#this is why we let the moss grow in our garden :)

[chey-murray]

Most Tree Planting Programs Are Not Eco-Friendly

When we clear-cut, it makes us feel guilty, and there are risks involved. Clear-cutting can affect our water quality, it increases the chances of flooding and landslides, and more. To make matters worse, it is common practice to put down herbicides to slow the growth of everything but conifers.

“In Canadian forestry, glyphosate-based herbicides have been used on over 96% of the forest area treated in the past decade.” ForestInfo.ca

To help repair the damage, people (sometimes even the logging companies themselves) do tree planting programs to replace the removed trees. However, while these programs do sometimes help in some ways, they are not perfect.

“You’re creating basically a sterile landscape,” said Paul Smith, who runs Botanic Gardens Conservation International, an umbrella group that works to prevent plant extinctions. “If people want to plant trees, let’s also make it a positive for biodiversity.” Tree Planting Is Booming. Here’s How That Could Help, or Harm, the Planet.

1. Tree planting programs do not diversify tree age

Most (if not all) tree planting programs plant trees of the exact same age, which is not healthy for the forest. Doing it that way has them all competing at the same time, so they all focus on growing tall as fast as possible. This leaves discarded branches on the bottom end of the trunk that is perfect fuel for a forest fire.

In a forest normally, trees are various heights and sizes, which creates a varied canopy with gaps that give opportunity for new growth. As well as all that, the matriarch trees will make room for their seedlings, send more nutrients, and tell them how to deal with stresses.

Now, some groups are going in and girdling the tree. That is when you cut a ring into the bark, which slowly kills it. This gives the tree enough time to send nutrients back into the forest, and killing it reduces the stress on the other trees by opening the canopy. That gap will allow more light in, allowing the other trees to slow down.

2. Species Selection

When replanting, companies often only plant the species of trees they want to cut down in the future, ignoring all the mosses, fungi shrubs, and everything else that was killed during the deforestation process.

Sometimes, the species are not even native to the area, and instead people are picking trees they think would be the most valuable, and they either can not make it in the climate, or they could be invasive.

3. Planting Where It Is Not Necessary

Sometimes, tree planting programs head into places where there were never trees to start. They mean, well, but it is the wrong type of vegetation for the area. The first may actually cause more carbon, while the second could spread invasive species, or take valuable nutrients away from native plants.

"Savannas and natural grasslands may have relatively few trees, critics noted, but these regions already hold plenty of carbon in their soils. When that carbon is accounted for, the carbon uptake benefit from planting trees drops to perhaps a fifth of the original estimate." Why planting tons of trees isn’t enough to solve climate change

___

So what is the answer for spaces already clear-cut? Rewilding might be it! This is a hot topic term in the UK as they try and bring forests back and reverse many years of damage.

Instead of just thinking about how to set up the forest so you can cut it down in the future, you instead think about how you can repair the forest just enough that you can let it heal.

That means nurturing all the removed vegetation (not just ones that offer future profit) and bringing back wildlife.

“Rewilding is a progressive approach to conservation. It’s about letting nature take care of itself, enabling natural processes to shape land and sea, repair damaged ecosystems and restore degraded landscapes. Through rewilding, wildlife’s natural rhythms create wilder, more biodiverse habitats.” Rewilding Europe

[karudaa-coirs]

The Perfect Potting Mix for Indoor Plants by Karudaa Coirs

Indoor plants bring life, colour, and a touch of nature into our homes. However, to keep them thriving, they need the right foundation—an ideal potting mix. At Karudaa Coirs, we understand the unique needs of indoor plants and have crafted the perfect potting mix to ensure your plants grow strong and healthy. In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of using a high-quality potting mix, what makes our product stand out, and how to use it effectively.

Why a High-Quality Potting Mix Matters

Indoor plants have specific requirements that differ from their outdoor counterparts. A high-quality potting mix provides several key benefits:

Optimal Drainage: Indoor plants are prone to root rot if water does not drain properly. A well-designed potting mix ensures that excess water can flow away from the roots, preventing waterlogged soil.

Aeration: Roots need access to oxygen to thrive. A good potting mix maintains a balance between holding moisture and allowing air to circulate, promoting healthy root growth.

Nutrient-Rich: Unlike garden soil, which can be compacted and nutrient-poor, a high-quality potting mix is enriched with essential nutrients to support plant growth.

Disease Prevention: Sterile potting mixes help prevent the introduction of pests and diseases that can harm indoor plants.

The Karudaa Coirs Difference

Karudaa Coirs' potting mix is specially formulated to meet the needs of a wide variety of indoor plants. Here’s why our product is the best choice for your green friends:

Coconut Coir Base: Our potting mix features a base of premium coconut coir, which is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to peat moss. Coconut coir provides excellent water retention and aeration, making it ideal for indoor plants.

Balanced Nutrients: We incorporate a balanced blend of organic nutrients and minerals, ensuring that your plants have access to all the essential elements they need for robust growth.

Enhanced Aeration: Our mix includes perlite and vermiculite, which enhance aeration and drainage, helping to prevent root rot and other common issues.

PH Balanced: The potting mix is pH balanced to ensure that nutrients are readily available to plants, promoting optimal growth and health.

Sustainability: At Karudaa Coirs, we prioritise sustainable practices. Our potting mix is produced using environmentally friendly methods, and our packaging is designed to minimize waste.

How to Use Karudaa Coirs Potting Mix

Using our potting mix is simple and ensures your indoor plants get off to a great start:

Choose the Right Pot: Select a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom. This helps avoid root rot and ensures healthy plant growth.

Prepare the Potting Mix: Fill the pot about one-third full with Karudaa Coirs potting mix. This provides a stable base for your plant.

Position the Plant: Gently remove your plant from its current pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Place the plant in the center of the new pot.

Add More Potting Mix: Fill in around the plant with additional potting mix, pressing lightly to eliminate air pockets. Leave about an inch of space from the top of the pot to allow for watering.

Water Thoroughly: After planting, water the plant thoroughly to help the potting mix settle and ensure that the roots are in contact with the soil.

Conclusion

The right potting mix can make all the difference in the health and vitality of your indoor plants. Karudaa Coirs' potting mix is designed to provide optimal drainage, aeration, and nutrition, setting your plants up for success. Whether you’re a seasoned indoor gardener or just starting, our premium potting mix will help you create a thriving indoor oasis.

Explore our potting mix and other high-quality gardening products on our website or contact our customer service team for more information. Let Karudaa Coirs help you grow your indoor garden with confidence and ease. Happy planting!

[prowashwellington]

Transform Your Outdoor Space: Expert Guidance for Building Wash in Wellington

Maintaining a clean building exterior is essential for keeping your outdoor space inviting and safe. Regular building washing is especially important in Wellington, where the weather can vary. Here are some expert tips to help you keep your building in top condition.

Why Building Washing is Important

A clean building exterior not only looks great but also extends the life of the materials. Dirt, moss, and mildew can cause surfaces to deteriorate faster, leading to costly repairs. Regular washing helps to preserve the building materials and keep them looking their best.

Preparing for Building Wash

Before you start washing, remove all furniture, plants, and other items from around the building. This makes washing easier and ensures that nothing gets damaged during the process. Inspect the exterior for any loose fixtures or areas that need repair.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Solution

There are various cleaning solutions available for building washing. You can use a commercial cleaner or make your own using household ingredients. A mix of warm water, dish soap, and a little vinegar works well for most surfaces. If your building has stubborn stains or mould, you may need a stronger cleaner or even a mild bleach solution.

How to Wash Your Building

Sweep the Area: Start by sweeping the area around the building to remove loose dirt and debris. Pay special attention to corners and crevices where dirt can accumulate.

Apply the Cleaning Solution: Apply the cleaning solution using a garden sprayer or a large brush. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the building. Let the solution sit for about 10-15 minutes to break down the dirt and grime.

Scrub the Building: Use a stiff-bristle brush to scrub the building, working in sections. This helps to remove any stubborn dirt and stains. For larger areas, you might consider using a scrubber attachment for your garden hose.

Rinse Thoroughly: After scrubbing, rinse the building thoroughly with a garden hose or a pressure washer on a low setting. Make sure to remove all the cleaning solutions to prevent any residue from being left behind.

Let it Dry: Allow the building to dry completely before replacing any items around it. This can take a few hours to a full day depending on the weather.

Preventative Maintenance

To keep your building looking great, regular maintenance is key. Sweep the exterior regularly to remove dirt and debris. If you notice any moss or mildew starting to grow, address it immediately to prevent it from spreading.

House Wash Wellington Services

For those who prefer professional help, many companies offer house wash Wellington services, which include building washing. Professional cleaners have the right tools and expertise to wash your building efficiently and effectively. They can also spot potential issues like structural damage or loose fixtures that you might miss.

Reviews and Testimonials

When choosing a professional cleaning service, it’s helpful to read reviews and testimonials from other customers. Positive feedback can give you confidence that the company will do a good job. Many companies have a gallery on their website where you can see before and after photos of their work. This can give you a better idea of what to expect.

Contact Us for Professional Building Wash

If you’re looking for expert help with your building wash, contact us at ProWash Wellington. Our team is experienced in washing buildings of all types and sizes. We use eco-friendly cleaning solutions and the latest techniques to ensure your building is thoroughly cleaned without damaging the surfaces.

