoulder as he sat down. He and Cas had been waiting for a little while.

…Well, maybe longer than a little.

“Hey, dude,” Dean said. Sam perked up from his second beer with pursed lips.

“You know we’ve been waiting on you for like an hour, right?” he said.

“Aw, don’t get your panties in a twist, Sammy,” Dean teased. He nodded his thanks at Ellen when she set his beer in front of him, and a glass of whiskey for Benny. “We had a last-minute call. Some guy just couldn’t wait to start his Happy Hour. Drove his car into the company fountain.”

Sam’s brows raised incredulously. He looked over at Benny for confirmation, and the other man gave a resigned nod.

“Apparently it set the ducks into a tizzy,” he said. “The guy’s fine. Probably gonna get slapped with a DUI.”

Dean smirked and raised a finger at both Sam and Cas. “Duck Guy’s your problem now.”

Cas shook his head and raised his beer to his lips.

“Not my department.”

“Mine either,” Sam scoffed. Both of them worked in homicide cases, just from the differing sides of law and order. In fact, they worked together more often than Dean and Cas did.

Dean looked over at his friend Cas for a moment. He looked like more of a hot mess than usual, with his tie half undone, and a scruffy half-beard covering his face.

“Geez, man. You look like shit,” Dean remarked. “You and Meg fighting again?”

“No,” Cas replied, his brows furrowing. “…Well, yes. But nothing more than her usual insanity. Something about the cat preferring to sleep next to me than to her.”

“Well, that’s not so bad,” Benny said. “My dog don’t like her either.”

“Maybe they can smell that she’s feral,” Dean quipped. Cas sent him a dry look at that.

“She threatened to move out,” he revealed. “Even packed a bag at 3:00 in the morning. I spent two hours unpacking what she was re-packing, all while we argued in our underwear, not sleeping.”

Sam and Dean shared bemused looks, while Benny shook his head into his whiskey.

“So how’d it end up?” Sam asked. Cas sighed and took another long sip of his beer.

“Like it always ends, Sam,” he said, his lips quirking. “With our neighbors calling the precinct to complain, and me, somehow ending up sleeping on the couch for a crime I didn’t commit. If she wants to blame someone, blame the goddamn cat.”

Dean chortled. He brought his beer to his lips, but couldn’t resist a light jab at his best friend first.

“Dude, I love her like a sister, but your girlfriend’s unhinged,” he said.

Cas could only nod. “Most are, I’ve come to find.”

Sam scoffed and shook his head. “Not mine.”

“Yeah, that’s because Eileen doesn’t have to see you more than two minutes at a time,” Dean teased. He and his brother still shared an apartment, and Sam’s job as an Assistant District Attorney wrought demanding hours.

Sam shot his brother a flat look.

“Oh, I’m not taking that from the serial playboy,” he said.

Dean’s brows knitted together.

“All right, calm down,” he said. “I’m not Hugh Hefner.”

“Mr. Hit and Run,” Cas added, a smirk gracing his features.

“Chief ‘No Daddy Issues,’” Benny tipped in, giving his annoyed, green-eyed friend a sly glance. “With a side helping of the Clap.”

Dean’s lips pressed into a line. He leveled a finger at Benny.

“That girl was clean, okay? False alarm,” Dean said. His gaze raised heavenward as he sipped his beer. Thank Christ for that one. “The rash was just carpet burn.”

Sam shook his head and turned to his brother more seriously.

“Bottom line: until you date a woman for more than two weeks—hell, two days at a time—you don’t get to comment on the happily committed,” he said. 

Dean rolled his eyes. He knew his track record with relationships. As in, he didn’t really have a record…but it wasn’t for lack of trying. At least, not for the past few months.

Sam managed to break Dean out of his thoughts by clearing his throat, pushing his empty bottle across the counter.

“All right, speaking of. I gotta go,” he said.

“Aw, why? We just got here. Let me buy you another,” Dean offered.

Sam shot his brother another knowing look. Dean knew it well; it said, if he’d been here on time, they would’ve shared the first two drinks.

“I’m picking up Eileen,” Sam said, grabbing his blazer and fixing the collar when he put it on. “There’s this Latin club she wants to go to.”

Dean raised incredulous brows.

“My brother’s going salsa dancing?”

Sam sighed in exasperation, despite his smile. “Bye, Dean.”

He shot his other two friends a nod.

“See you guys.”

Cas and Benny both saw him off with a subtle raise of their drinks, while Dean just shook his head.

“All right, Samantha,” he called out. Sam didn’t bother to turn around as he raised up a choice finger behind him.

Dean snorted into his drink. “Very mature.”

Benny and Cas shared a wry look. They were relieved when Ellen’s daughter Jo came by, picking up the slack for her mom, who was serving a rowdy group of college kids at a nearby table.

“Hey, guys. Need another round?” Jo asked. She gave them all a familiar smile, but her eyes lingered on Dean. He gave her a more reserved smile back.

“Hey, Jo,” he nodded. “I uh…actually think I’m good right now.”

“Me too,” Cas said. He even stood up and grabbed his trenchcoat in similar fashion as Sam had. The two had paid for their beers before Benny and Dean even got there.

“Aw, not you too,” Dean groused.

“If I don’t make dinner, we run the risk of the apartment going up in flames,” Cas informed him. Dean could only assume he was talking about Meg. “Despite working with the Fire Department for ten years, the woman can’t manage to boil an egg without supervision.”

Jo raised a brow, but her smile was bemused as she turned to Benny. “Anything for you?”

“Nah, darlin’. I’m good,” he said. But sensing the unspoken request in her eyes when she glanced at Dean, Benny straightened and raised from his seat. “But I’ll be back. Need’a hit the head.”

Dean internally sighed as Benny left him alone at the bar. Or, well, relatively alone. Jo lingered in front of him to wash and dry out a few glasses. The air between them was stiff, and a little awkward.

Dean’s thoughts shifted back to his brother then; while he still couldn’t believe Eileen had wrangled his gangly Sasquatch of a brother into going dancing, Dean was happy for him. Truly and sincerely. Sam deserved having someone who softened him, made him break away from his endless cases and have some fun.

Dean could also admit, if only to himself, that he was maybe a little jealous. Sam had something good with his girl. Something real.

Dean had carpet burn.

“So, how’s studying going?” he asked Jo. He couldn’t stand awkward silences. “Still planning on giving your mom a heart attack when you get into the Police Academy?”

Jo’s blue eyes flicked up to his. She brushed a coil of blond hair behind her ear after she finished drying a glass, and a smile raised the corner of her lips.

“Wouldn’t be the first time I gave her something to yell about,” she quipped. “But since you asked…my exam is in three months.”

“Good,” Dean nodded. “You’ve got time. Study your ass off. Keep up the conditioning routine I gave you, and you’ll be set. Just don’t forget the strength training. Very important.”

“I got it,” she said, this time with a brighter smile. “Some old firefighter gave me some pointers.”

Dean tilted his beer at her accusingly.

“Hey, don’t pin that old shit on me yet. Benny’s got more mileage than I do…”

He considered her then, after briefly looking down at the counter.

“What?” she said.

He kept his lips tight. “Nothin’.”

“No, Dean. What?” Jo pressed. “You want to say something. Say it.”

He blew out a breath and shook his head.  

“Ellen’s not the only one who’s gonna worry about you on the job, that’s all,” he said. Jo flickered at a rueful frown.

“That’s ironic,” she said. “I can handle myself, Dean. Something you so often seem to forget.”

“That’s not fair, and you know it,” he shot back. His hand tightened around his beer.

Jo’s face fell into irritation, mostly to cover up the hurt he saw buried deep behind her eyes. She gave him some relief by glancing away from him.

“And this is why we didn’t work out,” she muttered. Sighing through her nose, her eyes met his again. “You know what I hate, more than anything? People worrying.”

Dean carded his fingers through his hair, his brows knitting together in aggravation.

“Yeah, well, maybe they have good reason to,” he said. He could’ve predicted the way she tightened up. “And if I remember right, you did your fair share of hand-wringing the next time I responded to a fire on the job.”

He knew it was a low blow. But his point was made, and he fully expected the anger in Jo’s tight frown. They’d dated for a few weeks, mostly in secret.

That had been enough for Ellen to blow her top. Not because she had anything against Dean…just his job: at the very same firehouse her late husband had once served.

So Dean had backed off. He’d ultimately felt he had to end it. And clearly, Jo still resented him for it.

Slowly, however, the fire in her eyes dimmed. Her finger tapped on her side of the bar counter.

“You think I don’t worry anymore just because we’re not together?” she asked him. 

Dean didn’t have a good answer for her. So his gaze fell to his nearly empty beer.

But he was even more relieved when Benny finally got back from the bathroom, or wherever he’d fucked off to for the past few minutes.

He did seem to know that he was interrupting a rather tense moment. Seeing as neither Dean nor Jo wanted to break the silence, Benny supposed it fell on him.

He reclaimed his seat and raised a smile up at Jo.

“I think I’m ready for the next round,” he said, glancing at Dean’s soured mood. “Two whiskeys, please, Joanna.”

Jo treated Benny with a half-smile. He was the only one besides her mother who called her Joanna (and got away with it). After one last look at Dean, she reached over for the Jim Beam.

You met Andréa at the bar in your own car, just in case you needed to dip out early to check on Grandpa George. He was happy to see you going out.

“You’re pretty as a doll, sweetheart,” he’d said, patting your cheek after you kissed his goodbye.

The thought made you smile, even though you thought you were dressed casually in your dark wash jeans and blouse. When Andréa met you outside the bar, she nodded in approval.

“Good. I like the hint of sexy,” she said, plucking at the sweetheart neckline of your top. You rolled your eyes and tried to cover up the cleavage a little, but she batted at your hand.

“No, no. Leave your professionalism at work,” she said. “Tonight, you’re going to relax and have some fun.”

It was hard to think about loosening up when you were literally getting belittled and threatened at work…but you supposed she had a point. You always had to be put together. You had to be sharp, because this world wouldn’t hand you anything on a silver platter.

And not to mention, you couldn’t just think about yourself. You also had to provide and take care of your grandfather too. He was the only family you had left, and you were it for him too…

But you took in a slow, deep breath. Tonight, you could have a couple of drinks with your friend. You could just be yourself, with no responsibilities other than not getting too drunk to drive yourself home later.

So with a sigh, you smiled and linked your arm with Andréa as you headed inside the Roadhouse.

It looked kind of divey from the outside, a worn-looking brown building with a faded red sign. But inside it was all dark wood and leather barstools and rows of soft lighting overhead.

There were records displayed on the wall; Prince’s Purple Rain, the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper, and David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust, among others. Boston’s “More Than a Feeling” played on the wall speakers.

There were several tables, both high top and regular four-seaters, as well as a long bar that spanned the far wall, where rows and rows of liquor were showcased. You followed Andréa’s lead to the bar, where you took a seat at the far end and tried to feel like you belonged here. You couldn’t remember the last time you’d gone out to a place like this.

“This is nice,” she leaned over into your ear to say. “Next time my cousin should meet us here. She’s a handful, but I think you’d like her.”

You agreed with a smile. “If she’s anything like you, I think I’m well trained to handle your brand of insanity.”

Andréa leveled you with a playfully mocking look.

“Ah, you’ve got jokes tonight. Okay.” She waved over the blonde bartender.

“Hi, ladies,” she greeted. “I’m Jo. What’re we starting off with tonight?”

Before you could order for yourself, Andréa grabbed your arm and spoke over you.

“Do you have absinthe?” she asked.

Your eyes widened. “What?! I’m not drinking that—”

“Sure do,” Jo replied in amusement.

“Great,” said Andréa. You didn’t like her sly grin. “She’ll have an Aunt Roberta. I’ll have a vodka cranberry.”

“What the hell is an Aunt Roberta?” you asked.

Jo listed the ingredients on her fingers. “A nice molotov of brandy, vodka, gin, blackberry liqueur, and of course, absinthe.”

Jesus Christ. You shot Andréa a glare, even though you were trying to dim your smile.

