#thanks gnocchi anon

[ky-landfill]

Here's a recipe for pesto gnocchi:

Ingredients:

* 2 pounds of store-bought gnocchi

* 3 cups of basil leaves, washed and dried

* 2 cloves of garlic, peeled

* 3/4 cup parmesan cheese

* 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

* Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a food processor or blender, combine the basil, garlic, cheese, and olive oil. Blend until smooth and set aside.

2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the gnocchi according to package instructions.

3. Drain the gnocchi and add it to a deep skillet with some olive oil. Cook over medium heat until light brown.

4. Pour in the pesto sauce and toss well to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Serve hot and garnish with more parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Enjoy!

Thanks.

[asterias-record-shop]

hey!! i was wondering if you write for barry allen, if you do, i would like some angst maybe? only if you are up to it ofc! thank you in advance and i’m loving you finnick series <3 hope you are okay

—𓆩[angst angst angst]𓆪—

no anon my love, I am not okay after this ❤️ jk jk, im good! finals are coming up, and im glad you’re loving the Finnick series! sorry this took a little long, I needed to come up with some issues that weren’t cheating (I will never write cheating), also, I hope you enjoy the headcannons, im not very good at doing angst on purpose-

𓆩[main masterlist]𓆪 𓆩[request/ask me something!]𓆪

“Neither of us want this to happen, but it has to and you know that.”

— Barry would say this when he wants to die for the greater good and you don’t want him to because it’s fucking stupid.

“You can’t do this, Barry! You’re not dying!”

Barry sighs. “You know that’s not how it works, honey.”

“You said that this happens because of us, right? I’ll do it, I’ll die. That work?” You stand from your chair.

“No, you have nothing to do with it, that’s the problem!” He pressed his hands into his face. “You don’t have anything to do with it, so I can’t keep you safe and I-”

“And what does it have to do with you, Barry? You don’t have to die because you can’t stop it!” You slammed your hands into the table before he groaned loudly and pressed his face into his jands.

“That’s the problem, Y/N! I do have to! I’m not fast enough so I can’t stop it-”

“But why do you have to die?!” You screamed at him. “Why you? Why can’t someone else die?!”

“Because I’m not going to let them!”

“And I’m not going to let you!” You walk around the table, quickly walking toward him. “You’re not going to die, I’m not going to let you.”

He tries to run before you put out your hand, a spark of cold running down his spine. “Y/N, don’t-”

Your ability to freeze time was going to prove useful now. “I don’t care about anyone else, Barry, I’m not going to let you die for people you don’t even know.”

His fingers flinch. “Don’t do this. Please don’t do this.”

“Well I’m not going to let you, am I?”

“We can start over, I’ll do anything you want me to, everything will be perfect - I swear. Just please… please don’t leave me.”

— Barry would say this after fucking up really bad, after he distanced himself so much he didn’t even realize that you left him.

mentions of pregnant wife, divorce, ‘we’re not getting back together’

It was the end of the world, how could he pay attention to something like a relationship? The world could end any minute, and he needed to stop it, to protect you. He hadn’t come home for the past month, spending every night at the lab or the police department.

His phone was charged but he never looked at it, there was no point. As much as he wanted to talk to you, he couldn’t, not like this.

“Barry, you need to leave,” Joe had finally said after Barry fell asleep and drooled all over the table. “Now.”

“I can’t, I can’t. Have you spoken to Y/N, I need some of her DNA to run some tests on the proton… proton, what is it?” He whispers, already forgetting the second part of the word before Joe pauses.

“You… how long has it been since you’ve spoken to Y/N? You haven’t been home in a month, Barry.” Joe says, the younger man shaking his head.

“That’s not the point, where’s Y/N? Can you call her please, she’s not picking up my calls.” Barry goes to the board, grabbing a marker before Joe caught his arm.

“You need to go home, Barry. Now.”

So he did. Reluctantly, he did. He went home, to the small house you and Barry had bought a few years ago away from the city so that you both can just stay away from all the issues going on. He was surprised when he didn’t see your car in the driveway, but when he got to the door he saw how much mail had stacked up.

His brow furrows as he slowly grabbed it, everything with his name and not yours. It doesn’t concern him as much as it should’ve, slowly opening the door. He doesn’t hear Gnocchi’s nails scratching against the floor, the large German shepherd that always ran to him when he got home absent from his usual greeting. He doesn’t hear you singing in the kitchen, making dinner like you always did after you slipped off your wedding ring so it wouldn’t get dirty.

Instead, the house is clean, and the air is stale. He doesn’t see your coat on the rack or Gnocchi’s bed near the back door, the panic finally setting in.

“Y/N? Y/N!” He ran up the stairs to your room, the bed made and obviously not slept in for a while. He ran into the closet, your racks empty and his clothes neatly folded or hung on hangers.

He goes to the restroom next, all of your makeup and skincare gone, and everything in the shower you had spent hundreds on to make sure your body was taken care of gone too. He couldn’t help himself, his breathing getting quicker as he ran downstairs to the kitchen, a glint catching his eye.

