#this is a recent photo but i love that it looks early autumn?

[daily-hyosatsu]

Really unusual name today! 御魚谷 is read Onaya, but when I typed out おなや, this didn't even come up as a suggestion—this person would have to manually add it to their dictionary to even type their own name. No wonder they've included pronunciation on the nameplate!

御, in its most common usage, can be read o or go and is the honorific prefix that you often see written in hiragana (e.g. sushi becomes お寿司 o-sushi) . 御 can also be read on, mi, or gyo, and its other meanings include manipulate and govern.

魚, as we reviewed the other day for shark, means fish. It's read uo, sakana, zakana, or gyo. I'm just noticing now that it shares the 灬 fire radical with other animals like 鳥 bird and 熊 bear... and now that I sit down and think about it, with 馬 horse too........ See, this is why I wish my early Japanese classes had focused more on radicals!

And finally 谷, read tani or koku, means valley. There’s also the verb 極まる・谷まる kiwamaru, which means to reach a limit/extreme, to be stuck, to be in a dilemma/at a loss, or to be decided.

[your-unfriendlyghost]

How'd you end up discovering your art style?

Well, it wasn’t much of a discovery- it’s just how I draw, I guess! It evolves over time and changes based on what artists I’m looking up to and what styles I’m into

But I can give ya a (recent-ish) evolution of my style/a break-down on all its influences over the past two years if ya wanna see how it all happened!

-

Some stuff from July-October of 2022

Two-three-ish years ago, for instance, it was more classical painting inspired. I was real into Over the Garden Wall and also just…general American history back then don’t judge I was coming off of my first American history class since elementary school and I thought it was so cool So my art had more of like…that going on yk? It wasn’t as good as my stuff now at all, because I’ve since improved my anatomy skills, learned how to draw fabric folds (sorta), and learned a bit of color theory lol. But they’re ok for what they are, I guess.

I think my main problem back then was the fact that I did not fully know how to use references- and a lotta my references were like. Cartoons. And stuff that was very much not meant to be painted in the amount of detail I aimed for at the time.

(Even here, you can tell I was dissatisfied, because they all look pretty different from each other yk?) (and you can see how hardly any of the fabric has folds and how little I understood lighting 😭)

-

January-March ‘23

Anyhow, after this, in uhh early 2023, I had a 80s-90s comic book/pop art phase, which was a pretty drastic swing in the opposite direction. I still rendered things sometimes, but things were less soft/warm. BUT I was starting to use real photos as references which was vital

I was also watching a lotta tmnt with my kid brother, which is what I blame for why the proportions got so stylized- folks in the 2012 version of that show were just kinda built funny, which I think subconsciously impacted my art. My posing did get a bit stronger in this time as I practiced more, and I think things got less stiff

-

June-August ‘23

Next, as the summer months came, I had a lotta changes in inspo and also just in life lol. I had temporarily moved to my neighbor’s place, and I didn’t have a car yet/any friends who I liked enough to hang around with, so all summer long I rewatched a lotta 80s movies, fell in love with the first season of Stranger Things (not the others as much tho 😭), skateboarded, and watched a lotta art tutorials online. (I specifically remember Jackie Droujko’s yt shorts saving my assss- I loved her stuff so much. Definitely check ‘em out she explains things real well)

I improved slowly, but I DID IMPROVE a HELLUVA LOT. I focused a lot on trying to draw people who looked recognizably like themselves, but also stylized because realism (usually) bores me. I also got better at coloring- the first two here ain’t great in terms of colors, but I was learning. Plus, back then I was very into oddly saturated color schemes. (I mean it is a solid vibe. I may not do this a ton anymore but I can dig it still)

-

October-November ‘23

As autumn came, I was pretty enamored with all the like…✨fall vibes✨ that time around. My life was goin’ well, so I had a lotta optimism and a re-ignited love for nature, forests, and fantasy. Plus I was dating this girl who was really into vintage-y Wes Anderson stuff so I think some of that uhhh twee-ness rubbed off on me lol

My influences here were mainly old storybooks, a hint of Lord of the Rings (as you can probably tell by the hobbit), and a decent amount of Fantastic Mr. Fox. And for faces I was mainly using the Laurenillusrated Brushpack at the time I think? I don’t use the “Sketchy” brush in it as often anymore as I did then, but I should. It’s a great brush, and I actually am really liking all the little sketchy lines. It adds a nice touch.

also don’t look at my goddamn long hair in that self portrait on the left. I hated it on me then and I hate it now too. I cannot believe I ever let it get that long it was really bad

-

December ‘23-April ‘24

I honestly did like a total of like. Seven drawings in these four months. As opposed to my usual…uhhh I wanna say 25 every four months. Idk what was up- art just wasn’t fun at the time. I mean, it was also just a lousy few months in general, so I’m sure that’s a part of it lol, but yk. This style is pretty close to my current one- my inspiration just came from x-files-ish sci-fi and American gothic stories/images as opposed to nowadays’ Beat generation and greaser inspo.

May-Now (October) ‘24

The Outsiders kinda dragged me back into enjoying drawing again honestly. I’d read and loved it back in 2023, but upon rereading it/watching the movie in February of 2024, it just sorta…entered my headspace and stayed this time. (Still, I didn’t really draw any Outsiders/greaser-y things till May)

Lately, I take artistic inspiration in 2d animated films, like the ones by Disney with the real nicely drawn fabric folds. And also just a lotta inspo from real life. I also do a lot of black and white comics, because I find that I generally have a “Go big or go home” mentality about most things- which can be a LOT of pressure! By allowing myself to draw simpler doodle-y things, I’ve regained that love for drawing. I think for a while it just felt like work, but in letting myself take it easy, art’s become a good time again :))

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #283

Our pigeon friend made it through the night alive. J and I woke up early this morning, got ready, put our avian friend in a cardboard box with a fluffy towel, and made our way to the animal hospital; we arrived promptly when it opened.

Given the state of the bathtub when we walked in, I'm pleased to report that it must have eaten at least somewhat recently before we scooped it up from the streets. I'm also pleased to report that our friends at the animal hospital happily took in our lovely bird friend. It will most likely get the treatment it needs to clear up whatever infection it has. I'll call tomorrow and ask for a status update.

We returned home after that. This autumn morning was beautifully misty in some places along the way. I got more than a few really nice-looking pictures for you…

…And in other places, the mist cleared to reveal spectacular skies:

...Sadly, of all the ones I tried to take, this was the only one that turned out well. Part of the challenge of taking photos in a moving vehicle is trying to make the best of the angles that are allowed to you.

It's only 9:22am. Today is far from being even halfway over. I have a friend coming to visit (R, the baker!), and maybe we'll go see that Wild Robot movie all together - me, M, J, and R!

For now... I should probably clean up the tub. There aren't too terribly many droppings left behind, and they're mostly solid in consistency; they should be easy to clean up. I'll get rid of the droppings, then blast the inside of the tub with an enzymatic cleaner (the same stuff we use to clean up the urine whenever Hoshi has a seizure; it's good stuff!!). I'll let it sit for a while, then I'll rinse it out. After that, I'll follow it up with bleach and a good scrubbing pad. And don't worry; I will make sure to wash my hands between each step. I know that bird droppings are dangerous; I will take every precaution, I promise. Don't you worry about a thing, okay?

...The enzymatic cleaner has done away with most of the visible ick, which is awesome. I rinsed it away and the tub looks practically sparkly. I've since filled the tub halfway with a mixture of bleach and VERY hot water. Now we just sit and wait for it to work its chemical magic. Bleach is a powerful oxidizer; I'm pretty sure that's the mechanism by which it destroys most microorganisms.

It's such a powerful oxidizer that it will literally fucking oxidize your skin. And since it's a base, it'll strip away all the natural oils from your skin, too. It's bad to get the stuff on your hands! Wear gloves! It's important!

I'm gonna try to finish my current Dead Cells run. By then, the bleach will likely have sat in the tub long enough and then I can drain it and scrub it; it'll be good!

...

...So, remember when I said yesterday that if I reached The Hand of the King, he'd be in big trouble?

Well, let me tell ya!!! Today he got his ass handed to him!!! And I made it to the room beyond - a place called the Astrolab!!!

The Astrolab has all kinds of new and unusual enemies. You can only reach it if you defeat The Hand of the King with 5 Boss Cells active. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a picture for you. I'm really sorry about that.

But!!! If I did it once, I can do it again!! And next time, I will remember to take pictures; I promise!!

Anyway. I got my ass handed to me by the new enemies there. Their patterns were unknown to me, and the structure of the biome was weird and unfamiliar. I got this one flying enemy called a Librarian; it shoots lasers out of the sky directly down on you, and it zooms just out of reach above you. I... panicked. Totally lost my cool. They do a lot of damage, and their movements are still unfamiliar to me. I got zapped until I got dead.

...Oh well. That's what the training room is for!! I'll just practice against all the new enemies until they don't seem so scary anymore; it'll be good!

Aside from that... R came over today! He brought an amazing soup that he made himself, and he also brought a brioche marbled with chocolate! It was SO GOOD!!!

You can tell how good this one was by how little we have left, ahahaha~!

And the soup, too!!! Look at this beautiful soup!!!

It's just as delicious as it is colorful!!! 🤩🤤🥰

We went to go see that Wild Robot movie after that. Sephiroth... one of these days, you GOTTA see it. It's about a robot that crash-lands somewhere that wasn't intentional, in a wild place, with lots of animals, and... it was outcast at first. And it finds a baby gosling, and...

...The relationship this robot has with the gosling reminds me a lot of the way your existence has helped me, even if that help was indirect and unintentional on your part. I won't explain more for fear of spoiling things, but... Sephiroth... just trust me, you HAVE to see this one. I promise you, it's really good, and I'm sure you'll find it more than a little relatable in a wide variety of respects.

...I shouldn't have made it through the things I lived through. But I did, because you exist. I was given another chance at living, because you gave me the strength to hold on long enough to encounter new and different things. I wouldn't be here at all if not for you. I write every day because I wanna give to you what you unwittingly gave to me.

