#this is the nicest cake I've ever made

[rimeswithpurple]

Happy birthday, Penelope Bunce!

Orange & sage cake and pastry cream | Italian buttercream | Gelatin sphere and isomalt gems

@rainbowrowell

[rekino2114]

hi! Just popped back up for a request Drdt could you do the girls celebrating y/n's birthday. 😁

Drdt girls celebrating your birthday

Teruko tawaki

Teruko had everything planned out for this day. She was going to buy you a cake (because every time she tries to cook, she burns the kitchen) and then gift you something you wanted for a while while you two were alone,she wanted this to be a small and intimate thing, she had a plan and it was gonna work, but of course like always her luck was in the way.

Somehow, the day before your birthday,the bakery ran out of cakes, and the price of the thing you wanted increased beyond her budget,she should've expected this but she thought that maybe only for a day her luck would leave her alone to celebrate her partner's birthday.

She settled for buying you a cupcake and picking another cheaper gift. after a day spent all with you trying to make you happy, she took out what she had and looked at you in an embarrassed way.

"Hm,happy birthday y/n,I know this sucks but my luck decided to be a bitch today too,I swear I wanted to do something better"

"Don't worry teru,I still love this,just spending time with you is enough of a gift for me"

Min jeung

She also prepared for this day in advance. Your birthday is one of the few days when she won't study at all, even if she has a test the next day,that's how much she loves you.

As we know, she's a pretty good baker, so she'll try to bake you a cake herself, making sure it's with your favorite flavors and doesn't have anything you might be allergic to or just don't like.

She brought you a book as a gift,you got scared seeing just how big it was but she told you you could read it together.

"Happy birthday y/n,i hope we can celebrate many more special occasions while we're together"

Arei nageishi

She probably forgot about it until eden mentioned it to her

"By the way,what are you and y/n doing for their birthday?"

"Uh?"

"Didn't you know? Their birthday is tomorrow"

"............."

In her defense, the moment she realized it, she went all out. She straight up rented an entire bowling alley and had someone decorate it for the party.

She had no idea what to get you but she doesn't want you to think she's a bad girlfriend, so she tells eden to sneakily ask you, you know it's actually arei but you know how she is so you forgive her.

During this day, arei is probably the nicest she ever is both because she wants to happily celebrate with you and because she feels incredibly guilty for forgetting about it.

"OK you can open your eyes now. Ta da! What do you think? I've spared no expenses for my awesome partner's b-day.

Hu jing

She has a reminder on her calendar for every occasion that involves you two,your anniversary,your first kiss,and of course your birthday so she was as prepared as one can be.

She enlisted everyone's help to make a huge surprise party for you,she distracted you by spending the entire day with you while everyone else prepared the party.

After the party she spent some time alone with you, she gave you a gift you wanted and played a special song on her zither she made especially for you.

"Happy birthday, my dearest,I love you and I hope I showed you that during this amazing day,I want to spend so many more amazing moment like this with you"

J rosales

She doesn't really treat your birthday as a surprise or that big of a deal. She loves celebrating it,of course,she just hates big and fancy parties(probably because of her mother)

She took you shopping and asked you what you wanted as a gift you were surprised by her bluntness but still happy she remembered it.

She brought you a cake on the way home and just stayed with you for the rest of the day like a cozy home date.

"Hey, happy birthday, I know it's not much, but I hope you like it, I love you, and I hope I showed you that"

Veronika grebenshchikova

You're getting a horror themed birthday whether you like it or not,but you're dating Veronika, so you're probably used to it. She's decorating your whole room with horror decorations like it's Halloween. The only reason you can tell it's for you is the big happy birthday sign in the middle.

She cosplays as your favorite horror movie character to surprise you. She also bakes you a cake herself with the words "happy birthday y/n" in red jelly to make it seem like blood

She gives you whatever gift you wanted (even If you didn't tell her she found a way to know) and ends the day with watching your favorite horror movie while cuddling.

"Happy birthday darling,do you like this? A bit too much horror? Sorry, but you know how I am. I couldn't resist.

Rose lacroix

The opposite of arei, thanks to her perfect memory, she remembered the exact date of your birthday even without a reminder,same thing goes for your gift, she got you something you wanted even if you just mentioned it in passing once.

She also painted a picture for you:maybe of a moment of you two together or just something you like it's the most beautiful painting ever in your eyes.

She was surprisingly awake during the day,she didn't even take a nap or yawn she told you she'd never miss your special day even for a moment.

"Do you like the painting? Thanks, I made it just for you. I might be biased, but I think it's one of my better works. happy birthday, y/n

[starrose17]

I have just spent the best birthday of my life. Came back from visiting lots of Egyptian temples to see the above in my room, been having free cocktails from the bar staff on the cruise with my mum:

Had 6 porters playing drums and tamborines in my room singing me happy birthday in Arabic, and all of this because of a friend i made on the cruise called Dustin who's a guy from Houston, Texas, who is so muscley he makes Henry Cavil look like a twink and is the NICEST man I think I have ever met, and is the one who told the crew about my birthday and arranged everything, including arranging a birthday cake to sent to me at dinner in front of all passengers where they made me dance with them in front of everyone 🤣. I've known this guy for 4 days and he's done all this for me!

Have also made friend with a crazy Irish lady and two gay guys who wanted me to take this photo of them: look carefully above them...

I mean this is an insane holiday with some brilliant people and the best birthday i have ever had.

[cherry-blossom-qf]

Necro, who was the kindest person in your life? And what was the hardest sacrifice you've made— literally or figuratively?

Apple Core, what was your most challenging experience as a Sensei?

Prince, O lord of fashion, which if your fits and/or forms is your absolute favorite?

Magomon, what's your opinion on Tamers in general?

Officer, my good sir, what was the toughest case you've helped or had to solve? Any solo cases?

UT, what are your favorite holiday traditions in the Underground and Surface world?

🩸: "There hasn't been a sacrifice thats been that hard for me to perform. The only thing I truly regret sacrificing is my ability to smell normal ever again. Seriously, I tried bathing multiple times and used every single perfume, cologne, all the scent products... AND I STILL CANT GET RID OF THE ROITING CORPSE SMELL!!

As for who's the kindest person I know? Well... the obvious answer would be Kirby... but there's also this snowman that has been helping me with my research, perhaps I could talk about them some other time."

-

🍏: "Most challenging things as a sensei? Well, to perfectly honest, it's the students that are, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, require a lot of patience from me. For example; I have this one student who is just, again I mean this in the nicest way possible, a stubborn wanna-be-cool-guy.

Don't get me wrong, he does have a lot of potential to be a Skylander and I can see him becoming one in the future... BUT he's just has a really bad habit of wanting to do things all by himself because he's 'so cool' with his high running speeds and cool dragon sword, only to get his ass handed to him one way or the other. I thought Blades' cockiness when he became a Skylander was bad, that student takes the cake!!!"

-

👑: "Favorite outfit? My goodness!! That's like picking between my own children!! But... if I had to pick just one.... like, you holding a knife to my back and forcing me to pick just one, then I'm gonna pick the robes I wore to my wedding. They were so sparkly and beautiful, I truly felt special on my special day~! As for forms, the Prince Form is my favorite. I like the height boost, elegance, and a sense of power in that form, hehehe~"

-

🎩: "My thoughts on Tamers? Well, I have said before that there have been tales and legends of humans being involved with digimon. I've always found it fascinating, as those legends have told of humans granting digimon power they could never get on their own. I kinda wished to see something like that happen one day... Little did I know that I was gonna get a human myself, hehe!!

Susie has been lots of fun to travel with, and the power she grants me and Marxamon has been incredible (tho I wish evolving into Crownedmon wasn't so mentally scaring and painful)!! I could have never asked for a better human partner!! Me and Marxamon are her 'goodiest boys'!! 'Goodiest' is not a grammatically correct word, but I let it slide because she gives me hugs and pets!♡♡♡"

-

🚔: "Funnily enough, my toughest case was actually my first solo case!! The case of Artie Flopshark, a poker guru that was supposed to be dead, as he was killed by Flint Paper. According to some of the records, Artie's bank account was still active, depositing and withdrawing money regularly as if he was alive. And there had been reports of Artie being near abandoned graveyards across the country. Flint Paper couldn't track him down for the life of him, so he assumed it had been some kind of 'witchcraft' that made this guy untraceable. So Flint gave the case to me since I'm a mage and stuff (witchcraft and my magic are obviously two different things, but I let it slide). Sam and Max had a lot of faith that I could handle this on my own, so I took on the challenge just to make them proud. The weeks of trying to find this guy felt like the longest weeks of my life! But I was able to find him.

