#the other zoey blurbs

[inthemytdl]

Game Day

Pairing: Zach MacLaren x Zoey Miller

Summary: Zach & Zoey play soccer!

They were halfway through their game day and Zoey had beaten Zach in almost everything. She had several chess wins under her belt and one win in paper football, which prior to today she didn’t know was even a thing. Her mind was still reeling from the wins when Zach suggested they juggle a soccer ball.

Zoey wasn’t sure what he meant by juggle. The only juggling she knew was by hand, preferably with something soft that wouldn’t hit her in the head. Again. But when Zach pulled a soccer ball down from the top shelf of a closet, she knew she was in for something entirely different.

“Oh... you meant juggle a ball?” Her voice was as shaky and dubious as she felt. “We shouldn’t… We could break something.”

“I’m seriously offended by how little you trust our soccer skills,” Zach said. “Just control the ball. It’ll be fine.” 

The ball in question was old and dusty. And probably more flat than it should’ve been. Zach blew the dust away and dropped the ball to the floor before picking it up with his feet. The ball balanced on his toes as he passed it from one foot to another before kicking it to Zoey, who against her better wishes, flinched.

“I wasn’t ready!” she shouted.

“If you stay ready you won’t have to get ready.” Zach chased the ball and handed it to her. “Here. You start,” he said.

Zoey took a deep breath. She knew how soccer worked. She watched a few games with her dad the days before he and her mom split, but had never actually played before. The cocky part of her—the part that believed everything could be solved with numbers and algorithms—believed she would do well, if she ever got a chance. If she could deconstruct the architectural design of a building with geometry, surely she could kick a ball with her feet. How hard could it possibly be? 

She held the ball above her foot and let it drop to the ground, then she picked it up with her other foot like Zach did, hopping around on one leg until she built up enough courage to pass it to her other foot.

A smile stretched across her face as she caught the ball.

“Oh my god,” she said. “I did it!”

“Right, now pass it to me.” Zach stepped back, awaiting the ball.

Zoey nodded and launched it his way. Only she must’ve done something wrong because it curled to the side, flying past him and into a vase. She watched as Zach’s jaw dropped comically slow, and a wave of guilt shot through her as his blue eyes trailed the ceramic pieces now scattered on the wooden floor.

“I am so sorry!" She rushed to collect the pieces.

How much would the vase cost to replace? Tens? Hundreds? She wasn’t sure. But mostly she worried about Zach, who would now know for sure that she wasn’t a real soccer player. A real player would control the ball. Pass it with ease and accuracy. 

“Don’t worry about it,” Zach said, crouching down next to her. His amber scent engulfed her as his eyes met hers and any worry she had diminished. “Careful. You might cut yourself.”

She wished his warning came sooner when a speck of red emerged from a slit on her finger. A burning feeling accompanied the wound and she stuck the finger in her mouth to reduce it.

“I’ll get a bandaid,” Zach said.

Moments later he returned with a blue bandage to wrap her finger in. His eyes shifted away from her as he swept the remainder of the ceramic bits in a dust pan and she plopped down on the couch to watch.

“Sorry about that. I’m a little off my game today.” 

“You don’t have to be sorry,” Zach said. “It was my idea to play inside.” He joined her on the couch, laying his head down on her lap as if nothing had ever happened. “At least now we know who the better soccer player is.”

Zoey bopped him on his head, feeling unusably defensive of the soccer playing Zoey that wasn’t her. Would that Zoey have beaten him? 

They sat in comfortable silence as she ran a hand through his short hair.

“Wanna play battletoads?” Zach asked.

“Sure,” she said. And somehow she felt jealous of Zoey Wallace. The Zoey she never knew and could never be. Because if this was her life, then she was pretty damn lucky. “Let’s go play battletoads.”

———

a/n: this is my attempt at learning to write in 3rd person

[vitamin-zeeth]

Yesterday I picked up a second hand book for £2 because it looked AWFUL and I thought it'd be funny and I cannot wait to start reading it

[kuiperblog]

Book Review: I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom

I have finished reading I'm Starting to Worry About this Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin.

The premise of this book is simple, and rather than trying to summarize it myself, I will give you the author's blurb:

One day, a woman you've never met before offers you $100,000 in cash to drive her across the country—half now, half when you arrive. It’s a 2,600-mile trip, but there's a catch. She has a large, locked black box, big enough for someone to crawl inside. You're not allowed to look inside the box or even ask questions about it. She insists you leave behind all devices that can be tracked—no phone, no laptop, no credit cards, no GPS. You'll be paying with cash and navigating with a paper map the entire way. And finally, you can't tell anyone where you're going. There's no time to think; she says you must leave now. You hesitate, and she doubles the offer. Would you do it? Maybe, if you're brave or desperate enough. And besides, you think, what’s the worst that could happen?

I read it. I enjoyed it! I think it's my favorite Jason Pargin novel. One of the things that I have always liked about his novels are the fun action set pieces, and the way he builds tension throughout a scene, and across an entire book. He delivers on that here, and I am incredibly impressed with how he managed to stick the landing on this one: near the end of the book, I found myself thinking, "there's no way that this could have a climax that manages to surprise me without being a total letdown," but he proved me wrong: the big climax was completely unexpected, yet expertly "earned" by all the little bits that built up to it. It really all came together in the end in a way that far exceeded my expectations.

Jason writes humorous books, or so I've been told. I enjoy his Zoey Ashe books, and they are fun, but I've never found them to be particularly "funny." The Zoey Ashe series presents lots of absurd situations that entertained me, but none that really tickled my funny bone. However, Black Box of Doom made me laugh out loud multiple times. Maybe it's the fact that, unlike Zoey Ashe (which is science fiction), Black Box of Doom is set in "our world" in a way that feels incredibly true to life. And it feels like "our world" in a way that a lot of "real world" stories don't, largely thanks to the specificity.

Rendering the world we live in with high specificity is risky, because it's the sort of thing that is prone to "age rapidly," but I think that in 10 years, people will look back on this as an interesting period piece about 2020's culture. When Jason Pargin writes about TikTok, and Reddit, and Twitch, and the way the characters in his book engage with these platforms, you get a sense that he understands them deeply, and he is more interested in rendering them in high fidelity than he is in making a value judgment about them, or trying to poke fun at them. And yet, because he understands them so deeply, he also understands all of the things about them that are deeply funny and absurd, and so he can render those parts to great humorous effect without ever having to exaggerate. The moments of absurdity that manage to be pointed without feeling artificially "heightened" are some of the funniest, and give the book a very Dave Barry-esque quality.

Pargin ends the book with an afterward about karma how does not exist in this universe: this is a book where bad things can happen to people who behave well, and good things can happen to people who behave poorly. That much seems obvious enough that it seems unnecessary to explain it in a disclaimer, but Pargin wishes to disclaim something more specific: he wants us to know that if good things happen to a character, that is not a case of the author "rewarding" the character for being "right," nor are the bad things that happen to other characters in a case of Pargin "punishing" them for being "wrong."