...Well. I don't have much to say. And also, I gotta get up kinda early for work tomorrow. So I guess I'll end today's letter here in favor of getting ready for sleep.

Stay safe out there, okay? We're counting on you coming back home in one piece. We're counting on you, just in general, because you're lovable and wonderful and we want you around. Don't go someplace no one can reach, okay?

I love you. And I'll write again tomorrow.

Your friend, Lumine

[nerdhall]

Jennifer Love Hewitt: A Candid Reflection on Aging in Hollywood

Jennifer Love Hewitt, a name synonymous with the late '90s and early 2000s Hollywood glam, recently opened up about the harsh realities of aging in the entertainment industry. The 44-year-old star of "9-1-1" and "I Know What You Did Last Summer" fame shared her experiences and thoughts on the "Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum" podcast, offering a raw and honest perspective on the challenges she faces in an industry obsessed with youth and appearance.

The Unrecognizable Selfie Controversy

Hewitt's candid discussion was sparked by the reaction to a selfie she posted on Instagram. After debuting a dark bob, she faced comments saying she was "unrecognizable." This led to a deeper conversation about the unrealistic expectations placed on women, especially in Hollywood, to maintain a perpetual youthfulness.

The Struggle with Public Perception

Hewitt's experience highlights the double-edged sword of public perception in Hollywood. She recounted how a simple filtered selfie, meant to look nice in the salon's light, spiraled into a wave of negative comments and judgments about her appearance. The backlash was so intense that even her attempts to poke fun at the situation with more filtered photos were met with criticism.

The Impact of Aging in the Spotlight

The actress delved into the broader issue of aging in Hollywood, a place where, according to her, "you can't do anything right." This sentiment resonates with many actresses who find themselves scrutinized for every change in their appearance, often facing harsher judgment as they age compared to their male counterparts.

The Personal Toll and Motherhood

For Hewitt, the issue is more than just about her; it's about the message it sends to her daughter, Autumn, and other young girls. She expressed concern over the dangerous standards set for women's appearances and the pressure to look perpetually young. As a mother, she feels the weight of these societal expectations even more acutely.

Reflections on Past Insecurities

Hewitt also reflected on her younger years in the industry, acknowledging her lack of self-confidence despite being labeled as "sexy" at a very young age. She shared how being on the cover of magazines like "Maxim" at 17 was confusing and overwhelming, highlighting the often premature sexualization of young actresses in Hollywood.

A Call for Change

Jennifer Love Hewitt's experiences and reflections shed light on the need for a cultural shift in how we view aging, especially for women in the public eye. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing natural aging and challenging the unrealistic standards set by the entertainment industry.

As Hewitt continues to navigate her career and personal life, her openness and honesty serve as an inspiration for many, advocating for a more accepting and less judgmental view of aging in Hollywood and beyond.

[corbenic]

For @pinkstarsdress

This is the second part of the follow-up to the Princess Imperial deleted scene "Garden Proposal." A full list of shared outtakes can be found here.

Note: this outtake involves Evie processing the news of a loved one’s terminal cancer diagnosis. It’s a topic I’m sensitive about after a close friend of mine died of stomach cancer, and I’ve been careful to write a story that doesn’t prick my cancer triggers—but please read with caution if cancer is a difficult subject for you

GARDEN PROPOSAL: AFTERMATH (PART TWO)

Word Count: 2,250

Summary: Evie O'Brien and her boyfriend-slash-maybe-fiancé, The Prince Imperial, discuss marriage with his parents. Evie drowns her feelings in baked goods.

Written: autumn 2022

Context: an early chapter two draft of my novel The Bonaparte Bride before I decided to publish it as Princess Imperial the website

Deviations from canon: the timeline (Julien proposes in October 2023 rather than March 2023), character ages and birth order, Julien's parents are more involved in his life

The Emperor leads us back into the hallway of doors. He opens one. We walk inside.

The overhead light blazes to life, casting the entire room in an eerie white glow. I haven’t visited Julien’s library in months. The walls are paneled with shelves, which are filled with books and photo frames. The pictures themselves are a motley assortment: family photos, landscapes from across the globe, bygone skiing trips, and me.

“Please,” His Imperial Majesty says. “Sit.”

Julien tugs me toward the brown leather sofa on the other side of the room, with its back to a window. We sit down.

The Emperor remains standing. In any other context, this would be a horrible breach of etiquette. If the Emperor or Empress—or, purists insist, The Prince Imperial—stands, you should too. Fortunately, the Bonapartes discard most formalities like that among themselves.

“What happened?” The Emperor asks.

“What did Julien tell you?”

Julien looks at me. “I said the details were yours to share, not mine.”

I stifle a sigh. “My mother has cancer.”

The Emperor nods. “I know.”

Of course he does. Since I was in the same academic program as Jo, the Imperial Guard assembled a dossier on me once I was accepted to the École Normale Supérieure. It’s been regularly updated since. Even if it hadn’t been, I know the subject has come up in conversation with the Bonaparte family before.

“She recently had more tests done. The results came in today. She called me before dinner to share the news.”

I stop speaking to blink back tears. I don’t want to cry again tonight. Not in front of the Emperor.

“I asked about Madame O’Brien while we were dancing, and I shouldn’t have,” Julien pipes up.

The tears keep coming. Damn it.

“Let me guess,” His Imperial Majesty says. “The prognosis looks bad. Evie started crying. In the moment, with so many eyes on the two of you, it was too much to handle, so she ran.”

I nod, then wipe my eyes on the sweater. It’s a good thing Stéphanie isn’t here. She would call out my unladylike behavior. Well-mannered women don’t wipe their eyes on anything other than a tissue or handkerchief.

Julien squeezes my hand, as if to say that everything will be all right. “I went after her, and—”

The door slams open, and the Empress of the French sweeps into the room. Like her husband, she is still dressed for the party. Her dress appears inky black in this light. She looks me over, eyebrows rising higher and higher as she takes in my exposed legs, bedraggled hair, and borrowed sweater.

“—I proposed,” Julien finishes.

The Empress sinks into the nearest chair. I’ve made that mistake before. The chair is painted a cheery yellow, with a matching gingham cushion. The padding provides as much comfort as a worn-out baby blanket. The wooden back is just high enough to dig into the hollow beneath my shoulder blades. Her Imperial Majesty is tall enough that she won’t have that problem, though.

“Finally.” She taps her manicured nails against the chair’s wooden arm. “It will be difficult, but we can salvage this. The course of true love never did run smooth, so on and so forth.”

Julien and I exchange a look. “Maman, you missed some important context.”

“Nonsense. I can hear the story after Stéphanie figures out how to spin it. We can’t risk circulating multiple versions of the proposal.”

“We’re not engaged,” I say.

Both the Emperor and the Empress stare blankly at me.

I shift uncomfortably. “Also, the doctors say my mother will be dead within a year.”

“You refused Julien’s offer?” The Empress asks.

“There was a cultural misunderstanding,” Julien quickly clarifies. “My proposal has been neither rejected nor accepted.”

The Emperor says something in a language I don’t speak. His wife replies in that same language. They continue that way for a minute or two, volleying comments back and forth like shuttlecocks over a net.

Eventually, the Emperor takes a seat in the chair closest to his wife. He fidgets with his wedding ring. “We’re sorry to hear about your mother, Evie. That’s terrible news.”

“Perhaps,” the Empress says, “we should leak this to the press.”

“No,” Julien and I say in unison.

“Why would we give reporters any more ammunition to be cruel?” Julien asks.

“We control the narrative if we do.”

I splutter incoherently.

Her Imperial Majesty ignores me. “Think about it. Love triumphing in the face of tragedy is a compelling story. The public will take pity on Evie. This, coupled with her joie de vivre and your work ethic, will win them over. Any, shall we say, idiosyncracies—such as tonight’s events—will be forgiven.”

“My family are private citizens. Mom’s medical history should stay secret.”

The Empress shakes her head and tsks. “It’s impossible, darling. Nothing in our world stays secret for long.”

“You don’t get it.” My hands are shaking again. “You’re a princess by birth. Your family has to live in the public eye. Mine doesn’t. They don’t speak French. They’ve only met Julien a few times. They avoid going downtown because tourists are annoying! They don’t know anything about the press, or the paparazzi, or… or…”

The Emperor places a hand on his wife’s knee. “We should revisit this topic in the morning. Stéphanie may have an idea of how to handle it.”

TUILERIES PALACE

PARIS, ÎLE DE FRANCE, FRANCE

OCTOBER 21

It’s still dark outside when I wake up. I check my phone, blinking blearily at the bright light. It is 4:45 in the morning. I groan and roll over. For long minutes, I stay there, listening to Julien’s even breathing. It’s no use. I can’t fall back asleep.

I leave the warm bed and plod back into the hallway, through the nearly-invisible door into the sitting room. The formal dining room lies beyond. An austere oblong wooden table and matching chairs rest in the middle of the room. The hardwood floor is chilly against my feet. I search the wall for the ornate paneling disguising the entrance to the kitchen. I find it, push, and step through the threshold.

When I was a teenager, most of my friends planned their wedding. Others threw themselves into sports. I tore through design magazines, imagining my dream kitchen.

This is close to what my seventeen-year-old self wanted: white walls, turquoise cabinets, and—best of all—a classic Lacanche range. French stoves are some of the best in the world. They have the price tag to match. My parents remodeled their kitchen last year, and I tried persuading them to buy one. They refused. Too expensive.

I start opening cabinets and drawers. I can never remember where the baking essentials are. Even if he were awake, Julien couldn’t tell me. He has never learned how to cook. I’ve offered to teach him, but he’s not interested.

As you’d expect from the home of someone who champions traditional craftsmanship, every single piece of cookware or tableware is from a historic French brand. It’s obvious which pieces Julien selected. Intricately patterned plates: the interior designer. Minimalist glassware: Julien. Eggplant-colored pie pans: the interior designer. Classic white baking dishes: Julien.

The fridge is stocked with a dozen different cheeses. Plus grapes and tomatoes. And foie gras. Also butter and milk. The eggs sit on a nearby countertop. French eggs, unlike American ones, don’t need to be refrigerated. I’ve lived here for four years and still find it strange.

