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i-am-just-a-kiddo · 4 years ago

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favourite male fictional characters

Thank you @vishcount for tagging me, this was a lot of fun! 💞 I originally planned to follow your example and put ten characters here but suddenly it became a lot more oops. also i hope you forgive me for following your format, it’s neat

I am tagging @isabellaofparma , @the-cloud-whisperer and @sassyassassy!

I chose the characters that impacted me deeply on a personal level throughout my life (often shown by how long my love lasts over the years and if i was inspired to write for them).

In no specific order under the cut:

Legolas

The Lord of The Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien.

I think it’s only fitting I start off with this magnificent guy. Maybe I gotta admit, i’ve just had a crush on him ever since I was like, nine years old? He’s the character I will fight tooth and claw for (though I guess he doesn’t need me to do that). I love Orlando Bloom’s portrayal of him, eventhough he is vastly different from the books. Book Legolas is such a delight as well, he feels so whimsical and playful and his banter with Gimli is just gold. I was sad when The Hobbit trilogy came out and I was so disappointed by how they butchered his character, it just did not feel authentic anymore (maybe I am also just bitter about the forced hetero storyline for him. makes no cents, this elf is GayTM your honour. and he will meet his soulmate Gimli in a few decades). Either way, Legolas is the love of my life, thanks for coming to my tedtalk,

Peter Pan

Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie

Another childhood crush of mine. The gif I chose if from the 2005 movie because we always used to watch it and it is to this day one of my favourite movies. It’s so dreamy, so magical, yet also incredibly sad and sweet. I have this very strange fascination with Peter Pan. There is something incredibly unsettling about him, especially in the book. He represents something every child wants - who doesn’t want to escape their bedroom and fly away to experience magical adventured far from the adult world? And yet he also represents the impossibility of it, the curse he carries around with himself because he will forever stay alone, no matter how many lost boys he gathers around himself. And Wendy - it’s a love that was never meant to grow and mature, it’s a fleeting dream for the both of them. I have seen many different adaptations of Peter Pan and I have my favourites, though I want to give a special mention to the book Peter Darling by Austin Chant. It’s a retelling of the story how we know it, in which Peter returns to Neverland after having finally grown up BUT the main points I want to highlight is trans Peter? Heck yes. Gripping and compelling gay love story with our favourite original lost boy Captain Hook? YES.

Snufkin

Moomins, Tove Jansson.

I have discovered Snufkin for myself only last year, and yet I know he will stay with me forever. In short - I vibe with him, he vibes with me. His anxieties about being with people and longing for solitude? His fear of being loved and being important to someone to a point he doesn’t know what to do with himself? This man just wants to roam freely with his own mind and yet he always returns for something that captures him. Mum, I love him because I have rarely felt this seen before. Also, Snufkin said ACAB.

Prince Jing - Xiao Jingyan

Nirvana in Fire (2015)

This too is a darling I have only discovered recently. I watched Nirvana in Fire this year and let me tell you, it’s the best show I have seen in a long while. It’s absolutely amazing and it also ripped my heart out. All the characters are absolutely amazing and I am still not over it.

To be honest, I contemplated between Xiao JIngyan and Mei Changsu, because character-wise I think the latter is a lot more interesting and compelling. He makes for a fantastic heartbreaking and flawed protagonist.

However I have to admit - it was love at first sight with Prince Jing for me and I’m still lowkey mad abt it rip. Seems like I am not immune to Pretty Prince Propaganda. But apart from that, I adore him for his genuine

goodness,

his almost naive drive to be better and seek justice. He lost everything, and for the longest time did not have anything to fight for. So alone and lost and bitter, it makes me sad how much it hardened him. He is heartbreak and clumsy kindness hidden under a skin of scars that was inflicted by his father and many others. I see his sad cat-eyes and I cry, that’s just how it is.

Edmund Pevensie

The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S. Lewis

I grew up with these books and movies - they have always been part of my life and it will probably always stay that way (only last night I rewatched the first movie and sobbed). Imagine my surprised when I finally watched the last movie about five years ago and was incredibly impressed by how they adapted the book; also imagine my brain suddenly going CASMUND in bold letters at Skandar Keynes’ and Ben Barnes’ performance in that movie. From there, I rediscovered this story completely anew for myself. My favourite Pevensie sibling has always been Lucy (and still is, because I identify with her so much and she feels like home to me); however this new discovery of Edmund’s character was overwhelming. It’s interesting to see characters you’ve grown up with from a more grown up point of view. I don’t want to lay out all my thoughts here, just know I am so heartbroken for him, and so so proud as well. His character arc is amazing and maybe that’s how the last movie makes me even more emotional. Seeing Edmund and Lucy still holding on to Narnia but knowing that that door was closing for them? Not to mention what happens in the later books (we don’t talk about that). Also did I mention Casmund. Here, have my incredibly emo and depressing take on Edmund’s character that I started writing four years ago and which will forever stay a WIP.

Nie Huaisang

The Untamed (2019)

My son. My soul. My bane of existence. The tragic thing about him is, that he does not really exist in canon as I have created him for myself. He’s a secondary character in the show, always so relatable yet still brings the ultimate twist of the story, yet he still remains this incomplete shadow. The movie

Fatal Journey

gave him a lot more and I cried tears of joy and devastation. I don’t know why I latched on to him so much, but apparently he is the one that I project on, the one that feels like he sits somewhere inside my chest. I don’t know what else to say - this year he has been everything to me. I spend a lot of time in his head while writing, and maybe that’s how he’s there forever now. Nie Huaisang saw my brain and went it’s free real estate. All my love for you, you dramatic art hoe.

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Ah, another lifelong companion. There are many adapations that I adore - starting from the origin of it all, the books and stories which I have all devoured; the 80s adaptation with Jeremy Brett which was incredibly wonderful; to BBC Sherlock which shaped and traumatised me (I still like the first three seaons but I am too hurt to think about it); to the numerous movies - but by far my most favourite performance is Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. Somehow he manages to capture the Holmes I see in my head when I read the books, the sharp yet polite eccentric detective, who loves his companion so much and who has desire to help others. Sherlock Holmes will always stay special to me, in so many different ways. He shaped my youth and I know he will stay with me. (also what would you say when I told you he helped me discover that I can, in fact, be queer AND ace at the same time? thanks pal). What else is there to say? Sherlock Holmes is a universe that you can dive into and find many amazing treasures.

Isak Valtersen

SKAM (2015)

There he is, the boy that changed my life. SKAM changed my life. All of the characters did. However, Isak is special for many, as I imagine. I remember winter 2016, when tumblr was flooded by these norwegian white boys kissing in a pool and cuddling and I was like ‘nah’, this doesn’t look convincing. I don’t know what changed my mind but I remember sitting down at last and watching all that was released of season three and it was only downhill from there. I remember starting to follow the real life updates religiously while watching the other previous seasons in between. The one clip that completely wrecked me was when Isak went to the school nurse about his struggles with sleep - it felt like for the first time I saw someone on screen that could understand me on so many different levels. The entierty of seaons three is so personal, I would tell you to go watch it if you don’t know what I mean. The entire show in fact. It’s a masterpiece and it feels so real. This show impacted my life in a way that no show has managed to do before. I miss it so much. I miss Isak too sigh.

Shang Xirui

Winter Begonia (2020)

Technically, for me personally, Shang Xirui is the nonbinary, gay and ace representation I need in my life (or at least that’s my own personal take on him), but since that is not official, he’s still here on this list. Of course he is because wow, it’s been a long while since I’ve seen such a compelling character on screen. I went from disliking him to being absolutely heartbroken over him. I don’t think any other character in this show captured me as much as he did. There are so many layers to him and discovering all of his sides is a wonderful, heartbreaking, painful and also beautiful journey. I’m not sure I understand all of him yet, but I am willing to try and dig and just ponder his existence. This too, is a perfect example for a flawed yet authentic protagonist. Also he is the most beautiful thing on this planet, or at least that’s how I have been feeling ever since I watched this. I wish to write more of him in the future.

Aang

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005)

I grew up watching ATLA and my favourite characters have always been Toph, Zuko and Uncle Iroh. In recent years however, I completely fell in love with Aang all anew.

I think especially in the past, I had these prejudices against main characters and found them all the most boring personalities ever. In recent years this changed a lot and especially Aang is a prime example for that. Watching him from the perspective of older me, I find so much wisdom in this young boy. Somehow he represents all I wish to be in my life but at the same time he shows his flaws, he carries this sadness with him that will accompany him all his life. This inner battle and chaos that he has to face day to day and in the end - he is just a young boy. So much has been taken from him and yet he learns how to not let it overtake him, that anger and hurt. He tries his hardest to be better than the day before, even if sometimes the world crashes down on him and he gets overwhelmed. He is a child recruited by adults to manage their mistakes and play into the hands of predestined fate and in this essay I will -

Harry Potter

Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling

I am surprised myself. I thought I would put Fred and George here, or Remus and Sirius, however I realised that none of them quite capture this feeling of lifelong change, of personal, deep impact that Harry had on me.

As with Aang above, I used to think Harry was the most boring protagonist, yet my opinion took a 180° turn in the past years. Many of the things I wrote for Aang apply to him too - the fact that he was a child, that lost so much, and was always faced with challenges that a child should never have needed to face. Something I want to address is how my favourite book, The Order of the Phoenix, lays all of this out. Harry is just as flawed, just as vulnerable and angry as anyone else. I know some people did not like his ‘emo behaviour’ in the fifth book but for me it just showed how human he is, how he was just a teen like myself at that time. As for many, this boy shaped my entire life, shaped a generation, and I will forever be grateful. I’m sad and angry at how J*R behaves, and how she puts us in the position of doubting our love for these stories. I know I will always love them, but I will not turn a blind eye on all the problematic shit is carries with itself and what the author piles upon us.

Lan Wangji & Wei Wuxian

The Untamed (2019)

I will try and keep this short, because if you want to read my thoughts about Wangxian just go to my ao3 and find the over 70k i wrote for them. I decided to put them here together because I can’t seperate them and I can’t choose between them. Each of them carries something I recognise in myself, and each of them is the opposite of me. They each own my heart and soul and I know there will never be a fictional couple like this for me ever again. They’ve snuck their way into my heart and have never left. They deserve to be here, together, because my love for them is indescribable. Bless them. + Bonus:

The Doctor

Doctor Who (1963/2005)

Technically, the Doctor doesn’t count as a “male” character, but since he has been presenting as male up until recently, I needed to include him. I chose the Tenth Doctor because he is the one that broke my heart the most. I adored Nine but he was there too short, and I do love Eleven and Twelve a lot, and Thirteen absolutely owns my heart, Ten has just always been the one that made me cry the most. I loved this era of Doctor Who, I loved how sad and hopeful he was, how heartbroken and yet determined to help wherever it was needed. Doctor Who is always that show, when I return to it, I am reminded that maybe, humanity and the universe isn’t all that bad.

phew, this took ages damn. but i had so much fun! i decided to leave out honorable mentiones because we would be sitting here until tomorrow lol.

#gosh this was nice #a lot of incoherent rambling here #thanks dear #tag game #personal

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lostinfic · 5 years ago

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Self Indulgent prompts, huh? I love anything with artist Rose so something with that theme. I'm not picky about the Doctor- like my current obsession is Eight/Rose, but I'm perpetually in love with Nine/Rose and Ten/Rose too so whichever Doctor you're most comfortable with.

The Museum of Serendipity

Doctor x Rose, Wilf, male OC (Original Cat)

Rated E | 2300 words

Sorry this took longer than anticipated, I got sidetracked by research and 8th Doctor audio adventures ;)

I’m fulfilling your self-indulgent prompts

Of all the wonderful, celebrated museums in London, Rose’s favourite was an anarchic collection housed in a crooked Georgian house in Marylebone.

From ground floor to attic, over four storeys, shelves and frames lined the walls of every room, following a seemingly incoherent design. Part cabinet of curiosity and part celebration of beauty in all its forms, the collection was curated by an anonymous— and eccentric, Rose liked to imagine— philanthropist.

Its name, the Museum of Serendipity, summed up how the collection was put together. Or perhaps it indicated how this museum could be found: by sheer good luck, as it was not advertised anywhere. Rose herself had stumbled upon it by accident last September, when looking for a shelter from the rain. Quite a happy accident, since her art teacher had asked them to visit a gallery for their first assignment of the semester (she’d earned extra points for originality).

Despite few visitors, it remained open from morning to evening. More often than not, the elderly greeter slept in his rocking chair by the door, leaving Basil the cat in charge.

Its location near Regent’s Park, made it a perfect destination for a drawing session. On a beautiful spring day like today, Rose would walk along the paths of the park and draw the flora and fauna in her sketchbook. Then make her way towards the museum. Other days, after a long time indoors, she would enjoy the park’s fresh air and time to reflect on the latest collection piece she’d discovered.

Since her childhood, art had been a way for Rose to travel, around the globe and across time, a way to see the world through other people’s eyes and to share her own vision. A way to exist beyond the Powell Estate. The Museum of Serendipity transported her like nothing else.

Although she enjoyed the morning sun, she didn’t linger in Regent’s Park, too eager to get there.

The elderly greeter was listening to the radio in his small front office.

“Hello, Wilf!”

He jumped to his feet with an energy that belied his years.

“Ah, Rose, luv. Alright? How’s school?”

“Got another assignment to complete for art history class. By the way, mid-term break is coming up, if you fancy a holiday, I could cover your shifts here for a few days.”

He would be doing her a favour more than the other way around.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said. “We got a new piece came in.”

New pieces were simply added to the exhibition wherever a space was available. As they walked to the drawing room, Rose tried to know more about the museum.

“Who brought this new piece?”

“John did, just this morning.”

“John?”

“Yeah, John McConnell , the mailman,” Wilf said. “Here it is.”

On the mantel lay an artifact shaped like a metal glove without fingertips. Or a pan flute.

“Looks like something from the future,” she joked.

“Modern art, then,” Wilf said.

He left her to look at it a while longer. The pattern that covered it, both engraved and raised all at once, looked like scales. Rose pulled her sketchbook out of her messenger bag and drew it. Texture study.

Basil, the museum’s Abyssinian cat, greeted her, rubbing himself against her legs. She petted his long ears and ruddy coat. She followed Basil out of the room, and wandered the now familiar corridors and staircases. Her hand trailed along the faded floral wallpaper and oak paneling. The smell of candle wax and pine wood polish always hung in the air.

There was one painting in particular Rose always came back to, in the third floor library, just above a loveseat that once belonged to Marie Antoinette. Ahead of her, Basil jumped on the loveseat and looked at her expectantly.

Rose pulled up a chair to sit down, the museum was almost a second home now, she had no qualms moving furniture around.

