#rotini don’t look

[capricioussun]

Challenge

[ohhcinnybuns]

As you know, it is dangerous to go alone.

Two twin stars in the loneliest, darkest of night will always find their way back to one another,

They've shined before and they'll continue to shine, as they've shown

That no matter what may come their way, they'll always remember the colors of summer

' don’t venture too deep into those fields, and don’t answer if i call. ' 😏

The Setting Sun

Chuuya waited anxiously, his thoughts running a million laps around himself. He had invited Dazai to brunch in his study, requesting his company, and even though Dazai confirmed he would be there, he had yet to show.

Chuuya nervously tapped his fingers on the desk as he glanced at the small food plates he had chosen for the occasion:  wheat bread, cranberry jam, strawberries, leafy green spinach, and slices of glazed ham with a rotini pasta salad. A bottle of wine sat in an ice bucket to chill, a pair of wine glasses reminiscent of tulips waiting for their sweet nectar to fill their filament. He glared at them. 

The longer he sat there, scrutinizing the setting, the more his brows twitched in annoyance. Then he looked down at himself in his white shirt, navy coat, and black trousers. It was too much. The whole ordeal suddenly felt much more than a brunch, or maybe he was overthinking it. Or maybe not. Was it not enough? He decides all the mental gymnastics are unnecessary as his thoughts are interrupted by a gentle knock on the door, and he quickly sits up, composing himself. He clears his throat. 

“Yes?” 

“Your Highness, Dazai-san is here,” comes the voice of a maid as she enters his chambers.

“Let him in.” 

“As you wish,” giggles the maid to herself, a sly look on her face as she glances at the food spread with mischief in her eye. She wiggles her brows at the young prince. Chuuya scowls, about to growl with a retort to quit her meddling, but stops his childish antics when Dazai enters the study. 

He held a baked pie in his ivory gloved hands, wearing a soft blue frilly dress with one side of his hair tucked behind his ear. His features were covered in a sheer powder almost unnoticeable to the eye but that enhanced his fair complexion alongside his mousey, wavy curls. The faintest trace of peach blush blended on his cheekbones, and on Dazai’s lips was a subtle tint of glossy pink pigment that reminded the prince of enticing cotton candy from his Kingdom’s festivals. The brunette’s eyelids had traces of smoky earth shadow that made Dazai’s irises stand out like polished jewels, thoughtful yet striking. 

The prince gaped, a small “wow” muttered to himself. The maid excuses herself with a smile, flashing both men a quick glance, before closing the door behind her and leaving them alone. 

“Your Highness,” the brunette speaks timidly at Chuuya, striding forward, head bowed. 

Chuuya is immediately out of his seat, the sight of the brunette and his pie is endearing. He pulls out the chair opposite his for Dazai, letting him sit before taking the pie and putting it on the desk with the rest of the servings. 

“You don’t have to call me that, you know. We’re alone now.”

“Ah, I did it again, didn't I?”

“Yeah, but it’s okay. I’ll keep reminding you if I have to,” Chuuya says with a smirk. “You’re my guest, and I want you to have fun. So, Chuuya. Just Chuuya,” the redhead adds softly. 

Dazai looks away but nods his head with a pout. “I know but… it’s so hard, especially when everyone calls you ‘Your Highness.’” 

“That’s not true. Only the maids call me that. Everyone else calls me Chuuya.”

Dazai blinks owlishly, and a simple “oh” comes out of his mouth. His lips then curve upward slightly, playfulness in his eyes. 

“Chuuya, Chuuya, Chuuya. I guess it is a little easier to call you this way.”

Chuuya beams. “Get used to it,” he says. It makes Dazai giggle and he nods politely. 

“I also didn’t take you for much of a baker. You surprise me with something new every day.”

Dazai hums, his hands resting neatly in his lap. “I made it this morning, and your maids offered to store it somewhere safe until our brunch.” 

“Well, aren’t they helpful?” Chuuya says with an eye roll, sarcasm oozing out of him as he strides back into his seat and crosses a leg over the other. “Sometimes, I think they have too much time on their hands,” he adds jokingly.

Dazai giggles, a finger coming to point at himself. “You’re telling me. They took me away afterward and did this to my hair and face.” 

Chuuya blinked momentarily, silence settling between them before realizing Dazai was on the edge of his seat, staring back at him expectedly, wide doe eyes awaiting his reaction. Heat rushed to Chuuya’s face as he instinctively leaned back, rubbing the back of his neck, struggling to find the right words to explain Dazai’s beauty. In the end, he decided on something simple and not too cringe-worthy. 

“They did that, huh? You look nice.” 

Dazai grins and nods enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling brightly, his cheeks rosy. “Mhm! I thought so, too! I think I’ll ask them for tips and tricks on how to do it myself when I see them again. I like it a lot. I feel very pretty.”

You are, thought Chuuya as he leaned over to place a small plate before a distracted Dazai. The brunette was busy fawning over the miniature feast, his eyes glowing when he spies a bowl of plump strawberries. 

 “I hope everything is to your taste. I can always send for something else if you want,” the redhead says, taking the wine and uncorking it, then filling their glasses and placing one before Dazai.

Dazai removed his gloves, taking the glass stem between his slender fingers. He lifted it close to his lips, mesmerized by the burgundy liquid, taping it thoughtfully. 

“Everything looks delicious, Chuuya. I don’t think I’ll be able to ask for anything else.”

“Oh yeah?” smirks Chuuya, placing the bottle aside. He receives a small ‘mhm’ from Dazai, who sips his wine with a gentle tilt. The redhead reaches for a small serving of each item on the desk and places it on Dazai’s plate first, then his own. 

“You might be right. We need to leave room for dessert, after all.”

They were still pretty new to this - being on speaking terms and friends. It wasn’t that long ago that Chuuya picked up Dazai from the depths of a forest, his heart and soul resonating when they met on that fateful day. After two weeks of initial silence alongside judgmental looks, hearing Dazai’s voice again was lovely. Listening to him express himself and blossoming out of his shell made Chuuya happy, too. 

They eat their brunch through idle chatter, discussing Dazai’s morning and baking skills. Chuuya questioned what other things Dazai could make, placing his head in his palm and fondly gazing at him. 

With a shake of his head and a shrug, Dazai gives a simple, “I don’t know. Everything else I’ve tried kind of catches fire. The only thing I know how to bake perfectly is apple pies.”

The men simultaneously stare at each other and giggle together, the wine warming their insides and loosening nerves. It felt easy and comfortable, falling into a rhythm of teasing and banter. Chuuya can’t remember the last time his walls crumbled this easily.

After they’ve calmed down, Dazai takes the pie and serves Chuuya a slice. The redhead mutters a small ‘thank you’ with a cheesy grin, and Dazai hums happily. Something about the moment felt delicate, maybe even domestic. 

It’s the wine. Nothing more, he tries to tell himself. The prince looks down at the pie: flaky crust with perfectly sliced, glazed, and sautéed apples. Chuuya takes his fork and quickly spins it with his fingers like a miniature baton before poking a sliced apple and taking a bite. His gaze widens at the first taste of soft apple and cinnamon melting into his taste buds, and he stares at Dazai, who gifts him a knowing smile in return. 

“This is delicious!” 

Dazai giggles, a hand to his lips. “You should see the look on your face.” 

“I never said it would taste bad,” Chuuya grumbles. “You need to give yourself a little more credit. It really is delicious. Maybe I’ll request your pies more often from now on.”

“Chuuya!” gasped the brunette dramatically with wide eyes. “I’m a very busy person, you know! I won’t always be able to bake you pies,” Dazai says teasingly. 