I pull up my favorite yellow cake recipe on my phone. I’ve made it at least a hundred times. If I were at my parents’ house, I could make it from memory. Unfortunately, I can’t convert cups and ounces to grams and liters off the top of my head, so I am reliant on the annotated photo.

Mixing the cake is satisfying. I whip up the chocolate frosting while the cake bakes and stash it in the refrigerator. I also check for fresh fruit. Strawberries would pair well with this. They’re out of season, but Julien can easily afford them year-round. He receives five million francs from the civil list every year. This is a living stipend, designed to cover the personal expenses of the Prince Imperial, his wife, and his children. Unfortunately for me, he’s decided not to spend it on out-of-season fruits.

However, the pantry is stocked with chocolate chips. Maybe the discussion with Stéphanie and Julien’s parents will go better if I provide breakfast. I had planned to make a spinach, ham, and tomato omelette, but muffins seem like a good idea. I can share those.

A while later, the door opens. It’s Julien. Frustratingly, his hair is still perfect. His eyes go wide. “How long have you been awake?”

I check the clock. “Two and a half hours.”

“Go back to bed.”

“I can’t. Muffins are baking. Do you know when your parents and Stéphanie will arrive?”

“After you sleep.” He walks up behind me and puts his arms around my waist, pulling me close. He nuzzles his nose against my neck.

“Can you get the frosting out of the refrigerator? The cake is cool enough to assemble.”

“There’s cake, too?” He fetches the frosting and sets it on the counter. He then turns his attention to the cooling racks. “I count three dozen muffins. What army are we feeding?”

“You and me. Your parents. Stéphanie. Vincent. The four new guards whose names I keep forgetting. Hugo. Your parents’ private secretaries and PR specialists. The Countess Mimerel, as an apology for last night. Also your sisters, because they might feel left out. And Fiona, if she’s here.”

Julien counts on his fingers as I reel off the list. When I’m done, he says, “That’s twenty people. At that point, you’re better off sending a note to the kitchens asking if they’d be able to cook breakfast for everyone.”

I gasp. “I forgot about Françoise!”

“She is a professional chef. I promise she can feed herself.”

“Yes, but—” I reach for the frosting, but Julien moves the bowl out of reach.

“I can do this. You need to sleep.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “I don’t trust you in the kitchen.”

“I can manage to decorate a cake and take muffins out of the oven.”

“I don’t need your help. I am handling this just fine on my own.”

He takes the covering off the frosting, dips his little finger in, and tastes it. “Have you tried this yet?”

“Best frosting ever, right?”

He pushes the bowl toward me. “Eat some.”

“This is for the cake, not for snacking.”

He pushes it closer. I shoot him an annoyed look and sample the frosting. The moment it touches my tongue, I know exactly what the problem is. I didn’t add the sugar.

I turn around. I can see the containers for flour, salt, baking powder, oil, eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla. No sugar.

I forgot the sugar.

At that precise moment, the oven timer beeps. The muffins are done.

Behind me, Julien grabs oven mitts and retrieves the muffins. He doesn’t check if they’re fully cooked. Not that it matters. They’re sugarless and therefore disgusting. He turns off the oven.

“When I wake up,” I say, “remind me to reorganize the pantry.”

I don’t wait for his response before accepting defeat and going back to bed.

Warm afternoon light pours into the room and tangles in the gauzy canopy overhead. I am cocooned in sheets and blankets. Various pillows are arranged in a semicircle near my head. Instinctively, I reach for Julien. He’s not there. Instead, a small paper has been left on his side of the bed.

Don’t worry about the meeting with my parents and Stéphanie. We unanimously decided to postpone it until tomorrow. Françoise has agreed to make breakfast. Stéphanie sends her best wishes to you and your family.

The story circulating among staff—and hopefully in the papers—is that you’re suffering from a stomach bug. Françoise stocked the kitchen with sixteen different types of tea, and recommends the lemon ginger.

—J

I set the note back on the bed and sigh.

The door creaks open. I sit up. It’s Julien, of course.

He wears his usual gray suit. Today, he’s paired it with a jaunty lavender tie. “Did I wake you up?”

“No,” I lie. “What time is it?”

“Just after three.”

I swear under my breath. So much for reorganizing the pantry today.

Julien sits down next to me and smooths my hair. “How are you feeling?”

I shrug. My mother is dying. My boyfriend proposed. I have been hit by a semi-truck of emotions in the past twenty-four hours. “I’m not tired and not cold, so I think I’m okay.”

“Just okay?”

I nod. “Best I can ask for under the circumstances.”

He brushes his fingertips across my face, tracing the curves of my cheeks and nose and eyebrows. “We could go to Coppélia another night, if you’re not feeling up to it.”

“We’re going tonight.” There’s no other good moment. I’ll be in Greece for an entire week. We will both be in Paris for a few days before Julien flies to Italy. Unfortunately, I will almost certainly be working late. Things are always hectic in the days before an auction.

“Your health and happiness are more important to me than a ballet.”

“We haven’t had a date night in almost a month. We are going.”

“I will insist on a single change to the itinerary.”

I raise an eyebrow.

He grins. “We’re getting sushi for dinner.”

[blueberry-fiction]

Picture Perfect

Sheriff Hassan x fem!reader

Waves lapped loudly at the edge of Garry Point Park Beach and, in the same fashion, retreated back into the ocean whence they’d come, leaving behind a thick coat of sticky foam spat up from the darkened, choppy water that was only now coming into view on the horizon. Some mornings, when the wind blew in just the right direction, the smell of sizzling bacon and fresh brewed coffee would drift down to the shore from the diner a few blocks over and mingle deliciously with the salty ocean air, blanketing the scene in the warm aroma. This morning was not one of those mornings. No, today the chilly autumn air was thin, crisp, and carried with it the threat of a storm that was scheduled to hit Crockett Island in just two days' time.

The alarm on Y/n's wristwatch chirped twice to signal the time, but she looked down to confirm anyways out of habit. 6:28 AM. Perfect. Not even a moment later, as if summoned by the chirping of her alarm, thin wisps of golden sunlight began to creep out from their slumber and peek out over the wave caps on the horizon. Bright streams of yellow and orange danced across the dark, watery landscape and gleamed brightly into Y/n's eyes from where she watched on the shoreline, her worn leather boots settling a little further into the damp sand beneath her.

Transfixed completely by the technicolor display jumping to life before her, she’d all but forgotten all about the camera dangling from around her neck and her entire purpose for being at the beach this early on a Saturday. As quickly as she could, Y/n carefully removed the old camera from its weathered pouch, slid the lens cover aside, and found her frame. “Now if I could just focus the damned thing...” she mumbled quietly under her breath.

Y/n considered herself a semi-professional photographer, but this particular camera was new to her. Until very recently it had belonged to her mom and, much to her frustration, it had an extremely sensitive focusing ring. Unlike Y/n, her mom had been a fully professional photographer, teaching herself almost all of what she knew about the art from this very spot on Garry Point Park Beach. Also unlike Y/n, her mom had been one of the few life-long islanders that the shopkeepers in the center of town liked to remember so fondly whenever Y/n stopped for a few groceries or to fill up her gas tank- A couple even went so far as to hang a portrait of her mom up on their walls after the funeral. Most importantly to Y/n though, her mom had been a loving role model and an incredible mentor. Her old camera, on the other hand, was not so loving.

To familiarize herself with it, Y/n made a habit of waking up early to snap a few pictures of the sunrise from a sleepy cove at the southern end of the beach near her mom's, er-her's now, house. She'd found a photo of the cove in the house on her very first day here and scouted it out the next morning, camera in hand, attempting to capture as many shots as possible while simultaneously avoiding any potential onlookers that may distract her from her learning process. Lately though, Y/n's artistic progress seemed to have plateaued thanks to her especially sensitive camera and, even worse, four days ago she realized she'd been noticed by someone.

In his defense, Hassan was one of the least threatening island residents who could have witnessed Y/n’s new early morning routine, but even from a distance he could sense that she didn't welcome his presence there by the way she positioned herself just outside his line of vision now.

Four mornings ago, when Hassan had been running a few minutes ahead of his typical schedule and, by chance, caught a glimpse of her making her way toward the mouth of the cove through the hazy morning light, she'd looked up toward the road in time to notice him there, leaning comfortably against the side of his car, and stopped dead in her tracks. Hassan's usually stern face had broken into a small smile and he'd lifted his hand to offer up a friendly half-wave as a sign that he meant no harm, a gesture Y/n hadn't returned.

Instead, he'd noticed the way her body went completely rigid when his eyes lingered curiously on her shadowy figure in the moments that followed. His smile faded, lips settling into a hard line. "She must have known she wasn't the only person out here" he'd thought then.

Had she not realized that this too had been his morning ritual? Albeit, not to fiddle around with a camera, but just to carve out a few solitary moments of tranquility from his day before hurling himself back into playing Sheriff on Crockett Island. And now here she was on a Saturday, too?

Hassan shoved his hands deep into the front pockets of his blue jeans and, looking down, clumsily kicked at a pebble on the side of the road where he’d parked his car only a half hour earlier to watch the sunrise himself. If anything, he thought, he should be the one annoyed with her, not the other way around. After all, he had been visiting this shoreline most mornings for the last two years since becoming the town's new Sheriff, whereas Y/n had just moved onto Crockett Island three weeks ago. He should be annoyed by her sense of entitlement, he thought.

Curiously though, he couldn’t bring himself to feel anything but quiet fascination at the sight of the new photographer in the morning's dim yellow light as she slowly climbed the grassy path that led toward the road where he stood leaning against his car, a smile gently tugging at the corners of his mouth.