With a dreamy sigh, she let her eyes roam the large canvas. It depicted a dozen people in elegant Edwardian clothing, visiting an art exhibition. She was transported back in times, it seemed. Back to la Belle Époque. Late 19th- early 20th century, in France. Among women in high-necked waist shirts, carrying white lace parasols and men wearing mustaches and straw boating hats. The era of Moulin Rouge and absinthe, of the first movie, of bicycles and Marie Curie, just to name a few. The era of Gustav Klimt, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh and Renoir, the artists whose work Rose had first fallen in love with. The painting itself blended elements of Art Nouveau and Impressionism (as she’d described in her second assignment).

But there was one character in particular that commanded her attention again and again. There, in the upper left corner. The painter had done this trick which makes it look like the subject’s eyes are on you wherever you stand in the room. Though unnerved at first, Rose now tried to master this technique. Countless time she’d drawn his thick, curly brown hair, the soft contours of his jaw, his blue eyes, the creases that bracketed his mouth. And that smile, a Mona Lisa smile, the hardest trait to capture.

His clothes also offered many details to work on: the sheen of his satin cravat, the velvet of his jacket, the pattern of his waistcoat.

At first, she only tried to capture his likeness in various mediums, but over time she tried to sketch his profile, his back. She depicted that gentleman in various poses and actions. He had taken a life of his own. What was he doing there that day? What was his relationship with the painter? Why was he looking at her like that?

Basil meowed.

“Alright, don’t be jealous. I’ll draw you first, you beautiful boy.”

“Thanks, it’s a new jumper. Do you like the colour?” said a man with a northern accent.

Rose started. He was leaning against the door, looking at her, with the smallest hint of a smile.

He picked up Basil and sat down on the loveseat, laying the cat on his legs crossed at the knees. Rose held back a quip about the similar size of their ears.

“Well, go on, then,” he said, indicating her sketchbook with his chin.

“Hold on, are you the director of the museum? Or the curator?”

“No,” he said. “I don’t think so.”

At a loss for a reply, Rose simply got to work.

If Basil wasn’t running away, then surely this man posed no threat. Just a lost, slightly odd item, like everything else in the Museum of Serendipity. Including herself.

His face offered such striking features to draw, that bold nose, those sharp cheekbones. The cropped hair revealed the shape of his skull and the collar of his sweater, a beautiful neck. A face for charcoal, she thought, to capture the lights and darks of him, in loose, almost intangible strokes. Charcoal and dry pastels, she amended, she had to recreate the infinite blue of his eyes.

They chatted about everything big and small: cats, galaxies, her doubts about art school and his hopes for the future of humanity.

Time flowed differently when she was creating. In that moment more than ever. A sort of appeasing, melodic hum filled her mind, and everything, but her subject, faded away.

When she traced his eyes, she was surprised to find in them a spark, as if he knew her.

She looked up at him, and he smiled. “Hello,” he said.

Before she could think of a good way to phrase her question, he stood up and looked at the sketch over her shoulder. He gave an appreciative nod.

“We need someone to do a painting of the museum,” he announced. “Are you free to do it?”

“A painting? Are you taking the piss?”

“I’m serious. Great big canvas. Like this one.” He pointed to her favourite painting of la Belle Époque.

“I’ll need money to buy supplies,” she said, to test his good faith.

“Of course.”

He grabbed a tin box in a nearby bookcase; it was full of cash. He handed her the stack of pound notes without counting. Almost as if he was ignorant of their value. “Will this do?”

Rose nodded dumbly. She resolved right away to only spend a reasonable sum.

“I’ll come by next Wednesday afternoon,” she said.

“Perfect. See you, then, Rose Tyler.”

She spent the next few days in a state of disbelief. Her mind constantly replayed her encounter with the blue-eyed man. Several times, she opened her sketchbook to look at his portrait. The fondness it aroused in her took her breath away. She found herself doodling both him and the gentleman in the painting, over and over.

She bought a load of art supplies, but kept the receipt in a secure place in case she needed a refund.

On Wednesday, she arrived at the museum with a knot in her stomach. Wilf greeted her, as usual, but he was wearing a smart new uniform.

A moment later, the blue-eyed man skipped down the stairs, two at a time, and welcomed her with a bright smile. He introduced himself as the Doctor, just the Doctor, and Rose went along with it— after all, it wasn’t the weirdest thing about him.

He’d set up an easel and a canvas in the third floor library. She barely paid attention to his directives, she was distracted by the number of visitors in the museum, more than she had ever seen.

“Is this a prank show thing or what?” she asked.

“Why would it be a prank show?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, you said it. Why a prank show?” he repeated.

“‘Cause to get that many actors and props, it’s got to be on telly.”

“That makes sense. Well done.”

“Thanks?”

“It’s not a tv show,” he said.

“But— why?”

“It’s the museum’s anniversary. We are interested in collecting unique pieces, and what’s more unique than Rose Tyler’s first commissioned artwork?”

“Maybe the last,” she mumbled.

“It won’t be,” he said, stating a fact rather than paying a compliment. “Coffee?”

The Doctor knew something she didn’t, and as irritating as it was, it incited her to stay and fulfill his request.

She laid a tarp on the floor below the easel, spread out her brushes and palette knives, picked the colours.

Basil, of course, wanted to be part of the painting. He lay down in the sunniest spot, on the window sill, looking ever so regal.

As she prepped the canvas, her brain ran ahead of her with ideas to best infuse her art with feelings this room evoked. Warm earth tones, old leather bound books, a thick Persian rug, but also glass cases to keep people away, artworks by undisclosed artists, mysteries all around. Inviting and distant all at once. Much like the Doctor.

She scanned the room for him. He stood in a corner of the library, surveying. As she traced his silhouette, she noticed the similarity, in his posture and smile, with the fascinating gentleman in the Belle Époque painting. She made a mental note to ask about that too.

Hours passed by, Wilf kept her comfortable with cups of tea, snacks, a stool, opening the window, closing the window.

Everyone had left. The sun had set. Only the Doctor and Basil remained in the room with her.

The artwork wasn’t finished, but it had everything she needed to continue another day. Yet, she didn’t leave. She didn’t want to. She stood there, wringing her paint-splattered hands waiting for something, anything, from the Doctor.

“I want to show you something,” he said. He took her hand and they both stood up on Marie Antoinette’s loveseat. “Look closely.”

Now inches from the Belle Époque painting, she saw it like she never had before. It shimmered and shifted. Like those 3D images you have to cross your eyes to see. She blinked. Looked closer. And drifted through the canvas.

Rose gripped the Doctor’s hand tighter. Behind them, there was no library, only a blue door. And in front of her, the painting had come to life. No— they weren’t in the painting, they were in Paris of the 1900s. Around her, people chatted in French, cigar smoke wafted to her nose, and through a window that wasn’t on the painting, she could see the brand new Eiffel tower.

The gentleman that had so fascinated her was there too. Thick hair, bright smile.

“Rose, we meet at last,” he said.

His voice sounded exactly like she’d imagined. She didn’t know until now that she’d imagined his voice.

“She’s all yours,” the Doctor said.

Rose didn’t let go of his hand.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be here to bring you back to your own timeline.”

He disappeared through the blue door.

The other man linked their arms together. A feeling of safety washed over her. He was a stranger and yet not at all. As if to reassure her further, an Abyssinian cat sauntered by.

“Is that Basil?” Rose asked.

“In a fashion. Cats have nine lives, as you know.”

“And you, Doctor, how many have you got?”

The Doctor smiled. “Ah, you figured it out, clever girl.”

That didn’t mean she didn’t have a ton of questions, but for now, she only wanted to soak up the magic of it all.

The Doctor showed her around the room. They mingled with the other visitors, admiring the artwork on the walls. Rose couldn’t stop grinning.

They stopped in front of a painting depicting another gallery, in another museum, in another era.

“Can we go through there too?” Rose ventured.

“Yes, but wouldn’t you like to see Paris first?”

“We can go out?”

“Of course. You know, my friend Claude has been pestering me about visiting his garden. Nice fellow, this Claude. Mind you, he’s a tad obsessed with water lilies.”

#ficandchips #Nine x Rose #Eight x Rose #artist!Rose #yes I'm still working on those #self indulgent prompts #lostinfic writes stuff #lotsofthinkythoughts

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sweetbitterpdf · 5 years ago

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63 & 15 💖💖 (also your writing is so good wow)

( angst/fluff prompt list !!! )

ahhh thank you so much anon!! i love writing, so it really means a lot that other people enjoy what i write too. 💖

i imagined this as taking place after their almost-kiss in episode three, but before their actual first kiss in episode four.

63. “I need a place to stay.” & 15. “You have no idea how much I want you right now.”

Eliott wasn’t the first person he thought of, admittedly.

However, Yann is away with family for the week, Arthur’s family is… invasively nice, and he really isn’t in the mood to deal with Basile right now— Daphné this, Daphné that— and so his best friends are eliminated as options. He briefly contemplates asking Chloé, but the thought of her trying anything with him while they’re alone makes him feel physically sick.

He could probably spend a night or two with one of the girls, he figures. On the other hand, though, he knows that telling one of them something means telling all of them something. He knows that if he complained about Manon to Imane or Emma or Alexia or especially Daphné, Manon would find out within hours— if not minutes. He’s not trying to start anything— with anyone— he’s looking for someone to vent to, and maybe a bed to sleep in, if he’s lucky. That’s all.

And only then does he think of Eliott.

Eliott, who added his number into Lucas’ contacts only a couple of days ago. Who gave him beer just because he could, who danced around to dubstep the first time they hung out like a maniac.

Who— when Lucas played piano for him— looked at him like he was something special.

He takes a deep breath. Presses down on Eliott’s name.

And it rings.

And rings.

And then—

“Hello?”

“Hi, Eliott? It’s Lucas.”

“Lucas, I know. You put your number in my phone the other day, too, remember?” Eliott’s voice is muffled through the phone, but he can hear the teasing lilt to it. It makes him nervous, hearing Eliott’s voice without seeing his face.

“Oh, right, yeah.” His voice wavers as he speaks, threatening to crack with his nerves. “Listen, um… This might be a weird question— please don’t feel like you have to say yes!— but can I ask you for a favour?” And oh fuck, there isn’t any going back now, is there?

“What do you need?” Eliott asks, and he wants to curl up under the concern in Eliott’s tone, pull it up over him like a blanket.

“Well… You know that girl who, ah… interrupted us, the other night?” He’s run the moment he saw Manon a few nights ago through his head more than he’d like to admit. What had happened, and— more importantly— what hadn’t.

“I remember that, yeah.” Eliott chuckles, soft and light on the other end of the line.

“Well, she lived at my place before I did. She left— moved to London with her boyfriend— and I moved in, but now she’s back, and I don’t know for how long.” He tries his hardest to only tell Eliott the essentials, to resist dumping all of his emotional baggage about the situation onto him.

“Okay.” Lucas can hear the ‘… And?’ that is left unsaid.

“And my bedroom used to be hers, and she’s taken it back. I’ve been on the couch for the past couple of days. Basically, the apartment is too crowded now, and I’m just… Frustrated. With her, with my roommates.” I don’t have a place here, he almost says, but doesn’t.

“Mhm.”

“And I know we barely know each other. But I had a good time when we hung out last time, and I��” Lucas swallows, lets himself take a breath. “I trust you. Please don’t feel pressured, but I need a place to stay, and I was wondering if I could stay with you, for a night or two.” The line is silent, for a moment.

“Yeah, sure.” Eliott’s voice is clear on the other end of the line. Lucas can’t quite believe it.

“Yeah?”

“Of course. Come tonight if you want. Stay as long as you need to.” He pinches himself, to make sure that this isn’t a dream. Not only has he managed to build up the courage to ask Eliott— the new boy at school, the boy that makes his chest flutter like no one else has before— if he can stay with him.

Eliott said yes.

“Are you sure? You really don’t have to—”

“Lucas,” Eliott cuts him off before he can continue, “I wouldn’t have said yes if I wasn’t genuinely willing. You can stay with me.” If this were a face-to-face conversation, Lucas would have to turn away from the sincerity of Eliott’s tone. “Plus, We can have a do-over of the other night— remember? ‘Joints, beers, you choose the music’?” Lucas is grinning like an idiot now, grateful that Eliott can’t see him, that he can react however he wants as long as he does so silently.

“Okay.” He tries to hide his grin in his tone. Play it cool, Lallemant, “Is it okay if I come over around eight?”

“Sure, I’ll clean up a bit. We can order some food in once you get here, if you want?”

“That sounds nice.” He thinks of sitting and watching a movie with Eliott, stuffing their faces with pizza or Chinese food or whatever, and he realizes he’s never wanted anything more.

“I’ll see you at eight, then.” He can’t be sure, but it sounds like Eliott may be smiling, too.

“Hey Eliott?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“See you soon, Lucas.”

—

After far too long, Lucas manages to build up the courage to press the buzzer on the front door of Eliott’s building. The sound of Eliott’s voice, even through the intercom system, both tenses and relaxes him.

“Hello?”

“Hey, it’s Lucas.”

“Oh, hey! Come on up!” The door buzzes and Lucas is knocking on the door a moment later. If hearing Eliott’s voice brought upon a wave of conflicting emotions, it didn’t even hold a candle to seeing him, smiling at him from the doorway— just as he had only a few nights ago.

“Hi.” Lucas says. Eliott’s entire demeanour is just so relaxed, so casual. Lucas tries to replicate it. You’re a friend meeting a friend, he tells himself, trying to sound convincing. Nothing more, and that’s okay, he lies.

“Hi.” Elliot’s tone is light and airy, perfectly matching his expression. Lucas tries not to react to the small smile on his face. “Come in.”

He can’t help but compare Eliott’s apartment to the evening that they spent together before. The light is low, just as it was before— dreamy, almost. He’s never been as aware of scents as he is now, stood in Eliott’s living room.

“So…” Eliott says, breaking the silence. “Pizza? There’s this place near me that’s really good.”

—

And so Lucas’ life shifts, if only for a few days. Eliott waits for him at the end of each school day, they bus to his place together, and they chill together. Eliott helps him with literature, and he helps Eliott with science. It’s quite the mutually beneficial development.

Which brings a host of new discoveries with it.

Like the fact that Eliott’s music taste overlaps with his quite a bit. His record collection is quite eclectic, and they settle on some laid back background music once they get home quickly.

Or the fact that he barely ever cooks. I’m not good at it, trust me, he said once, pulling a frozen pizza out of the freezer for the second day in a row.

Or the fact that his whole body relaxes when he’s in his own space. Everything loosens once he closes the door behind them. Lucas never noticed how stressed being at school makes Eliott until now.

Or— and he hasn’t realized this until just now— Eliott steals glances at him almost as frequently as he does with Eliott.

Lucas has been staying with Eliott for nearly a week. They’re watching a movie again— as has almost become routine for them, now— and every time Eliott looks over, Lucas swears he can feel it. He can see the subtle tilt of Eliott’s head away from the screen in his periphery.

“Eliott?” He says, looking over. Warmth rushes over his when their eyes meet. “I’ve been having a really nice time here.”

“Me too.” Why does everything seem so easy for you, he wants to ask. “I like spending time with you.” The thought that Eliott genuinely enjoys his company is one that he wants to hold on to forever— that he’s more than just someone to be tolerated.