He ran toward it, your wedding ring and engagement ring settled over an envelope. He ran toward it, quickly taking the envelop before seeing divorce papers underneath it.

You weren’t a lawyer for nothing.

He quickly pulled out his phone, dialing your number just to be greeted by your mailbox saying, “Hi! This is Y/N L/N, if you’re calling for business interactions, my business number is…”

He knew your business number by memory, but your name? Your maiden name, L/N? It’s been Allen for the past four years.

Quickly, he typed in your work phone number, immediately getting the response, “Hi! This is Y/N L/N, this phone number is only functioning during the times…”

With that, he called Iris. “Iris? Iris, where is Y/N-”

“Well it’s about time you went home,” Iris finally says, sighing. “It took you what, two months?”

Two months? You’ve left him for two months and he didn’t even know it?

“Where is she?!” He couldn’t help the rise of his voice, a shaky exhale falling from his mouth. “Please, Iris… please.”

She inhaled. “I can’t… I can’t.”

“I will run around this whole city if you don’t tell me where she is.”

There wasn’t a point of hiding, not whenever your husband could quickly find you just by running over the city, and he could certainly find where you went in a second. And while making yourself tea before bed, you knew it.

“I hope you brought those papers signed,” you say loudly, stirring in the sugar. “Want this done as quickly as possible.”

You gasped when you turned around, a disheveled Barry standing in front of you. There was dark bags under his eyes, his hair going every which way and his honey glazed eyes were now gold. “Please don’t do this.”

You inhale deeply, shaking your head. You knew that if he came like this to you, you wouldn’t be able to say no. You wouldn’t be able to stand your ground, you would go back to a life where he would ignore you for days on end and would put you in harms way over and over again. You could protect yourself yes, especially with your powers, but you couldn’t. You couldn’t do it, not this time.

Your relationship wasn’t like this at first, he was your next door neighbor and you both were basically bound from the start. He would never ignore you or put you in harms way, but things change. He changed, just like you did. And you’ve gone back to him before, but this time, you couldn’t. This time, it was different.

“I’ve been gone for two months, Barry. And you didn’t even notice!” Your voice gets louder, and you could feel your heart rate spike before you inhaled quickly, trying to calm yourself.

This isn’t good, stress isn’t good.

“I know, and I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry,” he tried to step forward, but something stops him making him look down, a gasp falling from his lips. “No.”

You inhaled, holding back tears as you set down your mug and cover your mouth. “It was supposed to be a surprise,” you whisper, sniffling. “I wanted… I was planning it so cute with signs a-and a party, but you never came home.”

He looks up at you, his eyes watering. “I-It’s mine?”

Oh you couldn’t have been more pissed. You shoved him, his hands quickly attempting to grab your wrist. “Fuck you, Barry! Fuck you!”

He shakes his head immediately. “That’s not what I meant, Y/N, I’m sorry-”

“Oh no? What did you mean, Barry, what the fuck did you mean?!” You screamed at him, slamming your fists against his chest. “It takes four to six weeks to show positive on a test, twelve to sixteen weeks to start showing, you bastard! Do you really think I’d be fooling around? I have been nothing but loyal to you for my whole life, you asshole!”

He quickly grabs your wrists, shaking his head. “No, baby, don’t do that. Don’t do this, don’t , please don’t.”

You inhale sharply, quickly pulling your hands away from him. You weren’t even hitting him hard, but that was no excuse. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” you whisper, inhaling shakily. “I’m so so sorry.”

“No, honey, I’m sorry,” he says quickly, pulling your hands to his shoulders. “I’m so sorry, honey, I deserve that. I deserve everything, honey, but I’m so sorry. Don’t do this to me, please don’t do this to me. We can start over, I’ll do anything you want me to, everything will be perfect - I swear. Just please… please don’t leave me.”

You shake your head. “No. No, I can’t do that. I can’t.”

“No! No, Y/N, please, please. Please, I need you, I need you, don’t leave me,” he was begging, whining as he shook his head. “Please don’t leave me.”

“I can’t stay with you, Barry. I can’t, I don’t want to,” you say, even if you were lying. You wanted nothing more than to just go home with him, let him touch you and do anything you asked but you couldn’t. Not after everything he’d done to you, all the pain he made you feel. “I can’t do that. Maybe… maybe later in life, but I can’t. Not now.”

“Don’t divorce me, baby, don’t leave me! Please, please don’t go, I can’t… I can’t lose you, I can’t lose you too,” he kneeled down, crumbling to his knees as he kissed your stomach. “I can’t lose either of you.”

“They’re twins,” you say softly. “Twins. That’s why I’m showing so much.”

Oh Barry could’ve broken down then and there before you grabbed his cheek.

“Barry, I can’t. Not today. Maybe later, but certainly not today.”