Long Story Short; It turned out Artie Flopshark was revived as a zombie like monster by a bunch of teenage wizards that were messing around with dark arts (kinda sounds familiar). When the wizards successfully revived him, they freaked out and left him behind. Artie was able to get a hold on that dark arts book that they coincidently dropped and used it to get around the county's graveyards. He was hosting nightly poker nights to get his funds back for his new undead life, inviting all sorts of creeps and ghouls to play games of Texas Hold'em. In fear of being killed again by Flint, Artie used magic to keep himself untrackable from any living being on earth. Which I was able to work around the effects because I'm not from earth, hehe~!!

I felt kinda bad for him since even mentioning Flint Paper made him scream in panic, so did Artie a favor and helped him get a restraining order on Flint. I got my paycheck and a celebration surprise from Sam and Max that they planned for me for completing my first solo case, a VIP trip to The Inventory for drinks, dinner, and poker."

-

💙: "Well damn, ol' gunner boy spoke in whole paragraphs! Ok, favorite holiday.... I gotta give it to Halloween, dude. Monsters seem to enjoy Halloween a lot, and I can see why, as my best memories here are sometimes related to Halloween. Like on our first trick-or-treating, Frisk dressed up as a witch and made me their little 'black cat' by dressing me in a black cat onesie. I was carried around in their backpack as we went around the neighborhood. And when I got my monster form perfected, me and Frisk did even cooler matching costumes! Mario and Luigi, Dipper and Mabel, Steven and Amethyst, Freddy and Bonnie, heck we even Sans and Papyrus a few times! (which the bros really liked)

Even though I moved out of Toriel's house after I got married, Frisk and I still go trick-or-treating together every Halloween with our matching costumes. And Frisk hasn't grown out of trick-or-treating just yet, so we'll be continuing this little tradition of ours for a few more years! And I'll be enjoying every moment."

-

🦋: "Man I sure do love being involved!" -he said to no one.

(Congratulations Blaze, you changed my QnA formatting just for this ask! Eff you and have a nice day!)

[koffeewithkxyupid]

Dreamy Dehradun Café

I was recently on a vacation to Mussoorie when my cafe-hopping heart decided to check out cafés in Dehradun, and was immediately drawn to the dreamy “Cafe de Piccolo" based solely on its Google profile. With a 4.5 star rating and ranking #4 out of 400+ restaurants and cafes in Dehradun, the Italian and vegan-friendly "Café de Piccolo" did not disappoint. The café is fashioned like a house, as seen in the scenic paintings we created as children, and transported me to Gilmore Girls Autumn. The atmosphere is quite cosy and intimate, with a cottage core and antique design such as porcelain plates, oak bookcases, and flowery tablecloths under dim yellow lighting. It feels like going into a warm comfortable shelter while it's raining outside, and smells of freshly made walnut and chocolate cakes served with brewed coffee, with symphonic jazz music that reminds you of Disney songs, like 'So This Is Love'. They provide a vast menu with an even more attractive specials menu. The staff communicated in fluent English and were really hospitable.

I had their vanilla latte, which arrived in a large porcelain red cup with a foam-topped leaf pattern. It tasted pretty similar to a vanilla latte from Starbucks, but better due to the cafe's atmosphere.

The vanilla latte was wonderfully made, smelled lovely, and was just the right amount of bitter. I also ordered their garlic bread sans cheese, which came in four servings. The ratio of garlic to butter was ideal, the bread was soft, fresh, and easy to bite on, and despite the lack of cheese, I'd be lying if I claimed it wasn't one of the nicest garlic breads I've ever had. I'd recommend going in the evening around sunset since the impact of the lighting just becomes greater. The café may be a little costly, and the prices can easily be compared to larger places like Starbucks or Third Wave Coffee, but I felt it was far more worth the same sum spent here than at a Starbucks and is definitely a must visit.

[beansnpeets]

For the first time ever other people are making plans for my birthday. Last year I wanted to go to the bar and hang out and I made everyone goodie bags and that was fun, but this year my friends have invited me to do things to celebrate my birthday.

I've had my usual messages from my usual people today. Jon was hardly awake this morning, but did say happy birthday.

My boss went out at lunch and brought me a slice of cake from the grocery store bakery.

Sled dog guy also messaged me and we chatted for a while this morning.

I've had some absolutely horrendous birthdays. Idk if any of you were here for this, but on my 23rd, 6 years ago, was when I'd found out my ex was cheating on me and I left him that night. When I told our landlords I was leaving and it was my birthday they sang me happy birthday and I cried because it was the nicest thing anyone had done for me that day. That was probably the worst one lmao.

And let's not forget my 27th when I spent the entire day calling every shelter within a 5 hour radius to take an unclaimed dog when I was working as animal control and then when I dropped him off 2 hours away, on my way back I got my first ever flat tire and I was all alone with no cell service and my spare was super low on air. Thankfully I stopped at a guy's place not too far up the highway and he helped top the tire up so I could make it back home.

Either way, normally nobody does anything for my birthday really and if I want something I have to make the plans. This year I feel more loved. I have all these great friends that are here for me and I am so so grateful for them. I just feel so LOVED this year.

[greensagephase]

I saw on one of your recent posts that you mentioned your birthday is on Wednesday so I wanted to take the time and wish you a very happy birthday!! 🥳✨ (but if I'm early then happy early birthday!!) You are absolutely the sweetest and nicest person I've ever talked to and the first moot I've ever just interacted with this much on here!! and I truly enjoy every one of our conversations and of course, your amazing stories!! Reading your stories and taking the time to talk with you on here has made the rest of my year so much better, really!🥹 Especially with school and everything, and you’ve also given me so much inspiration to draw after not doing so after some time. I’ll try not to make this too long but Alondra, you’re an amazing and wonderful person (and writer!!), and I wish you all the best, always!!! ❤️✨

Also wanted to make you a little drawing/card for your birthday!! ✨ I wanted to include the color “Rosa Mexicano” with some of the flowers as you mentioned wanting to include it with your spidersona to honor your Mexican Heritage and it's such a beautiful color. Also wanted to include the color sage green (or at least a version of it) because I’m guessing you also like that color too from your username! (and it's also just a great color!) I hope you have an amazing birthday Alondra, you deserve the best!! 🥳🥳

There's about ten minutes left before the 6th is over for me and THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO END MY BIRTHDAY ❤️😭 @sunsetdoodler I started to freak out as soon as I scrolled down a bit to keep reading and saw there was an image attached and then I saw it and STARTED TO SCREAM - I LOVE IT SO MUCH OH MY GOD!!!! IT'S PERFECT AND SO SO SWEET THANK YOU😭😭😭 I'm literally crying as I type this because it's one of the best gifts I've ever received, THANK YOU !!! I'm just going to keep saying it, I'm sorry !! But oh my god!! Yes, I love the color sage green!! I like green overall but sage green is one of my favorite shades of it!! I've had this username for about two years since I started liking the color and I thought it was just going to be a phase, so that's where my username came from lol but I'm still in love with it two years later! THE FACT YOU INCLUDED ROSA MEXICANO, NO, I LOVE YOU FR!!! THANK YOU for including it ❤️❤️ also the decorations on the cake!!! They look like poinsettias to me and I absolutely love them!! My mom gets me an arrangement every year for my birthday, so I'm just delighted by that detail, I'm seriously crying right now but they're happy tears!!! 🥹 I'm really sorry for screaming but THEN THERE'S MIGUEL - STOP IT, I'M CRYING EVEN MORE NOW!!! HE LOOKS SO SWEET AND SOFT AND HIS SMILE????!!! SCREAMING AND CRYING!!! AND THE LITTLE BLUSH??? I'M LITERALLY GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET WHILE CRYING !!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT IT - YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!!! ❤️😭

