#sadly I don’t think we ever actually got the food

[aw-colorcat]

I had a dream about Joris last night

[superiorsturgeon]

out of curiosity, why do you like sturgeons so much?

A chance to info dump about my favorite fish…?!

I grew up in the Great Lakes area of North America, where fishing is pretty popular but everyone knows that fish populations aren’t anything like “the good old days” when people took out huge numbers of fish while messing up their spawning sites. I got pretty into fishing when I found out that I could catch bluegill in the surrounding farm ponds, and once in a while my family took me to an isolated fishing cabin for vacation, but for years I never encountered a wild fish bigger than a kilogram or two.

BUT THEN…

I found out about sturgeon! They were HUGE fish that had once lived in the rivers and lakes all around my home, and better yet, fish almost exactly like modern sturgeon had existed all the way back in the Cretaceous period alongside the dinosaurs, and they STILL EXIST TODAY!!! The fact that small numbers of these huge dinosaur fish still existed made them seem almost like a real-life lake monster/cryptid, except that we had proof of their existence!

Furthermore, there’s just nothing else like them. Sturgeon get big. Like, REALLY big. The record for the largest sturgeon was almost 11 meters/24 feet long, which is colossal for freshwater animals. They have armor plates of bone running down their sides, and at the same time they don’t have bony skeletons. They also have a crazy mouth structure, which allows them to actually pop their jaws out like a tube and suck up food. And on top of all of this, the adults are absolute tanks. I’ve seen skin nearly 8mm thick, and it’s so tough that people make leather out of it, and they occasionally lose fins or even entire gill plates and just keep on swimming! (I found out about that last one when I tried to wrestle a big female out of a river and my hand went straight into her gills. She didn’t seem that bothered by it!)

For a long time I filed sturgeon along with Alligator Gar, Giant Mekong catfish, and Yangtze paddlefish as a semi-legendary fish that may still exist, but I was never going to see except possibly in an aquarium, until I enrolled in graduate school. For those unfamiliar with grad school in the US, it typically involves both high-level classes as well as an independent research project the student designs and carries out with help from an experienced professor. When my mentor asked what kind of thing I wanted to study, I tossed out “sturgeon” as one such possibility, expecting to hear that I would probably have to limit myself to more common/accessible species.

I was blown away when she said “Actually, I think I know a guy…”

For the next several years, I got to ride along collecting wild adult sturgeon, gathering eggs, and raising the baby fish in a lab and in a hatchery. I was holding something that I had thought of as a semi-mythical lake/river monster in my own hands! I got to see a river choked with giants as big as 2 meters long, and I got to hold a 5-centimeters mottled baby whose armored scutes were still sharp and possessed the little arrowhead shape and big black pectoral fins that remind me of Mickey Mouse ears! In the video below you can even see a little heartbeat! (Don’t worry, this little guy was returned to the tank soon after to recover from his anesthesia!)

Sadly, I didn’t find anything super groundbreaking in my research, but my experience DID land me a job working in sturgeon aquaculture! If you’ve ever had caviar that wasn’t poached, it probably came from a sturgeon farm, and if you want to see a lot of big fish up close, this is a good place to do it! I probably personally handled more individual sturgeon than there are wild fish in several sturgeon species. In addition, while the wild broodstock I mentioned above might reach 2 meters and over 50kg, the sturgeon I dealt with at the farm would easily double that, and there were a LOT of them! I got to see sturgeon behavior that had never been recorded in field guides, and even a few crazy one-in-a-million mutations like the infamous “ghost” sturgeon!

I even got the opportunity to cook my own sturgeon meat (Yeah, I basically turned into the Touden siblings from Dungeon Meshi except for sturgeon instead of RPG monsters). I got pretty good at making smoked sturgeon, but the meat is also good on the grill or baked, and people have been cooking them in various ways for centuries.

My favorite part of the job was physically wrestling the big fish! Sturgeon are easier to grab than other fish with the right know-how, but a human-sized fish often has its own plans for the day and won’t always cooperate. I was pretty good at moving the adults by the time I left that job, but it was still a wild rodeo every time!

Even more exciting was how we spawned each new generation of sturgeon. In the wild, they form massive spawning runs in big rivers that in the past would be enough to tip small boats, but in a lab or farm we have to use other means. I’ll spare you the details, but I am one of a small number of people who have surgically extracted eggs from a live sturgeon and sutured them back up to swim another day.

The tldr of this essay is that sturgeon are a big, crazy-unique fish that have been around a long time, and I’ve spent a lot of my career handling and working with them. There’s just nothing like them for a fish nerd and they’re damn cool!

(Clip art not mine, I think @sturgeonposting drew or shared it!)

[deadghosy]

☆BEING MATTHEO’S CHILDHOOD FRIEND TO LOVER ☆ male version||female version

COMPLETELY protective over you ever since childhood. He literally fought a kid back then because they didn’t like that you were a “girl” playing boy games with them. You were sensitive back then, so of course you cried to mattheo about it. And mattheo did something about it. He punched the kid and stole their teddy bear to give it to you.

He asks you about girl things so he can flirt and treat a girl better. You could be literally reading a romance book, and he wants to learn too. Please teach him or else he’s gonna whine about losing another girl.

“Sooooo what does a girl like for a guy like me to tap that ass…cause I got a girl on my roster..” mattheo says sliding by you in the library table you sat in. You were literally getting to the good part of where the two main characters were gonna kiss. “Why are you asking me these questions riddle…” you say with venom in your tone towards his last name. Mattheo frowned. “Actually my name from you is Matty, Matt, and matty bear. So please—”

“—Please kill yourself and never let your soul rest after.” You say getting up from the library table and walking away. Mattheo’s jaw drop as he followed you offended. He never interrupted your reading time ever.

When your period comes…he’s asking you “what the fuck that is” and “why is it hurting you” with a frown. He’s thinking he can solve it like any other with a wave of his wand…but it’s more complicated when you explained how your uterus is shredding itself and that’s all you can get out before mattheo started to gag and leave your dorm room like the overdramatic king he is.

He still loves you dearly so he got you tea and some materials you need for the rest of your week.

Sometimes when you two have a sleepover, which is just either of you two sneaking into the girls dorms or the boys. You two gossip like little girls ready to rip someone’s heart out.

Mattheo is 50/50 on you doing makeup on him. But if you really plead and want to do it. He’s gonna let you. He can’t say no to you sadly.

A guy had broken your heart once, so he broke his face in…and broke his dick. Don’t ask.

Couple of girls hated how close you were to Mattheo. He’s a handsome guy, so of course people may spread rumors around. And Mattheo doesn’t really like that, he’s going to the girl and showering her how equal rights have hands.

If you two ever argue, it leads to Mattheo apologizing first. He’s a sucker for you, he doesn’t know why. He just doesn’t want you to be mad at him.

It’s even worst when you talk to anyone else than him.

When you fully ignore him, no texting, no calling, not even talking to you in public and being by you makes him go insane. He’s smoking in the courtyard. Jaw tightened as he eyes you across. He can tell that you know he is staring. He can tell you know indeed when you shift a lot.

The way you feel his burning gaze on you, it made you feel warm. You always loved mattheo, but with him always “going after” girls…you just thought that maybe he wouldn’t love you back.

Jealousy is something mattheo has built into him. He doesn’t know why, so when a ravenclaw student tried to ask you out. He couldn’t stand it. He had to take you away. He couldn’t bare to lose you. He ushered you away from the student, taking you to an empty classroom. He couldn’t handle not being near you, he hated it the most. You are his other part.

He hates it.

“I don’t know who that guy was. But you’re mine. Okay? You’re mine, you always have been even if we both didn’t recognize it. Shit, I know I’m dumb to think to just push my feelings away from you. But I can’t help but love how you are so amazing…” he says slowly at the end. Kissing your head and closing his eyes. You smile slowly. Your heart swell with warmth, taking a deep breath in as you wrapped your arms around him too. You loved him just like how he loves you. He loves you as if you were the made the creation of his favorite food. He loved you like making new potions. He loved you like music to his ears.

He always has been a gentleman before you two dated. He made sure he opened doors for you. He made sure you were comfortable with things. He would even sacrifice his cloaks if you were cold.

He’s like a puppy in love as he just lights up seeing you.

He loves his girl very much. You are the prettiest thing he could ever ask and give for.

[cheriladycl01]

Better than me - Charles Leclerc x Reader P10

Plot: You are a rookie in your first f1 season, adding to the ever-growing amount of Brits performing in the grid

As things went, the dinner Charles promised to take you out on went really well. You guys spent the whole night out talking in a small local restaurant in Saint-Tropez that he’d privately rented for the night before walking along the harbour wall.

The conversation never actually stopped, and despite knowing of Charles for a while and having met him a few times before you got into F1 yourself you guys found out more about each other in those 4 hours at dinner than you’d known about any of the drivers in the time you’d been driving with some of them.

“Come on then, tell me something you’ve never told anyone else” he asks and you think for a second.

“When I was younger, in karting and moving up into F4, I nearly said yes to two teams wanting to take me on because I thought the other was a dream” you chuckle amused at the memory.

“No way! That would have been funny, I remember actually seeing you in the awards ceremony I must have been in F2 at that point” he sighs thinking back to when there wasn’t as much pressure on him and he had a lot more freedom.

“Tell me about your family, I bet you love having them at race weekends” you asked after taking a bite of the delicious food that was on your plate.

“Well, there’s Arthur, obviously you know him coz you’ve raced with him. Then there’s my older brother Lorenzo but we all just call him Enzo and of course my maman” he smiles and you think for a second looking up at the ceiling.

“Nicknames are bizarre right? Like you shortener that to Enzo, but why did nobody start calling him Lore?” The random questions spills from your mouth easily.

“I’ve never thought about that” he laughs.

Your connection was undeniable and you guys just fit together. It was so sweet, nothing could ruin this moment apart from one conversation.

Which of course had to be had.

“So where do we go from here?” Charles had asked you.

“What do you mean?” You ask with a slight tilt of you head in confusion.

“You know we can’t be together right? The media would tear us to shreds” he offers and you look down sadly.

Tonight showed you what a life with Charles alongside you could be like, his attentive side and how his words made you feel like the only girl in the world.

“We don’t have to tell anyone it could be just between the two of us” you smile.

“We’re in different teams … it would never work” he reasons and your eyes are starting to glass over in frustration.

“Then why bring me here!” You raise your voice.

“W-what do you mean, you asked me to bring you here?” He says looking over your disgruntled facial expression.

“No, no I didn’t! Don’t try spin this. I said you had to take me out to dinner, that didn’t mean, taking me out and renting out a whole intimate restaurant before taking me on a walk through the south of France. That’s mean” you say stepping back as he tries to reach out for you.

“I didn’t mean for you to get upset” he says, there were undertones of him genuinely feeling a little bad, but it was more blunt than usual. Like he didn’t really care how you felt but he was obliged to.