X

[dansnaturepictures]

13/11/23-Lakeside and home

Photos taken in this set: 1 and 2. Colourful yellow and red trees out the back and in the garden respectively which I've enjoyed seeing a lot of late. 3, 4 and 10. Beautiful views on my Lakeside lunch time walk full of autumnal colour, with a tree with more intense colour on the right side of it which I noticed yesterday looking nice in the third photo and a brilliant yellow bush in the tenth. The starkness in the landscape that symbolizes winter so well for me is appearing too as more and more leaves disappear. It's an interesting time of year observing this. 5. A juvenile Herring Gull which I got brilliant views of, at one stage it was stood on a buoy like the Black-headed Gulls do but they're somewhat heavier and the buoy rocked about under its weight as it moved which was comical to see. 6 and 7. Great Crested Grebes, there was a steeliness about them in their more basic winter plumage which was quite atmospheric of early winter days too. 8. A gorgeous little emerald finch, a Siskin, for the second day running I was captivated by seeing these cheery birds in the alders. A lovely few moments. 9. A beautiful scene of yellow and brown autumn leaves mixed with ivy on the ground.

I also enjoyed seeing Blue Tit, seeing and hearing boisterous Mistle Thrush a key bird of my year here and in recent weeks, Jackdaw, Coot, Moorhen and Mallard at Lakeside with Magpie, Carrion Crow, Collared Doves, Goldfinches, Starlings and particularly House Sparrow enjoyed at home today. A wood avens just about still going at Lakeside, wild carrot, daisy, broad-leaved clover at the flower bed area on the way, scabious and holly berries were nice flowers seen today. It was nice to see spiders at home.

[openingpandorasbox1]

AUTUMN PART 1 (9)

I was watching The Project on Channel 10 and they had this bizarre news story about how people were eating a type of mushroom and dying from it, I wrote under a post about it “be careful of mushrooms people”. Some of my FB friends commented back about it and I replied, “Was that drug popular in the 80s?” and Jack became aggressive and wrote in capital letters, ‘SHUT THE FUCK UP IF YOU FUCKING DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU RE TALKING ABOUT YOU FUCKING IDIOT”. One Facebook friend said he was being rude and another said he was being aggressive and abusive. Another Facebook friend PM messaged me and wrote, “I know he is your friend but the way he is speaking to you is unacceptable. I’m worried about you with this person” and she told me that, “all the signs are there”. I was going to delete Jack as a friend at that time but I was problems at home, and he was the last thing on my mind. I knew what Autumn told me about him, so he was just living up to his reputation.

The Office (US) is one of my favourite shows of all-time and I just love it. I was watching the episode when Michael Scott left. This was the first time I had seen it. I was nearly in tears watching Michael Scott leaving and I wrote about it on my FB wall. A few people commented and agreed with me. Autumn had this Facebook friend from Canada who was also on my Facebook friends list and he was a cat lover and I’m a cat lover and we have that in common. Even though I had just watched the episode of Michael Scott leaving, I was a bit behind and he had seen the new episodes that Michael Scott was no longer in (the new season). He commented on the new episodes and Jack wrote to him, “THAT IS BECAUSE YOU’RE JUST A KNOB”. I wrote, “Don’t talk to people like that” and he wrote and said, “You’re an idiot and stupid”. Jack called me a bogan once because I was living in Emu Plains, and my friend told me to give him a piece of his own medicine, so I said, ‘You’re acting like a bogan’ and he called me a ‘bitch’ and then disappeared, and me and my friend laughed because he couldn’t take it back. These events took place at similar time frame, which is why I hadn’t deleted him at this point, but I was warming to it. But my mum’s poor internet service only gave me a small time frame to be able to do what I wanted to do online and jump off again. I didn’t want to waste that small time frame on Jack. I got hobbies and stuff.

                It was a day or so after this that Jack went out drinking in Sydney and I knew this because he was posting about it on his Facebook feed for most of the day. I assumed that night that Autumn had been interacting with Jack because that afternoon/early night time they both started trolling on my Facebook feed. They must have been chatting on Skype because Jack took a photo of Autumn on Skype flipping the bird and he posted it onto his wall and tagged me on it for me to see. They also wrote all these comments on my Facebook wall, mainly calling me fat and ugly. I wasn’t fat at this time, I was around 40 to 45kg which isn’t fat and I was skinnier than the both of them. Whether I am ugly or not is debatable but I know they weren’t going to win any beauty competitions. Usually when people insult me or want to put me down they usually go straight to the way I look because that’s all they have over me. Common insults from common people.

It was only recently that I had been watching The Block (an Australian renovation TV program) when one of the girls on the show said something like, ‘Dibby dibby dobber” which I found funny and I wrote that on my Facebook wall and my Facebook friends from Australia knew what I was talking about because The Block was popular. They just laughed under the comment and no one was offended. However when Jack and Autumn was trolling on my wall, Jack was writing DIBBY DIBBY DOBBER all over my wall. I didn’t really let anything they wrote on my wall get to me because it was just some silly quote from a reality TV show. Jack was doing most of the criticizing on my wall but he was probably so drunk and full of drugs he didn’t know what he was doing and probably didn’t care. He also wrote, MY SISTER IS SO SWEET, which is something I said about Autumn on her birthday. I guess they couldn’t find anything negative to slander me about so they were just talking shit.

               I didn’t even bother replying back to them. I just thought, “fuck this” and just blocked them. I haven’t heard from them since.

There were people online who did notice Autumns photo and Jack’s trolling and some of my friends wrote … “Rude” and other comments similar.

[robertleechestateagents]

Bee Friendly – By Holly Short

In the first of our green-fingered blogs, Holly from Grow Smiles gives us some brilliant advice on how we can help our yellow and black, furry, friends.

Why are bees important?

Approximately 80% of all flowering plants are pollinated primarily by bees as well as other insects and animals. Our food is reliant on this pollination as it provides the fruit and vegetables we eat as well as the crop to feed livestock. According to the Healthy Bees Plan 2030, bee crop pollination brings around £600 million per year to England and Wales based on crop pollination. Of course it also generates invaluable food for wildlife. Bees are an integral part of our eco system and without them we would be in big trouble.

Bees are in danger across the world with rapidly decreasing numbers. There are two main reasons – habitat loss due to urbanisation and intensive farming methods and the use of pesticides.

What can I do?

There are lots of easy way for you to use your garden to provide the bees with food and shelter. Learn to love your bees, find out about them – how to identify the different types, how they behave and what they need. By looking after the bees you will also be looking after other pollinators like butterflies.

Grow bee friendly flowers and plants.

Bees are around for most of the year, some emerge from hibernation as early as February and others are still flying around in November. You may seem them even earlier or later if the weather is mild. I have seen big fluffy, sleepy Queen bees on sunny days in January looking for nectar. So try to make sure that they have some form of food all year round. They need nectar to give them energy to fly and find nests and pollen to feed their bee grubs. You can often see the pollen stuck to their back legs so that they can take it back to the hive – see our photos at the end of the article.

The tricky times for bees are late Winter into early Summer and Autumn, when flowers are not so profilic as they are in full Summer. Plant bulbs in Autumn to provide flowers for the bees in these sparse times – Snowdrops, Winter Aconite, Hyacinths, Crocus, Fritillaria and Alliums. Look to include Autumn flowers plants in your garden such as Asters and Japanese Anenome. Ivy provides a wonderful source of nectar and pollen during the Winter months. Have a look at this wonderful seasonal guide created by Friends of the Earth.

Give them shelter

If you have space and can cope with a bit of wild in your garden – leave a patch of lawn uncut. Bees love sheltering in Clover, Dandelions and long grass. If you can’t do that, why not build a bee hotel? It doesn’t have to be complicated, just a box or even on old plastic drinks bottle with hollow branches, pine cones, drilled out logs – other pollinating insects will love it too. The Bee Friendly Trust have written a lovely, simple guide to help you build a bee hotel.

Learn to love your bees

Watching and listening to bees is mesmerising. In early Summer my garden is full of Alliums and in early Autumn, Asters – the sound of the buzzing is amazing and there are so many different types of bees to see. The Bumble Bee Conservation has a great tool to help you first identify the different types and then to learn about all of their unique habits. They also do some great posters and pocket books. Once you become more involved and connected with the bees, you will naturally want to look after them – which can only be good for the bees!

Don’t use or support the use of chemicals

Learn how to Grow Green – harness the power of nature to grow better plants without harming the environment. Our Grow Green article can help you – it’s updated with new things we learn – so very frequently. Also look at what’s happening in the world around you, at the big picture. For example, in 2021 the UK government reversed recently made decisions put in place to protect our bees and wildlife – read more at the Wild Life & Countryside Link. Stand up for our bees. (Update June 2021 – this decision has once again been reversed – so our bees are now more protected. It is still always worth keeping an eye on legislations as clearly they can be changed very quickly).

You will experience so much joy by loving and protecting the bees – new found buzzy friends that do so much good for our plant, not to mention beautiful flowers, plants and gardens. Our plant list highlights the plants we have that are bee friendly.

Bee friendly – Make the World a Better Place

By Holly Short

grow@growsmiles.co.uk

Grow Smiles, Church Farm, Betchworth, RH3 7DH

Content source: https://www.robertleech.com/bee-friendly-by-holly-short/

[matriarchinwaiting]

This is probably completely inappropriate of me but I’m a gossip hound, so let’s weigh in.