Thank you so much for the sweet words and birthday wishes @sunsetdoodler😭You're one of the few moots I interact with and it has also made my last half of the year so much better!!! I genuinely didn't think that I'd be on here interacting much since I had no plans to write this much, which is really funny to think about now, haha! But I'm so thankful I'm on here and that you went off anon because we're moots ❤️I really enjoy talking with you when possible (which by the way, I meant to reply today to part 8's drawing but today just kind of went by, I'm sorry!!) and just getting to interact with you and hear about your schooling, which I hope everything is going well with, and life overall!!! You've given me so much inspiration for Miguel, too and your drawings, as always, make my days!!!! Please know that I truly cherish everything and us being moots makes me so happy I decided to start writing on here!!!!!❤️

@sunsetdoodler my birthday was a great one this year!! I had the amazing opportunity to spend it with my loved ones again and I had some bomb food as well (barbacoa and rice with homemade tortillas and some agua de Jamaica to drink!). It was already an amazing day and your drawing/card and sweet words and wishes were just the best way to end my 25th birthday!! THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH!!!! It means so much to me, seriously, thank you from the bottom of my heart @sunsetdoodler❤️❤️❤️ I hope everything is going well with school and life in general, as always!!! And I'm sending you a warm virtual hug!!! THANK YOU ( I said it so much but seriously, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!)!!!✨❤️✨

[servin-up-surveys]

survey #232

Do people tell you you have cold hands? YUP!!!!!!!!! This happens a lot.

Do you feel that the shape of the pasta alters the taste? Not the taste. Just texture.

How often do you listen to rock music? If I'm listening to music, odds are incredibly high it's either metal or rock.

In games, do you like to roleplay as good or bad? During first playthroughs, good. I play the game how I feel I would actually do it.

What was your favourite colour when you were 10? Probably pink, lol.

When were you last in a hospital? Earlier this year because I had an asthma attack.

Is there an instrument you don't like the sound of? I'm sure there is if I actually took time to think about it.

Have you ever sponsored an animal? No. This is something I would do if I actually had money, though.

Would you rather be a kangaroo or a sea turtle? Kangaroo. I like social animals and being a sea turtle sounds so dangerous, no thanks to humans...

Do you like to get ready in the bathroom or the bedroom? I get dressed in my bedroom.

What's your favourite Coldplay song? "Paradise." I want it played at my funeral.

Do you have a favourite insect? Butterflies, moths, orchid mantises. I like giant millipedes, too.

Have you ever worn coloured contacts for Halloween? No.

Do you own a scooter? Not since I was a kid.

Which pastel colour is the nicest? Pink.

When did you last play a Mario game? It's been years, I was never big on Mario.

Ever owned an actual piggy bank? I believe so, as a child.

When did you last swing on a swing-set? It's been years. I'd be afraid to sit on a swing, weighing almost 300 pounds...

Do you study any subjects in your free time? German, but I could be more serious about it. I HAVE gotten more dedicated, but I could still be even better. I also like to learn about reptile husbandry (ball pythons especially to improve my own), and I will always read about meerkats if I come across an article from a source that seems reliable. I also like watching advice videos by successful photographers on YouTube, if that counts as "studying." I enjoy learning about their techniques and stuff.

Would you rather become fluent in 3 European languages or 3 Asian languages? Three European.

Are your bedroom curtains long or short? They're shutters, actually.

Have you ever been zip-lining? No, but it seems fun.

Did you carve a pumpkin this past year? No. :/ I say EVERY year I wanna do it, and then I don't. I need to fix that shit.

Have you volunteered in the past 6 months? No.

French fries or onion rings? French fries, easy. I'm picky with onion rings and can't eat a lot.

Why do you take surveys? I'm bored often, they kill time, and I like answering questions. Most importantly but most rarely, they also make me think and help me become more familiar with myself. I've even been made aware through them of things I need to fix.

Do you suffer from anxiety? Generalized and social, yes. Generalized has been very bad this past month or so.

Did you ever take a swimming class? No.

Favorite healthy snack? Does popcorn count?

Favorite Disney movie? The Lion King. I might like the second as much as the first, but I go back and forth.

Do you consider yourself an artist? Yes.

How well can you bake a cake? I've never tried.

Have you ever tasted banana milk? No, I doubt I'd like it.

How many pairs of skinny jeans do you think you own? I own zero jeans.

Do you own a pair of Converse sneakers? Yes, a couple.

If you see a bee in your house... are you going to kill it? I'm going to try to get it outside while possibly being very scared lol, a hornet or wasp would have me fucked up.

I’m ordering Chinese food; what do you want? My treat! Pork fried rice, eggroll if you can.

Do you have a cat? I do, name's Roman!

Ever been in love? Twice. I once thought three, but no, I just loved her. It was never like Jason and Girt with her.

Any piercings that you want? Nostril repierced, more on my ears, and collarbone microdermals if my collarbones are ever prominent again.

OTP? Richard and Paul shut up let me ship my old men

Favorite quote? I have a lot, but I'll highlight one I recently discovered that REALLY resonated with me, said by the character Karlach from Baldur's Gate 3: "There's no courage in fearlessness. There's courage in being fucking terrified, but still going forward. Still being grateful. Still trying."

Favorite singer? Freddie Mercury, of all time. I also like Patrick Stump from FOB.

How long does it take you to shower? 10-ish minutes.

The reason I joined Tumblr? I think originally it was for the Rhett & Link/GMM fandom.

Baked macaroni and cheese or regular? Regular, I hate baked.

What’s the first thing you learned how to draw? Idk.

Who wrote the last book you read? Erin Hunter.

What’s the middle name of your best friend? He doesn't have one.

How far away do you live from the closest aquarium? I don't know, honestly.

Who in your family has a birthday in January? Uh... no one that I know of. I was DUE in January.

What’s your favorite country song? Probably "When The Stars Go Blue" by Tim McGraw.

Pizza rolls or bagel bites? Pizza rolls. I was never big on bagel bites.

What’s the last show you really got into that you have to wait for the next season of? Extraordinary Attorney Woo.

When’s the last time you saw fireworks? I could see some fireworks from outside my window on the 4th.

Have you ever witnessed a car accident? Yes.

Do you own a pair of fuzzy socks? Yes.

Have you ever been skinny dipping? No.

Sprinkles or frosting? Frosting, I hate sprinkles.

Do you like mushrooms? Visually I love them, they're so diverse and look cool, but as food, no.

Have you ever worked in a grocery store? I worked at a dollar store.

What’s your Subway order? Italian bread, turkey, bacon, American cheese, banana peppers, pickles, Chipotle sauce. Next time I need to try warming it.

Do you know how to roller skate? I can rollerblade. The only time I used proper skates (two wheels on each side), I broke my wrist lmao

Can you read sheet music? I used to be able to. I could point out a few notes, I think.

What’s one food your family has at Thanksgiving? I hate nearly every single thing I've ever had at Thanksgiving, so I don't pay attention. I literally like honey ham (but not the way my sister's MIL prepares it) and the rolls. That's it.

Do you like painting? Actually no, it stresses me out. I took a class in college and I hated that erasing isn't a thing (yes, you can dry and paint over, I don't care, that's not an immediate fix), and it stressed me out that we weren't supposed to sketch, either.

Do you have to sleep with a fan on? Most of the year, yes. If I'm too cold in the winter, it's off.

Name one thing you put on a salad: I like bacon bits.

What’s the last thing you ordered from a Mexican restaurant? Literally hot wings and fries, I'm not kidding lmfao. It was an appetizer option I just made into a meal.

Do you carry a purse or a backpack? Purse.

What kind of soda is your favorite? Mountain Dew Voltage.

Do you like your in-laws? I cannot fucking stand my sister's husband's family. I'm not married yet, but I love my boyfriend's family.

Toe socks or ankle socks? Ugh neither, both are sensory nightmares for me.

Nachos or chips and salsa? Chips and salsa.

What’s the name of your pets? Roman, Venus, Cookie.

What’s your Chick-fil-A order? I only really eat there if it inconveniences those around me if I don't (like, so they don't have to go to two places), and in that case, I just get the normal sandwich and fries. I try not to support Bigot Bird.