Before editing this post, I wrote the previous paragraph about how "sometimes good things happen to bad people, and sometimes bad things happen to good people." But I rewrote those sentences, because I think that Pargin would reject the essentialist framing of "good person" vs "bad person." Everyone you know has done bad things at some point in their lives, and everyone you know has good qualities that might cause you to like them in certain contexts. Can anyone really make a judgment about whether that makes them a "good person" or "bad person?" If you go through someone's life looking for the one piece of evidence that will allow you to render a "good person or bad person" view of them, you will end up with a pretty low-fidelity picture of who they are, and a pretty low-fidelity picture of how the world works. All of the characters in this book do things that you probably don't approve of. Some of those things might even make you dislike them. But all of the characters in this book are fun to spend time with.

There are two interesting tricks that Jason Pargin pulls in Black Box of Doom that played with my expectations. One of which comes near the beginning, and one of which comes near the middle. Anyway, this is the part of the review where I get into descriptions that are specific enough to feel like spoilers.

First, the part that you learn as you read the first chapter:

Part of what Pargin does with his blurb is invite you to consider: what kind of man would be brave or desperate enough to accept someone offering $100,000 in cash to transport a mysterious black box across the country with no phone or GPS? What kind of hardened badass would accept a deal that is obviously pulling him into a world full of legally-questionable shenanigans and people who are obviously up to no good, with the confidence that he'd be able to handle himself in that hardscrabble world and come out alive?

And the answer is that the main character is none of those things. He's not brave; he's cowardly. He's not strong; he's weak. In fact, that's how he gets roped into this situation: he's anxiety-ridden. He's really bad with confrontation; he doesn't know how to handle conflict. And that is why he essentially allows himself to get bullied into participating in this insane errand: he doesn't know how to put his foot down and say "no." He tries to take the path of least resistance, basically procrastinating on the task of saying "I'm sorry, I can't help you," thinking "maybe if I go along with this, there will be a better opportunity for me to say no later," and of course once the ball gets rolling he can't stop it.

So, in a sense, the main character is kind of the opposite of who you think he would be based on the elevator pitch, and it's funny, and yet true-to-life, and makes for a story full of ways to put that socially-anxious guy into all sorts of crazy situations that he things are way beyond his capacity. And yet, of course, he deals with all of them, as best he can, because he must, and that's what most of life is.

Then there's something we find out partway through the story, closer to around the middle of the book.

You see, Jason Pargin has done yet another head fake with the main character, leading us to think one way before revealing something that feels almost the opposite. There is a real sense in which this story starts off with a poor put-upon guy who is roped into traveling across the country with a mysterious woman. You spend a good portion of the early part of the book fearing for his safety. He's here, but he doesn't particularly want to be here, and it's deeply unfortunate that he's stuck with the woman who roped him into this tense and chaotic mess.

But this is a road trip novel, and as the story goes on, you get a better sense of who these characters are, the cowardly driver, and the woman who hired him. You see more and more glimpses of the sort of people they are as they confront various situations. And, over time, you shift from feeling like he's deeply unfortunate to be stuck here with her (and gosh I'm terrified of what might happen to him if things go wrong), to starting to think about how deeply unfortunate she is to be stuck with him (and gosh I'm terrified of what might happen to her if things go wrong).

Just in the same way the blurb book invites us to think, "what kind of brave or desperate person would accept this insane business proposition," we're also left to contemplate, "what kind of brave, desperate person would offer this kind of insane business proposition?" What kind of woman would find herself in a situation where she was hailing a Lyft, and then ambushing the driver to tell him that she was ready to pay him six figures, in cash, to drive her and a box to the other end of the country?

That is one of many questions that is answered by the text of the book. I enjoyed discovering the answer, and many of the other answers we encounter along the way.

[lavendermunson]

˖ ⠀🎄 ݁ . leia’s christmas tree farm!

happy holidays to everyone! i wish you all so much happiness and love. i’m a pretty big fan of this month because i get to celebrate it big and i want you to join the party

i put together a list of prompts that will help me to make a blurb for either eddie or steve, there’s 13 of them because it’s my lucky number and tay’s so at the end you will have 13 blurbs from me before christmas!

the prompts:

Gingerbread eddie munson

Christmas lights steve harrington

Cards eddie munson

Ribbon steve harrington

Candles eddie munson

Gifts steve harrington

Angel steve and eddie

Red velvet steve harrington

Snow steve harrington

Scarf eddie munson

Bells eddie munson

Christmas tree eddie munson NEW!

Mistletoe steve harrington NEW!

stand alone:

i want you, bless my soul eddie munson

each one of them will have their content warnings

˖ ⠀🎅🏻 ݁ . but hey, it doesn’t end here. you can also request a gift from santa!!

send the magic word jingle bell + the name of the character + the theme or an au/song/movie for a moodboard. specify nsfw or fluff.

songs by: taylor swift, lana del rey, sabrina carpenter, artic monkeys or any christmas song.

movies: christmas [ love actually, the holiday, while you were sleeping, holidate, something from tiffany’s, last christmas, christmas land, christmas prince, let it snow] some romcoms [ 27 dresses, how to lose a man in ten days, laws of attraction, 10 things i hate about you, she is all that, the proposal, love actually, when harry met sally, 13 going on 30, pretty woman, nothing hill, cinderella story, pretty woman, made of honor, confessions of a shopaholic, nothing hill, princess diaries, love at first sight, the other zoey]

send the magic word candy cane + name of the character + the prompt for a blurb * as an extra you can add an au of your choosing. specify nsfw, smut, fluff, angst.

list of prompts for this event:

gift giving prompts

mistletoe adventures

scenarios + dialogues

au’s: rockstar!au, dad!au, mechanic!au, older!au, bestfriend!au, roommate!au, coworker!au, barista!au, baker!au, daddy!au, fwb!au – rockstar!reader, singer!reader, shy!reader, bookworm!reader, girly!reader.

please check my good ol’ request guidelines just in case

requests are closed!!

if you’d like to reblog this for boost i’ll appreciate, this is my first event i hope you have fun!!!! thank you for all the support 🩵🎄

dividers by @saradika

[sobeksewerrat]

Mini-Drew-Analysis for His Birthday!!

Since yesterday was my lovely Drewy-bear's birthday, I decided to write a bullshit little blurb talking about how I interpret his character, and how much (I think) people misinterpret his aggression during the drakeup.

I won't include anything about the music club, since it has been a while since I rewatched the series as a whole and memories of them interacting with Drew are kinda rusty and that deserves its own essay.

Like the Milly/Ep.3 post, I *might* briefly mention a lot of my own trauma or experiences and compare them to Drew's behaviours, so apologies in advance if that bothers you.

Now, firstly, I would like to establish his major relationships in the show since most of his characterization comes from said relationships.

ZOEY:

Droey is arguably Drew's second-most-important relationship, despite the lack of screentime (which I am really salty about).

Now, whilst I love the aroace and gay Drew headacanons, I think we can all agree that he did love Zoey to some extent. The photo in Zoey's room and the fact that he is willing to fulfil her ever wish are proof enough in my eyes.

Drew's love-language is gift-giving (same, Drew, same). It was been confirmed that his parents get him everything they want since HIS FIRST APPEARANCE.