Visit our gallery to see examples of our work. We take pride in delivering high-quality results that our customers love. You’ll find before and after photos that showcase the dramatic difference professional cleaning can make.

Contact us,

Business Name: ProWash Wellington 

Address: 10 Halifax Street, Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt

Phone: 0221323578

Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jJ59MiAdUuRDACeW9

[leadit24]

Explore Our Extensive Tree Nursery Collection Online

When it comes to creating a beautiful and sustainable garden, Wholesale Nursery Co. is your go-to destination. As an online tree nursery, we take pride in offering low prices on quality native plants, including ferns, perennials, mosses, ground covers, trees, shrubs, and more. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures that every plant you purchase from us is guaranteed to grow. Let’s delve into what makes our tree nursery the perfect choice for your gardening needs.

Why Choose Wholesale Nursery Co.

At Wholesale Nursery Co., we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality plants at affordable prices. Our extensive selection of native plants is meticulously curated to ensure that you receive the best possible specimens for your garden. With competitive prices and affordable shipping, we make it easy for you to bring the beauty of nature to your doorstep. Plus, we stand behind our products with a growth guarantee, so you can shop with confidence.

Our Extensive Collection

One of the things that sets us apart is our vast and diverse collection of plants. Whether you’re looking for towering trees, vibrant shrubs, delicate ferns, or lush ground covers, we have something to suit every gardening need. Our tree nursery offers one of the largest selections of plants available online, making it easy for you to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Tree Selection

Trees are the backbone of any garden, providing structure, shade, and beauty. At our tree nursery, you’ll find a wide variety of trees, from majestic oaks to delicate flowering dogwoods. Trees not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also offer numerous environmental benefits, such as improving air quality and providing habitat for wildlife.

Shrubs and Bushes

Shrubs are a versatile addition to any landscape, offering year-round interest and structure. Our tree nursery features popular shrub varieties like hydrangeas, azaleas, and boxwoods. These plants are perfect for creating privacy screens, adding color to your garden, or enhancing the overall design of your landscape.

Ferns and Perennials

For those looking to add texture and longevity to their gardens, our selection of ferns and perennials is sure to impress. Ferns provide a lush, green backdrop that complements other plants, while perennials offer blooms year after year, making them a cost-effective choice for any gardener.

Ground Covers and Mosses

Ground covers and mosses are excellent for filling in spaces between plants, reducing soil erosion, and creating a lush, green carpet in your garden. Our tree nursery offers a variety of ground covers and mosses that thrive in different conditions, ensuring you can find the perfect match for your landscape.

Ordering from Our Online Tree Nursery

Shopping at Wholesale Nursery Co. is a breeze. Our user-friendly website allows you to browse our extensive collection, read detailed plant descriptions, and view high-quality images of each plant. Once you’ve made your selections, our secure payment methods ensure a safe and seamless checkout process.

Shipping and Delivery

We understand that getting your plants in a timely manner is crucial. That’s why we offer affordable shipping rates and guarantee timely delivery. Our plants are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive at your doorstep in perfect condition, ready to be planted and enjoyed.

Plant Care Tips

We want your garden to thrive, which is why we provide comprehensive plant care tips on our website. From planting instructions to seasonal maintenance advice, we’ve got you covered. Our goal is to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy garden that you can enjoy for years to come.

Customer Satisfaction Guarantee

At Wholesale Nursery Co., your satisfaction is our top priority. We back our plants with a growth guarantee, ensuring that you can buy with confidence. Don’t just take our word for it – check out our customer testimonials to see what other gardeners have to say about their experience with our tree nursery.

Sustainable Gardening Practices

We are committed to promoting sustainable gardening practices. Our native plants are well-suited to local conditions, reducing the need for excessive watering and fertilizers. By choosing native plants from our tree nursery, you’re contributing to a healthier, more sustainable environment.

Landscaping Ideas

Need some inspiration for your garden design? We offer a wealth of landscaping ideas to help you make the most of your outdoor space. Whether you’re looking to create a serene retreat or a vibrant, colorful garden, our expert tips will guide you in the right direction.

Expert Advice and Support

Our team of gardening experts is here to support you every step of the way. From selecting the right plants for your garden to providing personalized care advice, we are dedicated to helping you succeed. Reach out to us for any questions or guidance you may need.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exploring our extensive tree nursery collection online opens up a world of possibilities for your garden. With a wide range of high-quality native plants, affordable prices, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Wholesale Nursery Co. is your trusted partner in gardening. Visit our website today and discover the perfect plants to transform your garden into a beautiful, thriving oasis.

[tutoroot]

What is the Importance of Flora and Fauna? 

Flora encompasses all the plant species inhabiting a specific geographic area or ecosystem. It includes a diverse range of plants, such as trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, algae, mosses, ferns, and more. These plants vary in terms of their characteristics, such as size, shape, color, and lifespan. Flora not only beautifies our surroundings but also plays a crucial role in various ecological processes. 

Importance of Flora

Flora serves various essential functions and the importance of flora are described below, 

Oxygen Production: Plants, through photosynthesis, produce oxygen, which is vital for all living organisms, including humans. 

Food Source: Many animals, including herbivores and omnivores, rely on plants for their food. Without flora, these animals would have no sustenance. 

Habitat: Flora provides shelter and nesting sites for countless creatures, creating a suitable habitat for fauna. 

Erosion Control: Plant roots help anchor soil, preventing erosion and maintaining soil quality. 

Climate Regulation: Trees and other vegetation play a role in regulating local climates by providing shade and releasing moisture into the air. 

Medicinal Plants: Several plants have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine worldwide. 

Aesthetic and Recreational Value: Beautiful gardens, parks, and natural landscapes enrich our lives and provide recreational opportunities. 

Biodiversity: A diverse flora supports a diverse fauna, leading to a healthier ecosystem. 

Contrary to flora, which encompasses plant life, fauna refers to all the animal species inhabiting a particular region or ecosystem. Fauna is incredibly diverse and ranges from microscopic organisms to larger animals, forming intricate and interconnected food chains and webs. From insects and birds to mammals and reptiles, fauna encompasses a vast array of species. 

Importance of Fauna

Fauna is equally crucial for the balance of nature and the importance of Fauna is given below, 

Predator-Prey Relationships: The interaction between predators and prey helps control populations and maintains ecological balance. 

Pollination: Many plants rely on animals like bees, butterflies, and birds for pollination, which is essential for their reproduction. 

Seed Dispersal: Animals play a vital role in dispersing seeds, enabling plants to grow in new locations. 

Food Chains: Fauna forms the basis of food chains, with different species occupying various levels. This balance ensures that no single species overpopulates or becomes extinct. 

Ecosystem Engineers: Some animals, such as beavers and ants, actively modify their environments, creating new habitats for other species. 

Aesthetic and Recreational Value: Watching wildlife and visiting zoos and aquariums provide recreational and educational experiences. 

Scientific Research: Fauna is essential for scientific studies, helping us understand biology, behavior, and the broader environment. 

Cultural Significance: Many animals hold cultural and religious significance in various societies worldwide. 

Importance of Flora and Fauna

For a better understanding let’s see the importance of flora and fauna again combined.  

Flora and fauna are of immense significance for the sustenance of life on Earth. Here are some reasons why they are essential for our planet’s overall well-being: 

Biodiversity: Flora and fauna collectively contribute to the biodiversity of our planet, which is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability and resilience. A diverse range of plant and animal species ensures the availability of essential resources, promotes ecological balance and enhances natural beauty. 

Oxygen production: Through the process of photosynthesis, flora produces oxygen, a fundamental component of the air we breathe. Oxygen is not only vital for human survival but also supports the respiration of various animal species. Therefore, without flora, oxygen levels would significantly diminish, causing detrimental effects on life. 

Habitat and food provision: Flora creates habitats and provides shelter, food sources, and nesting sites for a multitude of animal species. From the vast canopy of trees in a forest to the intricate corals in the ocean, different types of plants sustain diverse animal populations, ensuring their survival. 

Ecological balance: Flora and fauna interact in complex ways, forming a delicate ecological balance. For instance, predators regulate prey populations, preventing overgrazing or overpopulation. Similarly, certain plants rely on specific animal species for pollination or seed dispersal, highlighting the interdependence between flora and fauna. 

Cultural and aesthetic value: Both flora and fauna hold cultural and aesthetic value. They inspire art, literature, and poetry, enhancing our connection with nature. Furthermore, experiencing diverse plant and animal life improves our mental well-being and promotes eco-tourism, contributing to local economies. 

This is all about the Flora and Fauna, and we covered in depth the importance of flora and fauna along with the difference between flora and fauna. If you’re interested in gaining a better understanding of similar concepts presented straightforwardly, you can explore our Tutoroot blog section. If you’re seeking top-notch online tutoring to enhance your academic performance, Tutoroot is the ideal choice for you. Click here to schedule a FREE DEMO session with our highly qualified educators. 

[gardendrifts]

Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors: Easy Step-By-Step Guide 2024

Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors: Easy Step-By-Step Guide!. Learn how to easily grow carrots from seeds indoors and enjoy crisp, fresh carrots all year round. Follow our simple guidelines for successful indoor carrot gardening. No green thumb required!

Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors

Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors: Easy Step-By-Step Guide!. carrots all year Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors: Easy Step-By-Step Guide!