“Are you trying to chill me out or fucking end me?” you asked.

Andréa smirked. “Whatever it takes.”

You rolled your eyes, but you nodded your agreement. Jo’s smile remained as she went to prepare your drinks. Meanwhile, your eyes wandered as you once again took in your surroundings.

Really is a cool place, you thought. And it was busy without being overbearingly crowded. There were even a few seats between you and the rest of the patrons at the bar. Your gaze drew a path onwards, eventually reaching the other end of the bar.

There you caught sight of red flannel over a black undershirt, familiar broad shoulders, and an even more familiar face. Your eyes widened a fraction as his met yours, gleaming with recognition…and interest.

That slow smile of his was familiar too. It made a lance of heat run down your spine. You gripped the counter, mostly to steady yourself as you let out a breath.

Lieutenant Winchester.

AN: *rubs hands together* It begins. 😏

Lol how'd you like Dean's little moment with the reader at the firehouse? Plus the introduction of the rest of our cast!

(And a possible serial killer on the loose?) Though sorry about Nick. He's a douchecanoe.

Next Time:

Anticipation and nerves coiled together in your lower belly. You turned to your friend, who was already sipping at her vodka cranberry.

“Dre, help me,” you pleaded.

Andréa discreetly followed the path of your gaze, and her brows raised. A smirk curved her lips.

“Oh, babe. You need to help yourself,” she replied.

“I haven’t done that in a while,” you admitted. Your dating life had been sorely lacking, between the demands of your job and taking care of things at home. “I’m gonna say something demented.”

Andréa huffed in amusement.

“So? That’s half the fun,” she said.

Keep Reading: PART 3

Dean Winchester Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Series Tag List (Part 1):

@hobby27 @kazsrm67 @letheatheodore @agothwithheavysetmakeup @jacklesbrainworms @foxyjwls007 @wincastifer @iamsapphine @simpforbuckyb @vanillawhiskeyflavoredkisses @roseblue373 @this-is-me19 @emily-winchester @spnexploration @deans-spinster-witch @deans-baby-momma @iprobablyshipit91

@melancholictearz @nic-kolas @sleepyqueerenergy @wayward-lost-and-never-found @thewritersaddictions @just-levyy @samanddeaninatrenchcoat @deanwanddamons @antisocialcorrupt @lacilou @adoringanakin @theonlymaninthesky @teehxk @midnightmadwoman @brianochka @branj19

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[slickshoesareyoucrazy]

Random Rant

So I am not going to mention the brand name here, but anyone who is a parent or just remembers being a kid in America knows that there is a school photography monopoly stronghold, and they are relentless in their persistent and hostage-like marketing and sales tactics. They do shit like take your child's photograph, print out the Premium Package without your purchasing it in advance, and ship the photos home with your kid, so if you don't want to pay for the Premium Package, you have to send the photos back with your dejected kid, who wonders why you don't want the pictures of them. And they want you to buy 'extras' too; keychains, coffee mugs, etc. with your child's image on them, which they email you about incessantly, particularly around Mother's Day and the winter, gift-giving holidays.

"Last chance for 50% off photo packages, reprints, and photo gifts!"

Well, assholes, I want to say, that I know I'm his mother, but my kid is handsome. Photogenic. He is. Always has been since he was an infant. And he's a happy kid with innate kindness and a broad and generous sense of humor. It's easy to make him laugh. He's smart enough to get highbrow obscure references and wordplay and he's without pretension so he still thinks farts and cats falling down and dogs eating pickles on video are funny. And yet...not once...NOT ONCE...from preschool to 10th grade...have you taken ONE SOLITARY good photograph of my son. I've taken thousands. J has taken thousands. The parents of his teammates and friends have taken dozens. My mother, who can't take a good phone photo to save her life usually, has taken at least 5 or 6 good ones of my son. So like...fuck off with your monopoly marketing. I don't want your shitty pictures. Not when I can take 50 better ones myself when he rolls out of bed this morning.

[enterprisewired]

Copper Cow Coffee: A Flavor Packed Vietnamese Coffee With a Twist

No morning ritual is complete without a sip of coffee. For coffee lovers, every single sip brings calmness and soothes their soul. And when it comes to the uniqueness of Vietnamese coffee, the experience and flavor are on another level. 

The authentic Vietnamese coffee is rich and slightly bitter with more caffeine and is hard to find in other states, that’s why Copper Cow Coffee was introduced. It aimed to share the taste of Vietnam with the world in a unique way. 

Copper Cow Coffee was founded by Debbie Wei Mullin in 2017 with the aim to bring back the origins of robusta coffee and market it to the everyday coffee drinker. Her goal is to recognize Vietnam for its culture and history in the coffee market by sourcing from Vietnam farmers. She grew up sipping on the authentic rich flavors of Vietnamese coffee. When she couldn’t find a brand that tasted like home, she decided to make one. 

Debbie was a full-time employee in The World Bank and started a cooking gig on the side, working on it on evenings and weekends after graduating. She tried selling her products by standing beside the farmer’s market but that didn’t work out. Being a coffee lover, she saw more potential in that area and started a Vietnamese coffee-specific brand – Copper Cow Coffee. In its initial days, she wanted to sell bottled cold brew Vietnamese coffee but that idea never came into the picture.

In one of her visits to Asia, she re-discovered the pour-over method, the brand’s major product selling point, and she never looked back. She transformed the brand by asking for funds from anyone who was willing to invest, be it friends or family, and raised $100,000 in the first year.

“I want to become a brand that gives an authentic Vietnamese coffee experience and erases the miseducation around premium coffee. We’re excited to be the first to bring premium Vietnamese coffee. And, to take that a step further, to become the first certified organic Vietnamese coffee brand.” She has said in an interview. 

Copper Cow Coffee doesn’t only sell classic dark coffee but also many flavor-induced Vietnamese coffees like lavender, caramel, and churro with lavender being the bestseller. They also sell creamers, lattes, and teas. To make their pour-over coffee, all you have to do is remove the filter with the coffee grounds in it from its packaging, prop the filter up over a coffee mug, and pour hot water through the filter.

Copper Cow Coffee’s Shark Tank Pitch

Source- Copper Cow Coffee

Debbie came on Shark Tank in 2021, with an ask of a $600,000 deal in exchange for a 4% equity in her business. The pitch started with her basic introduction and her love for Vietnamese coffee. The sharks seemed impressed and then asked about her business statistics which were like this, 

In 2017, just shortly after launching the company, the brand was already in 1,000 stores. During this year, she made $170,000 in sales, with another $500,000 in 2018, and another $1.6 million the year after. By 2020, she had already done $2 million in sales, though the year wasn’t over yet. 20% of her sales were coming from physical retail stores, while the other 80% was coming from her online store. Her sales by this time were up to $4 million.

After hearing the numbers, the sharks weren’t happy. Daymond John was the first one to give her critical feedback. He questioned her business managing skills and backed up from the deal but Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec stood up for her. Lori Greiner was impressed with the pitch and her business but wasn’t interested in coffee and investing that’s why she backed up from the deal. Kevin O’Leary first offered $200,000 for 20% equity. When she didn’t waver, he said her ask was too high and backed up from the deal. Mark Cuban wasn’t convinced whether the demand for Copper Cow Coffee was organic or induced by temporary trends and backed up from the deal. Only Robert Herjavec offered $600,000 for 5.5% equity and 1.5% in advisory shares. She counter-offered but he was firm on his offer, hence they made the deal.

However, the offer fell through after the deal was made on the show. In a press release, she said that, 

While we were excited that Robert made us a deal on the show, we ended up not going through with the deal after airing. Still, the experience has been fantastic – so many fans and new customers.  We’re very thankful for the exposure and the community it has brought.

What Happened to Copper Cow Coffee After Shark Tank?

Source- Freepik

Even though an offer was made on the show, it fell later. But even without the deal, the company is still flourishing. Because of the publicity and exposure, it gained new customers and followers. It also expanded its market availability, having its presence in over 3000 stores, including the big ones like Whole Foods Market, and Walmart, and e-commerce sites like Amazon; and its line of products, which now includes lattes and teas as well. The sales on Amazon were the highest. 

One of the biggest and most important developments was in its agriculture sector. The brand invested in several programs that center around limiting the chemicals that are used in growing coffee beans, to make their coffee better. They also were able to grow their team from 6 people to 15.  Apart from the US, it has now started delivering in Canada and Europe.

After the show, the brand raised another $8.5 million in Series A funding co-led by Cultivian Sandbox and Arborview Capital in 2021 — a far cry from the $600,000 she sought on ‘Shark Tank.’

[battlebears]

Battle Bear gear. Home Decore, apparel, men, women and kids clothing. T-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs and more

[bmtpromotions]

A Review of Matisse Travel Mugs: Are They Worth the Investment?

The sale of branded mugs in the UK has skyrocketed in the last few years. Most of the sale is from premium quality Matisse travel mugs. Many coffee lovers are raving about their durability, style, and eco-friendliness. They are designed to keep your coffee hot for up to 12 hours and cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours.

[alisuqseo]

Build Your Home With The Best Ramadan Offers From Alisuq

The blessed month of Ramadan brings good tidings. It is a time to connect with your spiritual self and enjoy the bounties of God. Every year, online and physical stores across the country introduce special offers for Ramadan. This year, Alisuq also joined hands to add more convenience to this holy month.

With a range of Ramadan offers, we want to make sure everyone is able to afford their basic needs. From blenders to coffee machines, pillows to everyday essentials, the sale has a wide range of products, and is designed for everyone. 

Enjoy the blessings of Ramadan with huge discounts on a variety of home care, electronics, and construction gear. Load up your cart before the time runs out!

Avail The Best Ramadan Offers Online In UAE

Offering up to 60% discounts on different products, our online Ramadan sale is a must-visit for everyone. From hardware to cleaners and automotive products, we bring you a wide range of options to choose from. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of our Ramadan sale, so you can make the right picks this year.

Home Appliances: 

Alisuq home appliances category retains its credibility among customers. With top-quality vacuum cleaners, irons, microwaves, and pressure cookers, it makes a one-for-all electronics’ store. You can also find practical kitchen accessories, like mugs, glass lock containers, baking pans, glass sets, and much more in our collection. The sale is a perfect opportunity to stock up on essential home appliances that are going to expedite your house chores during Ramadan. 

Featured Home & Kitchen Appliances:

Purchase home appliances with discounts reaching up to 50%. We offer practical electronics that assist in kitchen and cleaning tasks, so you have more time to rest during your fasting period. Purchase a Black & Decker mini chopper or Fakir Kaave Turkish Coffee Machine from the biggest sale on kitchen appliances. 

Best Kitchen Appliances Brands:

Our sale features the most in-demand products from top-notch brands. Now you can purchase bestseller appliances from Karcher, Metabo, Bissel, Makita, Nordic, Fakir, as well as Black & Decker at reasonable rates. 

Hardware & Tools: 

If you are a DIY enthusiast that loves to do regular repairs and installations by hand, our Alisuq Hardware & Tools sale is designed for you. It features a range of hand and power tools that make regular nailing, maintenance, and disassembling projects quick and easy. Spend Ramadan engaging in activities that bring you joy. Perform quick construction and repairs with our top Ramadan offers on hardware and tools. 

Featured Hardware & Tools:

In this category, you can avail big sales on small and large tools. With our sale, investing in tools does not have to be so guilts-stricken. Buy premium hand and power tools that add more versatility to your toolbox. Purchase VTOOLS Corded Impact Drill or Ford Circular Saw at the best online rates. 

Best Hardware & Tools Brands:

Big brands are right under your fingertips with the biggest Ramadan sale of Alisuq. Buy premium tools and accessories from Ford, VTOOLs, Metabo, and other big brands. 

Cleaners:

Cleanliness is given prime importance in Islam. For those fasting, it is essential to maintain self-hygiene as well as the hygiene of their surroundings. Alisuq cleaners category features the best offers on cleaning essentials, like chemicals and equipment. This means that you can save up on bestselling stain removers, floor cleaners, cleaning brushes, and grease-cutting agents. 

