#summer food market on Front Street | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

alshixxah · 4 months ago

Text

Jenny (I Wanna Ruin Our Friendship)

On a hot summer night in Greece, Lewis contemplates her "best friend" eating sorbet.

Notes: 2.1k, girlcedes, not beta-read, english is not my first language, title and references from a Studio Killers song of the same name, first time writing fanfiction, slightly suggestive at times, in true teenage girl fashion Lewis is going through it, there are too little fics where Lewis is just plainly weird about Nico

This is @sionisjaune's girlcedes anon from like 2 weeks ago. Girlcedes and girl!Nico especially have been haunted my brain an unhealthy amount and spilled out into this foul beast. I swear this was supposed to be a drabble idk how we got to 2k. Once again shoutout to @sionisjaune, I wish (not really) i was joking when i said that their girl!Nico fics have quite literally fundamentally changed the way i see my own femininity and relationship to the concept of womanhood.

It was uncommon for Lewis to ignore a cone of soft serve in front of her, it really was. The view before her, Nico licking so methodically at the strawberry sorbet perched gracelessly on the cone in her hand as if it was a corner she was analysing, had her letting the sticky liquid melt from her own cone gently down her hand.

In truth, she hated calling her “friend”, but she had no other word for what was between them. A bond so strong, forged over the many years they perfected the art of knowing each other, first as strangers, then friends, then karting teammates, and now vacationeers together in Greece. A bond seemingly so unbreakable that they swore it would survive any rivalries that came from competition, but so stupidly fragile when Lewis thought of words to describe it other than “friends”.

Nico glanced at her, and wordlessly placed one of the paper napkins from her lap onto hers while gently grabbing Lewis’ ice cream cone. Lewis only took her eyes off of mindlessly rubbing at her hands when Nico spoke. “It's a shame. Cream colours look good on you”. “Better like this. My hands are all sticky”

The air was hot, even at night. She could still smell the night market, two streets down from the sea promenade where they were sitting on the rocks. The heavy spices and oil from their street food dinner had made the air in the market sticky as well, and whether by the wind or them channelling it to come with, the air around them now was sticky too. Lewis knew the napkins were ultimately futile to erase the feeling. While she had spoken, another droplet had escaped Lewis’ cone, and Nico gently tilted her head to lick at it with the tip of her tongue, so as to not get it on her nail. The polish perfectly matched the colour of her sorbet. Lewis wondered if it would taste like it too if placed in her mouth.

The only way to stop this stickiness might be to drown herself in the sea across from them. Lewis didn't know if she wanted to.

She carelessly stuffed the napkin into the back pocket of her jean shorts and took back her cone without making eye contact.

“I should paint your nails cream when we get back. We could match. I'm getting tired of this colour” Nico scrunched up her face as she scratched her left thumb across her ring finger. She had only painted her nails two days ago, sat on the sunny balcony floor of their shared room, hunched over and looked like the most beautiful girl on earth Lewis had ever seen.

“I like it. It suits you, and it matches your ice cream”

“Sorbet”

“It matches your Sorbet”

Nico frowned. “No, you're saying it wrong. Sorr-be”

“That's exactly what I’m saying”

“No you're saying sour-bee. Put your tongue more forward in your mouth like-” Her face froze as she tried to think of a proper comparison. Lewis had never possessed the ease Nico seemingly had when it came to picking up languages. Her tongue stubbornly stuck to only moulding itself around the gentle sloping and stopping of the English accent she was born into. Around the proper way, how she would tease Nico about her German lilt.

Suddenly Nico snapped out of her trance, and looked at Lewis with that look that told her whatever came next was not a suggestion but a demand. “Open your mouth”

Lewis obeyed without thinking.

Carefully, like she could shatter Lewis like glass, she stuck her index and middle finger in her mouth and up to her gum, pushing at the space right behind Lewis ́ front teeth.

To any passerby, it must have looked like she was giving her some sort of dental examination. She was so helplessly but willingly at her mercy with two fingers down her mouth. Who would willingly subject themselves to this, she thought, if not for the nauseating agony that toothaches born of avoidance give you? Nobody would so obediently open their mouth, and keep it open, if sweetness would not melt into cavities.

Lewis could only watch as her friend slowly removed her fingers from the mouth she desperately willed to behave from spilling everything sticky she tried to wipe away. In doing so, Nicos nails grazed her tongue. She tasted the sweet flavour of strawberry.

“Put your tongue there. Say it.”

Nicos looked like a spilled bottle of perfume, so intense and penetrating was her look. All Lewis could do was hold it with wide eyes.

“Sorr-be.”

“Good”

“I think I´d like to taste yours, actually” Lewis reached over to take her cone from her and she immediately retorted by taking hers. She had no desire to taste the strawberry in particular, but if she didn't keep her mouth busy it might start telling Nico all its acronyms for their “friendship”. There was a dent in the sorbet where Nico had last licked at it, no bigger than her thumbpad.

When they found the small ice cream vendor at the end of the market, she had initially hoped to get coconut flavour. They had ventured into the building just on the last street corner from the bustling food stalls like they owned the place, and just for a second Lewis stood back to watch Nico gawk at the spread of flavours before them with such unashamed desire that she so fiercely guarded in public. Desire that was sadly not focused on Lewis.

Stepping into Nicos personal space was always a full sensory experience. For her at least. It occurred to her that when her father only looked at her confused when she once mentioned she could often smell Nico before she entered the room that maybe other people just were not as fixated on everything Nico. God, she needed to get more normal.

Nico matched all of her hygiene products, her body wash, her lotion, her shampoo, down to deodorant and perfume to a scent, and that one scent completely enveloped her entire being.

Well, two scents actually, roses for special occasions, like the celebratory dinner after their last 1-2 finish, and coconut at all other times.

Whenever she knew they would share a room, she made sure to conveniently forget her body wash, or lotion, only to shamefully buy a cheap one in a corner store a few days later to eventually chuck it in the trash when she got home from that particular trip.

The first time showering with Nicos stuff was always like the first time again. Nico would consume her in shockwaves, penetrate her senses and skin in a way that made her almost feel dirtier than before stepping in the shower, and leave her staring at her murky silhouette in the foggy mirror to get a grip and not pounce her “friend” the second she stepped out of their shared bathroom.

It made her nauseous the fourth or fifth time, always. She could not handle it, being so filled and surrounded by something she then had to pretend was her friend, but she could never resist lathering her skin just a couple seconds extra with hands that smelled like Nico. She would buy the other body wash then.

Nico never commented on how often she would forget hers in the first place, or when she would buy the second, or when Lewis never gave her back the shirts she would steal from her.

When she was back in Stevenage, she used them as her pillowcase, just the white back without a print to keep it her secret, so Anthony would think his daughter was normal, and bury her face into them and scream.

She needed to microdose this way, she would lash out and convulse and bloom like a werewolf into something hideous if she indulged on her “best friend” in the way she wanted to.

Maybe that is why she always borrowed her lip gloss only after Nico used it first, or why she wanted coconut ice cream. She could not have the real thing, but something sticky and wet on her lips that she knew was to some degree her “best friends” saliva was all she could allow herself.

She looked at the indent on Nicos sorbet in her hands that glistened in the moonlight. She flattened her tongue against it while closing her eyes. Just a little indulgence. When she looked up again Nico was staring at her, soft serve untouched.

“I'd let you paint my nails. But keep yours. I like them. Plus you painted them like yesterday.”

“No. I want us to match.”

Lewis popped the last of the sorbets cone in her mouth and took Nicos free hand in hers. She closely examined her still pristine nails.

“And that wouldn’t look good on me or what?”

She gently caressed the nail bed of her elegant pointer finger. Nico, suddenly, as if she remembered she was alive, or as if Lewis had rubbed the death out of her, she grabbed Lewis’ wrist.

The motion was so sudden it almost scared Lewis if it wasn’t her “friend”. Her hand slowly travelled up her arm and she began to slowly whisper. “No.”

Her hand brushed past the strap of her top as Lewis’ hand came to join hers, “No”.

It tangled itself firmly on the back of Lewis’ neck and Nico pulled her down, down, down, until her forehead was pressed to the sticky expanse of Nicos sweaty naked shoulder and she closed her eyes. "No."

This close she could almost pretend she crawled inside Nicos skin, deep underneath the surface like she was her lungs, or brain, or heart if she wanted to be vulgar. Something precious that would kill Nico to get rid of.

All her senses were assaulted by coconut, but this was the first time that under it she smelled the faint mechanical, almost animalistic floral scent buried deep beneath it. It reminded Lewis of speed walking past the alleyway on her way back from school where everyone knew the cokeheads gathered after 3 p.m. and it made Nico seem just as dangerous.

“Talk to me Lewis”, her best friend for years said above her.

“You terrify me. Paint me every colour you want. Please.”

Nico pulled her up by the scuff of her neck, even when her hands went just shy of jerking upwards and grabbing her hair. There was no place to hide from the other now, nowhere to put yourself except for your lips to move except against each other with restrained obsession against each other. Neither girl could guess how many kisses the other had, even as they refused to break eye contact over the kiss, blue eyes staring in deeply, deeply unsure brown ones.

The string of spit that emerged when they finally broke fell into both their laps at once, where brown legs had tangled with tan ones. Neither made a move to kiss each other again or touch the other further, they just swayed in each other's orbit, like a snake and a flute, panting each others air that was laced with something as sick as devotion.

“I'm scared.” Lewis finally admitted. “I was scared. You’re my best friend. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship”

At this Nico finally moved, head cocked to the side, eyes wide not in surprise but laser focus, and pressed her soft chest into Lewis’

“Ruin it.” She gripped Lewis’ upper arms with a bruising grip, her flesh spilling out between her fingers, “Do it.”

She feverishly pecked at Lewis’ cheek, “Destroy it. Wreck it. Break our friendship.”

Her hands finally found the courage to angrily weave into Lewis’ hair and she pressed their faces so close that their noses were touching and speaking became awkward. “I don’t want it anymore. We are more than friends. I will follow you to the end, Lewis.”

Lewis’ hands had raked themselves around her shoulders and waist, more leverage to never, ever, let her go, and she needed to restrain her teeth to not make Nico an even bigger part of her than she already was when she crashed them together to kiss again.

“Take me back to the hotel.” Nico said with crazy eyes and her usual restrained voice. “I will paint your nails and never let you use another body wash.”

And the only things that proved two friends were ever there in the first place were an abandoned cone of sticky, melted vanilla soft serve, and the constellations they had given new names that night.

#brocedes #girlcedes #f1 fanfic #formula 1 #formula one #formula 1 fanfic #lewis hamilton #nico rosberg #nico is such an only child in this (i am definately not projecting)#just girls being girls #they are insane your honour #they painted each others nails and then they f- *gunshot*#for everyone that also had an insane teenage girl friendship they never got over #weird psychosexual freaks <3

30 notes · View notes

zoesblogsposts · 10 months ago

Text

o 625 words to know in your target language o

There is a really interesting blog called "Fluent Forever" that aids foreign language learners in tricks, tips and techniques to guide them to achieving fluency "quickly" and efficiently. One of the tricks is to learn these 625 vocab words in your target language, that way you have a basis to start delving into grammar with ease as you can understand a lot of vocab right off the bat. Plus this list of words are common across the world and will aid you in whatever language you are learning. Here is the list in thematic order

• Animal: dog, cat, fish, bird, cow, pig, mouse, horse, wing, animal

• Transportation: train, plane, car, truck, bicycle, bus, boat, ship, tire, gasoline, engine, (train) ticket, transportation

• Location: city, house, apartment, street/road, airport, train station, bridge hotel, restaurant, farm, court, school, office, room, town, university, club, bar, park, camp, store/shop, theater, library, hospital, church, market, country (USA,

France, etc.), building, ground, space (outer space), bank, location

• Clothing: hat, dress, suit, skirt, shirt, T-shirt, pants, shoes, pocket, coat, stain, clothing

• Color: red, green, blue (light/dark), yellow, brown, pink, orange, black, white, gray, color

• People: son, daughter, mother, father, parent (= mother/father), baby, man, woman, brother, sister, family, grandfather, grandmother, husband, wife, king, queen, president, neighbor, boy, girl, child (= boy/girl), adult (= man/woman), human (# animal), friend (Add a friend's name), victim, player, fan, crowd, person

• Job: Teacher, student, lawyer, doctor, patient, waiter, secretary, priest, police, army, soldier, artist, author, manager, reporter, actor, job

• Society: religion, heaven, hell, death, medicine, money, dollar, bill, marriage, wedding, team, race (ethnicity), sex (the act), sex (gender), murder, prison, technology, energy, war, peace, attack, election, magazine, newspaper, poison, gun, sport, race (sport), exercise, ball, game, price, contract, drug, sign, science, God

• Art. band, song, instrument (musical), music, movie, art

• Beverages: coffee, tea, wine, beer, juice, water, milk, beverage

• Food: egg, cheese, bread, soup, cake, chicken, pork, beef, apple, banana orange, lemon, corn, rice, oil, seed, knife, spoon, fork, plate, cup, breakfast, lunch, dinner, sugar, salt, bottle, food

• Home: table, chair, bed, dream, window, door, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, pencil, pen, photograph, soap, book, page, key, paint, letter, note, wall, paper, floor, ceiling, roof, pool, lock, telephone, garden, yard, needle, bag, box, gift, card, ring, tool

• Electronics: clock, lamp, fan, cell phone, network, computer, program (computer), laptop, screen, camera, television, radio

• Body: head, neck, face, beard, hair, eye, mouth, lip, nose, tooth, ear, tear (drop), tongue, back, toe, finger, foot, hand, leg, arm, shoulder, heart, blood, brain, knee, sweat, disease, bone, voice, skin, body

• Nature: sea, ocean, river, mountain, rain, snow, tree, sun, moon, world, Earth, forest, sky, plant, wind, soil/earth, flower, valley, root, lake, star, grass, leaf, air, sand, beach, wave, fire, ice, island, hill, heat, nature

• Materials: glass, metal, plastic, wood, stone, diamond, clay, dust, gold, copper, silver, material

• Math/Measurements: meter, centimeter, kilogram, inch, foot, pound, half, circle, square, temperature, date, weight, edge, corner

• Misc Nouns: map, dot, consonant, vowel, light, sound, yes, no, piece, pain, injury, hole, image, pattern, noun, verb, adjective

• Directions: top, bottom, side, front, back, outside, inside, up, down, left, right, straight, north, south, east, west, direction

• Seasons: Summer, Spring, Winter, Fall, season

• Numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 21, 22, 30, 31, 32, 40, 41, 42, 50, 51, 52, 60, 61, 62, 70, 71, 72, 80, 81, 82, 90, 91, 92, 100, 101, 102, 110, 111, 1000, 1001, 10000, 100000, million, billion, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, number

• Months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

• Days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

• Time: year, month, week, day, hour, minute, second, morning, afternoon, evening, night, time

• Verbs: work, play, walk, run, drive, fly, swim, go, stop, follow, think, speak/say, eat, drink, kill, die, smile, laugh, cry, buy, pay, sell, shoot(a gun), learn, jump, smell, hear (a sound), listen (music), taste, touch, see (a bird), watch (TV), kiss, burn, melt, dig, explode, sit, stand, love, pass by, cut, fight, lie down, dance, sleep, wake up, sing, count, marry, pray, win, lose, mix/stir, bend, wash, cook, open, close, write, call, turn, build, teach, grow, draw, feed, catch, throw, clean, find, fall, push, pull, carry, break, wear, hang, shake, sign, beat, lift

• Adjectives: long, short (long), tall, short (vs tall), wide, narrow, big/large, small/little, slow, fast, hot, cold, warm, cool, new, old (new), young, old (young), weak, dead, alive, heavy, light (heavy), dark, light (dark), nuclear, famous

#second language #language #learning #rory gilmore #smart #tips

69 notes · View notes

jcxbliss · 3 months ago

Text

Song Of The Deep

Pairing - Lee Seokmin (Siren) x Female Reader (Researcher)

Genre - Fantasy, Angst, 18+ Themes

Word Count - 8.7k

Warnings- Alcohol use, mentions of sexual encounters, sexual themes, no explicit consent

Author's Note -I appreciate it. Please Enjoy<3

(ANYONE CAN JOIN THE TAGLIST)

Tags: @hipsdofangirl

Rum Lips

Readers Point Of View

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm, golden hue across the room. You awoke from a night of restless sleep, the remnants of your dream still fresh in your mind. Shaking off the lingering unease, you slipped out of bed and made your way to the mirror.