How to Grow Carrots from Seeds Indoors

Carrots are a delicious and nutritious vegetable that can be grown from seeds right in the comfort of your own home. By growing carrots indoors, you can have a fresh supply of this root vegetable all year round. Not to mention, the process of growing carrots from seeds can be a rewarding and educational experience for both adults and children. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of growing carrots from seeds indoors and provide helpful tips to ensure success.

Why Grow Carrots Indoors?

Growing carrots indoors has many benefits, including:

- The ability to have fresh, homegrown carrots all year round. - No need for a garden or backyard space, as they can be grown in containers. - Protection from pests and harsh weather conditions. - A fun and educational experience for children. - The satisfaction of growing your own food.

Supplies Needed

Before we dive into the process of growing carrots Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors, let’s first go over the supplies you will need:

- Carrot seeds - Containers with drainage holes - Soil Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors - Water - Fertilizer (optional) - Grow lights (if growing in a low light environment)

The Steps of Growing Carrots Indoors

 Choose the Right Container

When it comes to choosing a container for growing carrots, you have many options. Some popular choices include:

- Traditional clay or plastic pots - Window boxes - Grow bags - Vegetable crates

Whatever you choose, make sure the container has drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors.

Prepare the Soil

Carrots thrive in loose, well-drained soil Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors. You can either purchase potting soil specifically designed for growing vegetables or create your own mix using equal parts of sand, compost, and peat moss. Avoid using regular garden soil, as it tends to be too compact for carrots to grow properly.

Planting the Seeds

Fill your chosen container with the prepared soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Then, sprinkle the carrot seeds on top of the soil Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors, leaving a few inches of space in between each seed. Lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and gently water them.

 Provide Adequate Light

Carrot seeds require at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day to germinate and grow properly. If you are growing them in a low light environment, such as indoors Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors, consider using grow lights to supplement the natural light.

Water Regularly

Carrots need consistent moisture to grow, so make sure to check the soil regularly and water whenever it feels dry to the touch. However Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors, be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to rotting. A good rule of thumb is to water until the top inch of soil feels moist.

 Thin Out Seedlings

Once your carrot seedlings have sprouted, you will need to thin them out to give each plant enough space to grow. Gently pull out the weaker seedlings, leaving the sturdiest ones to continue growing.

Fertilize (Optional)

If you want to give your carrots a nutrient boost, you can use a gentle vegetable fertilizer about 4-6 weeks after planting.

 Harvesting

Depending on the variety of carrots you planted, they can take anywhere from 2-4 months to fully mature. You can tell they are ready to be harvested when the tops of the carrots start to appear out of the soil. Carefully loosen the soil around the carrot, and gently pull it out, taking care not to damage the delicate root.

Tips for Growing Carrots Indoors

- Choose a sunny spot to place your containers - Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid overwatering - Use a well-drained potting mix - Provide adequate air circulation around the plants - Thin out seedlings to allow for proper growth - Use a liquid fertilizer for a nutrient boost - Add mulch on top of the soil to help retain moisture - Keep an eye out for pests and diseases - Plant carrots in succession for a continuous harvest - Use grow lights in low light environments - Don’t overcrowd the container with too many seeds - Be gentle when harvesting to avoid damaging the roots - Rotate your containers every few days to provide even light exposure

What is the best variety of carrots to grow indoors?

There are many varieties of carrots available, but some popular choices for indoor growing include: - “Nantes” - A sweet, fast-growing variety - “Short ‘n Sweet” - A compact variety that is perfect for containers - “Paris Market” - A smaller variety that has a round shape

Can you grow carrots indoors without natural sunlight?

While carrots do require some natural sunlight to grow, they can also be grown successfully under grow lights in a low light environment.

Do carrots need a lot of space to grow?

Carrots have long, slender roots, so they don’t need a lot of space to grow. This makes them perfect for growing in containers.

Can I reuse the soil for multiple carrot crops?

To ensure the health and success of your carrot crops, it is best to use fresh soil for each planting. This helps prevent any soil-borne diseases or pests from affecting your plants.

Are there any pests or diseases that can affect indoor-grown carrots?

Carrots are susceptible to pests such as aphids, carrot rust flies, and spider mites. They can also be affected by diseases such as root rot and Carrot Motley Dwarf virus. To minimize the risk of pests and diseases, practice good hygiene by properly disposing of any leftover plant material and regularly checking your plants for signs of infestation.

Conclusion

Growing carrots from seeds indoors is a fun and rewarding experience that can provide you with a constant supply of fresh, homegrown vegetables. By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing the tips and tricks, you can successfully grow delicious, nutritious carrots in the comfort of your own home. So why wait? Get started on your indoor carrot garden and enjoy the fruits of your labor all year round.

Learn how to easily grow carrots from seeds indoors and enjoy crisp, fresh carrots all year round. Follow our simple guidelines for successful indoor carrot gardening. No green thumb required!. "Carrots" Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors: Easy Step-By-Step Guide!

How do you start growing carrots from seeds indoors?

To grow carrots from seeds indoors, you will need to follow these steps:

Choose the right container: Use a container that is at least 12 inches deep to allow the carrot roots to grow properly.

Prepare the soil: Use a good quality potting mix that is light and well-draining.

Sow the seeds: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows Grow Juicy Carrots Indoors.

Provide adequate light: Carrots need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight or bright artificial light to grow well indoors.

 Keep the soil moist: Water the soil regularly to keep it consistently moist, but not waterlogged.

Thin out seedlings: Once the seedlings sprout, thin them to 2-3 inches apart.

Fertilize: Use a balanced fertilizer once the seedlings have grown 2-3 inches tall.

Harvest: Carrots are ready to harvest when they reach the desired size, usually 2-3 months after planting.

What are the best conditions for growing carrots from seeds indoors?

The best conditions for growing carrots from seeds indoors are: - A container or pot that is at least 12 inches deep and has good drainage. - A light and well-draining potting mix. - Adequate amount of sunlight or bright artificial light for 6-8 hours per day. - Consistently moist soil, but not waterlogged. - A warm and humid environment with temperatures between 60-70°F. - Thinly sown seeds with 2-3 inches of space between plants. - Use of a balanced fertilizer once the seedlings have grown 2-3 inches tall.

Can you grow carrots from seeds indoors year-round?

Yes, you can grow carrots from seeds indoors year-round as long as they are provided with the right conditions for growth. This includes adequate lighting, temperature, and moisture levels. However, it is important to give the carrots a break in between growing cycles to replenish the nutrients in the soil.

How long does it take to grow carrots from seeds indoors?

It usually takes 2-3 months to grow carrots from seeds indoors, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Carrots can be harvested when they reach the desired size, but they can also be left in the soil for longer to develop a sweeter and more intense flavor.

Do you need to use a grow light to grow carrots from seeds indoors?

Yes, it is recommended to use a grow light when growing carrots from seeds indoors. Carrots need 6-8 hours of sunlight or bright artificial light per day to grow well. Without enough light, the carrots may become stunted and produce small, bitter roots.

[neondreamsicle]

So....we got lost on the tram today on the way to the garden, and also on the streets, but we know now why Portland is weird.

The amount of moss growing literally EVERYWHERE is shocking to me.

NICE.

We witnessed the christmas tree being put up on the plaza.

I snapped this at one of the tram stops. Wicked insult. Love it. Also, there is graffiti on every building and piece of infrastructure that stands still long enough to be tagged.

The curbs on both sides of Concord along Killingsworth, lmao.

Lastly, this tiny little sky puppy that i found on the sidewalk that i almost mistook for another leaf. A gift from the city of Portland thanking me for loving it. 🧡❤️💛

The people are amazing to watch and listen to. Entertaining to say the least.

On our last little walk back to our room, i told my husband: "Thank you for letting me be fucking weird with you." He said: "Me too."

[fallentofable]

A half-love poem I wrote the other day

Somewhere

Lilac Moss

//

Somewhere we sit

A squat diner built of blood-soaked bricks,

Worn down by the weathered hands of lovers' pasts

We wait for fruit taken from the vine creeping down the waitress' hair to grow

So it may be served, sweet and steaming,

To another.

So we may thank her, pay our tab, and leave that diner behind

Travel

Elsewhere

Where a luminescent crater calls us forth,

Echoes cackle, crackle, cry at us

In heartbeat box-step they beg to be let free,

We refuse.

After all,

Why would we be their savior?

We were never captors, nor killers,

We are just watchers,

Winched tight to this merry-go-round of life

An echo, another bright idea,

Lost in fire, the shadows on the wall

Waiting, weary, for something to change,

And for us to brought

Over there,

Over the garden wall,

Where the grass grows tall and dark.

Be careful! If we do not step softly,

We might be lost among the lilacs and cattails,

For they are true beauty,

And we do not know the beast in their clothes.

When we find our way there,

I’ll offer my hand.

If It is time, you’ll take it.

We’ll stitch the stars together,

Find the constellations sewn, somber in the sky.

And we’ll dance to a new kind of light.

We’ll dance for years to come,

To find ourselves

Somewhere, again

Somewhere softly singing songs of sorrow,

“Cold hands, yours too” slips over our tongue,

Yet our minds do not drift to each other.

Instead we sneak a sly smile at that old beast,

Clawing at the door, howling, hounding to get in.

We promised to feed them,

If only to get away.