“Charles why do you keep doing this to me, I thought we just got past the rough patch!” You say, remembering everything he had put you through since the start of the season.

You thought maybe today was the day you were building a bridge with him that would be better for both of you in the future.

“Y/N im sorry but please let’s not let this stop us being … friends” Charles interjects stepping closer to you so he’s practically against you.

“I’m too embarrassed to do this right now Charles. I’m going home” you say crossing your arms wrapping the cardigan you were wearing tighter around you.

“Y/N no please don’t we can…” he starts but your ready to interrupt him.

“There’s nothing you can say right now. I’ll see you at the next race” you say before walking through the streets of Saint-Tropez on your own. You manage to get back to the hotel you’d originally had and begged the receptionist for your old room.

The next races went by and you didn’t attend any of them. However this time you did keep in contact with the select few people you knew had your back. You didn’t tell them why you weren’t coming to anymore races, just that you needed more time to heal.

Not exactly a lie.

You spent your time with your personal trainer getting your muscles and bones to slowly recover from the race. You really were having a speedy recovery and Silverstone was looking like a definite for you to be back in the car now which made everyone happy.

You traveled back and forth between, Monaco, Germany and the UK while you weren’t at the races, getting data from Audi and how the car been performing with a different driver now that your out for the last few races. And spending time with your family, in the UK.

By the time Silverstone came around you were deemed ready to be back in the car.

On the Thursday you walked through the car park, fans lining up either side screaming for you. You walked over to where they were fenced off and started signing as much as you could.

“Y/N are you all better now?”

“Y/N are you excited to drive again”

“Y/N are you scared to drive after your crash?”

“Y/N do you feel like you might be a bit rusty today?”

Floods of questions came your way, but with a smile on your face you answered whatever was thrown your way. You stayed there for around 20 minutes before crowds became too big and security politely asked you to move on and into the paddock.

You scanned in, loads off people coming up to you for pictures who had VIP and Paddock passes. You stayed walking with your PR manager who’d met you at the entrance.

“How are you feeling about the weekend?” They ask you and you turn your head in a cocked manner.

“Fine?” You admit.

“Okay, great! Well you are on the Drivers Press conference with Liam, Lando, Carlos and Pierre. Please try and keep up team moral yeah? We don’t want any undue attention” she admit, knowing Audi haven’t had the best time in public relations recently thanks to the crash and the scandal before that.

The rumours around your crash were kind of insane. Some people were saying you did it on purpose to prove a point, some people think your team were sabotaging you. Some people thought the grid were out to get you, some even went as far as to think you’d faked your drug test and were doping.

“I know, racing only. How excited I am for this weekend” you nod towards her as you guys get to the motorhome of Audi.

“Well I need to brief the team, but I’ll be sure to come grab you before the press conference” she smiles running of with her clipboard pressed tightly to her chest.

“Oh my gosh! Y/N! Alex and I have been waiting on you forever” Lily exclaims as she sees you step through the glass doors.

She grabs you into a tight squeeze that you immediately sink into. If Alex wasn’t careful you’d steal Lily from him in a heartbeat, she gave the best hugs.

“Hey, how are you guys! It feels good to actually be back here with you guys knowing I’ll be driving tomorrow” you smile softly.

“Yeah i can imagine it’s been far too long” Alex says rubbing your shoulder before offering you to take a seat with them in the booth they’d currently reserved.

“How are you feeling about the race, you definitely feel like your ready to get back in the car?” Lily fusses, like always.

“Yeah, i mean the physio said I was good to go”

“Okay, but are YOU good to go?” She pushes and you can’t help but think for a little. Physically you’d been cleared but with everything that’s happened your mind, we’re your reflexes going to be up to standard, would you be too emotional in the car and not think straight?

We’re you ready?

Taglist:

@littlebitchsposts @hockey-racing-fubol @laura-naruto-fan1998 @22yuki @simxican @sinofwriting @lewisroscoelove @cmleitora @daemyratwst @lauralarsen @the-untamed-soul @thewulf @itsjustkhaos @purplephantomwolf @chasing-liberosis @summissss @gulphulp @starfusionsworld @jspitwall @sierruhhhh @georgeparisole @youcannotcancelquidditch @tallbrownhairsarcastic @ourteenagetragedy @peachiicherries @formulas-bitch @cherry-piee @spilled-coffee-cup @mehrmonga @blueberry64857959 @eiraethh @curseofhecate @alliwantisadonut @dark-night-sky-99 @i-wish-this-was-me @tallrock35 @butterfly-lover @barnestatic @landossainz @darleneslane @barcelonaloverf1life @r0nnsblog @ilove-tswizzle @laneyspaulding19 @malynn @viennakarma @landosgirlxoxo @marie0v @yourbane @teamnovalak @nikfigueiredo @fionaschicken @0picels0 @tinydeskwriter @ironmaiden1313 @splaterparty0-0 @formula1mount

[see-arcane]

A Metaphor for Nothing in Particular :)

Me: Hi, I’d like to order one bowl of Bram Seafood’s famous lobster bisque, please.

Chef Francis, handing me a smoked salmon: Here you go.

Me: I think there’s been a mix-up. I wanted a lobster bisque.

Chef Francis: Yes. And it is.

Me: This is a smoked salmon. Probably exactly the sort of thing that someone who wanted a smoked salmon would enjoy. But it is not a lobster bisque.

Chef Francis: Well, it’s my adapted and updated sexy version of a lobster bisque. Everyone loves it! And all critics agree that my patented Bram Seafood’s Lobster Bisque © ™ is the most authentic re-imagining of the original recipe ever. Therefore it is lobster bisque.

Me: Have any of these critics actually tasted lobster bisque, let alone the one written out and cooked by Bram Seafood, prior to your ‘adaptation?’

Chef Francis: Why would that matter?

Me: …Are there any other chefs who specialize in lobster bisque here?

Chefs Alan, Kim and J.S.: We do! And we’re professionals in the same field Bram Seafood worked in. You can trust our renditions to be utterly faithful to his recipe.

Me: Chef Alan, you appear to have handed me a medley where every single part has been already chewed and vomited out before being set on fire. I’m impressed that you got the scallops to remain preserved enough to look like a pair of breasts spilling out of a corset. Chef Kim, this is just an elaborately arranged turd in the shape of a lobster surrounded by smaller turds in the shape of other crustaceans. Chef J.S. this is a bowl of dishwater with the soap film used to spell out I HATE LOBSTER BISQUE on top.

Chefs Alan, Kim, and J.S.: What? No, these are lobster bisques. But edgier.

Chef Stephen: Pfft. Amateur hour. My lobster bisque is the freshest, sexiest, edgiest, coolest, specialest lobster bisque ever devised!

Chef NBC: Not as sexy-fresh-edge-cool as mine!

Me: Chef Stephen, I have eaten your work before. Some of your earliest collaborations were fantastic, but, like your takes on recipes by culinary artists Stevenson, Doyle, Newman, Webber, and Wilson, you have a habit of turning the entrée into strange food sculpture caricatures of your idealized snarky sexman fantasy self. As is the case here. Though it is impressive that you managed to make this calamari plate seem to make out with…I think it’s a trout filleted in the shape of a nun? Chef NBC, you just gave me a Ken doll covered in tartar sauce.

Chefs Jessica and Blair: H—

Me: That is also a Ken doll covered in tartar sauce, the plate is just smaller.

Chef Showtime: Well, I have a full seafood platter that includes a lobster bisque!

Me: And it’s beautifully plated, very inventive. Sadly you have replaced all the lobster bisque ingredients with ones for--I’ll be honest, it looks like a much more elevated version of Chef Alan’s plate. Not a high bar, but kudos for the attempt. Also none of this appears to be seafood. This is all barbecue with seafood names attached.

Chef Tod poking his head out of the kitchen: Don’t bother with these youngsters. I had old Bram’s recipe open in front of me the whole time! Just spruced it up a little, nipped a dozen or so unnecessary ingredients.

Me, looking at Chef Tod’s plate of crabcakes, also labeled as lobster bisque: So you did. I can tell Chef Hammer took a lot of inspiration from you.

Chef Kiersten: Ugh, I see what the problem is here. I am so sorry you had to put up with these tryhards. Here, this is a proper lobster bisque.

Me: This is a bowl of nails and lipstick.

Chef Kiersten: No, it’s the lobster bisque as it really is. Rather, what it should have been! Bram Seafood’s lobster bisque was created in 1897, when every ingredient and recipe ever written was nothing but evil, hateful, small-minded, belittling tripe. I have rescued the sole redeemable ingredient from the entire recipe and elevated it to new heights!

Me: The. The lipstick?

Chef Kierstan: Yes! See, you can tell it’s from the original by how it’s surrounded only by icky awful conniving ingredients. And there’s a whole piece of a lobster shell in there.

Me: Did you. Ever try Bram's lobster bisque?

Chef Kierstan: Of course! I swished it around for the mouthfeel and immediately spat it out, as is right.

Me: Guys. I’m going to level with you here. Not a single one of the dishes you have labeled as or otherwise connected to lobster bisque has had even a passing resemblance to lobster bisque. Some of these meals, they look great at a distance. If you presented them to me without telling me what you’ve named them, I might have really, really enjoyed them as they were. But the fact is, I have been trying to order a helping of Bram Seafood’s lobster bisque—even just a lobster bisque inspired by his!—for years. And every time, I keep being brought entirely unrelated dishes which I can tell are not lobster bisque because I have, in fact, had Bram’s recipe before. The fact that you continue to insist that your recipes are Bram’s recipe does not alter the fact that These Are Not Actually Bram’s Recipe or Anything Even Close to It.

Please just call your recipes your own and, if you really want to work off of Bram's bisque, do it sincerely! As if you actually enjoy and respect what he made! Hell, look how far Chefs F.W. and Werner got with it next door. Sure, it’s a lobster tail and a gumbo, respectively, but they have so much of Bram’s work in every bite! And they actually worked off the foundation that he set down in his recipe, using it to support their creativity with the meals, rather than replacing every single ingredient and pretending they haven’t gutted Bram’s work to use it as a disguise to give their restaurant more pomp. Do you get what I’m saying?

Chef Robert: :3c

Me: Don’t.

[moderndaylestat]

I MET SAM!!! AGAIN!!!

Yesterday was a fever dream. I didn’t think I’d get to see him let alone talk to him but it happened! Here’s the whole story:

@suikamelon6 found some info saying the base camp for the Newsreader filming has been set up. I decided to go check it out after work since my office isn’t very far away. It was raining all day and I had no clue if Sam was even filming that day but I decided to take the chance anyway. And I’m SO glad I did!! turns out Sam was filming and I found out the actual filming location (it was a completely different place from the base camp). I made my way there.