"Well, they bought it for me last night!"

I'm mostly theorising here, but going off of this alone: Drew's parents have been (and still are) very absent in his life.

They couldn't give him enough attention nor affection when he was a kid so they just opted to shove lavish gifts and money in his face to show him their [persumed] love for him.

So, Drew grew up with the virtue that love is mainly expressed through money and expensive gifts ingrained into his head since he was a young child.

He only buys gifts for people he deeply loves and cares about, it's not just a way of flexing or getting people to like him (more on that in the Jake part).

Drew loved Zoey, from the bottom of his heart, so he bought her everything she asked for and took her on dates to the mall regularly to show her how deep his affection for her is.

That's why he was so concerned and "suspicious" when she stopped asking for so many gifts.

He wasn't worried that she was "cheating", he was worried that she didn't loved him anymore, that she was going to leave him.

Moreover, Drew is a very distrustful person by nature, and those he trusts, he trusts deeply.

Those are the only people he allows himself to be emotional around or express his interests and hobbies to, but even then he still has an invisible wall surrounding him.

He lets them be close enough to understand him on a surface level, but not close enough to see his true colours and vulnerabilities (same, Drew, same ×2. Also, Milly parallel!!).

Zoey was naturally one of those few people he trusted, and she broke that trust.

That's why he was so hurt after Zoey left him. He trusted her, he was willing to go to the ends of the earth for her, he loved her.

But she cheated on him. She took advantage of him. She broke his trust.

And even without all of the above, anybody would get scarred and hurt by their partner cheating on them, manipulating them, and using them for money (trust me, I am speaking from personal experience here).

Well, Zoey betrayed him...at least his other friends are still-

HENRIAM:

WRONG. THEY HURT HIM TOO.

Let me elaborate.

We don't get enough screentime to see Drenriam interact so I can't write about them separately (FUXK YOU JAKE AND THE NUSIC FREKA DFOR HOGFINF ALL THE SCREENTOME).

But, we know Drew cares about them. And they know it too.

"Come on, you know you love us" (Henry, Ep5)

And Drew doesn't respond. He just blushes, rolls his eyes and stays silent, which I think is confirmation enough.

"buT hE iS mEAn tO tHeM!1!1" I hear a Drew-anti cry from afar while clutching their limited-edition Jailey keychains.

My guy, my gal, my enby pal, do you even HAVE friends?!?

You're only nice for the first month or so and THAT'S IT, you've gone past the expiry date of nice and become mean and brutally insult each other lightheartedly and call each other "Freak" affectionately. Sometimes it takes even less than that.

Again, they were two of the only few people he trusted.

And they also broke that trust by hiding Zoey's cheating from him. They even think about her gold-digging as JOKE (flashback to ep2 opening scene).

"They were blackmailed!!"

I don't even think I have the patience to elaborate on why that is a stupid fucking excuse. Zoey had no dirt on Jake, no?

They could have told him to tell Drew, or they could have just told him but tell him not to tell Zoey they were the ones who told on her or whatever.

I think the only reason Drew stuck with them during the finale was because he was truly alone. He had nobody else, so he stuck with the last shred of his life before Jake left, even if he hated them now (still can't wait for the Drake-up 2.0, where Drew breaks off his friendship with Henriam and falls into deep, deep depression<44).

(WAIT FUCK THEN DRIAM WONT BE CANON SH-)

Lia(and why Dria /p will never happen imo):

Yeah no it won't happen. Lia distanced herself from Zoey,and she will definitely start hanging out with Jake and the others and completely ditch the Dromies.

Yknow just completely cut off Drew from any form of emotional support system let him SUFFER

JAKE:

Oh the dreaded part-

Here we go ig.

Jake sucks. He was a horrible friend. That is the thesis, that is the topic sentence, that is what I will start with.

Let me just document every major shitty thing Jake did that I can remember atm.

1. He blackmailed Zoey and hid the fact that she was cheating on Drew from him, which breaks his trust (I elaborated on this more in my ep.3 analysis!!)

2. He lied to Drew about being grounded to ditch him for club practice, I am not even gonna try to explain why that is super shitty anybody with 2 braincells and 2 milligrams of basic human decency (which Jake apparently lacks) should be able to realize this on their own. Especially since Drew clearly has trust and attachment issues (his clearly possessive nature of Jake, being that he is one of the closest people to home). Actually, he also lied to him at the end of ep1 wtmf

3. Trying to give his laptop away to Sean. It isn't even about how rude it is to give away an expensive gift, it is about how oblivious Jake is to Drew's feelings. He doesn't even CARE about what Drew feels at all.

Drew feels like Jake is his closest friend, like he's the only person who truly understands him, when this shows that it is quite the opposite in fact.

Jake doesn't understand that it is more than just an expensive gift given by a spoiled kid with too much money to spend. It is a symbol of how much Drew loves him (platonically or otherwise). All of the gifts he buys for him are.

Drew is emotionally-constipated. We (sadly) don't get to see how they met exactly (only one picture to elude to it). But, I think I have an idea.

Drew sees Jake, a loner who's bullied by everyone and sitting all alone. He feels bad and wants to talk to him. He doesn't know how to approach him, so he tries the only way he knows.

All of his other friends and classmates would always seem impressed and fawn over him whenever his parents would buy him something new, so maybe it would work this time?

So he approaches Jake, and offers to let him play with his new switch, because that is the only possible way (in his head) to talk to him.

It is not like Jake doesn't value Drew, but this shows how little he actually knows; that him trying to fit in has caused him to completely misunderstand Drew. Idk man I don't really like Jake so I don't like analysing him please any jake kinnie try to explain.

Now, Jake has been spending a lot of time with the music club, and that has been triggering Drew's attachment issues. What was so great about those freaks anyway??

That whole scene in ep.9 was just his attachment and validation issues on full display, an essay on jagged--dust-jacket-analysis explains way better than I ever could, so check it out!!

When Jake yells at him and leaves in ep.10 and implies that there is something Zoey is hiding it...it breaks him, for all the reasons I stated before.

After Henriam explain everything, it just confuses and hurts him more.

But why would Jake hide this from him? Wasn't he his best friend? Why is he apologising to those freaks, but not him?!

It must be that Hailey girl, she is the one fucking with his head.

He'll confront her. He'll expose her for the fraud she is, and then Jake wi-

(Look please bear with me on this part ik the drake up is a meme now but please let us try to treat it seriously for once)

"Back off, Drew"

Jake chose the freaks. Jake is defending them.

"The club is what I care about- MY FRIENDS!"

His friends?? What was he??

This...this was all for Daisy wasn't it?

What passion was he talking about?!

He never told them anything!!

Why would he hide Zoey's cheating from him!?

Wasn't he his best friend?!

Was he lying to them this whole time..?

"You're right. Drew, Henry, Liam, I'm sorry,"

He is sorry. Drew didn't bother listening to the rest. It was basically confirming what he'd already concluded.

Jake lied to him.

They all did.

"I'm sorry"

Those words were meaningless.

