#which was sent after lunch which would be the only time i could feasibly check it

[postmortemmischief]

i love that our art teacher complains about the middle school art teacher as if she isnt a shitty teacher & unpleasant person herself

[argylemikewheeler]

July 1st, 1985

what the first ep of (my) s3 would look like if the main concept was: both Steve and Will are gay in 1985’s Summer of Love and the town’s enemy is a little more human; loving friendships, very confused adults, and Will Byers Actually Getting Help

“Harrington!”

“Yes, sir.” Steve looked up from his desk. He dropped his crossword and looked to be at attention; the police station’s phone wasn’t ringing, though, so there wasn’t really anything he should have been doing. Hopper stepped out of his office, angling himself toward the door rather than Steve’s desk island.

“Do you think you’ll be able to-- Harrington, what are you doing?” Hopper caught sight of the pocket thesaurus sitting on his desk (the last name written on the inside cover not belonging to Steve, of course). Hopper fixed his sunglasses on the edge of his nose, looking over them and down at Steve.

“I’m just, uh, working on my vocabulary.” Steve said. Hopper blinked twice, waiting. Steve wasn’t going to say the truth: he was dating-- well seeing someone-- way smarter than him. This wasn’t for joy or boredom. He was studying to impress. “It’s college prep, sir.”

“The crossword?” The chief evened his stare. “This your old man’s suggestion?” Of all the things Steve’s father was telling him to do with himself, he  wished  some of it was simply pecking at a crossword over a twelve hour shift.  Fucking off  and  being a better piece of shit son  just wasn’t feasible to accomplish in one summer.

“He swears by it.”

“Okay, well. Uh, moving on from that,” Hopper grabbed his hat from the coat rack. The topic of Steve’s father always made Hopper stiffen up; it was definitely the main reason Hopper gave Steve his job at the station, but it still created more questions. Steve knew Hopper and his father went to high school together, but he never asked his father about those years-- beyond his baseball glory stories. “I’ve got plans tonight and I need to head out early. Can you handle things on your own for a while. At least until the night shift comes in?”

“I’ll be fine.” Steve made sure not to acknowledge the crossword on his desk as he nodded. He was really good at his job, he was. He was also just, unfortunately, still a pretty shitty boyfriend and needed all the vocab help he could get. “What’s the pressing story?”

“I have dinner.” Hopper was already trying to walk out the door. “So  don’t  call me. For the love of God.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Chief. I--” Steve was sure it was the cool July wind that slammed the door on the last half of his sentence. Not Hopper. “won’t... Have a good time, I guess.”

The police station was empty: it was another boring and wonderfully quiet Monday in Hawkins. There’d been some calls to break up disturbances at city hall in the past few days, but somehow everyone just seemed to agree that Mondays-- the longest shift of Steve's whole week-- was the day everyone went about their quietest day.

There were a few officers milling in and out of the back lounge and front door, casting a quick glance to Steve as he muttered and threatened fourteen down and six across. Nancy had been helping close the gaps of his post-high school education-- without knowing just what for-- but had been picking up most hours at the Post to try and elbow her way into their good graces; it put his tutoring on hold. So here he was, groaning at some clues about classical artists he’d never heard of.

There were other reasons Steve was sure the other officers thought he was odd-- things he was  sure  his father had passed along in spitting rants-- but Steve didn’t mind. No one said anything to his face.

“Hey Flo! Is, uh, is Steve here?” The question was asked with the answer already in mind.

Steve sat up in his chair, twisting around to see down the hall to the back entrance to the station. There weren’t many parking spots to fill, but he knew a certain someone who preferred it to street parking.

“Jonathan?”

“Oh, I hear him. Thanks-- hey!” Jonathan hurried out from the hall, his camera bumping against his stomach and bag slapping against his leg in the same rhythm. He’d gotten a new haircut recently: semi-wonky bangs and a closer cut in the back. All thanks to Steve’s peer pressure and Mrs. Byers’s kitchen shears.

“What are you doing here?”