They were mainly filming inside a venue so I couldn’t see anything, but there was going to be an outdoor scene too so I stuck around. I was there for around 15mins and then a crew member came over to tell me that Sam and Anna would be arriving soon. Then a car pulled up right in front of where i was standing on the street and Sam was inside!!!!! Thank god I was given a heads up beforehand because otherwise l would’ve had a complete meltdown if Sam in full costume just got out of a car right in front of me 😭

I said hi and Sam looked at me like he recognised me and was like “you were at the Newsreader premiere!” HE RECOGNISES ME!!!! he knows who i am!!!! This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me!!! Anyways, I asked for a photo and he said yes as long as I don’t post it until the season is out. We took some selfies and i’m short so he bent down to fit in the photo 😂😂 I’m sorry that I can’t share the pics yet because OH MY GOD HE LOOKED SO FUCKING GOOD!! He was in full costume, Dale wig and all. He was ✨glowing✨ !!!

He then filmed inside the venue and in the meantime i met up with Suika and another friend as we waited for the outdoor shoot. It was a short scene of just Sam, it was done in 4-5 takes and we saw the whole thing! He was so focused during the entire shoot, it was evident that he puts a lot of thought, effort and concentration into his acting.

Afterwards we talked to Sam some more. He’s so down to earth and easy to talk to! For someone who’s supposedly introverted he’s actually very chatty, he jokes around and makes you feel at ease. It’s like talking to a good friend! I asked him if he’s going to the Newsreader event on the Gold Coast and he said he’s not sure yet and then he was like “wait, are you going?” Gold Coast is like a 2hr flight away from Melbourne, it’s kinda far! I said “I’ll go if you go” and he was like “haha you can just see me here”. He’s so right, i’d much rather not spend all that money on flights and accommodation if I can just keep seeing him in my hometown.

Anyways ahhhh Sam is so lovely and engaging in conversation! And so humble and hardworking too! He grabbed food immediately after he stopped filming, he probably didn’t get to eat between takes. i was like “you must be exhausted” and he just shrugged and smiled. What a sweetheart!!!!!

I had such a wonderful experience, Sam was amazing and all crew members were incredibly lovely, telling us where to go and what was happening. I had the time of my life!! Forever grateful to my crazy good luck about being at the right place at the right time. Sadly I didn’t take any pics of the set, I didn’t want to get in trouble. Maybe next time they film in public (IF there is a next time!!) i will have more pics and things to share with you! 🥰

[thatgirlstrawberry]

Sick Surprise pt. 8 — Dad

In which…

Warnings: fluff, angst, crying, cursing, lmk if I missed anything!!

Spencer Reid x fem!reader

“Mommy, why don’ I got a dad?”

Y/N froze in her place. She was in the middle of making breakfast for Eloise before she had to leave for Daycare and work. “What?” She asked slowly, turning around.

Eloise swayed from side to side. “All my fwiends got daddies an’ I don’t.”

Y/N pursed her lips and kneeled down to her height, pushing a few strands of hair out of her face. “Baby…” She was trying to think of the words she needed to say so it made sense. “Your dad… he didn’t want us.” She nodded sadly. “So he went bye bye.” Eloise furrowed her little eyebrows. “A daddy is someone who is around for his baby. He loves his baby, he loves baby’s mommy.” She nodded. “And he protects his baby. No matter what.”

“Protet? What is protet?” She asked.

The mother smiled and looked into her baby girl’s eyes. “Protect means that a dad would do anything in his power to keep his baby safe.”

Y/N expected Eloise to look sad but instead she smiled and touched her mom’s nose. “Is Spenther m’new dad?”

The woman gasped quietly and didn’t have the heart to tell those hopeful little eyes no. She wished it was Spencer she’d met in college instead of Jake. Honestly, she’d forgotten that she ever had been alone before Spencer. He had been on a case all week so they hadn’t seen him.

“We gotta go to daycare. Go get you sippy, babe.” Y/N kissed her cheek twice and stood up. Eloise’s feet pattered away and she walked into the kitchen to finish packing Eloise’s snack box.

She put it in her diaper bag and slung it over her shoulder, sighing.

God, she wished Spencer was really Eloise’s dad.

.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.

Y/N was swamped at work.

It was almost nearing the end of her day when she left to het Eloise from daycare but she still had things to do that if she didn’t het done, she would be fired.

But her and Spencer’s minds had to have been connected because her phone screen lit up with his name. She smiled and picked it up. “Spence! Hi. I love you so much.” She spoke quickly.

He chuckled. “Hi, baby. I love you too!”

Y/N hummed. “How’s the case going?” She asked.

“Oh, we caught him early this morning. I’m actually driving into town now.” She heard the sound of the car on the road in the background.

Y/N smiled and her eyes lit up. “Oh my god! That’s great! Hey, I was wondering if you’d pick Eloisey up from daycare today. I’m gonna be here late. Maybe stop and get something to eat?”

“Yeah, of course! But I’m gonna make my hard working girlfriend a home cooked meal instead of fast food.”

Y/N sighed in relief. “Oh my gosh, thank you baby. I’ll text Jessica and tell her that you’re picking her up instead of me. Make sure you have your ID because they ask for that if it’s someone new.”

“Okay. I love you, see you when you get home.”

Home.

She heated up. “I love you too. See you when I get home.”

.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.

Spencer bit his lip as he pulled into the pick up line at the daycare center. A bunch of the kids were already lined up. It was a cloudy day out, not too long until it would probably rain.

He tried to look for Eloise but the woman who was waving people forward waved her hand at him through the windshield. He pulled forward slowly and stopped, rolling down his window.

“Good afternoon!” She smiled at him. “Uh… who are you here for?”

Spencer smiled kindly at her. “Hi, I’m Spencer Reid. Here to pick up Eloise. I have my ID if you need-“

“I’m sorry, Eloise?” The woman shook her head and leaned closer to him as if she didn’t hear him right.

Spencer nodded. “Yes. Eloise L/N?” His eyebrows furrowed and he glanced at the line of kids. He didn’t see Eloise.

“I’m sorry— a Spencer Reid came by just a few minutes ago. He took Eloise home to Y/N.” The woman’s face got bright red.

Spencer put the car in park and got out of the car quickly. “No. No, no.” He shook his head and fished his wallet out of his pocket. He shakily took out his ID and practically shoved it in her face.

“I— I oh my god.” She pressed her hands to the sides of her heads. “Oh no no no.”

Spencer’s chest felt tight. His eyesight was blurry. “You let a four year old get in a car with— what the hell!? You let a kid get in a car with a stranger!?”

The woman bit her lip. “Y-Y/N texted me and said a Spencer Reid was picking her up! And the man that took her said he was you! He even had an ID! I-I—”

“Did she look like she knew him!?” Spencer asked. He decided he’d try to call Y/N. “Call the fucking police, please!”

He clicked on Y/N’s contact and lifted the phone to his ear. “Please pick up.” It rang six times before her voicemail was heard. “Shit!”

He tried her again. Voicemail.

“Yes! Her name is Eloise L/N, she was wearing black leggings a-and a blue sweater— her hair!? I don’t know what color her hair is!”

Spencer took the phone from her and gave the operator all of her information. She had the same hair color as Y/N. The same eye color, the same skin color. Everything.

Spencer panicked, handing the phone back to the lady. He tried Y/N again. Voicemail. “Oh, god. Oh, no no no.” His eyes stung with tears as he paced the concrete.

The other woman who was outside helping with picking was rushing kids to their cars because she knew what was happening.

Spencer called and texted and called and texted but he was yet to get one back. “Come on, Y/N. Please pick up.” He mumbled, trying to keep the tears from falling.

“Th-they said they were on the way and to stay here.” The woman cried. “How could I be such an idiot!?”

Spencer’s chest heaved. “Fuck, Y/N, pick up!”

He called again and this time she picked up. “Hey, Spence! Are they giving you trouble at the—“

“Y/N, I need you to listen to me and I n- I need you to stay calm.” He spoke lowly.

“Spencer? What’s wrong, you’re scaring me.” Her bubbly tone had disappeared.

Spencer took a deep breath in. This would be the hardest thing he’d ever have to say to her. “Y/N, Eloise— Eloise has been— She’s been taken.”

.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.

It was silent for a moment. She was trying to figure out she actually heard the words that came out of his mouth right.

“Y/N? Did you hear me?” Spencer asked.

Her ears were ringing. “No…” She shook her head. “No, Spencer. Tell me your fucking with me right now.”

“Y/N—“

“Tell me you’re fucking lying, Spencer.”

She heard a sigh on the other end. “Y/N, I’m sorry but I need you to leave work and I need you to come here.”

It felt like she blacked out by the time she was in her car. She didn’t remember how she got there but all she knew was that she was speeding in the direction of Eloise’s daycare. She was still on the phone with Spencer but wasn’t saying a word even though he was calling out her name.

“Y/N, Can you talk to me? I need to know that you’re focused so you don’t crash.”

Her chest was heaving as she tried to keep the tears from forming in her eyes. “I’m not gonna crash. I’m trying to stay— as calm as I can.” She spoke. She never blinked. “Fuck, Spencer. Why am I not freaking out right now?” She asked, her knee bouncing up and down.

“Because you know that if you were, your car would flip over.”

Y/N nodded, letting air blow from her lips. She shook her head and tried to calm her rapid beating heart but she couldn’t. “I feel like— like I can’t breathe— my baby is gone. M- fuck, my baby is gone.” Her words broke as did her voice.

“Y/N keep it together.” He spoke. “You can fall apart as soon as you step out of that car but I need you to stay calm until you get here.”

Her breath shook. “I don’t know if I can. I just k- keep imagining my Eloisey scared a-and crying and—“

“Don’t focus on that, Y/N. How far away are you?”

She looked at the street signs that flew by in a blur. “T-two minutes.” She spoke.

“That’s good. Focus on those two minutes, Y/N.”

.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.

Spencer saw her car speeding down the street and his head was in his throat. She skidded into the rounded drive through and the car stopped. Police sirens weren’t far behind.

Y/N flew out of the driver’s side door a half a second later and she nearly tripped trying to get to him.

She saw Jessica, the woman who knew Spencer was coming to pick her daughter up and instead of walking to him, she pushed Pat him and stepped right up to the sobbing woman.

“Are you fucking stupid!?” She screamed. Spencer shouted his girlfriend’s name and rushed up behind her, grabbing her arms. “I should— let me go! This stupid bitch let my kid leave with a fucking stranger!”

Spencer tugged her into his chest and wrapped his arms tightly around her. The woman’s chest began to stutter as she took short breaths. “My b-aby is gone— oh my god, Eloise is— gone.” She let the tears fall and Spencer held her.

The police sirens stopped and they heard footsteps walking towards them.

.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.•.

Y/N’s leg bounced up and down rapidly. She sat in one of the kiddie chairs inside the daycare staring at the toys strewn about the place. She had been left alone while Spencer and Jessica spoke to the police officers.