**sorry for the slightly abrupt cutoff, I have a major migraine rn 😅 hope you enjoyed anon!

Taglist:

𓆩[@lem0ns77]𓆪 𓆩[@cecepop15]𓆪 𓆩[@memeorydotcom]𓆪 𓆩[@your-favorite-god]𓆪

© asterias-record-shop

[gildead]

testimonials from @asklordofthelost:

(( 💖 Howdy Vetra! You’re a wonderful person and friend, and I appreciate all you’ve done to support me, whether it’s by suggesting new gluten free foods to try or sending asks to my blogs – it’s really helped with building things up for the current event! As for your blog itself, I admire that you aren’t too afraid to get into dark content, all the while you treat it with utmost care. The horrors Gold faces are only as effective as they are because you’ve built him up to be a very lovable muse, and as a result, the muns and the muses care heavily about him. Another thing I thought I’d mention is that it’s always nice to see an artist working with traditional medium! I used to draw in pencil and pen a lot, so it’s really nostalgic to see your work and what you do with it. I adore your style and I’ve noticed quite a bit of improvement over time! I look forward to seeing more of your ideas and designs in the future. ))

Okay, before we get started, this is my favorite GF gnocchi. Looks like the real thing, tastes like the real thing, extremely high quality. You have to find it in European gourmet markets, which is not exactly easy, but it's definitely worth grabbing if available.

Either way, thank you so much! Sometimes I worry that I'm bound to get angry anons bitching about how the horror muse has horror content in it, or that I'm getting too borderline whump-y with how I write Gold. It's definitely a difficult balance to hit, because I know if I mess it up or put in too much all at once it could come off as overly gratuitous/reliant on misery porn to stay invested. I always like hearing that I'm hitting the right balance, especially since we're so soon after the Wesker event.

Super glad my icons are getting love as well. I've been pretty open about having dysgraphia for those who know me, but it's super hard to do digital art that way and I have to do a lot of altering the brightness/contrast/sharpness on my icons so they don't look like I took an iPhone photo of my sketch in a poorly lit room (which, I'll be honest, is how I usually make my icons). You and Rosie have both pointed out that drawing Gold has led to a VAST improvement in my work as well, which comes as a relief. He's pretty easy to pose and draw, and I don't have to worry too hard about going off-model because... you know... body horror.

When I'm a little less busy with work and real life obligations, I definitely want to do some more ref sheets. Noa/Please and Away are on the docket next for them, as well as my version of Blake from Snow on Mount Silver (love her, REALLY need to draw her more).

Also. More drawings of Gold in different outfits. I have ideas.

[semperama]

what's bringing you joy these days? <3 (to counteract this week)

Thank you so much for asking this, anon. I'd love to share some things I'm really enjoying!

I made this French Onion Gnocchi late last week, and we've been eating the leftovers, and it's soooooooo delicious. Easily one of the best things I've cooked in months. It's relatively easy too, if a little time consuming due to the caramelizing of the onions.

We got my son a terrarium for Christmas and planted the little chia sprouts in it this weekend, and it's been so fun teaching him how to water it and watching it start to sprout together. It's lovely to see something growing in the winter.

On a related note, I've been looking through some seed catalogs for this year and daydreaming about what I'm going to plant once it's spring.

To help hide the hair loss I'm experiencing, I bought myself some of these headbands, and they are so flattering and cute. I'm not a person who ~accessorizes very much, but this is making me rethink that.

My husband's birthday is this Friday, and I'm going to make him coq au vin and homemade bread for dinner, and then this cake, and I'm really looking forward to that.

I saw a new kind of apple at my grocery store that I'd never had before--Cosmic Crisp??--so I bought a few, and it was so tart and (yes) crisp and yummy.

[paracosmic-gt]

Yo! Just found ur blog and gotta say, I love your art. I have to know tho, what’s ur favorite food to consistently eat and what’s ur thoughts on rolling chairs

Thank you so much for the ask anon 🦎

We would eat gnocchi every day of the week if possible. With any sauce, although our go-tos are tomato based, gorgonzola, spinach, and brown butter.

Rolling chairs are baller we have 2 of them and one is for the cat to sleep on.

[artist-of-the-gnocchi-cave]

Where are the Gnocchi caves located? What's in there?

Deep in the mountains sit a silly little cave made of uncooked Gnocchi. I’m it sits a gremlin artist who can’t stop drawing with bad carpal tunnel in both wrists.

Thank you for the ask anon! This was a really fun ask to receive skdghj

[whentherewerebicycles]

another sundogs outtake from yesterday. I got up at 5:30 and have spent the morning reading in bed (thanks to the anon who recommended the queer conception book—just finished it and liked it a lot). I cried a bunch last night blah blah blah all these big feelings but it was at least a little bit cathartic and I feel a bit better today. I worked out a plan for the june cycle: same increased dosage and extra monitoring as last time, but I’ll also start taking supplements and will track ovulation signs myself instead of relying on the doctor’s timeline. I’m also going to use a different donor from a different bank and will request a double IUI (probably at 12 hours post trigger shot and 24-36 hours tbd). this will cost more sigh but the new bank has cheaper rates and free local delivery so it shouldn’t be prohibitively expensive. I also revisited my budget to try to put my mind at ease about expenses. I wouldn’t say my financial sitch is ideal but I’m also not actively stressed about it and I do have a backup plan (tutoring 4-5 hours a week) if I find I need more of a cushion to cover babymaking expenses.

mmkay. it’s almost 9:30 now now—what do I want to do with the day?