“Thank you for letting me stay.” It’s the sort of thing that he would say on his way out, but he’s not planning on leaving tonight, not in the slightest. His mind wanders, then zeroes in.

“Do you remember when my roommate interrupted us, the other night?”

“Yeah.”

“If she hadn’t, what would have happened?” Lucas turns, then, to face Eliott fully. If not for the fact that they’re currently sat on Eliott’s couch, it’s a near-perfect mirror of that night. It’s not incomparable to when he asked Eliott how he would draw him, hypothetically speaking. He’s not sure where these fleeting bouts of courage come from, but he’s thankful for them nonetheless.

Eliott looks at him for a long time, his eyes steady. It makes Lucas feel naked, to be looked at like that; it makes his courage waver.

“Would it have gone differently?” Eliott’s quiet for several seconds. The silence stretches out, long and thick between them. Lucas almost regrets asking, but then—

“Yeah,” Eliott responds, “I think it would have.”

“Oh yeah? How?” He asks, and they’re so close now. He wonders when they started leaning in but he doesn’t care enough to ask. Part of him would be content to stay this close forever, but another part of him is chanting closer, closer. He doesn’t need Eliott to answer, not really, he knows the answer. He knows what he wanted to happen, and the way Eliott is looking over at him is hinting at the notion that he wanted the same thing.

“You have no idea how much I want you right now.” Eliott whispers. His voice sounds restrained, and Lucas wants to ask him how he wants him, why he wants him. But instead he just takes Eliott’s hand in his and says—

“Then have me.”

“But I don’t you to feel like I’m taking advantage of you.” Eliott’s gaze falls down to his lap. He’s fit to explode from the softness in his voice, from the fact that it’s directed at him. “You’re taking refuge from your roommates. You’re in a vulnerable state and—”

“And I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first time I saw you.” Lucas’ mouth is moving faster than his mouth now, but he’s far too desperate to care. Please, he wants to say, wants to pull him in without a word. “I appreciate your concern, I do. And I understand if you don’t want to kiss me— that’s fine, that’s good— but I want to kiss you so badly right now and—”

Eliott throws himself at him, closing the distance between them. His arms are around Lucas’ neck immediately, and after the initial shock wears off, he winds his arms around Eliott’s waist, his hands roaming his back, pulling him as close as he possibly can. They kiss and distant stars explode, they kiss and everything else falls away.

“Eliott,” Lucas breathes out when they part. The smile on Eliott’s face is completely and utterly new, unlike anything he’s ever seen before. He wonders how many smiles Eliott hasn’t shown him. He wonders how many he’ll get to see.

“Lucas.” Eliott responds, teasing and affectionate. Lucas can’t help but smile, too, his heart pounding away inside his chest, more lively than it’s ever been— and when Eliott pulls him down, he goes easily and willingly.

#skam #skam france #elu #lucas x eliott #elu fic #asks;#amis anonymes;#mywriting;#this took aaaaaaages but here have an acquaintances to lovers fic??#also this ended up being almost 2k lmao

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she-is-tim · 6 years ago

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I love hating you | Elu enemies to lovers AU | Ch. 3

Previous Chapters: 1, 2

Lucas is an angry, closeted and frustrated gay teenager, while Eliott is the handsome, smart and popular guy in school. They hate each other… but not forever.

You still owe me

Lucas woke up happily the next day. For other people it could have been the vibe of friday, but for him it was different. The first thing he did was to check his phone. He got a few notifications on facebook, some likes on instagram, but no messaged. He didn’t let that to ruin his mood. He got out of his “bed” and walked to the kitchen, only wearing briefs.

Mika was already there, wearing a red shirt and grey sweatpants, drinking coffee while leaning to the kitchen counter. As Lucas walked in, mumbling a quiet “Morning”, his flatmate slapped his butt playfully, while whistling at him.

“What a nice ass you got there, kitten.” he said smirking. Usually Lucas would shut him down, but today he was in a good mood, so he just chuckled and grabbed his mug, pouring some coffee in it. Mika was utterly shocked by his behavior. “Oh, my! What happened to you, Dear Kitten? You got laid or something?” he asked, trying to analize the expression on Lucas’ face.

“No, I’m just feeling good today.” he said, taking a sip of his hot drink, enjoying the taste of pure caffeine.

“Well, whatever or whoever made you so happy, it could happen more often. I definitely like the happy kitty more than the grumpy one.” Mika said with a soft smile and right now, Lucas could totally agree with him. He himself felt much better in his body too.

When he got to the school, he saw the boys on the schoolyard, talking and laughing. He walked to them, giving a fistbump to Yann and Arthur, leaving Basile out again. It was just so natural, he didn’t even think about it.

“You look better today, Lulu.” Arthur said with a soft smile.

“I’m feeling better for sure.” he said. “I slept like a baby last night.” he admitted.

The boys continued their talk about whatever they were speaking before Lucas arrived, trying to involve him too. They weren’t really successful, since the short boy catched a familiar, very handsome face among the other students. His eyes met those sky blue ones, which made his heart beat faster. Eliott smiled at him, raising his eyebrows, like he’s trying to flirt with Lucas. They were far from each other, but at that moment it was like nothing was between them.

Lucas was so lost in Eliott’s eyes, he felt like he’s floating on water, feeling free and careless. A little smile appeared on his face, which made Eliott’s eyes widen, his lips forming into a huge smirk. Lucas felt the blush appearing on his face, so he quickly looked away, trying to join into the conversation with his friends.

Later the day he was still in a good mood, feeling butterflies in his stomach when he remembered that his class just before lunch break was literature. With Eliott... He grabbed his stuff, walking into the classroom. Eliott was sitting at their table, there was a book in front of him, but he was just staring out of the window with a dreamy expression on his face. The sun was lighting up his face, making his eyes look like two beautiful pool of clear water.

Lucas made sure he was taking in all the beauty and handsomeness of this boy, before sitting down next to him. Eliott turned when he heard the noise of the chair moving next to him. He looked at the short boy, lips forming a soft smile.

“Hey there!”

“Hey!” Lucas mumbled shyly. He couldn’t say anything else, seeing Eliott like this, so early in the day just made him speechless.

“You look good today.” Eliott said, which made Lucas gasp for air. He wasn’t expecting something like this from him, so he just looked at him with wide eyes, not believing what he just heard. Eliott laughed, putting his forearm on the table. “I love these expressions you make.” he said smirking, which made Lucas frown his eyebrows and crossing his arms.

“Excuse me?”

“You know, I can make a lot of people blush, mostly girls, but I will never get bored of your reactions.” he said smiling. Lucas had to admit that he looked even more handsome like that. Fucking hell.

“You are fucking annoying.” Lucas said now, looking grumpy. He decided to face forward, not looking at the other, he was doing it for an experiment. What are you going to do now, Demaury?

He saw from the corner of his eyes that Eliott is searching for his phone, pulling it out from his back pocket. He seemed to be busy, typing something to someone. Lucas was feeling something in his throat, his stomach got tiny all of the sudden. He was regretting that he decided to ignore Eliott, because he seemed to found something much better to do. At least he thought that until he felt his phone buzzing in his pocket. He grabbed it, opening the message he got and he almost choked on air. It was a message from Eliott. Are you serious right now?

srodulv Look, I found a picture of you

Lucas had to cover his mouth to cover his giggle. Eliott was such a stupid asshole, but he kinda liked how he did some things. This was in fact pretty funny. He couldn’t remember when Eliott started to call him hedgehog, probably back in first year when he had much shorter hair than he does now. It was around the time when they got to hate each other.

He couldn’t clearly remember why he started to be so annoyed by Eliott’s presence, it just happened one day. Everything he did made Lucas upset, especially when he was flirting with the girls. Daphné was always giggly and shy around Eliott in first year, Alexia basically undressed him with her eyes all the time. It pissed him off, because those girls were too good for such a douchebag.

He shook his head, coming back to reality. He stared at the grumpy hedgehog on his phone. He was sure Eliott was fidgeting on his seat, not knowing what Lucas thinks of his stupid message. He let himself have a half smile, then he put away his phone without answering. This time he will be the one that controls the situation. He heard Eliott letting out an annoyed sigh. It made him feel victorious.

Later the day Lucas joined the girls in the common room, helping them make some decorations. He was painting some wooden chairs, making them look much better than they actually are. Alexia and Imane were working on decorative lightings, Emma and Manon were decorating the shelves with cute statues, vases with flowers, stuff like that. Daphné was sitting at the table, making plans, looking through her folder she made. It was really thick, full of pages filled with pictures cut out of magazines, printed out or drawed by hand. She seemed to take this thing really seriously.

Lucas was so occupied with painting the chairs, he didn’t notice the buzzing of his phone. Not like he could check it, since his hands were covered in pink and yellow paint anyways. When he finished, he walked to the bathroom, trying to take off the colors, but it wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be. After long minutes of scrubbing, his arms were still stained. He sighed and decided to leave it for now, it was friday anyways, so he will have the weekend to take it off.

He walked back to the girls, they were all sitting at the table now, inviting Lucas to join them, so he sat down next to Manon, who offered him a cupcake that was made by Daphné. He accepted it and was chewing on it, while he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He opened instagram and noticed that someone tagged im on a picture. It was manon, she made a photo of him as he was painting the chairs with a serious face, like it was the most important task he ever had to do in his life. The caption said: “The only guy we trust”. He rolled his eyes and looked at Manon.

“Seriously, girl? What is this picture?” he asked, showing his flatmate his phone.

“Isn’t it adorable? You were so focused, I had to make a picture.” Manon said smiling.

“And post it on instagram?”

“You know if it’s not on the internet, it never happened.” Alexia said, drinking some pink liquid from a bottle.

“That’s true.” Emma said smirking.

Lucas just rolled his eyes again, but decided to like the picture. Manon was just so caring and soft, he couldn’t be mad at her, and the picture wasn’t bad at all. He had much more embarrassing pictures on his own profile, so he had nothing to worry about. After that he looked at his messages, there was a new one from Eliott.

srodulv That pink paint looks good on you

Lucas’ heart was beating faster, he still haven’t replied to the hedgehog message, so seeing that Eliott trying to reach out again made him feel happy and a little satsfied with himself. Now he was the one in charge.

lucallemant I still have some on my hands, that shit is not coming off easily

srodulv Oil can be really helpful

lucallemant oh really? I will try that out when I get home

srodulv I was actually wondering if you wanna hang out I have some beer and a joint to smoke

Lucas had to really control himself not to jump up from his seat and leave the girls immediately. Spending time with Eliott AND smoking weed? What else could top that? He took a deep breath, finishing his cupcake. He totally forgot to reply to the message, so he was surprised when he got another one.

srodulv Or maybe some other day, whatever is good for you

lucallemant No, I’m fine I’ll say bye to the girls and go

srodulv I’ll wait for you at the bus stop

lucallemant Cool

srodulv Cool

Lucas got up from his chair now, saying bye to the girls. Daphné even got up and kissed him on the cheek. She was so sweet, Lucas liked her company a lot. He picked up his backpack and left the common room, walking to the bus stop. It seemed to be an eternity until his bus arrived, he was looking at his phone while he was traveling, reading his conversation with Eliott over and over again. He couldn’t believe it. Someone so handsome and popular as Eliott shouldn’t be flirting with Lucas. It basically went against the law of nature.

When he got off the bus, he saw Eliott sitting on one of the seats. He was wearing a dark blue denim jacket over his hoodie this time, which made him look like a model. When he noticed Lucas, he smiled at him, stading up. The smaller boy was holding onto the straps of his backpack, because he wasn’t sure what to expect from this guy.

“Hey!” Eliott said as he walked closer to Lucas, his eyes checking him out from head to toe. Lucas felt like he was completely exposed, with Eliott he had no walls around himself and it scared him a little.

“Hey!” He mumbled, looking everywhere but in the other’s eyes.

“You coming?” Eliott asked, starting to walk backwards, staring at Lucas with his beautiful blue eyes.

Lucas sighed and smiled a little, going after Eliott, who now turned around, walking towards his apartment building. It only took a few minutes, none of them said anything, but it wasn’t awkward at all. The short boy wouldn’t even be able to form any kind of sentences right now, he was still struck by how perfect Eliott looked in that jacket.

They got inside, Eliott opened the door to his flat, letting Lucas inside. He put his jacket on the hanger and told Lucas to get himself comfortable, while he brings them some beer. The small boy did that, walking to the living room. He put down his backpack near the wall, then took off his jacket, carefully putting it on the armchair that was next to the coffee table alongside another one and a couch on the opposite side. The place wasn’t big, but it seemed really nice. Lucas first noticed the few drawings on the wall, but then his eyes catched the piano right next to a bookshelf. He looked at Eliott when he came back with two bottles of beer, handing one to Lucas.

“You play the piano?” he asked, pointing at the instrument.

“Not really.” Eliott chuckled and took a sip of his beer. “It was here when I moved in, haven’t really touched it.” he said honestly, looking into Lucas’ eyes. “You could play something on it.”

Lucas swallowed, he was holding the beer so tightly that his knuckles were white. He looked at the piano, back to Eliott and he continued this for a whole minute, before he found his own voice to say something. Congratulations, Lucas. You are winning the game.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. I haven’t played in a while... well, except this wednesday, but that was just so random.” he said and now looked at the drawings on the wall, trying to change the topic. “You made these?”

“Yeah, but it was a while now, most of them are a year old.” he explained with a soft smile.

Lucas checked out all of the arts when he noticed something on the top of the piano. It was a drawing of a hedgehog, the only color was the pink stains on his face and his hand. Lucas blinked, not believing his eyes first and he heard Eliott making a weird noise next to him, quickly reaching out and grabbing the paper, pulling it away from Lucas’ sight.

“That’s just... a doodle. I was bored.” he said, avoiding eyecontact with the small boy, which amused Lucas a lot.

“Yeah?” he smirked, drinking from his beer now.

Eliott rolled his eyes, which was usually Lucas’ speciality, folding the paper and sliding it into his backpocket. He seemed to be kinda nervous, his bottle was almost empty, though they just started to drink.

“Whatever, let’s smoke.” he said grabbing the joint that was sitting on his ear all this time. Lucas was too busy examining the apartment to notice that.

They sat down on the couch, putting the beer bottles on the coffee tables. Eliott pulled out a lighter from his pocket, lighting the holy cigarette. Lucas was excited to get high with him, it might not have been the best idea, considering his mixed feelings towards the tall boy, but he was too whipped. Eliott put the cigarette in his mouth, breathing in the smoke, then handing it to Lucas. He grabbed it with a happy smile, taking it between his lips, but he almost choked, when this god damn model looking guy next to him decided to blow out a smoke ring. That was so fucking hot.

Eliott looked at Lucas, leaning back on the chouch, stretching his long legs under the coffee table. He seemed to look so different than in school. Usually he was the good looking, always cool and perfect student, but here he just seemed to be like everyone else: a carefree teenager. Lucas turned his body to the side, to see him better and he was leaning on the back of the couch like this too. They were listening to some chill music from Eliott’s phone, it was a nice background noise to their stupid laughter. Both of them were telling silly stories from their childhood.