Sorry, sorry, sorry, that's what they all said!

Accepting this apology would make him seem weak.

Allowing Jake to abandon him would make him weak.

Breaking down crying would make him weak.

Apologising, when he'd done absolutely nothing wrong in his own eyes, would make him weak.

And if there is one thing Drew hated more than anything else, it is appearing weak.

Appearing vulnerable, letting people take advantage of him like all of his friends and his girlfriend did.

"I'm done with you,"

Drew walked away without making eye contact with anybody. He didn't even look to see if Henry and Liam were following him, and he frankly didn't care.

They were all assholes anyways.

They all used him.

Nobody mattered to him anymore. He was fine before meeting them, he'd definitely be fine without them, right?

Drew was leaving them all behind, he'd cut them out.

He would be better off without them.

Conclusion/Closing Thoughts:

I must admit, this did turn fanfic-y midway and it is not the most well-put together, I was really rushing to finish this.

A lot of what I am describing here is my subjective opinion and what I percieve ad Drew's P.O.V, not the objective facts.

Another confession I must make is that most of what is here is just me projecting a few months of therapy sessions onto Drew. My therapist dissected a lot of internal issues with me naturally, and they served to help me understand myself better and realize how much of my own issues applied on Drew aswell.

As I progress with my therapy and learn more about my own baggage, I might be able to remove the biased lens that I am seeing Drew through and might write a more well-constructed and objective analysis of him in the near future.

For now, however, this is all I have. Hope you liked it!! Happy late-birthday to Drewy Bear, and have a great day/night everybody!!!

[xerith-42]

If you're looking for only mcd ships, I'd love to see a blurb on Aph and Zoey

MCD Zoeymau Blurb! What if when Zoey moved in with Aphmau, she also confessed her feelings?

Btw Zoey is like 7 feet tall in my brain

(Also I will write any Aphverse blurbs I just specialize in MCD)

"Zoey, I've got a surprise for you!" Aphmau cheered out as she skipped into the plaza. Irene help Zoey, she didn't know how much longer she could take this. Who gave her the right to be this cute all the time?

"And what would that be?" Zoey asked as she came out in front of her stand.

"Well it wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, now would it?"

"Depends on what it is."

"Are you busy right now?"

"Just taking stock. What do you need?" Aphmau held her hand out, and Zoey didn't even think about taking it and letting her lead. It was like second nature. She just let this adorable woman lead her through her village, waving to everyone they passed, but Aph never lost sight of her goal. She lead Zoey up the hill to her house, where she then stopped.

"So, as you know, Brendan and Nana have been doing some renovations," Aph started.

"Well aware of that," Zoey replied.

"Well, during their renovations, I asked Nana to... Add some stuff."

"Like what?" Aphmau just smiled, and pulled Zoey into her house. The main floor was completely barren, so Aph was quickly dragging Zoey downstairs, a route she was all too familiar with. What was new were two doors in the walls. One of them housed Laurance, and the other had a green outline around it, along with a string of fairy lights above the door.

Zoey dropped Aphmau's hand, her entire body starting to feel... Something. Some rush of energy she didn't quite recognize. She stepped forward carefully, as if moving too fast might break whatever spell had just been cast on her. She placed her hand on the doorknob, before turning to Aph, who just gave her an enthusiastic nod. A turn, and a click. Zoey stepped in and...

She was home. The room was plain, clearly left as a blank canvas for Zoey to work on. Despite being in the side of a hill, the window had a beautiful view of Phoenix Drop. She could hang fairy lights or glass art there, and there was a table ready for her to do her magic on. And the bed was not only covered in a big green blanket, but it was big enough for two people. Zoey was home.

"So..." Aphmau began nervously. "Do you like it?" Zoey turned around and only one thing went through her mind when she saw those amber eyes staring up at her.

"I-I love you," Zoey blurted out. There was a slight delay, as if both of them doubted that Zoey really said that. A second layer she could feel heat rising to her cheeks, and her hands started to become shaky. "I-I mean it! I love it! I love the room, a-and..." She swallowed, terrified of the fact that she couldn't read Aphmau's expression. She just had to go for it. "And I love it because it means I get to live here with you. And I love you. I-I love you a lot!" Zoey felt like a total idiot, her hands wouldn't stop shaking, and Aphmau was just staring at her. Even two seconds of silence was enough to drive her insane, despite entire decades she had spent alone. "Please just say something..."

Another beat of silence. This time it lasted long enough for Zoey to notice the fact that Aphmau's cheeks were starting to turn bright red. Was she...?

"Zoey I..." She swallowed, the words getting caught in her throat. "I had no idea you felt that way."

"I do. I-I have for a while. Since you came back from Brightport."

"Are you serious?" Zoey nodded, not trusting herself to speak anymore. She couldn't tell if her heart was about to break or soar. The uncertainty was killing her. She had to be reasonable though. Aphmau just found out about this. There's no way she could expect an immediate response from someone who was constantly working on so many things all the time.

"Y-You don't have to--"

"I think I love you too." Zoey's heart skipped a beat. Then it fluttered.

"You think?" The hopefulness in her voice was crushing. Aphmau nodded confidently.

"I think I do!" She suddenly rushed forward, throwing her arms around Zoey's torso and burying her face into Zoey's stomach. She didn't last there for long before Zoey just picked her up so they could hug properly. Instead Aphmau buried her face into the crook of Zoey's neck, though they were both laughing like lovestruck dorks, and it did nothing to muffle the sound.

For a moment they just held each other. Just existed in the euphoria of the moment. Then a thought occurred to Zoey. One that she had thought about many times, but was always sure it would never happen. Best to live in the fleeting moment.

"Can I kiss you?" Zoey suddenly asked. Aphmau flinched slightly, and then pat Zoey's back twice. She set the girl down and knelt down to be at least closer to her level. "It's okay if the answer is no."

"I-I've just never kissed anyone," Aphmau admitted shyly.

"I completely understand--"

"But..." She looked into Zoey's eyes and something just felt... Right. "I wouldn't mind having it taken by you."

"Are you sure?" Aphmau stepped forward, and caught Zoey's lips in an unexpected kiss. One that lasted longer than she thought it would, but when she felt like pulling away, it didn't feel right. She just wanted to stay like this with Zoey forever. For a moment the two just held each other.

Zoey pulled away, an irreverent smile on her face.

"I'm sure," Aphmau answered.

[shiningdesignersreflections]

Yunikina: Ode of Frosty Sword

Designer's Reflection: Ode of Frosty Sword

Obtained: Time Corridor season 2

Rarity: UR

Attribute: Blue/Cool

Awakened Suit: Song of Dawn

Story - transcripts from Designer's Reflection

Chapter 1 - Snowland Legend

Chapter 2 - Sound of Freedom

Chapter 3 - Iris Elegy

Chapter 4 - Fall of Snow Eagle

Chapter 5 - Heroes Never Fall

Story - summarized

Perlin is a student at a military academy in North Kingdom, working on a thesis about Yunikina and the Snow Eagles.