These two really intrigue me. It’s pretty clear that Kate’s general MO with men is to have a long term life partner while having side pieces whenever convenient. She alluded to as much in her memoirs. (Ftr I’ve always admired the way she lived her life. This isn’t judgement or criticism, just observations because I’m nosey as hell). Her track record with men and relationships isn’t great. My drugstore psychoanalysis blames that on the messed up role reversal relationship she had with her mother. She’s admitted to being engaged eight times as a young woman, simply because she liked the guys. There’s rumours that she’s engaged to Bennett now. That massive rock on her ring finger certainly implies it but when asked about marriage again in a recent interview she said she “didn’t want to talk about it in the press”. Which, after spending over a decade saying publicly she’d never get married again after her last divorce, was an interesting change of tone in its lack of a denial. The last photos online of Kate with her ex husband Tim are from early 2009 and the earliest pics of Bennett and Kate together are from autumn of the same year. Bennett was still married at the time too and there’s photos online of him and his wife out together in public as recently as early 2010. So the timeline of when the respective couples officially split and Kate and Bennett got together properly is unclear. At a 2008 con appearance, (still married to Tim) Kate told the crowd they didn’t live together anymore and she saw him every two or three weeks and that that arrangement was “very nice, ladies and gentlemen!”. She’s alluded since to the problems caused by her constant travelling for work and his reluctance to leave his home in Ohio keeping them apart and ultimately causing the split. The legalities of her divorce from Tim were finalised in 2014. Kate’s first memoir was released in March the next year and even though she’d been with Bennett for (approx) 6 years by then, it heavily focused on Tim and she repeatedly called him the Love of her Life in both the book and the promotional interviews she did at the time. I wondered how that went down with Bennett (who wasn’t mentioned in the book at all) but whilst it transpires they split up briefly that year, (Kate accidentally let slip she was single during a book tour event) it’s not clear if the memoir and Tim’s story in it was the reason. The huge engagement-looking ring appeared in Spring of 2020 which would’ve been approx their official 10 year anniversary and also the time when Kate got very sick with covid. After living in their respective homes in different states for that decade and spending significant time apart because of her work and living in Ireland part time, they bought a house together for the first time. I always wondered how the sporadic, long distance dynamic worked but the house and ring seemed like a big step in terms of committing to a cosy future together. So I assumed Kate’s penchant for side pieces had ended. But. Now that Kate’s been talking about the third book she’s writing (and first novel), she’s admitted the story is inspired by real events, including things she wanted to write into her memoirs but didn’t feel comfortable revealing. And look what she says about it: “I am working on my third book, which I am calling The Irish House, a novel loosely based on my experience of having lived in Galway on and off for four years. I think of it as a kind-of psychological thriller, but it is also the story of the price that must be paid when passion is misunderstood” -👀 So now I’m confused as to what else has been going on in her life besides Mr Zier and whether or not they’re still that committed. Watch this space. (And buy the damn book when it’s released! 🤣)

Apologies for the essay but I warned you they intrigued me.

thoughts on bennett zier? (Kate’s boyfriend)

I'm going be be honest and say honestly I don't think about him much. As much fun as I have speculating about actors etc, I don't go investigating their partners who are not in the profession generally speaking. Like I hope that he's a good fit for her and after two divorces she's found the right person at the right time. I recall someone I knew through fandom saying at some point they happened to see Kate and Bennett in Central Park at some point and they seemed cute/happy and it is nice to think that, but that's as far as it goes for me. At this point in her life, I certainly hope Kate knows her own mind in terms of what she does or doesn't want.

[bizarrequazar]

GJ and ZZH Updates — May 08-14

<<< previous week || all posts || following week >>>

This is part of a weekly series collecting updates from and relating to Gong Jun and Zhang Zhehan.

This post is not wholly comprehensive and is intended as an overview, links provided lead to further details. Dates are in accordance with China Standard Time, the organization is chronological. My own biases on some things are reflected here. Anything I include that is not concretely known is indicated as such, and you’re welcome to do your own research and draw your own conclusions as you see fit. A glossary of names and terms often used can be found [here]. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or additions. :)

05-08 → The Weibo CEO responded to a comment from a Gong Jun fan about Hao Jingfang’s muting, confirming that it was done because of legal regulations (aka because she was posting politically sensitive content) rather than because of mass reporting as was rumored. [translated source]

→ Another impromptu livestream was held by Naan, Qilin, QuelleVous, and Bluebird discussing Zhang Mama’s social media accounts, the entertainment industry in relation to Zhang Zhehan, the current environment about Gong Jun, and a bit more about Hao Jingfang. [recording] (Skip to 1:06:00 in for the serious discussion, the earlier stuff is just chatting.)

→ BAZAAR Men posted one of Gong Jun’s photos from his appearance on Global Chinese Music (04-23). Caption: “The best state is a future that can be expected, and when everything is too late, be a happy self.” (mtl)

→ Zhang Mama’s Meipian account made a post for mother’s day mostly talking about Zhang Zhehan’s late grandmother. Xie Yihua’s brand was mentioned. This post disappeared on 05-11, it’s not known why. There is currently reason to doubt that the account is really her.

→ Gong Jun made a post on his Weibo: “Wishing mothers a happy Mother's Day and good health!!!” Fan Observation: CPFs came out full force to leave positive comments.

→ One of Xie Yihua’s followers made a post mentioning that Xie Yihua had plans to register a new Instagram account; the sentence was edited out of the post shortly after.

→ Photos were spread by Xie Yihua’s followers of a man she claimed to be Zhang Zhehan’s boyfriend (because apparently him liking men isn’t an issue as long as that man isn’t Gong Jun...) The “evidence” was that the supposed boyfriend had recently posted a photo of a ragdoll cat that looked like Kele on his Instagram story.

05-09 → Addition 05-18: Warrior released a photo ad of Gong Jun.

→ Gong Jun posted a photo ad for 3CE. Caption: “Recieve the romance I prepared with @3CE_STYLENANDA!” This was reposted by 3CE with the added caption, “Who is surrounded by a screen of love again? The heart-pounding romantic May, let's start with Junjunzi!” (mtl) and a link to a limited edition bundle with Gong Jun merch available from 05-09 to the end of 05-11.  Fan Observation: 05-20 is the romantic day in May, so why choose to have this promotion end on the 11th, hmmm? :)

→ A photographer posted a photo of Gong Jun from around when Begin Again aired (2020). Caption: “It was in the early morning of late autumn and he came to take pictures in the studio just after work. Have you ever seen Gong Jun (Ling Rui) like this?” The photographer tagged Word of Honor.

→ A new shirt was announced for Xie Yihua’s brand that directly contradicted the reason given in the video of “designing clothes to avoid CP implications,” as the design appeared to be plagarized from one that Gong Jun wore last October. The announcement was deleted after this was pointed out, with the excuse that the wrong design had been posted. 

→ The “boyfriend” made a post in his Instagram story saying “I like women, and only like women...” and making a comment about people mocking his appearance. Absolute clown show.

→ Youyou, a well known CPF livestreamer on Bilibili (if you’ve watched candy videos you’ve probably seen some by her), was outed via chatlogs as no longer believing what she was saying, badmouthing the relationship and CPFs, and supporting the Instagram. She claimed to “have contacts,” who are strongly suspected to be Xie Yihua’s people.

→ YA-MAN posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun to their Weibo.

→ LockNLock posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun to their Xiao Hong Shu.

05-10 → A livestream was held between followerno65, Flora, QuelleVous, and Bluebird explaining what had happened with Youyou and discussing the developments with Xie Yihua’s brand. The following entry about Noko happened during this. [here] is the recording, a warning that it gets a bit upsetting after this development occurred.

→ Noko, the brand whose design Xie Yihua had plagarized the day before, posted a statement to their Xiao Hong Shu that they were going to take legal action. Their initial statement referred to EHz.Z as “a Chinese celebrity’s” brand, but this detail was removed after Noko was contacted by CPFs. The entire post was later taken down, it is not known why. Fan Observation: Many fans ordered products from Noko immediately following this, as it felt like the only thing we could do to try to mitigate the damage.

→ Xie Yihua posted a statement about the situation with Noko, pinning the blame fully on her designers. This contradicts what she’s said before about Zhang Zhehan being the one behind the designs.

→ Fresh posted a short promo video featuring Gong Jun for their new online store. (1129 kadian) The same video was also posted to their Douyin.

→ YA-MAN posted another photo ad featuring Gong Jun to their Weibo.

→ Gong Jun’s newest song 青年说 was used in a CCTV news segment about patriotic youth.

05-11 → Zhang Zhehan’s 31st birthday! 🥳

Here’s a collection of things created by fans to celebrate (the numbers are to make it easier to keep track of which ones you’ve looked at, double x’s are for things that have been posted to multiple sites)  -  Art: [1] [x x] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [x x] [8]  [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32]  -  Birthday pfps  -  Charity drives  -  Fanfiction: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]  -  Irl events: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]  -  Letters: [1] [x x] [2]  -  Newly subbed clips: [1] [2]  -  Public displays: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]  -  Videos: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]  -  Misc.: [1] [2] [3] (If you made or know of something that I didn’t link here, let me know and I’ll add it!)

→ #ZhangZhehan trended on Twitter shortly after midnight then again for a longer period around the afternoon (CST).

→ The post count on Gong Jun’s personal Weibo went from 739 to 741 despite nothing new appearing, indicating that he made two private posts. [source]

→ The Twitter for the Word of Honor Japanese release made a tweet celebrating Zhang Zhehan’s birthday.

→ 361° made a post at 11:15, a 511 kadian.

→ Addition 05-18: Warrior posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun.

→ New photos and a short video were spread (presumably by Xie Yihua) that seem to have been promos for the concert Zhang Zhehan was preparing for before 813. [photos] [photo] [video]

→ Xie Yihua’s brand released a birthday message with a photo of Zhang Zhehan wearing their merch, except it was identified as being (badly) photoshopped from an ad for another company from 2018.

05-12 → Gong Jun reposted a CCTV post remembering the Wenchuan earthquake. Caption: “Remember the deceased, remember the pain, pay tribute to the rebirth!” The same was posted to his studio Weibo with the additional caption: “Remembering the deceased, the living are strong! Salute the ‘Unshakable Wenchuan Spirit’.”

→ The Instagram was reactivated. Its display name was changed from Zhangzhehan_Super3 to 张哲瀚.

→ Hsu Fu Chi posted an image for Nurse’s Day featuring Gong Jun.

→ An impromptu livestream was held between Bluebird, QuelleVous, and Flora discussing the Instagram reactivation. The conclusion reached is that most likely Zhang Zhehan was the one who had it deactivated but it was then appealed by Xie Yihua and co., as an appeal takes seven days to be reviewed. [recording] [summary] 

05-13 → 9 months since 813.

→ Kangshifu Jasmine Tea made a post announcing that they will be releasing a “romantic micro-movie” staring Gong Jun on 05-20, with him playing both a manhua artist and the manhua’s protagonist. A poll is open to vote between the two characters. 

