#soup bowl 2023

[soupbowl2023]

Round Two

[rebecca2525]

Botober day 28: A haunted bowl of soup

[raceweek]

nice!

[megaera-of-pigeon]

I shouldn’t assume there’s no sportsball people here, let’s get a read of the room

[jennhoney]

Ok tiny meltdown as a treat. it’s okay babe.

[demoniomano]

random starter - @forgivengear

Soups Up as she wanted a portion of their yearly soup but the eclipse quite ended up in Fibonacci so it was fate the they had met once again in a blue moon. Can't count how many but alas.

She does remember them. Testament that is.

"Oh, it's been a while!" Surprised as she was, she holds a bowl and has a spare too. "I know you just got here so, how about some soup? You might be hungry anyhow."

Offers the spare bowl to them.

[alicewritingstories]

Voronwe finally gets a break after arriving in Gondolin.

[agallimaufryofoddments]

For dinner I made butternut squash soup for the first time and it’s gone over quite well in the household, so now I’m sitting down after the 2.5hrs cooking spree to jot down what I did.

Trouble is, I was playing fast and loose with my spices and the numerous recipes + “bsquash soup ideas?” threads I was tabbing between while cooking, so I’m left writing useful notes such as: 

light cream (dumped all we had left into pot. Prolly <1/2 cup? 1/3rd? Normally made with heavy cream)

list of spices (You’re on your own for measurements. Just don’t be stingy. Remember; pinch of salt to pasta water salts jack squat.)

1.5. sweet potatoes (only because I dropped remaining .5)

PAPER-THIN LEEK CHOPS WILL CHAR DURING ROAST (You knew that and proceeded anyway. Turned out okay, though?!)

Meanwhile put large pot on stove and mince more. Remember you have fresh ginger and start peeling/chop-mincing that. Try shredding ginger only to revert to knife. Decide at least 15 minutes in to use an apple after all (even though all you have are red ones), rinse/peel/slice, toss them into baking dish around 20minutes w/rougher chopped ginger, bit more olive oil).

Acknowledge how the thinnest leek chops are charring in dish. Put dish back in oven and hope for best. (Wait, was it at this point I tentatively squeezed half a lemon over dish? Also, later, a few minutes before 40mins were up, did I half-heartedly add a bit of water to the dish?)

Hey, future me, remember how prior to beginning dinner prep, we (re)discovered that a blender has been available in the house since forever? Wild, right?

Meanwhile, rinse squash seeds and spread w/pumpkin seeds in emptied dish. Put dish in oven. Forget until hear concerning snap-pops. Hastily remove.

The consistency was decently thick and smooth, albeit not 100% silky likely because I didn’t purée it to France and back (was afraid appliance overuse would cause house fire—remember flames in outlet with the tm?).

Rest assured that I know full well that butternut squash soup shouldn’t take 2.5 hours to make. At least the finished result somehow managed to be worth it.

[xaviergalatis]

New England clam chowder

XG

[amethystsoda]

Dungeon Meshi/Delicious in Dungeon Recipe masterlist - part 1

(project started in July 2023 and ongoing! I'll continue updating as the recipes are posted — all recipes so far were created before they appeared in the anime) part 2

Recipe 1 - Huge Scorpion and Walking Mushroom Hotpot

comparison pics / process video / video and recipe commentary

- full list continued after the jump -

Recipe 2 - Man Eating Plant Tart

gelatin hell process 1 + process 2 / failed tart process video / comparison pics of redo / redo video with quiche

Recipe 3 - Roast Basilisk

brining / kfc super shy meme / oven setup and finished bird / planning for recipe 4 / process video

Recipe 4 - Mandrake and Basilisk Omelet (Omelette)

comparison pics / process video

Recipe 5 - Mandrake Kakiage and Giant Bat Tempura

Planning for recipe 5 and 6 / comparison pics / process video

Recipe 6 - Living Armor Soup

comparison pics and commentary on process / process video

Recipe 7 - Golem Field Fresh Veggie Lunch

planning for 7 and 8 / cooking research / process video / comparison pics

Recipe 8 - Freshly Stolen Vegetables and Chicken Stewed with Cabbage Accompanied by Plundered Bread

comparison pics / process video

Recipe 9 - Naturally Delicious Treasure Insect Snacks

planning 1 + planning 2 / coinbug carving process 1 + process 2 / gem making test / comparison pics / process video