I would like to get up right now and take Pip over to the big field to run with the other dogs who come to play there on Sunday mornings. I will also put on my running clothes when I go to encourage myself to head back over and go for a quick run after I drop him off

easy one mile run in the lovely cool weather

meal plan for the week. actually I bet I can do this right now. I have ingredients for a pita + chickpea salad recipe that I’ll make today, and then I have a range of things in the fridge I need to use up: asparagus, pesto, ricotta, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, feta, avocado, and maybe another random veggie or two. I also have gnocchi leftovers I can finish for lunch today. I think I’ll try to avoid a grocery run since I’m gone all next weekend. maybe I can roast the cauliflower and add that (plus a grain base?) to this chickpea salad to make it last for more meals. then I can do a simple pesto pasta dish with asparagus + cherry tomatoes to cover the rest of the week (with PB&J sandwiches and avocado toast with scrambled eggs to fill any gaps)

do an hour of background reading for work (although as always I can stop the second it starts feeling like work!)

long podcast walk with the dogs—maybe drive somewhere new today as I’m getting very bored of our usual routes

do laundry + change sheets/duvet cover

talk to liz about job search stuff later today

see if I can finish crooked kingdom (or get in a good long stretch of sustained reading… maybe I’ll put the hammock up on the back deck and read outside this afternoon

[strawberry-metal]

This is great... what you two have TTvTT

I’mma be real with ya. I drank alot. I’m still kinda drunk lmao. I’ll try to remember. I believe I had gnocchi with mushrooms and truffles with herbs, and pannacotta for desert, and he had a well done.. .steak? With chocolate and gellato for desert~

Edit: BRUH THATS HOW YOU KNOW IM DRUNK I MISREAD THIS ASK COMPLETELY LMAO. Thank you anon ;w;

[xthemandylorianx]

I think gnocchi might be best for when dinner comes around and ramen for lunch

I think that sounds like an excellent plan thank you anon! And I have a Lambrusco in the fridge that I think will be perfect with the gnocchi :)

[a-sleepy-gnocchi]

Hey who's beyond birthday because I don't remember

Hey anon!

Beyond Birthday was originally going to be one of L’s successors (one of the original 2, which was him and A). He ended up leaving Wammy’s and becoming a serial killer. He was behind the LA:BB murders which is what Another Note is about. It’s the only DN media he’s really in I believe, though it’s not strictly canon as far as I understand (like not just briefly mentioned I mean - someone please correct me if I’m wrong though!).

He’s a really fun character, I wish they’d turn Another Note into a oneshot anime or something

[gandalfs-mommy-milkers]

Damn baby that sucks wanna get some Olive Garden

yes pls

[jeanmoreaux]

the questions of this accent challenge:

What’s your name & username?

Where are you from?

What’s the time where you are?

Pronounce the following words: Meme, Pepe, Doge, Sudoku, Espresso, Celtic, Açaí, Dr. Seuss.

What’s your favourite pizza place? Favourite pizza topping?

What’s your favourite dessert?

What’s your favourite food? What food do you hate?

What’s your favourite TV show? Which show were you into, but then got out of?

What brand is your phone?

Do you speak a second language?

How do you define a group of people when you’re talking to them? Do you say ‘guys,’ or ‘dudes’ or?

What Harry Potter house do you most identify with? If sorted by Pottermore, did you agree with the one you got?

Is there something you should be doing right now but are procrastinating?

Now that you’ve talked about what you need to be doing, go do it!

[vampswillhurtyou]

Hi Jo !! Favorite pairing and favorite comfort food ?

anon hi !! 💖

favorite pairing would be joe and nicky lol but other than the obvious i would say clint/bucky and enjolras/grantaire (if you like them too come scream in my inbox lol)

favorite comfort food i dont really know but i guess i always find happiness in a big plate of gnocchi al pomodoro 

[wheeler-beretta-harwood]

Meant To Be (Cash Wheeler x Reader)

Chapter Ten

Warning: smut, 18+ only

A/N: so, this is where I need your support, dear readers. Tell me what you think about the smut (anon. if you want)

You had spoiled your birthday boy all day. You made him his favorite breakfast. Peppered his face with kisses which made him giggle, a sound you hadn't previously heard of him. You prepared decorations, drinks, and food for the party. You even cooked for him again, salmon with spinach and gnocchi.

Right now, you had Pawla bring him his birthday present from you.

"Good girl." He said while padding the spot to his right for her to sit next to him. Then, he looked up at you, and padded the spot on his left for you. You laughed and sat down.

"What? I don't get called a good girl?"

He leaned closer to you, his lips ghosting along your neck until they reached your ear. "I can't say it out loud 'cause Pawla will get jealous, but you're my best girl." He whispered before gently biting your earlobe, eliciting a small whimper from you. You shivered at his touch, and pouted when he moved to sit straight again, carefully unwrapping the package in his lap.