Caption:  “A touch of fragrance from the tea shop is brewing @ Gong Jun Simon 's heartbeat theater. The reserved cartoonist Gong Jun came by smelling the fragrance, but was taken first by the funny and flamboyant cartoon Gong Jun. Two people with very different styles, how would you choose? Participate in the voting and make a romantic choice~ ... In the dense atmosphere, romance is always the same.” (mtl)

They later made another post sharing a promotional image, caption: “I didn't hide you very well, I know. Introverted cartoonists and talkative cartoon protagonists in each of my drawings. Who do you pick?” (mtl) The flavour text on the image is “I didn't hide you away properly. It's apparent in every drawing of mine.” [translation]

Fan Observation: Those are gardenias in the promo image, an LLD symbol. ♥

→ Warrior released a photo ad featuring Gong Jun.

→ A video was posted spoken by Gong Jun announcing that Safeguard is appearing at a beauty festival from 05-10 to 05-23.

→ YA-MAN posted a set of nine photo ads featuring Gong Jun.

→ A livestreamer played Light Up the Future on stream and people kept commenting about “Gong Jun’s laopo”, so they looked it up on Baidu and had a very fun reaction to the photo that came up. [video here]

05-14 → A livestream was held between QuelleVous, Naan, Flora, followerno65, and Bluebird intended as the first in a series reviewing the events relating to 813. This one covered the leadup to August and August itself. [recording] [summary]

→ Kangshifu Jasmine Tea posted another promotional image for their upcoming commercial. Caption: “Fortunately, there is no voice missing, otherwise you will definitely hear the heartbeat of ‘not yours’. One is a quiet and beautiful man, and the other is an interesting soul. Which would you choose?” (mtl)

→ Fresh posted a short video spoken by Gong Jun advertising their promotion for 05-20, this was also later posted on their Douyin and Xiao Hong Shu. [subbed video] They also released a new photo ad of him on their Taobao.

→ A costume assistant from Word of Honor posted two bts photos and a short video of Gong Jun. Another new bts video was shared by someone else on the same day.

→ Xie Yihua’s brand now has an Instagram of it’s own (it’s almost like they’re worried the one they already have will be deactivated again...) The two posts that have been made are both of its logo; the first one has no caption, the second one is “explaining” the logo.

→ The Instagram posted three new photos from the same Forbidden City photoshoot. Caption: “One side of the lake is half ice 🧊 The old photos in the album are gradually dissolving” Fan Observations: Fans’ advice at this point is to ignore anything new that comes out of the Instagram, as they seem to be actively responding to what we’ve been saying about it.

→ QuelleVous posted a chart with sources showing that Xie Yihua has six different connections to CAPA.

Additional Reading: → Flora’s daily fan news thread

<<< previous week || all posts || following week >>>

This post was last edited 22-05-18.

[zeromorph]

autumn:

recently it’s finally gotten cool enough to bring my fuzzy silver blanket back out onto my bed. my roommate’s cat found it in about six seconds; sometimes I walk in and find him sprawled across it, cozy enough that he only opens his eyes halfway as I sit next to him before stretching and settling back down.

I don’t make it to services in person every week, but I make sure to wake up early enough because this week is Bereshit, the first parashah, my second-favorite. I don’t believe in god but I believe in beginnings, and family, and splendor, and that the world is worth looking at with awe and love. the rabbi tells us a midrash based in the literal meaning of bereshit (in a, not the, beginning), and I tuck that away in my heart to turn over later, this reminder that we’re never done creating and recreating. that it’s hard, but it’s also okay to need more than one try.

the dawn redwoods around the corner from my home are just starting their elegant meander into changing color, but the ones in the park are well on their way, and the bunched curls of needles on the ground beneath them look like hair scattered on the floor of a salon.

wind jostles loose a flurry of bright yellow leaves as I walk under a group of oaks. I reach a hand out to try to catch one (they slip by me) and think of Kevin Young’s "Russet": God, it is hard being happy / if you try-- / instead, be like this slow / yellow. Let go.

I don’t mean to buy anything at the farmer’s market I pass, but the table of peppers stops me in my tracks. habaneros aren’t standard stock at grocery stores here, let alone poblanos or anaheim peppers or chiles de árbol, and fifty cents a pepper is a ludicrous price but I leave with a small rainbow anyway. I’ll find something else to do with the serranos in the fridge I was going to use as substitutes; the habaneros are going in my potatoes tonight.

down in Austin, this weather would mean grackles--the big migrating flocks, parking lot clouds my mother calls my friends and sends me photos of, raucous and bold and beautiful. I miss them. I know that if I was there, I would miss the colors and the changing winds here. I don’t know whether I feel unmoored or rooted. maybe both.

the vine outside my bedroom window isn’t changing color yet, but I know it will soon enough that I’m checking each time I get home from school. I’m looking forward to the red, but its leaves are pretty in the summer, too, and I’m just as happy to see it still green. it will get there in its time. I’ll still be here.

[livefolkco]

Editing a view of the wizarding world of Harry Potter, captured by a 2021 Adobe Rising Star! With @itsrachelhannah, @jonathanrudic, @awaisevisuals, @misary___, @rama_pac, @h.o.n.g.s.h.u, @aafrzl_, and @alexander_linde - #FFAnomadict / @itsrachelhannah: "Glenfinnan has been on my list to visit for years, so finally experiencing the magic of this special place is a memory I won’t forget. The main reason to go there is to see the famous Jacobite Steam train – also known as the Hogwarts Express – pass along the Viaduct. If you didn’t know, the filming of the second and third Harry Potter films took place in this area with the Hogwarts Express calling at Glenfinnan station! There are a few spots along the viaduct you can shoot the train from but this composition is the most popular as the train is coming towards you. If you’re lucky, the driver will ‘toot’ the horn to everyone waiting on the hill. If you get there early enough you can suss out a few spots to make sure you’re happy with the composition before the train passes. In my case, I knew where I wanted to stand beforehand as I had been there the year before. I also kept my eye on the weather to make sure the early morning sun was shining as I wanted to capture the sunlight and shadows as much as possible so I could make it pop a little more in the edit. I have edited this photo a few times but this particular one is my favorite. It was taken during autumn and I simply love the little pops of orange on the trees. I wanted to be able to portray the autumnal feel, early morning light and also really enhance the steam as it makes the curvature of the Viaduct stand out that bit more. I can’t wait to see how others will edit this photo. I’ve edited it a few different ways myself so I’m really looking forward to seeing how others use their unique styles and colors on this shot!" 🎆 @lightroom recently featured this photo captured by @itsrachelhannah when she was presented as an official #AdobeRisingStars. We would love to see how you edit this special photo as well! You still have 9 days to present your entries! (at Glenfinnan Viaduct) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSslqA0JrMm/?utm_medium=tumblr

[tartagilicious]

[CN] Lucien’s Sunset Date (eng)

this date is amazing ugly sobbing but if this doesn’t post I’m rioting. also, this makes me wanna dance under the stars with lucien while listening to feel good by fromis_9 is that too much to ask, universe?

--

MC: the sweet and sour short ribs, black pepper beef tenderloin, boiled cabbage heart... the meal is almost done!

I checked the recipes on my mobile phone while checking on the dishes in the bento box. Recently, Lucien’s research institute is working on a new project. He stayed in the institute for several days and did not come home.

I studied a few new dishes in my free time, but I never had the opportunity to try them with him. So, I took advantage of the rest of the day to cook and made a bento. Of course, I was also planning to see him out of my own selfishness.

When I happily took a few quick photos of the bento, I marked “Professor Xu’s love bento” on the photos with cute fonts. When I was about to go out, I received a text message and opened it to see that Lucien sent a strange address.

MC: ?

Is this a mistake? I dialed Lucien’s phone doubtfully.

Lucien: Did you receive the address?

MC: Um, where is this?

Lucien: This is where I am now. I guessed that you would come to me for lunch.

MC: ???

MC: How did you know?

Lucien: Because… black pepper beef tenderloin, sweet and sour short ribs, and boiled cabbage heart.

MC: ...Lucien! Are you studying mind reading for your new project at the institute?

His shallow laughter came from the earpiece.

Lucien: The project sounds very interesting, but you seem to forget that my research field is brain science. If you want to know the answer, you can open the photo album now.

I hung up the call, opened my phone’s photo album, and a buffering icon appeared in the middle of the screen. After a few seconds, my photo album automatically updated a piece. I have never seen the picture before.

The photo shows an exclusive courtyard with a wooden log door frame and red brick wall, and a row of old-fashioned labour utensils are displayed at the foot of the wall. In the middle of the yard is a 28-brand bicycle, its style reminiscent of the 1970s.

And under the light of the noon sun, reflected on the wall is the shadow of a person. I recognise it almost at a glance as Lucien.

“Ding” my phone has received a text message.

Lucien: Do you know the answer now?

After Lucien’s reminder, I finally realised. Last week, there was a problem with my phone and I needed to use another cloud account for verification. So, I used Lucien’s account temporarily, but I must have forgotten to log out. In other words, during this period, our mobile phones were using the same cloud account, so the photo album was also in a shared state.

MC: Yeah…

On my way to the private courtyard with the bento box, I blame my own carelessness in my heart, while repeatedly confirming the appearance of the “inventory” inside the box. Lucien must have seen the recipe that I saved in the photo album, not even the photos taken of the box just now have been spared.

I sighed and knocked on my head a little, then I suddenly realised again. If our mobile phones have been synced for more than a week, that means that all the photos I took during that time…

I quickly send a text message to Lucien.

MC: Lucien, have you seen anything else in the album? What photos?

Lucien: For example?

MC: For example, something that impresses you…

Lucien: Are you saying that this subject is my photo?

My fingers flicked subconsciously as Lucien’s reply appeared on the screen.

Lucien: I forgot to say that next time, you can shoot with more integrity, that way I can cooperate with you on more poses.

He really!!

He often took pictures of himself reading books or doing experiments, but he didn’t take any others! This cunning man!

(translator’s note: the original translation refers to him as “a lion man”, basically saying that he’s sly and superior.)