Recipe 10 - Special Interfaith Holy Water and Exorcism Sorbet

planning / process / process video / comparison pics / second comparison with anime

Recipe 11 - Court Cuisine: Full Course Meal

planning 1 + planning 2 / comparison pics / process video

Recipe 12 - Boiled Mimic and Kelpie Oil Soap

planning / comparison pics / process video

Recipe 13 - Porridge made from Grain that was just Lying Around

comparison pics and thoughts / process video

Recipe 14 - Giant Parasite from a Giant Kraken Grilled Plain and Kabayaki-Style

eel defrosting / comparison pics and process / process video

Recipe 15 - Farcille Raspberry Tart

planning for tart / ganache process / final pictures / process video

Recipe 16 - Grilled Kelpie

planning / comparison pics / process video

Recipe 17 - Tentacles with Vinegar + Tentacle and Kelpie stew, prepared with Undine

planning / comparison pics / process video / (fullmetal alchemist stew meme)

BONUS - All the DunMeshi meals so far edit

Recipe 18 - Tentacle Gnocchi

planning / comparison pics / process video

Recipe 19 - “Let’s Cutlet the Red Dragon”

original katsudon attempt from 2023 / katsu excitement / comparison pics / process video / anime comparison

Recipe 20 - Red Dragon Meal

planning 1 / planning 2 / oxtail broth update / pickled daikon recipe / comparison pics / process video: part 1 and part 2 / recipe post

Recipe 21 - Lost Red Dragon "Ham" + Orc Medicine Toast

comparison pics / process video

Recipe 22 - Travel Rations Set for Adventurers

planning / comparison pics / process video

Recipe 23 - Jack-o'-Lantern Potage and Sauteed Dryad Buds with Cheese

planning / pumpkin bowl face / comparison pics / process video / blooper reel

BONUS - (dunmeshi zine chef contributor announcement!!!)

Recipe 24 - Eisbein-Style Cockatrice and Dryad Bud Sauerkraut

planning / sauerkraut poll / comparison pics / process video

BONUS - DunMeshi tiktok milestones!

[sunnydaze081]

I’m putting songs that i specifically recommend here and bands in the tags

does anyone have emo band recs? i’ve recently (last few months) gotten into the scene and i listen to mostly emo/pop punk bands but i’d like to discover some more!! most of the bands i listen to are in the tags :D

[soupbowl2023]

Soup Bowl Round One

[yandere-kokeshi]

yandere dad ghost with their kid who’s sick

— Yandere Dad! Ghost headcanons with his sick kid

Warnings: yandere behavior, and being sick

A/N: I love this idea!! Thank you <3

Mother mode is what he turns into. He’s overbearing, keeping you rested in bed/and the couch in the living room, and ensures that you stay home until you get better; mentally and physically. 

Dad! Simon makes good food that’s soft on the stomach. He’s also superb at soup, possibly the best. He ensures that it’s the right temperature, giving it to you with a bowl-holder to ensure you don’t burn yourself. And when you devour it, he smiles to himself, happy that you haven’t lost your appetite. 

Gives you a lot of pedialyte to keep you hydrated. He watches you drinking it, clicking his tongue when you try to pour it out — he wants you to drink every last drop. 

Very firm on you taking medicine. He doesn’t want to hear you whine on how it tastes bad, or think you’ll be better without it. You will be drinking the disgusting flavored-cherry medicine, despite it tasting horrible. 

With Dad! Simon, he’s sneaky about touching you. Of course, if you don’t want too, he respects it and knocks it off; but if he sees you fine with it, he tests the limits. He’ll occasionally mention of you laying your head on his lap, his thick fingers massaging your temple. 

Dad! Simon will do anything you need him to do so that you can rest with peace of mind. 

Need to do school and the expected assignments? He’s already emailed all your teachers, letting them know the situation, and has ‘politely’ asked to excuse the absences and work. 