When he was done, he looked at the book in front of him.

RUMO by Walter Moers.

He had never heard of it, nor of the author.

"It's one of my favorite books. Thought I'd share it with you. It's not a classic though, sorry."

He smiled down at it, and opened it to find a handwritten note on the first page.

Cash,

my dear, sweet Cash. Happy birthday! 34, you're really kind of old now ;-P

It may seem cheesy, but I thought this book would make a great gift. Books are what brought us together after all. I hold it dear to my heart - it's at its core a love story, but no lovey dovey shit, I swear! There's also a lot of fighting in it, so maybe that evens it out for you?

I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do.

Again, happy birthday, and thank you for always being there for me.

Love, Y/N

His smile grew bigger with every word he read, and when he finished, he kissed you passionately while running his fingers through your hair. That was when he heard a light thud and moved to look down at his feet. An envelope had fallen out of the book.

"Y/N I swear, if this is another paycheck..."

You laughed at him and shook your head no.

He opened it and jumped a little, feeling his adrenaline rise. "Really? How'd you get these?"

"What do you mean? I've bought the tickets."

"It was sold out in like an hour!"

"Well, believe it or not, I can be fast if I want to be." You retorted. "Emma helped too, we both went online once the tickets went on sale."

"Thank you, you're the best." He kissed you again, roughly this time, smiling against your lips. "You do realize that you're the one I'm going to take with me?"

"What?! No!! I don't want to see Orville Peck live!" You over-dramatically put your hand against your forehead as if you were about to faint.

"Too bad, you're coming with me!" He leaned closer to you, so close that you tumbled back on the couch. You giggled as he pulled you back up and pressed your body against his, pecking your lips over and over again.

---------------------------------------

By 7 P.M., all of the guests had arrived and were scattered around Cash's backyard.

Most of the guys had already stripped down to nothing but their swimming trunks while the majority of women wore fancy dresses. You felt utterly underdressed with your oversized FTR shirt and the black shorts as you stood inside, peeking out at the crowded place.

Truth be told, you weren't so sure if you were actually stripping down to your bikini today. You had been rather confident in yourself after Cash complimented your butt, but ever since your meeting with Lindsay, you became more and more self-aware. Your legs were way shorter, and your thighs were so much bigger than hers. Your hair didn't have the same shine, and your skin didn't glow like hers did. Not to mention those boobs...These people outside were expecting someone like that, and you obviously were a downgrade from her.

If you were honest with yourself, you'd prefer to hide in the guest room until they left.

"What's with the frown, darlin?" You hadn't even realized Cash had come up to you. You shook your head at him. "I just don't feel so good. Maybe if I get some rest..."

"You seemed to be fine a few minutes ago. What's wrong, dove? Come on, tell me. If you're worried about my friends, they're all nice people and will like you, trust me."

"I'm underdressed." You sheepishly said, fully aware that you sounded like an idiot.

Cash chuckled. "Darlin, if you're asking me, you're dressed just fine. I love seeing you in one of our shirts. And if anything is wrong with your outfit, it's the fact that you're wearing anything else but the bikini." He wrapped his arm around your waist and lifted your chin up to look at him.

"I'm serious, Cash. These are all trained athletes and gorgeous women. And...and they..."

"And they what?"

"They...probably expect someone at 'Lindsay level'. Not chubby old me."

Cash let go of you and took a step back. His face was serious now, way too serious for your liking. Maybe you hit the nail on the head.

Your heart sank at the thought of it.

"Wait here. I'll be back in a second." You watched him walk outside, putting on a fake smile for his friends before walking over to where Dax and his wife Maria were chatting with John Skyler. Cash said something to them, to which Maria nodded while her husband looked over to you. Shortly after that, Cash was back inside and grabbed your hand.

"Come with me." He said, and when you didn't move, he threw you over his shoulder and moved upstairs. At first, you protested, trying your best to get your feet back on the ground, but soon figured it was no use; Cash was way stronger than you. And he was determined.

He needed to show you how beautiful you were.

When he put you down your eyes wandered around to see where he brought you, but he was blocking your view. Cash closed the door behind you and the moment he did, pinned you against it. His lips were on yours, more ardently than ever before. His tongue licked your lower lip, begging for entrance. You automatically parted your lips and Cash's tongue slided in your mouth, dancing around his twin while his hands glided down on both your sides. It felt so good you couldn't suppress the moan escaping you as a pleasant shiver ran down your back. When his hands reached the hem of your shirt, he swiftly pulled it up, only breaking away from you to take it off of you before carelessly throwing it into the room.

The sensation of his bare skin against yours took your breath away. Yes, you had placed your hands on his chest before, but that was different then, just a small gesture of affection - and it happened only because he was working in nothing but trunks. But this right here, right now was purely sexual. And it was driving you insane.

You hadn't even realized he had pulled down your shorts until he took a few steps back and his dilated pupils roamed all over your body. His gaze suddenly made you nervous, so you lifted your arms to cover your body somewhat.