They were doing this for long minutes, probably for a couple of hours. There were a lot of empty bottles of the coffee table now, the air around them smelled like smoke, so Eliott decided to open the window. As he got up, Lucas had some time to breathe. It was so unbelieveable to sit here in Eliott Demaury’s living room, smoking weed, drinking beer and talking about his 6 year old self who got chewing gum stuck in his hair.

“Are you hungry?” Eliott asked suddenly, leaning to the window as he looked at Lucas. His eyes were a little red because of the smoke.

“Yeah, I am.” Lucas said, being surprised how he didn’t even notice his own hunger. Maybe because he was too busy watching this handsome boy laughing like a happy child, then blowing out smoke like a professional model.

“I’ll go make some sandwiches in the kitchen.” he said smiling and started to walk now. Lucas got up, he was just a little bit tipsy, so he could still move without stumbling.

“I’m coming with you.” he said, which made Eliott smile like an idiot.

“Okay.”

The kitchen was small, it only had a square wooden table with two chairs, so Lucas settled down there while Eliott was searching for stuff in the fridge and the cabinets. He seemed to be so occupied, even sticking his tongue out in the process. The small boy decided to check his phone now, letting his host to make those sandwiches peacefully.

He got a couple notifications from instagram, he didn’t really care about that, but he also got a text from Manon. He just noticed that it was almost 21:00, he was here at Eliott’s place since 4 hours now? How is that possible? He quickly opened the message.

From Manon Hey, is everything ok? It’s getting late and you are still not home

To Manon Yeah, sorry, I am at Yann’s place, but I’ll be home soon

From Manon Okay then, next time tell me if you going out for so long, I was worried

To Manon I’m sorry, mom!

From Manon Very funny

Lucas smiled at his phone, feeling warmth in his chest. Manon was always the typical mom friend, but it was still making him happy how caring and kind she was with him. She was the one in the first place who offered Lucas to live with them in the apartment and even now that she took her room back, she tried her very best to make the boy feel welcomed there. It was nice, even with the struggles he had to go through with Mika or Lisa.

“Lucas?” a soft voice snapped him back from his phone to reality. He looked up, eyes widened, facing with the most beautiful guy on this planet, who was just a step away from him, leaning down so their heads will be at the same height. Oh, you smooth fucker.

“What?”

“I was asking you something.” he said crossing his arms now. He seemed to be a bit frustrated. Was it because Lucas focused on his phone rather than him? It’s possible considering the huge ego this guy had.

“Can you ask again? I wasn’t listening.” he said with little smirk, enjoying the expression that appeared on the tall boy’s face.

“You are unbelieveable, Lallemant.” he said, frowning his eyebrows. “I’m inviting you to my place and you rather chit-chatting on your phone than listening to me?”

“Come on now, we were talking for hours in the living room. I just wanted to check my messages.” he said, rolling his eyes at the childish behavior of Eliott.

“Your boyfriend can wait. We have more urgent things to discuss, like if you want ham or sausage slices on the sandwich?” he asked with a serious face. Lucas had to laugh, because he was really acting like a 5 year old who just got told that he can’t play with his favorite toy.

“I was answering Manon. She is worried that I’m not home yet.” he explained, being amused by the tall one’s concerned expression turning into something that was probably his realization of being overly dramatic. “And I want ham on my sandwich, with double cheese please.” he added smirking.

Eliott took a deep breath and turned back to the bread on the kitchen counter, buttering the slices and putting ham and cheese on them. He didn’t look at Lucas, so the boy had a lot of time to observe him. It was really amusing to see him doing normal stuff, like making a sandwich. In the school he always seemed to be someone who only does things with elegance and perfection, but he was actually struggling with the damn butter or the package of the cheese.

“Here you go.” he said, finally handing Lucas a plate with two sandwiches on it. He was staying at the counter, holding his own food.

“Thanks.” he grabbed the plate and took a bite of the sandwich. Eliott watched him closely, making sure that he is not gonna choke on it or anything, at least for him it seemed like he was doing that. “You should eat too.” He said looking at the sandwich in Eliott’s hand.

“I was just... you have pink paint on your face.” he said, pointing at Lucas’ left cheek.

“It got there before I washed my hands probably.” he mumbled, touching his cheek to look for the paint.

He was so busy doing this that he didn’t noticed the long fingers slowly sliding on his face, cupping it gently. He raised his head, looking into deep blue eyes filled with desire and something Lucas couldn’t put into words. The world around them seemed to disappear, they were in their own little bubble, staring at each other, leaning closer by each second, until they could feel their breath on their lips. Lucas’ heart was beating faster, his lips were parting, ready to get kissed by Eliott. Right now, right here in this exact moment it was all he wanted.

They startled to the loud noise of the doorbell. Eliott’s hads slipped down from Lucas’ cheeks to his neck, looking at the direction of the front door. He cursed under his breath which made the short boy smile. He was disappointed that they got disrupted, but seeing how much it annoyed Eliott too made his heart flutter.

“I swear to god, this happens all the time.” Eliott mumbled, unconsciously rubbing Lucas’ skin with his thumb, still not wanting to leave him to open the door. The bell was ringing again, longer and louder.

“You should really open it.” the boy said softly, grabbing the hands on his neck and pushing them away gently. “Eliott, go.” he said seeing that the boy was still not wanting to move. He looked at Lucas, with the face of little kid who had been separated from his favorite plushie.

He then took a deep breath, stroking Lucas hands before walking to the door. The small boy had time to breathe out, collecting his thoughts. Eliott definitely wanted to kiss him, god, they almost did. Deep in his thoughts he was really disappointed that they didn’t. He finished one of the sandwiches while he waited for Eliott to come back, and he did, with two other person.

He recognized one of them, tall, even taller than Eliott, dark skin, big smile. It was Idriss, the older brother of Imane. The other guy he didn’t know, but he was really gorgeous, dark, curly hair, handsome face and the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. They were wearing casual clothes, jeans and hoodies, holding some books and notes in their arms. Eliott seemed to be a bit annoyed that they were there, but he still had a smile on his face.

“Hey, We didn’t know you had a visitor.” Idriss said and his eyes widened as he recognized Lucas. “Look at here! Little Lucas!” he yelled and walked to the boy, giving him a fist bump. “Haven’t see you in ages.”

“Yeah, we mostly study with Imane at the common room, so...” he smiled and shrugged a little, looking at the other boy who walked to them.

“You know Imane?” he asked, voice soft as the warm wind on a summer afternoon.

“Yeah, she’s my friend.” Lucas said, reaching his hand out, the boy grabbed it, shaking it softly. “I’m Lucas.”

“Sofiane.” he said smiling. Wow, such a beautiful name to a beautiful face.

“Great, now that you guys introduced yourselves, can you go the fuck out of the kitchen?” Eliott said now frustrated.

Sofiane and Idriss smirked at each other and walked to the living room after high fiving Lucas. They were awesome guys and seemed to be really kind. It was unbelieveable how they were friends with such and egoistic and rude person as Eliott. But Lucas had to admit, this guy had his good sides too.

“Sorry about that, I totally forgot they wanted to study here during the weekend.” he said, scratching the back of his head.

“It’s okay, I should go home anyways.” he said, standing up from his chair. He wanted to leave the kitchen, but Eliott blocked his way, looking at him seriously.

“You still owe me, you know.” he whispered, leaning down until their foreheads touched, keep looking into Lucas’ eyes.

“I know.” the short boy mumbled, his legs were weak, his heart was beating fast. He could smell Eliott’s cologne and even some smoke too. It was making his head feel dizzy.

“I wish I could walk you home...”

“It’s okay, I’m a big boy.” he smiled softly and Eliott shook his head.

“You don’t get it, don’t you?” he asked and just smirked at Lucas’ confused expression. “Doesn’t matter. Text me when you get home, okay?”

Lucas nodded, feeling like he’s going to pass out, but luckily the tall boy pulled back, walking to the door with him. He put on his jacket and walked out, saying goodbye to Eliott before leaving. As he stepped out of the building, cold air touched his face, making his dizziness to fly away. He gasped, glancing back for a short time. A wide smile appeared on his face as he walked to the bus stop. He looked down at his phone while waiting and he got a new message from Eliott.

srodulv Take care, and don’t forget to message me when you get home

Lucas chuckled, this guy was so extra. He just left his place a few minutes ago and he already had to text him to make sure Lucas is okay. He shook his head, typing him an answer.

lucallemant You should be studying now, Mr. Demaury

srodulv I can’t stop thinking about you

Lucas’ heart skipped a beat and he barely could step up on the bus as it arrived. His legs felt like they were made out of jelly, he felt butterflies in his stomach. This was the first time that someone made him feel things like this. He did have a crush on Yann like a year ago, but that was nothing compared to what Eliott made him feel with just a text message. He waited with the answer until he got home, cuddling pillows on his couch.

lucallemant I’m home now, study with your friends We’ll talk tomorrow

srodulv Sleep well, Lucas

lucallemant Good luck with studying, Eliott

Writers note: You guys probably hate me, because of the almost kiss, but hey, they will have a lot of time for that later, and don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy that scene, cause I did enjoy writing it! Make sure to give me some feedback after reading the chapter, I love reading your comments and messages. I’ll put it on AO3 later tonight, because I gotta go to work.

#Skam France #Elu enemies to lovers AU #Elu #Eliott Demaury #Lucas Lallemant #Eliott x Lucas #I love hating you

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easyfoodnetwork · 4 years ago

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From the Strategist: The 37 Best Gifts for Every Type of Home Cook

Photo: Courtesy Retailer

From cookbook stands to kimchi containers, there’s literally something for everyone

When you’re trying to come up with gift ideas for someone who likes to cook, you want to find something that’s both personal and practical. But finding a gift for a home cook that strikes that balance can be hard, especially if you’re the kind of person whose fridge is filled with takeout containers. That’s why we’ve gathered 37 of the best gifts for every type of home cook in your life — from the newbie who just wants to make a good grilled cheese to the home cook who has it all.

For the home cook who has everything

ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide, 1100 Watts, All White

They might not think they need a sous vide machine, but that’s exactly what makes it a great gift for an experienced chef, who can use it to make always-tender steaks, never-overcooked fish, and even soft-scrambled eggs.

For the home cook who would rather use a cookbook

Photo: retailer

Yamazaki Home Tosca Cookbook Stand

A minimalist plywood cookbook-stand for those who still like reading recipes on paper — though it can also hold up a tablet.

For the home cook who’d like to throw more dinner parties

MYDrap Cotton Cocktail Napkins

We were introduced to these tear-off linen napkins by Tonne Goodman, who discovered them at a boutique in Paris. “Instead of having a stack of napkins that needs to be spread out in an attractive fashion and then wrestled with to gingerly pick just one, you just simply tear each napkin off,” she writes.

For the home cook who wants only one pot

Dansk Kobenstyle White Casserole

This Dutch oven from Dansk has a mid-century design that’s easy to cook with but still looks good on the dinner table. It’s made of carbon steel, so it’s lighter than cast-iron Dutch ovens but it’s still sturdy enough to sear, braise, sauté, and bake anything you want.

For the home cook who’s not over avocados

Prepworks by Progressive Guacamole Bowl with Spoon

Let’s make avocado-ware the new lettuceware.

For the home cook who got really into celery juice

Breville Compact Juice Fountain 700-Watt Juice Extractor

It’s still unclear if celery juice is actually good for you, but if that’s what they’re into, this juice extractor from Breville is powerful enough to make sure none of the stringy bits make it into the liquid (and can be used to make lots of other types of juices, too).

For the home cook who watches The Great British Baking Show every Friday

Baking with Kim-Joy: Cute and Creative Bakes to Make You Smile

During her time in the tent, Kim-Joy built a reputation for making delicate pastries with adorable decorations and clever flavor combinations, and in this cookbook, she shares some of her most whimsical recipes — like “pigfiteroles” in mud.

For the home cook who just got into bread-making

Banneton Bread Proofing Basket

Unlike contestants on The Great British Bake-Off, most of us don’t have proofing drawers in our homes. So a proofing basket — used to hold the bread during its second, pre-baking rise — is the next best thing for at-home bread-making: This three-piece set includes a linen nonstick liner for a smooth outer crust and a plastic dough scraper that conforms to the curves of your mixing bowl.

For the home cook who loves to grill on the go

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

Mark Jenner, the editor-in-chief of barbecue site FoodFireFriends.com, swears by this portable grill from the folks at Weber, which includes legs that fold over the lid and a convenient rectangular form. You can even create two grilling zones for high-heat and low-heat grilling.

For the home cook who wants to make their own sauerkraut and kimchi

E-Jen Premium Kimchi, Sauerkraut Container Earthenware Brown 1.7L

Recently, we had two chefs heartily endorse this incredibly affordable and effective container as a go-to fermentation vessel. “It’s really useful because it has an insert that essentially creates a vacuum to press down your ferments,” chef Dave Park of Jeong in Chicago told us. “It has an inner ring where you can either burp your ferments or keep it airtight. It’s definitely one of the most useful containers I’ve found.”

For the home cook who’s also good at Instagram

Departo Large Plate

Why does professional food photography look so good? In part because of food stylists, whose job is to choose all those attractive plates and cups and tablecloths to enhance the food. If your favorite home cook loves to share their latest grain salads and roast chicken on the ’gram, give them some plates that will look great underneath.

For the home cook trying to eat more greens

Prepworks by Progressive Collapsible Salad Spinner - 4 Quart

This collapsible salad spinner is a great gift for the recent college grad who’s got a small kitchen and big culinary ambitions.

For the home cook who’s a salt snob

Maldon Salt Bucket

Tonne Goodman also told us about this bucket of Maldon sea salt, which, she admits, “seems a bit extreme, but then again, salt fanatics do exist. I gave it to my brother-in-law, who is a wonderful cook, and he laughed and loved it.”

For the home cook who loves leftovers

LunchBots Large Snack Tray Steel Lunch Container

This stainless-steel lunch box is meant for children, but it’s stylish enough to bring to the office (when you return to one, that is) and has enough room for a mini-buffet of leftovers.

For the home cook who identified with Antoni on Queer Eye

Philips Indoor Smoke-less Grill

Culinary expert Antoni Porowski gifted this smokeless, infrared indoor grill to two different guys over the course of two seasons, and you can now gift it, too.

For the home cook who’s trying to use fewer paper towels

Nawrap Binchotan Dishcloth

These dishcloths have odor- and bacteria-absorbing charcoal infused into their fibers, so they’ll last a little longer between washes.

For the home cook who’s trying to use less plastic

Bee’s Wrap Assorted, 3-Pack

These reusable food wraps are made by infusing cotton with beeswax, and they can be used over, and over, and over again — and once they’re finally done for good, they can be composted.

For the home cook who’s ready to compost

Brabantia Sort & Go Waste Bin

If they know that composting is a thing they should do but have always been turned off by ugly compost bins.