“Sorry to stop by your work like this--” he lowered his voice as he stopped at the corner of Steve’s desk. “I know we said we wouldn’t do that, but we got an extra muffin in the lunch order and I know you’re always starving after a Monday shift so.” Jonathan produced a folded brown paper bag from his satchel. “Here.”

“Oh, thanks.” Steve wanted to say so much more, but had to settle. No more. None of what they’d decided they wouldn’t say. Not until the summer had ended. They wanted to see if they lasted longer than the convenience of loose summer schedules.

“Won’t I see you, uh, later, though?” At eight, when Steve got sent home he always drove straight to Jonathan’s. Jonathan started late on Tuesdays and Steve had off; they had the time to waste. “Or is this your way of telling me to stay home?”

“No! No we’re still... hanging out.” Jonathan had gotten really good at cooking and treated Steve to weekly dinner. It was a nice gesture at first, but Steve started growing fond of the company. They both did around mid-June. “But, I think Mike’s going to be over so. Be  cool , alright? Keep it cool.”

“Cool, got it.” Steve leaned back in his chair. He moved his papers to leave a corner of his desk for Jonathan to sit on. No one was in the main office; it was a harmless invitation.

“I have to get going...” It sounded like an excuse, a dive for safety. “And I’m sure you have, um,  puzzles  to do?” Jonathan pretended not to be endeared. He tried, he really did. He  failed , but Steve pretended he didn’t notice.

“Don’t want to sit and help me figure out the title of Mozart’s last opera?” He patted the desk, daring to be more direct.

“I really have to go.” Jonathan was genuine, looking at his watch. “The Post only let me out early today because I have to go pick up Will from his doctor’s appointment.”

“Wait.” Steve put the cap back on his pen. “Isn’t Will’s therapy on Wednesday?”

“Yeah, but with Mom’s schedule and the store being all weird-- we had to move it to today. And you know we typically have a family night after-- so he feels okay, you know-- but we  can’t  . So,  that’s why Mike’s coming over. Hopefully they’ll be idiots and tire Will out and he’ll sleep okay.” Tension rose in Jonathan’s voice quickly, explaining his day as if going over a laundry list; never rehearsing it but having it memorized.

“I can stay home if you need time, Jonathan.”

“No, really. I want you to come over.” Jonathan sighed and placed his hand on the emptied spot on Steve’s desk. “Besides, you can’t break tradition after a little over  one month , then it was just a weird habit.”

Steve Harrington did not consider his summer fling a w  eird habit . If anything, it was the most sensical thing he’d done in a very long time. Even after getting rejected from all his colleges, and never hearing the end of his father’s lectures, 1985 had been very kind to him. And that was mostly due to Jonathan’s inherent nature to be the same.

“I’ll see you after eight.” Steve smiled and reached for his hand-- but averted to grab a piece of memo paper by the phone.

“I’m sorry to leave in a rush.” Jonathan hitched his bag up, checking his watch again. “I just, I really need to get going.”

“Don’t worry. The muffin is  more  than enough.” Steve said. “And seeing you wasn’t too bad either.”

“Slow day, huh?” Jonathan said. The corner of his mouth quirked with a flattered, embarrassed smile. Steve tried to act nonchalant, like he wasn’t so goddamn relieved to see a familiar and happy face. Especially  his  familiar and happy face. “Well, good thing I have another surprise for you.”

“You can barely fit your camera in that bag, what could you possibly-- hey!” Steve missed grabbing Jonathan’s arm as he walked away, heading for the front door. “Where are you going?” Jonathan kept walking, checking his watch the whole way. “Hello?”

“Delivered right on time.” Jonathan pushed the front door open to the station-- but was nearly knocked over as a green  dash  barreled through it.

"Steve! Steve! Steve!” The dash was suddenly grabbing him by the shoulders. “You got the job!”

“Henderson! Oh my god! You’re back!” In an unlikely impulse, Steve grabbed Dustin in a hug, taking advantage of the change of height. “Holy shit, I nearly forgot! First of the month!”