Regular or pink lemonade? Pink.

Chinese or Japanese cuisine? Chinese, I guess, by default. Any Japanese I've tried, I didn't like.

Do you own a pair of Crocs? No, they're absolutely hideous and I've also slipped on Mom's just to step outside for whatever reason and I find them extremely uncomfortable.

Does anyone in your family have a birthday in February? Me, my niece.

What’s your Taco Bell order? Steak and cheese quesadillas with fiesta potatoes, normal Mountain Dew.

Have you ever lived in a trailer/doublewide? No.

Pizza or nacho lunchables? Nachos, the pizza Lunchable is appalling.

Have you ever been to a strip club? No.

Did you ever participate in any pageants when you were younger? Hell no.

What kind of cheese is your favorite? Just yellow American.

Make the perfect taco salad: I don't like taco salad.

Name a character from your favorite TV show: Mozart was my favorite in Meerkat Manor.

Do you like going to arcades? Yes.

What kind of meat do you like the most? Ham, probably.

Snakes or spiders? Snakes in general, but I probably like tarantulas specifically more than snakes.

Have you ever had your nails done professionally? Yes, but only because I tagged along with others.

Is anyone in your family in law enforcement? No.

What’s a fruit you dislike? Mango, as a fruit itself. Texture nightmare. I love mango-flavored stuff. Oh, I absolutely hate cherries and don't really like cherry-flavored stuff, either.

Make the perfect omelet: Just bacon, ham, and cheese, honestly... and salt and pepper, if you wanna count stuff like that I guess.

[pbandjesse]

We just got back from Paul and Sam's third wedding. And it was a good time. A little bit more low-key than the others. Took place on a plantation though which was very interesting as a choice. But it was beautiful and I understand. We were joking that was reclaiming. And while we were all incredibly overheated and sweaty I still had fun.

I do wish I had a little bit more time to just do nothing today but I made the most of my half day off. I didn't go to the market. Instead I slept an extra hour and got up around 8:15. I wanted to leave until 9:00 but I couldn't fall back asleep. I would get up eventually though and clean myself up and got dressed and I felt pretty good.

I wasn't really interested in eating. My stomach was hurting today. I don't know what's wrong but it just hurts a lot. And I would pour myself a soda and pretty quickly I was out of the house. I had things to do.

Big things I need to do today work at James awake long sleeve button down shirt. And get the materials to make a larger indoor enclosure for crab cake. I want to see about using a big box. That storage bill. And that ends up working out really well. It wasn't as large as I was picture but I still think I did a good job.

I went to Target first and went and found a shirt for James. Slim Pickens for sure. Especially because there's just skinny. But I think that the one I chose worked out really well in the end. And then I had an idea about mini non with garlic spread and butter and cucumber. I thought it would just He's a nicest lunch. And I got myself a person pizza and then I went and measured the boxes. I had measured my table and I figured it had to be around 24x44 which is. I ended up getting one that was about 19 or 38 in which is not exactly the right size but it's close and it was only $16 so I can make that work for now. He's still little. In the future I'll have to do something a little bit bigger I'm sure but for now.

I still need a dirt though. And I wanted to get some more coconut fiber so I went to the pet store and I did not know I had $18 in coupons on my account so I use those and got a big bag of coconut fiber, and some terrarium materials, and some more moss. I ended up not needing the extra ball so I'm going to keep that for later But I think I did a really good job and I had a really nice conversation with the girls at the cash register without crab cakes full name. Crabcake Franklin Lentzwiler, first of his name.

I drove over to Ace hardware next and is able to get two bags of fertilizer free topsoil. I also talk to a couple about their brand new puppy his name was Marnie. And I was like have you ever seen the Chicago model and they have not So they said they promise to watch it. I told him it was one of the weirdest movies I've seen. Because it was very weird.

Went home and I decided that my plan would be get inside get sweepy into the basement for everything and go and preheat the area start working on the tank. Then when the oven was preheated I would make my pizza and we'll pizza here I would make my little naan flatbread thing. I have my little snack for the pizza was cooking I was building my employer and it didn't take very long. And Crabcake loves it. He was digging and climbing. I still want to get him another log but they didn't have a big enough one so I'm going to check a different pet store at some point this week. But I was just so pleased. And it fits really nicely on the table still. I was not sure how I'm going to fix the lid because I need to make sure the heating element is not melting the plastic. And I tried to cut the lid and then we're cutting my fingers and I was very upset because then I broke the scissors in the process which is how I cut my hand. Ouch.

I was getting really overheated and very tired so. And it was still early but I needed to eat and my food was cooled down enough so I would cut the pizza and bring it to the couch with my other snack. Then just hang out in front of the fan for a while. Eventually I would decide to go and shower and get changed for the wedding. It's not really a wedding. It was a another reception because not everyone in Baltimore could make it to the actual wedding obviously. And I had already picked out my dress months ago so I didn't have to think much it was more just me getting myself together. The hair was a little wild. But that was mostly from humidity. I would take a shower and clean myself up and make myself feel pretty. I originally was going to be wearing a shirt with this dress but it was so hot out today that I nixed that and wore it as a tube top dress. I was a little nervous about that because a little self-conscious about my arms but only a little bit. It just feels like a lot of open skin but I would feel very pretty. I went through a couple different belts before I decided which one I liked the best. But I was very happy with my outfit in the end.

I would sit outside for a while on our swing. I had crab cake walking around the backyard and then in his enclosure out there and sweet pea was chilling with us. It was the Harry Potter. I was enjoying swinging but I was not enjoying how sweaty I was getting. I had just taking a shower so I wasn't thrilled. But I eventually went head inside and pulled down pretty fine and then I was just chill on the couch and eventually brought everyone back inside. I gave crab cake some food and made sure sweetp was good. And I just started making sure I was ready for the event.

I got James's suit in the car toiletry bag for them in case they need to clean up. And texted them asking what time I should come get them.

They said that basically I could leave now and as long as I got them before 2:00 we were good. Merrill would end up stuck in traffic so we wouldn't leave until a little after 2:00 anyway but it was still really nice to get over there early especially because I also ran into traffic because there was an event happening down in the harbor. Or I got there at 1:37 we were not in a rush at all.

I want to sit with James for a bit and they made me feel very pretty. And I would walk around the museum and collect some of the donations of materials that they have put aside for me. And I did not expect to have to take home the 20 lb box have gotten but I have that app so I have plenty of material to make more stuffed animals and actually a few this week but I'm not sure when I will have time to cut the bear so that will probably be something I am working on all the kids are making their projects. We will see.

Soon Merrill was there though and we would head out into the world. I knew that today was going to be kind of all over the place timeline wise but I wasn't that worried.

We'll get out to the mansion. And that's when we realized that it was a plantation. And so I read the Wikipedia page for it so that I would know what the history was. And this place was originally gifted from the king of England and then bought my guy named Dorsey and he had 97 slaves in the 1700s on those property. They were doing cash crops and pig iron. So I found her. And it was beautiful but very sad history. We were joking about we hooked up the couple gotten BED, A black Advent discount. And honestly I'm only partially joking. I think that is plantations are going to do weddings if a black couple or event wants to have them at their space they should be giving them a discount because of the atrocities that happened on their location. I don't think that that's an outrageous thing to say. I might be saying in just in the name but I truly believe that would be appropriate.

And it was a lovely time. We got there and I would go into the big house with James and we went to find the boys. We were in the billiards room. So hello to everyone and then went to wander around the house to look to see what it was and how it looked. It was beautiful. I loved all the details and I liked some of the signage but that wasn't a ton of historical signs around because it's not treated as like a museum space. Which is expected I guess. Thank you really only are there if you're there for an event or I guess maybe a tour? I'm not very sure about that though.

Eventually though I would hear the girls and I would join them up in the bridal suite. And Sam went beautiful. Not shocked and she always looks beautiful. And it was so good to see everyone. They were also cute and they're getting ready jammies and I would hang out with them for a few hours while they got ready and I talked about history with them and art and dentistry and tortoises and what we've all been up to over the last couple months and it was just so much fun being with girls. Like I don't get to do girly conversation and talk stuff because that's not the type of people I tend to gravitate towards. I'm kind of a dirty gremlin girl. Not like they are. They're girly girls. And I love being able to experience that too. It's great.