Yunikina was an accomplished general even at the young age of 18. She formed the Snow Eagle Revolutionary Force and overthrew the tyrant of White Rock City. But rather than stay and be queen, she established a democratic system and left to bring peace and freedom to other city-states.

No one else could compare to Yunikina, who never lost a single battle. But at the age of 32, she was found dead. No one knew how she died, if it was murder or natural, but some suspected that it was an assassination by warlords that saw her as a threat.

The Snow Eagle Revolutionary Force continued for a while. They stayed and protected White Rock City - until the army from Black Water City came and nearly wiped them out. They were able to use Yunikina's strategies to deal a blow powerful enough to convince the other army to negotiate a peaceful solution. But the price was to disband for good.

Perlin grew up hearing these stories and always admired Yunikina, as do the other citizens. Only upon finishing the thesis did Perlin realize something: while the original Snow Eagles may be gone, their memory continues. Yunikina died young, but her legacy is ageless. And with the rise of anti-war sentiments in Miraland, maybe peace will last longer this time.

Connections

-Yunikina also appears in Love Nikki. She's recounted in the legend told through the outfit pieces and the brief blurb in the "Treasure" section of Achievements.

-When you and Nikki travel to the past, you first meet Yunikina and the Snow Eagles at the funeral for the poet Eagle. You join the group on the march to White Rock City. And right before you return to the present, Yunikina asks Nikki to put a flower in her hair.

-Black Water City is Zoey's hometown.

-So far, the Time Corridor Reflections have narrators reading from the future: the historian in Star Sea, Perlin in Ode of Frosty Sword, and the tour guide in Molten Gold. Glow narrates her own story in Laws of Stars, but she still tells it from the future, rather than show what happened in real-time.

Fun Facts

-This suit is based off the third lifetime suit from Love Nikki, Icewind Warchant.

-Perlin's gender is unknown. We only see them through the first-person narration, not even in a drawing.

-Yunikina's Sword of Legend is based after the long-sword, usually held in two hands.

-"Fleur-de-lis" usually describes a decorative shape, and even though the name is French for "lily flower," it's most likely based after a yellow iris instead.

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 2/5

Book Blurb:

"A delightful read that's guaranteed to add sparkle and joy to your holiday season!" —Marissa Stapley, bestselling co-author of Three Holidays and a Wedding A charming and rollicking holiday rom-com about a big-city film director who must convince the dreamy, yet grumpy, mayor of a small town to give her the permit to shoot her Christmas movie in his idyllic hometown. Perfect for fans of Hallmark holiday movies, and readers of Maggie Knox's All I Want for Christmas and The Hating Game by Sally Thorne.

Will magic happen under the mistletoe?

All year long, Zoey Andrews lives and breathes Christmas--not just because she loves everything about the festive season, but because, as the director of countless Christmas movies, she's perpetually (and happily) surrounded by 24/7 holiday cheer. And this year Christmas has come early: After years of making other people's movies, Zoey finally has the chance to make her own. There's just one thing standing in her way of that: Benoît Deschamps, the sexy, bearded, grouchy and utterly frustrating, plaid shacket-wearing tree-farm-owner-slash-mayor who refuses to grant Zoey the permit to film in Chelsea, the cozy and snowy Quebec hamlet at the center of her screenplay.

With just four days left before Christmas, Zoey must change Ben's mind, but not before an unscripted ice storm leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere, with nothing except . . . each other.

Will Ben's chilly resolve shatter Zoey's Christmas movie wish? Or will Zoey be able to melt through his stubbornness--and maybe even his heart?

Review:

A big-city film director needs to convince the grumpy but handsome mayor and owner of a Christmas tree farm to give her the permit to shoot her Christmas movie in his town. Zoey Andrews absolutely adores Christmas and has directed a ton of Christmas movies. When there is a mistake in the film permits to get the location for her dream Christmas movie of her own she decides to take matters into her own hands and flies down to Canada a few days before Christmas to try and get it. There she meets Benoît Deschamps, the very handsome but grumpy mayor of the town and owner of the perfect Christmas tree farm who is standing in her way and refuses to let her film in his town. Zoey will not give up but Ben is not changing his mind, but when a snowstorm hits and they both get stranded in the middle of nowhere they will be forced to face each other. Can Zoey change his mind before it's too late or will he never give in? It will definitely take a Christmas miracle! Unfortunately I just wasn't feeling this one, it was all the parts of a Hallmark movie but fell flat for me. I really just didn't see any romance or chemistry between Zoey and Ben and just couldn't get into the book no matter how hard I tried unfortunately. If you are looking for a Christmas romance with a grumpy love interest and the trope of being stranded together then give this one a go!

*Thanks Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada, Doubleday Canada for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[in-my-feels-probably]

Heyy… so I saw your 1000 Follower celebration and I think this is a very sweet Idea, so I definitely have no choice but to „participate“ in this. So the fandom I’d like would be Bridgerton, with option two. I’d want the blurb to be with one of the guys, romantically (but please not Anthony since I’m not a huge fan of him in that way, if that makes sense)

So let’s see… some thinks about me:

My Name is Alissa (she/her) no idea if you’ll include names or not but just to be sure

I have roots in Germany (the west to be oddly specific)

I have brown hair, brown eyes & my skin is probably what people would describe as tanned, but it must be natural since I barely leave the house 😂 fun fact because of that people also always thought I was adopted because my parents look very white

My hair is a bit longer than shoulder length and it’s really straight

I’m around 5‘3, if that’s something you wanna include as well

In my free time I often draw, mostly Portrait but sometimes also animals. I always hoped I could make this my profession at some point but I haven’t gotten that lucky yet. I’ll be working on it tho :)

I also read a lot and write a bit as well

I love all animals, especially dogs (I have one named Zoey)

My favorite color is Purple 💜

The most important thing in my life is definitely my family. I hate being away from them for too long. I’m very close with my mum and stepdad, they have always been there for me when I’ve had a hard time (back in school for example) since I was struggling a lot with anxiety and depression (wow feels good to admit that)

(You don’t have to use all of this, but I think it’s better if you have a few options so it’s easier to write)

I think that’s a lot of information already. If there’s anything I forgot please tell me, I’m really tired right now since I’m writing this at 2 AM so I wouldn’t be surprised if I did forget something 😂

Well, thanks so much for doing this. It’s such a sweet Idea 💗

- Alissa 🪐

hi!

thank you for participating :)

i ship you with benedict!

you’re an artist, like he is. it’s not a profession you can really make a living out of at the time, at least unless you’re already rich. it’s not a profession people generally respect, despite the greats becoming rich and famous. regardless of your skill level, or how well known your work would be, benedict would absolutely adore that you value art as much as he does. when he’d have a block, you’d give him ideas. you’d inspire him to create what he loves, not what others expect of him. you’d always encourage him to create, never judging his choices. whatever the outcome, you’d praise it. he’d never feel judged or embarrassed by you.

you seem like a gentle soul, which he’d really love. not only does he love art, but he loves literature and poetry. he’d think of you with every poem he read, and in any he writes. he’d see you in the gentle things of the world. a flower blooming in the first of spring, or one of the horses having a baby foal. you’d be a breath of fresh air for him, always making him feel light and airy. he’d be content as long as he was with you. if you didn’t want to go out, he’d be content to stay in. wherever you were, even if it was away from the ton, he’d be.

he’d also love that you value family. he cares so much for his, and is constantly surrounded by them. if you got along with them well, he’d love you even more. being around them, you’d never feel alone. but there’d still be days you felt alone, even with all of them around you. benedict understands this, being the second born son who is considered far less important than anthony by society. i think benedict struggles with his own mental illness. when you finally confided with him about yours, he’d think you were the bravest person in the world. getting up and facing every day with a smile on your face, despite your struggles, you’d inspire him even more, if that was even possible.

benedict would go through a period of a few days to week where he hadn’t drawn or painted anything at all. one day you’d walk in to see him sitting by the window, finally painting a sketch you’d seen him drawing in the weeks prior. a lavender flower.