Chuuya stifles back a laugh, nodding his head instead. “Yeah, yeah. I guess you’re right. I guess you’ll have to take me on as an apprentice and show me sometime.” 

Dazai grins, a quiet giggle escaping his lips. “Hmm… an apprentice, you say? I like that idea.” 

They grin at each other once more and continue the rest of their brunch in giggle fits. 

***

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, they had finished their brunch and spent too much time exploring Chuuya’s study. Mostly Dazai, who seemed to look at everything with wonder. 

Dazai became curious about the shelved lined books behind Chuuya’s desk: poetry, fiction, herbalist notebooks, and history textbooks, some worn with age and knowledge of the Kingdom’s past. 

Dazai’s eyes lit up when he found an intrinsically gold leather-bound book with empty, lined pages, confused by the lack of letters. His fingers skimmed the pages as if reading an imaginary poem.

“Have you never had a journal before?” Chuuya asks from behind Dazai, leaning against his desk, as he reads over a report brought in by his maids. The brunette turns to Chuuya and shakes his head, a soft “no” mumbled quietly. 

“Do you want it?” 

“You’re giving it to me?” 

“Yeah, why not? You can write whatever memories you make of this place.” 

Dazai blinked owlishly down at him, and he gripped the notebook tightly to his chest. “I did always want to try my hand at poetry.” 

“Then a notebook is a perfect place to start.” 

Dazai nods timidly, holding the notebook tightly to himself, before moving on to an obscure twisted metal in the form of a dancing soul. His gaze analyzed the items as if afraid to touch anything. Chuuya’s heart softened, and he was ready to show him his entire study so that he could keep witnessing his curiosity.

Along the walls hung portraits of generations of King and Queens posing on their thrones and world maps to places explored. At one point, Dazai stood before a sizable tapestry that hung on the wall marked with constellations beneath a darkening sky and a tree at its center - the only thing he touched, fingers skimming over the material. 

Chuuya was about to ask him his thoughts when Dazai turned to look out the windows. A soft gasp escaped his glossed lips, sparkling in wonderment, and Chuuya could only tilt his head with a subtle, “What is it?”

Dazai moved past Chuuya, the prince quietly following behind him in curiosity until Dazai opened the doors to his balcony and stepped outside. Chuuya remained at the doorway, leaning against the frame as he took the beautiful picture of life before him. 

Dazai’s hands gripped the rails tightly, and he seemed in awe, lost in thought as he gazed at the eastern panorama of the wheat fields that led to the woodlands, mouth slightly agape. His frilly, powder blue dress swayed gently in the open breeze as watercolors of feathered fuschia, topaz, caramel, and moss streaked the celestial sphere. Now and then, he tucked a stray strand of hair back into place in a small, almost unconscious gesture. 

Then, Dazai’s lips slowly curved upwards, eyes crinkling, reflecting the sun’s warmth. He leaned against the railing, appearing to be revisiting a joyful memory, a spark of life illuminating his features as he watched birds fly overhead toward the setting sun. A small bird lands beside him, twittering and ruffling its feathers, making the brunette beam and pet the feathers on their back. Then, he began to hum. 

It started low, as if afraid to disrupt the scenery around him. It was a tender, melodic tune. It was sorrowful but full of colors that made Chuuya’s eyebrows furrow at first and then widen. His mouth slackened at its familiarity. Too familiar. 

Visions of his childhood flash through his mind as he recalls the apparition that has often appeared in his dreams since he was fifteen. Intimate and dear to him, the pieces connected in crocheted red threads. Dazai was familiar. The voice was familiar. 

Chuuya takes staggered steps towards the balcony, his body suddenly feeling light in his movements, but that’s when Dazai finishes his crooning, and Chuuya is left with a heavy heart, wanting to hear more—the voice of the angel who always called out for him until they didn't any longer. 

“Dazai?”

The bird flies away. Dazai turns his head, a fond glow on his features, a hand extending towards Chuuya. Chuuya swallows whatever knot forms in his throat and takes the hand, coming closer, much like every other time they’ve met, but this time, Dazai was warm - flesh and bone in his hands. It was like watching a rose bloom after a winter’s frost, petals no longer withered, flourishing, and vibrant beneath the remaining daylight. 

“You never told me you had a view like this, Chuuya. It’s stunning.” 

“You think…so?” responded Chuuya shakily. 

Dazai tilted his head slightly, silence stretching between them as he took Chuuya’s appearance beneath the setting sun. He gazed deeply at Chuuya, and the prince could feel his face heat up beneath such attention. 

The brunette eventually giggles, head thrown back to look at the clouds again. “Mn. I wonder if the night sky is equally beautiful now that I see this. Will you show me sometime?”

Chuuya takes the hand that holds his, threading their fingers together and placing it on his chest—an oath. It makes the brunette look owlishly at him, but Chuuya doesn’t care. He answers instead, “I will. I promise, Dazai. Anything you want.”

***

Lit brass lanterns flickers idly, its soft, warm glow emitting dancing shadows along the barn’s settling enclosures. Horses paw at wood chips, followed by low snorts as they meander in their stalls with flicking ears. They attempt to glimpse through the metal bars at the intruding visitors in the unoccupied enclosure toward the corner of the building, speaking in quiet tones. 

A wispy draft enters from the blanketing night and through the ajar barn doors, where Chuuya stands in the stable’s open tack room just off its entrance, patiently waiting for Dazai in the opposite stall to give him the okay to turn around. It was an attempt at giving themselves privacy with the half partition of the stall dividing them, minding each other’s distance. 

“Alright, no matter what happens, don’t turn around even if they call my name. The night’s watch will know it’s me pretty quickly, and if they see you with me, they’ll be nosey,” Chuuya smiles, fondly rolling his eyes at the idle polished saddles and reins neatly perched upon the wall. He recalls the numerous times his sentries on duty often found him after dark, proud for fulfilling their protective responsibilities over the years. They were taught well. 

Chuuya picked up his black leather gloves from on top of a nearby table, pulled them on, and stretched the material slightly until they felt comfortable. He then gathered a deep gray cloak resting neatly on the table, wrapping it around his shoulders and tying it quickly, hoping it would help blend him in with the night. The final touch was raising his hood over his head. 

“Hopefully, they won’t see us, though. I’m not really looking to entertain them tonight. Being on duty for too long has made them into gossipy ol’ men... I apologize in advance.”

“Eh, is that so?” comes Dazai’s playful tone, curiosity embedded in his question. Chuuya didn’t have to turn around to know Dazai was tilting his head a little, his sunrise gaze analyzing him from a distance. 

“How nosey can they be?” 

Chuuya can hear boots being pulled on, and there is a subtle creak of shifting leather as Dazai moves from one foot to the next, a sigh escaping his lips in quiet disapproval. 

“I don’t like these,” the taller man groans, soft pats against his frame. It is followed by adjusting rustling clothing and more frustrated whining before Chuuya takes that as a sign to turn around and enter the stall. He chuckles, half expecting Dazai to be a crumpled mess on the hay bales.

Still, as his gaze met Dazai’s figure, he stumbled a bit in his step, noting how his kingdom's riding gear fit him nicely: borrowed knee-high black boots, slender fitting cream breeches, and an ivory shirt beneath a maroon tailcoat adorned with gold buttons. He was pouting, arms folded across his chest, but even with Dazai's moody disposition, he looked like any other riding knight ready to mount with years of experience beneath his belt. Chuuya steeled his sudden nerves. 

“Y-you say that now, but I don’t think dresses and heels would be the best idea for where we are going,” Chuuya says through blushing cheeks and a slight shake of his head. “You’ll want to be as comfortable as possible.” 