We'll find our way back to that old blood-soaked diner

With walls worn down by Lover’s pasts,

Maybe, finally, get a taste of the fruit

From the vine wrapped around the waitress’ hair.

How I’m sure it will drag on the ground by now.

We think, in tandem, that’ll just make it sweeter.

[taimio]

Lush & Lovely: Create Your Own Miniature Garden With Bottle Gardens

Dive deep into the enthralling world of bottle gardens as we unveil all the secrets to creating your own lush, miniature Eden. Yes, bottle gardens are not just charming and gorgeous; they're also a testament to an eco-friendly lifestyle. Learn how to make your very own bottle gardens, effectively transforming ordinary bottles into delightful miniature gardens. This comprehensive guide will take you through each intricate stage, from selecting the right bottle and plants to assembling your miniature ecosystem. So whether you're a novice or a seasoned gardener, you'll find our step-by-step instructions enlightening. Join us as we explore the art of bottle gardens and why they're becoming the next big thing in home and garden design. Let's grow together in our lovely, lush bottle garden journey and create extraordinary wonders with nothing more than a bottle and our love for plants. Lush & Lovely: Create Your Own Miniature Garden With Bottle Gardens body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px; } h2 { color: #333; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; } h3 { color: #666; font-size: 20px; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; } p { color: #444; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 15px; } ul { margin-bottom: 15px; } li { margin-bottom: 8px; }

Lush & Lovely: Create Your Own Miniature Garden With Bottle Gardens

Have you ever found yourself longing for a touch of greenery, but lack the space or time to maintain a full-sized garden? Look no further! Bottle gardens, also known as terrariums, are the perfect solution to bring some lush beauty into your life without the hassle. Whether you have a green thumb or not, these miniature gardens are not only aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly rewarding to create and care for.

What are Bottle Gardens?

Bottle gardens are self-contained ecosystems housed within transparent containers, usually made from glass or plastic. These captivating mini-gardens mimic the natural water cycle, creating a self-sustaining environment that requires little maintenance. The containers act as a greenhouse, trapping moisture and heat to create the perfect conditions for plant growth.

Why Choose Bottle Gardens?

Low maintenance: Bottle gardens are ideal for busy individuals or those lacking a green thumb. Once set up, they require minimal care and attention.

Space-saving: Perfect for small apartments, offices, or any limited space, bottle gardens allow you to enjoy the beauty of plants without taking up much room.

Creative outlet: Crafting your own miniature world allows you to let your creativity run wild. Design and decorate your bottle garden to reflect your personal style and preferences.

Year-round enjoyment: Unlike traditional gardens that are subject to seasonal changes, bottle gardens provide a green oasis all year long.

Therapeutic benefits: Engaging with nature has been proven to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Bottle gardens provide a pocket of tranquility in your everyday surroundings.

Getting Started

Creating your own bottle garden is easier than you think! With just a few basic materials and a little bit of patience, you can have your own miniature paradise in no time. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Materials:

A clear glass or plastic container with a lid

Potting soil

A variety of plants suitable for terrariums (such as succulents, ferns, or moss)

Activated charcoal (available at most garden centers)

Pebbles or small rocks for drainage

Decorative elements (optional but recommended)

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Clean the container thoroughly to ensure a clear view of your mini-garden.

Step 2: Add a layer of pebbles or small rocks to the bottom of the container. This will help with drainage.

Step 3: Add a thin layer of activated charcoal on top of the rocks. This will keep the environment fresh by absorbing any odors or toxins.

Step 4: Add a layer of potting soil, leaving enough space for your plants to fit comfortably.

Step 5: Arrange your plants in the soil, being mindful of their individual needs for sunlight and moisture.

Step 6: Get creative! Add decorative elements like small figurines, tiny pebbles, or colorful stones to personalize your miniature garden.

Step 7: Mist the soil and plants with water to create a humid environment. Avoid over-watering, as too much moisture can lead to mold or root rot.

Step 8: Close the container with the lid to create a greenhouse effect, trapping moisture and heat inside.

Step 9: Place your bottle garden in a location with indirect sunlight, avoiding extreme temperatures and drafts.

Step 10: Sit back, relax, and watch your miniature garden thrive!

Tips for Maintenance

Monitor moisture levels: While bottle gardens require little water, it's essential to keep an eye on the moisture levels. If the soil feels dry, mist it lightly with water. Be careful not to let the soil become waterlogged.

Prune as needed: Some plants may outgrow their miniature environment. Don't hesitate to trim or remove plants if necessary to maintain the balance within your bottle garden.

Rotate your garden: To ensure even growth and prevent plants from leaning towards the light, rotate your bottle garden every few weeks.

Keep an eye out for pests: While bottle gardens are generally less prone to pests, occasionally, tiny intruders may appear. Inspect your plants regularly and take appropriate action if needed.

What to Plant in Your Bottle Garden

When selecting plants for your bottle garden, it's important to choose species that thrive in a humid and enclosed environment. Here are a few popular choices:

Succulents: These hardy plants love dry conditions and require minimal watering. Opt for smaller varieties, such as Haworthia or Echeveria, to fit comfortably in your bottle garden.

Ferns: Ferns are known for their love of humidity. They add a touch of elegance and lushness to your miniature garden. Try varieties like Maidenhair or Bird's Nest Fern.

Moss: Moss is an excellent choice for creating a soft, carpet-like effect in your bottle garden. It thrives in moist environments and adds a natural charm.

Air Plants: Also known as Tillandsias, air plants are incredibly low-maintenance. They absorb moisture from the air and do not require soil, making them perfect for bottle gardens.

Let Your Creativity Flourish!

Now that you have the knowledge to create your own miniature garden, it's time to let your imagination take over. Experiment with different plant combinations, container shapes, and decorative elements to design a bottle garden that is uniquely yours. Embrace the tranquility and beauty of these captivating creations, and enjoy the therapeutic benefits they bring to your life.

Remember, bottle gardens are not only a feast for the eyes but also a rewarding hobby that will continue to evolve with your care. So, go ahead and dive into the world of bottle gardens, where creativity, nature, and a touch of whimsy come together in a mesmerizing display!

Learn more about gardening with Taim.io!

[thenexusofsouls]

Mantis tilted her head, shoulders shifting in a shrug when Nuada said she didn’t value herself enough. “I think the way I value myself is just a little bit different from the way others value themselves. I am critical of myself because I am trying not to become a terrible person.” If she wasn’t one already. Nuada, of course, was too righteous in his actions to know what that meant, because he felt this was the only way to protect his people. He saw nothing wrong with his ideas because he wasn’t critical of himself at all. But Mantis had to be. She believed nature and nurture could make a truly big difference, but for her, being terrible was in both her nature and her nurture. It frightened her to no end.

“No, you–” She shook her head. “You didn’t insult me. I am… inept at taking compliments, is all. But I thank you for thinking I have good things to offer, Prince.” Cosmos, any sort of praise truly made her skin crawl. Mantis shuddered, realizing how much harder it was to accept them after being inside the head of Thanos. She already struggled with them before - they had always made her kind of uncomfortable. But now… they made her want to lay down in the moss and let it swallow her whole, never to be seen again. Mantis wrung her hands to stop them from trembling, focusing her attention on Nuada’s words. “It is unfortunate that not many want to challenge you. I find it boring. The notion of echo chambers truly scares me. I like to question the way others think and to have my way of thinking be questioned, too. That way we can all understand each other better. We can all grow, like trees, and expand our worldview.”

Mantis was curious about Nuada and his people, the elves. She wondered why they didn’t challenge Nuada’s ideas; she didn’t think they agreed. But given how defensive he had gotten when she brought up his sister, she chose not to ask questions. But it hurt. Mantis was a curious soul, she had been one since childhood. That was one of the reasons why being a Guardian of the Galaxy was a fantastic job for her; they would travel from planet to planet, star to star, learning. It made her feel so whole.

Mantis couldn’t help but giggle at the excited little noises of the bark children. Her giggles grew into actual laughter when they clapped. “I am glad you like them, dear friends.” Her antennae twitched when she heard Nuada audibly express admiration for her ability. “Phytoki– what? I have always called it botanokinesis. It is an ability I am grateful for.” When his voice turned sad and nostalgic, Mantis picked one of the buttercups, stood up, and approached the prince, tucking the golden flower behind his ear, by his equally golden hair. Hoping it would cheer him up. “I used to help my father with his gardens, back when our relationship was good.” The ghost of a smile tugged at her lips. All in all, she did have happy memories with Ego. They were few, and paled in comparison to the bad memories… but they were still there. “We grew apart,” she added almost coldly. An understatement, really. Mantis looked down, fiddling with her new flower brooch. Despite everything Ego had done, she did not wish to speak ill of him. She was his daughter.

Her eyes fluttered when Nuada claimed she was interesting. Oh, how she wished she could say the same. How she hoped he was more than another arrogant idiot who thought he was right. Everyone thought they were right. Everyone, no matter how terrible. And Mantis was certain she would eyeroll herself into another galaxy one of these days, as a result. Nevertheless, Nuada had made a remark. Had Drax been there, he would have either called it a clever attempt at courtship, or a pathetic attempt at friendship. But she was Mantis, not Drax. She didn’t know how to call it. “I’m probably the most normal person you will ever meet. But perhaps I would find you as interesting as you find me if you were a little less… um, extreme in your views.”