“what are you doing, love? is that lavender?”

“it is,” he’d smile up at you, motioning for you to come closer. “lavender is said to reduce stress and anxiety. and i know purple is your favorite color. purple is associated with admiration. like mine for you.”

you’d nearly cry at his expression, smiling tearful down at him as he set down his brushes.

“we’re getting this one framed. i hope you know that.”

he’d chuckle, wiping his hands before wrapping an arm around your waist. “you like it then, i take it?”

“i love it,” you’d smile, bending down to press a kiss to the top of his head. “and i love you.”

“i love you too, darling.”

—

i hope you liked this! i really enjoyed reading about you and writing this for you. thank you again for participating :)

[movies-to-add-to-your-tbw]

Title: Set It Up

Rating: NR

Director: Claire Scanlon

Cast: Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Meredith Hagner, Pete Davidson

Release year: 2018

Genres: comedy, romance

Blurb: Two overworked and underpaid assistants come up with a plan to get their bosses off their backs by setting them up with each other.

[linneatanner]

Charles Presti Covered in Flour #HistoricalFiction #coveredinflourjourney #comingofage #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @cathiedunn

FEATURED AUTHOR: CHARLES PRESTI I am pleased to host Charles Presti as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour being held between February 16th — April 5th, 2024. Charles Presti is the author of the Historical Fiction, Covered in Flour, independently released by the author on October 10th, 2023 (220 pages) Below are highlights of Covered in Flour, Charles Presti's author bio, and his fascinating guest post about the historical background of the political turbulence in 1968. Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/01/blog-tour-covered-in-flour-by-charles-presti.html HIGHLIGHTS: COVERED IN FLOUR   Covered in Flour By Charles Presti Blurb: It's 1968 in Whisper Haven, and 8-year-old Carl Pozzi’s world is about to change. For eight-year-old Carl Pozzi, 1968 begins like any other year—playing kickball with friends and enjoying the comforting aroma of Mom's pasta dinners in their predominantly white suburban Whisper Haven home. But when Carl's teacher introduces lessons about racial prejudice and injustice, his worldview cracks wide open. How far can innocence stretch before it snaps? As Carl flips through the pages of his 3-ring binder, each lesson serves as a gateway to a journey of self-discovery and understanding. It's an expedition that not only changes him but reshapes his whole concept of family and justice—especially as he watches his father put on a police uniform during one of the most fraught periods in American history. Covered in Flour is not just a heartfelt stroll down memory lane. It's a captivating coming-of-age saga that digs deep beneath the surface of suburban tranquility. It beckons you to reconsider long-held family values and confront the societal norms you've taken for granted. Written with genuine love, humor, and a tinge of sorrow, this story blends the nostalgia of tradition with the inevitability of change, offering a stirring mix that leaves you pondering long after the last page is turned. This book isn't just a delightful read; it's a catalyst for introspection, freshly baked and served for your soul. Buy Link: Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/3LdWED AUTHOR BIO: CHARLES PRESTI   Charles Presti, emerging from the sun-drenched shores of Pensacola, Florida, crafts narratives that echo with the richness of his varied life. His journey from a USF College of Medicine graduate to a storyteller is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Drawing from his days as a physician and informatics specialist, Charles infuses his writing with a rare blend of scientific precision and heartfelt emotion. His debut novel, "Covered in Flour," is a vivid tapestry of his Italian-American heritage, his experiences in the whirlwind era of the 1960s, and his personal journey as a gay man. These elements converge to create stories that not only entertain but resonate deeply with themes of family, discovery, and the delicate dance of life's everyday moments. Charles's passion for storytelling is paralleled only by his commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. Alongside his husband, Mike Bruce, and their beloved Wheaton Terrier, Zoey, he is a vibrant force and founder of "Sunday's Child," a local charity dedicated to nurturing inclusion and empowering LGBTQ+ and  other marginalized communities through grants to local charities. A pillar in the Emerald Coast Writers group, he continually explores the nuances of identity, heritage, and a sense of belonging. Discover more about Charles's captivating world and Covered in Flour at www.coveredinflour.com, where each story is a window into a life lived fully and authentically. Author Links: Website: www.coveredinflour.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552112886658 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckpresti/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/covered_inflour/ Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/covered-in-flour-1968-a-young-boy-s-perspective-on-school-family-and-changing-times-by-charles-presti Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/charlespresti Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45201473.Charles_Presti GUEST POST: CHARLES PRESTI   We're back on the journey through Covered in Flour, diving headfirst into the heart of 1968, a year that forever altered the fabric of our nation and, indeed, the world. Let's peel back the layers of history together, shall we? The Civil Rights Movement and Racial Tensions 1968 was a cornerstone for the civil rights movement, especially marked by the loss of Martin Luther King Jr. Through the eyes of our young protagonist and his family, we're thrust into the midst of race riots, a tangible representation of the era's strife. His father, a figure of law and authority, stands on the frontlines, offering us a window into the raw challenges faced by those sworn to protect amidst a backdrop of societal upheaval. Race isn't just a theme in our story; it's the very pulse of the narrative, shaping every moment of our protagonist's journey. It's about the struggle to find a balance between the heritage that binds us and the change that propels us forward. Through the protagonist's eyes, we confront prejudices—both inherited and hidden within. This journey underscores the power of compassion, the strength found in understanding, and the crucial fight against hate. Political Turmoil and the Vietnam War As we navigate the tumultuous waters of the Vietnam War, our story captures the essence of a family ensnared in the web of political and social discord. The departure of the cousin to Vietnam intertwines the personal pains with the political, reminding us of the war's ripple effects on American families. Politics at the Dinner Table and Beyond Then there's the slice of life from our mock election, where politics spilled from the TV screens and newspapers straight onto our dinner table. Nixon, Wallace, and Humphrey weren't just candidates; they were characters in our daily conversations, shaping our understanding of democracy and citizenship. This moment, a microcosm of the national scene, paints a vivid picture of how deeply politics influenced our young minds and the conversations that shaped our perceptions of right, wrong, and everything in between. Reflection and Resonance Covered in Flour transcends the bounds of a mere historical narrative; it's a meditation on how the events of 1968 continue to resonate, shaping the characters' views, relationships, and destinies. By weaving personal stories with the historical fabric, the novel invites readers to reflect on the enduring impact of that pivotal year and its lessons for future generations. As you wander through the pages of Covered in Flour, remember, it's more than a journey through time. It's a reminder of the complexities of our shared history, the resilience of the human spirit, and the imperative to grasp our past firmly to chart a course for our future.   Instagram Handle:  @thecoffeepotbookclub   Read the full article

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Her Every Secret by G.L. Redding

Great synopsis that intrigued me and made me hope this would be a great new steamy romantic suspense novel that would draw me in and keep me interested as I read. Instead, I found myself skimming quickly to find out how it would all work out and wishing that there was more. More character development, backstory, and information about the kidnapped girl.