"Don't, babygirl. It's just - you're beautiful. I knew you'd look amazing in red, but fuck, you're so hot."

He moved back to you, his lips pressing sweetly against yours as he took one of your legs, grabbed your butt and lifted you up. You gasped and wrapped your legs around his waist, arms draped around his neck.

As he carried you through the room, you could feel his growing bulge. A faint sense of pride rushed through your mind: you were the cause of his arousal.

"Cash, I-" you mumbled against his lips in between kisses. You couldn't finish your sentence as he put his index finger on your lips and gently laid you down on the bed - his bed, you assumed, you hadn't seen his bedroom before.

"Shh, darlin. Let me take care of you and show you just how beautiful you are." His lips ghosted along your jaw before they moved down to trail kisses along your neck. When he found your sweet spot, a whimper escaped your lips and he made sure to pay extra attention to it. His touch was so tender, you had a feeling you'd melt into the blanket beneath you.

Cash ran his hand along your thigh, your waist all the way up to lightly squeeze your clothed breast while his other hand untied your top and pulled it down. Once he was finished, his mouth travelled to your now bared breasts. He squeezed one of them again while his mouth captured the other, his tongue swirling around the sensitive nub before gently biting down at it. When he did, you moaned out his name, running your fingers through his hair. You were more than comfortable now, lust overtook your body - it was all you could focus on.

He looked up to you and smiled. "You sound so sexy when you moan my name. You have no idea what you do to me, darlin." He said as he trailed open mouth kisses down your stomach, over your hip bone until he reached the inside of your thigh.

"Show me what I do to you, Cash. Please." You almost begged, but couldn't care less. You needed him. All of him. Now.

He looked up to you once more and nodded. Before he got up from the bed, he placed a kiss on the red fabric of your bikini bottom and pulled it down with his index fingers while you lifted your hips up to aid him.

Damn, he really wanted to taste your sweetness, but now was not the time or the place. Not with this many people in the house. Still, he couldn't get the thought out of his mind.

Your eyes roamed all over his body as he stood in front of you, slowly, almost teasingly getting rid of his shorts. He looked like some fine artists had his body carved out of marble. He was flawless, you loved everything about him: his thighs, his arms, his chest, his cock. There wasn't a damn thing about his body you would have changed.

Cash looked at you for a moment before glancing over to his nightstand. "Do we need protec-"

"I'm on birth control and free of STDs. Baby, come here!" You pleaded while making grabby hands. You needed to touch him so badly.

For a second, he thought about teasing you a bit, but he honestly couldn't wait any longer either. So he crawled back on the bed and positioned himself between your legs.

His tip brushed against your entrance before Cash slowly sunk into you, a lustful groan leaving his mouth. Your mind went completely blank when you felt him stretch you oh so deliciously, your head thrown back against the pillows. Once he was fully inside you, he paused. Your hands held onto his back, fingernails digging into his skin.

"Oh my God, Cash. Fuck!" You felt yourself clench around his length. You had never felt so pleasantly full your entire life. He grunted as a response.

After a few moments, he cupped your face and looked down at you, silently asking for your permission to move. You nodded your head, and he began to slowly thrust into you. His pace was steady and gentle. He wanted you to feel that he loved your body. All of it.

It felt amazing to you, but you needed more of him.

"Faster, baby." He gladly fullfilled your wish as he thrusted faster and harder into you, and soon both your moans and the sound of skin slapping against skin were filling the room. He loved the way your breasts bounced with every thrust, it was mezmerizing, almost hypnotic. While pounding into you, he moved one of his hands up to your chest and played with the hard nipple which caused you to arch your back. As a response, your hands moved from his arms to his chest, rubbing his pecs before you pulled him down for a heated kiss. The new angle sent a whole new wave of pleasure through your body and made you moan loudly. When you pulled apart, your eyes locked again, darkened with need. God, he was so incredibly attractive, and he must've thought the same about you. Your legs wrapped around his hips, heels digging into his butt cheeks, pushing him even further into you with every movement.

"Just like that baby, I'm so close." You felt the burning sensation in your stomach, your orgasm slowly approaching. He could feel it too, your walls were getting tighter and tighter around him. He fastened his pace once more, wanting to send you over the edge before he, too, came. His hand travelled down to your clit, rubbing circles into the sensitive bud of nerves with his thumb.

This was too much pleasure for your body and soon your juices coated his length. You closed your eyes and wanted to scream his name as you felt your orgasm rushing through you, but all that left your mouth was a weak whimper. You were completely blissed out of your mind.

Cash kept up the pace, drawing out your orgasm as long as he could before his hips started to stutter and he reached his own peak. He collapsed over you, face buried in the crook of your neck, moaning your name before groaning as his cock started twitching inside you, coating your walls with his seed.

None of you moved for a few moments, until Cash lifted his head up and lovingly pressed his lips against yours before pulling out of you and rolling over to lie next to you. You immediately missed the warmth of his body, so you turned to him and snuggled into his side. Both of you were panting, slowly coming down from your high.