__________

“That is very admirable of you,” Nuada admitted, “however… ‘terrible’ is relative. It does not mean the same thing to every person or race. It has not even meant the same thing throughout time. So… you are struggling to hold yourself to a certain standard that hinges upon you avoiding a condition that is forever changing and being reimagined.” He smirked a little. “That is bound to be rather stressful.”

He was quiet for a moment as he sipped his tea, and then, “I personally do not believe that there are truly good or evil people, truly beautiful or terrible. Rather, each of us is some combination of both sides of the scale, pure and unholy, beautiful and… terrible. If one wishes to avoid the darker sides of who we can become, doesn’t one need to understand them first? What is light… if there is no dark? What is evil if there is no good? There is darkness and light in all of us. It is what we do with them, or how much we allow them to control us, that defines us.”

“That is alright,” Nuada said when Mantis shared that she was inept at taking compliments. “Neither is my sister. Whenever anyone pays her a compliment, she suddenly forgets the existence of all forms of ‘thank you’ and simply folds quietly in on herself. Modesty, I suppose, is a desirable trait in females for some,” he mused, not elaborating on whether he preferred females to be modest or not. It wasn’t important.

Nuada smiled almost excitedly when Mantis said it was unfortunate that few wanted to challenge his ideas. “It is unfortunate, and it is boring, I agree. One never learns anything new if one consistently surrounds himself with likeminded people, or the passive agreeance of solitude. Echo chambers, yes, as you say.  despise them. My father surrounds himself with them now. Nothing but those who nod and spew innocuous pleasantries for fear of angering him or having an independent thought of their own. It infuriates me. So please… challenge my way of thinking. Ask questions. I welcome it.”

The children beamed at Mantis’ acceptance of and happiness over their gift. It had taken a lot for them to part with such a pretty find, but they liked her, and she had been very kind to them. She deserved it! It felt good for them to give gifts and make others happy.

Nuada chuckled at her comment. “Phyto-… a human prefix. Greek. Combining words that mean ‘plant’ and ‘come in to being’. Botany is the study of plants, so I’m sure that is also an acceptable description of your powers,” he offered. “I study languages in my spare time,” he then explained. “Though my chosen vocation is as a warrior, I do my best not to allow my mind to atrophy.”

He smiled as she placed one of her newly-conjure flowers behind his ear. “Thank you,” he whispered graciously. “It is difficult not to cling to the good memories of the past, I know… especially when the path forward is so wrought with difficulty and sadness.” He seemed to pause, as if thinking of something, before speaking again. “I can feel your energy, pulsing through the flower,” he whispered. “You are very powerful.” But then she downplayed her own uniqueness and interest, saying that she might have found him as interesting if not for his extreme views. “Extreme? How so?” he asked with all the idle curiosity of an old Socratic philosopher. “Please, indulge me,” he prompted. After all, he did say that he liked to be challenged.

[coastalcoirs]

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[planteuae]

Plant terrariums, that green touch that your house needs. Treat yourself to a piece of nature

More and more people live in cities and our contact with nature is more limited than when we live in towns or in the mountains or the countryside, so why not bring a piece of forest home through a terrarium of floors? They are decorative pieces that adapt to any style of decoration and, in addition, offer the advantage that they hardly require maintenance.

These miniature gardens contained in glass containers are so attractive that they conquer more and more homes. If you still do not have one, discover how to do it and what plants are suitable for your terrarium. It can be a good start to start giving a green touch to your home.

Terrarium UAE

What is a terrarium?

A terrarium is a container that tries to artificially reproduce the conditions of a specific habitat, thus allowing you to enjoy a small natural oasis in a limited space. Creating microcosms full of magic and very personal is within your reach! They were born centuries ago, although not for the same purpose, since the origin dates back to the need to transport plants from one place to another.

Among the different styles that you can give to the terrarium is the desert, which is reminiscent of a dry garden with its cacti or succulents and is very easy to maintain, the one that simulates a green forest, decorated with moss or the one that looks like a jungle and tropical corner. Such attractive and unusual compositions are definitely worth finding a niche for at home, don't you think?

Open or closed terrarium?

First of all, when you consider incorporating a terrarium into the decoration of your house so that the plants are the protagonists of your home, you must decide if you want it to be open or closed, since the second offers an extra advantage.

The open terrarium will require, although not much, periodic watering; while in the case of the closed one, you will not only have to monitor that the interior humidity is maintained. A sign that the environment inside the container is too dry is that the plants begin to have yellowing leaves. It will be enough to be attentive to this to keep it healthy and vital.

Terrarium Dubai

In this proposal from La Green Touch, the closed terrarium is 30 x 39 cm and includes a bonsai of a 6-year-old ficus retusa with plants, such as moss and fitonias.

What about the container?

The terrarium container can have a round, oval, square, rectangular triangular shape or show off other more imaginative geometries, such as rhombuses. In fact, apart from the tabletop ones, there are also narrow designs that can be fixed to the wall forming an original wall decoration.

Keep in mind that the size of the container should match the scale of the plants and allow room for them to grow. Another aspect to consider is how the glass should be. It is usually transparent for two reasons: to let the plants receive as much light as possible, but also to better enjoy the views from inside.

Terrarium suppliers uae

If you care about ecology...

Think that you can take advantage of any forgotten glass vase that you have at home or, if you are going to buy a new container, there will always be more ecological options, such as those that recycle glass, as in this Habitat proposal, the Sam model, which is easy to maintain thanks to the natural condensation of the plant and sunlight.

Of course, rule out very low containers, as they must be deep enough to contain the roots of the plants.

Terrarium Elements

As we mentioned at the beginning, each terrarium is a world, but they are usually made up of these elements:

The container glass that can be shaped like a bottle, as long as it has a wide mouth.

Gravel or sand. It will act as drainage and is placed at the bottom of the container with a thickness of between 2 and 5 cm.

Activated carbon. Only if your terrarium is closed. It prevents the terrarium from filling with mold and helps keep the plants healthy and beautiful, since it regulates the level of humidity in an airtight container.

Earth. It must be 5 to 10 cm high and be suitable depending on the selected plant species.

Botanical Selection. Those plants that you want me to incorporate.

Assorted decorations. Sea shells, coniferous cones, pebbles, other stones, tree bark...

Terrarrium Plants Dubai

If you are afraid of not getting it right when selecting the most correct composition, you can go to the terrarium kit where they sell you everything and they explain how to assemble it. In this case, La Green Touch proposes an oval glass container with a ficus microcarpa and a mini fitonia, decorated with natural moss and small pebbles.

What plants to choose for my terrarium?

The botanical selection goes to taste, although the rule must be followed that the different species must live in harmony together and, therefore, require the same conditions of light and humidity. 

For example, succulents are ideal for growing in an open terrarium, as they are plants that require very little water. Of course, plant them separately so that they can grow and place them in such a way that they do not touch the walls of the container. Within the family of succulents, some of the favorites are the Echeverias (like the ones we see in the photo), with beautiful rosette shapes, and the living stones ( Lithops ), succulents native to Africa with the appearance of stone.

In closed terrariums, it is advisable to select plants that are comfortable with a high degree of humidity, such as tropical plants, ferns, ivy or mother-of-pearl (Pilea implicata), among others. Keep in mind that, because the entire construction is airtight, the outside weather does not affect them.

As we have seen, if desired, the composition can also be completed with a miniature tree. If you have doubts about the most appropriate botanical selection, consult a garden center you trust.

Terrarium Dubai

Steps to create your terrarium

As we have said when explaining the composition, first you have to bet on good drainage, otherwise your plants will rot. Next, place the potting soil that should go depending on the selected plants. Also in these layers you can play creating beautiful compositions with sand, which draw attractive lines.

Opt for a light composted substrate, make the holes for the plants and place them delicately. Then have fun with the most imaginative decorations and sprinkles. In the case of open terrariums, you should only water again when the soil is dry.

If you are a beginner, it is best to opt for a container with a very wide mouth that allows you to work comfortably. On the contrary, those who have already perfected the technique can bet on less open ones and place all the elements delicately with tweezers.

Terrarium Plants UAE

Where to place the terrariums in the house?

Once you have created and customized the terrarium or several of them, it will be time to find their ideal location. As a general rule, a place with light will suit them but never exposed to direct sunlight, as these could burn the plants.

Do not place the terrariums near a heat source, such as a radiator, and in the case of open ones, not exposed to drafts. By following these tips you will have your precious plant ecosystem ready to live for many years.

[transmalewife]

HUGE fan of your tick garden post. As a country mfer seeing ignorant city slicker suburb livers (key word ignorant) talk about this shit is so infuriating. My family keeps a low cut lawn because even with our low cut, well maintained grass lawn, we frequently get ticks. Within the past 2 years I've probably pulled 30+ from my body, countless more thoughout my life and as someone who's already disabled I have to get tested for Lyme disease frequently to ensure my symptoms are still from my other issues. Ticks ain't something to dismiss so easily. They are a huge issue. They can be deadly. Are they extremely important to the ecosystem ? Yeah, and that's why we keep em around and why we use bug sprays n shit when we venture into their home. Talking about biodiversity lawns without touching the topic of ticks irks me so bad. Thank you for taking time to make that post !