“And where exactly are we going, Your Majesty?” 

“You’ll see.” 

Dazai tilts his head to one side with a raised eyebrow, skeptical, while Chuuya quickly looks him over. He walks around Dazai and gives him a thumbs-up with a cheesy grin. 

“You look great." 

Dazai smiles weakly with a nod, the compliment lifting his spirits. "If you say so, Your Majesty." 

"Quit that. Here. The final piece." 

Chuuya drapes a long arctic fox fur-lined robe he had taken from his closet around Dazai's shoulders, knotting the front of the cape and adjusting the cloak so that Dazai’s frame is fully enclosed. Dazai also tugs at it, feeling the robe’s smooth material between his fingers and looking down at himself in the new attire. 

Pools of honey gaze back at Chuuya, who stands on his tiptoes, tugging the hood over Dazai’s head and adjusting it. The position brings them close together, Chuuya smiling softly at how warm and saintly Dazai looks. He had looked for over twenty minutes in his closet to find this one in particular cloak because it was the one that reminded him of Dazai the most - a beauty fair and calming like winter’s first snow. Granted, it might make them stand out a little more than he liked, but he couldn't say no to it. As he takes in Dazai’s features, he can’t help but caress away the curls that frame Dazai’s face that had pushed forward because of the hood, unruly but silky to the touch. 

Dazai stills, gaze fluttering, and Chuuya notes faint traces of pink creeping on his cheeks at the sudden affection. It makes Chuuya chuckle at how much Dazai reminded him of poetry. He once heard in passing that ‘the eyes are the windows to a person’s soul,’ and perhaps he was starting to think the words were true; there was so much more to the brunette behind his fair exterior. He was enigmatic - a riddle within his book of stanzas waiting to find meaning. There was so much more that he didn’t know but that he wanted to. Only time will let him in to know. 

Chuuya steps away, clearing his throat and giving one final glance, hands on his hips, admiring his work. He nods and reaches for a brown sack with things he thought they could use on their little expedition left outside the stable door as the final thing to grab. He slings it over his right shoulder and turns back to Dazai. 

“Are you ready to go?” 

“Are you sure it’s okay to do this, Chuuya?”

“Yeah, I am. Nobody’s gonna know.”

“But…Shouldn’t you be at a meeting right now?” 

Chuuya coughs, nervously laughing, a hand at his neck rubbing to ease his nerves. "I… uh…No?”

"I don't know if you’ve noticed, but it’s evening hours, Your Majesty. Didn't you need to meet with your brother, His Highness Verlaine?”

“Dazai…” Chuuya sighed as he looked away sheepishly, gently kicking some straw of random hay with his chocolate-leathered boots. The prince’s heart starts racing, and he feels heavily nervous beneath Dazai’s stare. 

“I mean…it’s just…” the redhead tried again, grumbling words that disappeared in his throat. He’s never felt like such a fumbled mess before. All those years of speech and mannerism training, only to forget them whenever they came together and talked. The prince was sure that if his speech coach saw him now, he would wonder what happened to him while clutching at their chest in dramatics to pull himself together. 

And honestly, what did happen to him? 

Dazai beams joyfully down at him, waiting for an answer, eyes formed into happy crescents. The beat of the prince’s heart thumped wildly against his ears. He couldn’t focus. 

“I think he’s going to know if you’re gone, Chuuya,” Dazai teases, showered with delight. 

“I’m busy… we’re busy—you and me. He can wait,” Chuuya says quietly, tucking on his hood to shield himself as pink hues shade his freckled cheeks. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow, okay? I promise it’s not that important.” 

“It isn’t?"

Chuuya shakes his head. “Nah. It’s about some guy who appeared out of nowhere and settled in town. He’s been saying some stuff and Verlaine wants me to look into it.”

“I see,” Dazai says, leaning away. He mulls over the answer, a finger to his chin before deciding it’s a good response.  “Well, okay then. If it’s not that important… whenever you’re ready, Your Majesty. Take me away.”

Chuuya huffs, hiding a smile that takes over his features as he turns away. That’s precisely what he was going to do. He smirks, taking hold of the lit lantern and blowing out the light.  

“Alright. Come on, then, Princess. Follow me,” he says playfully, catching the way Dazai giggles behind him.  

The prince leads them out of the stall, and they tiptoe toward the exit, cautiously peering around the corners of the barn into the darkness. The courtyard around the barn remained still; only the rustling of leaves nearby filled the atmosphere. He didn’t expect anyone to be on guard there anyway. Most of his guards patrolled the gates and cobbled walls. That was going to be his challenge. 

With no one in sight, the redhead grabs Dazai’s icy wrist before turning to him, motioning a finger to his lips. Dazai nods his head and repeats the motion to show his understanding. Silence. Chuuya grins and pulls him along. 

They round corners, hiding behind wooden pillars and sheds, leaving the barn behind. They remain in the shade, beneath trees, until they reach the easternmost exit of the Castle’s walls. It was the one that led them closer to the wheat fields, avoiding the village and stirring sleeping folk. The fewer eyes on them, the better.

They hide behind a bush, and Chuuya surveys their surroundings to ensure the coast is clear. Guarded by two officers idly joking, Chuuya pulls out his brown satchel and retrieves a slingshot with rocks. He figured the further he could put distance between the guards, the gate, and themselves, the easier it would be to sneak and get away. So he pulls, aims, and lets loose, targeting the trees on their left shoulder, rustling the leaves, and stirring sleeping birds awake. 

Startled, the guards reach for their swords and are immediately on alert. One of the guards, a young man with rust-red hair, strolls over to check the bushes surrounding the tree, using his sword to part the greenery. 

Chuuya takes this time to slingshot another rock towards the stairs’ entryway leading up the wall. The second guard, a man with wild brown hair and a hat, hears the echoing rattle of the rock hitting stone and makes his way to the stairs to ensure no intruders have climbed the wall; this is their chance. 

“Come on,” whispers Chuuya to Dazai, who nods, following behind. They swiftly make it to the gate, unlocking the mechanism before the patter of boots return. Chuuya instinctively steps before Dazai, telling him to shield himself. 

“Well, well, if it isn’t His Highness, Chuuya. Aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting with Verlaine?” calls one of the guards with a giant grin. 

Not this again. Chuuya can't help but internally groan. He could feel Dazai’s shoulder shaking, tiny squeaks emitting from behind Chuuya's back, and Chuuya couldn't help the little grin that made it on his face, too. He knew the brunette was chuckling away. 

“Uh, yeah. We finished our meeting early. Now I’m going on a mission to check the town square,” Chuuya lied through his teeth. 

“At this hour, sir? Do you need company? You can take one of us with you,” says one of the guards, their eyes looking between Chuuya and the unknown cloaked figure in white. 

“No need. I’ve already got someone.” 

“And they are?” 

“A recruit. I’m taking them to the square, and we’ll be back soon. It’s just a stakeout. Nothing more,” Chuuya says while turning to grab Dazai by his shoulders, ready to push him along. He had never realized their broadness before. 

The guards squint between the two figures, then quirk their brows at each other. Chuuya clears his throat. “Don’t overthink it.” 

“Right,” says one of the guards with a smirk and slight squint. “Because if you wanted to go to the town square, you would use the southern entrance. Not this one.”

“You’re already overthinking it!” growls Chuuya through the teasing. “We’re just going a roundabout way.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Your Highness. Alright, off with you. We’ll keep the gate unlocked. Give it three quick taps when you return so we know it’s you, or we will send a search party after you.” 