Featured Cleaners:

This Ramadan, we’ve introduced sales on a wide range of cleaning solutions. Wipe away grime and dirt from floors, kitchen counters, household appliances, and daily garments with high-efficiency cleaners. You can save big with 60% discounts on Astonish Oxy Active Plus Stain Remover and Dr. Beckmann Washing Machine Hygiene Cleaner.

Best Cleaners Brands:

From Krud Kutter to Astonish and Dr. Beckmann, you can avail amazing discounts on all the popular cleaners’ brands. Purchase sustainable products from Eco Care, or find heavy-duty kitchen cleaners from Delta Green. 

Automotive Maintenance Gear:

We allow purchasing of car paints, heat-resistant sprays, and specialized Alisuq automotive cleaners at budget-friendly rates. This Ramadan sale is your chance to find car maintenance products that will keep your vehicle in shape. You can avoid unexpected breakdowns and physical damage with high-grade automotive oils and cleaners, available at our online store.

Featured Automotive Products:

From seat leather cleaners to spray wax and engine lubricants, our Ramadan offers on automotive products excel in offering the lowest rates. With reduced prices of up to 63% percent, you will not find a better chance to stock up on your automotive gear. Get the best deals on Sword Pro Brake Cleaner and WD-40 Multi-Use Lubricant.

Best Cleaners Brands:

With our range of automotive oils, cleaners, and accessories, it is easy to make sure that every part of your vehicle is tended to. Get the best rates on brands like Sword, WD-40, and more here. 

Plants:

Plants bring a refreshing aura to any place they’re installed in. Most people like to decorate their homes in Ramadan with beautiful plants and shrubbery. Alisuq Ramadan sales bring exclusive discounts on different types of plants, so you can incorporate pleasant vibes into your space. 

Featured Plants:

Adding more greenery to your garden or interiors can uplift the entire space, and make your home more welcoming during Ramadan. We offer up to 50% discounts on different species of plants. Now you can purchase beautiful indoor and outdoor plants at amazing rates. 

Purchase Brook Floras Aloe Vera Plant or Brook Floras Asparagus Hanging Plant and other fresh plants to design your interiors, garden, or patio. 

Why Purchase From Alisuq Ramadan Offers?

Alisuq is an online store dedicated to bringing quality products within the reach of a common man. For the Holy month of Ramadan, the team has come up with various discounts to offer ease to the fasting people. 

From high-efficiency home appliances to top-notch cleaning solutions, the extensive sale is designed for everyone. You can rely on our appliances to take care of your daily tasks, so you can dedicate more time to praying. Our hardware and automotive products are great for those who are professionals in the repair and maintenance industry, as well as for domestic repairers. We are also offering the lowest prices on cleaners and plants, so your home remains fresh and hygienic throughout this fasting period. 

So, what are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves, and stock up on your favorite Alisuq products from the biggest Ramadan offers of the year. 

[sevengifts]

Leading Corporate Gift Supplier In Malaysia

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So Make your team and clients feel special with these ideas to show your gratitude.

Jute bag supplier

Great for work, home, and on the go, these bags and totes are stylish and functional.

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A mug warmer to keep your coffee and tea hot

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best tech accessories that are used in day to day life like pendrive, power bank etc.

Corporate gift & Premium gift Is a proven method for engaging with employees, clients & customers  for good reason. Research shows that physical items like corporate gifts are easier for people to understand and more memorable to get in touch with. So start your first gifting journey with Malaysia's top corporate gift supplier today!

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[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Attack Of The Winter Wolf: Prologue

Summary- 7.1k Alpha Steve x Little One Reader. The Alpha gets upsetting news from Natasha. Not ready to share yet, when you want to leave the compound for a quick errand, Steve asks you not to. Thinking it was all settled, he is caught by surprise that you chose to do the opposite instead. 

Warnings- Alpha and Little One getting into a heated argument. Also some furniture might have some damage due to the Alphas strength. 

A/N- Hello everyone! I’m excited for the next installment following Welcome To The Pack and hope sincerely that you all enjoy the continued life of Alpha and Little One. You all have been so supportive and encouraging. I really love all your thoughts and suggestions when it comes to this series. I welcome and encourage them, please don’t hesitate to drop a message. Wolf Picture Request at bottom by @bostongirl13​. Thank you for sending in the inspiration babes.Divider made by @firefly-graphics​, be sure to check out her selection.  Much Love and Happy Howling. 💙🐺

Masterlist 

Steve was in the bedroom closet, finding the clothes he needed for spending a day out in the snow, the temperature dropping low for even the shifters' naturally heated bodies. Just as he was finishing buttoning the last shirt over the layers, his cell phone chirped with a message from Natasha. Quick to go check it, knowing that she was slowly making her way back to the area after tracking there missing packmates all over the country the past few months. The Alpha was looking forward to her either returning home for a while or having some good news to pass on. Unfortunately her message made his good mood quick to turn to one of worry, as it was short and vague. 

S, call me. 

Quick he pulled up her number and not even a single ring issued when Natasha answered with her usual “Rogers.” 

“What's going on Nat?” 

“Well I’m closer than you think. Another pack was destroyed overnight. Barely any survivors, Alpha missing.” She continued on, the details worrying him further. 

“So what… Do you have any idea of who it is? Is it…” Steve didn't even want to voice it. Didn't want to think it could be his best friend and his missing members of his pack. Natasha was quiet on the other end before she started calmly, clearly having thought of how to answer this. 

“I can’t say for sure Steve, but the trail I’m following keeps intersecting these attacks. Everyone I’ve seen is brutal destruction and we both know he has the power himself to do that. Let alone with someone as strong as Wanda, Pietro and Clint.” 

Steve felt his throat tighten a bit at the news, the Alpha hyper aware now, wanting to check their borders for any signs of intrusion. It was an inner war, he wanted his family back and safe, but it sounded like they were a danger to all of them now if what she was saying was true. 

“Okay, I hear you. If you come closer let me know. Stay safe.” 

“Warn the pack Steve.” Natasha left with that last warning before hanging up and Steve sighed, pocketing his phone and rubbing at his face for a moment, worried about what this all meant. 

You were currently searching the cupboard for sugar. Out of everything to run out of. You thought to yourself as your hands fell to your hips and you scowled a bit at your situation. Going to the fridge, you added yet this other thing to your long list of supplies needed. Absently your hand went into the box of Cap’n Crunch you had been snacking on. For whatever reason it became your go to comfort food after a Heat, which you just finished. That too was empty.

Another thing on the list, another reason to go to town. 

Jotting it down, Steve was messing with the buttons on his flannel, and you side eyed him a moment. The Little Wolf, still feeling the lasting effects of the heat immediately perked up sensing the Alpha nearby. 

<Mmh he looks… huge.> 

It's because he’s wearing extra clothes, down girl. 

The Little Wolf purred instead, her head resting on her paws while admiring her Alpha across the room while he was making his way through the living area to the kitchen.

You were still standing at the list, chewing your lip while Steve brushed past you, taking a nip at your neck on the way to the coffee pot. “What are you thinking so hard about Little One?” 

“We are just about out of everything. I know it snowed heavily last night, but I could take the truck down easily and take care of it while you are up at the lumber yard?” 

Steve paused a moment, the phone call he just had with Natasha replaying in his mind. Pouring the majority of the pot in a thermos, he flicked off the coffee maker and placed the last of the coffee in a mug for you, pushing it in your hand. “How about we go tonight when I get back. I don't want you on the roads alone.” 

You gave a shrug as if it wasn't a big deal but Steve caught your chin, looking in your eyes. 

<Make sure to insist she stays home.> 

I'm not commanding her. 

<Then you should tell her why> The Alpha countered and Steve internally growled at his wolf. 

She doesn't need to worry about it. Steve was sure to keep the bond cut off between the two of them so the Alpha didn't pass over. The Wolf bristled and Steve could feel the hairs on his neck stand up, but he didn't have the time. He was doing what he felt was right in the moment, as he wanted to be able to really discuss it with you and how to approach it with the rest of the Pack. Perhaps a bit of him was just not wanting to break the blissful peace bubble. “Wait till I get back, please? I won't be too late.” Placing a kiss on your lips, sure to nip on your bottom lip in an apology to the small huff you pressed into the kiss and let you go to grab his jacket, his phone ringing. Before you got another word, he dug it out of his jean pockets and scowled at it. “Shit… Okay, I really gotta go Little One, I will see you tonight. We can go out to dinner so don't have to cook.” And then he was gone, leaving you there with your list and a hot cup of coffee in your hand. 

Your hand fell to your hip and you sighed. “What even just happened?” The Little Wolf stretched and started grooming herself now that she wasn’t distracted by her Alpha nearby. 

<I think he asked us to stay home and didn’t give you a chance to deny him.> 

You grumbled at how slick your Alpha was.

The morning wore on, you have done everything you could think of around the house when finally you felt cooped up. Working your lip, you make a decision to go anyways, sure that the only reason Steve wanted you to stay was because of the possible snow on the roads. But by now they should all be plowed and cleared. 

Your Little Wolf stirred awake while you went to shrug into a jacket and headed out the door towards the garage to get one of the trucks. <I thought Steve wanted us to stay home?> 

He did, but it's not all that bad out now. Your eyes wandered up to the bright sun. Looks could be deceiving, as warm as the sun looked, it gave no warmth on that winter day. Ducking into the garage, you grab a pair of keys off the pegboard and reading the label, you figure out the pickup that they went to. The Little Wolf started kneading her paws a bit while pacing, flicking her ears back and forth in a bit of unease. 

<You sure we should go? He did want us to stay.>

It will be okay, calm down, would ya? You retorted while starting up the truck and was soon pulling out of the garage and turning onto the road heading down the mountain. 

Halfway down the road though the truck started to shudder and whine, stalling out. Your foot shifted from the gas to the brake to start to ease it to a slow while it kept jerking. “What the fuck.” You growled out, the wheel jerking as if it wanted to do the opposite. But you weren't having it, and with a final pull, the truck shuddered to the side of the road, giving an exhausted sigh before it cut off dead. 

“I can’t believe this.” You sputtered while trying the key, which resulted in a pathetic whine from the engine and then completely dead again. Slamming your hands against the wheel in frustration for a moment, you felt your pockets for your phone, but of course it just occurred to you that it was charging, on your nightstand. The Little Wolf paced back and forth since you were agitated, huffing out without saying anything. You snapped before she even could. 

I know… Just our luck the truck breaks down this time. You don't have to say anything. 

<I wasn't going to> She retorted and retreated into your subconscious, leaving it quiet in your mind. Grabbing your bag, you got out of the truck after leaving the hazard lights on and debated just making the shift and letting the Little Wolf take you back home. 

A truck pulled up alongside of you and one of the pack members rolled down his window, an older wolf named John. “Y/N, you okay?” 

“Yea, the truck broke down.” You motioned over your shoulder towards the truck now useless on the side of the road. John craned a look over his shoulder. 

“How about I bring you back up? I can have it hauled back up once we get back.” 

Breaking out in a relieved grin, you made your way around, and soon enough John was dropping you back off in front of home. Making your way inside, you kicked off your boots and went to go change back into comfy clothes. 

Steve was rubbing his hands together while they got another truck loaded and the chains in place. His hand rubbed appreciative at the base of the tree, the rich maple with its rings. It was always one of his favorite woods to work with. But this order was being made into premium wood for sale across the country. Giving Sam the thumbs up they could pull out, he watched the truck leave the plot when his cell phone rang. Digging it out, he had hoped it was his Girl, just to talk to you and hear your voice. But the number was one of the pack members, which he promptly answered. 

“Hey John, whats up?” Steve asked as he started towards the next load. 

“Oh just wanting to let you know I'm taking the Mater. Your missus was driving down to the store and it broke down on her.” That's when Steve’s footstep faltered. 

“Where is she now? Why didn't she call me?” Steve’s voice sharpened, demanding answers from John. 

“She’s back home, I just dropped her off. I'm sure she will be calling you soon Alpha.” 