The funny thing is I am absolutely an ignorant city slicker, maybe even worse than suburbs since I've spent all my life in flats in the strict city center. never even had a lawn. I did however have a tick once and it, without any exagerration, ruined my life. like almost every big setback I've faced in my life, the reason I've been in first year of uni 4 times, soon to be 5, barely graduated highschool despite having mostly good grades, because I was barely above the 50% attendance minimum, all directly traceable back to lyme.

I expected that post to get like 15 notes at most, not 10k in one day, and although i'm glad bc this is important info, I might have written it differently. for example mentioned why and how to safely remove ticks (without killing or squishing or suffocating them, so you don't push the lyme into ur bloodstream, by levering or pinching them up from underneath) and mostly that the overall point is that just letting things grow wild is not biodiversity.

Restoring biodiversity takes more work than keeping up a manicured lawn, not less, at least at first, even though some people try to offer an easy way out. letting things just grow as they please will actually atract more invasive plants. You need to do your research and carefully plan out which places you'll dedicate to food, to pollinator friendly wildflowers, and which you're actually planning to hang out on, and thus will need to keep short. people in the notes have been suggesting great alternatives like clover, moss or woodchips, and other ground cover plants that stay short and require less upkeep than grass, but you still need to do research to lear what's good for your area, and since I'm polish, I can't do that for americans.

someone tagged that post saying smth like 'people want laws to go back to how they were before humans adapted them that is unihabitable' and they were right. there are places (vacant lots, golf courses, fenced off decorative patches of grass, that can and should go back to wildflowers and native grasses as tall as you wish, but for hanging out it, you need sufaces or short, walkable, high visibility for snakes etc, plants. or at the very least paths of those.

my family has what is essentially two vacant lots near the woods, attached to falling apart, rotting, half-built cabins in the countryside, so I know very well how the 'low effort' approach to lawn restoration goes. One used to be a well maintained grass lawn up until like 2005, now it gets mowed once every year or two. it's knee high grass so thick it tangles around your legs and trips you if you try to walk normally. people get several ticks each every time they visit. the other hasn't been touched in at least 20 years, and it's all stinging nettle taller than me (and I'm not especially short) so obviously not exactly hospitable to human life either. if you have a bit of land you never use, let it go wild if you want. But in order to make a lawn usable and biodiverse, you're gonna need a lot more work that just giving up

[oatmealmika]

Falling Through a Floor

a/n : for hange’s birthday, i made this!! there are levi/hange undertones in this, but it could be seen as platonic, too.

songs for this fic - for forever (ben platt), end of the world (billie eilish), two slow dancers (mitski), i want you (mitski), once more to see you (mitski)

aot spoilers!!

Five.

Levi sighs.

Four.

Onyankopon laughed in a sigh, a chortle.

Three.

Onyankopon’s gaze fixes on Levi.

Two.

Levi does not look back.

One.

Levi’s eyebrows furrow, reminiscing. He whispers, voice dry, “Happy birthday, Hange.”

He turns his wheel chair away from Onyankopon. Onyankopon startles, “Hey! Where are you going? Hange’s birthday just-…”

“I know. I’m just… tired.” Levi says, voice low and whispering. “Goodnight, Onyankopon.”

Onyankopon looks away from Levi. His voice sounds a little disappointed when saying, “Yeah… Goodnight, Levi.”

Levi moves his wheelchair by himself, going to brush his teeth. Even though he really didn’t want to be bombarded with them, his mind produced thoughts and memories of Hange so quickly that Levi brushed his teeth for only half the amount of time as he usually does. Strange for a clean freak, like him.

He spits into the sink, washes out his mouth, and heads to his bedroom. He has some trouble getting into bed, but he manages.

Earlier in the day, Levi worked himself out as much as possible, just to be too tired to dwell on all the memories of Hange on the night of their birthday. All these thoughts about Hange will disappear in Levi’s sleep, and knowing that, Levi immediately shuts his eyes. In no time, he already passed out.

—

 -

—

“I was watching you… at that crucial moment.” Says a voice Levi hasn’t heard in years, but he could never forget it. He knew who that voice belonged to, even if all he sees is black.

“Keep watching us…” Says another voice, his own. His fondness fades away when he hears himself, and not them.

Levi feels his hand reaching out. Warm fingers tingle against his own. His vision clears up and, his immediate reaction is the way his expression changes so vastly, with pain.

There, in front of him, stands Hange. They smile, like always. They must have gotten tired of doing that all the time. Levi tries clasping into Hange’s arms, but he feels a falling-like sensation. It’s frightening, but he, for some reason, can’t scream.

Was this a nightmare? No, Hange was here, so it’s definitely a dream. Unless if he was reliving the entire experience of Hange’s death…

All Levi could see was darkness, again. It felt like forever, yet in an instant during the time he couldn’t see. This is kind of what sleeping feels like. He creeks open his eyes, not seeming to realize both of them are able to see.

All around him… beauty was sought for and found. Beautiful flowers, all sorts of colors. A lake was nearby, perfectly blue and shining. Fish swam inside of it. Beautiful castles surrounded the garden. They were abandoned, but not wrecked, light moss growing onto it.

“Levi! I was watching you!!” Hange yells from across the garden, waving their arms in the air. They don’t have an eyepatch on, both eyes were completely present. They correct themself, even though Levi knew exactly what they meant, “I mean, um, waiting for you to get up!”

Levi is standing, he notices. He isn’t in his wheelchair, and he doesn’t remember standing up after he woke up, but that doesn’t matter. He uses his legs like he used to and runs as fast as possible to Hange, hoping… praying he doesn’t fall through the ground, again.

Hange runs Levi’s way and they topple over when Levi rams into them, Levi falling onto their body. They runs their hands through Levi’s hair. They laugh, “Well, somebody missed me.”

“Of course I did. Why do we look like this? My face isn’t… your eyes are…” Levi stumbles over his words, uncharacteristically unsure. His arms still haven’t unwrapped from Hange’s torso. Hange says, “Oh, that. I actually don’t know. Let’s just enjoy our time here together. How’s that sound?” 

“Great.” Levi whispers, bringing Hange into a tighter hug. They laugh, “Didn’t think you cared about me thatmuch!”

“I’m sorry… I should’ve been more upfront about it.” Levi says. Hange’s signature smile wears off, but it appears once more. They close their eyes and buries their face in the crook of Levi’s neck. “No problem… you’re still short, by the way.”

“Fuck off, four eyes. Oh shit-, that’s probably a shitty thing to say… Sorry.” Levi apologizes.

“It’s alright. Catch me up with anything that’s been happening, how are you? How are the kids?” Hange asks, unburying their face. They plummet onto the grassy ground, hugging their legs onto their chest. Levi sits with them, in the same position.

“I’ve been fine. The kids are fine. We’re okay, I guess. Mikasa is still hung up over Eren. But, hey, I’m still hung up over you.” Levi says.

“Yeah… Wow, it’s really beautiful here… all these flowers! That castle! We should explore it.” Hange exclaims, enthusiastically pointing at the abandoned castle. It was growing more moss by the minute.

“Whatever you say, Hange.” Levi quietly laughs. He didn’t do that, he never does that. Hange stands up, with Levi, and leads the way, pulling him by the hand. Hange chats on and on about something, Levi wasn’t really sure what, though. It may as well have been statics. He was glad they never seemed to stop talking, he adored their voice.

“Okay… Hey, Levi!! Aren’t you listening to me? Let’s go into the castle!!” Hange says. Levi stops dazing off and nods. Hange opens the castle door, and, guess what? There was no floor, again.

Levi felt the same falling-like sensation all over again. It really wasn’t a sensation, though. It burdened Levi’s entire existence. He thought up so many ‘no, no, no, no’s until a white noise filled his ears.

His eyes open automatically. He wakes up. The same drowsy feeling that what everyday felt like after Hange left consumes him again. He wonders what time it is and he, without getting up, looks outside of the creek in his window, mostly covered by the curtain. A light blue color fills the sky, completing it.

Levi’s eyebrows furrow painfully, a hand massaging the bridge of his nose. Tears form into his eyes and he doesn’t suck them back in by thinking ‘I’ll cry about it tonight, in bed’. He lets the tears fall. Hange always said it was unhealthy to keep tears in. It was, Levi knew that.

a/n : hope that was alright!! a little rushed, but i think it’s okay… later :)

[bumblesimagines]

Green Thumb

Part 17

Request: Yes or No

For anyone curious and if I did my math correctly y/ns dad had him when he was 35. This one feels short and I hate ittt but I tried making it feel longer. The chunks are just thicc

~

"So, why are we going to Belgium?" Natasha asked, setting the course. You looked at her, taking a seat beside her.

"Cause.. I have family there.. She might be family, I don't now." You answered, feeling the jet move forward before it took off into the sky.

"Family? Like, blood related? Who?" Natasha asked, glancing at you. You licked your lips, staring forward.

"My aunt." Natasha's brows raised, looking over at you. You sighed, nodding.

"What if she turns me away?" You asked softly.

"Well.. You're probably her only remaining family. I wouldn't want to turn away a family member." Natasha licked her lips, looking forward at the passing clouds.

"What do I even say? Hey, I'm (Y/N) and I have superpowers?"

"Well, you can introduce yourself and ask about her brother." Natasha gave a small smile. You nodded.

"How's Clint?" Natasha asked, rested her head on her fist. Her hair was long and her natural red locks were returning. It made her hair look a little weird but she was going through a lot of things.