For the home cook who’s ready for fresh spaghetti

Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine

According to Linda Miller Nicholson, author of Pasta, Pretty Please and the pasta-maker behind the colorful Instagram account Salty Seattle, the Marcato Atlas is the gold standard of pasta machines. And if you need more proof that it’s a good gift: It also made an appearance on Jennifer Lawrence’s wedding registry.

For the home cook who needs fresh herbs

Click and Grow The Smart Garden 3

This indoor vegetable-and-herb garden is self-watering and has a built-in grow light and pre-seeded plant pods to grow fresh cilantro, basil, and even chili peppers if the kitchen has no windows.

For the home cook who loves their knives

John Boos Chop-N-Slice Maple Wood Reversible Cutting Board

Cutting boards wear out over time, so any serious home cook will appreciate a brand-new, nice-looking cutting block that’ll protect their sharpened blades.

For the home cook who doesn’t have knives

Takiup Ceramic Knife Set

These ceramic knives aren’t perfect, or the fanciest, but according to writer Hannah Howard, they’re excellent for everyday kitchen tasks, and sometimes she prefers using these cheaper blades to her fancy Japanese chef’s knife. Plus, she notes, “I throw the set in the dishwasher with every use, and it has remained in excellent shape.”

For the home cook who keeps accidentally slicing their fingers

Benriner BN1 Mandoline

Chef Gabriel Kreuther likes this Japanese mandoline, which comes with an assortment of blades and its own plastic safety covering to prevent slipping fingers from getting julienned, diced, or chopped.

For the home cook who’s channeling the 1970s

Home Intuition 3-Tier Hanging Basket Heavy Duty Wire

Especially if they read the Missoni Family Cookbook and now want to create a dreamy Italian kitchen of their own.

For the home cook who’s still using that slow cooker from the 1970s

Instant Pot 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker

You’ve heard about the Instant Pot even if you don’t cook. It steams, it pressure cooks, it makes yogurt, and it’s got over 36,000 reviews on Amazon, so it’s kind of a no-brainer.

For the home cook who got an Instant Pot last year

OXO Good Grips Pressure Cooker Bakeware Sling

Some good Instant Pot accessories will help them make the most of their favorite kitchen gadget, like this silicone sling, which they can use for baking cakes or steaming vegetables in their multifunction pressure cooker.

For the home cook who’s already obsessed with a Vitamix

Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter

This personal cup adapter is a great gift for those who make smoothies in their Vitamix but find the standard 64- or 72-ounce cup a little too big for everyday use, especially since this one fits on basically any legacy model.

For the home cook who struggles to clean their cast-iron skillet

Blisstime Cast Iron Cleaner

This little square of chainmail will make removing crud and burnt bits from a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven a relatively quick and easy task.

For the at-home pit master who likes to grill on an open flame

Texsport Heavy-Duty Over-Fire Camp Grill - Extra Large

This extra-large over-fire camp grill is made from steel, and, according to writer Steven John, it’s got plenty of room for “racks of ribs, multiple Texas-size steaks, or a whole lot of kabob skewers.”

For the home baker with limited counter space

KitchenAid Artisan Mini Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, 3.5 quart

This mini–stand mixer has all the functionality of a standard KitchenAid mixer, but, as writer Erica Murphy notes, “It’s 25 percent lighter and 20 percent smaller,” meaning it’s great for small kitchens.

For the home cook who can taste the difference between Italian and Spanish olive oils

Nunez De Prado Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tin, 33.8 Ounce

A handsome tin of olive oil from Spain that has “hints of grassiness, almonds, and butter,” according to chef Jonathan Waxman.

For anyone who likes to read about food as much as they like to eat it

The Best American Food Writing 2019

An anthology of the best food essays from the past 12 months, including a deep dive into Japanese KitKats and the queer history of tapas, all edited by Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat’s Samin Nosrat.

For the ice cream enthusiast who dreams of the perfect scoop

Zeroll Original Ice Cream Easy Scoop

This ice cream scoop is “the only ice cream scoop” that Jeni Britton Bauer, the creator of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, will even acknowledge. It’s designed to transfer heat from your hand to the spoon, making it easy to get the perfect scoop from even frozen-solid ice cream. (For bonus points, pair this with a pint or two of ice cream.)

For the college student looking to hack the perfect dorm-room grilled cheese

Nostalgia TCS2 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Toaster

Decidedly safer than trying to melt cheese with an iron.

For the home cook who puts cracked pepper on everything

Atlas Copper Pepper Mill

Give a pepper mill that makes a statement. According to writer Juliet Lapidos, this copper one looks like “a tool you’d find at an archaeological dig and — for just that reason — always attracts attention at dinner parties.”

For the 5-year-old who’s just learning their way in the kitchen

Curious Chef 3-Piece Nylon Knife Set

These nylon knives are designed for little foodies who are at least 4 years old, to help them learn basic knife skills while minimizing risk.

For the home cook who’d rather be making cocktails

Be Your Own Bartender: A Surefire Guide to Finding (and Making) Your Perfect Cocktail

Gin or whiskey? Easy-drinking or boozy? This cocktail book starts with a comprehensive flowchart to help them figure out exactly what they want to drink and how to make it.

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/3eOf2UO https://ift.tt/2Biovp0

Photo: Courtesy Retailer

From cookbook stands to kimchi containers, there’s literally something for everyone

For the home cook who has everything

ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide, 1100 Watts, All White

For the home cook who would rather use a cookbook

Photo: retailer

Yamazaki Home Tosca Cookbook Stand

A minimalist plywood cookbook-stand for those who still like reading recipes on paper — though it can also hold up a tablet.

For the home cook who’d like to throw more dinner parties

MYDrap Cotton Cocktail Napkins

For the home cook who wants only one pot

Dansk Kobenstyle White Casserole

For the home cook who’s not over avocados

Prepworks by Progressive Guacamole Bowl with Spoon

Let’s make avocado-ware the new lettuceware.

For the home cook who got really into celery juice

Breville Compact Juice Fountain 700-Watt Juice Extractor

For the home cook who watches The Great British Baking Show every Friday

Baking with Kim-Joy: Cute and Creative Bakes to Make You Smile

For the home cook who just got into bread-making

Banneton Bread Proofing Basket

For the home cook who loves to grill on the go

Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill

For the home cook who wants to make their own sauerkraut and kimchi

E-Jen Premium Kimchi, Sauerkraut Container Earthenware Brown 1.7L

For the home cook who’s also good at Instagram

Departo Large Plate

For the home cook trying to eat more greens

Prepworks by Progressive Collapsible Salad Spinner - 4 Quart

This collapsible salad spinner is a great gift for the recent college grad who’s got a small kitchen and big culinary ambitions.

For the home cook who’s a salt snob

Maldon Salt Bucket

For the home cook who loves leftovers

LunchBots Large Snack Tray Steel Lunch Container

This stainless-steel lunch box is meant for children, but it’s stylish enough to bring to the office (when you return to one, that is) and has enough room for a mini-buffet of leftovers.

For the home cook who identified with Antoni on Queer Eye

Philips Indoor Smoke-less Grill

Culinary expert Antoni Porowski gifted this smokeless, infrared indoor grill to two different guys over the course of two seasons, and you can now gift it, too.

For the home cook who’s trying to use fewer paper towels

Nawrap Binchotan Dishcloth

These dishcloths have odor- and bacteria-absorbing charcoal infused into their fibers, so they’ll last a little longer between washes.

For the home cook who’s trying to use less plastic

Bee’s Wrap Assorted, 3-Pack

These reusable food wraps are made by infusing cotton with beeswax, and they can be used over, and over, and over again — and once they’re finally done for good, they can be composted.

For the home cook who’s ready to compost

Brabantia Sort & Go Waste Bin

If they know that composting is a thing they should do but have always been turned off by ugly compost bins.

For the home cook who’s ready for fresh spaghetti

Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine

For the home cook who needs fresh herbs

Click and Grow The Smart Garden 3

This indoor vegetable-and-herb garden is self-watering and has a built-in grow light and pre-seeded plant pods to grow fresh cilantro, basil, and even chili peppers if the kitchen has no windows.

For the home cook who loves their knives

John Boos Chop-N-Slice Maple Wood Reversible Cutting Board

Cutting boards wear out over time, so any serious home cook will appreciate a brand-new, nice-looking cutting block that’ll protect their sharpened blades.

For the home cook who doesn’t have knives

Takiup Ceramic Knife Set

For the home cook who keeps accidentally slicing their fingers

Benriner BN1 Mandoline

For the home cook who’s channeling the 1970s

Home Intuition 3-Tier Hanging Basket Heavy Duty Wire

Especially if they read the Missoni Family Cookbook and now want to create a dreamy Italian kitchen of their own.

For the home cook who’s still using that slow cooker from the 1970s

Instant Pot 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker

You’ve heard about the Instant Pot even if you don’t cook. It steams, it pressure cooks, it makes yogurt, and it’s got over 36,000 reviews on Amazon, so it’s kind of a no-brainer.

For the home cook who got an Instant Pot last year

OXO Good Grips Pressure Cooker Bakeware Sling

For the home cook who’s already obsessed with a Vitamix

Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter

For the home cook who struggles to clean their cast-iron skillet

Blisstime Cast Iron Cleaner

This little square of chainmail will make removing crud and burnt bits from a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven a relatively quick and easy task.

For the at-home pit master who likes to grill on an open flame

Texsport Heavy-Duty Over-Fire Camp Grill - Extra Large

For the home baker with limited counter space

KitchenAid Artisan Mini Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, 3.5 quart

For the home cook who can taste the difference between Italian and Spanish olive oils

Nunez De Prado Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tin, 33.8 Ounce

A handsome tin of olive oil from Spain that has “hints of grassiness, almonds, and butter,” according to chef Jonathan Waxman.

For anyone who likes to read about food as much as they like to eat it

The Best American Food Writing 2019

An anthology of the best food essays from the past 12 months, including a deep dive into Japanese KitKats and the queer history of tapas, all edited by Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat’s Samin Nosrat.

For the ice cream enthusiast who dreams of the perfect scoop

Zeroll Original Ice Cream Easy Scoop

For the college student looking to hack the perfect dorm-room grilled cheese

Nostalgia TCS2 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Toaster

Decidedly safer than trying to melt cheese with an iron.

For the home cook who puts cracked pepper on everything

Atlas Copper Pepper Mill

For the 5-year-old who’s just learning their way in the kitchen

Curious Chef 3-Piece Nylon Knife Set

These nylon knives are designed for little foodies who are at least 4 years old, to help them learn basic knife skills while minimizing risk.

For the home cook who’d rather be making cocktails

Be Your Own Bartender: A Surefire Guide to Finding (and Making) Your Perfect Cocktail

Gin or whiskey? Easy-drinking or boozy? This cocktail book starts with a comprehensive flowchart to help them figure out exactly what they want to drink and how to make it.

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/3eOf2UO via Blogger https://ift.tt/2YNViuI

#Blogger #cooking #Eater #food #recipes

0 notes

safflowerseason · 5 years ago

Note

Letter, Spelling, and Hardcover.

Letter: Who is your character crush?

One of the first books I remember loving, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, in the fifth grade, had a character named Nathaniel Eaton, who had bright blue eyes and he was a sailor on his father’s ship. He was very dreamy and I still find him dreamy. Everyone should read The Witch of Blackbird Pond. The fact that it hasn’t been made into a movie astounds me.

(This book also basically taught me what shipping was, because we had to do an exercise where we wrote poems about a particular couple in the book…there are various potential pairings teased, and I remember our class had a very heated discussion about who was going to end up with who in the book. I haven’t looked back!)

In a non-romantic sense, some of my favorite literary characters include…

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Susan Baker (from the later books in the Anne of Green Gables series)

Frank Mackey (from the Dublin Murder Squad series)

Claudia Kincaid, from The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Spelling: If you could be put into any universe, which would it be?

I mean, obviously I would love to spend a few weeks at Hogwarts, mostly because I’d want to try all the different subjects to see which ones I’d be good and which ones I’d hate (I think I would be very good at Charms and would probably suck at Potions and Arithmancy). I would also want to try all the different kinds of food described. But I wouldn’t want to live there permanently. Too much drama.

More seriously, I would want to be transplanted to the Prince Edward Island universe of L.M. Montgomery. I’m sure, as a resident of the twenty-first century, I’d be crashingly bored for the first few weeks, but the way she describes all the settings in her book, so beautiful and wild and untouched…I just want to roam around the sand dunes and the woods and the moonlit hills the way Emily does.

Hardcover: Least favourite book and why?

Hmm…this is hard, because if I’m not enjoying a book, I usually don’t force myself to finish it, and then I end up forgetting I tried to read it in the first place. I really disliked The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. Every character in that novel was insufferable—self-sabotaging for no reason, navel-gazing to no end. I couldn’t make it through The Sound and the Fury. I really did not enjoy JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy...it was just so relentlessly bleak, for no real purpose. The Outlander series should have ended several books ago.

Oh wait, I also cannot stand anything by Philippa Gregory. The worst kind of historical fiction. This is partly because I love the Tudor period in British history and have done some work in that field, and I can’t stand the way Gregory reduces the political complexity of the era to sloppy what-ifs about Anne Boleyn’s sex life. NO.

If I had to rank the Harry Potter novels, I would rank The Prisoner of Azkaban last, but it seems like everyone I know says it’s their favorite! Someone explain this to me! (I love all the books, of course, but some of them are better than others.)

#bookish asks #ask away #bookish asks are almost as much fun as writing asks #safflower reads

0 notes

zipperdry57-blog · 5 years ago

Text

Three Days in Charleston

Travel

by Jenn P. | on April 3rd, 2018 |

When Vinny asked me what I wanted for Christmas last year, I replied “nothing”. Then I said, “Wait. I take that back. I want you to plan a weekend away together” because I am wise and all-knowing and pretty much always itching to get out of town if time and finances allow. On Christmas morning I opened an envelope with an itinerary he created– a few nights each in Charleston and Savannah, with print-outs of the most expensive hotels in each city because Christmas mornings are for wildest dreams and looming debt. We delayed booking until we filled our vacant apartment, but once we did, we hopped online and decided to go away for our 15th anniversary. We didn’t end up staying in the pricy, dreamy places he’d originally picked out, but that’s okay because Charleston and Savannah are pretty dreamy on their own.

WHERE WE STAYED:

The Ashley Inn: We stayed in room 5 of this cute pink bed and breakfast very conveniently located in downtown Charleston. We booked it last minute on bedandbreakfast.com, and were very pleasantly surprised by its location and the fact that it lead out to a slightly more private section of the home’s wrap-around porch.

PROS: Clutch location! Around the corner is one of Charleston’s best breakfast spots (The Hominy Grill) and just past that are two really great restaurants– Xiao Bao Biscuit (I’ll circle back to this!) and R’s Kitchen, which we wish we could have tried. The b&b is about a 10-15 minute walk to King Street, which is the main shopping/restaurant row in town. Also, I gotta give props to that four-poster bed. It’s rare that I sleep so comfortably when I’m not in my own home.