He immediately turned from his original goal, softening his voice while talking to John. “I'm sure, thank you for giving me a heads up. I will catch up later to take a look at the truck.” Passing by one of his crew, he passed along that he had to head home and that they should get the last truck loaded for the day.

You had just changed into your sweatpants and hoodie when you went to grab your phone and dialed Steve’s number. But it just went to voicemail, which you left him one asking him to give you a call back. 

It wasn’t needed, because moments later the front door slammed shut and Steve’s voice bellowed out your name. “Y/N, where are you?” 

You hopped up from the bed to go greet him but the Little Wolf whined in warning, lowering as she picked up his tone. You didn't hesitate though, holding up your phone. “Hey I was just leaving you a message.” 

“Uh, a bit late isn't it?” Steve's hands fell to his hips, his tone leveled as he looked down at the counter a moment and then lifted back up to you, his eyes blue fire at the moment. You wanted to drop back a moment, which you did. But then you hitched your chin up. 

“Your phone was off Steve.” 

“Why were you even out Little One?” He snapped and you winced at the use of his name for you. “I said to wait for me.” 

“Steve, you are overreacting. It was only a few miles down the road and John gave me a ride home.” You folded your arms over your chest and straightened a bit to keep from making yourself smaller and look like you were subduing to him. 

That didn't deter your mate though. “You went out after I said not to.” Steve growled from deep in his chest, his fingers gripping the kitchen island till his knuckles went white and the wood groaned in protest while his fingers made permanent dents along the edge. Subtle but there. “How do you want me to react to that Y/N? You could have been hurt, gone off the road. You didn’t even have your fucking phone on you.” 

“Stop talking to me like I'm a child Steve.” You snapped back at him, feeling your temper rising and the Little Wolf pacing around, whining sharply in distress. Your arms hugged around yourself in a protective manner, but you wouldn't shy away from this, not like you might have in the past. You weren't just some pack member, you were his mate. Your chin lifted a bit in defiance, holding onto that fact that if anyone got to defy the Alpha, it was you. “Might have forgotten, but I'm a grown damn woman who can make her own decisions.” 

With that he turned, advancing on you. A shiver ran through your body at how menacing he looked, his features set in harshness, broad shoulder and a stagger to his stride as he crossed the rooms to reach you. “You sure as fuck didn’t act like it when you took the keys hanging on the peg. The truck that only half works, lucky it even had fucking snow tires on it or else you would be down the side of the mountain. Not to mention who might have come across you.” The Alpha was raging in Steve’s mind at your recklessness, that this new threat he had not entirely come clean to you about could have been out there, ready to just take you away from him. 

“How the fuck was I supposed to know that specific truck was being repaired on? Seems like half the shit here is constantly getting fixed.” You bit back in anger, not actually meaning it, but you didn't want to fess up to you being wrong, and he was right. Not yet anyways. “And what's that supposed to mean? Who would come for me Steve? Hmm?” You rounded on him, stepping up to poke your finger in his chest just to piss him off that much more. 

The taps against his chest didn't phase him any, he had much worse with his ex and some part of him was a bit shocked at how you were arguing back with him, knowing that months ago you wouldn't have dared to out of fear. Now here you were, fighting back without hesitation. “You didn't answer me about the phone Y/N, You couldn't even call me to tell me that the truck broke down the side of the road. What the fucks the point of having it if you are not even going to use it? What would you have done if John wasn't coming back up? You didn’t even tell me you were leaving, just fucking left without so much as a-” 

Your own temper was rising the more he spoke, effectively feeling like he was treating you like a child, not his partner. Your eyes rolled at him while snapping your teeth in a snarl. “Oh I don't know Steve, guess I could have shifted and strolled home. Or am I even allowed to do that, Alpha?” You knew it was a low blow, implying that Steve really restricted you from anything. He hadn't even made it a command for you to follow, he simply said this morning to stay home. No impulse for you to follow behind it. But at this point you weren't thinking that. “I forgot the fucking phone this one time Steve.” 

That little eyeroll of yours had Steve’s temples throbbing at that point. Sure that his blood pressure was rising just as fast as this conversation between them was. Your dismissal at the dangers you had put yourself in made him grit his teeth trying to keep from shouting at you. “You’re an Omega Y/N, the Alpha’s Omega who was just out of heat. Any shifter outside of the pack could have smelled that and went out of control.” Now he was shouting, a deep rage burning in his chest. “You never think of your safety Y/N!”  

You glared at him, shaking in your anger at your mates brashness in belittling you. “You don’t think I don't know that Steve?” You yanked the collar of your shirt to show off a faded scar, satisfied as you saw some of the rage shrink from his face seeing the mark on you, turning to guilt at his accusation. Your voice was raised just as much as his was at this point. “Trust me, I won't forget how people can be.” You let go of your collar and tug it back in place. “Not ever. Not even those we should trust.”  

Steve growled out and whipped away from you, fisting his hand in his hair for a moment in frustration. “You know that's not what I mean Little One.” 

“But you still said it, and you can't take back words Alpha. No matter how much you want to.” You wiped at the angered tears on your face and breathed out. “I gotta get out of here, I can't breathe.” 

This turned Steve around just as quickly, his brows arched. “Where the hell are you going?” He asked as you were tugging on your coat and stuffing your feet in your boots. 

“Out, away. Natasha’s. Just as long as you are not there. I need space right now from you.” All you knew was you wanted to be alone and was opening the door when Steve planted a palm against the wood, shoving it shut again. “Let me the fuck out Steve, Now.” You pushed against his chest, and this time he didn't resist, stepping back as you opened the door and slammed it behind you, trudging off the porch. Steve was quick to follow you out. Standing on the porch while watching you walk away. Any nearby packmates openly stared at the scene in shock, for they had never heard Steve and You shout at one another. 

You flinched when you heard Steve snarl in rage and the snapping of railing on the porch, but you didn't look back while holding your head up high, making your way past others before you snapped out at them. “Don't you have something you should be doing?” Which set off the flurry of activity again until you made your way across the compound to Natasha’s and let yourself in, shutting the Pack and Steve away for now. 

Steve could feel himself losing patience with himself. He went back inside and slammed his door hard enough to rattle the cabin windows, locking himself away from the world for the moment. 

It wasn't long till it spread to the others that the Alpha and his Little One were fighting. Sara was the first to approach Natasha cabin, softly knocking on the door. “Y/N? Can I come in?” she waited, listening intently, but heard nothing that invited her to come in. Defeated, she retreated back to her home, shaking her head at Sam. 

Sam tried next with Steve, less subtle then his mate had been. His fist pounded against the door, bellowing Steve’s name. When there isn't an answer, he went around to the back to see Steve brooding on the back deck overlooking the lake. Making his way towards the Alpha, who was leaning forward, his elbows planted on his knees, and his hands fisted together that he had his mouth pressed against as if lost in thought, Sam was careful in his approach. Everything vibrating from him said caution to Sam. Leaning against a railing, Sam cleared his throat. “Sara sent me over to come check on ya.” 

Steve just grunted in response, his eyes not breaking from the lake. 

“Gotta say man, that was quite the argument you two had.” Sam shifted a bit, hoping Steve would snap out of it and respond, but the Alpha didn't make any notion he was paying attention. “Y/N wouldn't answer the door, we figured she was still cooling off. Wanna talk about what is going on between you two?” 

Steve finally sighed and shifted to lean back, his legs stretching out before him. “She was reckless, not taking her safety into account. Anything could have happened. There are rogue wolves possibly in the area. She didn't have her phone.” Steve just released his frustrations up in the air and Sam cocked his brow. 

“Okay, and what? you lost your temper? Did she even know there was anything for her to worry about such as rogue packs?” Sam nailed it on the head and Steve clenched his jaw, glaring at his friend. “Don’t give me that look, what's the first thing you did? What you have done in the past I bet. Instead of talking, you let your worry and anger take over.” He shrugged a bit. 

“Fuck off Sam, I don’t need this shit.” Steve growled at him and Sam put up his hands to placate him. 

“Just give it some thought Steve. Of course you had every right to be worried as hell, I would have been furious and scared if it had been Sara. Hell that had been Sara a time or two, just like I have done dumb shit with her. Just remember who Y/N is before you lay out your anger on her man. Maybe tell her why you were so pissed off in the first place.” Sam shifted from where he was leaning against the railing and started back down the steps, letting the Alpha sit with his words. 

After the silence got to deafening, Steve pulled to a stand. Shedding his clothes on the porch, he was quick to shift to the Alpha. Shaking his fur out and stretching his head back to get his muscles stretched, he bounded off the porch and disappeared from sight into the forest. 

Sara waited another day. But the rumors of you locking yourself in the cabin and the Alpha disappearing overnight into the forest had made the rumors become crazier with every passing word. Within a night the word was that you were leaving the pack and Steve was going to cut the bond. 

So Sara made her way up the steps again, this time she knocked loudly and waited. She heard a shuffle, but no answer. “That’s it Y/N, I'm coming in.” And with a twist of the door handle, Sara walked in and looked around the dim room before she went over to the main window and pushed the curtains to open and let the light in. There was a groan from the couch, in which Sara twisted to see you wrapped in a blanket. As well as a bottle of vodka on the coffee table. “Oh girl, what are you doing?” 

You groaned at her words and hid your head when Sara approached, removing the bottle and taking a whiff of it before wrinkling her nose. “Fuck I forgot that Nat liked this shit.” She muttered while going to pour the last fourth of the bottle down the sink. 

“What are you doing here Sara?” You groaned while flipping the blanket off your head, and she rinsed the bottle before putting it in the recycling. 

“Think it's obvious, coming to make sure you are okay. Be a girlfriend, let you cry on my shoulder about how annoying your man is, all that good stuff. Then tell you to get your shit together and go home.” She stated as she worked on getting the coffee pot started, searching Natasha’s cupboards till she could find what she was looking for. 

“Oh is that how it goes.” You blinked your eyes trying to adjust to the light. “But I assure you I'm fine.” 

“Right, why you and Steve had a shouting match the whole pack is talking about, and for the first time ever you slept away from Steve’s. Sounds fine to me.” Sara listed off while measuring the coffee and starting it. She twisted to lean against the counter, looking at you as you shuffled into the kitchen, rumbled clothes and tried patting down your hair while trying to look perfectly fine even though you had red rimmed eyes. 

“Okay… we had an argument.” You sniffled a bit, your Little Wolf brushing against you to make you feel better. 

Sara gave a sympathetic smile and circled an arm around you while you rested your head against her shoulder. “Actually a big one and he hasn't tried to come over and anything. Last night I was so damn mad at him I drank most that vodka wanting to yell at him more, and now I have a raging headache and don't know what to do.” 

Giving a rub on your back, Sara let you go to pour you a cup of coffee and pressed it into your hands while leading you back to sit down. “Talk to him. Steve might be hard headed but once he cools down, he typically can be reasoned with.” 

You stared down in your coffee cup, going to sip from it and take out some of the pounding from behind your eyes. “Ugh, never let me rage drink again.” 

Sara snorted a bit. “Girl, you go to rage drink, you best be coming to get me for that.” She teased and nudged you lightly with her shoulder, which you chuckled softly. 

“So everyone heard us huh?” You groaned out and she nodded. 

“Heard it and added to it. Right now everyone thinks Steve kicked you out and that you're leaving for good once you got your shit packed. What happened anyways?” 

You shrugged. “Honestly, I didn't think that it was going to be a big deal. Steve wanted to come to town with me because he was nervous about the snow, he claimed. But it was just a quick trip to grab some groceries. So I didn't think he would really care. Grabbed the keys, of course to the truck that he and Sam had been working on, it broke down the side of the road. Forgot my phone, since it was just a quick trip. Luckily Jonathan was headed back up and gave me a ride. He called Steve to let him know.” 

Sara listened, once in a while patting your knee with sympathy or shaking her head. The she wolf knew the Alpha was over protective of those he considered his, but You hadn't even made it off the mountain. Only going a few miles at that point when the truck had broken down. “I can see why you would be mad at Steve. He didn’t need to go off like that and let his temper get the best of him.” 