Her lips had been torn to shreds, thinking of her poor baby sitting in a dark corner somewhere calling for her. They had sent out an amber alert for her but Y/N’s body still ached with worry. Her head was pounding, ears ringing— she couldn’t think straight.

Her entire life had revolved around Eloise and now, she could be gone forever.

She picked up a stuffed parrot and rubbed it’s soft beak. Eloise loved birds. Anywhere she was she’d point one out. Her first word was “birdie”.

“Y/N?” Spencer’s voice snapped her out of her memories as she looked up at him. There was an officer that stood next to him. “This is Officer White. He wants to ask you a few questions.”

The mother scoffed and shook her head. “I already know who did this.” She spoke lowly.

“Ma’am?” The officer furrowed his brows.

“It was her father. It was Jake Kelly. It has to be.”

—————————————-

Uh ohhhhhhhhh

A little angst for ya… the next chapter will be the last angsty plot line chapter— the rest after will be one shots in timeline form— some will be angsty like fights or whatever but none that stick around really! Thanks for reading!!

Love ya bunches ❤️❤️❤️

Taglist: @mrsgweasley

@tuesday-yellowxx

@blue-willows

@monzarella

@winkev1

@criminallymagic

@mermateyepmatewithte

@lipstixstain

@urlovelydarling

@dreatine

@f-me-reid

@fantastic-fans

@aleyda5

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@livviex

[retnym]

WORLD TOUR- .05

"You aren't denying it."

Tomorrow will be our last show in our home country and due to that, we’re going to run some errands for the tour. Like getting food for the bus. Unfortunately, Bill and Georg can’t come. Bill has to do some voice lessons for my songs so he joins me in on stage. Due to my higher range, he needs a little bit of help with it. Georg is just visiting family before he leaves. They have a lot going on so they demanded they saw him.

So it’s just going to be me, Tom, Gustav, and Johanna. Jace wanted to come but I had to straight up tell him it’s just for the group and it’s okay if we spend a few hours away from each other. Ever since I got drunk he’s been overly clingy and I don’t know how to tell him to stop. In the same breath though we are leaving for about a year so I understand. I don’t exactly remember what happened the night I got drunk all I remember is smelling like beer and Tom following me to the bathroom? Then he was gone and Jace was there hugging me.

Bill told me Jace spilled beer on me and that’s why I stormed off to the bathroom but he never said anything about Tom joining. Why would he even go after me? 

This is why I don’t get drunk I hate not remembering things clearly. 

Jace keeps texting me but I’ve been ignoring the messages, I get he’s trying to make this work but he was right in the beginning, distance is not going to work for a year. If he really wants me and I want him he will wait. What sucks is everyone is getting along with him super well. He’s even growing on Tom. Tom of all people! 

But this day is not about Jace, it’s about errands that I need to run with the band members, plus Jo. 

Speaking of Jo, we’re currently driving to a food court before doing our actual errands.

“Is there a specific place I need to park?” I speak up, my eyes flickering around the area. “No, just the front with the sign.” Jo shrugs, pulling out my phone because she’s going to have to call Tom who was being a victim of Gustav’s driving. 

Even though we dislike each other I would never wish for someone to be a passenger to Gustav. Jo puts the phone up to my ear and it only rings twice before someone answers. “Hello?” It was Tom, I don’t know why I didn’t know that. 

“Hey, we just parked. Meet you inside?” I ask him, I actually just pulled into a spot but he doesn’t need to know every single detail. Taking the phone properly from Johanna. “Yeah, what are we eating?” 

“Mexican… I thought that’s what we agreed on.” I remind him, “Oh yeah, right. See you then.” He tells me and I just hum in response, ending the phone call. “That wasn’t awkward at all.” Jo laughs as we both unbuckle and get out of the car. 

We got inside and ordered everyone’s food, Johanna went to find a spot as I waited for the food to be ready. And of course, I know their orders, we’ve known each other practically since birth having to hang out so much you just tend to know things. “Hey, need help?” A voice rings out behind me, almost scaring me as I was holding a large tray with all the food on it. It was just Gustav with a lopsided smile, trying not to laugh at my face that obviously showed I just had a mini heart attack. 

“Yeah, you ass. Take the drinks.” He does as told and we make our way through the tiny crowd, getting to our seats where Tom and Johanna sat. I sat next to Jo and Gustav sat across from her. That left Tom in front of me. He was on his phone, quietly mumbling a thank you to me for paying and getting the stuff.

I watched as Gustav and Johanna were talking and laughed together. It made me so happy that they were getting along… maybe even having something more than that. Thinking about that brought me back to Jace sadly. 

I don’t know what’s stopping me from being with him. We were happy together for a year, it didn’t end on bad terms and he obviously really likes me. But something… something is just pausing all that and not letting me be happy with him. 

“[Name]!” Johanna taps me, and my body shivers as I lost the trance I didn’t even realize I was in. “Gustav has to leave. I’m going to drive him with his car.” She informs me and I raise a brow, confused. “Something happened with my brother, I don’t think it’s a good idea to drive.” He explains further, I just nod my head. My eyes scanned between the three of these people. They’re leaving me with Tom.

“Did you really not hear anything?” Tom questions me, I give him a look. “Obviously not.” I roll my eyes, looking back at the two who stood up, taking their food with them. “Um, I hope everything is okay. Be safe.” I stand up to hug them goodbye. We haven’t even been here for twenty minutes and they already got to go. They didn’t even waste a second to get out of there. I turn to Tom but he was already back on his phone and eating so I just continue to eat my own food as well.

As I finished up I started noticing all the fans around us, sneakily taking pictures or just freaking out about us being in public like we aren’t people too. Ignoring it I just put my napkins in the box with the little food left. “Want me to throw yours away?” 

His eyes look up from his screen and he looks down at his trash then just nods. “Cool, love not being answered with words.” I stand up, picking up both our things and then throwing them away. Once I walk back he was up and putting his phone away. “What’s first?” He asks.

“Dry cleaners for our one outfit for tomorrow and then this dark-looking store Bill needs something in.” I lead the way, he walks beside me and I bite my bottom lip, picking off the skin as I think about this situation. It’s mainly awkward but I’m nervous we’re going to blow up into an argument and I punch him again. 

“What’s wrong?” He scrunches his nose, looking at me up and down. “What?” I shrug my shoulders, not understanding what he’s saying. “You’re biting your bottom lip. You do that when you’re nervous about something.” He points out, pressing his lips together as he showed he was basically just stating the obvious. 

“Right, I’m thinking about how today is going to go. How it’s just you and I.” We get back to my car, we’re on either side of the vehicle now and we talk over the hood. “Nothing will happen on my end if that makes you feel better.” 

“How do I believe that?” I laugh. 

“Swear on Bill that we both won’t?” He sticks his pinky out over the hood and I go to take it but my arm is too short. We both snicker and just get into the car. “I swear,” I tell him as I start the car. “See.” He shrugs. 

We went to the dry cleaners and the darker store for Bill. It was easy in and out but the supermarket is where we’re going to take years in. 

“Wanna split up?” I face Tom after getting a shopping cart but his eyes just widen as he stares at me. “I’m going to take that as a no?” We start walking through the doors. “I don’t even remember what we’re getting.” He whines causing me to laugh mainly to myself. 

“Food, drinks, toiletries,” I say, we go into the fruit and veggies section first. His hand held onto the cart even though I was walking it. It was like he was a lost child having to follow me around. “What food are we getting?” 

“Well, Gustav and Jo want some fruit so that’s what we’re getting first. Do you want any?” I ask, stopping the cart in front of the berries, he hums randomly picking up a bag of apples to inspect it for some reason. I shake my head, trying to find specific cherries for Gustav. “Uh, I’ll just throw things in if I want it.” He tells me. 

“Ah alright, and you’re paying for said stuff with your own money?” I smirk to myself as I check out the cherries making sure they’re mainly not bruised and all that good stuff. He snaps his head my way. “I thought we had Bill’s card?” He brings up. 

“Yes but for his stuff.” I toss the cherries into the cart. “And I have all the boy’s cards.” 

“Why?” He quizzes, he was still holding the bag of apples but paying attention to me as I look at the other fruit. “They trusted me with them. They asked for specific things.” I enlighten him as he was acting like he was offended that no one trusted him with the cards. 

“Are you upset, Tommy?” I pretended to pout, he just flips me off in response causing me to laugh. “How are you so trustworthy?” He places his hands on his hips after putting the apples in the cart. I take a deep breath, looking up at him from the fruit. “How are you?” I rebuttal in defense.

“How am I not?” 

“You’re acting like a child Tommy.” I toss a few more things into the buggy, starting to walk to another section and Tom follows suit. He stays silent for a few moments and so I just go back to putting some vegetables into the baggies they give out not paying attention to the dreadhead anymore. 

Next thing I know he has a cucumber in my face. “You need this?” He waves it around and I just stare at him as he laughs. “Oh wait, you got Jace for that now.” He goes to place it down but my silence alarms him so his eyes are squinted as he looks up at me as if he knows so much already. “Are you guys not good anymore?” He picks the same cucumber back up.

“We’re fine.” I laugh, shoving the vegetable away from me. “I don’t know, your face is telling me otherwise.” He takes a baggy and puts it into there. I take a deep breath and try walking away from him but he just speeds up his pace to stay next to me. “Hey, it’s cool if you’re having issues.” He starts smacking the bagged cucumber on his hand. “We aren’t. And why would I replace him with a vegetable?” I keep the same fast pace and he started struggling to do the same as he grabbed onto his pants to keep them up. 

“Ah, you got a lil something in your drawer?” He smirks again, playing with his piercing. I just playfully gag, shoving him away from me. “You’re gross, Tom.” 

“You aren’t denying it.”

“Fine,” I stop by the deli section now. “I don’t have a dildo. I’m not replacing Jace he’s just a little much right now.” I inform him, grabbing some sandwich meat for Georg. 

“A little much?” He raises a brow.

“A little clingy.” I sigh, I can’t believe I’m talking to Tom about this out of all the band members. Of course, he’s not going to say anything to them but still. “Clingy?”

“Stop repeating what I’m saying by shortening it a little bit.” I snap and he puts his hands up in defense. “My bad, but what’s so bad about clingy?”

“Remember how he left me at 16? Since I traveled so much and everything?” I remind him and he nods. He wasn’t exactly around during that time but also Tom and I started our hatred for each other a few months before Jace came around. Which was when I just turned 15. 

“I remember.” He nods, “Well, the night of our first show he told me he wants us back. And As excited as I was to see him before the show, it made me think back to the actual very beginning.” I exclaim, tensing my hands around the bar of the cart. “Him leaving was too hard. I’m not doing it again. Honestly, I don’t want the same thing again.” I overly explain at this point and it makes me just want to shut my mouth right away but his response made me want to let the words flow like a stream.