When I arrived at the lane where the courtyard was located, I saw Lucien from a distance standing and waiting for me. I hurriedly raised my hand to him.

MC: Lucien, is your research tricky? Have you set aside the time to eat?

Lucien took the bento in my hand and looked at me with happy but tired eyes.

Lucien: It’s not too tricky. As for having good meals… if the standard is this bento, then i really can’t call any of them good meals.

He took my hand and leads me through the door. When I stand in the courtyard, the sense of precipitation of the years becomes stronger.

MC: How can you be in this place? Is it related to research?

Lucien: Well, this research project will conduct clinical trials here.

MC: This is actually a new research base?

Lucien: To be precise, it’s a temporary research base.

MC: What about the other people of the research institute?

Lucien: The study will officially start tomorrow, and today we gave them the day off.

MC: It turned out to be so, but how could the research base be chosen in a yard with such a sense of age?

Lucien didn’t answer. He took me to sit down at the square table in the courtyard.

Lucien: Based on the understanding of ___, I answered your question, but after that, your curiosity will only grow more questions. So, before this, let’s eat first. I’ll give you a good tour after we eat.

After supervising Lucien eating the lunch, he took me by the hand and walked into the second part of the courtyard. The style of the building is consistent with the courtyard, even more so seeing the rest of the architecture.

The dark grey rough floor exudes a faint smell of cement, and the green leather wall is painted with the four red characters “hard work”. The three classic furniture pieces restore the old texture and the rest of the daily necessities present also exude a strong sense of age.

Lucien: How do you feel?

MC: Although I obviously haven’t experienced this era, it seems as if i’ve really returned to the past.

Lucien: The research team here has spent a lot of time restoring it to seem like the 70s.

MC: I’m even more curious now that you mention it. What kind of research is it that you need to have a venue like this?

Lucien: It’s a study on the healthy brain of the elderly. For people with Alzheimer’s disease, or elderly with hidden risks of clinical depression.

MC: I’ve heard that there’s no effective treatment or medicine for these conditions, is that true?

Lucien: Well, Alzheimer’s disease can be said to be a serious challenge facing modern brain science research. Even this research can only focus on early intervention before illness, while observing the quantity and quality of brain cells.

MC: So, why do you want to restore this place to the 70s specifically?

Lucien: The brain of elderly people is often in a state of stagnation, so the brain will easily degenerate. The most memorable experiences of the elderly staying here are concentrated in the seventies, which is the most meaningful time of their lives.

Lucien: Putting them in a familiar environment to stimulate the brain is the basis of this research project.

MC: use memories to wake up the brain and prevent them from succumbing to sickness… that’s it. It would be nice if more people could know this method.

I looked around, and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

MC: Lucien! Can I use my camera to record this research? This might attract more investors.

Lucien didn’t speak, he looked at me a little bit more and then smiled. Realising my offer was a bit abrupt, I quickly tried to change the topic.

MC: Though, it doesn’t matter if I can’t shoot. After all, this involves the confidentiality of research. But, if our memories can be recorded, this way, when we’re old, we’ll have more memories to look back on in these cases.

He remained silent, but the smile on his face was deeper.

MC: What happened? Did I say something wrong?

Lucien: No, if you want to shoot, I can ask the patient’s families for their opinions. But, I think they will agree, because what you want to do is also a very meaningful thing.

MC: I thought you would think that my idea was too bad to consider…

Lucien: I’m just happy. It turns out that you’ve already planned so far for our future.

After going through the entire building, Lucien took me to the backyard again. In the centre of the yard was a dense wisteria tree. There was a breeze in this early autumn afternoon, and the sun above also swept away most of the hot temperature.

The backyard shrouded by the wisteria flowers was concealed by a shady and drooping branch, swaying leisurely in the air but looking very comfortable. Obviously, it’s my first time coming here, but I feel a familiar sense of deja vu.

Lucien: What do you think?

MC: It feels weird to say it, but just for a moment, I felt that this scene was familiar.

Lucien followed my line of sight and looked at the branch of wisteria.

Lucien: On a scientific level, you must have visual experience. But I have a more romantic explanation. It may be that our souls snuck out in a dream, and then we met in a yard in the seventies.

He turned to look at me, his dark eyes deep like an exquisite pool of water.

Lucien: Maybe they were there and had a stable and slow life.

His voice is calm and determined, and his words fell to the bottom of my heart.

MC: Lu-Lucien, you’re seriously bluffing to me again…

Lucien didn’t seem to care about my disbelief, the pool in his eyes was still flowing with waves.

Lucien: If you don’t believe it, do you want to try it?

MC: What is there to try?

Lucien: Having a slow dream in the courtyard of the seventies.

MC: Like our souls, spend a lifetime in a dream?

Sure enough, I subconsciously believed Lucien’s words, but the initiator only smiled and nodded.

Lucien: “Life” is a subjective word, and how long a life is, is up to you to feel and decide. So as long as you want, we can spend our “life” here.

Maybe I was moved by Lucien’s romantic theory, or because I haven’t seen him for a long time, but either way, I eagerly agreed to his proposal.

MC: Since we’re going to live a slow life in the seventies today, let’s be more involved!

I took out headphones and my mobile phone and placed them on the stone table in the yard.

MC: I’m asking professor Xu to please confiscate these modern contrabands.

Lucien nodded knowingly, and took out his phone as I did.

Lucien: It seems we have to find something to seal them in the “future”. 

As he said this, he found a wooden box and put all of our electronic products inside of it.

Lucien: Welcome to the seventies, silly girl.

--

The weak autumn sunlight in the room shone crookedly through the window like a painting waiting for us. Though, we don’t have the mind to appreciate it, only focusing on living in the slowed down time.

Lucien seems to have come prepared, and the activities proposed were endless. He taught me how to light a kerosene lamp and took me to try an old fashioned sewing machine. We played with fans leisurely together, and listened to the squeaky Suzhou Pingtan on the radio.

(translator’s note: suzhou pingtan is a traditional musical art in china)

Time seems to have really slowed down for us while we do a lot of things, but the sun outside is still mild and bright. After listening to a pingtan, I eagerly looked at Lucien

MC: Lucien, what should we do next?

Lucien: What do you want to do?

MC: May I decide?

Lucien: Well, I also want to know what you think of this slow life.

MC: Well… I can’t think of my answer at the moment.

Lucien: It’s okay, just let the flow happen. Rather than using your brain to think about what you want, it’s better to leave the feelings to your heart. This deliberate content doesn’t necessarily conform to the meaning of a slow life. What you feel currently is the most important.

MC: Then… can we sit in the sun longer? Is that too plain?

Lucien: I think it’s a good idea.

After getting Lucien’s affirmative answer, I also dreamed of sitting in the sun with him. Only soon, my beautiful fantasy was disillusioned, because we searched the entire yard and found that there was only one recliner.

Lucien and I stood under the wisteria frame in the backyard, looking at the narrow chair in front of us.

MC: Hey… how about you sit down first? We can take turns.

The moment I blurted it out, I felt like I said something silly again. I blushed and was about to fight for myself further, but he reached out and pulled me into his arms. Before I knew what he was going to do, Lucien grabbed the back of my waist and gently closed the distance, our warm breaths instantly intertwined

Before I could speak under his deep eyes, my centre of gravity suddenly fell and I was in a soft embrace. My eyes moved slightly down, and I found that we were sitting on the recliner at the same time. My legs had encircled his body without me knowing when.

The motion startled the recliner, and it shook slightly. I couldn’t find my balance for a while, and I subconsciously hooked onto Lucien’s neck.

MC: Lu-Lucien?

I struggled to stand up, but Lucien released the hands that were fixed on my waist, and I was forced to tighten my arms around his neck. There was a warm breath stagnated in the air between us. The suffocating sensation reminds me of the air above an asphalt road in the summer.

Lucien: It’s boring to be alone in the sun, I think two people would be better.

MC: There’s nothing boring about being in the sun…

Fearing that I would make him uncomfortable, I lightly held on to prevent myself from slumping into him.

Lucien: You can relax, this chair is enough to hold the weight of both of us.

MC: I-I’m very relaxed.

Lucien:  Are you….

I heard his low and dull voice noise in my ears, and I hung my head even more as my face flushed. He stretched out a hand, pressed the knuckle of his right hand against my chin and gently lifted it up.

In the next second, a gentle and light kiss fell on my lips.

I instinctively closed my eyes and could only hear the beating of my heart in my head. Although it was only a soft kiss like a dragonfly’s, time seemed to slow down. When we finally separated again, it was really as if we had spent a lifetime in that moment.

Lucien: I can be sure that you are really relaxed now.

When I blushed and didn’t know how to react, Lucien’s cell phone began ringing in the wooden box. As if I had caught a life-saving straw, I stood up and started to go into the other room, his laughter coming from behind.

MC: Answer your phone, I’ll be in the bathroom!

Lucien: I know, I’ll finish up soon.

When I came out of the bathroom, Lucien’s call was just ending. He saw me coming and waved his phone apologetically.

Lucien: Sorry, ___. There’s a problem with the preparations of the study at the institute, and I need to return to discuss it with the research team.

MC: It’s ok! I’m very satisfied with your company for the whole afternoon.

After returning everything in the yard to its original position, I reluctantly took Lucien’s arm and prepared to leave with him. After spending almost the whole day with Lucien in the private courtyard, I feel a bit reluctant to give him up here. Perhaps seeing through my mood, Lucien stopped walking.

Lucien: Maybe we can slow down our departure?

Following his gaze, my eyes fell on the bicycle in the middle of the yard, the same one from his earlier picture to me.

MC: You mean, we can ride that?

Lucien: It doesn’t matter, I can find someone to send it back tomorrow.

Lucien stepped forward and patted the horizontal bar in front of the bike.

Lucien: It’s just that this time I still feel wrong, so ___ can sit here.

I couldn’t help but think of our experience of cycling in Canada. At that time, I was anxious to ride the bike, my hands and feet shaky.

(translator’s note: this is a reference to Lucien’s Autumn Date, available in EN)

Lucien: Want to revisit it?