You were dressed in a blue, white, and pink floral summer dress that flared gently at the waist. The vibrant colors and delicate pattern brightened your mood. You adjusted a white headband, adorned with a small bow, and smiled at your reflection. The headband perfectly complemented your dress, adding a playful touch to your outfit.

Today was collectively decided to be a day off for the group, everyone made plans around the area to explore and would collectively all come together in the evening for dinner. While talking over the plans the night before at dinner Lucy and you decided to go pamper yourself and feel like locals in the area.

Just as you were finishing up, a sharp knock on the door startled you. A cheerful voice followed soon after.

“Hey, it’s Lucy!” came the call. “The car’s ready to go. Are you all set for our girls’ day out?”

You opened the door to find Lucy standing there with her usual infectious grin. She was dressed casually dawning a flowy pastel yellow teeshirt with a pair of light washed mom jeans and a white golfing cap to match. Her gray pulled back into a poney tail and her face was covered in a soft glam make up look. It seemed that she just had a bit of blush against the apple of her cheeks and some mascara. Lucy was truly a beautiful older women, she definitely was a stunner when she was in her twenties.

“Good morning!” Lucy said brightly. “I just wanted to make sure you’re ready. We’re heading to the farmers’ market, and I hear it’s going to be a blast.”

You smiled, feeling your spirits lift with her enthusiasm you where buzzing with excitement of your day off from work. “Morning, Lucy! I’m just about ready. Let me grab my bag and I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Lucy gave you a thumbs-up and turned to head back to the front door. You quickly gathered your essentials, taking one last glance at your outfit in the mirror. The floral dress and white headband felt like the perfect choice for a day of exploring and indulging in fresh produce.

After a quick breakfast, the two of you set off out the door, the morning air cool and invigorating. The car parked outside was sleek and polished, a sharp contrast to the cozy, rustic feel of a farmers’ market. Lucy was chatting with the driver in Italian which was something you didn’t know she could speak.

You slid into the back seat, feeling the plush leather beneath you. The car began to move, and you looked out the window at the city waking up. Lucy’s animated chatter filled the car, her enthusiasm about the farmers’ market contagious.

As the car approached the farmers market, she turned around with a bright smile. “We’re going to have so much fun today. I can’t wait to check out all the fresh fruits, veggies, and maybe even some homemade goodies.”

“It’s going to be great,” Lucy continued, her eyes sparkling. “I’ve heard they have a lot of unique stalls and some really interesting local vendors. Plus, we can grab lunch from one of the food trucks. What do you think?”

You nodded, your own excitement growing. “That sounds perfect. I’ve been wanting to explore more local markets. I’m excited to see what we find.”

The car drove through the city streets, heading toward the farmers’ market. The day promised to be a delightful escape from the previous night’s concerns, and you couldn’t help but feel eager for the adventures and discoveries awaiting you.

As the car pulled up to the market, you could already see the bustle of activity and vibrant colors. The promise of fresh produce and artisanal treats added a layer of excitement to the day. Stepping out of the car, you joined Lucy with a shared sense of anticipation, ready to embrace the simple joys of the market and enjoy a fun-filled day together.

The car came to a gentle stop, and you and Lucy stepped out, greeted by the lively hum of the farmers’ market. The vibrant array of tents and stalls created a kaleidoscope of colors, with booths draped in cheerful fabrics and bustling with activity. The rich, earthy scent of fresh produce mingled with the aroma of baked goods and freshly brewed coffee, filling the air with an inviting warmth.

Lucy’s eyes grew big as she took in the scene taking ahold of your left arm and tugging on it like an excited kid in a candy store. “Look at this! It’s even better than I imagined. Where should we start?”

You looked around, taking in the sensory overload of sights and smells. “How about we start with the produce section? I’d love to see what kind of fresh fruits and vegetables they have.”

Lucy nodded enthusiastically, and the two of you made your way towards a stall brimming with colorful fruits and vegetables. Ripe tomatoes, plump peaches, and vibrant bell peppers created a feast for the eyes. The vendor, a cheerful woman with a broad smile, greeted you both warmly.

“Good morning! Feel free to sample anything you like,” the women said with the best English she could muster but you could understand most of it even through her thick accent. The vendor grabs something and begins to offer it to the two of you .“These are just picked this morning.” Looking closer at the basket you exam small red berries still connected with the green stems, unmistakenly strawberries.

You took a strawberry and plopped it between your lips, savoring its sweetness. The flavor was bright and fresh, a perfect start to your market adventure. Lucy sampled a few items as well, chatting with the vendor in the native language about her favorite recipes with the produce that they sell.

You took this moment to take a good look around, a sense of familiarity overwhelmed you and brought you back to your childhood. When you where younger your mother and you would go to the farmers market to explore what others in the neighborhood had grown. You were shy as a child, never wanting to stray to far from your mother side. You would never fail to take in how friendly everyone was though. In that place everyone knew everything about everyone. From who had a child recently to small minuscule things like your families famous dish.

As you wandered through the market, you encountered a variety of stalls—each offering something unique. Homemade jams, artisanal cheeses, and handcrafted soaps were just a few of the treasures you explored. You and Lucy made a game of finding the most interesting or unusual items, laughing and exchanging ideas for future meals.

“This cheese is incredible,” Lucy said, holding up a small wedge of creamy goat cheese. “We have to get some for the picnic.”

You nodded in agreement completely forgetting that the group planned to do a picnic for dinner instead of being stuck indoors for another night. “Definitely. And let’s grab a loaf of that freshly baked sourdough. It’ll go perfectly with the cheese.” Pointing to a stall about two away from where the two of you were standing.

After selecting a few goodies, you meandered over to a food truck offering an array of mouthwatering options. The smell of sizzling meat and savory spices wafted through the air, making your stomach growl in anticipation.

“What are you in the mood for?” Lucy asked, peering at the menu.

You glanced at the offerings, your eyes lighting up at the sight of a hearty, loaded veggie wrap. “I think I’m going to try the veggie wrap. It looks amazing.”

Lucy ordered a spicy chicken taco, and soon you were both sitting on a nearby bench, enjoying your lunch and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of the market. The food was as delicious as it smelled, and you found yourself savoring each bite.

“This has been such a great day,” Lucy said, taking a satisfied bite of her taco. “I’m so glad we decided to do this.”

You agreed wholeheartedly, feeling a sense of contentment and relaxation. The farmers’ market had provided a welcome distraction and a chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh food and good company.

As you finished your lunch, you decided to take one last stroll through the market. The time coming up to around three pm which is the same time the car should be coming back to pick you up and the boys should have gotten back to the homebase by now.

Just before you left, Lucy pulled you over to a small artisan stand selling handmade candles. The soft glow of the candles and their soothing scents were a perfect ending to the day.

“Look at these!” Lucy exclaimed, picking up a lavender-scented candle. “I think this one’s my favorite. You have to smell it!”

Lucy held out the candle with an eager smile, but as you brought it closer to your nose, a familiar, unwelcome sensation started to make itself known. Lavender had always been a trigger for your allergies, causing sneezing and discomfort.

“Oh, I’d love to, but I’m actually allergic to lavender,” you said, gently pushing the candle away. “It tends to make me sneeze and feel unwell.”

Lucy’s face fell slightly, but she quickly recovered. “Oh no, I didn’t realize! Let’s find something else then.”

She put the lavender candle back and picked up another one—a warm, vanilla scent that seemed to fill the air with a gentle, soothing aroma. “How about this one? It’s vanilla bean, and I think it’s wonderful.”

You took a tentative sniff and smiled in relief. The vanilla scent was pleasant and non-irritating. “This one is perfect. I’ll take it.”

Lucy added the vanilla candle to your small collection of market finds. As you made your final purchases and prepared to leave, you felt grateful for the thoughtful gesture and the enjoyable day you’d had. The market had been a refreshing change and a chance to relax and indulge in some much-needed retail therapy.

As you and Lucy headed back to the car, the vibrant energy of the market seemed to linger, providing a sense of fulfillment and contentment. The sun set behind you, casting a warm, orange glow across the horizon. You couldn’t help but smile, ready to end the day on a peaceful note and looking forward to relaxing at home.

The car ride home was filled with the pleasant hum of the engine and the soft glow of the late afternoon sun filtering through the windows. You were staring off into the distance watching as the beautiful landscape of Italy passes you by in a flash.

Lucy, turned to you with a friendly smile. “You know, I’ve been meaning to ask since I don’t know much about you—how did you get into entomology? It seems like such a unique field.”

You smiled, feeling a sense of pride as you thought about your journey. “That’s a great question. It all started back on the farm, actually. I was always fascinated by the insects we encountered while working outside.”

Lucy leaned in, clearly interested. “Wait pause a farm, you do not seem like a farm person?”

You chuckled softly, recalling the early days. “Well, I lived in Idaho for majority of my life where my family owned a farm that was passed down from my grandparents on my dads side. So I was always surrounded by nature. I’d spend hours exploring the fields and the garden, observing the different bugs and critters. My older brother and I would often have little competitions to see who could find the most interesting insect.”

Lucy’s eyes widened with interest. “That sounds like a lot of fun. Did you have a favorite insect or one that particularly captured your interest?”

You nodded, thinking back to those formative experiences. “I’ve always had a soft spot for butterflies. There was something magical about their transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis and then to a butterfly. It was like witnessing a living miracle. It was a nice break from my older brother always bringing spiders and putting them on my bed.” You shudder at the thought of spiders.

“So, I am taking a shot in the dark here but I assume that is what lead you into entomology?” She said with a bit of sarcasm lacing her tone.

You smiled. “Exactly. I pursued a degree in entomology because I wanted to dive deeper into the science behind these creatures that had always fascinated me. I was drawn to the idea of understanding their roles in ecosystems and the incredible diversity of insects. It felt like a natural extension of the curiosity I’d had as a kid.”

Lucy leaned back, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Enough about work for now! I’d love to know more about you outside of the lab. What do you like to do for fun when you’re not working?”

You laughed softly, “Oh, there’s a lot to share! I love spending time outdoors, obviously—hiking, camping, and just enjoying nature whenever I can. I also have a bit of a knack for cooking, especially trying out new recipes with fresh ingredients.”

Lucy’s eyes lit up. “Cooking? That’s awesome! Do you have a favorite dish or type of cuisine you enjoy making?”

You nodded enthusiastically. “I really enjoy baking bread. There’s something almost meditative about the process. My mother taught me when I was younger how to make all different kinds of breads, my favorite was blueberry zucchini bread. I always wanted to help but hated shredding the zucchini because I would slice open my knuckle but the actual bread.” You kiss your fingertips, “Chiefs kiss.”

“That sounds delicious. I’d love to try some of your cooking sometime!” Lucy comments.

“Maybe one day you can try some, but I can’t promise it is going to be a five star meal.” You glance down at your hands having a habit of rubbing your thumbs together in a self soothing manor.

You never liked to talk about yourself. Sometimes it feels like you are oversharing, or your life isn’t interesting enough. Which in a way was true, you grew up on a farm with a happy family that all are doing great for themselves. You went to a little college left with a degree had a few relationships that ended in a mutual split. Then you went on with your life now you work at an university studying bugs, (which isn’t a bad thing). You have lived a simple but boring life.

Feeling a slight vibration coming from your bag that is sitting on your lap you open it and begin digging through it after a moment you find your phone and pull it out. Unlocking your phone you click open the notification to see that it is from your childhood friend Isebella.

Isebella: Hey, I just found out from your mom that you’re in Italy? Really? Why am I the last to know?

---

You: Hey Ise! I’m so sorry! Things have been a bit crazy with the research, and I didn’t mean to leave you out. I should have updated you sooner.

---

Isebella:Oh, no worries! I’m just pretending to be mad. I mean, Italy sounds amazing. How’s it going?

---

You: Haha, you got me there. It’s actually been incredible. The research is intense, but the country is beautiful. I’ve got so many stories to share.

---

Isebella: I’m sure you do! I want all the details. What’s the best part of Italy so far?

---

You: Honestly, the food is out of this world. And the scenery is just breathtaking. I’ve been trying to make the most of my free time exploring.

---

Isebella: Sounds like you’re having a blast. I’m only pretending to be upset because I miss our chats. But I’m really happy for you!

---

You: I miss our chats too! Let’s set up a time to catch up properly. How about a video call sometime this week?

---

Isebella: Definitely! Thursday evening work for you? I want to hear all about your adventures.

---

You: Perfect! Thursday it is. Can’t wait to fill you in on everything.

---

Isebella: Awesome. And just so you know, next time, give me a heads-up before you jet off to another country, okay?

---

You: Absolutely. Thanks for being understanding. I’ll make sure to keep in touch better.

---

Isebella: No problem. Talk soon and enjoy every moment in Italy!

---

You: Will do! Talk to you soon, Isa.

During your messaging between Isebella and you tried your best to listen to Lucy go through her hobbies. As she had took it upon herself to tell you her life story.