“You have every right to how you think but you should let him know before we leave. Or ghost his ass on tour.” He tells me and I start chuckling. “I can’t do that.” 

“I mean nothing is stopping you.”

“My mind.” I point to my head dramatically.

“What’s making you keep him around?” He throws a cereal box into the cart along with bendy straws that are around it. I give him a weird look but just ignore it. “Can I get deep with you?” I bite at my bottom lip, staring at him. I don’t know what I’m doing. We hate each other and all of a sudden we’re in a store talking like we’ve been friends for the past three years. 

“I won’t tell anyone we got along if you won’t.” He sticks his hand out, stopping in the middle of the aisle like I did in the deli section. I glance down at his hand and then back at him. “Deal.” I shake on it. 

“I don’t think anyone else could love me as much as he does. I don’t want to lose that.” I laugh awkwardly, it feels weird saying it out loud. Again… to Tom. “Don’t think like that. His love is phony young love. You could definitely find something better.” He throws a few more things in the cart and at this point, his stuff was overpowering everyone else. If anything I’ll put some on Bill’s card and I won’t tell him. 

“You don’t know that though.” I remind him. “Dude, there’s guys around the world who would just love to fucking poke you. Trust me there’s someone.” He says a bit harshly but I had to give it to him, he was right.

Guys getting even eye contact from me to blow their minds. But I don’t want that. I want someone to want me for me not for because they knew me from my fame. “I am pretty great.” I gloat.

“Ah, don’t get too ahead of yourself.” He shakes his hands in my direction and I roll my eyes. “Like you aren’t?” We enter the toiletry area. “I am simply humble.” He says and I lift my eyebrows giving him a certain look and he starts laughing. 

“Okay.” I stretch up to reach a certain toilet paper and as I was grabbing it I didn’t see but there was one above about to fall. “Woah, be careful.” He comes right behind me, catching it but accidentally bumping me so his hand is on my waist to make sure we both don’t fall. I quickly turn around and apologize profusely. “Dude, you’re good.” He laughs, putting the toilet paper not where it was beforehand and then taking the one I held and putting it into the cart. 

The rest of the time was pretty simple, once we got to the register we had to make a bunch of different payments for each member, along with a few things for Johanna. Tom’s stuff took the longest and I’m surprised we even fit everything into one cart. 

Leaving together he took the cart this time and I just walked beside him. It was a more comfortable silence now. 

“Today was pretty good,” I said after we put all the stuff into my car. He looked at me, tilting his head. “Surprisingly… Yeah, it was.” He agreed. 

“Maybe we don’t have to hate each other anymore?” I laugh and he takes a deep breath. “That’s gonna be pretty hard.” My mouth goes into an ‘O’ shape, “Wow.” I huff out a little laugh and he grins at me. “We don’t gotta hate each other but don’t think the comments are gonna stop.” He points at me. “Wouldn’t dream of it because mine aren’t stopping either.”

This chapter is a little rushed and trust me their enemy part is not over yet. This is a decoy hoe. So be ready. I'm also incredibly sick right now so it's very hard to focus I've had like a lot of breaks typing this out so that's why it took so long. I'm sorry for that and I'm hoping I feel better tomorrow so I can write more. Thank you for your patience.

[illarian-rambling]

Thanks for the tag @kaylinalexanderbooks!

Five Lines Tag

Rules: post a line from your WIP that follows the prompt

My prompts, which are: A line about the weather A line about a secret A line said sarcastically A line about home A line about an animal

Let's see what MG3 has in store

A line about the weather

“Avymere!” they hissed, waving eagerly.

The Duchon jumped, spluttering slightly as they squinted in confusion. Elsind caught the exact moment when they put together who the strange human shouting at them was. The changeling jogged up, a mirthful expression on their face.

“Greetings.” Avymere gave them a nod. “Enjoying the weather?”

Elsind couldn’t have honestly told you if it was sunny or cloudy, they just took Avymere by the hand, practically hopping in excitement. Tentatively, a smile made its twitching way onto Avymere’s face as well. It looked terribly strange sitting there. Not the sort of expression crafted for portrait sittings or cabinet meetings. This wasn’t a smile Avymere used often, as it was a rare honest one.

A line about a secret

“Cool your jets,” Astra made a soothing gesture. “We’ll be fine. These jobs’re gonna get done, no matter how much Antonin thinks he can stall for time. Besides, even if he is a pisswad, helpin’ us is in ’is best interest.”

Marius shook his head. “You don’t understand. Maybe you would if you’d actually thoroughly read the contract. Antonin isn’t going to give you shit once you finish the third job. It says in the contract that you must accept his decree of completion for the agreement to be fulfilled. I don’t know how to make it any more clear, but he’s not going to give you that godsdamned decree.”

“But why?” Mashal crossed his arms, confused, while Astra gave an indignant scoff in the background. “We— We’re trying to keep this city from being conquered. The entire Montane family will be killed if Vermir gets her way. He has no reason to not work with us.”

“Oh, you poor kids.” The banker sighed, shaking his head. “Do you know what a wartime economy would mean for this family’s finances?”

A line said sarcastically

“Oh, Avy….” Elsind sighed sadly. They got up and, from the sounds of things, began to put together a small tray of food.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Avyemere choked out. Even talking made their leg hurt. “I should be strong enough. I’m meant to be. My people deserve better.”

“Better than some elf half-delious with pain and stress? Yeah, I agree. But also, you deserve better, too. You shouldn’t have put that much pressure on yourself—no one should have to.” The bed dipped as Elsind sat back down. “Why don’t you get some food in you, take your meds, and see if that helps? I guarantee at least some of this is just your body wanting calories so it can heal your leg.”

Glancing over, Avymere saw that Elsind had prepared a small plate of cut fruit from the little coldbox at the end of the room, as well as a mug of steeping tea. Again, they felt even more tears threaten to break past their eyes at the sight.

A line about home

Here, away from the crowd, Astra could admit to herself that she was terrified. Divine magic or not, Vermir had nearly killed her twice before, and that was before she’d taken the sorcery of half a city. However, her terror was a strangely resigned thing. This was odd, as Astra had never been resigned about anything a day in her life.

Tomorrow’s gonna happen, she thought. I might die, I might win, I might end up lookin’ over a world conquered by that eikodoro monster knowin’ I was too weak to stop ’er. All I do know is that I’m tired a’ bein’ scared. Let’s just get this nonsense over with and call it a day. I miss my cat. I miss my folks. I wanna go home and get scared about little, petty things for a while.

A line about an animal

Tramping through the mud were dozens of hardbitten teamsters, all calling and crowing like birds greeting the sun. Horses snorted and stamped, so much bigger than Elsind had ever imagined, and much smellier, too. Wagons stood in rows like tarp-covered neighborhoods. The wind flowing down from the looming Siegewall Mountains whipped at hair, clothes, and anything not nailed down, kicking up massive clouds of dust that caused Avymere to cough uncontrollably.

“How do we know how to talk to?” Elsind asked, tapping his fingers nervously. Given the noise of the crowd, he nearly had to shout to be heard.

“We need to….” Avymere trailed off as they peered through the crowd. Their expression remained a serene mask, yet Elsind was a connoisseur of faces, so he picked up on the subtle furrow of their brow. The Duchon was as lost here as he was.

I'll tag @leahnardo-da-veggie @wyked-ao3 @jev-urisk @daisywords @theink-stainedfolk and anyone else who wants to play :)

Your prompts: A line about the weather, A line about a secret, A line said sincerely, A line about a house, A line about water

[faithhopeloveandtherapy]

It’s d3’s 18th birthday coming up soon and she is having a big party. We’ve got the venue sorted and the food and drinks, and the guest list. For the first couple of hours, she is having family and family friends and we’ll have a meal together in the venue, and then later on, all her teenage friends will arrive to party the night away.

My family are coming, even my parents for whom travel is not easy due to my dad being in the middle of chemotherapy are making the effort to come. We have been trying to get a reply from H’s family (brother and family, and his mum) and they have just been hedging around, saying his niece might have something on, they’re not sure, maybe some of them will come etc. We even lined up some accommodation for them to stay up here. Finally this weekend they have replied and said “they’ve had a big chat and sadly they won’t be able to come.” Wtf. To my mind, that translates as, we can’t face making the effort. We have made so much effort over the years to go down and visit them regardless of how many children we have with us or what else we have going on - sometimes we have had to go with two cars, or some of us on the train to make it work - and yet his mum has only come up to our house twice ever in 22 years I think and his brother and family once.

They’ve said “oh let us know when you can come down to visit us and we’ll celebrate d3 then”

Well, stuff that. This is going to take some repairing. We actually do not have any free weekends until May anyway, and after that d3 will be doing her exams. So, who knows when we will see them again. I imagine if we don’t make the effort, it could be a long time. And that’s the kicker really isn’t it? I’m a nice person, family is important, I do make the effort because it matters to me, and I probably will again. I guess it just doesn’t matter to them so much.

[eadanga]

The Royal Romance Chapter 9 Part 2

Riley sighs waiting around as the servers deliver food to the other tables

Hana looks around shocked “Wow the service here is terrible”

Drake shrugs “All by design”

Hana sighs “Even it’s not on purpose at least it’s not the owrst service I’ve ever had”

Riley looks at her confused “You’ve had worse service than this?”

Hana nods “Believe it or not I’ve been to a wedding where the food wasn’t served until midnight”

Riley’s eyes go wide “Midnight”

Hana nods sadly “They got hideously behind schedule and decided to do an open call for speeches it took hours”

Drake mock gasps “Oh heavens!”

Riley glares at him “Don’t be an ass about it Drake”

He holds up his hands in surrender “Ok sorry but I can tell you a real horror story let’s get the scene causal get together lots of people I didn’t know but that’s fine there’s a bar man’s true best friend so I figure I’ll grab a drink I go up to the bar and they’re out of whiskey”

Riley raises an eyebrow “They didn’t have other drinks?”

“No no you don’t understand we’re talking about whiskey the best of all drinks”

“Haven’t you tried anything else? Wine cocktails”

“Why would I drink not whiskey when there’s whiskey”

“Variety?”

“I’m starting to question your tastes Brooks”

Riley rolls her eyes “My tastes I’m not the one who only drinks whiskey”

“Ha ha it’s too bad we probably wont see a real drink at dinner from what I’ve seen Olivia’s got a stash”

Hana raises an eyebrow “From what you’ve seen?”