CONS: B&B purists will be none too thrilled at the check-in process. No one greeted us, and we never met an innkeeper. Rather, our keys were obtained from an envelope in a property down the street. Breakfast was also served down the street, but I never ended up going for it since Charleston is known for its food! But the biggest drawback (and it’s a big one frankly)… there was no coffee in the building! Not one sweet, sweet drop! Who could live like this? Seriously, this place needs to set up a keurig or something in the main area, because that’s just bad hosting, in my opinion. On the brighter side, the lack of in-house brew forced us to get up early and beat the crowds for breakfast:). Another thing to know before booking is that the hotel is a few blocks from the medical center and we heard emergency helicopters hovering overhead a few nights which scared the shit out of me until I realized what was going on.

NEARBY: The Hominy Grill, R’s Kitchen, Xiao Bao Biscuit, Sugar Cupcakes, Candy Shop Vintage, King Street

HOW WE GOT AROUND: By foot! If you stay downtown there’s really no need to rent a car. If we weren’t able to walk, ubers were plentiful and inexpensive and every single driver was so sweet and friendly we couldn’t get over it. Charleston is a super quick flight from NYC (I think it was less than 2 hours!) and a great weekend destination for people on the East Coast. We went in March, which was perfect timing since we’re about at the end of our ropes with winter weather.

WHAT TO DO:

Our intention in heading down to Charleston and Savannah wasn’t to “do” much, but to stroll, soak up a little spring sunshine and eat until our top buttons cried uncle. We met all these goals. We didn’t really do that much in Charleston except wander around and explore, punctuated by feedings. Downtown Charleston is super walkable, and there are a million guides on the internet to lead you toward the most popular areas to walk around in. South of Broad, Rainbow Row, the Battery, King Street, down by the water. It’s all very photogenic, clean and charming. That’s what we did the first day and a half– walked around, dipped into little stores, ate.

We also visited a plantation in nearby Mt. Pleasant, and I certainly would recommend that as well. There are a few to choose in the area; we chose the one that offered the most insights into what life was like for the slaves on the plantations. Boone Hall Plantation is the only plantation in the S.C. Low country to present a live presentation of the Gullah culture adapted by African slaves and they have eight former slave cabins you can walk through to learn more about the conditions for slaves on the plantation. (and yes… I suppose some people will choose this one over others because The Notebook was filmed here).

MOST IMPORTANTLY…WHAT WE ATE

Poogan’s Porch– Recommended!

We tried: Country Fried chicken with gravy and mashed potatoes (very much like the Chicken Fried Chicken I grew up eating in TX), Lump Crabcakes with creamed corn (super generous with the crab, but they could have punched up the flavor a bit), pimento cheese fritters with green tomato jam (the real MVP), and she-crab soup–very tasty but realllllly heavy. This soup is basically on every Charleston menu, but this was the only time we tried it so it’s hard to say whose is best. Very good food, super charming atmosphere, lovely service, a little on the pricier side. Oh yeah… great cocktails too!

Hominy Grill– Highly Recommended!

We tried: Bread Pudding French Toast with Bourbon Caramel Sauce (as good as it sounds) and their classic Shrimp and Grits with scallions, bacon and mushrooms over cheese grits (like heaven, but seriously). I just loved this place, and it was literally a five-minute walk from our inn, which was perfect to beat the morning crowds. On our second visit, I had the grits bowl topped with mushrooms and leeks (and side order of bacon I got to crumble on top:), and Vin got smothered eggs over biscuits. Fantastic and inexpensive. Get there early for breakfast because it gets totally packed, but there’s lots of good reasons why. I wish this place was in my neighborhood.

Sugar Bakeshop- Recommended (pop in if you’re already walking toward King Street)

We tried the Lemon Curd and the Raspberry. Small, light, lovely little place. Definitely worth a stop if you’re already in the area but I wouldn’t necessarily go out of the way unless you’re a total cupcake fiend (I’m not. I’m more of an ice cream gal).

Fleet Landing- Recommended, especially for atmosphere

We tried: Fried Green Tomato Stack layered with tarragon crab salad (for $8.99, this is an amazing deal and it was delicious!), Lump Crab Cake Sandwich with Red Pepper Remoulade (we’re used to paying through the nose for any dish whispering the word “crab” in NYC, so we ordered crab at almost every restaurant in Charleston!), the fish special which was served with a tomato relish, black-eyed peas and Charleston red rice (twas just ok). Great spot downtown, very popular and super nice if you’re looking to eat outside by the water. Not my favorite meal of the trip, but did the job.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Highly Recommended!

I’m an ice cream gal, and this place is indeed splendid. If you’re ever in a town that has a Jeni’s shop, you must pop in to sample their excellent flavors made from premium ingredients. Top billing goes to Wildberry Lavender and Brown Butter Almond Brittle.

Xiao Bao Biscuit Very Highly Recommended!

All the in-the-know gals who travel to Charleston (thanks Victoria!) rave about this place and for good reason– it’s incredible! On the website, it’s described as “Asian Soul Food - Select dishes from China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam prepared locally & inspired by kick-ass grandmothers everywhere. ” We tried the popular cabbage pancake topped with bacon, an octopus tail and a crazy beautiful spicy salad (the menu has already changed for the season and I can’t remember what any of the dishes are called). But trust me, when you need a quick break from heavy home cooking, this place really hits the spot! Charleston truly is a foodie’s paradise, and not just for Southern cuisine.

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit Very Highly Recommended!

Line up early because this place is small, popular and fantastic! Vin had a breakfast sandwich on a biscuit (which was bomb) and I just tried two little guys (cheese & chive, which was really good and Black Pepper & bacon which was utterly mind-blowing). On King Street, so if you’re already shopping around, pop in! This one qualifies as an absolute “don’t miss”.

Circa 1886 - Very highly recommended (for a splurge). We went to Husk in Savannah, and I have to imagine this place beats Husk- Charleston. If you’re looking for a romantic and special meal for your trip, this is the spot! The restaurant is in the carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion (one of the fancy printouts Vin made on Christmas morning) and serves some really exceptional high-end Southern cuisine.

We tried:

Appetizers: BUTTERMILK FRIED ARTICHOKE HEART with Parsnip Puree, Tomato Marmalade, Black Truffle Pesto, Basil, Baby Spinach, Prosciutto (good, but not as awesome as it sounds)

NIMAN RANCH PORK CHEEK with Spaghetti Squash, Pickled Green Apple, Crispy Kale, Herb de Provence Glacé (very very good, very tiny)

Main Courses: COFFEE BRINED ANTELOPE with Sorghum Sweet Potato Mousseline, Braised Greens, Pineapple Relish, Shishito Peppers, Coconut Crema (Amazing!!! So many flavors– everything was covered)

BENNE CRUSTED DUCK BREAST with White Peach Grits, Broccoli, Carmelized Shallots, Sour Vanilla Tea Demi Glacé (I will dream about white peach grits for a very long time–such a subtle flavor that worked perfectly with everything else on the plate. Really fantastic!)

Dessert: CHOCOLATE BENNÉ CAKE Jivara Mascarpone, Ganache, Benné Butter, Lace Cookie

This was the best dessert I’ve ever had. The chocolate was practically unsweetened and the benne seeds (which are popular in the Carolinas, and are basically sesame seeds with a more toasted flavor) added lots of texture and crunch. My life’s mission is to recreate it. Plus, how pretty is this thing??

What we Missed: Husk, FIG, Jestine’s, R Kitchen, Leon’s Oyster Shop ( I hear the fried chicken sandwich is spectacular and I’m still sad I missed it!).

Jenn P.

30-something psychotherapist. Loves cooking, hosting parties, exploring new places. Texan by birth. New Yorker by choice. Likes to tell little stories. Pull up a chair; I'll tell you one.

Source: http://muchtomydelight.com/2018/04/three-days-in-charleston.html

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readbookywooks · 8 years ago