Lucy smiled, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. “Well, when I’m not buried in research or out in the field, I have a few passions of my own. I’ve recently taken up gardening. It’s been a bit of a haven for me—tending to plants, especially those that attract butterflies and bees, feels like a natural extension of my work. Plus, it’s incredibly relaxing to watch a garden flourish.”

She chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “And I have a soft spot for old films. There’s something about the classic black-and-white movies that I find both comforting and inspiring. It’s a nice way to unwind and escape into a different era.”

Lucy’s gaze softened as she continued, “So, between gardening and movies, I guess I manage to balance out the intense days spent studying insects. It’s all about finding those little pockets of joy, right?”

As you approached the final stretch leading to the seaside retreat, the view of the sparkling ocean greeted you, signaling that you were almost home.

Upon arriving, you and Lucy quickly gathered your bags and headed inside the charming bed and breakfast. The interior, with its cozy nautical décor and inviting atmosphere, felt like a warm embrace after a day out. You set your bags down by the front desk, where a welcoming note from the owners awaited you.

Just then, two figures emerged from the sitting area. Azail, just offered a polite nod as you entered making his way towards you and grabbing two of the bags from your left hand.

“Welcome back,” Azail said softly, his voice gentle and measured.

Beside him stood Seokmin, who made his way over to lucy and grabbing some other bags from her. “Hey there! It’s great to see you both again! How was the market? Did you find anything exciting?”

You couldn’t help but return Seokmin’s enthusiasm with a smile of your own. “We did! We picked up some amazing fresh produce and cheeses..”

Lucy turned to Azail and Seokmin with a warm smile. “It’s great to see you both. We’re planning a relaxing evening with the market goodies and would love for you guys to join us if you’re free.”

Seokmin’s face brightened even more. “Absolutely, I’d love to! Azail might take a little more convincing, but I’m sure he’ll enjoy it too.”

Seokmin’s eyes lit up. “That sounds fantastic! I’d love to help out with anything if you need it. Just let me know!”

Azail gave a small nod of approval in Seokmin’s direction, his expression remaining more reserved but genuinely interested. “Thank you for the invitation. I’d be happy to join.”

After chatting a bit and unloading the items from the market from the bag Lucy decides to delegate task in the group.

“Seokmin you stay in here with Y/N and help make everything pretty, make sure you do everything she says.” Lucy said while pointing at him while he stands at attention and salutes her.

“Yes captain,” Seokmin says and slides over to your side before leaning down to your height, “She is kind of scary when she gets like this.” Seokmin whispers into your ear causing you to cough out a laugh before pushing against him to get him to stand straight.

“Azail you can help me set up outside to make it look as pretty as possible.” Lucy grabs onto Azail’s arm before he can respond and begins to drag him out of the kitchen to look for everything they may need for the outdoor.

As they leave you and Seokmin begin to work on different task, you instructed him to find a board and begin cutting some tomatoes while you work on something else.

You begin to hone into the task at hand which was slicing cucumbers when you suddenly feel a sharp pain. Looking down, you see a small cut on your finger, blood beginning to trickle.

“Ow!” you exclaim, dropping the knife onto the cutting board.

Seokmin immediately looks up from chopping tomatoes. “What happened?”

“I cut myself,” you say, holding your finger up with a wince.

“Let me see.” Seokmin moves over quickly, his expression turning serious as he inspects the cut. “It’s not too deep, but we should get it cleaned up.”

You try to laugh it off. “Guess I shouldn’t be trusted with sharp objects.”

“First it is walking and now it is cutting is there any task you can do safely,” Seokmin grins, a playful glint in his eye. “Do you know if there is a first aid kit here, I haven’t order the one just for you yet since I didn’t think we would need it this soon.”

You nod towards the cupboard. “It’s somewhere in there, but it might take a while to find.”

“Don’t worry,” Seokmin says, starting to search through the cabinet. “I’ll find it in no time. It’s like a treasure hunt now.”

As he rummages, he adds, “So, while I dig up our legendary kit, why don’t you tell me how you managed to cut your finger in the most dramatic way possible?”

You chuckle, despite the sting. “I was concentrating so hard on making perfect slices that I forgot to watch where my fingers were. Lesson learned.”

Seokmin emerges triumphantly with a small first aid kit. “Behold, the mythical first aid kit!” he announces with a flourish. He makes his way back to you, setting the first aid kit down he outstretches his hand to you for you to take. Hesitantly you place your hand into his the size difference not going unnoticed by you. Seokmin gently takes it and opens the first aid kit and begins to carefully cleans your cut and applies a bandage with practiced ease.

“There, all better,” he says, giving you a reassuring smile. “See? It was worth the hype.”

You grin, feeling both relieved and grateful. “Thanks, Seokmin. You’re a lifesaver.”

“Anytime,” he replies, closing the kit and setting it aside. “Now, let’s finish up and join Lucy and Azail outside before they think we’ve abandoned them.”

You and Seokmin wrap up the final preparations in the kitchen, putting the last few items into the picnic basket.

“Alright, I think we’re almost ready,” Seokmin says, carefully stacking the last few containers. “How about we set up the picnic board and then head out?”

“Sounds good,” you reply, arranging a few more utensils on the board.

With everything packed and the board neatly arranged, you both head outside. As you walk toward the beach, the gentle sea breeze cools the air, carrying with it the distant sound of waves and seagulls. The sight that greets you is more than you anticipated.

Lucy and Azail have turned a simple beach setup into something magical. The blanket is spread out perfectly on the sand, decorated with soft pillows and blankets that make it look like a cozy nest. Lanterns are hung from a nearby tree, casting a soft, golden light that contrasts beautifully with the fading daylight. A low wooden table holds an assortment of delicious foods, and a few candles flicker gently, adding to the ambiance.

“This looks incredible,” you say, taking in the scene with a smile. “You guys really went all out.”

Lucy waves at you, her face lit up with pride. “We couldn’t let you two have all the fun making the board. Besides, it’s the perfect way to end a day of amazing adventures.”

Azail stands up, brushing sand off his hands. “Glad you’re here! We were starting to wonder if you’d gotten lost in the kitchen.” He chimes in and grabs the board from your hands so you could sit down on the blanket

Seokmin laughs. “No chance of that! We had a little kitchen mishap, but all sorted now. Thanks to my heroic first aid skills.”

Lucy raises an eyebrow playfully. “Heroic, huh? Did you save the day?”

“Absolutely,” Seokmin replies with a grin. “And I made sure the legendary first aid kit lived up to its reputation.”

Azail and Lucy pass glances back and forth about Seokmin’s comment before just brushing it off and everyone settles down into their spots.

The sky starts to paint itself with hues of orange and pink, the sun setting over the horizon and reflecting its warm colors across the water.

“Perfect timing,” you comment, looking around at the beautiful setup and the sunset. “This is exactly what I needed.” You say as you stretch your legs out and let out a sigh.

Azail nods in agreement while he looks around at the sky laying back into blanket on a pillow behind him.. “It’s moments like these that make everything worthwhile.”

Lucy uncorks a bottle of red wine that she had picked out at the market and hands out glasses that Seokmin had brought out in case you were to have a third mishap. “Who’s ready for a toast?” she asks pouring generous amounts of red liquid into the cups and delegating them to the group.

“Absolutely!” Seokmin grabs the second glass from Lucy, raising his glass. “Here’s to perfect evenings and even better company.”

Everyone clinks glasses after everyone gets theirs glass, and the sparkling cider is poured generously. You take a sip, savoring the crisp, refreshing taste that immediately begins to lift your spirits. The burn slipping down your throat giving you a sense of sitting by a fire with your eyes closed savoring the taste Seokmin leans closer, his voice playful.

“Looks like you’re enjoying the wine,” he says with a smirk. “I’d say it suits you.”

You laugh, feeling the warmth of the alcohol mix with your own blush. “Oh, really?” Your lips reconnect with the glass as you take another swig of it. “I heard a rumor once going around the entomology building about a wild night you had with a group involving a little bit of whiskey.” You lean closer to him, “Something about you being a light weight and running around a camp without a shirt.” You whisper under your breath with a laugh before looking over at him.

Seokmin’s eyes twinkle as he sips his drink. “Guilty as charged, but what they won’t tell you is that I only ran around because I was dared to. I guess you can say that the liquid gold, or in this case.” He raises his wine glass a bit, “Liquid Ruby, makes me braver, brave enough to tell you that you look stunning.”

You raise an eyebrow, a flirtatious grin spreading across your face. “Is that so?.”

He shrugs his shoulders in a nonchalant way without his eyes straying from Lucy and Azail he replies, his voice low and smooth. “I have to say, you’re making it hard to focus on anything other than how amazing you look right now.”

“I think it is time to take away your glass,” You comment trying to not let the boldness of his words affect you as much as they clearly do. Your cheeks and ears do all the talking, though it could be written off as the wine kicking in. Fanning your face a bit you try and find some relief in the hot mess you were feeling.

Before he can respond, Lucy leans in with curiosity. “What are you two talking about?”

You quickly interject, trying to downplay the situation. “Oh, nothing important.”

With a sigh of relief, you finish your glass and set it aside. “Could I get a refill of the red wine, please?” you ask.

As your glass is refilled with the red wine, you take a grateful sip turning to Azail. “So, where did your adventure take you today?”

Azail’s smile widens. “I explored a few of the lesser-known ruins outside of town. There’s a beautiful old abbey hidden in the hills that I’ve been wanting to see. The views were breathtaking.”

Lucy’s eyes light up with interest. “That sounds amazing! Did you find anything interesting?”

Azail nods enthusiastically. “Yes, actually. I stumbled upon some ancient frescoes that aren’t in any of the usual guidebooks. It felt like I was discovering a piece of history that’s been forgotten.”

You lean in, intrigued. “That sounds incredible. I wish I’d joined you. How was the rest of your day?”

Azail shrugs with a chuckle. “After the abbey, I wandered through a few local markets and had lunch at a quaint little trattoria. The food was fantastic—authentic and full of flavor.”

Lucy’s eyes widen. “I’ve heard about some great places in town. What did you have?”

“Homemade pasta with a wild mushroom sauce,” Azail says, his expression reflective. “It was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while.”

Turning to Seokmin, who had been quietly listening, Azail asks, “And what about you, Seokmin? How did you spend your day off?”

Seokmin smiles, clearly content. “I stayed behind and enjoyed the beach. It was incredibly relaxing—just what I needed. I spent most of the day soaking up the sun, reading a bit, and taking in the sea breeze. It was a perfect escape until everyone got home.”

Lucy nods appreciatively. “That sounds like a great way to unwind. Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best.” Lucy suddenly brightens. “Oh, I almost forgot! I brought something for us to share.” She stands up from the picnic blanket with a grin. “I’ll be right back.”

Moments later, she returns from the house, carrying a bottle of Enoteca Gambi rum and a few shot glasses. “I thought it would be fun to celebrate our day off with a little game,” she says, setting everything down on the picnic blanket she sits down with a soft thud.

Azail raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “A game? What did you have in mind?”

Lucy’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “How about a round of ‘Never Have I Ever’ with a twist? Every time someone shares something they haven’t done, they take a shot.”

As the bottle of Enoteca Gambi is uncorked and the shot glasses are arranged, you take a deep breath, a hint of hesitation in your voice. “I don’t know, Lucy. I think we might be a bit too old for ‘Never Have I Ever.’ Maybe we should just enjoy the wine and relax.” Pointing over to the half drank bottle of wine that was opened.

Seokmin, catching the enthusiasm in Lucy’s eyes, quickly chimes in with a playful grin. “Come on, it’ll be fun! We could use a little excitement, and it’s not like we have to take it too seriously. Plus, it’s a great way to learn more about each other and make some memorable moments.”

He gestures toward the setup with a laugh. “Let’s give it a shot—literally. It’s all in good fun, and I promise we’ll keep it light and entertaining.”

You glance around at the eager faces of your friends, feeling the infectious energy of the group. With a reluctant smile, you nod. “Alright, you’ve convinced me. Let’s see where this takes us.” You finish off the last sip that is in your wine glass.

Lucy beams as she pours the first round of shots. “Perfect! Here’s to a night of fun and new stories!”

The group raises their glasses, and the game begins.

Lucy raises her shot glass with a mischievous grin. “Alright, let’s get this party started! Who wants to go first?”

Azail volunteers, a smirk on his face. “I’ll go. Never have I ever been skydiving.”

Everyone laughs, and you watch as everyone else takes a sip of their wine, leaving you as the only one to take a shot. With a resigned sigh, you lift your glass. The Enoteca Gambi is a rich, deep red with hints of cherry and oak, its aroma promising warmth and complexity.

You take the shot, and the liquor’s robust flavor coats your mouth. It’s smooth and velvety with an undercurrent of spice, leaving a warming sensation that spreads from your throat to your chest. The initial bite of the alcohol is sharp, but it quickly mellows into a pleasing aftertaste of dark berries and a touch of chocolate.

Seokmin, clearly enjoying the game, leans in. “Alright, my turn. Never have I ever swum in a natural hot spring.”

Everyone but you takes a sip of their wine again. You grumble good-naturedly as you take another shot, the liquor now making you feel a bit more flushed. The Enoteca Gambi’s flavors are even more pronounced this time, a little sweeter with a richer finish. It’s starting to create a pleasant buzz, warming you from the inside out.

Lucy, watching you closely. “. Never have I ever sung karaoke in public.”

Once again, you’re the only one to take a shot. This time, the liquor’s taste seems to dance on your palate with a more pronounced hint of vanilla, complementing the lingering warmth in your chest. The alcohol is having a more noticeable effect, making your cheeks flush and your laughter come easier. Are you truly the only one who has never lived? Sky diving, hot air balloons, karaoke? If this was played normally you would be fine, having lived a simple life would have been perfect. Instead it felt ridiculous that you are so out of place

Seeing your slight tipsiness, Seokmin can’t help but tease. “Looks like you’re having a bit of a rough night, huh?”

You laugh, feeling the effects of the game. “Seems like it. Maybe I should start targeting everyone else.”

Lucy claps her hands together, clearly delighted.” Good luck seems like you are the only one who is truly a recluse. To be far on our friend here-” Lucy gestures to you, “Let’s just go back to the original way to play, if you have done it take a sip, good with everyone?” She gains a few nods and claps her hands together. “Okay resume.”

“Okay, my turn. Never have I ever participated in a high-stakes game of any kind.” You know it is a lame one but you couldn’t think of anything else.

The group falls silent as everyone looks around, and only Azail reaches for his shot glass, taking a deliberately slow sip. He sets the glass down, a hint of color rising to his cheeks.