Drake nods “I did some exploring and I happened to stumble across her wine cellar”

Riley looks at him surprised “Really”

Drake nods “Yeah it’s pretty impressive actually and not a bad place to get away from all this for a while”

A server brings two more bowls of lobster bisque to your table

Hana frowns “There’s no lobster in my bowl it’s just bisque this is the saddest soup I’ve ever seen”

Drake sighs “I’m the not one to complain about free food but this ice cold compared to what we had earlier” He frowns “Which means Olivia did this on purpose”

Hana smiles “At lease we got to have a taste of the real meal thanks Riley’s quick thinking”

Riley frowns “And we know Olivia’s intentionally screwing with us” She turns around as the musicians begin to play

Olivia walks to the center of the ballroom griming “Hello dear guests and welcome to the Nervakis family’s chateau”

Riley grumbles as she takes a sip of her drink “Fake as hell”

“It means so much to me that you would join me in this place that’s so dear to my heart I hope you enjoy the festivities as much as I will now everyone please join me up front for the Cordornian waltz”

Hana looks around shocked “But we haven’t finished eating!”

Drake rolls his eyes “I don’t think she cares”

Riley sighs “Well lets do this”

Hana nods then turns to Drake as she stands “Are you joining us Drake?”

Drake shakes his head “Waltzing isn’t my thing I’ll be here with the…” He looks at the food in disgust “…food”

Riley heads over to the dance floor with Maxwell and Hana out the corner of her eye she can see Liam asking Olivia to dance

“May I have this dance Olivia?”

Olivia flutters her eyelashes grinning “Of course anything for you Prince Liam”

Riley gags as they start the waltz together

Hana gives her a small smile “It’ll be rude for Prince Liam to not dance this waltz with the hostess”

Riley sighs “I guess that’s what happens when you have a home court advantage”

Maxwell smiles “That doesn’t mean you won’t dance speaking of” He bows “Riley may I have this dance?”

Riley smiles “Let’s do this”

Maxwell grins “Dance Dance Dance!”

Riley giggles “Would Bertrand approve of that”

Maxwell’s eyes go wide “I mean Riley let us dance dance dance” Riley giggles as she takes Maxwell’s hand and head leads her to the dance floor then he looks at her “Wait do you even know the Cordornian Waltz?”

“I practiced last night with Hana but a little warning from you would have been nice”

Maxwell sighs “Sorry I knew I was forgetting something”

Riley smiles “It’s fine Hana was an excellent teacher” They begin the Cordornian Waltz with Riley doing her best to follow the steps

Maxwell grins “Very nice Riley”

“Thanks” She looks around the ballroom “This a pretty intimate dance”

Maxwell nods “The Cordornian Waltz is a romantic dance in the old days it was used be this waltz was the only way for couples to flirt”

“I can see why”

Maxwell smiles “Now time to switch partners”

Riley nods and glides forward straight into Liam arms She grins “Liam”

He smiles “Why hello there”

“Fancy running into you”

Liam chuckles “You mean on the dance floor of the private ball during a choreographed dance waltz?”

Riley giggles “Well when you put it that way it seems inevitable I’d run into you but to be fair I have seen much of you lately”

****

She noticed can’t fault her for feeling left out Liam sighs “True I’ve been a little preoccupied Olivia is he hostess and I’d be remiss in my duties if I didn’t spend with all the women here”

Riley nods “I understand you’re not marrying for just yourself it’s for the crown”

Liam looks at her sadly She understands it hurts though hearing it from her “Yes no matter how I feel…” He closes his mouth when he realizes what he was about to say Damn almost admitted to her how I feel “Well we’ll see what happens in the coming weeks” He twirls her around the pulls her against his chest and whispers so only she can hear him “But Riley you should know you are special to me

****

Riley feels her face heat up and her cheeks flush as they continue the dance Why did he have to do that now I don’t want to let him go They continue to dance till Riley feels a tap on her shoulder and sees Olivia glaring

“Ahem Lady Riley I believe he’s my partner now”

Riley sighs as she releases Liam then they curtsy to each other and she goes to join Maxwell

Maxwell smiles “Watching you two together I can tell that Liam cares for you a lot”

Riley sighs “Yea but our relationship is so strange it’s not like he can just sweep me off my feet and carry me out of here”

Maxwell nods “When you’re royalty rules are different”

Riley sighs “I know that and yet” She notices Maxwell surprise expression “What’s wrong with you Maxwell?” He points in the direction of Olivia and Liam Riley looks to see Olivia kissing him deeply Riley keeps her cool as she watches but inside she’s disgusted That bitch is so childish she just did that just to prove she can and she’s in charge around here I really wish Liam would shove her nasty ass off him

****

Liam pulls away as Olivia looks at him flirtatiously “Oh Liam…”

Liam looks at her shocked then he squares his shoulders “Olivia let’s talk perhaps outside” He takes her arm and pulls her outside soon as they are far away from the ballroom he looks at her with a stern expression “What was that?!”

She looks shocked by his reaction “What? I thought we were”

“No you can’t be doing that Olivia what if my father and Regina saw that?”

Olivia frowns “But Liam…”

He sighs “I’m gonna go finish my duties in there you should too you’re a duchess act like one”

She looks at the floor “Ok I’m sorry Liam”

He walks away leaving Olivia he notices her biting her lip and wringing through her fingers Hope I wasn’t too harsh on her but she needed to know

Olivia watches as he goes He’s never been angry at me before I just wanted him to feel what I was feeling for him

Tags: @mfackenthal @indiacater @gkittylove99 @choicesgodfanatic @iaminlovewithtrr @princess-geek @the-soot-sprite @twinkleallnight

[thoselethalarts]

𝒮𝓉𝒶𝒽𝓁𝒾 ℋ𝑒𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓇 - 𝒫𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑜𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝒮𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎

(R) Gym Uniform: “Just in Case.”

(NRC: Sports Field)

Cater: Whew! Finally a break~ Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like Vargas is going harder on us than usual today. I’m, like, totally running on fumes over here.

Lilia: Do you think so? I feel like I’m working in peak form today, actually.

Lilia: Or rather, at least as well as one could be in this oppressive heat and sunshine.

Stahli: Why the long faces, my friends? Kopf hoch, chin up! The weather’s great and the day’s only just begun!

Cater: Cay-Cay’s doing his best~ I just need a minute to recharge my batteries is all.

(Growl….)

Stahli: Uhm? Are you feeling alright, Cater?

Cater: Ah- oh sorry. Yeah, I’m alright, just a little peckish is all.

Lilia: Oh, you’re hungry. It’s not a wonder at all then that you’re feeling so lethargic at this time of day.

Cater: Yeaaahh… I actually didn’t get to eat breakfast this morning before class.

Cater: When I got up, some of the first years made a huuuuge mess in the breakfast kitchen. I had to spend all morning helping them clean up before Riddle found out about it.

Cater: I probably could've let them just take their punishment, but there’s no way I could just eat around them either. So I just didn’t have anything~

Lilia: That’s not good! A young, growing lad like yourself shouldn’t be skipping meals.

Lilia: I would offer you a licorice candy, but sadly I don’t carry those on my person when I attend my gym period.

Stahli: Oh! Just a moment, I have something you can eat!

(Stahli rummages around in his sports bag)

Stahli: Here! Would you like some dried fruit, mini pretzels, mixed nuts, or a granola bar?

Cater: Oh! Um, how about the pretzels?

Stahli: Certainly~ Here you go!

Cater: Weew! Thanks, Stahli, you’re a lifesaver~

(Munch munch…)

Cater: Oh, these are nice actually! They have a great crunch to them, you’ve got good taste, Stahli~

Stahli: Danke! They’re my favorite brand to get for snacks, I’m glad that you like them!

Cater: Not that I’m complaining, but why do you have these on you, anyway?

Stahli: Oh, I have lots of things I always have on my person, just in case of emergencies.

Stahli: I have some mints, honey packets, dried fruit, granola, mixed nuts, some napkins, hand sanitizer, and some feminine hygiene products.

Lilia: Feminine hygiene products?

Stahli: Oh, they’re not for me. I live with four sisters, so I’m used to carrying some with me just in case.

Stahli: I actually forgot to take them out of my bag when I first came here to Night Raven, but some of them have come in handy here too, so I keep buying them and keeping them on hand just in case someone else needs them~

Cater: Oh yeah! You’re still doing that too, huh? You really came in clutch when I ran out when we were still first years~

Cater: Cay-Cay doesn’t need his anymore, but I’ve still got some left over that I’ve been holding onto just in case someone else needs them too~

Lilia: I can understand the food, napkins, and hygiene products, however I’m curious as to why you would carry parcels of honey on hand too.

Stahli: That’s also because of one of my sisters! She’s diabetic, so I started carrying some honey packets with me just in case she has low blood sugar.

Stahli: I originally started bringing the snacks for her too but she told me they aren’t as helpful if she actually had an emergency, which was a shame…

Stahli: But, my youngest sister still liked it when I had snacks on hand in case she got hungry, so I kept them around anyway.

Cater: You really do a lot for your siblings, huh? Well, I can relate to that too~ I’m the youngest, so taking care of my older sisters is something I’ve had to do forever.

Stahli: Well, I’m not the youngest of us so it isn’t quite the same. I just care about my family is all.

Stahli: My siblings and I have always been rather close ever since my mother and stepmother met. We help each other with the chores and each other’s homework, and of course we all help out with the shop our parents run when they need us!

Stahli: Besides, it would be truly awful if one of them had to meet the other side this soon in life! We’ve all got too much life to live ahead of us for any of that.

Lilia: Hoho! I can concur with that sentiment.

Lilia: I’m not as spry as I once was, but I’ve still no intention of leaving this mortal coil yet. I’ve seen the other side myself, and there’s nothing there worth dying for faster!

Stahli: Hehehe, same here! I’m sure it’ll be a nice retreat once it’s time for me to stay there forever, but I’d rather not make that trip again quite yet!

Lilia & Stahli: Hahahaha~!

Cater: Eheheheeehhh… I can never tell when you two are joking and it lowkey scares me sometimes.

/ End

[theholypeanut]

HELLO.

I don't know if you can write this but

I want to request a Akashi x Reader thing like like kien hahvahsbs (THIS IS A FIRST TIME U REQUEST FROM YOU)

The reader is Akashi's best friends since children but sadly they went to another country bc of family business and stuff. Years later they found each other and hugged after a long time ongomgogm

Am so sorry if this is such a struggle 😭😭

I love how my blog is technically also about KNB not somehow I never wrote anything only Kuroko no Basket related, and yet my first request is about Akashi who is (in my opinion) one of the hardest character to write about 😭🫶 But love you and I hope you enjoyed it, sorry it took me so long

Gn!reader x Akashi Seijiuro

- You and Akashi did not hit it off right away, it was more of a slowburn when you were kids. At first you felt jealous about how amazing he was in everything he tried just once, but the more you spent time with him, the more you felt sorry for him. It was actually awful to be perfect.

- One day when you were 5, you just told him, that he is amazing, but not only because he is perfect, but he will still be amazing even if he fails from time to time, which felt so off from what he was taught, so he didn’t believe you at first. What do you mean fail? But later on, he somehow felt comforted by your presence just because he knew that, if he ever fails, you won’t judge him for it. And it was a beginning of a very strong friendship.