“That really won't be necessary,” Chuuya grumbles, but either way, he nods his head. “I’ll see you in a bit.” 

He turns to Dazai and whispers a quick “run,” and that’s all that needs to be said. 

They hurry into the dark, giddy with excitement, hearts fluttering wildly. They pull and push each other like two dancing magnets down a winding paved road, unable to stray far. The prince’s chest fills with warmth whenever he hears the happy jingle in the brunette’s laugh, recalling the teasing his knights gave him. Chuuya chuckles and rolls his eyes fondly with a simple, “I told you they were nosey.”

They fall into quiet steps side-by-side, over a wooden bridge where the grain fields begin. The prince clears his throat and gently leans into Dazai’s side, putting a hand out for him to take and looking away sheepishly. 

“The fields can be a bit soft sometimes. So… um, you can hold my hand if you want. You know, so you don’t fall.”

Grazing deer perk high among the fields while singing crickets guide their way. The prince’s heart beats wildly when slim fingers slide into his hands, their fingers interlocking. He smiles and leads on. 

They walk east, hand in hand, filling in chatter with talk about tomorrow, palms clammy. Dazai occasionally tries to figure out what they are up to, but the redhead hums in approval at everything he says, making Dazai pout and tell him ‘that he’s being unfair and a liar.’ Chuuya chuckles and instead points ahead. 

“You don’t have to keep guessing, silly. We’re already here.” 

They reach a hill beyond the wheat fields and climb its side until they reach its plateau - a large ginkgo tree at its center, fanning its limbs wide to embrace its late-night visitors. Dazai steps closer, mesmerized by it; even in the dark, the magnificence of its size and its golden colors widen the brunette’s eyes. He plucks a fan-shaped leaf from its lower branches, twirling it in his fingers as a gentle breeze sways its limbs. 

“It’s beautiful,” the brunette says, bashfully peeking back at Chuuya. 

“I thought you would like it… History says it was planted when the first King was born. But that’s not why we’re here.” 

“Oh?” Dazai tilts his head, fluttering his eyes as Chuuya lets his hand go to open his sack. The redhead pulls out a thin blanket, lays it on the grassy hillside, and pulls out a small retractable device. He then turns to Dazai, his hand once more extended in invitation. Dazai accepts, sitting beside him, their sides touching and close enough for Chuuya to feel his warmth. 

“You said you wanted to see the night sky, right?” Chuuya smiles brightly at the brunette, “Here. I’ve got something for you.”

He revealed a maroon and gold telescope with the prince’s initials engraved at its sides. He holds it out for Dazai to take, who stares at Chuuya in wonder. 

“You…remembered?”

“Of course I did. It was a promise, and I will always keep those.”

Dazai’s lips parted, eyes round and then softening into warm globes. He takes the device and clutches it to his chest as if it were something to treasure. A smile then appears on his face, and he leans his head against Chuuya’s shoulder. 

“You really are something else, Chuuya. One of a kind,” the brunette speaks softly into the wind. Chuuya is ready to tell him it’s no big deal when a soft peck meets his cheek, rendering him speechless. The kiss lasts a few seconds, and the lingering feelings of soft lips against his skin keep it warm. 

“I’m happy you thought about me, Chuuya. Thank you,” Dazai says, leaning his head again on Chuuya’s shoulder.

The prince nods, brushing away brown strands from the brunette’s face. He beams down at him, a small “yeah” echoing into the dark. 

[hallafall]

Care to share that chicken recipe you've been making recently? :3

Of course uwu’

Ingredients:

4 chicken thighs

Marinade (could be buttermilk, pickle juice, Italian dressing, soy sauce or some strange combination)

Extra crispy shake and bake

1 squash

1 bell pepper (I do green so it looks healthy)

1 tomato

About 1 cup of matchstick carrots

About 1 cup of chopped mushrooms

About 1 cup of pasta (I do chickpea rotini)

1-2 cups of pasta sauce

Grated Parmesan

Instructions

4-12 hours before cooking marinade the chicken. When ready to cook preheat oven to 400. Coat each piece of chicken in shake and bake. Place on cookie sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Once oven is hot cook until chicken is cooked (at least 30 mins).

Meanwhile chop squash, pepper, tomato and mushrooms. Throw all the vegetables in a big pan on the stove over medium heat with about half a cup of water and some seasonings— salt, pepper, some chili powder and Italian seasoning is what I do. Let it cook while chicken cooks. After about 15 mins you can add the pasta sauce and pasta (the pasta should cook in there, especially if it’s chickpea but you may need to add more water or heat accordingly) after another 10-15 mins it should be ready, add more seasoning to taste.

When everything is ready get a piece of chicken and some of the pasta vegetable mixture on a plate and sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan.

It’s nothing fancy and feel free to adjust literally everything ^^’ My preferred pasta sauce is the ‘Midtown by HEB tomato Romano sauce’ but I don’t think most people have HEB. It’s like, an orange sauce. The brand of chickpea pasta I use is called ‘Banza’.

Voila ~

[rabbitcruiser]

National Pasta Day

Life is too short, and I’m Italian. I’d much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0. -  Sophia Bush

Picture this….a warm steaming pile of spaghetti in a rich red sauce, littered with seasoned sausage, black olives, and mushrooms served with crusty garlic bread on the side.

Or, perhaps the idea of a rich Chicken Fettuccine in a creamy garlic white sauce is more likely to be what blows your mind.

Pasta comes in over 600 shapes known to mankind, and their names are usually Italian words that are delightfully descriptive of their shapes. Spaghetti (‘cord’), vermicelli (‘little worms’), rotini (‘spirals’), fusilli (‘spindles’), tortellini (‘little cakes’), linguini (‘little tongues’), conchiglie (‘shells’), fettuccine (‘small ribbons’), penne (‘quills’) and capellini (‘fine hairs’) are the savory little goodies that are essential to any pantry.

While Italian food made it famous, that was actually only a gateway to pasta. Chinese Chow Mein and German Spaetzle are just a couple of the ways the world has taken pasta and fallen in love with it all over again.

And World Pasta Day is the perfect time to celebrate this love!

History of World Pasta Day

World Pasta Day was brought into existence as part of the World Pasta Congress on the 25th of October in 1995. Experts from all over the world came together to discuss the glories of the noodle, with particular emphasis on the importance of spreading knowledge of the world’s panorama of pasta. This organization uses World Pasta Day to promote the eating of pasta, along with its cultural and culinary importance.

The World Pasta Congress engages in everything from encouraging consumers to try new pasta to providing important information to institutions and promotions of this increasingly popular food. Every country is encouraged to celebrate the day in its own way while sharing the logo of the official organization and participating in the global strategy of World Pasta Day.

How to Celebrate World Pasta Day

Food days are simple and easy to celebrate, but they can come with a variety of layers as well. Look to these ideas for inspiration, then create your own ways to celebrate World Pasta Day:

Eat Pasta–and Lots of It!

One of the best ways to celebrate World Pasta Day is by preparing a favorite dish and enjoying the delicious flavors and textures that come along with that noodly goodness. There’s no better way to renew a deep appreciation for it than by wolfing down this healthy and semi-nutritious food.

Most people don’t enjoy eating pasta without any sauce, but the options for what to put on it range from the simple to the complex. Try it with a little melted butter and garlic. Cheese sauce (such as alfredo), tomato sauce (bolognese or marinara), and pesto are traditional options. But some people like to get super creative with unique flavors like butternut squash carbonara, avocado and mango sauce, or herbed white wine sauce. The options are virtually endless!