I had a great time talking to them too and Sam's app was there and while the girls were getting photos we sat and talked about education and a state of the world and parents and art and she's just such a lovely person to talk to. I'm really glad that we got to sit down and talk like that because we would get separated later on and things were very busy.

There were a lot of photos being taken so James was indisposed for a lot of the day. But we got to spend time together. I would go back down to the billiard's room eventually. But first I went and found Paul's mom Dawn. And her mom. I did not catch her mom's name. But I would hang out with them outside for a while and we talked about life and my new tortoise and animals and Paul and James and the event. And eventually I went to do some investigating for them to figure out where he was supposed to go because there was the big tent out side but they were saying that there was a garden on the other side we were supposed to go to the first and I couldn't figure out how to get to. Eventually I would lead them around and drop them inside the pool for a bit and get some water and use the bathroom. And then I stood and talked with Sam's dad and Paul's dad. I went downstairs to get water and Sam's dad was standing there and I said something about getting water and he was like I don't work here as you know I just need like you're not going to accuse me of crimes when I go into this part of the staff only. And then he came and got water as well.

I would go outside and went to our car to find my charger and could not find it so I texted James cuz I was getting very hot and sweaty and I was not thrilled about that but they had the charger so they would make me later on. And it ended up being a really nice time. I went and found Ann and Tucker And we eat hors d'oeuvres. The keys that I put a fancy dip on that they had put out for the crab cakes. And it was excellent. Made it a little bit spicy. But we are all kind of melting in the sun so I suggested we move to the shade. And then James joined us. The wedding party came out it was so nice to see everybody all dressed up and pretty. Everyone honestly was beautiful. The whole party. Someone had beautiful dresses on and I'm so lovely and I was having a great time even though I was hot.

I think that was kind of the vibe though everyone was kind of melting. And it caused some people too I think leave a little early or go and find shady or cool spots to just escape the heat. Having an outdoor event this time of year was a little bit of a wild choice but it's their third wedding if that's what they want.

I had some really nice conversations and me and James took pictures and I would speak to the girl doing social media about Baltimore and doing social media and life and the city. It was nice just to connect with people. I was having a really good time even if I was overheated and sweaty and gross.

My feet was really hurt. They are still split on the bottom It's really uncomfortable but even if when I try to put Band-Aids on them they just fall off immediately so I'm just trying to baby them. But it does not comfortable. And I'm doing my best. My new sandals are nice and they're not bothering them as much but still becomes painful pretty quickly.

Eventually it was time for dinner. There wasn't a lot I can eat but I wasn't really hungry anyway. It was mostly just so hot and dehydrated. So I am really glad I brought my water cup and I would just keep drinking as much as I could. We ate dinner though and I went to find James because they have been pulled away for pictures. I made up two plates for them so that they wouldn't miss out on food. And then I went and sat on one of the velvet couches that they had put out on the lawn. Where Ann came and joined me and we talked for a little bit about camp and how crazy this week has been. Hopefully next week won't be as wild.

I would dance with James for a bit and we took a photo with photo and we talked to our friends and we danced some more and it was just really fun. eventually we were told that there was an ice cream truck so me and James would walk down there and the photographer took pictures of us which I thought was very sweet she called us for ice cream couple. And we would later on feed each other ice cream for her to take pictures but James put way too much in my mouth and him gave me a media brain freeze and I was like no no and it was very laughing silly giggling pictures. I hope that I get to see them soon.

James and me would have to leave though. James has work in the morning and I have a full day with Jess. So we would do our round saying goodbye to everyone. Stephanie had some questions about fireflies and I told her the stuff that I knew but then it turns out that fireflies are not just in America like I thought they are everywhere? Now I got to do research into fireflies because that's crazy to me. And I am excited to have a new thing to look into.

We will take a bite to everyone now and gave lots of hugs even though we were all sweaty. And then I drove us home.

I would play music on the way home and we were just singing together and having so much fun and even though James hates how that I have the music I was just having such a nice time being silly with them. And then we were home and there was lightning and there's a storm rolling in and tomorrow's supposed to be thunderstorms all day. And while that is not the best for me and just going to the beach I am still looking forward to it. I think it will be interesting. And I love an interesting time even if it's not the time that you expected.

I just got out of the shower and James did too. And I am very much ready to go to bed. I hope that you all have a great night tonight did you have fun tomorrow. Until next time.

[sylferino]

one of the nicest 😈 things I've ever done is when I had this late day regular at dunky who always ordered a mocha latte and cinnamon roll. cuz it was late in the day I gave him 2 cinnamon rolls sometimes and it always made him happy and thankful.

we made conversation and he said some very libertarian things followed by "you know those wedding cake businesses refusing to make cakes for gay weddings, it's their business so I think they should be allowed to do that." so then I mentioned I can't agree because I'm bisexual and he just told me I have sin in me and I can be cleansed.

later, in the few times he came back to the same shop during my shift I continued to smile and give him 2 cinnamon rolls and it made him so visibly uncomfortable I got giddy and been chasing that feeling ever since

[thealwayshungrygames]

through peeta's eyes

the 74th games through peeta's eyes! ♡

[ chapter 1 ]

I hate today, granted I can't think of a single soul in panem who enjoys reaping day, excluding the capitol of course.

District 12, being on the outskirts of panem and as far away from the capitol as possible, is usually lifeless and dejected but every year on reaping day the whole place feels like its at a standstill, it's so quiet all throughout the district. There's never usually any customers on reaping day, maybe a few after the reaping is finished and sometimes a couple of kids trying to trade what they've hunted that morning for some bread. I don't like the silence in the bakery, there's nothing to distract my disquieted mind, all I can do is try and get ready while Effie Trinket's speech repeats in my head over and over again like a broken record, "may the odds be ever in your favour," I can't help but imagine her reading my name through that microphone, knowing that I more than likely wouldn't see my district, my family, my home ever again it terrifies me every year. I've managed to escape the hunger games for the past four years, I'm luckier than most kids in my district, I'm the baker's son. My family, despite having three kids to feed, has never really struggled for food therefore I've never had to take out any tesserae and get my name put into the reaping lottery more times than its required in exchange for a years supply of grains and oils. I know majority of the kids in my class and all around the district are forced to take out tesserae as it can be their only chance at survival, I could never imagine being in that position.

The constant thoughts of what would I do if my name was called out wont stop, I know my chances aren't as high as the other kids in the district and technically I'm in a better position than majority of the other boys but nothing is impossible and hearing "Peeta Mellark" could switch from an imaginative scenario to my reality. I need to stop, I can feel my hands getting sweatier and I need to cool off. I sit on the front steps of the bakery despite my mother telling me not to so I dont ruin my nice clothes. I just sit and watch the dust and leaves get taken by the hot wind, there's no kids or parents outside this morning, they're all inside trying to scrape up their nicest clothes and fixing themselves up for the reaping. I'm drawing little doodles in the dirt with a stick when I see these big, very worn boots standing in front of me.

"Is your dad home?" I look up and standing over me is this very muscular and big boned brunette boy, he hasn't gotten changed into his 'nice' clothes yet and he's holding a dead squirrel by its legs. I recognise him, his name is Gale Hawthorne, I don't know him awfully well apart from the fact that his dad was a miner and died in the big mine explosion that happened and ever since then he's hung around with the skinny girl with the brunette braid who sings from my class, even though he's a year older than us. They both see my father regularly trading all sorts of animals that they hunt and kill for food such as bread.

"Inside, decorating a cake I think, why?" Although I know exactly why, he's hoping that my father will trade this squirrel for a loaf of bread, maybe even more because its reaping day and maybe my father will feel compassion for him, I certainly would, I heard his name was in the lottery over 40 times, his age and hunting ability made him the main provider for his family after his father's death and he's had to take out tesserae under his name for each of his 3 younger siblings. Selfishly, seeing him standing in front of me with the squirrel and knowing his need for tesserae calms me down, knowing his name is in there so many more times than mine makes me realise how little my chances truly are compared to a lot of other boys.

"I want to trade this squirrel with him." He says.