Text

Bagman and Crouch

Harry disentangled himself from Ron and got to his feet. They had arrived on what appeared to be a deserted stretch of misty moor. In front of them was a pair of tired and grumpy-looking wizards, one of whom was holding a large gold watch, the other a thick roll of parchment and a quill. Both were dressed as Muggles, though very inexpertly: The man with the watch wore a tweed suit with thigh-length galoshes; his colleague, a kilt and a poncho. "Morning, Basil," said Mr. Weasley, picking up the boot and handing it to the kilted wizard, who threw it into a large box of used Portkeys beside him; Harry could see an old newspaper, an empty drinks can, and a punctured football. "Hello there, Arthur," said Basil wearily. "Not on duty, eh? It's all right for some....We've been here all night....You'd better get out of the way, we've got a big party coming in from the Black Forest at five fifteen. Hang on, I'll find your campsite....Weasley...Weasley...." He consulted his parchment list. "About a quarter of a mile's walk over there, first field you come to. Site manager's called Mr. Roberts. Diggory...second field...ask for Mr. Payne." "Thanks, Basil," said Mr. Weasley, and he beckoned everyone to follow him. They set off across the deserted moor, unable to make out much through the mist. After about twenty minutes, a small stone cottage next to a gate swam into view. Beyond it, Harry could just make out the ghostly shapes of hundreds and hundreds of tents, rising up the gentle slope of a large field toward a dark wood on the horizon. They said good-bye to the Diggory's and approached the cottage door. A man was standing in the doorway, looking out at the tents. Harry knew at a glance that this was the only real Muggle for several acres. When he heard their footsteps, he turned his head to look at them. "Morning!" said Mr. Weasley brightly. "Morning," said the Muggle. "Would you be Mr. Roberts?" "Aye, I would," said Mr. Roberts. "And who're you?" "Weasley - two tents, booked a couple of days ago?" "Aye," said Mr. Roberts, consulting a list tacked to the door. "You've got a space up by the wood there. Just the one night?" "That's it," said Mr. Weasley. "You'll be paying now, then?" said Mr. Roberts. "Ah - right - certainly -" said Mr. Weasley. He retreated a short distance from the cottage and beckoned Harry toward him. "Help me, Harry," he muttered, pulling a roll of Muggle money from his pocket and starting to peel the notes apart. "This one's a - a - a ten? Ah yes, I see the little number on it now...So this is a five?" "A twenty," Harry corrected him in an undertone, uncomfortably aware of Mr. Roberts trying to catch every word. "Ah yes, so it is....I don't know, these little bits of paper..." "You foreign?" said Mr. Roberts as Mr. Weasley returned with the correct notes. "Foreign?" repeated Mr. Weasley, puzzled. "You're not the first one who's had trouble with money," said Mr. Roberts, scrutinizing Mr. Weasley closely. "I had two try and pay me with great gold coins the size of hubcaps ten minutes ago." "Did you really?" said Mr. Weasley nervously. Mr. Roberts rummaged around in a tin for some change. "Never been this crowded," he said suddenly, looking out over the misty field again. "Hundreds of pre-bookings. People usually just turn up...." "Is that right?" said Mr. Weasley, his hand held out for his change, but Mr. Roberts didn't give it to him. "Aye," he said thoughtfully. "People from all over. Loads of foreigners. And not just foreigners. Weirdos, you know? There's a bloke walking 'round in a kilt and a poncho." "Shouldn't he?" said Mr. Weasley anxiously. "It's like some sort of...I dunno...like some sort of rally," said Mr. Roberts. "They all seem to know each other. Like a big party." At that moment, a wizard in plus-fours appeared out of thin air next to Mr. Roberts's front door. "Obliviate!" he said sharply, pointing his wand at Mr. Roberts. Instantly, Mr. Roberts's eyes slid out of focus, his brows unknitted, and a took of dreamy unconcern fell over his face. Harry recognized the symptoms of one who had just had his memory modified. "A map of the campsite for you," Mr. Roberts said placidly to Mr. Weasley. "And your change." "Thanks very much," said Mr. Weasley. The wizard in plus-fours accompanied them toward the gate to the campsite. He looked exhausted: His chin was blue with stubble and there were deep purple shadows under his eyes. Once out of earshot of Mr. Roberts, he muttered to Mr. Weasley, "Been having a lot of trouble with him. Needs a Memory Charm ten times a day to keep him happy. And Ludo Bagman's not helping. Trotting around talking about Bludgers and Quaffles at the top of his voice, not a worry about anti-Muggle security Blimey, I'll be glad when this is over. See you later, Arthur." He Disapparated. "I thought Mr. Bagman was Head of Magical Games and Sports," said Ginny, looking surprised. "He should know better than to talk about Bludgers near Muggles, shouldn't he?" "He should," said Mr. Weasley, smiling, and leading them through the gates into the campsite, "but Ludo's always been a bit...well...lax about security. You couldn't wish for a more enthusiastic head of the sports department though. He played Quidditch for England himself, you know. And he was the best Beater the Wimbourne Wasps ever had." They trudged up the misty field between long rows of tents. Most looked almost ordinary; their owners had clearly tried to make them as Muggle-like as possible, but had slipped up by adding chimneys, or bellpulls, or weather vanes. However, here and there was a tent so obviously magical that Harry could hardly be surprised that Mr. Roberts was getting suspicious. Halfway up the field stood an extravagant confection of striped silk like a miniature palace, with several live peacocks tethered at the entrance. A little farther on they passed a tent that had three floors and several turrets; and a short way beyond that was a tent that had a front garden attached, complete with birdbath, sundial, and fountain. "Always the same," said Mr. Weasley, smiling. "We can't resist showing off when we get together. Ah, here we are, look, this is us." They had reached the very edge of the wood at the top of the field, and here was an empty space, with a small sign hammered into the ground that read WEEZLY. "Couldn't have a better spot!" said Mr. Weasley happily. "The field is just on the other side of the wood there, we're as close as we could be." He hoisted his backpack from his shoulders. "Right," he said excitedly, "no magic allowed, strictly speaking, not when we're out in these numbers on Muggle land. We'll be putting these tents up by hand! Shouldn't be too difficult....Muggles do it all the time....Here, Harry, where do you reckon we should start?" Harry had never been camping in his life; the Dursleys had never taken him on any kind of holiday, preferring to leave him with Mrs. Figg, an old neighbor. However, he and Hermione worked out where most of the poles and pegs should go, and though Mr. Weasley was more of a hindrance than a help, because he got thoroughly overexcited when it came to using the mallet, they finally managed to erect a pair of shabby two-man tents. All of them stood back to admire their handiwork. Nobody looking at these tents would guess they belonged to wizards, Harry thought, but the trouble was that once Bill, Charlie, and Percy arrived, they would be a party of ten. Hermione seemed to have spotted this problem too; she gave Harry a quizzical look as Mr. Weasley dropped to his hands and knees and entered the first tent. "We'll be a bit cramped," he called, "but I think we'll all squeeze in. Come and have a look." Harry bent down, ducked under the tent flap, and felt his jaw drop. He had walked into what looked like an old-fashioned, three room flat, complete with bathroom and kitchen. Oddly enough, it was furnished in exactly the same sort of style as Mrs. Figg's house: There were crocheted covers on the mismatched chairs and a strong smell of cats. "Well, it's not for long," said Mr. Weasley, mopping his bald patch with a handkerchief and peering in at the four bunk beds that stood in the bedroom. I borrowed this from Perkins at the office. Doesn't camp much anymore, poor fellow, he's got lumbago." He picked up the dusty kettle and peered inside it. "We'll need water...." "There's a tap marked on this map the Muggle gave us," said Ron, who had followed Harry inside the tent and seemed completely unimpressed by its extraordinary inner proportions. "It's on the other side of the field." "Well, why don't you, Harry, and Hermione go and get us some water then -" Mr. Weasley handed over the kettle and a couple of saucepans "- and the rest of us will get some wood for a fire?" "But we've got an oven," said Ron. "Why can't we just -" "Ron, anti-Muggle security!" said Mr. Weasley, his face shining with anticipation. "When real Muggles camp, they cook on fires outdoors. I've seen them at it!" After a quick tour of the girls' tent, which was slightly smaller than the boys', though without the smell of cats, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off across the campsite with the kettle and saucepans. Now, with the sun newly risen and the mist lifting, they could see the city of tents that stretched in every direction. They made their way slowly through the rows, staring eagerly around. It was only just dawning on Harry how many witches and wizards there must be in the world; he had never really thought much about those in other countries. Their fellow campers were starting to wake up. First to stir were the families with small children; Harry had never seen witches and wizards this young before. A tiny boy no older than two was crouched outside a large pyramid-shaped tent, holding a wand and poking happily at a slug in the grass, which was swelling slowly to the size of a salami. As they drew level with him, his mother came hurrying out of the tent. "How many times, Kevin? You don't - touch - Daddy's - wand - yecchh!" She had trodden on the giant slug, which burst. Her scolding carried after them on the still air, mingling with the little boy's yells "You bust slug! You bust slug!" A short way farther on, they saw two little witches, barely older than Kevin, who were riding toy broomsticks that rose only high enough for the girls' toes to skim the dewy grass. A Ministry wizard had already spotted them; as he hurried past Harry, Ron, and Hermione he muttered distractedly, "In broad daylight! Parents having a lie-in, I suppose -" Here and there adult wizards and witches were emerging from their tents and starting to cook breakfast. Some, with furtive looks around them, conjured fires with their wands; others were striking matches with dubious looks on their faces, as though sure this couldn't work. Three African wizards sat in serious conversation, all of them wearing long white robes and roasting what looked like a rabbit on a bright purple fire, while a group of middle-aged American witches sat gossiping happily beneath a spangled banner stretched between their tents that read: THE SALEM WITCHES' INSTITUTE. Harry caught snatches of conversation in strange languages from the inside of tents they passed, and though he couldn't understand a word, the tone of every single voice was excited. "Er - is it my eyes, or has everything gone green?" said Ron. It wasn't just Ron's eyes. They had walked into a patch of tents that were all covered with a thick growth of shamrocks, so that it looked as though small, oddly shaped hillocks had sprouted out of the earth. Grinning faces could be seen under those that had their flaps open. Then, from behind them, they heard their names. "Harry! Ron! Hermione!" It was Seamus Finnigan, their fellow Gryffindor fourth year. He was sitting in front of his own shamrock-covered tent, with a sandy-haired woman who had to be his mother, and his best friend, Dean Thomas, also of Gryffindor. "Like the decorations?" said Seamus, grinning. "The Ministry's not too happy." "Ah, why shouldn't we show our colors?" said Mrs. Finnigan. "You should see what the Bulgarians have got dangling all over their tents. You'll be supporting Ireland, of course?" she added, eyeing Harry, Ron, and Hermione beadily. When they had assured her that they were indeed supporting Ireland, they set off again, though, as Ron said, "Like we'd say anything else surrounded by that lot." "I wonder what the Bulgarians have got dangling all over their tents?" said Hermione. "Let's go and have a look," said Harry, pointing to a large patch of tents upfield, where the Bulgarian flag - white, green, and red - was fluttering in the breeze. The tents here had not been bedecked with plant life, but each and every one of them had the same poster attached to it, a poster of a very surly face with heavy black eyebrows. The picture was, of course, moving, but all it did was blink and scowl. "Krum," said Ron quietly. "What?" said Hermione. "Krum!" said Ron. "Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Seeker!" "He looks really grumpy," said Hermione, looking around at the many Krum's blinking and scowling at them. "'Really grumpy?" Ron raised his eyes to the heavens. "Who cares what he looks like? He's unbelievable. He's really young too. Only just eighteen or something. He's a genius, you wait until tonight, you'll see." There was already a small queue for the tap in the corner of the field. Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined it, right behind a pair of men who were having a heated argument. One of them was a very old wizard who was wearing a long flowery nightgown. The other was clearly a Ministry wizard; he was holding out a pair of pinstriped trousers and almost crying with exasperation. "Just put them on, Archie, there's a good chap. You can't walk around like that, the Muggle at the gate's already getting suspicious -" "I bought this in a Muggle shop," said the old wizard stubbornly. "Muggles wear them." "Muggle women wear them, Archie, not the men, they wear these," said the Ministry wizard, and he brandished the pinstriped trousers. "I'm not putting them on," said old Archie in indignation. "I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks." Hermione was overcome with such a strong fit of the giggles at this point that she had to duck out of the queue and only returned when Archie had collected his water and moved away. Walking more slowly now, because of the weight of the water, they made their way back through the campsite. Here and there, they saw more familiar faces: other Hogwarts students with their families. Oliver Wood, the old captain of Harry's House Quidditch team, who had just left Hogwarts, dragged Harry over to his parents' tent to introduce him, and told him excitedly that he had just been signed to the Puddlemere United reserve team. Next they were hailed by Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff fourth year, and a little farther on they saw Cho Chang, a very pretty girl who played Seeker on the Ravenclaw team. She waved and smiled at Harry, who slopped quite a lot of water down his front as he waved back. More to stop Ron from smirking than anything, Harry hurriedly pointed out a large group of teenagers whom he had never seen before. "Who d'you reckon they are?" he said. "They don't go to Hogwarts, do they?" "'Spect they go to some foreign school," said Ron. "I know there are others. Never met anyone who went to one, though. Bill had a penfriend at a school in Brazil...this was years and years ago...and he wanted to go on an exchange trip but Mum and Dad couldn't afford it. His penfriend got all offended when he said he wasn't going and sent him a cursed hat. It made his ears shrivel up." Harry laughed but didn't voice the amazement he felt at hearing about other wizarding schools. He supposed, now that he saw representatives of so many nationalities in the campsite, that he had been stupid never to realize that Hogwarts couldn't be the only one. He glanced at Hermione, who looked utterly unsurprised by the information. No doubt she had run across the news about other wizarding schools in some book or other. "You've been ages," said George when they finally got back to the Weasleys' tents. "Met a few people," said Ron, setting the water down. "You've not got that fire started yet?" "Dad's having fun with the matches," said Fred. Mr. Weasley was having no success at all in lighting the fire, but it wasn't for lack of trying. Splintered matches littered the ground around him, but he looked as though he was having the time of his life. "Oops!" he said as he managed to light a match and promptly dropped it in surprise. "Come here, Mr. Weasley," said Hermione kindly, taking the box from him, and showing him how to do it properly. At last they got the fire lit, though it was at least another hour before it was hot enough to cook anything. There was plenty to watch while they waited, however. Their tent seemed to be pitched right alongside a kind of thoroughfare to the field, and Ministry members kept hurrying up and down it, greeting Mr. Weasley cordially as they passed. Mr. Weasley kept up a running commentary, mainly for Harry's and Hermione's benefit; his own children knew too much about the Ministry to be greatly interested. "That was Cuthbert Mockridge, Head of the Goblin Liaison Office....Here comes Gilbert Wimple; he's with the Committee on Experimental Charms; he's had those horns for a while now...Hello, Arnie...Arnold Peasegood, he's an Obliviator - member of the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, you know...and that's Bode and Croaker...they're Unspeakables...." "They're what?" "From the Department of Mysteries, top secret, no idea what they get up to...." At last, the fire was ready, and they had just started cooking eggs and sausages when Bill, Charlie, and Percy came strolling out of the woods toward them. "Just Apparated, Dad," said Percy loudly. "Ah, excellent, lunch!" They were halfway through their plates of eggs and sausages when Mr. Weasley jumped to his feet, waving and grinning at a man who was striding toward them. "Aha!" he said. "The man of the moment! Ludo!" Ludo Bagman was easily the most noticeable person Harry had seen so far, even including old Archie in his flowered nightdress. He was wearing long Quidditch robes in thick horizontal stripes of bright yellow and black. An enormous picture of a wasp was splashed across his chest. He had the look of a powerfully built man gone slightly to seed; the robes were stretched tightly across a large belly he surely had not had in the days when he had played Quidditch for England. His nose was squashed (probably broken by a stray Bludger, Harry thought), but his round blue eyes, short blond hair, and rosy complexion made him look like a very overgrown schoolboy. "Ahoy there!" Bagman called happily. He was walking as though he had springs attached to the balls of his feet and was plainly in a state of wild excitement. "Arthur, old man," he puffed as he reached the campfire, "what a day, eh? What a day! Could we have asked for more perfect weather? A cloudless night coming...and hardly a hiccough in the arrangements....Not much for me to do!" Behind him, a group of haggard-looking Ministry wizards rushed past, pointing at the distant evidence of some sort of a magical fire that was sending violet sparks twenty feet into the air. Percy hurried forward with his hand outstretched. Apparently his disapproval of the way Ludo Bagman ran his department did not prevent him from wanting to make a good impression. "Ah - yes," said Mr. Weasley, grinning, "this is my son Percy. He's just started at the Ministry - and this is Fred - no, George, sorry - that's Fred - Bill, Charlie, Ron - my daughter, Ginny and Ron's friends, Hermione Granger and Harry Potter." Bagman did the smallest of double takes when he heard Harry's name, and his eyes performed the familiar flick upward to the scar on Harry's forehead. "Everyone," Mr. Weasley continued, "this is Ludo Bagman, you know who he is, it's thanks to him we've got such good tickets -" Bagman beamed and waved his hand as if to say it had been nothing. "Fancy a flutter on the match, Arthur?" he said eagerly, jingling what seemed to be a large amount of gold in the pockets of his yellow-and-black robes. "I've already got Roddy Pontner betting me Bulgaria will score first - I offered him nice odds, considering Ireland's front three are the strongest I've seen in years - and little Agatha Timms has put up half shares in her eel farm on a weeklong match." "Oh...go on then," said Mr. Weasley. "Let's see...a Galleon on Ireland to win?" "A Galleon?" Ludo Bagman looked slightly disappointed, but recovered himself. "Very well, very well...any other takers?" "They're a bit young to be gambling," said Mr. Weasley. "Molly wouldn't like -" "We'll bet thirty-seven Galleons, fifteen Sickles, three Knuts," said Fred as he and George quickly pooled all their money, "that Ireland wins - but Viktor Krum gets the Snitch. Oh and we'll throw in a fake wand." "You don't want to go showing Mr. Bagman rubbish like that," Percy hissed, but Bagman didn't seem to think the wand was rubbish at all; on the contrary, his boyish face shone with excitement as he took it from Fred, and when the wand gave a loud squawk and turned into a rubber chicken, Bagman roared with laughter. "Excellent! I haven't seen one that convincing in years! I'd pay five Galleons for that!" Percy froze in an attitude of stunned disapproval. "Boys," said Mr. Weasley under his breath, "I don't want you betting....That's all your savings....Your mother -" "Don't be a spoilsport, Arthur!" boomed Ludo Bagman, rattling his pockets excitedly. "They're old enough to know what they want! You reckon Ireland will win but Krum'll get the Snitch? Not a chance, boys, not a chance....I'll give you excellent odds on that one....We'll add five Galleons for the funny wand, then, shall we...." Mr. Weasley looked on helplessly as Ludo Bagman whipped out a notebook and quill and began jotting down the twins' names. "Cheers," said George, taking the slip of parchment Bagman handed him and tucking it away into the front of his robes. Bagman turned most cheerfully back to Mr. Weasley. "Couldn't do me a brew, I suppose? I'm keeping an eye out for Barty Crouch. My Bulgarian opposite number's making difficulties, and I can't understand a word he's saying. Barty'll be able to sort it out. He speaks about a hundred and fifty languages." "Mr. Crouch?" said Percy, suddenly abandoning his look of poker-stiff disapproval and positively writhing with excitement. "He speaks over two hundred! Mermish and Gobbledegook and Troll...." "Anyone can speak Troll," said Fred dismissively. "All you have to do is point and grunt." Percy threw Fred an extremely nasty look and stoked the fire vigorously to bring the kettle back to the boil. "Any news of Bertha Jorkins yet, Ludo?" Mr. Weasley asked as Bagman settled himself down on the grass beside them all. "Not a dicky bird," said Bagman comfortably. "But she'll turn up. Poor old Bertha...memory like a leaky cauldron and no sense of direction. Lost, you take my word for it. She'll wander back into the office sometime in October, thinking it's still July." "You don't think it might be time to send someone to look for her?" Mr. Weasley suggested tentatively as Percy handed Bagman his tea. "Barty Crouch keeps saying that," said Bagman, his round eyes widening innocently, "but we really can't spare anyone at the moment. Oh - talk of the devil! Barty!" A wizard had just Apparated at their fireside, and he could not have made more of a contrast with Ludo Bagman, sprawled on the grass in his old Wasp robes. Barty Crouch was a stiff, upright, elderly man, dressed in an impeccably crisp suit and tie. The parting in his short gray hair was almost unnaturally straight, and his narrow toothbrush mustache looked as though he trimmed it using a slide rule. His shoes were very highly polished. Harry could see at once why Percy idolized him. Percy was a great believer in rigidly following rules, and Mr. Crouch had complied with the rule about Muggle dressing so thoroughly that he could have passed for a bank manager; Harry doubted even Uncle Vernon would have spotted him for what he really was. "Pull up a bit of grass, Barry," said Ludo brightly, patting the ground beside him. "No thank you, Ludo," said Crouch, and there was a bite of impatience in his voice. "I've been looking for you everywhere. The Bulgarians are insisting we add another twelve seats to the Top Box." "Oh is that what they're after?" said Bagman. I thought the chap was asking to borrow a pair of tweezers. Bit of a strong accent." "Mr. Crouch!" said Percy breathlessly, sunk into a kind of halfbow that made him look like a hunchback. "Would you like a cup of tea?" "Oh," said Mr. Crouch, looking over at Percy in mild surprise. "Yes - thank you, Weatherby." Fred and George choked into their own cups. Percy, very pink around the ears, busied himself with the kettle. "Oh and I've been wanting a word with you too, Arthur," said Mr. Crouch, his sharp eyes falling upon Mr. Weasley. "Ali Bashir's on the warpath. He wants a word with you about your embargo on flying carpets." Mr. Weasley heaved a deep sigh. "I sent him an owl about that just last week. If I've told him once I've told him a hundred times: Carpets are defined as a Muggle Artifact by the Registry of Proscribed Charmable Objects, but will he listen?" "I doubt it," said Mr. Crouch, accepting a cup from Percy. "He's desperate to export here." "Well, they'll never replace brooms in Britain, will they?" said Bagman. "Ali thinks there's a niche in the market for a family vehicle, said Mr. Crouch. "I remember my grandfather had an Axminster that could seat twelve - but that was before carpets were banned, of course." He spoke as though he wanted to leave nobody in any doubt that all his ancestors had abided strictly by the law. "So, been keeping busy, Barty?" said Bagman breezily. "Fairly," said Mr. Crouch dryly. "Organizing Portkeys across five continents is no mean feat, Ludo." "I expect you'll both be glad when this is over?" said Mr. Weasley. Ludo Bagman looked shocked. "Glad! Don't know when I've had more fun....Still, it's not as though we haven't got anything to took forward to, eh, Barty? Eh? Plenty left to organize, eh?" Mr. Crouch raised his eyebrows at Bagman. "We agreed not to make the announcement until all the details -" "Oh details!" said Bagman, waving the word away like a cloud of midges. "They've signed, haven't they? They've agreed, haven't they? I bet you anything these kids'll know soon enough anyway. I mean, it's happening at Hogwarts -" "Ludo, we need to meet the Bulgarians, you know," said Mr. Crouch sharply, cutting Bagman's remarks short. "Thank you for the tea, Weatherby." He pushed his undrunk tea back at Percy and waited for Ludo to rise; Bagman struggled to his feet, swigging down the last of his tea, the gold in his pockets chinking merrily. "See you all later!" he said. "You'll be up in the Top Box with me - I'm commentating!" He waved, Barty Crouch nodded curtly, and both of them Disapparated. "What's happening at Hogwarts, Dad?" said Fred at once. "What were they talking about?" "You'll find out soon enough," said Mr.Weasley, smiling. "It's classified information, until such time as the Ministry decides to release it," said Percy stiffly. "Mr. Crouch was quite right not to disclose it." "Oh shut up, Weatherby," said Fred. A sense of excitement rose like a palpable cloud over the campsite as the afternoon wore on. By dusk, the still summer air itself seemed to be quivering with anticipation, and as darkness spread like a curtain over the thousands of waiting wizards, the last vestiges of pretence disappeared: the Ministry seemed to have bowed to the inevitable and stopped fighting the signs of blatant magic now breaking out everywhere. Salesmen were Apparating every few feet, carrying trays and pushing carts full of extraordinary merchandise. There were luminous rosettes - green for Ireland, red for Bulgaria - which were squealing the names of the players, pointed green hats bedecked with dancing shamrocks, Bulgarian scarves adorned with lions that really roared, flags from both countries that played their national anthems as they were waved; there were tiny models of Firebolts that really flew, and collectible figures of famous players, which strolled across the palm of your hand, preening themselves. "Been saving my pocket money all summer for this," Ron told Harry as they and Hermione strolled through the salesmen, buying souvenirs. Though Ron purchased a dancing shamrock hat and a large green rosette, he also bought a small figure of Viktor Krum, the Bulgarian Seeker. The miniature Krum walked backward and forward over Ron's hand, scowling up at the green rosette above him. "Wow, look at these!" said Harry, hurrying over to a cart piled high with what looked like brass binoculars, except that they were covered with all sorts of weird knobs and dials. "Omnioculars," said the saleswizard eagerly. "You can replay action...slow everything down...and they flash up a play-by-play breakdown if you need it. Bargain - ten Galleons each." "Wish I hadn't bought this now," said Ron, gesturing at his dancing shamrock hat and gazing longingly at the Omnioculars. "Three pairs," said Harry firmly to the wizard. "No - don't bother," said Ron, going red. He was always touchy about the fact that Harry, who had inherited a small fortune from his parents, had much more money than he did. "You won't be getting anything for Christmas," Harry told him, thrusting Omnioculars into his and Hermione's hands. "For about ten years, mind." "Fair enough," said Ron, grinning. "Oooh, thanks, Harry," said Hermione. "And I'll get us some programs, look -" Their money bags considerably lighter, they went back to the tents. Bill, Charlie, and Ginny were all sporting green rosettes too, and Mr. Weasley was carrying an Irish flag. Fred and George had no souvenirs as they had given Bagman all their gold. And then a deep, booming gong sounded somewhere beyond the woods, and at once, green and red lanterns blazed into life in the trees, lighting a path to the field. "It's time!" said Mr. Weasley, looking as excited as any of them. "Come on, let's go!"