He wrapped his arm around you and kissed the top of your head while your hand drew invisible patterns into his chest, loving the feeling of his chest hair against your fingertips.

"Do you feel better, darlin?"

"Uh-huh. That was......wow."

He smiled up at the ceiling. "Yeah, wow."

After a few more minutes of calming down, he turned his head towards you. "Come on, babygirl, let's get cleaned up so we can go back. People might get suspicious otherwise." He said as he stood up from the bed and held his hand out to you.

Right, the party. You had forgotten about all the guests downstairs. So you both went to the bathroom and then got dressed again. As soon as you had your bikini back on, Cash rested his head on your shoulder before placing soft kisses all over it, his beard tickling your skin. "There is no way the black one would have looked this good. You are so fucking beautiful in red."

You blushed a little and nuzzled against his body. God, he made your knees weak so easily.

"Now where's my shirt?" You scanned the whole room for it, and that's when your eyes landed on his nightstand. A photo leaned against the waterbottle that sat on it. As you moved closer to investigate, you realized it was a picture of him with you at one of your book club meetings. You were both laughing brightly.

When he realized what caught your attention, he explained. "Dax took it from afar. Said I needed to see how happy I was. It's the only photo I got of us." Then he handed you your shirt that he'd found.

"Looks like we need to take some more, baby. And would you send this one to me?" You smiled at him before getting fully dressed. Once you were, you took his hand in yours and you both made your way down to the pool. Before you headed outside, there was one question you needed answered. "Cash...you didn't tell Dax what we were about to do when you went outside...Did you?!"

A breathy laughter left his mouth. "No, darlin, I said you didn't feel that good, and we'd get you some water and Aspirin. Plus maybe you needed to talk."

You nodded your head, glad he hadn't been that straightforward.

And his excuse was actually a blessing in disguise because every now and then, when you were at the party talking to the guests, the thought of what you had done while people were waiting outside, the thought of Cash's naked body and the way he made you feel, made you zone out.

But he had provided you a wonderful excuse for it.

Later in the evening, you had multiple shots of Tequila with Maria and Dax, who was bewildered when you had told him you were a 'tequila virgin', and you were tipsy enough to not care anymore and just get in the goddamn pool already. You had eyed the calm water surface long enough. So you finally stripped down to your red garment, and cannonballed into the water.

Cash saw from his lounger where he had a chat with Nathan Cruz and smiled to himself. Then he stood up and jumped in the pool as well, capturing one of your legs and pulling you towards him. You laughed and once he was within reach, pushed his head under water, but only to be dragged down along with him. Under water, his lips pressed against yours and didn't leave them when you both resurfaced.

Then, you heard multiple splashes around you. Most of the guys and a few ladies had followed your lead.

When you pulled away, you laughed brightly at him.

"Now it's finally a real pool party!"

Cash looked at you. He had never admired a human being as much as you. You had gone through so much hardship, were struggling so much with your inner demons. And yet you were his guiding light. Whenever he doubted himself or was in need for support, your face popped up in his mind, and he knew he could do it, whatever 'it' was. He'd do it for you.

"And now, the fight we've been waiting for for years: who is the better half of FTR?! Will it be Dax Harwood, with his wife Maria? Or will it be newfound lovers Cash Wheeler and Y/N?!" John's voice ripped him out of his thought and he turned around to see Maria on Dax's shoulders triumphantly posing for the crowd.

Cash looked at you, and you answered his unspoken question. "Let's kick their asses, baby!" He dived underneath you and lifted you up on his shoulders. You gripped his head until you found your balance and yelled over to Maria.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll make it quick!"

Cash smiled again before moving forward so you could attack.

God, confident you was sexy as hell.

Chapter Eleven

[squadrah]

From My CuriousCat

"I’d absolutely love to hear your take on La Squadra's favorite foods or drinks!"

The original question included some very kind words and I want to thank the Anon, whoever it was, for being so nice to me in the past!

Risotto: His absolute favorite is gnocchi; he even has a traditonal wooden gnocchi shaper in the common kitchen for the purpose. Will have it with any topping, but prefers either something light (basil, tomato, etc.) or a thick ragú. Drinks mulled tea, as he won't touch alcohol.

Formaggio: He adores his mother's cooking, especially her goulash. He once snuck back home just to grab her recipe for it, but when Risotto finally made it for him, Formaggio claimed it just wasn't the same. Loves a good mojito, it cheers him up instantly no matter what.

Prosciutto: His number one spot is shared by beef tartare and osso buco, one for the raw, perfectly seasoned tenderloin and the other specifically for the marrow. If he could, he would order one or the other at any given restaurant, followed by a cafè corretto alla sambuca.

Pesci: He could probably subsist on fried calamari if they let him, he relishes sea food and the warm crunch of the batter, with or without a splash of lemon. Loves cuoppo in general, but fried calamari is his favorite. Also milkshakes: he has never met a flavor combination he didn't like.

Ghiaccio: He hates himself for it, but he loves chocolate anything, and the fudgier and richer it is, the more he will crave it. Also learned to love tofu when well seasoned and prepared; if the texture hits right, he's in heaven. The only one who actually enjoys flavored mineral water.