Lucy’s eyes light up with curiosity. “What’s the deal with this game?” One thing you have noticed about Lucy is that she is incredibly nosey. Always wanting to know something about someone.

Azail lets out a small chuckle, clearly preparing to share. “ A few years ago, I was involved in a poker game with some very high-profile players. It wasn’t just about the money—it was more about the stakes and the players.”

You lean in, intrigued. At this point you were feeling warm and fuzzy, your thoughts were still coherent but you seemed more relaxed and willing to talk. “A high-stakes game? What was that like? A bunch of sweaty men in a room circle jerking each other to prove they are the best at getting the luck of the draw?”

Azail leans back, a thoughtful expression on his face. “It was intense and no we did not circle jerk each other. We were playing in a private, invite-only game, with huge sums of money on the line. The atmosphere was electric, and the competition was fierce. I had to stay sharp and keep my cool under pressure.”

Seokmin’s eyes widen with interest. “Did you win or lose big?”

Azail grins, though there’s a hint of modesty in his voice. “I managed to come out ahead, but it was touch and go for a while. There were some moments where it felt like the game could turn in any direction. It was one of those experiences where you’re on the edge of your seat the whole time.”

Lucy leans in, clearly fascinated. “That sounds like an adrenaline rush! Did you learn any interesting strategies or tricks from that experience?”

Azail nods, a smile on his lips. “Definitely. I learned a lot about reading people and staying calm under pressure. It was a great lesson in both strategy and psychology.”

“No wonder why you are always laying back and watching, you are judging us silently. I knew it!” You accused pointing your finger at him in a joking way.

Lucy raises her glass and leans forward. “Never have I ever been caught in a truly embarrassing situation with someone I was interested in.”

The group exchanges curious glances, and Seokmin, looking slightly apprehensive but determined, throws the shot back. He sets the glass down and glances around, a sheepish grin on his face.

Lucy’s eyes widen with interest. “What happened?”

‘Nosey Nelly’ You think to yourself before looking off to the side playing with your glass in your hand.

Seokmin chuckles, clearly a bit embarrassed but willing to dive in. “ A few years ago, I was dating someone I was really excited about. We had planned a fancy evening out at a high-end restaurant. I wanted to impress them, so I went all out—dressed to the nines and even booked a table with a spectacular view.” Seokmin laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well, the evening started off great, but then things took a turn. I ordered a bottle of wine that I thought would be impressive. It turned out to be much older and more expensive than I anticipated. The waiter brought it out, and I was trying to sound knowledgeable when I inadvertently knocked the bottle over, spilling wine all over the table and my date’s elegant dress.”

Lucy gasps, her eyes widening. “Oh no! That’s awful!” Her words are followed by a clasp of her hand over her mouth to be dramatic.

Seokmin nods, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “But it gets better. In my panic to clean up, I slipped and fell right into the waiter who was bringing our dessert. The entire tray of desserts ended up flying through the air and landing right on top of us.It was pretty chaotic, but we both ended up laughing. The restaurant’s staff was incredibly understanding and ended up comping our meal and offering us a private room to finish the evening. It was one of those cringe-worthy moments that turned into a memorable and surprisingly fun story.”

At this point, two realizations struck you as you listened to Seokmin’s story, the liquor”s effects adding a haze to your thoughts. First, you regretted teasing Seokmin about being a lightweight. Here you were, feeling a bit tipsy yourself. Second, seeing him take a shot after that question stung more than expected—almost like jealousy. Just less than an hour ago, he’d been flirting with you, and now he was talking about another woman. The fact that you cared about this was baffling. Seokmin was merely a coworker. Why did it bother you that he seemed interested in someone else? It was ridiculous. He was nobody to you.

Before you could delve deeper into these thoughts, Lucy’s voice interrupted with a yawn. “Well, it’s been a fantastic evening, but I think I am going to call it a night.”

Azail stretched and nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I’m feeling the call of the bed myself. You two enjoy the rest of the night.”

“Sounds good,” you said, waving them off. “Thanks for setting up such a lovely picnic.”

Lucy gave you a sleepy smile. “Anytime. We’ll leave you two to enjoy the sunset and whatever the evening brings.”

As Lucy and Azail headed inside, Seokmin turned his full attention back to you. He shifted a little closer, his voice dropping to a softer, more intimate tone.

“So, now that we have the blanket all to ourselves…” he began, his eyes locking onto yours with a playful glint. “How about we make the most of this perfect evening? I promise I’ll be on my best behavior… or at least make an effort.”

You felt a pleasant flutter at his words, the effects of the rum making the moment feel more charged. Screw the thoughts you had before about his story. All that mattered right now is that he is here and he is giving you the attention you didn’t know you were craving. “Oh? And what exactly do you have in mind, Mr. Charm?”

Seokmin’s grin widened as he leaned in slightly. “Well, I was thinking we could continue enjoying the view and maybe share a few more secrets. With the stars out and the waves crashing, it’s the perfect setting for a bit of magic.”

You nudged him playfully. “You’re quite the smooth talker. But I have to admit, it does sound tempting.”

As you both settled into the pillows, the night sky above was covered in a blanket of stars. Seokmin’s presence felt warm and comforting beside you, and the relaxed atmosphere of the evening invited more intimate conversations.

You decided to break the silence, you decide to sit up, turning slightly to face Seokmin. “Hey, I know it’s a bit off-topic, but I’ve been wondering… was the girl from your story pretty?”

Seokmin glanced at you, and for a moment, a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes before he offered a reassuring smile. “She was, actually. Really charming and attractive. But honestly, she’s long gone from my life and my mind. Just a fleeting chapter, really.”

You felt a wave of relief, though you weren’t sure why you were feeling this way. “It sounds like it was a memorable evening, though.”

Seokmin nodded, his gaze steady and comforting. “It was. It had its moments, but it’s all in the past now. The important thing is that we’re here, in this moment.”

You looked out at the horizon, trying to process his words. “I guess it’s nice to know that some things are just part of our past.”

Seokmin’s eyes softened as he turned to you. “Exactly. Sometimes, we just need to let go of the past and focus on what’s right in front of us.”

His words seemed to have an unspoken subtext, and you appreciated his effort to ease your mind. “You’re right. And I have to admit, I’m enjoying this moment with you.”

Seokmin sat up and turned to face him, his hand brushing against yours as he spoke softly. “You know, it’s moments like these that remind me of what really matters. Being present, sharing stories, and just enjoying the company we’re with.”

You turned to face him fully, your heart fluttering slightly at the closeness. “I couldn’t agree more. This evening has been incredible.”

Seokmin’s gaze held yours, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. The way his eyes sparkled in the moonlight, the warmth of his smile, and the sincerity in his voice made the atmosphere feel electric. The gentle touch of his hand against yours felt like a promise of something more.

He slowly moved a bit closer, the space between you diminishing until you could feel the soft warmth of his breath. His hand gently cupped your face, his thumb brushing lightly across your cheek. The touch was tender and affectionate, sending a shiver down your spine.

Seokmin’s voice was barely above a whisper. “There’s something magical about tonight, don’t you think?”

You nodded, unable to pull your gaze away from his. “Absolutely.”

With a slow, deliberate motion, Seokmin leaned in closer. His lips brushed softly against yours, a gentle, hesitant touch that was both tender and electrifying. The kiss was brief at first, as if he was testing the waters, but the sensation was enough to make your heart race.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching yours for a reaction. There was a hint of vulnerability in his gaze, as if he was waiting for your response.

Encouraged by the warmth and sincerity in his eyes, you leaned in, closing the remaining distance between you. This time, the kiss was deeper and more confident. Seokmin’s lips moved against yours with a tenderness that spoke of deep affection. His hands gently framed your face, his touch both comforting and passionate.

The kiss deepened, becoming a dance of shared emotions and unspoken desires. His lips were warm and soft, and the taste of the cider lingered between you, adding to the sweetness of the moment. You could feel the softness of his breath mingling with yours, and his touch seemed to melt away any lingering reservations.

As the kiss continued, Seokmin’s hands moved to rest gently on your back, pulling you slightly closer. You could feel the warmth of his body against yours, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat syncing with your own. The world around you seemed to fall away, leaving only the sensation of his kiss and the gentle caress of the evening breeze.

When the kiss finally broke, you both pulled back slightly, your foreheads resting gently against each other. The connection between you felt more profound than before, and the warmth of the moment lingered in the air.

As you gazed into his eyes, the intense connection made you want more. The way his lips had felt against yours, the softness, and the warmth left you craving another taste of that intimacy. You could hardly believe how perfect the moment was and how much you wanted to extend it.

Without breaking eye contact, you leaned in again, closing the space between you with a renewed sense of anticipation. Seokmin’s eyes widened slightly in surprise but quickly softened with understanding.

You pressed your lips to his once more, this time with a deeper, more fervent kiss. The kiss was filled with the desire and affection that had been building between you, a melding of emotions that seemed to make the stars shine even brighter. Seokmin responded with equal passion, his hands sliding back to hold you closer, pulling you into the embrace with a gentle but firm touch.

The kiss was slow and deliberate, a dance of mutual longing and connection. You could feel the heat of his body against yours, the tender pressure of his lips, and the comforting rhythm of his breathing. Each touch, each caress felt like a reaffirmation of the feelings that had been bubbling under the surface all evening.

As you both lost yourselves in the kiss, the world around you seemed to disappear. The gentle waves continued their rhythmic dance, and the cool night air carried the sweet scent of the surrounding flowers, enhancing the intimacy of the moment. The connection between you was electrifying, and every second of the kiss felt like it was stretching time itself.

When was the last time you kissed someone else?

The last time you can think you kissed someone was a few years ago when you had a drunken one night stand with a man. What was his name? Sonyoung? Soonyoung? Pathetic you can only remember the stupid name he wanted to be called, Hoshi.

It really has been that long, you can’t even remember the guys name, you don’t remember what he tasted like. I mean how could you when your lips have just met with Seokmin’s?

You could never forget how he taste, like chocolate mixed with the sting of rum. How his lips felt plump and soft against yours, how when your lips moved together it felt like the world melted away. It was addicting how he felt against you. The two of you fell together like one weird puzzle piece. Somewhere along the liplocking you managed to climb into his lap caging him below you.

Your fingers entangled into Seokmin’s hair, the sensation was both soothing and intimate. His hair felt remarkably soft and smooth, each strand slipping easily through your fingertips like fine silk. The texture was luxurious, with a slight natural wave that added a gentle bounce and movement to your touch.

The warmth of his hair contrasted pleasantly with the cool night air, and as you brushed your fingers through it, you could feel the gentle warmth of his scalp beneath. The strands were thick and resilient, yet still pliable, responding to your touch with a soft, yielding quality. The sensation of his hair against your skin was comforting, adding a tactile dimension to the intimacy of the moment.

As your fingers explored his hair, you could feel the subtle vibrations of his breathing and the slight tremors of his movements. The soft noises leaving his mouth as you kissed only sent electricity through your body. His hands eventually found solace on your hips, he gripped them tightly as if you would slip away from him if he didn’t hold you down there.

Eventually, you slowly pulled away, your breath caught in your throat. Your left hand lifts to gently press against your lips. Seokmin looked up at you with big bright eyes, you had something he wanted. Something that you didn’t know you could give him.

His right hand travels up your side before he rests it against your cheek brushing a strand of your hair behind your ear to get a better look at you. In this same action you lowered your hand to rest against his chest feeling the firmness.

Holy shit…

“Please,” He pleaded in a low voice as he places a thumb against your bottom lip.

“Please what Seokmin,” You question, you knew what he wanted but you needed him to say it. You needed him to confirm your suspicion.

He leans closer to your ear and says “Let me ruin you,” His voice dropped four octaves lower as he tugs on your bottom lip that he was playing with before. “Let me show you that no one will be as good as me,’ Seokmin adds in before nipping at your neck causing you to let out a yelp of surprise.

You know you shouldn’t do this, you know that he is a coworker, a man who has given you the bare minimal attention. A kind soul who would never hurt anyone. Though maybe it is the alcohol finally capturing your self control. Or the filthy words he spoke in such confidence.

The hand that once rested against his chest trailed its way you all the way to his throat before you wrap your fingers around it.

“I’d like to see you try,” Your voice matches his energy the suggestive tone coming almost naturally to you as you give his throat a gentle squeeze.

#lee seokmin #dk x reader #dk x y/n #seventeen #seventeen smut #seventeen x reader #seventeen x you #svt dk #dk x you #seokmin x reader

24 notes · View notes

mariacallous · 3 months ago

Text

The social media company X is closing its San Francisco office “over the next few weeks,” according to an internal email sent out by CEO Linda Yaccarino earlier today. “This is an important decision that impacts many of you, but it is the right one for our company in the long term,” Yaccarino wrote in the email, first reported by The New York Times.

Employees in San Francisco reportedly will be moved to new locations in the Bay Area, “including the existing office in San Jose and a new engineering focused shared space with [xAI, Musk’s AI startup] in Palo Alto,” the note said. The company’s executive team is said to be working on “transportation options” for staff. X did not respond to WIRED's request for comment.

The official announcement comes a few weeks after Musk said in a post on X that he planned to move X and SpaceX headquarters to Texas. X would move to Austin, specifically, Musk said at the time. Bloomberg reported earlier this year that X had already been staffing up a trust and safety team for X based in Austin.

While the state of Texas is known to be more business-friendly than California—it has one of the lowest tax burdens in the US—Musk’s publicly stated reasoning for the move to Texas was more ideological than financial. He said at the time that the “final straw” was a new California law that aims to protect the privacy of transgender children, which he perceived to be “attacking both families and companies.” He also said that he’s “had enough of dodging gangs of violent drug addicts just to get in and out of the building.”

The latest update from Yaccarino suggests it’s the San Francisco office, specifically, that is the thorn in X’s side. And it’s an about-face for Musk, who tweeted a year ago that, despite incentives to move out of San Francisco, X would not move its HQ out of the city. “You only know who your real friends are when the chips are down,” he waxed poetically on X. “San Francisco, beautiful San Francisco, though others forsake you, we will always be your friend.”

The shuttering of the X office marks the end of an era for the company formerly known as Twitter, and for the historic Mid-Market neighborhood that in the 2010s managed to lure in burgeoning tech companies like Twitter, Uber, Spotify, and Square.

Twitter’s earliest offices were in SoMa, or the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco, until 2011, when then mayor Ed Lee instituted a controversial tax break for tech companies. The ruling erased the 1.5 percent payroll tax for companies that moved into certain Mid-Market buildings. Twitter jumped at the opportunity.

The company was considered an anchor tenant in a densely populated neighborhood marked by homelessness and open drug use. Suddenly an airy, high-end food market, a Blue Bottle Coffee shop, and tech workers with MacBooks and overpriced sneakers dotted Market Street, alongside people in various states of distress camped out in front of still-vacant storefronts.