Lucien supported the handlebars and body, his slender and powerful arms firmly supported the bicycle. I nodded and looked at his hand that was supporting the seat.

MC: I won’t be as anxious today as I was that time.

After confirming that I was sitting firmly, Lucien stepped on the pedals. He lifted his hand and wrapped me in his arms, a reassuring temperature stemming from my back.

MC: Because, I hope this road can be longer.

A white crescent moon took over the setting early, and the pink-ish purple sunset was like peach-flavoured candy. In the middle of the modern city, Lucien and I looked extremely out of place with our old-fashioned bicycle, and the angle of the sun stretched our shadows very long.

Our two shadows, they slowly inched towards the next day.

[dansnaturepictures]

17th November 2022-Winchester and home: Post 1 of 2-The landscape 

Photos I took today in this set are of; a view in the early morning sun going past Lakeside, berries and leaves beside Lakeside, an autumnal looking University of Southampton sports fields this morning, autumn leaves in Winchester this morning, the blossom I believe cherry blossom I noticed in Winchester yesterday this lunch time near St. Thomas Church which is really interesting to see, an autumnal view looking towards Winchester Cathedral, plants either side of the railing at Winchester Cathedral, a view of the grounds of Winchester Cathedral, the River Itchen and Winchester City Mill. 

It was uplifting to take in dramatic sky scenes, sun through trees in a spot I’ve noticed this before by Lakeside and gorgeously sunlit autumn leaves on the way to the station this morning, but striking to see how many trees have lost their leaves in recent weather and even if it has felt warm and there are some strange seasonal sights of things flowering, it is feeling wintery with bare trees. Today was a more typical November day though, temperatures dropping a bit as the sun came out to clear things. I loved taking in the immense colour of Winchester at lunch time once more with lots of peak autumnal colour around of red, yellow and orange. It was also good to see the Christmas tree in Winchester High Street this lunch time the lights were switched on tonight. I saw a great moon on the edge of clouds half full this morning.

Part 2 of today’s posts about the wildlife today is here: https://dansnaturepictures.tumblr.com/post/701203294338580480/17th-november-2022-winchester-and-home-post-2-of

[katelyn--renee]

Cinnamon and Hazelnut

Title: Cinnamon and Hazelnut

Fandom: DC Universe/Superman

Characters: Clark Kent x Reader 

Words: ± 1500

Description: (Y/N) takes a stroll through the park and gets an unexpected surprise.

Square Filled: Fall for @anyfandomgoesbingo​​

Warnings: None really. Slight scare. Intense kiss. More fluff than anything.

Author’s Note: First time writing anything that wasn’t Supernatural related. I hope you enjoy and please leave any feedback on what you think! I don’t own any photos or gifs used in this fic. 

A special thank you to @writeyourmindaway​ for the dividers! I love them!

**Disclaimer; I don’t own any of the photos or gifs used in this fic.**

Interested in more of my work, check out the link below.

Masterlist

Metropolis was beautiful this time of year; the trees were so lively and full of color, and the city was buzzing with cheer as everyone prepared for the coming holidays. Even with the chilly fall breeze and increasingly bitter weather, the season never failed to bring a smile to (Y/N)’s face. 

She hugged herself a little tighter as another frigid gust blew past her, causing a shower of leaves to cascade down around her. The colder the weather got, the more grateful she was for the plaid scarf Clark had recently gifted her. She hadn’t been too fond of the color choice at first - it was a mixture of warm autumn colors; splashes of brilliant reds, vibrant yellows, various browns and burnt oranges.

But, despite her initial dislike of the garment, she couldn’t bring herself to actually tell Clark this. Knowing her boyfriend and his Kansas heart of gold, he bought it with good intentions and she wouldn’t (and couldn’t) diminish any joy from his steel blue eyes. It was the thought that counted anyway, right? And so, to satisfy her guilty conscience, she wore it every time mother nature decided to show her uglier side.

(Y/N) sighed with content as she continued along the cobblestone path, her boots heavy against the stone as she crunched through the fallen leaves. The path was encased by an overhanging of thick branches and leaves that were ever changing and breathtaking in the early morning sun. This was her favorite place to find peace, hidden by skyscrapers and tucked away into the heart of the city. It was so quiet this early in the morning, with the exception of a few morning song birds, and it sort of became her own fortress of solitude in a way. 

She only slowed in her stroll when she approached the old bridge overlooking the lily pond, pausing to lean over the stone edge and peer down into the water. She tipped her head curiously, gazing down at her own reflection and smiling softly at herself. She supposed the scarf wasn’t too bad after all; it was soft and warm and the colors went surprisingly well with her red coat. She’d make a point to thank Clark one more time.

(Y/N) didn’t know how long she’d remained there on the bridge, watching - mesmerized really - by the fluttering leaves and the way they rippled against the water’s surface. Time seemed to be irrelevant here and that was something she was perfectly okay with. 

But then, seemingly out of nowhere, there was someone suddenly behind her and she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end with the closeness, her body naturally tensing and preparing for fight or flight. She hadn’t been expecting anyone.

She spun when the unknown person got closer, instinctively spinning and swinging a hand toward the stranger’s face in defense. Her open palm swiped past the man’s nose, nearly missing connection as he ducked back out of the way, the hot coffees sloshing out over their lids and onto his hands (he feigned a hiss of pain.). “Whoa, hey!” Came the familiar voice. His thick rimmed glasses shifted down to the end of his nose with the sudden movement, his blue eyes wide with surprise and his curly hair tousled out of place, leaving a single curl dangling in front.

“Jesus Chri- Clark!” (Y/N) gasped with surprise, her hand grasping at her chest in an attempt to ease her racing heart. Her (Y/E/C) eyes were as wide as his, her chest rising and falling with quickened gasps. “You scared the crap out of me.” She shook her head and ran a nervous hand through her (Y/H/C) hair, swiping it back and out of her face. 

“Oh jeez, I’m sorry (Y/N). I didn’t mean to startle you.” Clark admitted sheepishly, setting down the coffees and brushing the hot liquid off his hands with the back of his jeans. He could hear the rapid rate of her heart and he genuinely felt bad for giving her such a fright. He quickly pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. “It’s just that I…. I wanted to surprise you… before heading into work.” He offered her a shy smile, motioning toward the coffee stained paper cups resting on the ledge. He readjusted the strap of his leather satchel bag. 

(Y/N) sighed as she followed his gaze, her expression softening and filling with adoration. He really was the sweetest. She picked up the cup labelled with her name (or something she assumed was supposed to be her name. Those coffee shops can never seem to spell anything right.). 

“Hazelnut?” She asked, casting a curious gaze up at him from under her lashes, her perfect brow arching in question. She brought the cup to her lips, but didn’t take a sip yet. She could feel it’s warmth radiating through the cup and into the palms of her hands. She inhaled it’s alluring scent, her mouth watering.

Clark’s smile shifted and curled up at one side, moving in to place his hands at either side of her waist. “Of course.” He promised, peering down at her through his false glasses. “Exactly the way you like it… extra foam an’ all.” He recited her order, his voice deep and assuring, knowing it like the back of his hand. He lifted a hand and brushed his knuckles over the smooth skin of her cheek, using his fingers to tuck a defiant hair behind her ear before finding its place back at her hip. 

She felt her face flush and darken with heat at the sudden contact, this time welcoming the closeness. This was so unlike Clark, to be so firm and confident. His hands felt so large and strong against her hips. She smiled up at him before taking a cautious sip from her coffee, not wanting to burn herself. She hummed with delight as the warmth spread through her. The sound of her satisfaction widened the smile on Clark’s face and made his own heart flutter. 

 Clark stared down at her with adoring blue eyes, soaking in every detail down to the very last freckle and imperfectly perfect strand of (Y/H/C) hair. Her face got warm again and she got increasingly self conscious under his intense gaze. “What?” She asked with a nervous laugh, ducking her face a little to try and hide.

Clark caught her chin and tipped her face back up, meeting her with a look of love and affection. “Don’t do that. Don’t hide.” He commented softly, brushing his thumb against her jaw. His skin felt rough against hers - from the years of working on the farm, she assumed. “Not from me.” She sucked in a shaky breath and met his gaze once again, her heart pounding heavily in her ears. 

She watched as his gaze shifted from her eyes, dropping to her parted lips before wetting his own. She watched as his tongue darted out and his hand snaked around to the back of her neck, entangling it into her hair. He leaned in slowly, hesitated for a moment before closing the distance. 

(Y/N) inhaled sharply and her senses were overwhelmed by Clark; a scent so intoxicating and delicious (fresh cinnamon and something else she couldn’t quite put her finger on) that it made her head spin… or maybe that was just the effect he had on her? She didn’t know anymore, nor did she care. 

His lips seemed to hesitate at first before finding their rhythm, moving in time with hers. She parted her lips during the exchange and invited him in - which he accepted eagerly. Their tongues twisted and danced together, tasting and indulging in their favorite flavors. 

This wasn’t the first time they’d kissed and it certainly wouldn’t be the last… but there was something about this kiss that felt… different. Good… great even, but different. It was something that (Y/N) was willing to discover further with Clark. 

She felt his hand pull gently at the root of her hair and the sensation sent a shiver through her spin until it settled deep into her stomach where she knew it was fester and grow into something more. A soft, delicious moan escaped her throat, the sound causing Clark to falter in his movements and let out a groan of his own.

Clark was the one who pulled away first, leaving her breathless and dizzy. He didn’t go far, pressing his forehead against hers with his hand still tucked behind her neck. His thumb rubbed against her jaw, just below her ear. Her eyes fluttered open after a moment, her mind finally catching up with her body. 

“Clark that was…” She mused, her voice breathy and awestruck. Her face was warm and her heart was still trying to beat out of her chest, this time in a much more welcoming manner. A smile broke out across her face.

The corner of Clark’s mouth twisted into a confident smirk, able to hear and see the effects he had on her. His own heart mirrored hers, pounding heavily in his ears. “Yeah.” He agreed, chuckling softly.

I hope you enjoyed that sweet Clark fic. I’ll be working on more in the near future! As always, please like, share and leave me some feedback!