You wrinkled your nose while picking at your fingers. It felt really unnatural to you to be staying at Natasha’s, really just wanting to go back home now. But you had no idea if Steve was still mad at you or not. That was the worst feeling, thinking that your mate was angry at you. “I know he was just looking out for me but fuck it made me feel stupid, like a burden to him that he has to take care of me all the time. I still don’t even know why he is really all that mad. Sure forgetting the cell phone was stupid on my part, but plenty of the pack travel on that road. It was minutes before I was found and helped.” You rubbed at your face. “So the pack is really worried we will split up?” 

What if some of the rumors are true? Your thoughts darkened and the Little Wolf rumbled a bit to make herself known. 

<Don’t. You know better than that.>

Well he was really mad, what if-

<Y/N, shut it down now.> She snapped out while pushing up to make a stand against your negative thoughts swirling. <Steve didn’t even make you leave. You walked over here to cool off.> 

Sara spoke up, drawing your attention back to her. “You know how rumors go. They catch any trouble in paradise kind of thing and it blows up.” She scooted over closer and wrapped an arm around your shoulder. “You both have cooled off. Maybe it's time to go back home and talk to him? I'm sure he misses you as much as you miss him.” 

The Alpha dodged off the usual trails he followed not wanting to come across any others that might be stretching their legs and started making his own through the heavy February snow. He didn't wander far though, because he felt your sorrow on your shared bond. It made his ears flatten against his skull and his staggering gait circled him back towards where he knew you were several times during the night, sure to check on Natasha’s several time to be sure you were safe. Even now he could catch the scent of you from the cabin that didn't belong there. It belonged at his cabin, with him. Where he could wake up and bury his nose in your neck, and feel your soft body welcome him. Where you sang in his kitchen unaware he was listening. Or curl up on the deck with your book pretending to read, but you were having private conversations with the birds and squirrels coming to the feeders, lost in your own little world. Again he circled Natasha’s cabin, his muzzle lifted to try to find you again, his ears twisting back and forth, searching you out. Your voice was muffled with another’s, but it was there and the Alpha sighed. 

He hated the temper that flared so strongly and suddenly. Yes he was upset and his fear at how reckless you had been had flared into this ugly thing that pushed you away. Now it was time for him to make it right, bring you home. Pacing around the cabin, he paused at the steps and settled down to sit. The Alpha let himself sink into the bond, reaching out to meet his Little One gently. He felt when You were aware he was close, the sadness easing a bit but still cautious. 

You paused what you were saying when warmth blossomed through you and a bit of a foreign ache. Sara tilted her head watching you as your jaw snapped shut and you rubbed at your arms. “Y/N? What is it?” 

“Steve is close.” You said under your breath and Sara gave a small knowing smile, being familiar with that sensation with Sam. 

A deep howl started just outside of Natasha’s front door and you felt a rush rise up in your throat, the Little Wolf aching to answer him back. You went to the front door and eased it open to see the large Silver Wolf singing at the door, when he heard the creek of the door open, he gave a slight thump of his tail against the packed snow and tilted his head looking at you. Folding your arms over your chest, you stepped out further with a soft. 

“Alpha, what are you doing here?” 

He pushed to a stand and gave you a play bow, his tail curling over his back while swaying in a wag, enticing you to join him. You went down the few steps and he mouthed your hand, tugging it gently to join him. Running your hand over his head, your hand rubbing deeply at his softer ears and giggling when you saw him get a blissed look at your touch, you shook your head. “Okay okay.” Quickly you tugged off your clothes, tossing them behind you. Which Steve leaped up to catch, still very much in a playful manner till the front of Natasha’s place was littered with your clothes and the Little Wolf was prancing around the Alpha, who was nipping at you twisting around to keep up with her. 

Sara stepped out onto the porch, leaning against the railing watching the two of you play with one another, chuckling when Steve rolled you to your back and stood over you stiff legged, which you played as the good little submissive wolf, nuzzling under his chin and whimpering. It lasted all of five seconds before you heaved against him to knock him off balance and twisted to bolt off, leaving the Alpha chasing after you out of sight. The woman shook her head with a snort at the two of you and proceeded down the steps to gather your abandoned clothes to take back to your proper cabin. Making sure Natasha’s place was closed back up. 

On her way towards Steve’s, Sam caught up to her with an arm around her shoulder. “I see it worked.” He grinned and she leaned slightly into her mate, letting his scent and warmth surround her. 

“Of course it did, they are both just too damn stubborn and needed a slight push.” Sara said as she started up the stairs and let them in to drop Y/N clothes on the coffee table, turning towards her mate and wrapping her arms around him. “Were we ever like that in the beginning?” Sara wriggled her brows teasing and Sam let his hands rest on her hips, pulling her in closer, chaining nips and kisses over her face till she was nuzzling into him. 

“Babygirl, of course we are still like that. Remember last week?” 

Sara smacked against his chest with a laugh and pushed against Sam to get them back out the door. “You are such a pain in my ass Wilson.” 

“Yet you keep me around still.” He grinned while they left, both of them feeling accomplished that Steve and You were now interacting once again. 

“For now, till I find me another stud.” Sara shrugged and Sam tickled her sides to get her laughing. 

You paced along the tops of frozen snowdrifts, Steve following along nearby but not risking to follow you into the deeper snow as he was much heavier and would sink where you wouldn't. He kept up easily with you though, familiar with where you were leading him and when you rolled off the embankment to land next to him, he took over. Nudging you with his muzzle and steering you towards the thinning trees, you both broke out onto one of the lake's beaches. 

Here the wind picked up, lifting loose snow to twirl around across the ice that the lake had turned into. You both bounded onto the lake, chasing after the swirls of snow with snapping jaws and bounding leaps into the air. Powered haunches folded underneath you before you leaped into the air, landing heavily on your forepaws and rolling into a run which the Alpha streaked past you and dug in his claws to keep from slipping too much. He was quick to turn back though and slide alongside you, this time you picked the way you two traveled together, slowing down to an easy going lope. It wasn't long till you both ended at another beach further away from the compound. This one scattered with old weathered logs that you balanced beamed along, Steve jumping over them easily till you both circled back into the forest that was muffled with fresh snowfall. 

Easing you both back home, when you hit the deck and scrambled up the steps, the Alpha was right behind you and shifting to ease open the door leading into the bedroom, which you were quick to run into the bathroom and shifted back yourself to turn on the hot water. 

Steve silently joined you in there, the both of you stepping under the hot water. Steve twisted your back to his chest, sliding chilly hands along your skin while you tilted your head back into the water, sighing as the heat felt good on your chilly body. He dropped a kiss to your shoulder while grabbing the shampoo bottle and squirting a generous amount on his palm. 

“Step out of the water Little One.” He rumbled and you obliged, his hands working the soap into suds and massaging into your scalp. You sunk into that relaxed state where you let Steve simply take care of you, moving the way he eased you back and forth in the water. 

Steve rumbled gently with content now that his Little One was back with him, knowing he was going to have to tell you why he snapped in anger. But right now having your trust was everything and he did his best to make sure you had just what you needed. Even needing to do the same for him when you turned and insisted on washing him. 

The soap foamed against his chest as you followed the familiar path you've traced countless times now while talking in bed, pressing in close and back up to wrap your arms around his neck and hug yourself in close, nuzzling in against his neck. It wasn't sexual in nature, just the desire to be close, your fingers skating over his upper back and sighing against him as his warmth and scent wafted over you, making you feel calm for the first time in a couple days. “Little One, we should probably get out.” He left off the ‘and talk’ but you knew that it had to happen. With a nod, you back up for him to rinse off. 

Afterwards he twisted the knobs off so they could dry off. Gathering a fluffy towel, he whisked it over your body till the majority of your skin was dry. He might have left a few tempting drops on your shoulder that he lapped off with a stroke of his tongue, just further marking you as his. 

Once you both left the bathroom, Steve eased into his leather chair across the room, and tugged you into his lap, his hands soothingly stroking your thigh. You let your arm ease around his neck, watching as he traced your legs with the gentlest touch, you never would have known those hands could be capable of anything else. “I'm sorry I left Alpha. I didn't mean to make you worry.” You broke the silence and cold blue eyes lifted to warm looking at you, the furrows between his eyes deepening which you smoothed a thumb over to smooth back out, make him relax. He caught your wrist and brought your fingers down to his lips, just pressing them against your fingers till he sighed against your fingertips. 

He needed to tell you because you deserved to know. “Little One, I wouldn't have normally reacted that way. Just that morning Natasha called me to tell me some news that had me worried and I should have told you. I was trying to spare you from worrying.” 

Now it was your turn to furrow your brow, a bit of a frown tugging on your mouth as you pulled your hand back from him to rest your hand against his chest. “What? What did she tell you?” 

You could see his jaw clench a bit, hating that this perfect bubble that your lives had been since Pierce would be taken away. Tilting your head forward, you nudge your nose against his, and his forehead leaned against yours a few seconds till he drew back to speak. “Some rogue wolves are taking out Alphas. There are some survivors but the packs get destroyed in the process. Natasha keeps running across the attacks while tracking Bucky and the others.” 

You gasped out, your eyes widening in surprise. “You don’t think it could be…?” You drifted off, not even wanting to say the words and Steve shook his head. 

“I really don't know Little One. Fuck I hope not. But Natasha said that they were efficient in their attacks. Bucky and Clint both have the training for it. Wanda and Pietro are powerful in ways beyond being shifters. I need to talk to the rest of the Pack. Especially since they are heading this way, warn others in the area.” 

You nodded, your touch against his chest feeling the vibrations of the rumbles of unease rising from his chest. “Means you will have to contact Stark.” 

Steve sighed, resting his hand against your hip and sliding you in closer till you laid your head on his shoulder. “He would do the same for me.” Since the incident last fall, Steve and Tony had kept away from each other, well within their respective boundaries, but Steve wouldn't let that keep him from warning him of the imposing danger. 

“What do you think the whole Council will do?” You questioned next. 

Steve couldn't help the growl that escaped him then, the Alpha mimicking it himself with great distaste at the supposed council that was supposed to help the Packs. 

“Whatever the fuck they want I suppose. As long as they don’t try to interfere with us.” He rumbled out and you shifted in to bite gently on your mark at the crook of his neck and shoulder, giving a gentle lap of tongue to calm your mate once more. The Little Wolf crossed the bond to be closer to the Alpha, nuzzling the growling intimidating beast till he settled back down. “When I found out you were gone… Fuck Y/N, all I could think of was what if something happened to you.” He sighed out his confession now to his anger and you let it sink in, thinking of how it had affected him. You had heard what had happened when Pierce had injected you and you went under. Steve lost his tight control and almost attacked anyone coming close to you, if it wasn't for Bucky, who knows what would have happened then. 

You cupped his face and turned him towards you, kissing him slowly, drawing it out while you poured your love for him into it. “Thank you for finally telling me, I understand now why you were so upset.” 

Steve sighed against your mouth, inhaling your scent like a healing balm to his fears at what might be coming to their borders. “I will do better I promise Little One.” 

You simply hugged around him tighter and committed how he felt to memory, all that power kept in check against you. “We both will Steve.”

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Get Paid To Take Pictures With Your Phone – 20 Ways That Work（Previous）

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In the past, high-quality cameras were expensive, fragile devices used primarily by professional photographers. And while you can still spend a pretty penny on a top-of-the-line model, most modern smartphone cameras are more than capable of taking amazing pictures — even if all you know how to do is point and click.

And whether you’re a full-time photographer or an amateur in search of a good side hustle, there are dozens of ways to sell the images from your phone.

All you need is a smartphone with a camera and a good platform on which to sell your photos.

In this post, we’ll run down some of the best ways to get paid to take pictures with your phone, and we’ll answer a few of the most commonly asked questions about the process.

Getting Started

Starting a photography side hustle is not as easy as whipping out your phone to catch a pretty sunset, then selling the image online.

Before you can get started making money from your iPhone or Android photos, you’ll need some equipment, software and basic know-how. You don’t need to be an expert — just cover these basics and you’ll be ready to get started.