Worried of the chores he expects you to do? He waves it off, telling you: “Don’t worry about it. I’ll work on it, you rest, m’kay?” as you smile, he does too and rubs your forehead in a loving, fatherly way. 

Mad about the mess in your bedroom? He’ll clean it up, vacuum the floor and open the windows, fold your clothes, and organize them in the way you like. He also feeds your plants (if you have some). 

His distress over your pain is obvious. Dad! Simon hates that your throat hurts that you can’t eat, or that you cough so much until you spit out phlegm. And let’s not start with the bad headaches. He’s beside you, massaging your hand and apologizing that this happened. 

Whilst he’s upset you’re sick, and quite worried, he’s also mature enough to not get himself sick. He wears a mask in the house, not wearing his skull one but rather a hospital blue-mask, and spraying down anything you touch with Lysol Disinfectant spray. 

It’s funny how he immediately sprays the couch if you get up to use the bathroom.

—

Masterlist || Reblogs, comments, and likes are very much appreciated!! Stay well!!

© yandere-kokeshi 2023 — Do not copy, modify, edit, repost, or use my works for ASMR readings, tiktoks, or other content.

[astarioffsimpmain]

Cushioned Affections

Gale x Astarion x F!Tav

Warnings: Poly relationship discussion; insecurity; mention of past relationship abuse

Synopsis: Tav is tired of waiting for Astarion to make his move, so she allows Gale to make his first. But will that put an end to her and her favorite vampire spawn?

Author's Note: I'm a day late, I know, but this fic is for the BG3 Holiday Fluffle 2023, hosted by @justporo with the prompt "Getting Cozy"!

The chill that had settled over many of your nights in the last few months was slowly creeping its way into your days, infiltrating you and your motley crew through brisk winds that could cut through any armor and lay clothes, chilling you all to your very bones. The campfire became the favorite place of every one of your traveling companions - even Astarion, who usually preferred to observe the group’s frivolities from the entrance of his tent. But this evening, the aloof vampire had firmly wedged himself between you and your resident wizard, Gale, on one of the logs in front of the roaring flames. 

“There’s a perfectly clear spot next to Lae’zel, you know.” Gale mumbled, clearly unhappy with the current seating arrangements. 

“That seat could get me decapitated and I personally prefer to keep such beauty soundly attached, thank you very much.” Astarion replied haughtily, turning his nose up at the wizard’s suggestion before scooting closer to you, affronted. 

“Rightly assumed, spawn.” Lae’zel spat, not so much as glancing up from her soup bowl.

“Hah!” Astarion exclaimed triumphantly, sending a taunting expression Gale’s way as he wrapped his shawl tighter around his already cold body. 

“Well, I’m very glad you’ve joined us tonight, Stari.” you said, opening your arm to him and allowing him to snuggle close, a relieved sigh escaping his lips as your warmth enveloped him. “And Gale, thank you so much for the wonderful meal. I always forget I'm sleeping on the ground when you fix your soup.” 

The compliment settled in Gale’s cheeks as they tinged pink and a smile graced his lips for the first time since Astarion had forced the two of you apart. “Why thank you, Tav.” he sent a charming smile your way over the mess of white curls between you. “You flatter me too much.” 

“Yes, she does.” Lae’zel replied curtly, although she made no effort to hide her empty bowl. 

“Nah, this shit’s awesome, Gale.” Karlach piped up, already filling up her bowl for the third time. “Anybody need a warm-up?” 

“Me, if you would, Karlach.” Shadowheart passed her bowl across the fire to the tiefling, who grabbed it enthusiastically and held it between her palms as the flames beneath her skin crackled and popped to life for a few seconds before simmering down again. The contents of the bowl were now steaming as Karlach passed it back over to Shadowheart, who let out a pleased groan when the warmth hit her fingertips. 

“Thank you all.” Gale said, a pleased smile on his lips. “I’m glad I could deliver a measure of culinary satisfaction to our treacherously meager living accommodations.” 

“Darling, just say “thank you for the dick-stroking” and be done with it.” Astarion drawled, his eyes having lazily fallen closed once your fingers had wound their way into his hair. 