- For years you and Akashi were the strongest duo know in the school. He would always have your back and everyone knew they cannot say anything bad about you, if they want to live. And Akashi would know that he can always count on you whenever he just needed comfort, even a silent one. You were a ride or die.

- … Until your dad got a job overseas right before middle school. You two were so exciting to go to Teiko together, and now none of you wanted to even say out loud how heartbroken you felt.

- He gave you a necklace to keep, just a simple chain with a jade on it - jade was always associated with emperor, so it naturally reminded you of him. However none of you decided to give any emotional speech. The only words that lingered in between you two was “we will meet again”

- For a year you kept in touch by messages, but the longer you’ve been gone, the less frequent it got. You kept tabs on Teiko’s amazing wins, but you could feel that something changed in Akashi.

- Between second year of middle school till second year of high school, you stopped talking at all and it broke your heart. You still wore the necklace everyday.

- Around beginning of second year of high school, you got a call out of the blue. It was him.

“Hey” you heard a familiar voice. It got a little more deep and rough, but it still brought back so many memories. “I didn’t know if you’ll answer”

You stayed silent for a while. “Of course I would”

After this couple words an awkward silence filled the line. What else could you say? How are you? What were you doing for the past years?

“I’m sorry” he said. You knew Akashi Seijiuro for years and one thing that you probably never heard from him was an apology. And him ordering fast food. “I missed you. I don’t think you would be proud of what person I was in the past years” His voice felt a little weak, for the proud and amazing Akashi Seijiuro you knew.

“Good. It means you are no longer perfect, doesn’t it?” You decided to keep quiet about how sad it made you to not get a single message in the past years.

“Yes. I guess so”

- After this surprising call, you came back to keeping in touch with each other. You were still in high school overseas, but now finally feeling Akashi’s presence in your life, it felt better, fuller. However also quite empty.

- You were having a phone call at least once per month when you talked like nothing changed. He told you that he plans to play basketball after high school, but wants to go to Tokyo University first. And that was the moment you decided what you want to do with your future too.

~ Two years later ~

Waiting for a luggage never felt longer than now. Why the hell did you have to bring this huge suitcase? Maybe carry on would be enough, for a whole damn moving back to Japan?

You noticed that you started sweating uncontrollably. Of course, now, when you really want to smell like this nice expensive perfume, you will stink like a shoe on a hot summer day. Perfect.

When you finally collected proper baggage, you slowly went towards the arrivals gate. It’s been six years when you last saw each other. Six whole years. What if he won’t recognise you anymore? You were playing with the jade on your neck to calm yourself down.

When you went through the door, you started to look around. Somehow in your mind Akashi is still a small boy with red hair, and you could only imagine how much he changed by seeing his pictures in the magazine photos. Would it be embarrassing if you mistake him for someone else? Doubts started to fill your head. And then, in just one moment, they all disappeared when you saw a familiar face in the crowd.

He got tall, extremely handsome, and he looked just so mature. Your eyes met and he smiled lightly. And in that very moment you felt like everything melt inside of you.

You fasten your steps and when it was only meters away, you dropped your suitcase and jumped into his arms. In this moment you were so thankful for all of this years of heavy training he did, because he held you like you weight nothing, and holding you was the most natural thing to do. You pressed your nose to the crook of his neck.

“Hey” you heard his deep voice, just like two years ago in your phone, but this time, it was louder and clearer. “I missed you”

You felt like your eyes started to water up. You moved away a little to look at his face.

“Yeah, I missed you too”

And on one hand you felt like nothing change and no time has passed, but on the other, just in this moment, you felt like everything will change from now on.

[yojeongin]

DON’T BLAME THE LOVECATS — 32: ANTOLOGIA

→neighbor!jaemin x neighbor f!reader

genre: social media au, neighbors au, fluff, angst, enemies to friends to lovers, humor

wc: 2.4k

m.list | previous | next

an: I don't think you guys would like to know that this story is less than a week away from ending...

While the beginning of spring hadn’t flourished the love you and Jaemin had begun and rather a new one between you and Jungwoo (not actually); at least Jaemin wanted to express what he’s been holding back all this time. 

He felt glad enough that the letters he had been slipping under your door and the brownies weren’t left there like a week ago (or that Ami had taken the liberty of taking whatever he left you). He was aware it wasn’t out of malice and rather your wishes but he won’t deny it hurt at the beginning. 

Though heartbroken over what he sees online between you and the football player, Jaemin was glad that at least some progress was being made between you two. In the past he wouldn’t admit audibly that he loved your flan but throughout the drought, he was the first one to dig into the dish.

Cliche enough, compared to the rest he was the one to make the most pleased noises when the creamy texture of the curd and caramel fell upon his tongue. He missed it more than anyone could imagine. His selfish tendencies had tried to take over and hog the dessert but he couldn’t say no to his present friends. They all missed your labor of love, glad that you put away any resentment even if just for a tiny bit so they could eat their favorite food ever since meeting you. 

Sadly enough, they all had gotten so carried away while eating that they forgot to save a slice for the two cooks who yearned for your recipe. It’s fine, you saw their crying and though you hadn’t seen Jaemin or Mark mention the flan, you knew what those two were talking about. For that reason you had gotten more ingredients while taking Sunwoo around the city on his free weekend. Now those two will get a flan of their own. At least so they know there’s no bad blood between you and his friends. 

Almost like children of divorced parents or a girlfriend who’s partner’s kid got attached to. 

Nevertheless, your demeanor with Jaemin and his cowardice had made Amilah have enough of whatever you two were playing. She understood he had hurt you with the way he acted but now Jungwoo was also in the mix and he didn’t deserve to ache.

In this instant, she took the opportunity that Gael took a nap to head up to your floor and talk with Jaemin like he had told Sunwoo. It worked since you yourself weren’t in your apartment, everyone was getting their dishes for the dinner get-together at Hyuck and Jeno’s apartment to receive Sunwoo who was back after leaving for his new FC.

Panting and huffing, Amilah went up those two flights of stairs. Sure, not a lot but she got the apartment on the first floor for a reason. Regardless, her knuckles fell upon the wooden door three times until Mark opened with a childish smile on his face. 

“Here to pull Jaemin’s hair?” He giggles, opening the door fully for her. Ami rolled her eyes, shooting him a smile before walking towards Jaemin who had been doing the dishes after losing a game of paper-rock-scissors (Jaemin always picks rock).

“Hey…” Jaemin says, scared. “So… When are you two gonna talk?” Straight to the point, leaning against the wet counter, snickering when her forearm gained that moisture. 

Jaemin sighs at her words, shutting off the sink water and turning to her with a side frown. “Believe me, that’s all I want but she won’t talk to me and… I don’t want to force her. What if she hates me more than she does already?”

Ami couldn’t deny that would be something she’d think too if it wasn’t for all your tweets in private that let her know semi-otherwise. “Well, we did make some progress, though. She dropped off some flan.” The image of you spending hours making the dessert and dropping it off in your favorite plate made a smile slip onto his face. His perfect pearly whites were not able to be hidden.

She found it sweet, the tenderness fighting with her anger towards him. “Aww. you missed it, huh?” She giggles pinching both his cheeks, causing him to smile wider even with the pain. At least he was able to let out a strangled: “Yeah.” 

Letting go of his face, Amilah looks at the plate Jaemin had been washing. It was the one you dropped the flan in but it also turned out to be hers. “That’s my plate! That sneaky little weasel!” Ami gasps while pointing at the plate. No wonder she couldn’t find it for a good year, you had taken it!

“Well…” Jaemin nervously laughs, showing her an awkward smile. Mark on the other hand looked at the scene while laughing silently. Amilah clicks her tongue, giving up on the ordeal for now. “I’ll talk to her, okay? I need you guys to at least have closure. Seeing her crying about you not saying anything is a little… tiring.” 

Jaemin furrows his eyebrows, turning to her fully. “Crying?” He was worried, he knew you were upset but the last thing he wanted to do was make you cry. “You know what I mean.” Amilah squeezes his shoulder. Yes, you cried but he didn’t need to know that.

“Are you sure?” “Yeah.” 

He didn’t believe her. Intense stare through slotted eyes, the two were comically defensive now.

“Amilah… she’s been crying?” “Doesn’t matter, just give me my plate!”

She tries to deflect. “But that’s her favorite dish.” He pouts hoping it’ll hit her sympathy but she only knits her eyebrows letting him know it won’t work. 

“It’s mine.” “Don’t you want me to win her back?” “Not with my plate!” “But, but—“ 

Jaemin holds the wet dish to his chest, starting to walk back to get away from her. Amilah places her hands on her hips like an angry mom whose kid won’t listen. “Jaemin…” But it doesn’t help because he walks to Mark hiding behind him and leaving the two to bicker.

While things were going comically in the Na-Lee household, you and Sunwoo were near the apartment complex from the supermarket. Throughout the entirety of his stay with you this weekend, the same melody and same song had been haunting him. 

Not one minute when you turned your music on that, that nostalgic melody didn’t torment his ears. Yes, it was beautiful but hearing it night and day through your walls and in the car was driving him insane. In addition he knew why you kept listening to it and it had to do with the parent of your cat’s girlfriend. 

“This makes you think about him, doesn’t it?” Sunwoo finally musters the will to ask. “You’ve been listening to it since I got here. Have you considered giving him a chance to talk?” 

You hoped listening to every song you two liked would help you disassociate and forget about it. That maybe if you created a reality different from what was truly going on, you could distract yourself but that didn’t seem to be the case. 

This song reminded you so much of Jaemin and you couldn’t help it. By now you were just being stubborn but he also wasn’t helping you understand what truly happened. All he would write in his letters was how sorry he was and that he would be there for you but never an explanation. You figured he wanted to do it in person but it’s been too long for that, why won’t he just cave?

“I made flan as a conversation starter but after knocking I chickened out and ran back inside. I don’t know, felt a little childish. I guess it’s not that deep anymore since Mark, Karina, and even Ami have told me everything they know but…” You scratch your temple, shrugging. “But it did hurt that he just pulled away out of the blue so it doesn’t hurt to make him ache a lil’ does it?”

Sunwoo smiled widely, shaking his head while you two laughed. Your stubbornness mixed with your will to play around a little was a bit comedic to him. “At least translate it to me. I know ‘amor’ that means love, right?” You nod, throwing him one last glance before parking in your parking space. One you and Jaemin often fought over for years but has left open for you since the beginning of the year. 

“Because of you I learned how to love.” Warmth creeped onto your face, embarrassment and giddiness getting the best of you. 

Sunwoo wanted to tease you for this vulnerable moment but he opted to just comfort you. “If it makes you feel better I think he’s been hurting a lot lately because of Jungwoo.” His arms were beginning to ache now, gravity making sure the bag straps do their worst on him on the way up the two flights of stairs. 