I tell him i'll be right back and take the squirrel from him. As I'm walking inside with it I notice that it's been hit right in the eye, I knew he was a good hunter as he's often around the bakery trading something with my father but I hadn't ever seen such a clean shot on his animals. I give the squirrel to my dad and he gives me a loaf of bread and four fresh cookies, one for him and each of his siblings, out of the fresh batch he had baked just this morning. My dad usually bakes a big batch of cookies every reaping morning, his attempt at lightening the dampened mood in the household.

"Here." I put a half smile on my face, my own attempt at lightening the mood. "Good luck." I say, god knows he needs it more than I do.

"Yeah, thanks." He broadens his shoulders and walks away as if he's trying not to succumb to the mournful feeling in the air. As I watch him walk away, already taking a bite from one of the cookies, I think about what his chances of survival would be if he got reaped, they certainly would be a lot higher than mine.

I go back inside and try and fix my hair, the heat has made me sweat and it's starting to show in my hair. Mum slicks it back with some gel and then tucks my blue shirt into my shorts. Before I know it it's time to leave, I stare at myself in my mirror for a second and think to myself 'will this be the last time I see myself in these clothes?'

The town square is packed to the brim with nearly the whole of district 12. Every child aged 12 - 18 is here waiting to find out if they live or die. The same video from the capitol that plays every year before the reaping is playing, the video is glamorising the hunger games and trying to convince us that they aren't as cruel as we believe and are purely a result of the districts own actions from 'the dark days', a war that ended 67 years ago. It truly frightens me how cruel a whole population of people can be, so cruel that they find forcing innocent children to fight to the death every year as a spectacle, they celebrate it likes it some sort of holiday while families in the districts are being torn apart and peoples whole worlds are being turned upside down. Instead of watching the video I find myself looking around, looking at all these people I know and wondering if this will be my last look at them ever, my classmates, my brothers, even Gale. Maybe even myself.

The video stops and Effie Trinkets heels click across the stage. Effie Trinket is district 12's capitol escort, she is sent by the capitol to present our reaping day and accompany the two tributes to and through the capitol. She dresses in such bizarre and boisterous clothing I can't help but giggle at her huge wigs and crazy outfits. Effie tries to start her small speech before the reaping but Haymitch Abernathy, district 12s only alive victor, stumbles across the stage and steals the microphone from her, in a drunken rage he starts yelling sentences that nobody in the crowd can understand before collapsing and being dragged back to his seat, watching him always makes it clear why he is district 12's only victor since the 50th hunger games, because he is meant to be our mentor, that drunk mess is meant to guide the tributes through the games and teach them how to win.

Effies face slowly loses the bright red colour that Haymitch caused her as she tries to steer the reaping back on track and save district 12 from being the laughing stock of the capitol, once again.

"As always, ladies first." She makes her way over to the bowl on the right with all the young daughters of district 12s names in it, she waves her hand around before picking one piece of paper and reading it to the crowd, before sending one girl to die.

"Primrose Everdeen." Her voice echoes through the crowd, silence. I look up and see Gale put his head down in sorrow, the only time I have ever shown him truly let his guard down. I look to my right and I see little Primrose desperately looking around as if she's silently begging for someone else's name to be read out instead, I truly don't understand how someone can be so unlucky, she was only twelve years old and had never taken out tesserae, her name was in the lottery once and only once.

Primrose slowly starts walking out of the pack of girls and through the middle walkway, still looking around praying that this isn't real. Suddenly my head snaps around as I hear another voice yelling "Prim! Prim!" Her sister, Katniss Everdeen, the skinny brunette girl who sings at school. I have never properly interacted with Katniss apart from once, a few years ago, during a thunderstorm I noticed her sitting, leaning, against the big tree out the front of the bakery whilst I was baking more bread. She looked so lifeless, she couldn't even stand up properly, a result from constant starvation. I had noticed her around school before that and started growing curious about her after hearing her sing in the schoolyard, she captured me with her brown eyes and I wanted nothing more than to get to know her properly but why would she ever like me? I was the baker's son, for all she knew I had never struggled, her and I were in no way similar, I never stood a chance. After seeing her hunched over at the tree, so colourless and torpid, I burnt the loaf of bread I was meant to be baking, this angered my mother as food was scarce during the wintertime and we could barely afford to eat the food that we sold. She hit me over the head and pushed me out the front where she yelled at me to feed the burnt bread to the pigs and hit me one more time before storming inside. I noticed Katniss just staring at me, watching the whole encounter, I got embarrassed that she witnessed that. I started tearing off a couple of pieces of bread and threw them to the pigs, I looked over to the tree and she was still just watching me, I looked back at my bread and threw her the rest of the burnt loaf, she finally lifted her head and slowly moved towards the bread, she looked at me disoriented and puzzled, charity was not well known in district 12, in a world like ours it's all about self preservation.

"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute." Katniss cries out. A volunteer? District 12 has never seen a volunteer in the whole 74 years of the games.

When the shock of Prim's reaping dies down Effie walks towards the bowl with all the boys names, I can't look up, every year I can never look up.

"Peeta Mellark!"

₊‧°𐐪♡𐑂°‧₊

yay! finished chapter 1! this is lowkey so embarrassing if nobody reads this lolllll but oh well! here's a link for a tag list just incase anybody does read this and wants to know when I post a new chapter! (i hope it works, soo awks if it doesn't)

ps! I've finished and uploaded this at 3:22am so please if there's any grammar and/or spelling mistakes ignore themmmmm!!!!

[withleeknow]

it's officially D-0 : wishing you the happiest of birthdays, jen! 🩷 the last week of asks has basically been a giant-ass reciprocal love letter in the form of spam and memes and yearning lmao but-

the tumblr gods did wonders in the algorithm for me to virtually collide w/ my other armystaygene(this is horrible) cat-coded-men-stanning INTJ-cursed pining-all-hours-of-the-damn-day half, but you took the creative gene which all of us on stayblr are incredibly grateful for; bask in all the love you so deserve for being the *chef's kiss*-writer that you are ♡

I hope this marks a fabulous start to your next chapter (but let's get through festa season first 🫡) + here's your three-tiered crumb cake:

𐙚 ⋅ a shinee fairy dusting of serotonin: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeqr11kT/

𐙚 ⋅ white suit-clad hyung line committing to the rich husband CEO au agenda https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeqM3bAW/

𐙚 ⋅ hyunho crumbs idt I'll ever get over those piggyback moments 🥺 https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeqrA44Q/

ily to the stars and other planetary bodies alike <3 ‧₊˚ ⋅ 🍙

INTJ cursed alskdjakjfh that's kinda true. thank you so much, this was one of the nicest things to wake up to. i really can't express how much i appreciate you bc you have made my fandom experience over here so much more pleasant :') here's to being on this side of tumblr for as long as you guys will have me 🥹 this hellsite gets a lot of things wrong but they did something right when they brought you to me <3

i am taking seokjin's return as his official birthday present for me !! even though he's about to make all of us scream and cry and completely lose our shit in just a few days 🫡

oh taekey... that's kibum's annoying little baby right there 😭 in return, i am sending another boost of serotonin your way bc just yesterday i realized i've never watched the second part of minkey's i love alone eps lol

not the double whammy 😵‍💫 good lord you know how to make a girl go crazy bc wdym they just look like that... i have enough thots rotating in my head like a microwave this isn't helping... i also kinda tortured myself the other night by watching this so here you go.. a husband...