Host a World Pasta Day Party

Folks who are feeling like they want to share the day can go all out and host a World Pasta day party. This is a great way for everyone to come together to share their favorite pasta dish, or exchange recipe ideas with other guests to help the love of the noodle spread. Be sure to be prepared for one momentous night of rich and creamy carbohydrate overload. It may be that naps will be mandatory, but stomachs will most definitely be full!

For the truly daring, enhance the party by having participants only bring pasta dishes that they have never tried before. Try new noodle types, or even making your own pasta. Experiment with sauces and flavors that may be outside of the normal palate.

Try Making Homemade Pasta

Some people find it a little difficult and time-consuming, but the benefits of making fresh, homemade pasta are absolutely worth it! The easiest way to make it is by using an at-home pasta maker, which can be a little bulky to store in the kitchen but turns pasta-making into a breeze.

The recipe for pasta is fairly simple, using just a few ingredients. Basic pasta will consist of semolina wheat flour, eggs, olive oil and a bit of sea salt. Some pasta recipes don’t include eggs, while others might have a more unique flavor, such as spinach, sun-dried tomato, saffron, roasted red pepper and more.

Those who don’t have a pasta maker can certainly make it by hand, as it was done for hundreds of years in every home in Italy! It takes a little more work in the rolling, but it’s a fun, adventurous project in the kitchen. A food processor and stand mixer will help this process immensely, and a pasta drying rack is also a useful tool.

Try Something New (Or Very Old) In Pasta

This is the ideal day to get creative and experiment with different flavors and dishes. For instance, many people don’t know that Spaetzle was traditionally served with a sour sauce/gravy for Sauerbraten. It’s amazing! Imagine what else could unfold into the culinary world for those who will take World Pasta Day to broaden their horizons!

Attend World Pasta Day Events

All over the world, in various communities, people are celebrating pasta on this day. Get online or check out a local announcements board to find out which events might be happening in the area. For instance, some folks might have a pasta cook-off, while others might create a pasta festival. Those who can’t find a World Pasta Day event in their local area could certainly consider creating one! After all, it’s for the love of pasta.

Source

[commanderbuffy]

22?

22: Share an excerpt from your favorite scene

I had to pick one!?! This was tough! I don’t think this is my favorite in terms of my actual writing (there are others I love for the writing more) but this scene holds the thesis of Armouriam I think

Kit finds Jade in the produce section. Her back is turned as she looks through the leafy green section. “Gross, healthy food,” she says into the redhead’s ear, causing her to jolt.

“Jesus, Kit, you scared me.”

“Just grab the kale. I hate it, but I know it’s your favorite, so I will suffer,” she teases. But Jade doesn’t laugh at her teasing. Instead, she just looks kind of stunned. “What?”

“It’s just…” Jade shakes her head. “You remembered. I mean, you remembered that from before, didn’t you?”

“Yeah,” Kit says. She doesn’t even know how long she’s remembered that small detail about her girlfriend, but she knows it’s from before. “I guess when it comes to my memories, the ones with you are the ones that keep seeping through.”

The look Jade gives Kit disarms her, and she quickly guides them away from the produce as Jade bags up the kale. The wind through the chip aisle. They both grab Cheetos at the same time. Instead of one putting their bag back, they throw both in the cart.

Next, they stroll down the pasta aisle and debate over pasta shape.

“Spaghetti is a classic,” Jade says.

“But rotini holds meat sauce so much better,” Kit insists, winning the argument.

They reach the sauces, and Jade holds one up in each hand. “Vodka sauce or tomato and basil? I honestly have no preference. They’re both tasty.”

There’s nothing special about the question or the moment. And the fluorescent lighting isn’t particularly flattering. Everything is bright and normal. It’s all so normal. And, maybe it’s the normalcy of it all that makes the difference. Kit stares at Jade, realization dawning over her.

A realization of something that has been there all along. Yet, it’s a debate over pasta shape and a question over sauce preference that slams it into her. It’s so obvious.

“I love you,” Kit says, the words flowing out of her like she’s said them a million times. Because, hasn’t she? It’s been over a year, but that doesn’t discount the familiarity.

The jars of sauce start to slip from Jade’s grip, and Kit catches them just in time. Jade stares wide-eyed at Kit.

Kit puts the jars back on the shelf, then places her hands on Jade’s freckled cheeks, forcing her to look down at Kit. “I don’t know if it’s residual feelings from before, or the product of remembering or falling in love with you again in these past months. I don’t know where the love starts, but I’m realizing that it doesn’t matter if it’s from before or after or something in between. What matters is what’s true now. And what’s true is that I love you.”

A brilliant, wide smile breaks out across Jade’s face, and she wraps her arms around her.

“I love you too,” she says into the crook of Kit’s neck.

[themirokai]

@the-real-surfski grew two giant basil plants

That is just one of them.

I never do this sort of thing, but I documented making pesto. Here’s the recipe:

I’m not Italian, I don’t claim this is in anyway authentic. I think I copied it down from a website at some point? I’m also not saying that this is any kind of superior recipe. But it’s yummy and relatively easy.

Ok so I picked all of the biggest leaves off both plants. They still look massive and lush and I got 6 packed cups of basil.

Washed them off and spread them out to dry while I walked Bella. Gratuitous picture of Bella:

Then toasted the pine nuts in the toaster oven. Ooo pretty:

Starting off with a double batch so next, 4 cups of basil and this 1/2 cup of pine nuts into the food processor with the equivalent of 4 cloves of garlic. I use jarred garlic. I hate dealing with garlic.

Pulsed this, then added 2/3 cup of nice olive oil. Seasoned it.

Oh no! I forgot to watch the pine nuts for the second batch!

😢 RIP pine nuts.

I did this in the morning and wasn’t going to use it until dinner, so half of the double batch went into the fridge with oil on top, and the rest is getting frozen.

Matches the countertop!

Took it out of the fridge about an hour before dinner so it could come back to room temperature. Added the cheese.

Mixed it up and voila!

Grilled some chicken, sautéed some spinach, boiled some rotini, and you’ve got dinner!

I hope you've enjoyed this venture into documenting a bout of domesticity. Thanks for reading!

[chrisevansonly]

Also rue because I’m so excited I didn’t wait for the prompts (hehehe sorry)

I think fluff prompts -

3,27 and 30 would go really well with that ask I sent you if that’s okay? 🤍🤍

Monthly Pains Headcannon (Rues 800 Followers Sleepover Event)

Whoever invented periods and thrusted them upon women, deserved the absolute biggest punch in the throat, no exaggerating there

You were already on painkiller 4 of the day, and the constant stabbing happening in your uterus was not appreciated and turning you into a grumpy, miserable mess

Of course Chris would say “you’re my grumpy, miserable mess baby” in an attempt to cheer you up, and of course you’d smiled at his sweetness, but internally you were raging like a bull in a china shop

You were quite comfortable on the couch, a heating pad now splayed across your stomach and abdomen, providing just enough warmth to help the cramps dissipate

“Feeling any better?”

Chris’s voice causing your eyes to move upwards, spotting you’re very handsome husband as he sat on the coffee table in front of you

“It feels like I’m being stabbed on the inside.”

“So….no?”

The glare you offered in response was enough to have him raise his hands in mock innocence, a quiet chuckle escaping him

“Well I have some food ready if you’re hungry, might make you feel better?”

As you went to speak your stomach rumbled and that was enough for Chris to get up and venture into the kitchen, coming back with a nice warm bowl of homemade Baked Rotini, a comfort food of yours you’d never be able to turn down

“Mmm that looks delicious baby”

You went to sit up and he stopped you, picking some pasta up on a fork and holding it out

“Here comes the airplane” He joked, smiling wide to which you rolled your eyes

“I can feed myself..”