The end results of Lee’s tax breaks and revitalization plans for the neighborhood are a topic of debate, and the pandemic has been a hugely complicating factor, with reports suggesting that San Francisco’s office spaces are more than a third vacant on average.

Musk, now famously, carried a sink into the Twitter offices just after he closed the deal to buy the platform in October 2022, tweeting, “Let that sink in!” After changing the company name to X in summer 2023, Musk erected a giant, blinking X atop the offices, only to be compelled to take it down days later when the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection received dozens of complaints about the flashing lights and concerns about the sign’s structural safety.

X also was allegedly a poor tenant in the Musk era: Its landlord, SRI Nine Market Square, in early 2023 filed a suit against X for more than $3 million in unpaid rent. SRI Nine Market sought to extend Twitter’s line of credit to $10 million as an assurance that future rent would be paid. Other vendors also have sued X for failing to pay its bills.

But in January of this year, SRI Nine Market dropped the case, Reuters reported. It’s unclear why. SRI Nine Market did not respond to an inquiry on the current state of X’s lease and whether the company would be breaking said lease by vacating its office space in the coming weeks.

10 notes · View notes

dilf-din · 2 years ago

Text

Suddenly

Chapter 2: Summer

Din Djarin x Florist!Reader

WC: 2850

Warnings: absolutely none, all fluff and domestic cuteness, no use of y/n but reader does have a nickname and is female presenting

A/N: I had so much fun with this one! Same as last time, this one is inspired by Venus by Sleeping at Last. Enjoy my loves 💖

Chapter 3

At first, I thought you were a constellation

I made a map of your stars, then I had a revelation

You're as beautiful as endless

You're the universe I'm helpless in

Soon after your arrival in town, Din took Grogu on another long bounty hunting trip. They packed what little they could fit in the N-1 and took off, Grogu now being his official apprentice and needing to learn the tricks of the trade. You were exceptionally busy during that time. The novelty of being a new shop filled your days with Nevarran people asking you rapid fire questions only sometimes about gardening, most of them were about your personal life. You didn’t mind the nosy old ladies though, it helped you feel like you were becoming a part of their community. Still, as busy as you were, your mind wandered to Mando and Grogu every now and again, wondering if they were safe on their travels. You didn’t even know they had left, you found out from Greef Karga one day when he came to check in on you. Your feelings weren’t hurt, you had only had one conversation, it’s not like they owed you a goodbye. Still, you looked forward to seeing them stroll through your door again.

Your greenhouse had been a revolutionary addition to the markets of Nevarro. The glass dome behind your shop had been carefully designed to support plants from different planets and biomes. The local vendors buying produce from you in bulk to add to their street foods or sell whole to hungry market goers. A lot of your time was spent tending to the small indoor fields that lay in the expansive room behind your shop. You decided you would need to hire some help soon, so one particularly busy morning after your quick lunch break, you stuck a help wanted sign in the front window, hoping to attract someone unafraid of getting their hands dirty.

Summer brought longer stretches of daylight, people staying out later than they had in the spring. You didn’t mind the extra foot traffic, there was no one waiting for you at home after all besides a pile of boxes temporarily housing your life. Tonight in particular though, you were exhausted. When the sun began to disappear beyond the lava plains, you reached for a broom to sweep up the stray stems and petals littering the floor. It wasn’t until you slowed for a second that you started to feel the ache in your bones from being on your feet all day. A heavy sigh left your lips when you heard the bell to the front door tinkle.

“We’re closed for the evening,” you called.

“Sorry, we can go,” a modulated voice called back to you.

“Wait!” You came around the corner to see Mando and Grogu standing in the entranceway.

“You guys can stay, I’m just cleaning up,” you smiled. “I’m glad to see you made it back safely.”

“I always do,” he said coolly.

You leaned down to greet Grogu, “Did you learn so much from your dad?”

He squealed and babbled out a response drawing a chuckle from Mando’s lips.

“Have you eaten?” he asked, lending you a hand to pull yourself up from your squat.

“Not yet, I’ve still got to finish sweeping up and locking up the register.”

“Here,” Mando said, reaching into his beat up brown satchel to retrieve a lidded container and a hunk of bread wrapped in a white, linen napkin. “I made some soup. The kid and I ate already. I noticed you were still here when I dropped our pucks off at Karga’s office. Eat, I’ll sweep up.”

“Thank you, Mando, that’s very kind of you,” you smiled taking a seat on the stool that sat tucked behind the counter. The lid popped off of the metal container with a hiss revealing a thick stew full of earthy spices. The smell made your mouth water. You wasted no time ripping off a piece of the bread to dip into the steaming liquid.

“It’s Din. My name is Din,” he said casually.

You couldn’t help but be perplexed by the man who stood in front of you. A wall of beskar decked out in weapons tending to a little child and sweeping your floors with a pink plastic broom. You knew as well as anyone that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but still, he surprised you. The sound of the bristles across the tile floor followed by the pats of Grogu’s tiny feet shadowing his dad filled the otherwise comfortable silence. You were scraping the last bits of meat and broth out when Din emptied one final pile of leaves and dirt into the trash container.

“This is full, can I empty it for you? The dumpster is out back, right?”

“Din you don’t have to—“

“I know, I want to.”

You couldn’t see his face, but you could hear the smile playing on his lips as he spoke. When he left your shop the last time, you had looked up Mandalorian culture on your holopad before going to bed that evening. You remembered learning about them briefly in your studies, but they were a kind of traveler you didn’t see very often on Naboo. You learned of the fall of Mandalore, the different factions deducing that he must be a child of the watch who adhered to the creed. Realizing in that moment that you probably never see his face. It was a little sad to come to terms with, but you would never ask someone to contradict part of themselves to bend to what you wanted. You hoped he had people in his life that respected that part of him.

“Okay,” you said softly, “it’s out the right door of the greenhouse right through there,” you pointed.

He hefted up the heavy can with ease and disappeared through the greenhouse entrance. You took the time to finish counting down the register and slipping the money into the small safe below the counter for the evening. He returned a few minutes later, Grogu tucked into his arm.

“We took a look around, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” you smiled.

“When did your interest in plants start if you don’t mind my asking?”

You smiled wistfully, “When I was a little girl, my grandmother lived in the country in a beautiful stone cottage absolutely covered in flowers, most of them taller than me. I used to read there, tried to be still so butterflies would light on me. They almost never did, but they flocked to her. Anyway, I asked her to teach me and I tended her garden with her until she passed. When she finally did, I took that as my cue to go, find my own footing somewhere.”

“I take it that was recently then?”

“Just a few months,” you smiled sadly. “Anyway, I’m done in here, I don’t mean to keep you prattling on about butterflies.”

“I don’t mind, and you’re not keeping me. I wanted to walk you home if that was okay?”

Grogu was leaning hard against Din’s chest rubbing sleep out of his eyes with his little hands.

“I don’t want to keep you,” you nodded down at the child.

Din carefully settled him into the satchel that hung at his side. He folded the cloth your bread had been wrapped in and tucked it behind his head like a little pillow.

“He’s slept through worse,” he said softly rocking back and forth to create a gentle motion. The small action wedging its way into your heart.

You grabbed the empty soup container and tucked it into your own pack before grabbing your keys.

“I’ll wash this and bring it back to the shop tomorrow.” He started to protest and you held up your hand, “You cooked, let me do dishes,” you smiled. Din nodded as if to agree in the fairness of the arrangement.

You switched the lights off and Din held the door open for you to step out first. You murmured a “thank you” while you locked the door, giving it a good tug just to be sure.

“Karga said you were staying at the inn for the time being?” his feet falling into step with yours as you rounded the corner of the square.

“Yes, until the renovations are done in the space above the shop. Still a few plumbing issues to be sorted out. It’s hard to find people who know what to do with water on a planet made of lava,” you joked.

Neither of you acknowledged the crawling pace you were walking at, enjoying the other’s company too much to think about going to your own spaces and spending another night alone. The summer air was heavy with a dry heat. The sound of your footfall on the grey stones fell away to hushed steps on a dusty path as you crossed over into the old part of town. On the side of nearly every clay structure hung an old lantern flickering with a soft orange light, as if dusk had come down and planted a gentle kiss on her way to bed. The blush of intimacy coloring the streets as the moon and stars took their place in the sky above.

“You were one of six kids?” he asked almost incredulously.

“Mmhmm, I was right in the middle too, lost in the shuffle. Did you have any siblings?”

“Kind of,” he hesitated, “My story isn’t like a lot of others.”

“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to,” you reassured softly, your hand resting on his forearm for a split second. The low heat of your touch causing his heartbeat to quicken.

You reached the entrance of the inn much quicker than either of you would have hoped.

“Thank you for everything, it’s nice to feel looked after.”

“I know what it’s like to be alone,” you both allowed a beat of silence before he continued, “I’ll stop by tomorrow to pick up some plants. I want to get started on our front yard.”

You smiled, “I would be more than happy to help you with that.”

“This looks nice on you,” he said so softly you almost missed it, his hand reached up to tug one of the hanging ends of the scarf he had given you. The smell of leather hitting your nose, the back of his hand just grazing your cheek. Until this moment you had forgotten you had it on. You had been using it as a bandana to tie your hair out of your eyes while you worked.

“You have good taste,” you smiled up at the dark visor before you.

He slowly pulled his hand back and you ached for another small touch.

“Well, I’ll let you get going,” you said, deciding you had kept him long enough.

“Good night, Milla,” he said retreating back down the dimly lit path.

“Good night, Din,” you almost whispered to yourself.

The sound of his name on your lips was enough to drive him mad. He had never been one to get caught up so quickly. Usually his better judgement sat at the steering wheel reminding him that his life was not one for a partner. But things had changed. He had a stable home now, a steady income, a future. As his boots kicked up small clouds of dust on his way back to the speeder bike parked on the edge of town, he wondered where you fit into the whole picture.

Making your way into the quiet building, you bade good evening to the innkeeper. She smiled at you over a book and gave a small wave as you made your way up the steep staircase to the top floor. The door latched in place as you kicked off your shoes. You hung your bag on the back of the chair that sat at the makeshift clay desk hanging off the wall in the corner, deciding a hot shower and a cup of tea before bed would help your aching muscles relax.

Looking in the ‘fresher mirror, a smile fell on your face as you admired the scarf again. A translucent black fabric adorned with silver stars. You untied it carefully and placed it on the small shelf that sat between the mirror and the sink. You liked having a piece of him with you, carrying it through the mundanity you were subjected to while he was off on his adventures. You found yourself caught in a place of longing for stability and freedom. Something about the mandalorian made you feel like he could give you both.

Sunrise came too quickly. The ache from yesterday’s work day now replaced with a stiffness from the thin mattress you were trying (but failing) to be thankful for.

You drew the blinds to allow the pink light to filter in and turned on the single cup caf maker that had come with your room. Most of your wardrobe was packed away still so you drew from a small pile of comfortable clothes, settling on a light blue, sleeveless tunic and khaki linen overalls. The big pockets easily held your shears and gloves. You stepped in the ‘fresher to straighten out your hair and grab your new favorite accessory. Today you tied it around your neck in a simple knot.

A simple breakfast of fruit and yogurt and a to-go cup of caf would have to do today. One of your vendors was scheduled to be there before open to unload a new shipment of pots. With a carefully packed bag and a full mug, you made your way out the door and down the steps as quietly as you could. No one was even at the front desk yet this early in the morning. The walk to your shop took much less time without your conversation partner to make your steps drag. The morning air was still holding onto a chill from the sun’s absence, sending goosebumps dancing down your arms as you let yourself into the storefront. The little stool behind your counter had become a home away from home. Spread out before you was your breakfast, planner, and holopad. You had your delivery schedule pulled up and we’re cross referencing your inventory taking lazy bites of yogurt in between check marks and highlights.

You’re not sure when it happened, but you started to doze off. You awoke some time later to the sound of the bell ringing out as the door swung open. You shot up from where you had slumped over the counter and quickly wiped the sleep from your eyes.

“Dal? Is that you?”

“Nope, sorry,” you heard Din’s voice respond as your eyes adjusted to the light.

Eyes flying to the clock, you cursed under your breath. “He never showed. I could’ve slept in today.” You groaned and leaned onto the counter again.

“Rough night?”

“Rough mattress,” you grumbled before righting yourself once more. “Sorry, you’re here for flowers aren’t you.”

Grogu hopped up onto the counter and cooed at you as he reached for a leftover piece of fruit you had in your container as if to ask for permission.

“Of course buddy,” you smiled softly, rubbing his head lovingly.

“You don’t have to apologize, cyar’ika,” Din said softly.

You cocked your head, “Was that mando’a?”

Din nodded.

“It’s pretty.”

“I wanted to get some flowering shrubs to plant out front. I was hoping you had something like that?”

“We’ve got a few options,” you smiled leading him into the greenhouse leaving Grogu to keep snacking on fruit.

“Thank you again,” Din said handing you the credits in exchange for the plants and fertilizer he had purchased. “I’ve got to go ahead and get these in the ground, we’re heading out again tomorrow.”

“Oh,” you said, trying to mask the disappointment your voice. “Well, these will need to be watered, I can stop by and check on them until you get back.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind. I’d hate to kill them immediately, I don’t have the greenest thumb.”

Your mouth turned up in a smile.

“Are you sure?”

He turned his head in confusion.

“Well you are his dad,” you said gesturing at Grogu.

“No. I’m not. He’s adopted,” he stammered, “But judging by your laughter I’m assuming you knew that.”

“Just a joke,” you smiled, your hand lighting on his forearm to give a small squeeze. “How long will you be gone?”

“Just a few days, Karga has a time sensitive puck but it’s only a few planets over.”

“Good, I worry when you’re gone too long. Well, you better get to digging. See you around stranger.”

He took your hand in his for just a moment, letting his gaze linger.

“See you around, cyar’ika.”

“You gonna tell me what that means?”

“Not yet,” he mounted his speeder and gave a small wave before disappearing down the grey street.

Mando’a translations

Cyar’ika: sweetheart

Taglist: @harriedandharassed

#din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #the mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian x you #the mandalorian fanfiction #the mandalorian fic #din djarin fic

97 notes · View notes

mooncello · 1 year ago

Text

Kai

One last look in the mirror—swoop the hair, readjust ear cuff—and then I’m flying out of my room and through the front door. Miraculously, Cole isn’t outside yet which gives me a chance to catch my breath and settle into my body. Reservation isn’t until 7:30—we have plenty of time.

Shit, am I nervous?

The front door swings open, and Cole steps outside. All the air whooshes out of my lungs.