“I’ll have you know,” Gale’s voice rose as he spoke over Karlach and Shadowheart who had burst out laughing., “My honed verbosity is one of the most prevalent things that earned me a place as one of the most well-respected voices of wisdom in Waterdeep, and beyond.” 

“Oh yes, it was your tongue; of that I’m certain.” Astarion murmured, half asleep, and you bit down on the inside of your lip to keep the giggle from escaping as Karlach and Shadowheart descended into fits of cackling once again, while Lae’zel allowed the ghost of a smile to cross her lips. You even noticed Wyll choking back a chuckle over his soup. 

Gale shook his head disapprovingly, and you thought things may have gone too far until an amused smile crept across the wizard’s face and he shot you a quick glance with mirth dancing in his eyes. You smiled back at him, the chill of the evening all but melted away in the presence of your unlikely group of friends. 

After the fire had long since died, and many of your companions had retired to their own bedrolls in the shelter of their tents, you helped Gale clean up around the campfire, stacking bowls in on each other - deciding to wait for the warmth of the sun before taking them to the river to wash them out - and gathering the extra blankets to hoard for personal use. 

Astarion sat idly by, book in hand, while you both worked, only looking up from the pages and stretching languidly when you paused in front of him. “Well, darling, are you ready to hide away and curl up in our own little cocoon for the evening?” he cooed, batting his long eyelashes at you demurely. 

“Come on, Astarion, just say you’re desperate for a cuddle and be done with it.” Gale appeared over your shoulder smiling, pleased to have been given the chance to throw the words back in the vampire’s face. 

“Actually,” you stepped in front of Gale and swatted at him playfully. “Gale’s got a new volume of that Dark Elf tales I’ve been reading as of late, and he wanted to read a few chapters with me before we went our separate ways. Would you like to join us? I know how much you enjoy those stories.”

Astarion chortled dismissively, rolling his eyes. “I think I’d prefer freezing to death than getting anywhere near the “wizard of Waterdeep”’s personal stash.” 

You sighed, shrugging your shoulders and turning away. “Your choice. I’ll see you back in my tent afterwards either way. Although,” you pause, flipping your hair over your shoulder to match his dramatics. “It will be much warmer in Gale’s tent because we currently have all of the extra blankets. I do hope you’ll reconsider.” you teased, mimicking the vampire’s tonal lilt as you hoisted a few of the remaining blankets over your shoulder and walked off. In a few long strides, you caught up with Gale, who was struggling with his own bundle of blankets. 

“Do you think he’ll drop by?” his voice came out muffled, his face fully blocked from your vision by a mountain of fluff.

A giggle bubbled out of you, and you patted some of the blankets away from his eyes. A muffled “thank you” reached your ears. “I don’t know, but I hope so. I do wish he didn’t keep to himself so often; he shouldn’t be alone. But he has to choose to let in the warmth himself - and not just mine.” Gale nodded quietly - a rare occurrence - and led the way to his tent. 

You were ceaselessly amazed by the sheer number of books Gale Dekarios was able to keep with him; shelves upon shelves lined with volumes - everything from A Comprehensive History of Waterdeep to The Practicality of Learning the Weave and more - just waiting to dazzle you with the wonders inside. However, the books that caught your eye were front and center, at a perfect height for you - done intentionally, you had no doubt - was the Dark Elf trilogy, finally completed with a stunning hardback edition of Sojourn with a beautifully crafted image of the drow himself gracing the book jacket. 

“Gods, Gale, wherever did you find it?” you murmured softly, stroking the spine tenderly. 

"Ah, a wizard never reveals his secrets. But let’s just say, I do still have some influence in some of the cities we’ve passed through thus far, and was able to get my hands on a nice copy, just for you."

You clutched the book to your chest, beaming up at him from where you stood. "Thank you, Gale. Shall we read?" His heart skipped a beat, he thought, as he nodded and sat down amidst his pile of pillows and blankets and you settled in between his legs, your back pressing warmly against his chest as his arms wrapped around your front before his mind could even catch up with him. 