Zoey Miller has a difficult past and made some rather poor decisions that come out as she reveals what the 911 caller is requiring for him to release an abducted young girl. Zoey tells each difficult event from her past peeling away what she had hoped would remain secret. Giving away those secrets here is not going to happen but they do explain why she is as she is.

Jack is on the police force in the town he and Zoey met long ago. He had a crush on her then, but his time was never right to be with her. He hopes this time they might find a happily ever after, though. When the kidnapping case overlaps with a stalker-ish rather threatening kidnapper, Jack is ready to protect and keep Zoey safe. The two seem to hit it off even after the secrets begin to emerge on the 911 calls.

This has a great premise and the writing flows. The flashbacks popped up unexpectedly and didn’t do so seamlessly leaving me feeling a bit of whiplash at times. I had trouble liking the main characters or seeing them together as a couple as I didn’t see what would draw them together beyond physical. Do they have values in common? Do they want a similar future? Will they want to stay in the small town or head back to the city? I ended up with more questions than answers and the ending seemed a bit unfinished or perhaps tacked on.

For a debut novel, this was done well. I feel the author will grow as she writes and would perhaps read another of her books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rufous Press for the ARC – this is my honest review.

3 Stars

BLURB

An innocent life is at stake. The ransom? Every secret I’ve ever had. Zoey Miller, is used to managing other people’s crises — not her own. That’s what ditching her flashy PR job and moving to small-town Missouri was supposed to be escape. But when a 911 caller demands Zoey’s dirtiest secrets in exchange for the life of an innocent young girl, it’s clear her past isn’t going anywhere. Instead, it’s about to board the town gossip train. Anchored to his hometown by his grieving mother, Jack Moore’s big-city detective dreams have been replaced by a sleepy small-town beat. When his teenage crush unexpectedly ends up in his bed, Jack knows he wants more from Zoey than a no-strings fling. But then her ugly past is forced into the light by a malicious stalker, and Jack realizes he’s going to have to move quickly to keep the woman he loves. As the case heats up, so do Zoey’s and Jack’s feelings — something Zoey can’t allow. Because nice men like Jack don’t like tainted women like her. And now, there’s nowhere to hide... HER EVERY SECRET is a steamy open-door romance thriller, featuring sizzling suspense, a hot cop, and the broken woman he’s sworn to save. NOTE: After undergoing rigorous editing, the story gains new twists that plunge Zoey and Jack into a web of intrigue they never saw coming. Just when they think they have it all figured out, the shocking ending reveals a truth more sinister than they could have imagined.

[sourcherryandsprinkles]

Hey girl!! Is it possible that you can write ANY type of smut for Rafe! There is a lack of fics right now and I am losing it! I am getting the vibes of like public sex, or maybe because Drew’s movie the other Zoey is coming out soon, like a ski trip fic/ smut where they take a trip together!

I have a Rafe blurb in my queue! Can't remember when it will be posted, but it's coming either tomorrow or Friday

Keeping in mind public sex...

[fracturestory]

Experimental Fractures blurb.

I'll get around to converting this sideblog into something more ask-the-characters sort of a thing eventually. For now I have too much on my plate to have the motivation for another big push in any particular project. Have a thing I've written at 2 am for character practice in a situation that I personally don't fully expect to have happen in the story itself.

Concept: Rather than falling through a crack by pure chance, Zoey finds herself alone where the portal had first opened, and finds a rapidly-growing crack in the air. Requires something to have separated Zoey from the rest of the group, as well as some driving force behind why she ultimately decides to actively tear open the crack.

Zoey stared at the weird crack in the air. It wasn’t really doing anything, it was just… there. She swat her hand through it, watching it slip effortlessly through the crack as if it wasn’t even there.

She passed her hand through it a second time, slower now. The crack was just as intangible as it had been the first time, turning from a floating fracture in the air, to one in her palm, and back again as she tried for a third time.

The crack grew. Only by a little, but it grew. Big enough now that she could take a peek into the darkness it unveiled.

Darkness.

Complete and total.

To her surprise, her hand could now fit through the crack, when before it only passed behind it regardless of angle. Her small fingers curled around its surprisingly dull edges. It felt solid, yet just as intangible as it had been only moments before. Like grabbing a cloud.

She gave an experimental tug. The fracture lines spiderwebbed out as if she’d taken a sledgehammer to some invisible window. Yet, for all the violence in its abrupt spread, it remained silent.

The tear was now nearly big enough for the girl to stick her head through. She leaned in closer. Just as before, it was dark inside. But there was something else now, too; she could feel a light draft. It wasn’t coming from behind.

Her grip loosened a little. Was it a good idea to try to… tear whatever this was even further open?

Her other hand rose to grip another edge.

Unlike before, the sound was now deafening. The best description she could fit to the noise was “a hundred-thousand newspapers being shredded”.

And not necessarily for a lack of a better term, either. The young girl stood now at the edge of infinity, holding scraps of the sky in her roughened hands. She looked down at the fragments of blue still in her grasp. She did that.

She did that?

She did that.

Zoey carefully tucked the shards into a pocket, sucking in a breath before taking a step into nothingness.

[carlsainz]

𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 – 𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒌 𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐

summary: you and your boyfriend are babysitting your little niece.

pairing: erik portillo x fem!reader

warnings: a baby?

a/n: hi guys, i had to write this little blurb based in an idea i had today, it's short but i hope you like it.

word count: 1,2k

lowercase intended.

translations: lilla du – little one; mitt hjärta – my heart.

you watched as your sister and her husband entered their car, ready to enjoy a day off for the first time in a while because you and erik said you could babysit your 8 months old niece.

it was spring break, so you were in california visiting your family and you were enchanted by the cute little baby.

"ok babe, it's just us now," you said, turning to your boyfriend, who was holding the baby close to you.

"i hope we can do this."

"of course we can, and if something happens we can always call my mom."

you both looked at zoe, who was looking at erik's face with her big blue eyes full of attention, tiny hand on his chest. he smiled tenderly, caressing her little head carefully.

"she likes you," you whispered.

"thank goodness, because i like her too," he whispered back.

your heart melted at the scene and you almost cried, but managed to hold back the tears and smiled.

"let's play with this little lady," you said.

making a silly childish voice, erik said "do you wanna play, zoey?"

you tickled her little tummy and she laughed, being adorable as all babies. erik led the way to the living room and carefully placed zoe sitting on the floor, as you sat by her side too.

ports spread her toys on the ground and soon her attention was all on the colorful toys. she played and played for some time with both of you, until she started crying because she was hungry.