#GobletofFire #HarryPotter

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easyfoodnetwork · 4 years ago

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Photo: Courtesy Retailer From cookbook stands to kimchi containers, there’s literally something for everyone When you’re trying to come up with gift ideas for someone who likes to cook, you want to find something that’s both personal and practical. But finding a gift for a home cook that strikes that balance can be hard, especially if you’re the kind of person whose fridge is filled with takeout containers. That’s why we’ve gathered 37 of the best gifts for every type of home cook in your life — from the newbie who just wants to make a good grilled cheese to the home cook who has it all. For the home cook who has everything ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide, 1100 Watts, All White They might not think they need a sous vide machine, but that’s exactly what makes it a great gift for an experienced chef, who can use it to make always-tender steaks, never-overcooked fish, and even soft-scrambled eggs. For the home cook who would rather use a cookbook Photo: retailer Yamazaki Home Tosca Cookbook Stand A minimalist plywood cookbook-stand for those who still like reading recipes on paper — though it can also hold up a tablet. For the home cook who’d like to throw more dinner parties MYDrap Cotton Cocktail Napkins We were introduced to these tear-off linen napkins by Tonne Goodman, who discovered them at a boutique in Paris. “Instead of having a stack of napkins that needs to be spread out in an attractive fashion and then wrestled with to gingerly pick just one, you just simply tear each napkin off,” she writes. For the home cook who wants only one pot Dansk Kobenstyle White Casserole This Dutch oven from Dansk has a mid-century design that’s easy to cook with but still looks good on the dinner table. It’s made of carbon steel, so it’s lighter than cast-iron Dutch ovens but it’s still sturdy enough to sear, braise, sauté, and bake anything you want. For the home cook who’s not over avocados Prepworks by Progressive Guacamole Bowl with Spoon Let’s make avocado-ware the new lettuceware. For the home cook who got really into celery juice Breville Compact Juice Fountain 700-Watt Juice Extractor It’s still unclear if celery juice is actually good for you, but if that’s what they’re into, this juice extractor from Breville is powerful enough to make sure none of the stringy bits make it into the liquid (and can be used to make lots of other types of juices, too). For the home cook who watches The Great British Baking Show every Friday Baking with Kim-Joy: Cute and Creative Bakes to Make You Smile During her time in the tent, Kim-Joy built a reputation for making delicate pastries with adorable decorations and clever flavor combinations, and in this cookbook, she shares some of her most whimsical recipes — like “pigfiteroles” in mud. For the home cook who just got into bread-making Banneton Bread Proofing Basket Unlike contestants on The Great British Bake-Off, most of us don’t have proofing drawers in our homes. So a proofing basket — used to hold the bread during its second, pre-baking rise — is the next best thing for at-home bread-making: This three-piece set includes a linen nonstick liner for a smooth outer crust and a plastic dough scraper that conforms to the curves of your mixing bowl. For the home cook who loves to grill on the go Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill Mark Jenner, the editor-in-chief of barbecue site FoodFireFriends.com, swears by this portable grill from the folks at Weber, which includes legs that fold over the lid and a convenient rectangular form. You can even create two grilling zones for high-heat and low-heat grilling. For the home cook who wants to make their own sauerkraut and kimchi E-Jen Premium Kimchi, Sauerkraut Container Earthenware Brown 1.7L Recently, we had two chefs heartily endorse this incredibly affordable and effective container as a go-to fermentation vessel. “It’s really useful because it has an insert that essentially creates a vacuum to press down your ferments,” chef Dave Park of Jeong in Chicago told us. “It has an inner ring where you can either burp your ferments or keep it airtight. It’s definitely one of the most useful containers I’ve found.” For the home cook who’s also good at Instagram Departo Large Plate Why does professional food photography look so good? In part because of food stylists, whose job is to choose all those attractive plates and cups and tablecloths to enhance the food. If your favorite home cook loves to share their latest grain salads and roast chicken on the ’gram, give them some plates that will look great underneath. For the home cook trying to eat more greens Prepworks by Progressive Collapsible Salad Spinner - 4 Quart This collapsible salad spinner is a great gift for the recent college grad who’s got a small kitchen and big culinary ambitions. For the home cook who’s a salt snob Maldon Salt Bucket Tonne Goodman also told us about this bucket of Maldon sea salt, which, she admits, “seems a bit extreme, but then again, salt fanatics do exist. I gave it to my brother-in-law, who is a wonderful cook, and he laughed and loved it.” For the home cook who loves leftovers LunchBots Large Snack Tray Steel Lunch Container This stainless-steel lunch box is meant for children, but it’s stylish enough to bring to the office (when you return to one, that is) and has enough room for a mini-buffet of leftovers. For the home cook who identified with Antoni on Queer Eye Philips Indoor Smoke-less Grill Culinary expert Antoni Porowski gifted this smokeless, infrared indoor grill to two different guys over the course of two seasons, and you can now gift it, too. For the home cook who’s trying to use fewer paper towels Nawrap Binchotan Dishcloth These dishcloths have odor- and bacteria-absorbing charcoal infused into their fibers, so they’ll last a little longer between washes. For the home cook who’s trying to use less plastic Bee’s Wrap Assorted, 3-Pack These reusable food wraps are made by infusing cotton with beeswax, and they can be used over, and over, and over again — and once they’re finally done for good, they can be composted. For the home cook who’s ready to compost Brabantia Sort & Go Waste Bin If they know that composting is a thing they should do but have always been turned off by ugly compost bins. For the home cook who’s ready for fresh spaghetti Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine According to Linda Miller Nicholson, author of Pasta, Pretty Please and the pasta-maker behind the colorful Instagram account Salty Seattle, the Marcato Atlas is the gold standard of pasta machines. And if you need more proof that it’s a good gift: It also made an appearance on Jennifer Lawrence’s wedding registry. For the home cook who needs fresh herbs Click and Grow The Smart Garden 3 This indoor vegetable-and-herb garden is self-watering and has a built-in grow light and pre-seeded plant pods to grow fresh cilantro, basil, and even chili peppers if the kitchen has no windows. For the home cook who loves their knives John Boos Chop-N-Slice Maple Wood Reversible Cutting Board Cutting boards wear out over time, so any serious home cook will appreciate a brand-new, nice-looking cutting block that’ll protect their sharpened blades. For the home cook who doesn’t have knives Takiup Ceramic Knife Set These ceramic knives aren’t perfect, or the fanciest, but according to writer Hannah Howard, they’re excellent for everyday kitchen tasks, and sometimes she prefers using these cheaper blades to her fancy Japanese chef’s knife. Plus, she notes, “I throw the set in the dishwasher with every use, and it has remained in excellent shape.” For the home cook who keeps accidentally slicing their fingers Benriner BN1 Mandoline Chef Gabriel Kreuther likes this Japanese mandoline, which comes with an assortment of blades and its own plastic safety covering to prevent slipping fingers from getting julienned, diced, or chopped. For the home cook who’s channeling the 1970s Home Intuition 3-Tier Hanging Basket Heavy Duty Wire Especially if they read the Missoni Family Cookbook and now want to create a dreamy Italian kitchen of their own. For the home cook who’s still using that slow cooker from the 1970s Instant Pot 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker You’ve heard about the Instant Pot even if you don’t cook. It steams, it pressure cooks, it makes yogurt, and it’s got over 36,000 reviews on Amazon, so it’s kind of a no-brainer. For the home cook who got an Instant Pot last year OXO Good Grips Pressure Cooker Bakeware Sling Some good Instant Pot accessories will help them make the most of their favorite kitchen gadget, like this silicone sling, which they can use for baking cakes or steaming vegetables in their multifunction pressure cooker. For the home cook who’s already obsessed with a Vitamix Vitamix Personal Cup Adapter This personal cup adapter is a great gift for those who make smoothies in their Vitamix but find the standard 64- or 72-ounce cup a little too big for everyday use, especially since this one fits on basically any legacy model. For the home cook who struggles to clean their cast-iron skillet Blisstime Cast Iron Cleaner This little square of chainmail will make removing crud and burnt bits from a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven a relatively quick and easy task. For the at-home pit master who likes to grill on an open flame Texsport Heavy-Duty Over-Fire Camp Grill - Extra Large This extra-large over-fire camp grill is made from steel, and, according to writer Steven John, it’s got plenty of room for “racks of ribs, multiple Texas-size steaks, or a whole lot of kabob skewers.” For the home baker with limited counter space KitchenAid Artisan Mini Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, 3.5 quart This mini–stand mixer has all the functionality of a standard KitchenAid mixer, but, as writer Erica Murphy notes, “It’s 25 percent lighter and 20 percent smaller,” meaning it’s great for small kitchens. For the home cook who can taste the difference between Italian and Spanish olive oils Nunez De Prado Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tin, 33.8 Ounce A handsome tin of olive oil from Spain that has “hints of grassiness, almonds, and butter,” according to chef Jonathan Waxman. For anyone who likes to read about food as much as they like to eat it The Best American Food Writing 2019 An anthology of the best food essays from the past 12 months, including a deep dive into Japanese KitKats and the queer history of tapas, all edited by Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat’s Samin Nosrat. For the ice cream enthusiast who dreams of the perfect scoop Zeroll Original Ice Cream Easy Scoop This ice cream scoop is “the only ice cream scoop” that Jeni Britton Bauer, the creator of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, will even acknowledge. It’s designed to transfer heat from your hand to the spoon, making it easy to get the perfect scoop from even frozen-solid ice cream. (For bonus points, pair this with a pint or two of ice cream.) For the college student looking to hack the perfect dorm-room grilled cheese Nostalgia TCS2 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Toaster Decidedly safer than trying to melt cheese with an iron. For the home cook who puts cracked pepper on everything Atlas Copper Pepper Mill Give a pepper mill that makes a statement. According to writer Juliet Lapidos, this copper one looks like “a tool you’d find at an archaeological dig and — for just that reason — always attracts attention at dinner parties.” For the 5-year-old who’s just learning their way in the kitchen Curious Chef 3-Piece Nylon Knife Set These nylon knives are designed for little foodies who are at least 4 years old, to help them learn basic knife skills while minimizing risk. For the home cook who’d rather be making cocktails Be Your Own Bartender: A Surefire Guide to Finding (and Making) Your Perfect Cocktail Gin or whiskey? Easy-drinking or boozy? This cocktail book starts with a comprehensive flowchart to help them figure out exactly what they want to drink and how to make it. from Eater - All https://ift.tt/3eOf2UO

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