Melone: All he wants in life is a gluten-free margherita pizza that tastes good and has excellent texture; Risotto has been experimenting, so they're getting there. Can't really have alcohol because of all his medication, so he learned to embrace virgin piña coladas.

Illuso: Has grown extremely fond of his own microwave cuisine, but also got very addicted to ragú the way Risotto makes it, and could eat it straight out of the pot with some ciabatta well before it ever finished cooking. Loves horchatas, but has to go out of his way to get them so it's a rare treat.

Sorbet: He's absolutely pining for a good cevapi; it used to be a special treat in his youth, something that signalled brighter days coming, so now he is very nostalgic for it. Enjoys most hot beverages, but especially likes a rich hot chocolate with a splash of cognac.

Gelato: For him, nothing beats a great stew with homemade noodles, and by that I mean a huge pot of the stuff with chunks of meat, plenty of fatty bits, and as much chili as humanly possible. They think he's crying in pain, but those are tears of joy. His favorite is any kind of bitters: medicinal booze, baby!

[knoepfchen]

this is one of my all time fav tog comfort fics: /works/26550265 the descriptions of the magic, and joe's characterization are so so lovely!! you may have already read it but i think it's wonderful enough for multiple rereads!!

Thank you for sending me this when I asked for TOG comfort fics last week, nonnie!

I received a bunch of recs, which (like this one^^) I'd already read, so I thought I'd pull my favourites together into one big rec post that I can add to when the need arises.

Laurel's TOG fic recs for rainy days and cold nights (Kaysanova edition)

chrysalis by @bewires (Kaysanova, E, 38k, modern AU) What can I say about the pumpkin gnocchi verse that hasn't been said already? It's the ultimate comfort fic; it has comfort food, healing family dynamics (found and biological), comfort sex (both first time and established!), and Joe and Nicky giving each other the unwavering support you only get when your love is one for the ages. Also, they have a cat. This fic takes you on an emotional rollercoaster but makes sure your seatbelt stays on the entire time.

men of their word by @sixth-light (Kaysanova, E, 18k, history-flavoured AU) I would wholeheartedly recommend EVERYTHING on sixthlight's AO3, but there are two things they do better than almost anyone in this fandom: Idiots to lovers plots and (history-flavoured) royality AUs. I can't make this post without at least mentioning the 'very dumb academics' verse and 'all winners here' for comfort reads, but 'men of their word' is a perfect mix of the two things above, with a bit of identity porn thrown in for free.

the profession of my fingers by @werebearbearbar (Kaysanova, E, 25k, canon) Most people tend to rec Melly's 'we could be an ancient tale' or 'there's a trick with a knife (i'm learning to do)' AUs, which are both excellent and deeply sexy longer reads, but my favourite of hers is this first one I read. Just Joe and Nicky loving each other through the ages, working through some emotions, and getting in and out of hairy situations (I'm sorry!). It's brilliantly researched, and exactly fills the gap canon leaves you with right after watching the film.

I did think, let's go about this slowly by @emjee (Kaysanova, M, 10k, modern AU) There are. so. many. fics. of emjee's I'd recommend, but this one is PEAK comfort fic. First of all, Joe and Nicky both work at a library, it's a delicious little slowburn, and it comes to a head on a snow day. Does it get any more comforting than that?

with rome below us by whimsicule (Kaysanova, Gen, 13k, academic AU) A fic based on this post by @tovezza, you know, the one with Nicky being a priest and Joe being a professor, they meet in Jerusalem and then things happen. This one is told from Nile's POV (she's Joe's PhD student) and does the most marvellous job of it.

The Pride Pact by @kaydeefalls (Kaysanova, M, 20k, modern AU) Joe is new in town and as he falls in with Nicky's friend group they promise each other "not to make it weird" by sleeping with one another. You can imagine how well it goes. More than that though, this fic is incredibly warm inside out, funny and sweet, and it gives you their friendship before it gives you their relationship, and you'll love it for that.

Familiar (but new) every time by Yuliares (Gen-ish, T, 13k, post-canon) Reccing this because I've never agreed with their characterisation more, feels like it could genuinely be something that happens after the film and the sequel. A great fic for all your found family needs.

you know i dreamed about you (before i saw you) by BeeLove (Kaysanova, E, 20k, witch!Joe AU) This is the fic anon recommended! It's SUCH a cute read, with witch!Joe moving into a cottage by the woods and finding a cursed rabbit. He tries to help by breaking the rabbit's spell (you may guess who the rabbit is), and it's honestly just so good and atmospheric, like a walk through the forest. There's beautiful fanart too!

Bonus: The Voice of Experience by @werebearbearbar & @morallygreywaren (Kaysanova, T, 22k, modern AU) Look, this is basically a self-rec, but it is a very comforting fic: Think "You've Go Mail", think food blog, think snarky Joe and Nicky, thinl epistolary idenity porn, think falling in love with the same person twice. It was a great experience to write and it's an easy, comforting read :)