HYUNHO 😭 tell me why that made me tear up a little no jokes. oh i love them so much it's not even funny anymore 😭 i've also been waiting for my leebits and jiniret to arrive and when they do, bet i'll be spending all of my waking hours obsessing over my adorable lil babies 😔 hyunho is my equivalent of jinkook, my ultimate comfort duos :(((

[mod2amaryllis]

im a sucker for romantic things so; how did you and jose become a pair and what was your wedding like?? :0

what's that? an opportunity to talk about my jusband? *explodes into a ball of screaming fire*

heads up this will be very long

well we went to high school together! :D this is how we THINK we first met, there's been some debate (not sure if i've ever posted this comic on tumblr?? i can't find it)

i wound up in his friend group cuz we'd all be in the school musicals together, and here's the thing about jose: he was, in my eyes, WAY more popular than me lmaoooo. the girls in our group would literally fight each other to take him to dances. not cuz they all liked him, but cuz he was just the nicest sweetest dude ever, always such a good friend/date. so i was like. INSTA-crush.

problem was he was stuck in a will-they-won't-they with his childhood friend and, again, i was Not A Cool Enough Kid, so i backed off. stopped crushin. then toward the end of junior year, we were both kinda dumped by our crushes during a choir trip--the guy i liked and the girl he liked liked EACH OTHER. very high school. very funny. but we were both bummed and so that day we hung out and it made me go "...hey wait a minute"

he asked me to prom fucking CLASSIC then that summer we started dating and never stopped, what up <3 on that note idk if this is just a utah thing? but prom-asks are always supposed to be big stunts. the way he asked was by filling my bedroom with balloons with the question hidden in one of them. very cute.

zip zop to 2015 and SHUNK, married. our wedding was in a greenhouse, i had the coolest dress ever that i found on sale cha-ching, and we forgot to do the ring ceremony along with the vows. lol.

that's me givin my mom the "whoops!"

here's tha dress. please ignore my dweeb facial expressions the photographer was taking me too seriously

we were both working at a bakery AND jose's mom is a cake decorator so 2! 2 cakes!

danced w/ my parents to 1973 by james blunt, then dancing with jose it was living in twilight by the weepies, and the most embarrassing thing about me by far is that i DID walk down the aisle to home by edward sharpe and the magnetic zeroes, same as everyone who got married in 2015. i had enough musical siblings to make a string quartet to play it, it was really nice :')

fuck off that's a long post i'm so sorry

[thewidowsghost]

Daughter of the Sea - Chapter 1

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

(Y/n) stands in the kitchen of her mother and step-father's apartment, making the bean dip Smelly Gabe liked so much.

(Y/n) fixes her gaze on the counter but then she lets out a yelp as something hits her in between her shoulder blades.

"Hurry it up, girl!" Smelly Gabe snarls.

"Yes sir," (Y/n) murmurs.

A few minutes later, Gabe stalks into the kitchen, takes the dip without so much of a thank you.

(Y/n) fixes her gaze on the shoe on the ground before she moves to her room. She climbs into her bed, getting under her covers. (Y/n) turns, facing the wall.

She closes her eyes, falling to an uneasy sleep.

(Y/n) watches, disconnected from the others in the dream, as one of her brother's teachers turns into something that reminded her of a demon, or something similar that she'd read books about. The woman had bat wings, claws, and a mouth of yellow fangs.

Then (Y/n) looks around, her eyes widening in shock as she sees her brother holding a bronze sword.

Percy swings the sword, the demon exploding into yellow powder, vaporizing on the spot.

A hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder has (Y/n) jolting awake. "Honey? Are you okay?" Sally Jackson asks.

Catching the wide-eyed look of horror on (Y/n)'s face, Sally wraps her daughter in a hug.

(Y/n)'s breathing steadies, and she breathes in her mother's familiar scent - chocolate, licorice, and all the other things she sold at the candy shop in Grand Central Station.

"Did you get all your work done?" Sally asks softly, her thumb brushing over a slightly visible bruise that had appeared at the base of the back of her neck.

(Y/n) hums in reply.

. . .

The next day, (Y/n) is once again lying in her bed, not wanting to have to deal with Gabe throwing more shoes or glass bottles at / near her.

. . .

Percy walks into the apartment, dragging his suitcase behind him, hoping his mom would be home from work. Instead, Smelly Gabe is in the living room, playing poker with his buddies. The television blares ESPN; chips and beer cans are strewn all over the carpet.

Hardly looking up, he says around his cigar, "So, you're home."

"Where's my mom? (Y/n)?"

"Mom's working," Gabe says. "The girl's in her room. You got any cash?"

"That's it. No Welcome back. Good to see you. How has your life been the last six months?

Gabe had put on weight since the last time Percy had seen him. Gabe looked like a tuskless walrus in thrift-store clothes. He has about three hairs on his head, all combed over his bald scalp.

"I don't have any cash," Percy replies.

Gabe raises a greasy eyebrow. Gabe could sniff out money like a bloodhound, which is surprising, since his own smell should've covered up everything else.

"You took a taxi from the bus station," he says. "Probably paid with a twenty. Got six, seven bucks in change. Somebody expects to live under this roof, he ought to carry his own weight. Am I right, Eddie?"

Eddie, the super of the apartment building, looks at Percy with a twinge of sympathy. "Come on, Gabe," he says. The guy just got here."

"Am I right?" Gabe repeats.

Eddie scowls into his bowl of pretzels. The two other guys pass gas in harmony.

"Fine," Percy says. He digs a wad of dollars out of his pocket and throws the money on the table. "I hope you lose."

"Your report card came, brain boy!" He shouts back at Percy. "I wouldn't act so snooty!"

Percy slams the door to his room, which isn't really his room. During school months, it is Gabe's 'study.' He doesn't study anything in there except old car magazines, but he loves shoving his stuff in Percy's closet, leaving his muddy boots on the windowsill, and doing his best to make the place smell like his nasty cologne, cigars, and stale beer.

Percy drops his suitcase on the bed. Home sweet home he thinks.

Gabe's smell is almost worse than the nightmares about Mrs. Dodds, or the sound of that old fruit lady's shears snipping the yarn.

Percy sits, lost in his thoughts.

Then he hears his mom's voice, "Percy?" She opens the bedroom door, and his fears melt. "Oh, Percy," she hugs him tight. "I can't believe it. You've grown since Christmas."

Sally had brought Percy a bag of 'free samples' the way she always did whenever he'd come home.

The two sit together on the bed. While Percy attacks the blueberry sour strings, she runs her hands through his hair, demanding to know everything that he hadn't put in his letters. She doesn't mention his getting expelled. She doesn't seem to care about that.

Percy tells his mother that she is smothering him, but secretly, Percy is really, really glad to see her.

From the other room, Gabe yells, "Hey, Sally - how about some bean dip, huh?"

Percy grits his teeth. My mom is the nicest lady in the world. She should be married to a millionaire, not to some jerk like Gabe.

(Y/n) pads into Percy's room, and the dark haired boy brightens at the sight of his younger twin.

"I've got the dip, Mom," (Y/n) says softly. Sally gazes at her daughter for a moment, her gaze sad.

"Wait, (Y/n)," Sally says, and (Y/n) turns back to face her mother. "I've got a surprise for the two of you," she says. "We're going to the beach."

Percy's eyes widen. "Montauk?"

"Three nights - same cabin," Sally replies.

"When?" (Y/n) asks, looking excited.

She smiles, "As soon as I get changed."

(Y/n) can't believe it. Mom, Percy, and I hadn't been to Montauk in the last two summers because Gabe had said that there wasn't enough money.

Gabe appears in the doorway behind (Y/n) and growls, "Bean dip, Sally? Didn't you hear me?"

Percy wants to punch him, but he meets his mother's eyes, and understands that she is offering him a deal: Be nice to Gabe for a little while; just until she's ready to leave for Montauk.

"I've got it, Gabe," (Y/n) says.

"Sorry, honey," Sally says, looking at her husband. "We were just talking about the trip."

Gabe's eyes get small. "The trip? You mean you were serious about that?"

"I knew it," Percy mutters. "He won't let us go."

"Of course he will," Sally says evenly. "Your stepfather is just worried about money."

(Y/n) turns to face Gabe, smiling as kindly as she could. "What if I make a seven-layer dip that'll last the whole weekend?" she asks. "Guacamole. Sour cream. The works."

Gabe softens a bit, then turns back to face Sally. "So, this money for your trip . . . it comes out of your clothes budget, right?"

"Yes, honey," Sally replies.

"And you won't take my car anywhere but there and back."

"We'll be very careful."

Gabe scratches his double chin. "Maybe if the girl hurries up with the seven-layer dip . . . and if the boy apologizes for interrupting my poker game."

Maybe if I kick you in your soft spot, Percy thinks. And make you sing soprano for a week.

"I'm sorry," Percy mutters. "I'm really sorry I interrupted your incredibly important power game. Please go back to it right now."

Gabe's eyes narrow. His tiny brain is probably trying to detect the sarcasm in my statement, Percy thinks.