Smartphone with a high-quality camera: With technology constantly advancing, a good smartphone camera is essential if you want your images to sell. Even if your images are properly framed and well-lit, they’ll be tough to sell if they’re shot with an outdated lens or in low resolution. Here’s a post that outlines some good quality smartphone cameras that will serve you well.

Photo editing software: You can do basic edits on your phone, but if you’re optimizing photos for print (think wall art and merch), you’re better off editing your images on a computer. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom have been the industry leaders in photo editing software for decades, but if the price tag is too steep, GIMP (desktop) and A Color Story (mobile) are cheaper alternatives for editing your photos.

#1. EyeEm

EyeEm has some exclusive technological advantages over other stock photo sites. The app’s algorithm analyzes your photos for aesthetic value and relevance and automatically tags their visual elements.

EyeEm also partners with Getty Images, a major stock photo website, which increases the exposure (and potential sale) of your images.

Completing photography “missions” (requests or contests from EyeEm clients) can get your photo licensed by big name brands, get your image shared on EyeEm’s social media channels, or earn you swag.

EyeEm pays a 50% royalty rate for sold images, and you retain all the copyrights to the photo.

#2. Foap

The Foap app offers clear guidelines on acceptance criteria for photos. You can also connect with other Foap photographers and get constructive feedback on your photos.

Foap offers 50% profit sharing on sold images. Payments are sent via PayPal.

Foap’s marketing is not as strong as some other big name stock image companies and apps. This has resulted in some users complaining about a lot of work for minimal pay. However, if you’re a new photographer looking to develop your skills and gain exposure, Foap can be a solid option.

#3. Snapwire

Snapwire has a fairly generous payout structure: you keep up to 100% on client requests and challenges, and you earn 50% on downloads from subscribers.

This app is much more based on client requests than others. Requesters can award points to photos that exemplify the look they’re going for. At the end of the contest, requesting companies buy the photos they want from the winner(s).

Photographers can “level up” with successful images and projects, gaining advantages with each level that helps them gain more exposure and sell more photos.

#4. AGORA Images

Based in Spain, the AGORA app is more like a social media platform than a stock photo website. They offer cash prizes for their weekly photo challenges, with winners determined by app users’ votes.

Payouts range from $1,000 to $25,000, along with the chance to be published in some of the leading newspapers and magazines around the world. Because they focus on a worldwide audience, competition is diverse but also steep.

AGORA is a great way to gain exposure. That said, while you may get lucky and win one of the contests, other apps may be a better fit if money is your primary goal.

Stock Photography Websites

When you see breathtaking landscapes and portraits with personality on stock photo websites, you may think they’re all shot by expert photographers with years of experience. But that’s not necessarily true. Many of these stock photography websites accept and sell images from shutterbugs of all types and experience levels.

#5. Adobe Stock

Formerly called Fotolia, Adobe Stock is woven into the Adobe suite of products. You can upload your photos directly from Lightroom or Bridge. If you’re new to tagging your photos, Adobe Stock’s AI will prompt you with relevant tags. Adobe stock pays 33% royalties to contributors via PayPal or Skrill.

#6. Shutterstock

Shutterstock is one of the most popular stock photo sites on the web. It offers a mobile app to help track sales, submit photos and get notifications of what customers want. Their payout structure is tiered, so the more lifetime earnings you have the greater the percentage of royalties you keep. Earnings top out at 30%.

#7. IStock By Getty Images

A great option for the experienced photographer, iStock by Getty Images requires you to get accepted to be a contributor. This is one of the most well-known stock photo websites, and while royalties start at only 15% (more for exclusive contributors), the high traffic makes it an option that’s well worth your time.

#8. 500XPrime

500X Prime offers high royalties for contributing photographers — 30% for non-exclusive and 60% with exclusive content. Each photo is reviewed prior to licensing for technical quality, originality, aesthetic value, and other requirements.Plus, their proprietary “Pulse” algorithm is designed to surface the submissions of new photographers so they can gain feedback and increase their exposure.

#9. Twenty20

Twenty20 is a part of the Envato ecosystem, which is an array of marketplaces for creative producers that offers everything from website templates to visual assets for use in video games.

If your photo gallery makes the Curated Collections, you’ll gain increased exposure on Twenty20’s website. Check out the Sold Feed to see what photos are selling in real time to help guide you on what to shoot.

Twenty20’s Subscriber Share is a more complicated payout structure than most, but it rewards photographers who have devoted, niche followings.

#10. DepositPhotos

Like Getty Images, DepositPhotos requires photographers to pass a short test and submit sample photos before they start uploading. Their compensation structure is generous: contributors earn 34% to 42% royalties from on-demand photos and $0.30 to $0.35 from subscription files. You can also level up your pay grade based on your overall amount of downloads. The more downloads your photos get, the greater your royalties on all your photos.

#11. Dreamstime

Dreamstime has been selling photographers’ stock photos since 2000. With a worldwide audience, the site supports multiple currencies and languages. It doesn’t require prior approval or testing to upload, but it does vet images to meet standards of commercial and creative appeal. Payouts range from 25% royalties for newbies to 60% for exclusive contributors.

Photos On Merchandise

You can create additional value by turning your photos into items for sale — especially if you have graphic design skills to create fresh, new images. From t-shirts to coffee mugs to wall hangings, there are online markets for all sorts of widgets to sell with your decorative photos.

#12. Etsy

On Etsy, you can sell prints, canvases, framed photos or digital image files — it’s all up to you. Opening your shop on their website is easy and free, and listing each item costs only 20 cents. Etsy handles the transaction while you do all the printing, packaging and shipping.

#13. Merch By Amazon

You can turn your art into t-shirts with Merch by Amazon. Amazon takes care of the business side of t-shirt production (printing, shipping and handling, and payment). Plus, they produce t-shirts as they’re ordered, so you don’t pay anything upfront (and you’re not stuck with boxes of t-shirts you can’t sell cluttering up your garage). Royalties are $1 to $10 per shirt.

#14. MiPic

If you want to go a step beyond t-shirts, MiPic can turn your photos into leggings, swimsuits, towels and more. Open your own customized print store and earn up to 20% commission on the sale of your items. There are no setup fees, and MiPic takes care of all of the manufacturing, sales and distribution aspects of the business.

#15. Society6

Society6 is more than just an online marketplace for selling items with your photos on them; it’s also a community of artists to engage with and inspire you. The website is very artist-focused, which is why they offer 10% commission on referred sales in addition to the 10% you make on your own items.

#16. Redbubble

Redbubble gives you a lot more leeway on setting your own prices than other photo sites. Rather than the website setting the price, then paying you a commission, Redbubble sets the base price, then you choose the markup on your items for sale. They offer a wide range of products to display your images, from scarves to coasters to journals.

#17. Instaprints

Instaprints has several unique marketing tools to increase your sales and exposure. You can sell on Facebook, through retail stores, and even license your art for the walls of TV show sets! The Instaprints mobile app lets customers see how your image will look on their wall before they buy.

Most features come with a free account, but premium members can access additional options like building your own website and sending promotional emails.

I will regularly share the high-quality content of the blog in order to help more people.

[ur-favoriterecord]

The Riddle Café-Chapter 1: The Beginning

Yeah, I decided on posting the Chapters

AU: Instead of becoming a Villain, Ed opened a cafe! This new cafe is now, unfortunately, frequented by Vigilantes(and rogues), but mainly vigilantes!

Opening a business in Gotham was harder than opening a business anywhere else. While opening a business anywhere was hard, in Gotham, you might as well not try at all

With the constant threat of robbery, demolition, somehow becoming the front of an up and coming gang, or the amount of other terrible-for-bussiness things that could happen;Unless its a family business or chain, you might as well try somewhere else

This did not, however, stop Edward Nashton

This had to happen. He couldn't get his dream job back, and nowhere else was hiring. Edward, honestly, had nothing left to lose.

Well, except for Elizabeth.

He was doing this for his daughter. To make sure she has a future! He wanted to make sure his daughter didn't have to live on the streets, needing to steal to survive. 

That was when he saw the ad for the café

It wasn't perfect, not by a long shot. It was run down and there was a reason it was on sale for any poor soul to buy it, but it would work. 

It was a miracle that he had saved up enough money(and the money that was in his long lost fathers savings. Thank goodness Edward was the one writing the will) to buy it without having to take Eliza out of school. 

Edward sold the house they where living in before, as there was an apartment over the café and that gave them enough money to start renovating the place. He repainted the walls a nice mint green and got someone to put new flooring and walls in, obviously not in that order.

Hr sold his car for even more money. While you would think that he should have kept his car, for groceries and-for Eliza- School, there where alternatives. Being in the heart of Gotham, the stores where barely a mile away in multiple directions. Plus, if need be, there was the city bus

Edward had renamed the place "The Riddle Café" When he had decided to start the process of opening the damn place. He didn't know why he had named it that, but the name had stuck and now it was on this plack of wood written in cursive surrounded by neon question marks

The appliances in the kitchen where the ones he had at home or whatever was in good quality and on sale. Edward got all the food he needed in bulk and, knowing he was going to need coffee if he where to make this whole Café thing worked, got a few cans of Folger's until he could afford to buy premium coffee beans from Jamaica

He had learned to cook for two reasons. The first was so he could make himself actual meals and don't have to live off of whatever leftovers where available and ramen. The second was so that Eliza didn't live off of leftovers, boxed foods, and ramen

Edward took in a deep sigh as he flipped the sign outside to 'Open' for the first time

Edward didn't get his first customer until 2 weeks after opening. And, no, it was not a break in or the clowns 

It was the Batmans sidekick, Robin

The kid-thankfully- came in the front door with a skip in his step and sat down at the countertop and rang the bell. Alerting Edward of his presence from the kitchen

"Coming!" Edward shouted, actually doing what he had said. He took notice of the...kid? Teen? How old was Robin anyway?

Edward took in a deep breath in and put a smile on his face before welcoming the kid to the café

"Welcome" He simply said, putting a menu in front of Robin "Would you like something to drink?"

"Yeah! Uh..." He thought for a moment "What juice do you have?"

"Apple and Orange" Edward answered

"Apple Juice please" Robin said. Looking at the menu again

"Coming right up" he went to the kitchen to grab a glass and poured the juice from the fountain "here you go"

"Thank you!" The kid smiled. Robin got out five dollars to pay for his drink "Here you go!"

"Thank you" there was a long silence for a minute while Robin drank his drink. Starting to get uncomfortable with the silence, Edward decided to ask the kid a question that had been bugging him while he got the drink

"Does your guardian know your here?"

"B? No, not really"

"What do you mean 'Not really'?"

"I said I was going to get something to drink, I never specified where before I dipped"

"Oh, OK. Well, next time, tell your guardian where your going, k?"

"K. See ya!" The kid put the glass down before leaving with his cape flowing behind him

"Bye" Edward waved

The first Robin-Now going by Nightwing- became a frequent customer of his. This was to the point where, whenever the Bat got a new bird, the Oldest took them to the Café

Sometime before the evolution between Robin and Nightwing, the Café had gotten a following, mostly between the Bats and the Rogues, though it was rare for people of both groups to be at the place at the same time

So, while the owner of the Café cleaned the coffee mug, the 18 year old Robin was complaining of the situation he and his guardian where in

"I just don't get it! He still treats me like a kid when I'm practically an adult!" The Self proclaimed Adult complained while drinking his latte the was added to the menu exactly 5 days ago

"Uh huh" Edward said, only slightly paying attention

"What should I do?" Robin asked

"What should you do?" Edward said, confused

"I don't know! That's why I asked you"

"Well...your 18 now, more or less. Maybe...move out? And focus on College?" Edward seriously didn't know what advise to give the poor teen

"....maybe" Robin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose only slightly

There was a silence that was all to familiar between them before Edward went back to the kitchen

[reylo-solo]

Reylo neighbors

I had way too much fun writing this and I DEFINITELY got carried away, lol. Thanks for the prompt!

Read it on AO3.