"babe, can you make her bottle?" you asked.

"sure, i'll be right back," he said, getting up while you tried to calm her down.

you sat on the couch with her in your arms, making soothing noises until she stopped crying. not long after, erik was back with her bottle, handing it to you as you adjusted her in your arms. meanwhile, ports turned the tv on and put frozen to help distract her.

turns out it distracted you two more than zoe, naturally. you were curled at erik's side, his arm around your shoulders, while you were holding zoe and the bottle and were very concentrated in the movie.

when she was satisfied, she made a little noise indicating it, and you quickly took the bottle out of her little mouth and adjusted her so she could digest the milk.

erik looked at the scene with hearts in his eyes. the man was completely in love with you and now he was even more.

the rest of the day was relatively calm and funny. already knowing how to do it because of your other nephews, your brother's kids, you gave her a bath in the middle of the afternoon, erik being excited to set up her cute outfit and brush her few hairs. you both changed diapers, even grimacing, and this part wasn't funny at all.

at some point, she was very irritated and started crying hard and loud.

"what do we do now? i don't know how to calm her down," you said, feeling desperate.

"i don't know, we already checked her diapers and it's all clean, she's also fed up."

"you think we should call my mom?"

"definitely."

"hold her for me," you said, passing zoe to him.

as you went to another room to call your mother, all of a sudden erik realized she must be feeling sleepy. with that in mind, he went to the big couch in the living room, laying down and putting her on his chest.

when you came back, hearing nothing, you faced one of the cutest scenes you've ever seen.

your boyfriend was laying on the couch with zoe on his chest and his big hand was covering almost all of her tiny body, his fingers caressing her back. as you approached, you could hear his low voice muttering something in swedish. he was talking to her, calming her down. you really started crying and got back to the guest room so you wouldn't disturb them, but before, you quickly snapped a picture so you could revisit this scene whenever you wanted.

after some time, you heard erik's voice talking to zoe in english and in a normal tone, making you get downstairs again to see them. he was making her another bottle with one hand and holding her on his other arm.

"...and then we turn off the stove and put it on the bottle and everything is ready for you, lilla du. see?" he said, without noticing you.

zoe only made some baby-ish noises, looking like she was talking to him back and it was cute as hell.

"hi my love, how are you two?" you asked.

"oh hey baby, we're fine right, zoey?"

she giggled at the attention, making both of you laugh.

you fed her and, after a while, she was sleepy again and you helped erik give her a bath, making silly faces all the time to distract her. when she was clean and already dressed to sleep, you dimmed her room's lights and started walking slowly so she could sleep. it didn't take long and soon you were putting an asleep cute baby on the crib, bringing the baby monitor with you before getting out of the bedroom.

you quickly sent some pictures to your sister, updating her and went downstairs to find erik in the kitchen making you dinner.

"i'm so tired," you said, hugging him from behind and resting your head on his back.

"me too, it's surprising how a little baby can get you more tired than a practice."

"well at least she's cute."

"yeah, i don't even mind getting tired taking care of her."

you smiled, disentangling your arms from his body at the same time as he turned off the stove. ports turned to face you and you stood on your tiptoes, his head lowering to find yours and you finally kissed his soft lips. the chaste kiss turned into a desperate one and only the sound of something falling on the ground startled you out of this moment.

"oh my god i hope it's not broken," you said, noticing you let the baby monitor fall and immediately picking it up.

"dude your sister's gonna kill you."

"shut up, portillo."

"is it broken?"

"no it's not, thank god."

"today is your lucky day."

"it really is, now let's eat, i'm hungry."

he smiled at you and kissed your nose before starting to make your plate, then his. you ate at the couch (may your sister never discover) while watching a random hockey game on tv and talking about nothing important. it was a very good day.

later, when you were already on the guest room's bed, with erik spooning you and holding you close, you thought about something. he was breathing softly in your hair and you didn't know if he's awake or not.

whispering, you said "love? you awake?"

"yeah, what happened?" his voice was low and sleepy.

"let's have a baby? we'd make pretty babies"

he laughed and held you closer, "ask this again in a couple years."

satisfied, you closed your eyes. "i love you, portsy."

"i love you too, mitt hjärta," he said, softly kissing your neck.

my tiny taglist <3: @oskarlidblom @pettypeteys

if you want to join the taglist just sent me a message :)

[let-me-write-shit]

let-me-write-shit Harry Masterlist

COMPLETED HARRY STORIES:

Like We Used To - 30 chapters : Harry reconnects with his high school friend group after ten years and it rekindles old sparks between him and his ex best friend.–Angst, smut, and sweet sweet fluff.

Somebody To You - 30 chapters: Zoey, a regular girl from Philadelphia, moves across the country to LA on her own after losing her best friend in a car crash. This big step is the first of many to move forward, but the loss of her best friend still weighs on her deeply. Once there, she meets Harry who helps her get through her internal struggles. A story about overcoming heartbreak, learning to open up, reinventing, and enjoying life along with great new friends and lots of fun!

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HARRY STYLES x READER BLURBS:

*** = smut

There She Is: Reader attends Harry’s concert where they mock each other’s dance moves.

Little Miracle: After two years of infertility, Harry and Reader are surprised to find they’re expecting. They find out the ‘gender’ of their baby.

*** Loving You Is Art: A painting date night turns playful

Calm: Harry comes home to find reader listening to his ‘Calm’ story recording to fall asleep

Is Forever Enough?: Harry and Reader post a video on their social media to announce the birth of their child

*** Distraction: Reader gets distracted by Harry’s lack of clothes while watching a movie

*** If You’ll Have Me: Harry Confesses his feelings for Reader, but you’re scared. When you finally open up, things get intimate

Practice Makes Perfect: Harry is the best man in Jeff and Glenne's wedding. He attends dance lessons with Jeff in preparation for the 'first dance', where he falls for the instructor.

Summer Love: Harry and Reader had a summer romance when they were teens, resulting in him writing a song about her. Years later, reader is now a famous singer and finally releases a response song that she performs at the Brits where Harry is in attendance. 

Started Off As Friends: Famous! Reader has been writing songs with Harry since the One Direction days. Best Friends for ten years, Harry suddenly becomes distant when dating Camille. Seven months later, he’s back after his breakup and Reader helps him get through the heartbreak, never getting an explanation of why he left. He finds a song she’s been writing on her phone that causes a huge argument and he finally reveals why he disappeared.

Paparazzi: Harry, Reader, and their 3 m/o son get swarmed by paparazzi and their baby gets hurt and Harry loses it. Celebs and ex 1D members come out in their defense.

*** Professor Styles: Professor! Harry gets a famous new student in class who promises to make him fall in love with her, no matter how much he tried to fight it.

The Late Late Show: Famous Brazilian Reader meets Harry Styles on The Late Late Show with James Corden where they’re interviewed and play a game of Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts.

Solo Trip: A girl named Paris is on a solo trip to Italy when she runs into Harry during the shoot of his music video, ‘Golden’. 

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Love you all,

Shannon