Half his hair is pulled up into a knot, the rest kisses his shoulders. He’s wearing a silky, short sleeve buttoned black shirt tucked into gray trousers that make his legs look like they go for miles. And the jacket. It’s a lightweight gold and brown houndstooth bomber jacket, with black and white striped trim.

Cole looks sexy and sporty and classy all at once.

“You look perfect,” I tell him. My voice is weirdly airy. I don’t sound like myself.

He smiles. “Cello clothes okay?”

I close the distance between us and clear my throat so my voice goes back down. “I mean, I want to wreck them later but, yes, they are more than okay for now.”

There’s laughter sparkling in his eyes, and Cole tugs me by my lapel to pull me even closer, kissing me between words. “You look” (kiss) “really good” (kiss) “too” (kiss).

Mm, I could kiss Cole all night (and a part of me wants to take him right back inside) but I also want to take him on a date. Eat good food, talk, laugh, flirt.

Curiosity overwhelms me. What is Cole like on a date?? I need to know.

“Car’s on the street,” I say. I intertwine his fingers with mine and head that direction.

“Where’re we going? Can you tell me yet?”

We arrive at my car, and I look over at Cole. He’s gloriously backlit by the sinking sun, a sweet cool breeze tugging at his hair. It’s a beautiful night—gold light and blue-violet sky and neon pink clouds—and probably one of the last summer nights before the seasons change.

I suddenly don’t want to spend the next two hours in a temperature-controlled restaurant with ridiculously pretentious food.

“Uh, one second,” I tell Cole. I motion for him to get in the car, and I dial the restaurant as I slip into the driver’s seat.

“Hey,” I say to the person who answers the phone. “I’ve got a reservation under Kai. We’re not gonna be able to make it.”

Cole sends me a look, waits for the call to end, and then asks, “Everything okay?”

I pull up directions to the night market Nya mentioned. It’s in a really cool part of town, where the arts district meets all the vintage shops.

“Totally good,” I say to Cole and flash him a grin. “Change of plans.”

“Yeah?”

“I’d rather be outside. You?”

“Kai, I don’t care what we do. I’m with you. The rest doesn’t matter.”

My heart gives off little sparks. “Such a romantic,” I tease.

“Oh, you have no idea,” Cole replies, his voice scorching the air, and I’m lightheaded again.

Is this what swooning feels like? Do I swoon now?

~ ~

KITTENS. this is my favorite chapter yet. i'm so excited to share it with you. i hope you enjoy. x

pls note the author note and chapter tags.

#first date #soft boyfriends #THEY'RE SO CUTE #I CAN'T EVEN #also cole stands up for queer kids in this chapter #he's the best dad everrrrr #lavashipping #ninjago cole #ninjago kai #cole x kai #kai x cole #ninjago #LavaChroniclesAU

23 notes · View notes

bluedalahorse · 6 months ago

Text

self indulgent post with visuals for my Young Royals future fic

I took a walk all over the city today, something I haven’t done in a while. With all the things going on, it was nice to move my body and get out and about. It was sort of dreary and drizzly and cool, but since it’s been so hot these past few days, it was a nice change.

As I walked through one part of the city, it occurred to me that part of my path intersected with my fanfic plans. One of my future headcanons is that both August and Nils go to Georgetown for university. I realized I was walking on a path that was probably one of August’s jogging routes. I decided I’d take some photos and post them here with some captions, in case anyone finds it interesting.

This is so far from show-related I am not tagging it or making it rebloggable. But I hope you enjoy all the same!

This is the House of Sweden, which also houses the Swedish and Icelandic embassies. They run a lot of cool cultural exhibitions, and sometimes there are rooftop concerts and Christmas markets and things. I believe some of the actual Swedish royal kids did summer internships here, so this is where I imagine August doing his own summer internship. He also has a colleague working for the Icelandic embassy who becomes Nils’s boyfriend.

Just around the corner from the embassy is a boating center. A lot of the private schools in the area row here. I imagine August would find some familiarity in a sight like this!

Speaking of being around water… here’s a cool shot of the C & O canal. Caution: there are Canada Geese lurking in this area. I will throw a bone to all the August haters out there and headcanon that one morning while jogging he gets chased by Canada Geese.

Here’s a few of the Kennedy Center on the Potomac. If Wille and Simon ever came to DC, they could see a play, opera, or concert here.

Look at Virginia across the Potomac! We love our siblings in Virginia. (It’s prettier at night.)

At this point if August glances back over his shoulder, he can see the towers of Georgetown in the distance. He’s a long way from campus, but he probably won’t regret running that far. Probably.

Eventually he’d get to a walkway that takes him to a sculpture garden attached to the Kennedy Center. (Do you think he’d look at this horse and think about Sara? Absolutely.)

On his way back up the hill, August would catch sight of Saudi Arabia’s embassy. He probably would have also seen Thailand and Ukraine’s embassies during his morning run, but I didn’t get a picture of those because they’re earlier on his route and I didn’t have the idea in my head to take photos yet. (Interesting fact: the DC government renamed the street in front of the Saudi Arabian embassy Jamal Khashoggi Way.)

Final image! This is a little bit off August’s jogging path, but it’s the EU Delegation Building. Currently they’re advertising the EU Open House, where all the EU embassies open their doors to the public and offer free food and swag (and basically aggressively promote their countries so you can think about going on vacation there.) Since August is an intern at the House of Sweden, he would probably have to shake so many hands that day and do so much PR as part of his job. Or he would have to hand out so much swag. (When I volunteered at the Finnish embassy I had to hand out food samples and came home smelling like rye bread and herring.)

I hope you enjoyed my little tour of this tiny part of DC! It was good to be out and about.

9 notes · View notes

defire · 3 days ago

Text

Ghost of Seattle Chapter 4

Content: child whumpee, humiliation, bullying, forced to kneel, self-sacrifice, slightly creepy whumper, hurt/comfort, excessive responsibility for a child

It was about a year later, in late summer, and closing in on dusk.

The Guards were meeting the Yellowcaps in the outskirts of Seattle, the part where the suburbs seemed to have been broken before they died. Nobody lived in these houses anymore. There were plenty of nicer ones to choose from.

Chase was 10, and he was part of Ron’s squad, which had been picked to lead one of the guards that were going to escort the Yellowcaps to the Night Market.

Cars were parked all down the gravel street on both sides of the road, with a few abandoned at the stop sign behind them. 10 Yellowcaps and 18 Guards met here on the street across from a lot-sized playground. They traveled small, because they needed to duck out of sight if a copter flew over.

Signs of life brought on bomb attacks. Nobody knew why, or who did it.

"Well, you're a little young to be leading our guard today." The leader of the Yellowcaps sneered at Ron. He had a bushy gray beard, curly hair, and talked with an accent that sounded like eating the words. Chase knew of him--he was an asshole named Charles--and he always pushed around anyone younger than him.

"I'm not young." Ron said. "I mean, I'm 16. That's basically adult."

Charles laughed. He reached out and pinched a large section of Ron's cheek, taunting him. Chase watched; Ron looked kind of silly.

"You should really be more respectful to ya customers, eh?" He yanked Ron to the side by the cheek.

"Ow!" Ron grunted.

Chase was coming closer, frowning. Ron was a bit of a wuss. Chase couldn't help wanting to rescue his friend.

Ron threw him a teary glance. It was like, "Chase, please help me." Charles was slapping Ron's cheek, saying humiliating things Ron would have to do to prove he was the leader, and to properly fulfill the Guards' duties.

All the Guards were routinely warned never to provoke or annoy The Yellowcaps. Be subservient. Do whatever they ask. They control the food. If they didn't, the entire Guard would turn on the rebellious member. Chase imagined being kicked half to death by his friends, then being thrown to the Yellowcaps to finish it. He'd seen it happen once. He shook his head hard, to try to forget.

"I'm--I'm not disrespecting you..." Ron protested weakly as Charles slapped him again.

"Then stop talkin and start doin!" Charles said, but he had a grip on Ron's shirt.

The Yellowcaps saw the bullying as some kind of initiation ritual for new Guard leaders; they laughed as they talked about it when they were visiting Guard territory. It happened inside the Guards, too, sometimes.

"You'll have to excuse him." Chase interrupted, stepping forward. Damn, his voice was soft like the breeze. Instead of repeating himself, he cleared his throat like how Dad did.

"Excuse me!" He belted the words out. This time Charles stopped, turning to him.

"What did you just say?" Charles said, an incredulous smile on him.

"That's my underling you're slapping around." Chase shouted, to make the words come out at a normal level. "If you want the leader, you'll have to talk to me."

The Guards were stunned, especially Ron. Ron was totally supposed to be the leader.

"Then why's he in the front--"

"Forward guard." Chase snapped. He was shocked by his own boldness. Guess he was angry. "You think I don't know tactics?"

Every one of the Yellowcaps burst out laughing, uproariously.

Chase scowled appropriately, like his dad would've. This would help the guys think he was in charge. It would satisfy them to bully him instead of Ron.

Charles wiped his eyes.

"Hah, you--you're what? 7?" He laughed.

"10." Chase said sourly.

They all laughed loudly again for awhile. Chase lifted his chin.

"Laugh all you want, but I'm captain, and I order you to move out with us."

Dusk was falling, so it was about time anyway.

Charles stopped laughing suddenly. He leaned forward and leered at Chase.

"You said what now?" His breath stank over his yellow teeth, shiny at the points.

Chase stood his ground.

"Captain. Me." He said. Maybe sarcasm was taking it a bit too far. "We're ready to escort you. Sir."

He scratched his arm, not sure if he was dignified enough.

"Not that part..." Charles poked his forehead with a finger, hard enough that his head jerked back.

Chase stepped back to balance, glaring at Charles.

"So you're the one I should be talking to, eh?"

Charles grabbed him by the cheek now, pushing him back a few more steps into the group of Guards.

"Hey--" Chase grabbed back at Charles' hand, trying to pry it off. "--let go!"

"Aren't you a cute one." Charles grinned.

Chase and Ron met eyes nervously, for a second. Chase wanted to send the message, I got this, but he was being yanked around so hard by the cheek, he risked losing his balance in the muddy ground. He couldn't make faces.

Charles yanked Chase so close their noses brushed. Chase's left eye was getting stretched out. He pretended to be fearless, but his lips parted and his nostrils flared, to breathe in for a fight. He was scared, just not as much as normal.

"You wanna try that intro again?" Charles said, still half-leering.

Chase didn't reply. It was better to stay silent if you didn't know what to say. Charles' fingers felt like they were tearing his face off. It burned, and he couldn't even wince because even his eyelids were stretching. Then Charles shoved him back away from himself. Chase caught himself with a hand slapped into a car hood.

"Well, if you wanna work together now, you're gonna need to show me you can be humble and respectful." Charles said. "Otherwise, how can I trust you?"

Holding his cheek and grimacing, Chase looked around fast, noticing that the other Yellowcaps were sharing uncomfortable glances. He didn't answer Charles.

"Ya gotta promise to serve us." Charles said. "You wanna win our trust, ya gotta be an ally."

"I'm--we're just here to escort you." Chase frowned. "To the market."

"And to ya guest camps." Charles corrected. "It's a part of the deal; we need a place to stay."

One of The Yellowcaps, encouraged by the others, cleared his throat at Charles.

"Charles, let's just go. He's only 10."

"No," Charles said. "No, I wanna see what he does."

Giving Chase a side-eye with his tongue to his lips.

Chase said nothing, palms open, face blank like "what do you want?"

Ron nudged him. Chase didn't react, deliberately staying focused on Charles. He wasn't afraid.

"Chase--" Charles said. "That's ya name, yeh?"

Chase nodded.

"Yes." It was too quiet to be heard, again.

"Chase, you should say you're sorry for being so rude." Charles smirked.

"Mister, how--"

"Want me to forgive you?" Charles interrupted. "Get down on your knees. Forehead right on the ground. And promise you'll serve us loyally this week. That way I know we can trust you."

Chase hesitated, looking at the others, who either shook their heads or made no answer. Ron looked scared, pale. Odd. Chase got on the ground all the time, he didn't see what the big deal was. He knelt down on the cold black mud, lowered his forehead to the ground, and said,

"I promise to serve you this week."

"Serve loyally. Say it." Charles nudged his head with the toe of his boot.

Chase sighed.

"I promise to serve you loyally this week."

Charles grabbed him by the tousled white hair on the back of his head, shoving his forehead hard into the mud. It ground into gravel.

"Ouch--" Chase protested, attempting to push his hand off. "Let me up."

Charles ground his face into the muddy gravel, then let him go, standing up.

Chase wiped his stinging face with his arm, leaving a brown streak down it. He was already getting a sunburn, so he needed to hurry and get back inside. He got up hastily, rubbing dirt off his hands on his waist as he turned his back to rejoin his group.

Ron secretly passed him a piece of jerky.

"Thanks." Chase said. Ron never wanted to lead anyway.

An older Guard put his arm around Chase and tugged him close for a sideways hug. Chase blankly allowed it. Wordlessly Guy patted him lightly and let him go.

"Tell us our formation." One of the Guards said quietly to Chase.

Chase lifted his chin and cleared his throat.

"Formation A for the wide streets," He said, just repeating some words he'd heard.

The Guards looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

"Yes sir." Guy saluted. "Formation A, it is."

Guy took up a position next to Charles. Glanced quickly at the tall Yellow Cap.

"Ron, you'll continue in the lead." Chase ordered. He took position on the other side of Charles. "Let's move out!"

Chase got the Yellowcaps settled in a camp in less than twenty minutes, and Guard rotations set for the night. That was all he needed to do. He grinned at Ron, who looked very relieved.

Then Shorty told him that Merc wanted to see him.

Please let me know if you want to be tagged for upcoming parts :)

Kindle book:

Masterpost: Next:

#child whumpee #minor whumpee #forced to lead #whump writing #whump novel #child protagonist #autistic protagonist #whump #humiliation whump #bullying whump #forced to kneel #stoic whumpee #living weapon whumpee #creepy whumper #self sacrifice #child soldier

6 notes · View notes

http-paprika · 1 year ago

Text

Peppers / Alejandro Vargas

pairing alejandro vargas x female!reader / wc 905 / warnings allusions to suggestive content, definitely not a healthy relationship, they talk shit to each other.

summery all he was supposed to be doing was clearing his head, but alejandro ends up getting more than he asked for when an old flame returns to las almas.

notes third poll fanfiction, and second fanfic of the day, done. also, there's no use of y/n and the female insert is from las almas so she's mexican. i threw in a bit of spanish words, but in reality their entire conversations are in spanish, i just wanted to highlight key phrases. also, shout of to sgt. pepper's lonely hearts club band which was the music i listened to whilst i wrote this.