“I figured.” You smile through your own pain from the bags. “Speaking of Snoopy, I hope he doesn’t feel like I’m leading him on…” Biting your lower lip in worry, Sunwoo turns to you with a slight pout. How he felt for both his friends.

“Believe, he’s aware you care for him as a friend.” It’s the best he could do. Now it was your turn to give him an apologetic smile. One that was easily swiped away when finally arriving to your floor. An obstacle of flowers laid across every square inch giving you two no passage towards your door.

Both of you stood in shock, the only question in your heads being: What the fuck? There were only two apartments on your floor. One wasn’t vacant and the other two were yours and Jaemin’s. If they were for him, they surely would’ve been cleared by now, right? 

So that leaves it, they were obviously for you and the only two who’ve given you flowers have been Sunwoo and Jaemin. The former should be your target for now.

“Did you do this?!” Your voice pitched, struggling to lean down and move the first vase. One step closer to your door. “How? I’ve been with you all day.” He returns in that same confused voice, helping you clear the way to the vacant doors. 

The latter was your only option now. You felt queasy and nervous, like you had to run to the restroom now if what your mind was telling you was true. “Do you think?…” You point to Jaemin’s door, biting your thumb nail and then flesh. Sunwoo did nothing more than shrug, pressing his lips together with a quizzical look. 

Asking won’t hurt then…

Reaching the door of the Na-Lee’s household, the soft sound had stopped Amilah from ripping the dish out of Jaemin’s grasp, one that he held dear for life's sake. 

Mark was closest to the door, taking the role to open it without even checking the peephole. “What’s up,” He cheerfully opens the door, forgetting to lean against the doorframe when seeing the scene before his eyes. 

“Woah damn, that’s a lot of flowers.” He awkwardly laughs, door left ajar and now the two inside could see what he gawked at.

“Do you know if Jaemin did this?” There was hope in your voice. The way you tried fighting off your smile made Mark’s heart swell in despondency knowing what his answer would entail. You really liked Jaemin and seeing you hurt because of him was disappointing. 

Mark tries to stall, sighing but with an apologetic smile that won’t leave his face. “I’m sorry… He’s been here all day.” He pouts, tucking his hands in his pockets. Surely enough your smile slowly faded, trying your best to avoid his gaze.

“Did anyone knock then?” But he shakes his head. You in contradiction nod, defeat taking over you now.

While you ran out of ideas, Sunwoo had thought of someone while you were talking with Mark. There was only one way to find out and that was by calling him.

So while you were distracted with your neighbor who tried making small talk to relieve some of that sadness, a loud groggy voice took all of your attention. 

“It's a little early to call, isn't it? Missed me?” Jungwoo jokes with Sunwoo, the younger rolling his eyes but going back to business. “Here.” He ignores the older male, passing you the phone. 

You again felt that queasy feeling but this time it wasn’t out of hope, it was freight. Freight over how this would take your friendship with Jungwoo. 

Porting worry on your face didn’t impede him from smiling widely when seeing you. In fact he was glowing after doing so and that only made you feel guilty. 

“Hey!” “Hey, Snoopy…”

The difference in your tones was so painful to note.

“By any chance did you do this?” Flipping the camera, Jungwoo chuckles seeing the sea of petals, all different colors and types. Fully unaware of what type of flowers you liked.

But Jaemin knew and the poor boy was listening in.

“Like them? Wanted it to be a surprise. I asked Eric to put in the order for me.”

A nervous laugh leaves your lips, your leg couldn’t help jitter at the situation. “Very pretty but you really Didn’t have to.” He could tell this was overwhelming for you but he hoped you still appreciated this action.

Mark felt the tension and by now all he could do was lift his hand as a sign of goodbye before shutting the door behind him and leaning against it to look at his roommate’s saddened look.

The three inside looked at each other with no words threatening to leave. They all knew this had made Jaemin’s heart even more sensitive and they didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. Not now at least that the younger of the three excused himself with the wet plate clutched tightly against his chest on his way to the bedroom.

And by now that you and Sunwoo had hung up on Jungwoo and carefully took in the flower arrangements inside your apartment, that same song you had been listening to all weekend was plaguing the walls of Jaemin’s room. Loud enough for you and Sunwoo to hear. 

‘But you forgot one last instruction because I don’t know how to live without your love yet.’

There goes your progress.

taglist: @bbymatz @dandelionxgal @w3bqrl @liljeongseong @n0hyuck @minjiville @xxxx-23nct @liliansun @ihrtnyu @kpopwh0r3 @buubbbbly @luvenshiti @igotkpoops @xuimhao @enhapocketz @wonnou @channnaa

let me know if you’d like to join the taglist!

[grumpy-liebgott]

Miscellaneous Tag Game (pt. ii)

Made by the lovely @onehelluvamarine and thank you for the tag @panzershrike-pretz <333

A band you don’t like that many others do:

BTS. Idk why but I'm just not the biggest fan of them

A childhood memory that you remember vividly:

When I was younger, my sisters and I would put aside time every night to play blind man's bluff with my dad in my parents' room. Every night, we would choose a different person to be the blind man, and the rest of us would have either 3, 5, or 10 lives (depends on how tired my dad was that day). It didn't matter what our mood was before, after we played blind man's bluff, we were all happy and giggling. I loved those moments and I still smile at the memories.

Least favorite animal and why:

Flies and mosquitoes. THEY'RE SO ANNOYING. THE WAY THEY BUZZ BESIDE YOUR EARS AND LAND ON YOUR FOOD AND BITE YOU. Ugh I hate them so much.

Hot fandom take:

I don't knowwwww

Do you wear any jewelry, if so, what’s your favorite piece:

I rarely ever wear jewellery except for a necklace my mum had made when I was a baby. It's in the shape of a heart and has my name engraved on it. My mum and my sisters all have one of their own.

Besides that, I used to have two pairs of clip on earrings that I absolutely adored. My grandpa banned my sisters and I from ever having piercings, but I've always wanted earrings, so my mum got me those clip on ones. Sadly, I lost both of them a few months ago.

A movie others liked but you didn’t:

I don't know, maybe the new animated Super Mario Brothers movie? I fell asleep half way through it. Though, that could probably be because I was just too tired.

Three things you love about yourself:

- my hair. It has a few different shades of brown with some copper and gold strands mixed in. I have my mum's genetics to thank for that

- my ability to memorise things (very handy in exams)

- my eyes

A place you hope to visit in the future and why:

Italy. It's always been on my bucket list to visit Italy. It just looks like such a beautiful country

An actor that gets on your nerves and why:

There isn't any, really. I don't know much about celebrities lives because I don't actually care, and I think they should have their own privacy.

Things you’re excited for in the nearby future?

Celebrating Chinese new year with my family!

Least favorite ship in a fandom you’re in:

Thor/Loki from the Marvel fandom. Like, come on, they're siblings. Adopted siblings, but still!

What’s the most toxic fandom you’ve been in?

All the fandoms I've been in haven't been very toxic. But then again, the HBOWar fandom is the only one I've really interacted much with.

List three things you find beautiful about life:

- being able to watch the sky. The clouds, the stars, the moon. They're all so nice to look at.

- spending time with the people I love. Whether it's my family or my friends, I appreciate all the little things we do together

- playing with my pet dogs. I love seeing them so happy and excited when I play fetch with them

Any dreams for the future?

I hope to one day become a sucessful veterinarian who ensures long happy lives of pets, with enough income to support my family.

How are you really feeling today?

Honestly, not too good. I was tired the whole day and I'm down with a cold. Oh well, at least tomorrow is a holiday for me so I can rest up.

Tagging (no pressure) : @ronald-speirs @malarkgirlypop @a-n-t-h-e-a @l13bg0tt @1waveshortofashipwreck @blueberry-ovaries

[tacosaysroar]

Top 5 Meals you have ever had. Either the food, the company, the experience or any mix of those things.

It’s going to be hard to limit this to just five — and it’s gonna get long — but here goes . . .

1) Best meal of my life was at a Moroccan restaurant in Paris the year before the pandemic. (I recommended it recently to one of you, but the name is escaping me at the moment.) It was a dark, cozy little place with gorgeous tile work. I had a black cherry pigeon tajine — my first time eating pigeon — that was SO good. We shared a bottle of the most delicious wine that, sadly, they don’t sell here. We asked the owner to pick out a dessert for us to share, and she brought out a plate of something we didn’t get the name of at the time, but I’ve since googled it and I think it was Ktefa. It was somehow both rich and light. The pastry stayed crisp under the cream/custard, which had a delicate hint of both orange and what you’d probably think of as Christmassy spices. We were SO full by the time we left. But I think about that meal every few months, it was so good.

2) Thanksgivings with my mother’s extended family, which we call “Chrisgiving” because we celebrate Christmas together at the same time. My mother is the eldest of 6 and all of her siblings have between 2 and 4 kids, most of whom have their own spouses and kids as well, so it’s a HUGE group. Very loud. It’s buffet style, with the food filling at least three of those long fold-out tables you can always find in church basements. Almost all of it made from scratch. The food is always good, but obviously this one is more about the company/atmosphere.

3) When Adelaide was still in Montessori, one of her friends’ mothers was from Argentina and we were invited to an empanada-making party. It was supposed to be for the kids, but they were maybe kindergartners, so they were into it for about ten minutes before wanting to run around outside. So it became about the moms all standing around in the kitchen peeling hard boiled eggs and learning to stuff and crimp empanada skins. One from Argentina, one from Russia, one from Bosnia, one from the MidWest, and me. We talked about work and kids and dating/spouses and now I can make (the Argentinian version of) empanadas.

4) Trattoria Al Gatto Nero in Burano, Italy. We’d spent the morning at a glass factory in Murano and the tour guide knew we were heading to Burano, so she got us a water taxi and told us we HAD to have lunch in this place. It’s a Michelin star restaurant and mostly specializes in seafood (no surprise, considering we’re talking about an island). I had these delicate little crab claws that were SO fresh and perfectly seasoned. We sat outside by a canal and rows of brightly painted houses/shops with church bells ringing from the square nearby. It was drizzly and a little cold, so the waiter brought blankets out to wrap around all of our shoulders. It was just a lovely experience from start to finish.

5) I think I’ve told this story here before, so forgive me if a second telling seems like bragging. I dated a very successful lawyer in DC for a hot minute who had a real Alpha Business Guy vibe and looked a bit like a much taller Bruce Willis. He’d taken me to a romantic restaurant in Baltimore, where we’d had a great meal and were enjoying some wine. I was feeling slightly tipsy from mine and thoroughly enjoying his company, so in the middle of his work anecdote I gave him The Look. (You know what look I mean.) And this incredibly powerful, intimidating man actually blushed and got momentarily shy. That was such a heady experience, especially because it wasn’t long after my divorce and I was deep in rejection AND mommy mode and not at all confident in my desirability. One of the biggest power trips of my life.