“Too bad.”

You were much too tired to argue so you opened your mouth and accepted the very cheesy and creamy pasta, hints of vodka sauce melting on your tongue, it was so good you couldn’t help but close your eyes and moan

“fuck that’s so good…”

Chris was quiet for a few minutes and you opened your eyes, his pupils blown as he just stared at you

“I can hear your heart beat why-why is it going so fast all of a sudden…?”

Chris chose to remain quiet for a few seconds before seemingly shaking himself out of whatever trance he was in

“Um no-no reason, maybe just um…well maybe don’t moan and roll your eyes back like that again sweet girl..”

You couldn’t help the laugh that erupted from you as he said that, you truthfully weren’t trying to turn him on with your moan but when the pasta was that good, you couldn’t help yourself

“Sorry handsome, I’ll keep my moans to myself from now on”

“Thank you.”

[sofflepoffle]

7, 23, 29?

For this ask game!

7.what animal do you look forward to seeing when you visit an aquarium?

Sea otters!!! They are so very cute, and they’re also very energetic so they’re usually playing which is very fun to watch. I like how they wrestle by spinning and spinning in the water

23.do you wear jewelry?

I actually don’t, although I do own some. I blame this on my lack of jewelry storage and my unpierced ears, which I’ve been meaning to get stabbed for years now. I would love to start wearing more, cause I really do like how it looks but I just ain’t in the habit.

29.preferred pasta noodle?

Ravioli!!! Butternut squash ravioli….cheese ravioli…what a treat!! But in terms of basic non-filled stuff I think it’s rotini cause I like the spiral

[eriadu-in-the-wildwood]

For the specific asks: how about 7, 11, and 29! :)

Well hi there, fancy meeting you here!

7. what animal do you look forward to seeing when you visit an aquarium?

The zoo here has a thing where you can pet stingrays, which is very fun. I also really like jellyfish, they are the strangest, most interesting, most beautiful creatures.

11. anything from your childhood you’ve held on to?

I swear I didn’t mean to start collecting old video game systems, but I’ve been dragging around my family’s old SNES and the GameBoy I got as a kid for quite a few years, and things have multiplied. I don’t actually have a tv I can play any of these on, so they currently hang out on top of the bookshelf:

collecting dust.

29. preferred pasta noodle?

I’m not a huge pasta fan, but there’s something I like about rotini. Perfect little spirals, hold just the right amount of sauce… huh, maybe I AM a fan.

Thanks for the ask!

[kittykatconundrum]

Whats your favorite pasta shape

shit. It depends on the context……. I don’t actually eat a lot of pasta… I get fettuccine a lot bc I make fettuccine alfredo. I also love elbows for Mac and cheese. Bow ties look fun but I always feel like they never keep sauce on as well as the others. Rotini has a strange texture to me but I don’t mind it as much with like. Restaurant pasta. And I still eat it so I don’t Hate it.

Ok now I need to know yours

[swiftlythebest]

What is your favorite pasta shape? What is your favorite dinosaur? What is your favorite type of rock? Do you have a dream vacation? What if your cat was the size of your dog and your dog was the size of your cat??

Oh such fun questions!

Okay, my favorite pasta shape is probably the bow ties but I don’t make those a lot because I feel like in order for the middle bit to not be crunchy I have to overcook the rest of it. So the one I like eating the most is rotini cuz the lil spirals are fun. As you can see, I’m very basic.

Oh my gosh, favorite dinosaur?! Okay, that’s a tough one. When I was first learning about dinosaurs, I remember really liking the stegosaurus because there’s a museum near-ish to me that had a stegosaurus statue thing that you could play on. And I like their spiky backs, that’s metal as hell.

I LOVE ROCKS!! I love finding them on the beach and have a small collection from a beach trip I took last year. My favorite type of rock is one that has been smoothed out by the waves so it’s like a little ball that looks vaguely shiny and I can roll it around in my hand. I’m sure you were looking for a more scientific answer but that’s the truth!

Okay I’m gonna go dream vacation to a place I haven’t been before. I’ve always really wanted to go to Japan or Greece, but right now, the best vacation to me would be a road trip through Ireland. I wasn’t able to visit there when I studied abroad but everywhere looks so beautiful and full of life and I love to stumble upon hidden gems and small towns that don’t get a lot of tourists so a road trip feels like such a great way to do that. Also, my dog is from Ireland.

So apart from having to come to terms with the actual jungle cat in my house, I feel like not too much would change. Georgie, my dog, is more rambunctious than Darcy, my cat, but that’s probably because she’s younger. Both are mostly just lazy little babies who sit on or near me and occasionally get the zoomies. So I feel like that would be okay. Honestly, it wouldn’t be the worst thing for Georgie to be shorter…

[dannystokerbf]

CopyCat Panera Bread Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Ingredients

▢ 2 boneless     skinless chicken breast

▢ 4 cups Chicken Broth

▢ 2 cups water (may     need to add more)

▢ 4 Carrots Peeled     and diced into bite size pieces

▢ 2 Stalks Celery     Diced into bite size pieces

▢ 1/2 Onion Diced    

▢ 1 tsp Thyme

▢ 1 Bay Ltheaf

▢ 1 tsp Garlic Salt

▢ 1 tsp Salt

▢ 1 tsp Pepper

▢ 2 cups Egg noodles

Slow Cooker Pesto Mozzarella Pasta

·        1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts (1.5-2 pounds works fine, 3 chicken breasts)

·        1/2 tsp. salt

·        1/4 tsp. pepper

·        8.1 oz. jarred pesto I used Classico (be sure to look at the ingredients if you have anyone allergic to nuts)

·        1/2 cup salted butter

·        1/2 lemon

These items don’t get added until the end

·        1 lb. dried rotini pasta (cooked and drained, see directions for more info)

·        1/2 cup grated parmesan (I use the powdery shake bottle type)

·        2 cups shredded mozzarella

·        1/4 tsp. dried basil to garnish

Turkey Stuffed Shells w Spinach

Ingredients

28 jumbo shells

1.5  jars     ( or 4.5 cups) of marinara sauce (use 2 different 25 oz. jars)

1 tablespoon     avocado oil

1 cup diced red     onion

3 garlic cloves

1 lb. ground     turkey

1 1/2 cups     ricotta cheese

1 tablespoon     dry oregano

1 tablespoon     dry basil

1 tablespoon     dry parsley

1/2 tablespoon     garlic powder

salt and pepper     to taste

4 cups fresh     diced spinach

3/4 cup     mozzarella cheese

diced parsley     for garnish

[mitchamsocialuser]

Macaroni & Cheese Toppers

Macaroni & Cheese is a comforting dish loved by kids and adults alike. It’s also the perfect meal to serve on a cold night.

While there are many different types of mac and cheese recipes, they all have one common element: velvety, gooey cheese. To get the most out of your favorite dishes, it’s important to know what kind of cheese to use.

Cheese

Macaroni & Cheese is a comforting American classic. This dish has a savory sauce made with milk and flour, and is topped with cheese.

Choosing the right cheese for your recipe can make a big difference. Young and processed cheeses are usually the best options because they melt easily. They’re also usually very flavorful.

Sharp Cheddar is the standard choice in most recipes. It strikes the perfect balance between meltability and flavor.

If you’re looking to add a stronger cheese, consider gorgonzola or feta. Both of these cheeses are strong and tangy, but not overpowering.