⋆★⋆ ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ ⋆★⋆

The summer sun beat hot against his head as Alejandro slipped through the busy street, ignoring the shouting street vendors, savoring the smell of food cooking along the street. He kept his gaze down, head low to avoid unnecessary conflicts. He was a man with a reputation in his hometown, hated, loved, indifferent. And all Alejandro wanted, was to enjoy his momentary solitude before he’d have to return to the base and continue to tirelessly work, following wasteful leads in search of El Sin Nombre, Valeria, who had disappeared from Las Almas. But her power, influence, and drugs still funneled into his town, and rumors had begun to bubble up that she had found an heir to take up her place in Las Almas. The thought made him boil with frustration and rage, and he needed to focus on moving his feet forward instead of thinking about her.

Looking up from the stones under his feet, another woman catches his eye as he stands on the edge of the busy square, a familiar beautiful face, with a smile and dazzling eyes that even meters away caused Alejandro to stop in his tracks. A haunting phantom who’d left Las Almas years before, a girl he thought he’d never face again. His flaw, his undoing. She still shone brightly like a star as he watched her gossip quickly with the owner of the stall she was standing in front of. As if his body had turned into lead, Alejandro couldn’t get away quick enough, heat rising in his cheeks as she turned and spotted him trying to break away, gazing at him from under those dark lashes. She stood there like a magnet, pulling him in against his will, she’d only grown more alluring since she’d left, with a figure his hands ached to touch and lips he unnervingly wished to kiss. Death disguised as the prettiest woman in all of Mexico.

“Senorita, welcome back to Las Almas.” Alejandro forced himself to stay curt, holding his tongue back from saying what he thought. She placed her hands on her hips, taking him in now that he stood there in front of her. “Little early for Dia de las Muertos, don’t you think?”

“Very funny, Alejandro.” She responded, rolling her eyes and making his throat dry up. He felt foolish to think she would’ve called him by the name she’d given him years before, though he was surprised she acknowledged him at all. Considering their violent, colossal past, Alejandro expected her to maim him there on the street for everyone to see. “I see you haven’t changed since I left.”

“Can’t say that you have either.” He says, a devious smirk painted her face as she turned back to the street vendor and paid for the fresh produce she’d picked out. He eyed the assortment of peppers and greens, clicking his tongue. “So, the cat finally dragged the rat back in?”

Her eyes flickered briefly with anger but ignored his remark even if she knew she’d have to give him a response eventually. “I grew bored of the South. The men there were worse than dogs.”

Alejandro scoffs but finds himself following her through the street market, under the colorful banners, and past the church. “Because you’re so much better? El serpiente. You and the rest of your team.”

“Do you plan on spending the rest of your life harassing me over that, Alejandro? Because it wasn’t that big of a deal, and it’s sad to see you losing your mind that.” She rolls her eyes, her knuckles grazing his from how close the two were. It was intoxicating for him to walk so close to her, like the richest alcohol that he’d ever tasted. She’d left him wasted before, and Alejandro knew if he gave her the chance, she’d do it again, sinking her teeth and nails into him.

“I’m not losing my mind–” He says through gritted teeth, realizing that his reactions were just feeding her ego. Alejandro could see it swelling up inside of her, eyes burning with hunger, waiting for him to burst.

“Then why are you following me to my home? Don’t you have a job to do? Shouldn’t you be off playing vaqueros?” She’d always had a talent for taunting, a feverish desire to watch people squirm and shout. It plagued him, causing poison to seep into his veins, and with folly, Alejandro didn’t fight back. They stopped on the uneven steps, in front of a blue house with veins clinging to the walls. Unknowingly, he’d followed her back to her home, just like he used to in the barracks when he was younger. He could already hear the scoldings he’d received from his second command and ignored the internal sirens and alarms as she unlocked the door.

“I have time to kill.” Those five simple words did him in, an old passion heating his insides and bubbling in his stomach. A wiser man would’ve left, and never given her a second thought. But he disregarded all logic and followed her inside, locking the door behind. His mouth began to water as he watched her in the dim light, she put her things down, kicking off her shoes as Alejandro closed the gap between them, hands finding solace on her hips and his mouth crashing down against hers. She tasted just like he remembered, sweet and spicy just like fresh peppers.

#call of duty #call of duty mw2 #cod mw22 #fanfic #alejandro cod #alejandro x reader #alejandro vargas #alejandro x you #cod fanfic #call of duty fanfic #peppers #song inspired fanfic

20 notes · View notes

bloodofthefates · 1 year ago

Text

x. the thing no one asked for // inspired by @ircnwrought/@starseternelle & @nightstriumph

Though the summer equinox was the pride of Summer Court celebrations, all parts of Prythian took part in the dawning of the new season even if on a much smaller scale and the Night Court was no exception. Velaris itself was a living pulse at the center of it all, laughter and music as contagious as the company filling the winding streets of open shop and tavern doors. Various stalls had been set up and entire roadways closed down to allow for the installation of large gathering tables, food and drink flowing as freely as the friendly conversation that left no heart untouched. Nesta was not impervious to the magic of the city, having been dragged by a near begging Cassian who she was fairly certain had already made plans with Azriel and Mor before ever asking her to join along with them. She’d already made excuses to part ways, claiming to be off in search of Emerie and Gwyn but instead finding herself outside of the market square where gaggles of young fae ran the entire perimeter of the fountain in some make believe game and unhindered by any watchful parents’ eyes. Keeping her distance, Nesta watched from afar with some amusement until one tiny blurred projectile nearly ran right into her. Quick reflexes had her hands shooting out to catch and steady what she discovered was a little girl. A little girl with a crown of twisted wire and hand polished stones. So much care and detail had been crafted into the piece, a labor of true love and painstakingly placed between braided and curled strands of deep auburn hair piled high atop her head. Her dress was equally envious, jewel-toned layers of fabric expertly sewn to form fit the child’s smaller frame accentuated by a beadwork bodice of flowers and belt made of linked silver that alternated star and moon shapes clanging together musically every time she took off running after the other children. Feyre. The tiny spitting image of her younger sister came to a screeching halt in front of Nesta, huffing, puffing and armed with a paintbrush in hand and wielded it with all the ferocity of a weapon of the highest caliber. Her cheeks were flushed a rosy hue, bright blue eyes the color of the stones adorning her head lit up from equal exertion and excitement but widened when she realized who she’d nearly barreled into. Jaw dropping, the young girl sputtered for words as she tried to piece together coherent thought, soon flanked by two other members of her posse.

The raven-haired girl to the other’s left wore a long draping gown of pastel pink with white tulle overlay adorned with fresh florals of the summer blooms in every bright color. Atop her head was another equally beautiful crown, this one instead forged of yellow golden wire and more of the same flowers covering the skirts of her dress. Elain. The immediate recognition burgeoned warmth from within her chest, expanding beyond the capacity of her ribcage and causing something to catch in the back of her throat. They were perfect in every way, neither of them looked anything like her sisters from when they were younger and yet theirs were the only faces she could see staring back up at her and utterly awestruck.

“High Lady…Lady Elain.” Nesta greeted formally, dipping her head and offering an exaggerated bow of pure elegance to the leader of the little pack of Archerons in acknowledgment while attempting to hide her smile of pure mirth at the sight of the tiny versions of Elain and Feyre. “Your costumes are most fitting, I half expected the High Lord Rhysand to be trailing soon after.” Nesta laughed softly, a rare gift and true delight that had the children beaming up at her and hanging onto her every word that much more. She half hoped Rhys was somewhere near enough to hear her, never taking any chance to use him as her own personal punchline for granted even if in this particular circumstance, it was for a good cause.

Only then did Nesta turn her head to notice the nearly white-haired girl flanking tiny Feyre’s right and catching her dead in her tracks. Her smile disappeared altogether, stunned into silence by the lack of elegant dress or fitted tiara nestled into perfectly styled hair. In place of tulle or chiffon there was only leather and steel, a smaller version of the exact fighting leathers she now wore accented by a toy stand-in for Ataraxia holstered at the younger girl’s side. A single plaited braid draped over one shoulder, more for practicality than aesthetic and there was no crown atop her head. Instead, there was a beautifully crafted mask covering the upper half of her face, enough to conceal her eyes and dip down over the bridge of her nose and tied at the back of her head with a single white ribbon that suddenly had her heart aching for Emerie or Gwyn to miraculously appear.

It was the smaller version of herself looking back to her, weighted with the highest expectation of seeking her approval but for once Nesta found herself at a complete loss for words. It took her a moment, the tension stretching on for too long as the girls began to shift on their toes with uneasiness before she moved to kneel down in front of the girl finding her courage to swallow back the tears she hadn’t been expecting. “Lady Nesta… it is an honor to serve you.” She greeted the younger spitting image of herself as she was now, not the ghost of the little girl she’d once been under her mother’s heavy thumb. Pulling the real Ataraxia from its sheath at her back, Nesta maneuvered the blade carefully in front of the girls with extra caution to keep them from being afraid as she turned the grip toward the tiny Nesta and offered it to her.

“Lady Death, a true Valkyrie warrior should have a go at a real sword, wouldn’t you say?” Nesta prodded gently, uncharacteristically soft as the younger girl’s trembling fingers reached out to trace along the hilt of the blade. “You can hold it.” She nodded her permission, watching the girl’s eyes light up as she took hold of the sword. She was barely able to lift it, but Nesta handled the brunt of the weight in the blade making it appear as if the little girl was the one doing the hard work all along. The moment was fleeting, but one Nesta knew she would treasure for years to come. Almost as quickly as she’d grabbed hold, the tiny Nesta had let go and earned a fit of giggles amongst her comrades as they thanked Nesta and took off running through the square, squealing their delight and telling anyone they came across that they were real Archeron sisters now.

Sucking in a deep breath as she stood, Nesta gave her sword a good practice swing earning several worried glances from those around her before she sheathed it at her back once more. “An honor to serve you indeed..” She whispered to herself, eyes darting around to ensure no one else had witnessed her moment of uncharacteristic vulnerability as she straightened her shoulders, happy to tuck away the memory of the little girls as younger versions of Feyre and Elain happier than they had been allowed in their childhood, the better versions of themselves now just as she had seen herself in the younger Nesta.

#ircnwrought #nightstriumph #✲ NESTA ARCHERON [ musings ]#✲ NESTA ARCHERON [ dynamic ] FEYRE ARCHERON #✲ NESTA ARCHERON [ dynamic ] CASSIAN #✲ NESTA ARCHERON [ dynamic ] RHYSAND #✲ NESTA ARCHERON [ dynamic ] ELAIN ARCHERON

8 notes · View notes

raventroll80 · 2 years ago

Text

Stowaway Mer AU

Part 2: The Fisherman

This one’s going to mostly focus on Flynn getting used to home and job in Port Murlow.

It was late in the afternoon when Flynn had made it into town, his rabbit Daisy was asleep in the backseat of his truck. Port Murlow was a fairly large port town on the East coast of Massachusetts.

Flynn remembered how he used to come down every summer to visit his grandfather in Port Murlow. His grandfather would take him fishing, or out to explore the coastline. That was until one year when Flynn was around thirteen, his grandfather had called and told him and his mother that he couldn’t come visit anymore.

It was strange and out of the blue, but his grandfather had made up for it by visiting Flynn instead. But eventually that stopped too. The last he saw his grandfather was at his high school graduation, and he had looked tired and disheveled, nothing like the man he once knew.

Flynn had drifted back to reality when something sprinted across the street. He yelled and slammed on the brakes and locked eyes with the person in front of him. The two stared at each other for a moment before Flynn pointed at the other man and gave a thumbs up, asking if the person was ok.

The other man nodded his head before speaking up,

“Y-yes I am alright, how about you? You look a little shaken my friend,” he said in a shaky but calm voice.

Flynn nodded but couldn’t find a voice to respond with.

“I think maybe you should get some rest, you look tired. There’s a motel by the port just keep on going down Main Street and you’ll find it.” The man said before walking into the shop across the street.

Flynn took a few shaky breaths and checked on Daisy. She was fine, a little shaken like him, but fine.

He continued down the street and had stopped at a diner to grab some food. Once he was done he got back into his truck and drove down to the port and fish market.

The lights were still on and it appeared people were still working. He walked up to someone and asked if they knew where his new boss was. They pointed him in the right direction and got back to work. Flynn walked up to a man with a scruffy beard wearing some overalls.

The two had talked for a bit before the man said,

“Well you’ll start tomorrow at noon, it’s going to be a late run. Won’t be back till after sundown,”

“That might not work out, I just moved here and I haven’t even gotten to my house yet,” Flynn replied,

“Well that’s your problem, not mine,” the captain replied before walking off.

Flynn grumbled before walking back to his truck, he got in and drove to the motel that man told him about. He checked in and got Daisy out of the back seat. He went into his room and promptly fell asleep.

——————————————————————————

The next morning he put Daisy in her carrier and went to the address his friend had given him back on the boat. After some driving around he eventually pulled up to a small apartment building.

Standing outside was two women. One was shorter than the other and had a round face and long brown hair tied back in a loose ponytail, she wore a grey and black hoodie and what appeared to be blue camouflage sweatpants. The other was tall and well toned with a long mohawk with a brown to red gradient.

Flynn waved at the two as he got out of the truck.

“Nice to see you again Flynn, how was the drive?” The tall woman said.

“Good,” he replied, “you must be Em, nice to meet you I’m Flynn,” he continued reaching out his hand for a shake.

“Nice to meet you too sir,” Em replied as she shook his hand.

“Well, this move ain’t gonna happen on its own, let’s get a move on,” the other woman, Nimh said.

They loaded some boxes into the bed of the truck and got in.

“I forgot you had a rabbit,” Nimh said from the back seat. Em perked up when she heard this and turned around to look in the back.

“Yeah, her name’s Daisy. My grandpa gave her to me,” he replied.

It was a long drive to the house, the road went through a rather dense forest. Every once and a while the ocean would come into view. The house came into view at the end of the road, the truck crossed over a covered bridge before they reached the house.

The bridge creaked and moaned as the truck drove across. Flynn gripped the steering wheel tightly as he slowly drove over the bridge.

He let out a small sigh of relief when he heard the sound of tires on old bricks. He put the truck in park and got out.

Flynn took a deep breath and looked around. His grandfather’s house looked like it had seen better days. It was an old house that had been in the family for generations, with parts added on throughout the years.Paint was peeling off the porch and house, and leaves littered the property.

“It��s gonna rain later,” Em said to no one in particular.

“Hmm?” Flynn said quizzically.

“I-it’s gonna rain later, I can feel it…” She repeated quietly.

“Me too, you get a feeling for these sort of things out here,” Nimh replied.

Flynn nodded in acknowledgment.