“Are- are you sure you and Astarion are just friends?” the words slipped from his lips and he cringed at himself, a large part of him fearing the question would bring you to your senses and he’d lose this intimate connection he’d found with you.

“No, I’m not.” you admitted softly and his heart dropped into his stomach, his arms wrapping tighter around you in anticipation of the loss. “But I’ve told him that I have feelings for you too, and I’ve told him that while I’m patient enough to wait for him, he needs to tell me to wait for him before I will. I’ve…” you paused, sniffling a little as the emotions welled up inside of you. “I’ve had my heart broken a lot by being led on, or by waiting for people who, in the end, chose someone else; someone more-” 

“Hey, shhh don’t do that.” Gale whispered in your ear, planting a chaste kiss there and squeezing you tight. “You’re plenty enough as you are, alright?” You nodded, breathing deep before continuing.

“I told him how much I care for him, and how much I’d like to have more with him. But I was also honest and told him how much I care for you, so I’ll tell you what I told him. If you need time, tell me to wait for you. Hopefully you’ll listen.” you mumbled the last part so softly that Gale could have missed it if he hadn’t been paying attention. But your words, your touch, your presence was his whole world right now, and he couldn’t possibly miss the sadness and longing left hanging in the air once you fell quiet. 

“Well… I hope he’ll come around soon. But in the meantime, I don’t need to wait. I know my answer right now.” he murmured against your ear, reveling in the shudder that traveled the length of your spine in his hold. You turned your head just enough to lock your penetrating gaze with his, waiting for him to say the words. You wouldn’t settle for interpretations; not any longer. “I care for you, greatly, Tav. And if you find it in that beautiful heart of yours to save a place for me, I’d gladly reside there for the rest of my days.” 

“Gale,” you whispered, your eyes clouding over with unshed tears of relief that flooded you like a sudden storm. He caught the emotions with his lips on yours, alleviating some of the weight of the emotional burdens that you had carried with you for all too long, and a sob escaped into his mouth. He swallowed the pain and lapped it up with his eager tongue, desperate to comfort your aching soul as his hands explored your body. You moaned softly into the kiss before pulling away, a little giggle leaving your lips as you nuzzled into his neck. You bit your bottom lip, your smile threatening to overtake the rest of your face as Gale's hands ran the lengths of your arms and back. "We're supposed to be reading." You chuckled, and Gale’s own laughter rumbled through your body in response. 

"Then let us read, my sweet." He pressed a kiss to your temple and plucked the book from your hands, opening it to the first page before conjuring a few mage hands to do the rest while he wound his arms tightly back around you and began to read aloud. 

You had enjoyed several chapters of the book together when a shadow moving outside caught your attention. You silenced Gale with a hand held in the air, your body tensing as you reached for your sword. 

"Uhm… hello?"

The soft, tentative voice coming through the flap had your muscles relaxing immediately. "Astarion," you exhaled in relief and pulled the tent flap open. He stood there in little more than his ruffled undershirt and pants, shivering ever so slightly from the cold; his eyes a catastrophic blend of hope, fear, and vulnerability as they locked onto you. "Oh gods, Stari, come in here, you're freezing!" You fussed worriedly, opening your arms to him like you so often did, and you didn't miss the sudden ease of his sharp facial features as he gave in to your embrace, pulled to it like a moth to a flame, and settled into your arms like he belonged there. He did belong there. 

You walked backwards, enough to seal the tent flap behind the elf, before your fingers found his curls as they always did, and he sighed happily as you scratched his scalp. He nuzzled closer to you, his icy cold nose finding a home in the nape of your neck as you calmed him. "I'm so glad you came." You mumbled into his hair and he merely hummed in response, pulling you flush against him and trailing his hands up and down your spine. After several quiet moments of quiet repose in each other's arms, you pulled back enough to look Astarion in the eyes. 

"I-" He spluttered, his gaze flicking to Gale then back to you. "I really wanted to get a look at this book of yours, Gale. As Tav said, I enjoy the dark drow stories myself." He brushed some wrinkles out of his white shirt awkwardly and you took the opportunity to shoot Gale a deadly glare. Play along, it said. Or else.

"Of course." Gale chirped, trying to sound as casual as possible. "Well, it truly is a beauty, isn't it Tav?"