"Who fucking knows." You frowned, arms crossing. Clint had fucked off to god knows where, leaving you to deal with your grief alone. Natashas' brows furrowed.

"Clint has decided not to return home in what feels like weeks. Maybe even months, I haven't been paying attention." You shrugged lightly. Natasha frowned, leaning back in the seat. Definitely didn't sound like Clint but grief could make people do crazy things.

"I've been trying to keep up with the house but I'm just one guy handling everything Clint decided to build and add on." You licked your lips, shaking your head and letting out a heavy sigh.

"I'm sorry." Natasha said softly, giving your arm a squeeze. "I'll talk to him if you want."

"Let him do whatever the hell he wants to do. He's a grown man." You replied, feeling bitter and resentful. Natasha silently nodded. The rest of the ride was silent until the jet reached Belgium.

"We're here." You stepped out of the jet, feeling a small breeze go by. You felt your stomach doing flips, heartbeat quickening. You took in a deep breath, glancing at Natasha. She placed a gentle hand on your back, offering a small smile.

"Are you sure you don't want me to get in touch with Clint?" She asked, head tilting. You shook your head.

"It could make things more complicated." You said, looking around. The house across the street matched with the address Tony had given you. It was more on the outskirts of town, surrounded by trees. You could hear some horses behind the house. You took in a deep breath, trying to ease your nerves as you walked towards the house, crossing the road. Natasha followed, studying the area.

"Seems like gardening might run in the family." Natasha said, motioning to the flower garden.

"Yeah.." You chuckled softly. You stepped onto the porch, noticing some plotted flowers on the windowsill. You raised your hand, pressing the doorbell. You waited a few minutes about to press it again before the door opened. A scowl appeared on Florines' face. She was shorter than you had imagined. Her hair was a bit messy and tied back into a low ponytail.

"Wat wil je?" She asked, gaze flickering over to Natasha. You swallowed, fiddling with your fingers.

"Are you Florine De Meyers?" You asked, watching her narrow her eyes.

"Who's asking?"

"(Y/N).. I think I might be the son of your brother." You said quietly. Florine stared at you, lips parting. Her features softened for a second before the frown returned. She opened the door wider, letting you and Natasha inside. The inside of the house smelled like black tea, earthy and floral. It felt straight out of a country movie.

"I've got some tea and speculoos." Florine called as she entered the kitchen. You looked at the pictures she had up. Most were pictures of horses or her at events with friends. You didn't see any pictures that seemed family related. You took a seat on the floral patterned couch, gazing dropping onto the unbothered elderly sheepdog. It made no attempt to move and simply rolled onto its side to face away from you.

"That's Gerdie. Old girl used to be a good guard dog but now she's more of a house cat." Florine said, sitting down and placing a tray on the coffee table. Natasha reached forward, taking one of the biscuits. Florine reached under the table, looking through the books she had before pulling out what looked like a photo book.

"The reason I didn't slam the door in your face is because Michael had told me he was gonna have a kid named (Y/N)." Florine said, hand wiping away the dust in the book. She scooted forward, placing the book on the table.

"Michael?" You repeated, looking at her. She nodded, opening the book. She flipped to the second page, pointing to a picture of a young boy by a fireplace opening presents.

"Michael, my half brother and your father." Your brows raised, leaning in to take a better look. The photo was old but you could see his face clearly. Natasha leaned in as well, smiling gently.

"You have his smile." She pointed out.

"Michael and his father moved here from America when he was about five. He met my mother and they got married. They had me when Michael was nine. He was a good brother. He held no resentment towards me or my mom. Michael was as stubborn as a mule and he could never keep his mouth shut. He'd let you know if he didn't agree with you." Florine chuckled, shaking her head. You watched the nostalgic look pass over her eyes.

"What happened to him?" You asked softly. Florine let out a heavy sigh, leaning back in her chair. She reached down, giving Gerdie some pats on the head.

"He disappeared for some time." She answered, gaze becoming distant.

"He wrote letters occasionally. Said he was working for a government in another country.. He might've been some sort of spy, my memory's a little fuzzy on the subject. He spent a long time working but.. He came back eventually. He never talked about it but he was good ole Michael." Florine leaned forward again, flipping to another page of a more grown up Michael. You did notice some similar features between him and you.

"By then, our father had passed from cancer and my mother needed all the help she could get. Michael built this house with some friends of his and gave it to my mother. Oh, my mother was so happy. She got the farm she had always wanted and got to garden whenever she could." Florine pointed to a a couple in the photobook.

"This is your grandmother, Sylvie. You would've loved her. She made the best cakes in town. This is your grandfather, Jonathan. He was always up to no good. He loved pulled helping the kids in town with pranks." Florine spoke of them fondly. Her childhood seemed to have been good with Jonathon and Sylvie.

"You have powers, right?" Florine asked, looking at you. You nodded, reaching out to the plant on the coffee table and watching it grow taller.

"She passed on her powers to you." Florine leaned back, clearing her throat. You glanced at Natasha, noticing her eating another biscuit.

"She? Who's she?" You asked, looking back at Florine.

"Your witch of a mother." She answered bitterly. You raised your brows at the hate and disgust in her tone.

"I shouldn't speak ill of her. Even if she deserves it." Florine muttered, standing up with a heavy sigh.

"C'mon." She motioned for you to follow. You turned towards Natasha. Natasha picked up another biscuit, making eye contact with you. You raised your brows.

"What? These are delicious!" Natasha huffed. You chuckled, standing up and following her out the backdoor. You noticed the stables with the horses walking around their fenced area. Florine had a vegetable garden and a greenhouse out back as well.

"Those pretty babies are Ernie, Kuma, and Goldie." Florine said, motioning to the horses. They approached the fence when she walked over to them. You smiled softly as she petted them, cooing in Dutch.

"They won't bite. Well, Ernie might but he's just a playful old man." Florine chuckled, turning back in the original direction. You followed her down a dirt path and into a wooded area. You blinked, seeing what looked like a moss covered statue of a woman. Her eyes were closed though her head was pointed downwards, looking at anyone who walked down the path.

"She was a charming little witch, I'll give her that." Florine crossed her arms, staring up at the statue. You tilted your head, licking your lips.

"Did he make this for her?" You asked, turning to look at her. Florine shook her head, looking down at the ground.

"Gaia, or better known as Mother Nature, is your mother. She took a human form in an attempt to convince humans to cherish what she had given them. When that proved useless, she spread plagues as punishment. What Gaia truly wanted.. Was a child. Animals, humans, and all those things were creations.. Projects she could ignore if she got bored. She met your father and he fell for her." Florine told you, another breeze blowing by. You reached your hand forward, gently touching a flower that rested by the statue. It felt full of life.

"Your mother fell pregnant with you and Michael was thrilled. Gaia had started realizing that human life wasn't for her. She was slowly becoming human herself. She disappeared with Michael and returned without him or you. She explained she couldn't stay and left her human body here."

"She abandonded me for no reason?" You stared up at the statue, features hardening.

"In some sense, she didn't. She's all around us so.. Your mother never truly left you." Florine said, turning to look at you. You scoffed.

"I have a mother. Her name is Laura Barton and she's not here anymore because of Thanos." You looked at Florine, blinking away tears.

"I don't blame you for being angry. I never found out where she took you or if you were even alive. If you want to keep in touch, I don't mind. Lord knows I could use the company." Florine looked forward again. You let out a soft sigh, shoulders slumping.

"And.. And dad? What happened to him?" You asked hesitantly, almost afraid of finding out he had done the same as Gaia. Florine stayed silent for a moment.

"He.. They never told me how it happened but.. He was murdered." Florine revealed, staring at the ground with a small frown. You stared at him, brows furrowing.

"What? By- By who?"

"You might've heard of him. People around town were talking about him a two or three years back. The infamous Winter Soldier."

~

Tags: @geek-and-proud @wolfelocksley @babyvisionisamenace

[wolfish-trickster]

Old oak tree

Loki x female!reader

Word count: 2,3K+

Warning: typos, angst, itsi bitsi fluff at the end

Tag list: @gaitwae @lucywrites02 @hard-to-be-the-bard @birdgirl90 @laramoonworld @forevernthensome @kozkaboi

"So, what do you think?" Loki asked spreading his arms and showing you his new outfit.

You shrugged. "Looks good to me."

"Don't you think it's too much?" he checked himself in your mirror.

"Is anything EVER too much for you?" you asked with a smirk.

"I just...I really like her and I don't want to mess up."

"You won't, trust me," you reassured him.

He hugged you tightly, to your surprise. "What would I do without such a friend like you?"

The younger prince bolted from your room faster than you could answer. You sighed and closed the doors after him so no one could hear your heart breaking, again.

You and Loki were friends. Best friends actually. But you started to to see him more than that years ago. And you hated it.

You already accepted the fact he'll see you as only his supportive friend. If only he could stop asking you to help him woo his love interests. He always asked your opinion on everything. Flowers, his outfits, gifts he wanted to give them.

Once he even asked to kiss you so he could practice. It was in general your and his first kiss ever. Your head spinned when your life long best friend and crush in one person gently placed his lips on yours, his tongue sliding to your mouth. When he pulled away he just mumbled simple 'thanks' and ran away, leaving you flustered and with a face on fire under your favourite tree. At first you often sat under that old oak, remembering the feeling and smiling to yourself. However with every new interest of Loki you started to avoid the poor tree. Hate it even. You hated how it represented how you foolishly threw away your first kiss.