You can also add a variety of other cheeses, such as Colby and Monterey Jack. These cheeses are also a good choice for a mild mac and cheese, because they’re a bit soft and creamy and don’t have the tangy taste of cheddar.

Pasta

Macaroni & Cheese is a very popular dish that has been made and enjoyed for ages. The dish is known for its creamy cheese sauce that encases pasta. It is also very versatile and can be served with a variety of different sides.

The dish is very easy to make and can be a great option for a quick midweek meal. However, it is very important to choose the right pasta for this dish.

Macaroni & Cheese is usually made with macaroni, but it can be made with other types of pasta as well. These include tagliatelle, shell pasta and rotini pasta.

Sauce

Macaroni & Cheese is a classic American dish, but the history of this comfort food stretches back to Britain. It is a staple at many dinner tables and has become part of the cultural fabric of the United States, with mac & cheese festivals held across the country.

There are many varieties of cheeses available that can be used to create a delicious sauce for macaroni and cheese. Cheddar is the most commonly used, but other cheeses are also tasty and can add a nice contrast to the creamy texture of this recipe.

This sauce is made with equal parts of butter and flour, which is melted together then whisked into warm milk. After the mixture is cooked, cheese is added to make a cheesy sauce that will coat and melt with the pasta.

You can easily mix this sauce with any noodle or use it as the basis for your own unique creations. Try this mac & cheese on top of nachos, in a taco or on top of chicken, fish or veggies for an easy, delicious meal the whole family will love!

Topping

There are a few ways to top your mac and cheese. Some of these toppings are classic southern favorites, while others are unexpected and a little out of the ordinary.

Bacon: A great choice for a Southern-style mac and cheese, bacon adds a savory layer of salty flavor. It also pairs well with a milkier cheese sauce.

Kielbasa: The meaty smokiness of kielbasa is another savory topping that pairs well with many types of cheese sauces. You can slice it up and fry it, or just serve it slathered with a bit of smoked paprika over your mac and cheese.

Beans: A versatile addition to any dish, beans add protein and texture. Pinto beans are a good choice, especially for vegetarians, but black beans work well too.

A mac and cheese bar is a fun way to make dinner more interactive for your family. It’s easy to set up and a great way to serve all different types of toppings at once.

[capricioussun]

Mood boards and playlists sound amazing!

Mood board for fell Papyrus??

If I can’t make it right, then I won’t make it worse, I’ll just sit tight, Until It Doesn’t Hurt // Mother Mother

[rabbitcruiser]

World Pasta Day

Life is too short, and I’m Italian. I’d much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0. -  Sophia Bush

Picture this….a warm steaming pile of spaghetti in a rich red sauce, littered with seasoned sausage, black olives, and mushrooms served with crusty garlic bread on the side.

Or, perhaps the idea of a rich Chicken Fettuccine in a creamy garlic white sauce is more likely to be what blows your mind.

Pasta comes in over 600 shapes known to mankind, and their names are usually Italian words that are delightfully descriptive of their shapes. Spaghetti (‘cord’), vermicelli (‘little worms’), rotini (‘spirals’), fusilli (‘spindles’), tortellini (‘little cakes’), linguini (‘little tongues’), conchiglie (‘shells’), fettuccine (‘small ribbons’), penne (‘quills’) and capellini (‘fine hairs’) are the savory little goodies that are essential to any pantry.

While Italian food made it famous, that was actually only a gateway to pasta. Chinese Chow Mein and German Spaetzle are just a couple of the ways the world has taken pasta and fallen in love with it all over again.

And World Pasta Day is the perfect time to celebrate this love!

History of World Pasta Day

World Pasta Day was brought into existence as part of the World Pasta Congress on the 25th of October in 1995. Experts from all over the world came together to discuss the glories of the noodle, with particular emphasis on the importance of spreading knowledge of the world’s panorama of pasta. This organization uses World Pasta Day to promote the eating of pasta, along with its cultural and culinary importance.

The World Pasta Congress engages in everything from encouraging consumers to try new pasta to providing important information to institutions and promotions of this increasingly popular food. Every country is encouraged to celebrate the day in its own way while sharing the logo of the official organization and participating in the global strategy of World Pasta Day.

How to Celebrate World Pasta Day

Food days are simple and easy to celebrate, but they can come with a variety of layers as well. Look to these ideas for inspiration, then create your own ways to celebrate World Pasta Day:

Eat Pasta–and Lots of It!

One of the best ways to celebrate World Pasta Day is by preparing a favorite dish and enjoying the delicious flavors and textures that come along with that noodly goodness. There’s no better way to renew a deep appreciation for it than by wolfing down this healthy and semi-nutritious food.

Most people don’t enjoy eating pasta without any sauce, but the options for what to put on it range from the simple to the complex. Try it with a little melted butter and garlic. Cheese sauce (such as alfredo), tomato sauce (bolognese or marinara), and pesto are traditional options. But some people like to get super creative with unique flavors like butternut squash carbonara, avocado and mango sauce, or herbed white wine sauce. The options are virtually endless!

Host a World Pasta Day Party

Folks who are feeling like they want to share the day can go all out and host a World Pasta day party. This is a great way for everyone to come together to share their favorite pasta dish, or exchange recipe ideas with other guests to help the love of the noodle spread. Be sure to be prepared for one momentous night of rich and creamy carbohydrate overload. It may be that naps will be mandatory, but stomachs will most definitely be full!

For the truly daring, enhance the party by having participants only bring pasta dishes that they have never tried before. Try new noodle types, or even making your own pasta. Experiment with sauces and flavors that may be outside of the normal palate.

Try Making Homemade Pasta

Some people find it a little difficult and time-consuming, but the benefits of making fresh, homemade pasta are absolutely worth it! The easiest way to make it is by using an at-home pasta maker, which can be a little bulky to store in the kitchen but turns pasta-making into a breeze.

The recipe for pasta is fairly simple, using just a few ingredients. Basic pasta will consist of semolina wheat flour, eggs, olive oil and a bit of sea salt. Some pasta recipes don’t include eggs, while others might have a more unique flavor, such as spinach, sun-dried tomato, saffron, roasted red pepper and more.

Those who don’t have a pasta maker can certainly make it by hand, as it was done for hundreds of years in every home in Italy! It takes a little more work in the rolling, but it’s a fun, adventurous project in the kitchen. A food processor and stand mixer will help this process immensely, and a pasta drying rack is also a useful tool.

Try Something New (Or Very Old) In Pasta

This is the ideal day to get creative and experiment with different flavors and dishes. For instance, many people don’t know that Spaetzle was traditionally served with a sour sauce/gravy for Sauerbraten. It’s amazing! Imagine what else could unfold into the culinary world for those who will take World Pasta Day to broaden their horizons!

Attend World Pasta Day Events

All over the world, in various communities, people are celebrating pasta on this day. Get online or check out a local announcements board to find out which events might be happening in the area. For instance, some folks might have a pasta cook-off, while others might create a pasta festival. Those who can’t find a World Pasta Day event in their local area could certainly consider creating one! After all, it’s for the love of pasta.

Source

[softsnzstuff]

Doctors Make the Worst Patients

No one asked for this but enjoy 1.6k of sick Doctor!Eddie and caring Nurse!Steve.

Summary: Eddie isn’t feeling too hot but refuses to admit that doctors can get sick too. Enter caring!steve stage left when he catches Eddie trying to strep test himself in the staff bathroom.

CW: mentions of nausea/gagging - No actual throwing up

*******************************************************

“Hey are you okay?”

Eddie pushed the rotini around the plate with his fork.

“Earth to Eddie…”

“Hmm? Oh sorry.” He looked up when he realized Steve was talking to him. “What did you say?”