➳ Say It With Roses

               The house at 515 ParkwoodCrescent was built in the early 1950’s. It had a beautiful widow’s walk and anenclosed porch, picture windows, a cobblestone walkway, and a lovely fenced-inbackyard, perfect for parties. It had also been vacant for two and a half years.

               Every morning when Ben Solo wokeup, he would take his cup of coffee and drag his feet over to his living room,where he would gaze sternly out the bay window and his eyes would always roamover the weathered ‘For Sale’ sign next door to his house. He would think tohimself, For Christ’s sake, is the placehaunted or something? He had seen any number of people get a tour inside bythe realtor over the last two and a half years, and not a single one had madean offer on it. They always left smiling, but it never amounted to a damnedthing.

Thecompany that oversaw the management of the lot consistently forgot to mow thelawn, and Ben consistently had to phone and complain to remind them. It drovehim insane. The picketed half-fence his property shared with that house waspristine on his end, but was peeling and hideous on the other side.

BenSolo was a perfectionist. He liked things to be just as he wanted them to be,no more, no less. He liked things to be kept tidy. 515 Parkwood Crescent hadnot been tidy in almost three years. So obviously, this was a big point ofcontention for him.

Untilone fateful morning when Ben’s alarm roused him from his deep slumber at 7:30.He all but fell out of bed, stretched, and put his comfortable sheepskin suede slipperson to walk downstairs to the kitchen. This time when he looked out his window,something was different. The ‘For Sale’ sign had changed. Now, it boldlyproclaimed ‘SOLD’.

“Holyshit,” Ben cursed under his breath, “it’s finally happening.”

Nowcame the anxious wait. Who had bought it? Was it a family? A single person,like himself? Would they be lazy, or proactive? Would they keep their lawn niceand orderly? Would they have children? God forbid they had a dog, whoever it was. Dogs always chewedup gardens, and Ben had a lovely row of prize roses along his side of the fencethat he would sure like to keep planted in the soil.

Therest of May went by quickly, with no signs of life next door. But Ben knew howthis worked. They would get possession on the 1st of June, and afterthat he would know who his new neighbour(s) would be.

Hehad grown oddly used to having no one living on that side of his house. Forinstance, he had enjoyed walking about naked with the blinds on that side open,because no one could see him, especially when he was upstairs in his room withits window that faced the vacant house. It would suck not to be able to do thatanymore, but if it meant the fence would get painted he supposed he should begrateful.

June1st came and went. There were no moving trucks that day, but Ben didspot an old Volkswagen car parked out front and some lights on inside thehouse. He wondered if he shouldn’t go over and say hello, but then heremembered that Mrs. Graham, who lived on the other side of his house, had donethat when he had first moved in, and he still kind-of resented her for it. No, he thought. I’d better give them a few days to get situated first.

By June 2nd, the moving trucks werethere. He saw them in the morning when he was going to work, and spotted some movingcompany workers laboriously hauling a heavy-looking leather loveseat into thehouse. But still no sign of the occupant(s).

Hedidn’t have to wait much longer, however. When he came home from work at 6:00on the dot, grabbed his briefcase from the backseat, and began heading up hiswalkway, he was surprised to hear excitable yipping getting closer and closerto him. When he looked down he saw a small blur of white and brown.

“You’vegot to be kidding me,” he grumbled under his breath. “A fucking dog.”

Indeed,the rambunctious little pup, with the brown spot on its rump and the streaks ofrust colour in its ears, was jumping up at Ben’s legs, stubby little tailwagging in pure euphoria. Ben looked down at the dog with unbridled distaste.

“Bo! Oh my god, I’m so sorry!”

Ben’shead snapped up at the sound of a human – female – voice. A petite brunette waslaunching herself off the porch of 515 Parkwood Crescent, rushing down thecobblestone walkway, crossing over into Ben’s yard, and scooping the pup upinto her arms. Ben was stunned into paralyzed silence.

Shewas young, not far into her 20’s, with lively eyes and a sun-kissed, bronzecomplexion. Wherever she had come from, it had been warm there. Freckles weresplashed across the bridge of her nose, a few dabbled along her cheekbones. Hersmile was 10,000-watt; so bright and intoxicating in nature. She had her hairpulled up in a bun and she wore a ragged old tank-top and camo cut-offs. Shehad a touch of periwinkle paint smeared across her left shoulder and dirt underher fingernails. She extended a hand to Ben.

“Hi,I’m your new neighbour, Rey.”

Benswallowed, surprised at just how dry his throat felt. He shook her hand firmly.

“Myname’s Ben. Nice to meet you, and your, uh, dog.” He said the last word with justthe right amount of sour inflection.

Reyblushed lightly. Ben could feel his own face warming significantly.

“Yeah,again, I’m sorry. He slipped out right when I opened the door. He really likesmeeting new people.”

“Howcute.” Ben muttered.

Thetwo spoke for a short while. Rey told Ben all the minor details he couldpossibly want to know. She had grown up in London as an orphan, and had justfinished travelling the world with a photography scholarship. Apparently shewas world-renowned, but Ben had never heard of her. She was doing a lot ofrenovation work to the house and couldn’t wait to “put down roots here”. Benhad been as cordial as he possibly could be. In truth he didn’t mind listeningto her speak. Her accented voice was intoxicating. But eventually her spellbroke when little Bo took to barking at a biker riding down the street,squirming in his owner’s toned arms.

“Ah,you’ll have to excuse me. I need to get him back inside before his little heartjust can’t take the excitement anymore. It was really lovely to meet you,though. I hope we can talk again soon over the fence someday!”

Bensmiled stiffly, eyeing Bo with a healthy amount of wariness. “I’m sure wewill.”

Thetwo parted ways. After that their contact was minimal for a couple of weeks.Ben was busy with work and was out of the house six days out of the week (onthe seventh he stayed in his man cave watching terrible movies on Netflix inhis pyjamas, smoking one premium joint at around 5 p.m. – his special secrettradition to thank himself for getting through the week without killinganyone). Rey, on the other hand, clearly remained busy on her renovations. Benwould see lights on in the house into the wee hours of the morning, and if hewent outside on his deck and listened closely, he could hear muted hammeringnoises and soft, echoing music playing from somewhere inside the house. Hecan’t say he wasn’t curious about what she was doing in there. The interior ofthe house was beautiful wood and tile, with a stone fireplace, and crown moulding. It was a mid-centuryantique-lover’s dream. Surely shewasn’t making the mistake of trying to modernizeit?

Theymet once more in the evening on a Tuesday, when Ben was on his knees along thefence line, pruning his roses. Rey walked by with a heavy-looking camera bagslung over her shoulder and a binder full of papers in her arm. She gave himthat dazzling smile of hers, which made his heart actually skip a beat, on herway by.

“Evening!”she chirped. “Your roses are absolutely lovely. I’d love to have a garden likeyours someday!”

Hesmiled back, somewhat awkwardly. Ben’s smile was usually quite crooked innature; kind-of goofy-looking but in a charming way, like when a dog ‘smiles’.

“Thanks…”he replied belatedly.

Shewas clearly in a hurry. She unloaded her burdens into the backseat of her carand drove off somewhere. Ben went back to work, the look of her smiling faceburned in his brain for the rest of the night.

Reyhad barely been living next-door for a month when The Incident happened. Oh, it was a doozy, in more ways than one.

Benwoke up that morning and sauntered to the kitchen in his slippers and plaidflannel pyjama pants. His hair was a chaotic mess – he had tossed and turned alot in the night; June was turning out to be a hot month, and the fan in hisbedroom couldn’t keep up with the heat. He was just barely awake. He nearly forgotto put a fresh K-cup of breakfast blend into his Keurig. That would have beendisgusting.

Crisisavoided and with a fresh, aromatic mug of hot coffee in his hand, he wanderedover to his window. The sun had just come up, and the morning sky was streakedwith pink and yellow. A rose gold palette of natural beauty. Speaking ofroses…what was wrong with his roses?!

Heblinked and rubbed his eyes, forcing himself to wake up completely. Rich, darkdirt was scattered across his freshly-trimmed lawn, interlaced with shreddedrose petals, leaves, and a couple whole stems, dug out from their home in thesoil. And there, in the midst of it all, was a little white dog butt with abrown spot along the back.

“Areyou fucking shitting me right now?!”Ben bellowed. His coffee was instantly set down and forgotten about.

Bo,having heard Ben’s outburst from the garden, lifted his dirt-stained face up,floppy puppy ears perked towards the noise. When Ben emerged shortly after,still bare-chested in his slippers and PJ pants, with a look of dark fury onhis face, Bo froze in terror, completely unsure of what to do or where to go.

WhenBen got close, Bo suddenly rolled onto his belly, short little tail tucked inshame as much as it could be. Ben bent down and picked the dog up by the scruffof its neck. Bo couldn’t even meet Ben’s eyes.

“Whatthe hell, dog?” Ben snarled. “I can’tfucking believe this shit. It is 7:30 in the goddamn morning, and you’re goingto hurl this crap in my face? I don’t fucking think so…”

Heswiftly moved down his walkway and over into Rey’s yard, carrying the dog allthe way, tucked at his side. His slippers didn’t really make a veryintimidating sound effect as he stomped up the stairs and across the porch toher front door – which she had painted bright red for some fucking reason. Bright red. Fuck. How original. Ben’sknuckles rapped hard on the painted door.

Noanswer. The lights were off inside, but her car was most certainly parked outfront. Nope. No. He was going to get mad at somebody, goddamn it. The dogdidn’t count.

Hepressed the doorbell repeatedly and kicked at the door until finally, finally, she emerged, one eye shut tothe brightness of the morning, hair falling out of its messy bun, wrapped in anold threadbare robe that was much too big on her.

“Whatis going on…?” she mumbled, slowly registering the very angry half-naked manwith a very nice chest she was now facing. “Bo?”

“Yourfucking dog tore up my roses,” Ben growled, holding the dog up so she could seehis face, smeared with the evidence of his crime. “And I have to beg thequestion: what the hell was he doing in my yard at 7:30 in the morning?”

Reyblinked, colour quickly fading from her face. There it is, Ben thought poisonously. There’s that ‘oh, shit’ look I wanted to see.

“I-Iswear I don’t know…there’s a doggy-door out to the backyard. He must havegotten through the fence somehow, I—”

“Well.That fucking sucks, doesn’t it?” Ben spat. “Meanwhile my garden is destroyedbecause you think it’s fine to let him go out without a leash any damn time hewants!”

Rey’sexpression instantly soured. Her eyes narrowed and her chin stuck out.

“Ican assure you he won’t do it again,” she chewed out bitterly.

“Oh,you’re damned right he won’t,” Ben argued. “Because he’s not going to be letout without a leash until he gets his little digging habit under control,right?”

“Howdare you tell me how to take care of my dog?” Rey snarled, taking Bo roughlyfrom Ben’s arms and setting him down at her feet. Bo whined, blatantlyuncomfortable with the situation he had created.

“Wellclearly someone has to!”

“Whydon’t you piss off? Why do you even grow roses? What kind of soft-side bullshitis that?!”

“Whatare you fucking talking about? I’m not allowed to grow fucking roses in my own damn yard?”

“I’mnot allowed to let my dog go outsidein my own damn yard?!”

“Listen,I’ve been here a lot longer than you—”

“Oh,yeah? It shows!” Rey gestured to her facial area, even tugging down on onecheek, clearly suggesting dark circles and eye wrinkles.

“Ohdoes it?!” Ben yelled.

“Yeah,it does!”

Theirbanter was ended by the sound of Mr. Johnson shouting from a couple housesdown, reminding them both of the lovely, peaceful neighbourhood they calledhome:

“Shut the fuck up!”

Theyboth stopped, chests heaving, angry eyes never leaving the other’s face. It wasat this point Ben realized that, oh – Rey sleeps naked.

Thethreadbare robe she had so thoughtfully put on before answering the door washardly cinched at her waist, creating a very deep-V neckline that showed Ben alot more than he had been expecting to see. It only made it more eye-catchingwhen she crossed her arms like that.