You still stood by Loki. What else could you do? Confess your feelings? As if that'll help.

You started to see pattern in his interests and you never managed to tic the boxes. You were only average among everything; intelligence, looks, skills. There were hundred and one people who were exactly like you. Loki would never choose you over a noble woman or man he was used to courting.

Now, when you were finally alone, you could think about what are you going to do about your never ending crush. You layed down on your bed and stared at your white ceiling. You already tried to avoid him in hopes you will loose your feelings for him, that didn't work. You wrote down every negative thing about him, trick your mind he isn't a good boyfriend material. Didn't work either since he is the kindest person you've ever met. And the gentlest. And nicest. With the most beautiful smile and eyes. And arms that give the coziest hugs.

"Fuck," you whispered and closed your eyes. It always ended like this. No matter how much you tried, you could never see him as something less than a great person he was.

Suddenly you heard his melodic laughter under your windows. As well as some girl's. You couldn't take it anymore.

"You know what? If he can date around, so can I!" you told yourself in pure desperation to get rid of the jealousy and pain from knowing he will never love you.

First thing you did was hiding everything he gave you as a child, every little trinket you cherished in false thought he's starting to catch feelings for you. You removed all of it from your shelves and put in a big box sliding it under your bed.

There, now onto the more complicated part: the oak of your very first kiss. Your heart ached with every step you took towards it. It was already old and not so full of life like it used to be. Its bark was dry and overgrown with moss. The poor thing didn't have enough energy to grow its leaves as viscoulsy like few years ago. No one visited it anymore. It was lonely just like you.

"Looks like you're few years from death, old buddy," you patted its trunk. "Let's end your missery now."

*

You were on your way back to your room holding a little pot filled with soil. Nothing was growing out yet, but in few months you were expecting a small oak sappling to grow. You couldn’t say goodbye to your old wooden friend just yet.

There, deep in halls, sounds are resonating. Sounds you soon came to hate. Kissing, Loki chuckling, some woman moaning, door closing.

You sadly looked down at the pot and took the biggest diversion to your room, avoiding coming any near Loki's bedroom.

*

Few days later you still avoided Loki. That time was the first time he had brought anyone to his bedroom to do....that. It was good he didn't ask you to practice on you. If he did, you would've.... you don't know what would you do. Probably panic first and get angry next.

While Loki was, let's say, occupied you got closer to one soldier, Arne. He was kind, tall, ginger with freckles and very skilled fighter. He wasn't the smartest but he had a sense of humor and always tried to make you laugh. He wasn't Loki though, but it didn't matter. At least you kept yourself busy, so your heart could heal.

Right now you were in stables with Arne. He was telling you how he got his first horse when he finished his soldier training few decades back. You were braiding his mare's mane as he stood right beside you, his shoulder lightly touching yours. Everything was at peace.

"Y/N! Y/N, WHERE ARE YOU?" came Loki's voice.

Almost everything.

You turned your head towards his voice. He was rushing towards you until he stopped when he noticed Arne standing so close to you.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked a little irritated.

"Well-"

"It doesn't matter, I have to show you something," he took you by the hand and started dragging you out of the stables only for you to slip your hand from his and hugging Arne. "See you tomorrow," you waved him goodbye and walked out, Loki trailing after you.

"So, what is it you wanted to show me?"

"What the Hel was that?" he pointed at you and behind him at the stables, completely ignoring your question.

"A hug. Why?"

"Since when are you hugging random soldiers? And since when are you even hanging out with low ranking soldiers like Hofferson?"

"His first name is Arne, and I'm allowed to hug whoever I want. Same goes for hanging out. Now are you going to show me the thing or can I return to him?"

"Right," he remember, took your hand again and ran to gardens. To the familiar now empty corner. "Look what some bastard did," he pointed at the wide oak stump.

"Yeah, I know."

"You do? Oh, darling," he threw his arms around you. You fought with yourself internally to not hug him back, but being close to him after a very long time felt just too good not to give in.

"I'm so sorry. I know it was your favourite tree. I will find the culprit and-"

"You don't have to," you interrupted and pulled yourself away from him.

"I do! That tree meant a lot to me too. I was actually working on a spell to bring life into it again."

"And how exactly did it mean a lot to you? I never saw you even near that tree."

Loki stuttered. "E-ehm, we had our first kiss underneath it."

"As if that meant anything to you," you muttered.

"What?"

"I said it was old and it had to be cut down."

"Well you could've asked me before you killed it," he spat rather angrily.

"My family planted it, I get to do whatever I want with it!"

"Did it mean so little to you?"

"No. On the contrary, it meant the world to me! That's why I had to cut it down!"

"What? Why? I don't understand you," he shook his head.

"Well excuse me for wanting to destroy the biggest thing that reminded me how my best friend stole my first kiss!"

"Stole? I asked and you complied!" Loki defended himself.

You groaned. "Okay fine, you didn't steal it, I lost it. Now can I go back to Arne?"

"Lost it?! Have you got any idea how many people would murder for a kiss from a prince? And why do you want to go to Arne so desperatelly? You never talked to soldiers before, so why the change of heart?"

"I like him, he's nice and courageous and-"

"I forbid it."

"What?!" you couldn't believe your ears.

"I forbid it. You can't whore around with soldiers like him, think about your reputation!" he crossed his arms infront of him.

"Whore around? Look who's talking! You've had at least 5 lovers in the past month!"

"T-that's different."

"And how exactly is it different, Loki?"

"I-"

You waited. Nothing came out of him.

"That's what I thought."

*

Few days passed, you continued avoiding Loki and he started to close off from everyone. Occasionally you saw some green sparkles in a shape of a person sitting on the oak stump. You figured that must be Loki under cloaking spell. All you wanted to do was run to him and hug him, he looked so depressed and lonely. Just like you were when you saw him with all those lovers in the past.

You felt bad for him. But you doubted he felt bad for you back then. Or now. So you always walked pass him, pretending you didn't notice him.

*

*knock knock*

You looked up from watering your growing oak sapling. Who could it be? You weren't expecting anyone. "Who's there?"

"Guess," came a dull voice.

You put away your watering kettle and hid the pot behind courtains. "Come in, Loki."

He stepped inside wearing one of his ordinary clothes, his hair wasn't slicked back like he used to style it and he had apologetic expression on his face.

"Y/N, I came to apologize."

Loki is apologizing. Now that's new. "What for?" you asked teasingly.

He sighed. "For saying you were whoring around. It wasn't right from me," he pulled out your favourite flower from behind his back, "friends?"

You took the flower. "Okay, friends."

Loki clapped his hands excitedly. "Great, now that we're at good terms with eachother I-"

"No!" you silenced him. You knew there had to be a catch. He made up with you just so he could ask you for help. Just like always.

"You don't even know what I was about to say."

"Oh, I think I do. You want me to give you advices again. Well, guess what? That's not happening. So you can, as mortals say, do 180 and walk out that door," you pointed behind him to your bedroom door.

Loki held out his hands in surrender. "I wasn't going to ask you that! I just want to talk."

"Oh," now you felt stupid. "Okay, a little talk never killed anyone I guess."

"Thank you," he let his hands fall down and took a walk around your room. "I see you were redecorating," he noticed all of his trinkets he gave you were gone. He assumed you most likely threw them out or burned them. Just the thought of it hurt him.

"Yeah," you hugged your arms to comfort yourself. "I still have them, I just didn't want to look at them anymore."

He turned towards you. "Why? First the tree, then my little gifts. What's next, me?" he joked to ease both your and his growing anxiety.

You chuckled lightly and shook your head. "No, don't worry."

He walked to you and put his hand on your shoulders. "Then why? We're best friends, right? We can tell eachother everything."

"That's exactly what I can't do," you grabbed his hand on your shoulder and slowly removed them.

"Why? Do you... do you hate me?"

"What? Heavens no! I could never hate you!"

He sighed from relief. "Good. But then why? I can't think of a single reason you would do those things. Wait. On a second thought," he held his chin between his thumb and index finger and looked down like he always does when he was thinking. He shook his head then and chuckled to himself. "No, that's absurd. You could never be in love with me."

You involuntarily tensed up. He noticed.

"Or could you?"

Tears started burning in your eyes as you nodded. "Sorry."

"For how long?"

After few minutes of thinking you shook your head. "I don't remember when it happened. It just happened."

"Well, when did you realise then? That you...you know? Are in love with me?"

"Few days before the oak kiss, I guess."

"But that was decades ago! This long time and I never saw," he facepalmed.

"And you...?" you asked hopefully. Maybe he will tell you he loves you too, right?

He sighed. "I'm sorry Y/N. I love you, but not like that. You have always been like a little sister I always wanted."

You nodded. Of course he doesn't love you like that. How even could he? You turned away from him and let some tears escape.

"Y/N, I'm so sorry," he rubbed your back. "We can still be friends. Nothing will change between us. I promise."

But it already did. Everything changed for you. How could you even look him in the eye?

You wiped away your tears and put on a perfectly rehearsed fake smile. "Okay, I can work with that," you offered him your hand, "friends?"

Instead of shaking it he hugged you. "Friends."

You hugged him back and let your fake smile fall. Your naive little self told you he will change his mind in the future. You are already so close with eachother. Closer than anyone you know. It's just a matter of time. For now, you can only dream.