"Definitely." You smiled in silent thanks and reached for Astarion's hand, pressing the pad of a finger into one of his and allowing him to do the rest. "Come on. We're on chapter 5, but I'll give you a summary of what's happened so far." You sat down beside Gale, and Astarion beside you, and you launched into the details of what Astarion had missed in the first five chapters, forgetting the world around you and all of its present dangers: the tadpoles, the mindflayers, the Absolute, all of it, and diving into the adventure yet again. Gale glanced over at the new visitor in his tent, initially with dubiosity; he'd had no intention of sharing you if that's what it came down to. However, his resolve wavered ever so slightly once he took in the vampire’s face as he looked at you. Gale didn't know Astarion could even look like that: his features softened, the harsh lines and wrinkles missing from his pale face, and his eyes wide with wonder and- Gale paused, realization slamming into him at full force as the vermillion glint of the vampire's eyes in the candlelight revealed his secrets. Gale recognized that look. It was the same look he had in his eyes when he looked at you. 

Love. 

And as he watched, Gale saw the same look in your eyes, no matter which man they were trained upon. "Godsdamn it." He thought. "What in the hells am I going to do?" 

"That's all that's happened so far." You clapped your hands together as you finished catching Astarion up. "Shall we continue?" You turned your head to Gale who said nothing, only nodded and prepared to cast another set of Mage Hands. 

"W-wait, for a moment." Astarion stopped him hesitantly. "I'd- well, I'd like to say something first, Tav." 

"Oh, of course." You looked back at him, your eyes wide and curious. 

"I've been thinking about this for awhile, but I never really knew how to put it into words. However, I- ugh this is so ridiculously awkward with the wizard here too." He buried his face in his hands. 

"I can leave for a moment if you-"

"Gods. No, it involves you, sit down." Astarion huffed, waving his hand in Gale's direction. 

"Very well." Gale remained as he was, perched precariously on a pillow, his full attention on the vampire spawn. 

"I've realized lately that, that I've never had someone who cares for me before - not that I can remember, anyway. And no one that could possibly measure up to you." He said the words to your fingers, which he had wrapped up in his own and was fiddling with tenderly in his lap. "I don't want to lose you, but I didn’t know how to tell you so, even when you told me how. It didn't feel quite right, it didn't fit. But I can say it now." He tilted his head up and met your eyes steadily. "I care for you, Tav. I- I need time to process whatever this is between us. But I don't want you to think I don't want you, because I do. And, if that package comes with a certain pompous wizard," he leveled Gale with a humored smirk. "Then I believe I could be alright with that arrangement. As long as he plays by the same rules we do, that is." 

Gale shot you a quizzical look. "You have to be patient and respect all of his boundaries." You explained, and Gale’s face fell into a sorrowful understanding. 

"Of course I would respect your wishes, Astarion. I may be the victim of some over-active hubris, a wildly inconvenient condition, and an intellect much larger than my single head can contain, but I am not a man without respect and understanding." 

"So… by all of that you mean yes." Astarion quipped and Gale chuckled. 

"Yes, Astarion, I mean yes." 

"Wait, hold on a moment." You sat up on your knees between them, looking back and forth at the two men you'd come to love so much, settling on the wizard. "Gale, are you saying you'd be alright with a 3 person relationship? I didn’t know that was something you'd ultimately agree to." 

"No definite answers yet. I'm working on it. Much like Astarion, the thought of being without you is slowly proving too much to bear. And perhaps having you around won't be too bad in the end, Astarion." 

"Oh thank you kindly for those inspiring compliments, Gale." Astarion rolled his eyes, but the growing smile on his lips told the truth of his thoughts on the matter, and you squeezed his hand with a sudden giddiness. 

"Anytime." Gale made a mock bow before sitting back down in the mess of pillows. "Now, are we going to read or shall I kick you both back out into the cold?" His mage hands appeared and he handed them the book. 

"You wouldn't!" You gasped playfully, scooting closer to him.