Hecouldn’t help the sudden flush in his face. He was the first to break theirstaring contest, and he wasn’t proud of it. Rey had only a second to appreciateher victory before she too realized why she’d won. With a soft gasp she hastilytugged the collar of her robe closed. Now she was vibrantly blushing too, andshe also looked like she wanted to slap him, which in all actuality she hadevery right to do. But she didn’t, and in the moment she couldn’t quiteunderstand why.

“Keepyour dog on your side of the fence,” Ben grumbled. Most of his fire had diedout by now. He jabbed an accusatory hand at her side of the fence in questionas he descended the porch steps. “And for fuck’s sake, would it kill you topaint it?”

Thetwo carefully avoided one another for the next week, always checking out thewindow before daring to go outside. Ben watered his garden in the morning, Reymowed her lawn in the evening. Bo didn’t escape again. He didn’t even bark. Bensaw Rey out painting her side of the fence one day, but he didn’t dare go outand say anything about it. And it went on like this for a whole, painfully longweek. Until the first fault in the ice cracked to life.

Itwas a Saturday morning. Rey was always gone on a run on Saturday mornings, andBen left for work at 9:00. This morning though, when he opened his door at8:57, he had to pause in the threshold. For there, right outside his door andawfully close to the toe of his shoe, was a small potted rose bush,freshly-grown and healthy, with one small, deep-red bloom on top.

Mystified,Ben picked it up. Amidst the leaves and (this was no doubt done on purpose)thorns, there was a small piece of folded-up paper. Fine stationary, made ofsoft natural paper, and written on the outside of the fold in fine, flowyscript, was his name.

Muchto the (likely) chagrin of the sender, he only received one particularly nastyprick on his ring finger when he reached in to grab it. He sucked on this as hebrought the plant inside and set it down, before opening the letter addressedto him.

I’m sorry my dog toreup your roses, and I’m sorry I didn’t apologize in the moment. I should have.You were right to be angry. Bo feels really, really bad, and so do I. Just soyou know. I bought this at the Farmer’s Market and I thought you could maybeplant it and start fresh. If you don’t want to that’s fine. I understand yourroses were “one of a kind”. I hope you’ll keep this little guy alive, anyway,even if you don’t forgive us. – Rey & Bo (your apologetic neighbours)

Benwould be lying if he said the note didn’t make him smile a little bit. He setit fold-down atop his piano, and admired the little rose bush. Its leaves werea vibrant, lush green, and it was covered in buds. He flicked a leaf andwatched it tremble. He grinned. It would do just fine in his garden.

Hekept coming back to that little rose bush all day long. At work he’d catchhimself doodling, something he rarely did anymore, little sketches of roses inthe margins and bright, dimpled smiles. The plant was a sign of surrender;asking for a truce. Would he give in? Well, yes, he would. It hadn’t taken himlong to come to that conclusion. In all honesty, over the duration of the weekhis anger had faded. Once he had cleaned up his garden he noticed that thedamage wasn’t as extensive as he thought. He could forgive it, he supposed.

Buthow could he let her know it? It just didn’t feel right to him to go over toher house and offer her a plate of store-bought cookies, because lord knows hecouldn’t bake them himself. It felt fake, derivative, and cheesy. “Hey, it’sall water off a duck’s back! Here’s some Pillsbury crap on a plate!”

Itwas 3:36 in the afternoon when the idea struck him. The Grand Gesture. The wayhe was going to let Rey know all was forgiven. He had been inspired bysomething she had said the other day; her words floated back to him as though comingout of the ether of a dream. And suddenly he couldn’t wait to get home. Ofcourse, he’d have to make a couple stops along the way, pick up some suppliesand the like. He planned it out to the last detail, effectively wasting thelast hour and a half of work. And when it was finally time to leave, his deskchair had barely stopped spinning before he had left the building.

Heknew that starting at 5:00, he had only two hours before Rey would be home forthe night after she stopped at the gym (in the short time she had been livingnext door, he had quickly taken note of her daily activities). He could pullthis off in an hour and a half, if he was quick and had no interruptions. Hehauled everything over to Rey’s front lawn and set to work.

Thankfully,the universe was smiling upon him for once and everything went smoothly. He hadsuccessfully started a garden for Rey, in front of her large picture window inthe front yard. He had carefully transplanted a shoot of his own prize roses,right in the centre, with a colourful array of flora and grasses all around. Tohim it looked magnificent, but a nagging voice in the back of his head keptasking ‘Would she even notice it?’

               When all was said and done, hiswatch told him it was 6:51. She would be home soon. He took this opportunity toplant his new rose bush in the spot where Bo had dug up the last one. He wasjust packing the dirt around the base of the plant when he heard her car pullup. He held his breath.

               Her car door shut. He heard herunlatch the front gate and re-latch it behind her. Then came the soft shufflingsound of her shoes walking up the cobblestone pathway…and then all soundsstopped with a sudden, loud gasp.

               Ben peeked precariously over thetop of the fence. She was standing halfway up the walk with her jaw slack, staringwide-eyed at the beautiful arrangement that had seemingly appeared in front of her house. She slowly walked up to it and bentdown to examine the flowers closer. Ben couldn’t see, but when she saw theroses, she grinned because she recognized them instantly.

               At this point, Ben realized heprobably looked like a total jackass, crouched and watching her from across thefence. So he stood up, brushed the dirt from the worn-out knees of his jeans,and cleared his throat.

               “You’re forgiven, in case itwasn’t clear,” he said. “Bo, too.”

               She stood up straight and turnedto look at him, that one-of-a-kind smile glowing like the moon in the sky.

               “You did this?” she askedquietly, her voice laden with emotion.

               Ben nodded. “I didn’t know howelse to say it…and I remembered you telling me you wanted a garden like mine,so I figured I’d help get you started.”

               “I love it,” she confessed. “It’sbeautiful, and it smells amazing.”

               “Well, good. I’m glad.”

               Rey sighed, shifting her weightto her left foot. She gave him an apologetic look.

               “I guess we’ve been lousyneighbours, huh?” she asked.

               “Uh, when the guy down thestreet has to tell us to shut the fuck up, I’m going to say yes, we have been,”Ben answered.

               Rey chuckled. “Woops.”

               “Woops.” Ben agreed with acrooked smile.

               Rey smiled back at him somewhatbashfully, fiddling with the wire of her headphones.

               “Would you like to come inside?”she asked quietly. “I think we could both use a drink, maybe. And…I’d like toget to know you better, if that’s okay.”

               Ben’s eyes widened. He had beenexpecting a hearty thank-you, maybe some joyful tears, but not an invitationinside – into her life. Before hisbrain could even formulate an answer, he was nodding his head yes and hoppingover the fence.

               “Careful,” Rey cautionedplayfully, “I just painted that.”

               Ben smirked. “I know, it looksgood.”

               “Thanks.”

               As he climbed the steps of herporch for the second time in his life, he found himself in a very apologeticmood. Heat burned high in his face, turning the tips of his ears a deep pink.

               “Oh, um…I also want to apologizefor, uh…well, the night of The Incident,I…I promise I wasn’t staring,” he mumbled, “at you.”

               Rey smiled warmly, and Ben didn’tmiss the way her eyes jumped down his body and back up again in one quick,scanning motion.

               “That’s okay,” she confessed asa sly grin spread across her face. “I just hope you don’t mind that I was.”

               Ben didn’t know what to say tothat, so he just grinned like an idiot and followed her inside without a secondthought. She had freshly-baked cookies on her countertop and no Pillsburycontainer in sight.

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TECHNOPRENEURSHIP BLOG

It's a quiet long since the last time I created a blog and now let's get started to our new product which is the “Smartubs” a short term for Smart Tumblers. The first blog I created is related to coffee but now let's go on to technoprenouship industry. How do we come up with this idea, from coffee to smartubs? The idea of having something that can be turn into cold or hot is the main reason we come up in such innovative products.

Tumblers are typically insulated cups or mugs that are designed to keep drinks safe while on the go.

For any occasion.

Smartubs are compact, convenient, and built to keep your drinks insulated for hours. They feature a streamlined design for comfort on the go, a lid to help prevent spills, and insulated materials that seal the temperature. Can keep your warm drinks warm and cold drinks cold for hours. Whether it’s your morning coffee on the way to work, some spiced chai around the campfire, or iced tea to keep you refreshed on a hike, tumblers are a versatile option.

Business Proposal

Our target market this time are the upper middle class people specifically the campers, military, traveler, professionals, office workers which all have the common situation the inaccessible of cold and hot water during camping, hiking, traveling, military operations and even office working.

We also like to reduce Plastic Pollution because for every six bottles people buy, only one is recycled that leads to a big problem given the fact that water bottles do not biodegrade.

The Innovative Product

Smart Tumblers

Smartubs was made of HDPE plastic in it’s outer frame

- BPA Free Lid

-Leak Proof Designs

- Premium Copper Coated

-Vacumm insulation

- Food Grade Stainless Steel

- Durable Stylish powder coating

-Anti sweat and Burn Free design

Main Features

The main feature of SmarTumb is to serve cold and hot coffee or any other liquid matters. Moreover, it is stainless is not just durable however it is the safest when it comes to storing food or beverages. These feature of the product will keep the costumers buy it for more. This innovation serves as strength to the business to go along with the competition in the market.

Designing our innovative product literally cause us a lot of time for but it’s actually fun things to do. We did a lot of research study about it and designed appropriately.

Our team wants to provide a sustainable and cost-effective product that will effectively meet the preferred taste of the target customers. Additionally, we aims to provide customers with high quality and users – friendly product to attain good sales that would allow business to obtain better return of investment.

Annual Market Survey for the Smartubs.

We the Ab History 1 students did an Annual market research survey questions to our target via face to face interview and online. Our team would like to know about the target customers perspective about the Smartubs in order for us to provide an outstanding quality and service for our customer. We believe that giving the customers the opportunity to be involved and influential is going to support our development in the future. For us doing survey might be the best thing to do because they want to make their voice heard. “I like sharing my opinions,” one of the target market told us. They feel that by sharing their perspective, they can make a difference.

Business Hypothesis

The innovative product can run successfully if going to creat a Business Model and asking Annual Market Survey will help our product development.

Team Decision

Our team really having a hard time figuring what products we should innovative at first. We decided to do a survey in order for us to determine the point of pain of our target market.

Lesson learned

Making a decision without proper information makes the group complicated. And at first the thought of Entrepreneurial Mind is somewhat we thought similar to entrepreneurship in senior high school but later on we've come to realize that it's far different but what we thought off. Since entrepreneurship is more focus on business and how it well grow while Entrepreneurial Mind is only the thoughts of what we're thinking that would interest the customer. However, after those failures , we finally got the right prescriptive and the team still cope up with what have happened. We still managed to conduct our actual and online survey , which we can now point what are the point of pains that were addressing . Furthermore, through our hard works and sweats were successfully done with our conducting of data's and informations. And through this activity I learned that in order to have a business you must first address what are or is the problem in a certain place or location so you could have an idea on how to solve the problem. And to know what you should do to help them and also how could you benefits from it . Technopreneurship from the word "techno" is technology and "preneurship" is from entrepreneurship, simply put together that means entrepreneurship in a field of technology. This is a kind of field which the entrepreneurs uses technology to make their business known in the public. And it is able to acquire and reach more customers and choose from the best suppliers, to build better relationships with their target market. Technopreneur begins their business with nothing but with a brainstorming idea. It identifies present practices and assesses some new ideas to do something different. A person who is engaged in technopreneurship creates a product or solution that uses technological solutions to change the way of doing something in an orthodox way. It improves how we have done something before and how it has to be done in the coming future. Also, technopreneurship involves the creation of a product or solution that employs technology solutions to transform the way people do things in a traditional method.

Overall, tecnopreneurship is not a product but a procedure of synthesis to improve and create innovates the future of a person, a nation, and the globe as a whole. In this digital world, professional development programs, as well as training, have required to succeed in a knowledge-based society. They produce various strategic thinkers who have the relevant skills and talent to grab success in a changing global atmosphere at a fast pace.