"Yeah, whatever," Gabe decides; he goes back to his game.

"Thank you, Percy," Sally says. "Once we get to Montauk, we'll talk more about...whatever you've forgotten to tell me, okay?"

For a moment, (Y/n) can see anxiety in her mother's eyes, but then her smile returns, and (Y/n) figures that she must've been mistaken.

. . .

An hour later, the three are ready to leave.

Gabe takes a break from his poker game long enough to watch (Y/n) and Percy lug the bags to his car. He keeps griping and groaning about losing her and (Y/n)'s cooking - and more important, his '78 Camaro - for the whole weekend.

"Not a scratch on this car, brain boy," Gabe warns Percy as he loads the last bag into the car. "Not one little scratch."

Like I'd be the one driving. I'm fourteen, Percy thinks.

Watching Gabe lumbers back towards the apartment building, Percy gets so mad that he does something he can't explain. As Gabe reaches the door, Percy makes the hand gesture he'd seen Grover made on the bus, a soft of warding-off-evil gesture, a clawed hand over his heart, then a shoving movement towards Gabe. The screen door slams so hard it whacks him the the butt and sends him flying up the staircase as if he'd been shot from a cannon.

. . .

(Y/n)'s POV

Our rental cabin is on the south shore, way out at the tip of Long Island. It is a little pastel box with faded curtains, half sunken into the dunes. There's always sand in the sheets, spiders in the cabinets, and most of the time the sea is too cold to swim in.

I loved the place.

Mom, Percy, and I had been going ever since Percy and I'd been a baby. Mom had been coming even longer. She'd never exactly said, but I know why the beach was special to her.

It's the place where she'd met my Dad.

As we get closer to Montauk, Mom seems to grow younger, years of worry and work disappearing from her face. Her eyes turn the color of the sea.

We get there around sunset, open all the cabin's windows, and go through the usual cleaning routine.

Mom, Percy, and I walk on the beach, feed blue corn-chips to the seagulls, and munch on blue jelly beans, blue saltwater taffy, and all the other free samples Mom had brought home from work.

I guess maybe I should explain all the blue food.

Gabe had once told Mom that there was no such thing. They had had this fight, which had seemed like a really small think at the time, but ever since, Mom went out of her way to eat blue. She baked blue birthday cakes, mixed blueberry smoothies, bought blue-corn tortilla chips, and brought home blue candy from the shop. This - along with keeping her maiden name, Jackson, rather than calling herself Mrs. Ugliano - is proof that she isn't totally suckered by Gabe. She did have a rebellious streak, just like Percy.

When it gets dark, we make a fire. We roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Mom tells Percy and me stories about when she was a kid, back before her parents had died in the plane crash. She tells us about the books she wanted to write someday, when she had enough money to quit the candy shop.

Eventually, it seems that Percy gets the nerve to ask about what is always on our minds whenever we come to Montauk - our father. Mom's eyes go all misty. I figure she would tell us the same things she always did, but neither Percy or I ever got tired of hearing them.

"He was kind, Percy," Mom replies. "Tall, handsome, and powerful. But gentle too, like you, (Y/n)." Mom says and I soften. "You have his black hair, Percy, and you both share his green eyes.

Mom fishes a blue jelly bean out of her candy bag. "I wish he could see you two. He would be so proud."

I wonder how she could say that when I'm the girl who cowers from her stepfather. The girl who hides in her room to get away from said stepfather.

"How old were we?" Percy asks, pulling me from my thoughts. "I mean . . . when he left?"

Mom watches the flames. "He was only with me for one summer, Percy. Right here at this beach. This cabin."

"But . . . he knew us as babies."

"No, honey," Mom replies. "He knew I was expecting twins, but he never met you. He had to leave before you were born."

I try to square that with the fact that I seem to remember . . . something about my father. A warm glow, maybe a smile.

Percy and I had always assumed that our father had known us as babies. Mom had never said it outright, but still, I'd felt that it must be true. Now, to be told that he'd never even seen us . . .

I feel angry at my father. Maybe it is stupid, but I resent him for going on that ocean voyage, for not having the guts to marry Mom.

"Are you going to send me away again?" Percy asks. "To another boarding school?"

Mom pulls a marshmallow from the fire.

"I don't know, honey," her voice is heavy. "I think . . . I think we'll have to do something."

"Because you don't want me around?" Percy says and I flinch, avoiding both his and Mom's gazes.

I glance up to see that Mom's eyes had welled up with tears. "Oh, Percy, no. I - I have to, honey. For your own good. I have to send you away."

"But you never send her away," Percy says and I look up, eyes wide with surprise.

Mom looks at Percy, eyes wide with shock.

Finally she says, "I have to keep both of you away from each other as much as possible. I thought you'd finally be safe."

"I tried to keep you as close to me as I could," Mom says. "They told me it was a mistake. But there's only one other option, Percy, (Y/n) - the place your father wanted to send you two. And I just . . . I just can't stand to do it."

"Our father wanted us to go to a special school?" I ask.

"Not a school," Mom replies. "A summer camp."

My head spins. Why would my dad - who hadn't even stayed around to see me and Percy be born - talk to Mom about a summer camp?

"I'm sorry, (Y/n)," Mom says, seeing the look in my eyes. "But I can't talk about it. I - I couldn't send you two to that place. It might mean saying goodbye to you for good."

"For good?" Percy asks. "But if it's only a summer camp . . ."

Mom turns towards the fire, and I know from her expression, that if we asked any more questions, she would start to cry.

Word Count: 2413 words

[tuneintoradiofreedom]

Okay, I actually left a few replies first but I've realized that I am now thinking quite passionately about this whole topic. Consider the angle of "queer relationships may not be sexually reproductive and are thus a drain on resources when humans are trying to repopulate the world after an apocalypse," which I personally think is a dumb angle but is an argument anti-queer folks have made for the past forever, so it feels fitting to tackle here.

Imagine settlements full of queer survivors, with thriving food and water production, with comfortable homes and laughing families and classic neighbor disputes of "when are you going to return that cake pan I lent you for your wife's birthday cake"

Imagine that there have always been kids of various ages running around because people have been able to get pregnant either from a couple being fertile or from one couple being the surrogate or spear donor for another couple

Imagine traders passing through and noticing that most of the couples are same sex couples and yet the settlement is able to sell a ton of resources--excellent quality resources, too--so they clearly have plenty to go around, and that they've essentially revived the landscape into a straight-up town akin to life before the bombs dropped

And then those traders go on their way, come across another settlement, make small talk over a fire as they slice into the nicest tatos they have ever seen (a parting gift from our queer settlement to make the travelers journey a little easier), and tell the folks at this new settlement all about how cool the queer settlement was

Only to have the people at this settlement side-eye them and say, "that settlement will probably fall apart with everyone in it in a year" and how the trader shouldn't expect it to be there if he ever makes his way there again because "those folks'll die eventually and no one will be there to keep the place running." Despite the fact that this trader has SEEN it thriving and has SEEN it full of the next generation of people to run the town

So the trader makes a mental note not to pass through THIS settlement on his next pass through the area, because what kind of myopic view can someone have when they haven't even seen the queer settlement for themselves

Anyway, I think queer culture in the wasteland is an excellent topic and now I want to hear about the rest of queer folks outside our little settlement here

I keep writing up a post on queer culture in the wasteland and deleting it because i am not saying what im trying to say eeihhhehe

[roanniom]

The support you have for other Eddie and Steve fic writers is so pure and enthusiastic and joyous I love it. I find all the best recs from you AND you're nice and your own writing if fucking awesome? YESSS

Holy shit this is the nicest ask I've ever received. Thank you so much.

When I first made this blog back in 2020 it was with the singular intention of sharing fics that I read and loved. I had absolutely no plans at the time to write fics of my own - I was just consuming such a high quantity of fics that I needed to be able to share and celebrate and heap love on the writers who filled my time which such premium, amazing material.

I am first and foremost a fan. I'm a writer second. So if I love a fic, I'm gonna shout it from the roof tops. And if anyone else gets to find amazing content from what I share, too, that's just icing on the cake. All of the amazing writers on here deserve that and so much more <3

^me to other fic writers.