"Yes, yes, you're right, I wouldn't. Come here, both of you. If you're going to see the drawings you'd better get close." You resumed your place between Gale's legs and opened your arms to Astarion, who crawled in between yours and curled up against your chest like a cat, his head resting on your shoulder, glancing up at the book every now and again to admire the artwork, then planting tender kisses along your jawline before settling back into you. 

After several chapters more and an hour had gone by, Astarion purred softly against your chest while Gale rubbed your arm with one hand and Astarion's back with the other. Your hands were where they often found purchase - amidst soft white curls that were as light as air to your touch - , massaging small circles on the elf's head as he dozed, and you didn’t know how you could possibly be happier. You sighed blissfully, allowing your eyes to finally fall closed. 

"Goodnight Gale, goodnight Astarion." You mumbled, already halfway gone. 

"Goodnight, Tav." Gale whispered in your ear as you faded into a euphoric sleep, curled up between the men you loved; the men who loved you; the men who could possibly one day learn to love each other.

[woso-fan13]

Comfortember 2023: 27 (Barca)

27. Soup

Alexia curses herself for not noticing that something was wrong with you sooner. She had noticed your slower reaction time during the pay day or two of practice, along with your slower speed and lack of stamina. But she had just brushed it off, thinking it was nothing. 

It wasn’t nothing. 

She found this out when she pulled up to pick you up for practice and you weren’t waiting out front for her. Sighing, she dials your number and waits as the phone rings. Hanging up when your voicemail begins playing, she redials. The same result. Alexia grumbles, turning her car off and walking to the main entrance. 

She presses your buzzer down and holds it, waiting for you to shout through the intercom that you were coming so could she please lay off on the button. There’s no response, even after she presses the buzzer rapidly in a short pattern. 

Growing slightly worried, Alexia presses the buzzer to your neighbors’ apartments until a voice finally responds, explaining the situation quickly before hearing the click of the door unlocking. 

That was the hardest part, as she knew that she had your spare key in her bag. Digging through in search of the key, she walks to your door. 

She knocks, not bothering to wait for a response before sticking the key in and pushing the door open. The lights are off inside, the apartment seemingly empty. It couldn’t be, though, you hadn’t just disappeared. 

Alexia searches through the apartment, eventually finding you asleep in the front bathroom. You’re passed out on the floor, still dressed in the clothes you wore home from practice yesterday. It seemed that you had only made it that far upon your return and hadn’t moved since. 

You don’t look super uncomfortable and Alexia doesn’t want to disturb your peaceful sleep, so she simply grabs a throw blanket from the living room and tosses it over you. It’s probably not the smartest idea, seeing as she can see the flush from the fever on your face, but she needs to do something. 

Sitting in a chair that has visual access to the bathroom (and, therefore, your form slumped on the floor) Alexia pulls out her phone.

—-

You wake up in a haze, vaguely remembering that you’re sick. You peel your head off of the floor, appreciating the fact that nausea doesn’t instantly overwhelm you. 

“Buenas días, Nena,” a voice greets you, causing you to jump. 

“Lex?” you ask confused, trying to place the voice. 

“Sí, I’m in the kitchen. Think you can come over here?”

You take a few deep breaths and focus for a moment before pushing yourself to your feet. Your vision blurs and you wobble slightly, but you regain your balance and make it to the kitchen to plunk into a chair at the kitchen table. 

Alexia slides a bowl over at you, and you immediately recognize the contents. It seems that a warm bowl of soup while you’re sick is the thing that unites the world. 

[risustravelogue]

thinking about sick Alhaitham having to eat soup because he can barely eat solid food.

"when was the last time you got this sick?" you ask, feeding him another spoonful of your homemade soup.

"maybe twenty years ago, when my grandmother was still healthy," he answers. his nose crinkles, and he sneezes.

"I hate being sick," he mumbles. you can't help but smile, though. he looks so cute when he's vulnerable. you wipe a droplet from his lips with your index finger, making him blush at your soft touch.

"this is the universe telling you it's my turn to take care of you," you say. "don't worry, we can cuddle to sleep after you finish this bowl."

he pouts, but his lips curve into a loving smile when you turn away to refill his glass with hot water. a silent whisper falls from his lips.

"I'm so lucky to have you."

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