He grabbed his keys and an envelope from the glove box before getting Daisy. The three of them walked up to the doors and Flynn dug the key out from the envelope.

The doors opened with a groan and light flooded the entryway. They walked down the hallway and entered the foyer, light filtered down from the glass ceiling illuminating the room.

Old paintings and photos decorated the walls. Flynn recognized some of them as old family members. A thick layer of dust covered everything and cobwebs hung like curtains.

“It’s quite nice in here actually,” Em said, “in an almost haunting sort of way,”

“Yeah,” Flynn replied as he walked towards the stairs.

“I’m gonna start bringing in boxes,” Nimh said, walking to the doors.

Flynn set Daisy’s carrier on the ground and followed Nimh back to the truck. He grabbed a few boxes from the bed and brought them in. After a few more boxes Flynn grabbed some of Daisy’s stuff.

He set up an enclosure and let her out. She hopped about as he filled up her water dish and laying out some hay for her to eat. Daisy seemed content so Flynn returned to unloading the truck.

Once the truck was fully unloaded Flynn checked the time. It was 10:18, Flynn tapped Nimh on the shoulder before speaking.

“Um… I gotta head back into town, first shift is in about an hour. Are you two good here until I get back?” He asked.

“Yea we’re good. We’ll probably order some takeout, y’got any preferences?” She responded.

“No, not really, just order me whatever,” He replied.

“I’m just gonna… start sweeping… everything,” Em said while looking around. She looked somewhat lost standing in the foyer.

“Oh! And make sure to give Daisy some more hay later and give her some food pellets around dinner,” he added before walking out the door.

Em and Nimh watched as Flynn slowly drove across the wooden bridge before driving at a reasonable speed.

——————————————————————————

It was about 10:46 when Flynn arrived at the fish market. He parked his truck and walked towards the docks, as he did he noticed that a large storm was rolling in from the sea and the wind had picked up significantly.

“Winds are currently 10 to 15 knots, but are estimated to increase up to 25 knots. Fishing boats are advised to take caution as the large storm continues to grow.” A radio said as Flynn walked up to his captain and new crew members.

“Morning big guy!” One of the men said as he waved.

“You sure we should be going out today, that storm’s looking real nasty…” the other man said, eyeing the storm with concern.

“I don’t care about no storm, you have a quota to fill. If you think you have better things to do then you can just leave.” The bearded captain said.

The man groaned before lighting a cigarette and turned to Flynn and greeted him.

“Name’s Josh, that’s Andrew over there,” Josh said gesturing to the guy sitting next to the radio, “and that’s Robbert our captain, but you already knew that.” He finished.

Flynn nodded and gave a grunt.

“Alright enough chitchat let’s get on the water, I want at least 30 sets by the end of today." Robbert said as he shut off the radio and walked onto the boat.

Flynn and the other's got on board and began to prepare for the day a head. As the boats left port rain began to fall, and thunder growled on the horizon.

#Stowaway Mer AU #mermay #mermay 2023 #my writing #sorry if I got some info about fishing and rabbit care wrong #also sorry for the lack of merfolk in this one

3 notes · View notes

clowngames · 1 year ago

Text

My mother always said people who have the least give the most. One of the many ways she is an inspiration to me is that she no longer has the least, but is committed to still giving the most.

She has a huge garden - a huge vegetable garden, which she has put a lot of time, effort, and money into, especially since the start of covid. Every summer, for weeks, our kitchen would be filled with the smell of pickle juice as she slowly filled somewhere around 30-40 jars of pickles. Baskets full of tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, kale, green beans, peas, and more.

It's all more than our family could eat. It would be so easy to sell this stuff on the farmer's market, and she might even get the money she spent on the garden back, but she did something else: She posted in a local facebook group she's in saying "hey if anyone wants a free jar of pickles, message me. I don't want payment, I just want the jar back when you're done." Complete strangers - community members - would swing by our place and collect some food, and return 2 weeks later to bring the jars back, and for their trouble they'd be given more pickles.

This evolved into setting up an elevated table in her front lawn displaying homegrown vegetables with a sign saying "Free - take what you need, leave the rest for the next person." She lives on a street with a lot of car traffic and a lot of people going on walks.

That's not to say we don't benefit from a little nepotism. Family and friends are handed jars, or whole vegetables, whether they want them or not (they do). My partner and I got to enjoy a stuffed zucchini boat dinner courtesy of my mom's generosity, which is a benefit afforded to few since zucchinis grow big but few. But my mom's dedication to saying "I don't care who they are, they're here, they're hungry, and they're gonna give me my jars back when they're done" impresses me so much I've started my own little portable garden in my apartment in the hopes of one day emulating her.

Every time I see a post like this, I think about her.

67K notes · View notes

wetladss · 4 months ago

Text

Day 48 - Berlin

Woke up really early to catch a train to the airport for our morning flight. We arrived in Berlin and after catching the train to the city centre. Really nice weather in Berlin being in the low 20s and being comfortably humid compared to the dryness of Greece. We had a bit of a walk around to explore the surrounding area. Was expecting some cooler building initially but I supposed a lot was bomb back in the day and rebuilt more recently. We went back to the accommodation and rested to catch up on some sleep missed out in the morning and checked in. We went for a long walk to some markets and tried some Mata again which was delicious but not as tasty or cheap as the one in Toulouse. Then grabbed a burger and watch some of the soccer on the tv there as there where euro cup matches being played in Berlin and screen everywhere. We had walked a fair bit so went back to the hostel and crashed

Day 49 - Thalias Birthday

Woke up and it was Thalias birthday which also coincides with the summer solstice. There where heaps of bands scheduled to play throughout the city as a celebration so we planned to have a look around later when it all kicked off. Started the morning heading to north Berlin and gettin croissant and coffee and followed up with pancakes eggs and beacon for Breaky. We then headed to the Berlin Wall and found a cool old warehouse / pop up stalls on the river front which was really artisy with heaps of graffiti and character. It was pretty cool space and they where setting up for music but we thought we check it out later but didn’t get back around to it. We then arrived at the Berlin Wall which was fascinating to see and think about the history and learn about it. Have been using chatgpt to help me with information on areas and thing through the travel and learnt a bit more about the wall and what it symbolises. We then went to burgamister which had the best burgers on the trip. So delicious and juicy and really well priced. We then walk toward the park where there was meant to be some block party. Walking through the park there was a stage setup and some rapper singing. All in German but sounded good. It was raining so we continued on exploring and arrived at the block party which was a bit underwhelming as it was a few shop fronts in the rain putting something on but it had not a lot of action. We continued through the park and saw a bunch of mini races in the Forrest and just went exploring for music. Eventually found a cool one next to the river and checked that out before absolutely getting smashed with a storm. We headed back the way we came because there was a really highly rated gelato place and due to the rain there wasn’t many people. We had the typical pistachio and raspberry flavour which was really nice. We then head back towards home. Pasting a few cool street bands play psy rock and rnb. We then found a awesome industrial block that was now repurposed for art, clubs, skatepark, rock climbing, outdoor cinema (playing the euro World Cup), brewery, gallery, furniture shop from repurposed boats and I think there was a swimming pool looking at google maps at the back of a closed venue. and multiple artist performing from rock, indie and a few DJs. We stay around here for a while because it was the coolest area. We went into one of the clubs and watch this chick perform a awesome set of rapping then head across the street to get some food. While eating saw a drumming band on the corner of all this action and then we where a bit knackered so started to make our way back home. On they way I wanted to suss out Heimberg and we found a choir in a beautiful community garden setup as we headed towards it. We stay a while there and listen to the choir singing which was beautiful. We then walked over to Heimberg which was next to it and checked the building out as it was an old power station that had been converted into one of berlins top clubs. No action though as it all kicked off later. On Saturday it opens at 12pm and stops on Monday morning, also has half a million dollar sound system. We then maid our way back home. Passing some Cuban music and a bunch of oldies dancing. Eventually making it back home and crashing as we had walk about 37000 steps. Thalia was happy with the day so I could rest peacefully.

Day 50

We went exploring west grabbing my first crookie. Croissant crossed cookie. This was really fun and delicious. Thalia didn’t want me to get it but I persisted. We then headed west to check out museum island, along with Berlin gate, Jewish memorial and the old SS site which was now a museum after they blew it up and removed the building back in the day. This side of town was a lot more speccy and the building where more impressive. We didn’t go to any museums just had a look at the building before heading to the Berlin gate. This was kind la cool but the area had been transformed for the football and they had a viewing area and some infrastructure around it. We headed to see the Jewish memorial which was interesting as it made you feel a bit uncomfortable knowing what it was for and the design of the blocks which produced a feeling of discomfort. We then headed to the mall to find a toilet but after a massive search and being disappointed to find one of the toilets was closed and the other one had a massive line so we manage to walk another block and sneak into a restaurant for one. There was also a hot air balloon next to it that we had seen being lifted into the sky for advertising and then pulled back down to the ground. Nearby we saw the SS museum which follows the journey of the rise of hulter and the secret service he had along with the police force that was created pre war. It followed the timeline and the atrocities until post war and was very informative. Showing what could happen if you give one person total power with no checks and balances. Afterwards we head back home but not before I tried my favourite drink Huel. Basically a protein drink married a voost and had the same calories as a meal. All the while tasting really good. The first of many. We headed back home and crashed but not before grabbing some delicious Mexican. Two burritos, one with pork and one with chicken. We then went home and watch some stuff on the laptop and crashed.

Day 51

Originally we where only going to stay for three days but we extended it as it was pretty realaxing and a good climate too. We head out back east as Thalia had a pole class and I went to check out the artsy industrial area we enjoyed on her birthday. This time it was a huge reloved cloths market. Absolutely massive. Had a suss but knew we’d come back together to have a look. I then went to the heimberg to check it out as it had been going for about 12 hours. There was a huge line but even though I was outside the music sounded great. Got a bit of adrenaline hearing how good it was and imagining what it would be like. I then went to the park and read while I waited for Thalia to finish. Then we headed together to burgermiester to get more delicious burgers before heading to the reloved clothes markets and having a look around. Buying nothing but enjoying having an explore. We then headed back to the gelato shop we had been to previously but there was a 100m looking line so we nope the fuck out and headed to another one near by that was also rated pretty good. This one had more family vibes and had really delicious gelato. Pistachios and strawberry. There was also the best lemon slushie I had every had. Sour and a little sweet and tasted really fresh. We then headed further east to see a electronic gallery called dark matter. This had several rooms with different lighting designs which would play through different effects. This was really cool and inspirational. We spent over 2hrs here and had a great time seeing the different installations. We then headed back home. Had a funny experience as we hadn’t had water for ages and it was pretty hot this day. We tried going to Aldi but it was closed on Sundays. We google water fountains and found one in a park but it closed undergoing tests. Then we walked to another one and as we arrive. Two kids arrived just before us along with a mother and her kid. So we waited for them to drink but there was also a shit tonne of bees drinking from the water as well. The kids had different slow techniques to drink the water and then the baby would freak out and then be amazed at the bees but after a long time not having water it was out turn. We headed back to the accommodation and grabbed one burrito to share before crashing again.

Day 52

We weren’t to sure what to get up to this day. So we decided to escape the city and go visit one of the natural lakes that is used for swimming. We caught a train south and then went to the lake. It was a beautiful spot. You could walk around the whole lake in about 1.5hrs and it was really clean and clear. We went to the supermarket and grabbed some snacks and and then went for a swim before relaxing on some grass next to the river. After some reading and snacking and some more swimming we went into the town next to it and got a pizza which was alright and then what was best pistachio gelato we had had to much of Thalias surprise. We then walked around the lake and went for another swim before catching the train back to the city. This was really relaxing and enjoyable after a big weekend. We went to hungry so went to the supermarket to get some snacks for the night and tomorrow morning as we had another really early flight to catch. I brought two Heuls and I was set. We then went to bed early as we had to get up at 4.30am to catch a plain to Paris.

Day 53 - Paris

We arrived early and it was really hot. Back into 30 degree plus weather in a city. We drop our bags off and then went for a walk around the city but ended up chilling in the shade for a while reading. Then heading to oakberry to get a large açai to help cool down. We then checked into our room and hid from the midday heat. Later we headed out and had some Moroccan food which wa delicious. Tagine chicken potato lemon curry. Then headed to the Eiffel Tower after getting a bit stuck around the pre Paris olympics infrastructure that was being setup everywhere and prevent google maps from getting us some places without detours. Saw the building where Neapolitan was buried in which was pretty cool. Tower was neat as well but I was a bit underwhelmed. Still cool to see but had seen better building in the travels. We then headed back home and crashed for the night as it was a huge day.

Day 54

We woke up and grabbed some coffee and sandwiched before heading to the Louvre. We lined up for 1.5hrs and ate our food in the line. It was hot again so it did seem to take a a while but once we where in it was awesome. Such a cool entrance and the buildings it was within where amazing. This is definitely the best museum I have been too. The art works where incredible. Amazing painting on huge scales and heaps of Greek statues. We went exploring for about three hours and didn’t quite see it all. Really enjoyed seeing the art in here. From the Mona Lisa and naplolian crowning his wife in this massive painting. A lot of great history within it. Saw all the old Crown Jewels which where incredibly glamorous and then where tired again. We left and saw some kind of photoshoot happening. We learnt that fashion week had just been and now it was the local Paris stores fashion week. No one that we recognised but people seem to get around these potential models. We headed home and then Thalia headed to pole. I meet up with her after her class and we then went to find some dinner. We where going to some markets but most of it was closed and nothing popped out to much. So we grabbed some mojitos nearby and had a look on google maps for a restaurant. We decided to treat ourselves and went to a stake house. This had a really nice atmosphere. Relaxing and cool venue. We had eye fillet and a Argentina steak which escape my mind. It was like a scorch though. Really delicious meats paired with some wine. Had a lovely night there. We then headed back home for the night after that.

Day 55

We where a bit knackered this day after all the traveling about and big cities. We did some shopping. We went to another museum that was for youth art and it had a nice sound room and a really captivating short film. Then we knocked of early as we had another morning flight. This time off to Norways Bodø

Day 56 / 57 / 58 / 59 / 60 - Norway

This was a really nice wind down from all the traveling. We were lucky enough to stay with Hamish and his partner Elisa and there baby Hazel. It was during 24hrs of sunlight as the lived in the arctic circle. We went for walks around the area and spent time catching up and watching Hazel as she was very amusing. We went to a lovely beach out of town a bit for a day trip which was lovely and went for some very cold swims in the oceans and lakes. Cooked some meals for each other. Ate some reindeer. Had a really relaxing and restorative time. Finishing up with the floating sauna on the water front which allowed you to cold plunge and then jump back into the heat. A really nice ending to the main adventure.

0 notes