“I asked if you’re okay. You seem off. I thought chicken parm was your favorite.” Steve nodded at the plate.

“It is. And it’s great! I’m just not very hungry tonight.”

Steve let the silence marinate for a minute until Eddie elaborated, “I’m pretty tired I guess.”

“I’m sorry. We could call it a night early. Let you sleep a little more.” Steve offered.

“That sounds nice.” Eddie murmured. He looked up at Steve, “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”

The two had begun hanging out outside of work recently, usually dinner and a movie or tv show on certain days. Eddie felt bad ending this one early. He was looking forward to this all week.

As Steve cleared the plates, Eddie pulled on his jacket and slipped on his shoes. “Sorry again. Next week at mine?”

“You got it, doc.” Steve smiled, letting his counterpart out of his apartment. He was a little disappointed that the evening didn’t go exactly to plan but he really just hoped Eddie was back to himself soon.

What Eddie didn’t tell Steve is that he wasn’t just tired. He was exhausted. He’d felt off all day but now he just felt bad. His whole body ached down to his bones, limbs felt heavy, and within the last hour or so he’d developed chills.

When he got back to his place, he all but collapsed into bed after changing clothes. He pulled the blankets right around himself trying to get warm, eventually falling into a restless sleep.

---

When his alarm went off at 5:30am, Eddie tried to groan, immediately regretting the decision. He winced in pain and grabbed at his throat. It felt like he’d swallowed hot knives. Grimacing, he got up and headed to the bathroom.

He pulled his thermometer out of his medicine cabinet and popped it in his mouth while he took in his reflection in the mirror - pale, flushed, pained. After a minute or so, he huffed a sigh at the thermometer reading and turned on his shower, colder than normal to try and bring his temp down a bit.

When he got out, he gripped the edges of the sink and hovered for a moment, hit by a sudden wave of nausea. He swallowed, but even that hurt. Instead of his usual jeans and button up, he opted for comfy green scrubs today. At least he could be somewhat comfortable.

A quick glance at his phone told him he was running behind schedule - he’d have to forgo his morning coffee - a decision he was okay with since he couldn’t swallow anyways.

A fifteen minute drive later, he was pulling up to the clinic, up and running already courtesy of Robin. The bell chimed above his head as he walked in and made his way to his office. He sat at his desk and powered on his computer, taking a brief moment to rest his head on the table.

“Hey doc, drug rep is wondering if you could sign this really fast-” Robin walked through the open door holding an iPad.

Eddie looked up from his folded arms. “Are you…okay?” She asked, approaching him cautiously. “I can uh…I’ll just ask Nancy, it’s fine.”

“No no,” he winced, “I’ll sign it, give it here.”

Eddie held his hand out and Robin hesitantly handed him the iPad explaining which drug he was signing for.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You seem look really pale.” She reached out a hand to his forehead, but he brushed it away quickly.

“Don’t worry about me, birdie. Doctors don’t get sick remember?” He offered a weak excuse of a smile to reassure her.

“Whatever you say.” She shrugged and headed back to her desk, Eddie dropping the ‘I’m Fine’ gimmick immediately.

It was only a few minutes later that Steve was telling him the first patient was ready for him. He squeezed his eyes shut as he stood and composed himself before entering the exam room.

---

The hours moved like molasses. He’d seen five patients already, but they all seemed like a blur. His throat was killing him. The pain was almost blinding. He could feel that his tonsils were swollen, and was surprised no one had really commented on it except Nancy, who had questioned why he was talking so quietly.

Finally it was noon, Nancy always took lunch in her car, and Robin and Steve had just left the building to pick up sandwiches, asking if Eddie wanted anything. He had said no, just to get them out for a while.

Once he was sure they’d left the building he went into exam room 3 and pulled out a rapid strep test, taking it into the staff bathroom. He set the testing cassette and dropper on the counter before peeling open the swab.

Looking closely in the mirror, he stuck his tongue out and opened his mouth, hesitating. Even as a child he hated these stupid tests. He moved the swab closer to the back of his throat and gagged, coughing.

The coughing tore at his throat and he grimaced as he went to try again. He resumed his position in front of the mirror trying again, faster this time, but gagged still, pulling the swab out without getting a good sample.

A knock on the door startled him, “Fuck!”

“Eddie? Are you throwing up??” It was Steve.

“No I’m-” he gagged again.

“I’m coming in okay.” The door handle twisted and Steve stepped inside, “Forgot my wallet and then I heard you.”

Steve took in the sight in front of him, Eddie holding the swab in one hand, wrist in front of his mouth with the other. His gaze shifted to the counter where he saw the rapid strep test.

“I knew you seemed off last night! You think you have strep?”

“Pretty sure but have to do the test.” He whispered.

Steve pouted his lips and smiled, “Here, let me help you, dummy.”

Steve took a step forward, carefully taking the swab from Eddie, only touching the stick end of it. He pulled out his phones flashlight and turned it on with his other hand.

“Back up against the wall, I don’t want you to pull away.” Steve hummed.

“Pinning me against the staff bathroom wall? Kinky even for you Steve.”

Steve blushed intensely, “Open wide and say ahhh, Munson.”

Eddie did as told and Steve shined the flashlight in Eddie’s throat as he quickly and methodically swabbed both of Eddie’s tonsils, pulling the swab out quickly as the older man gagged again.

Steve unscrewed the vial of liquid with one hand, clearly having done this before. He squeezed three drops into the cassette and then placed the cotton end of the swab into the hole of the cassette as well.

“Gonna take about ten minutes, but I’m pretty sure it’s gonna come back positive.” Steve said, washing his hands, “I should take your temperature too, you probably have a fever.”

“Was a little over 101 this morning.” He rubbed at his throat.

“Eddie…”

“I know, I know.”

“Go lay down in the sicky sick room, you’re probably contagious anyways. I’ll wait for your test results and tell Robin to get sandwiches without me.”

“M’kay.” Eddie was a lot of things but Steve had never seen him look so defeated as he trudged off to their quarantine room.

Steve ran out the back door up to Robin’s car. She rolled down the window. “How long does it take one Dingus to find his wallet?” She asked, pointing at her watch.

“Sorry Robin, pretty sure Eddie’s got strep. You can grab lunch without me, I’m waiting for his rapid test.”

“I knew he was sick! Medical shows have taught me well.” She exclaimed. “I’ll bring you back your usual. Take good care of your boy!”

“He’s not my- whatever.”

Robin reversed as Steve headed back inside looking at his watch. It was just about time. As expected, the cassette revealed two lines, control and test, meaning Eddie was in fact positive for strep. Steve sighed and disposed of the test in their bio waste bin, washing his hands again.

When he poked his head into the quarantine exam room, Eddie was laying on the exam table, one arm draped over his eyes. “Bad news Eds…”

“It’s positive?” Came a mumbled response.

“It is. I’ll have Nance send you some penicillin and I’ll tell Robin to reschedule your patients for tomorrow and the rest of today.”

“That’s so much work for her!” Eddie protested. He sat up and buried his face in his hands.

“It’s okay, they’ll understand! Doctors may not get sick but rockstars do. If it were Billy’s patients on the other hand….” He teased, nudging Eddie’s shoulder.

That got a small smile out of the older of the two. Steve helped him off the table and walked with him towards the back door. “Get some rest today. Take your pills. I’ll swing by tomorrow with some special tea for you, hmm?”

Eddie nodded, “Okay. Thanks Steve.”

Before he could stop himself, Eddie was leaning in for a hug, forgetting he was still contagious. For a moment, Steve hugged him back, not caring at all.