“See you, Steve.” Jonathan walked across the room to the back entrance again. His hand braced the back of Steve’s chair, brushing across his shoulders.

“O-Okay! Yeah, see you!” Steve sputtered, losing his reminded  cool  in an instant. “Bye.”

Dustin pulled away slowly. “What was that?” It looked like  everyone  was too smart for Steve.

“Nothing. He brought me a surprise lunch-- which was an  obvious decoy to the main event! You! How are you, buddy? How was camp?”

“Oh, it was fantastic. Steve, I  have  to show you all my inventions! Camp was the  best  four weeks  of  my  life .” Dustin hopped up onto the corner of his desk. His heels tapped against the empty metal drawers. He was jittery, nearly uncontainable, but still so composed-- if only to be focused all on Steve.

Steve held his hands out, letting him start. “Lay it on me, Henderson! I want to hear everything. I missed you like crazy.”

“Well, first, obviously. I have to tell you about my girlfriend--”

“Whoa! Whoa!  Girlfriend  ? That fast?” Steve hadn’t been expecting any of his dating advice to work. It had been coming from such a poor and confused part of himself, Steve figured it was destined to fail. Apparently, it was just  Steve  that was-- when flirting with women at least. “Damn, there’s something in you after all!”

“She’s  super  smart, Steve. I’ve never met any girl like her. She’s a genius and she’s so pretty. God, I miss her already-- and I  just  saw her.”

Steve looked over his shoulder. He knew the feeling. “That’s great, man. I mean, I’m super happy for you. Like, that’s  crazy . That’s freaking awesome.”

“So what about you? How are the ladies? I mean, you work for the  Chief  now. All the ladies you could need and more, am I right?”

Steve used to be really good at this part of the lie, but with Dustin it felt cheap. He didn’t need to lie to him, but that was the deal; no matter how much that person was Steve’s best and most beloved friend, their secret was a dead-bolt, vaulted secret.

“Eh, not too great. Only girl my own age I see-- besides Nancy, really-- is the night-shift girl, Robin. But she’s not really-- we’re just friends. She’s alright. Leaves me weird drawings in the memo pad.”

“Ooo, she sounds cool.” Dustin raised his eyebrows. “Do you know her from school?”

“Yeah, we didn’t really run in the same crowds but-- it’s not like that, man. It’s really not.” Steve started unwrapping his lunch. “It’s so not like that with Robin.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I’m not...  looking  at the moment.”

Steve had originally decided to not go looking for trouble. After he and Nancy split in the beginning of his senior year, he didn’t start looking for an immediate replacement. The illusion of thinking he was in love with Nancy-- capable of being in love with Nancy-- was a hard thing to have come crumbling down. Steve needed time to get his own bearings, to put his feet firmly on the ground, and have them lifted off when his father grabbed him by the lapels and--

Steve hadn’t gone looking for trouble. Hadn’t gone looking for love either. But somehow, both seemed to find him.

Jonathan was late. He usually wasn’t but Will was trying not to be worried. It was a different day than usual and he knew how awful Jonathan’s boss and co-workers were. Will tried not to be worried-- he wasn't. It was just that he had spent an hour talking about the night his father left their family; standing outside the doctor’s office was a bit nerve-wracking. It felt too familiar, even with all the talking and note-scribbling.

Finally, Jonathan’s car pulled into the lot. He was speeding, as much as his car  could  speed: he knew he was late, which made Will feel a little bit better. No one had forgotten him. It was just traffic or his bosses or maybe just hitting all the red lights. As Jonathan stopped in front of the curb and waved Will in, Will could see he was jittery-- he was  upset  that he was late. Will felt bad for counting the minutes.

Not that he did it out of impatience or anything. Will just formed the habit after getting his new watch. It matched Mike’s. Completely on accident, of course.

“Hey, buddy! Sorry I’m late. I was-- I had to run an errand really fast. How long were you waiting.” He moved his bag and threw it onto the backseat. Will would’ve held it on his lap.

“I wasn’t keeping track.” Will said, climbing into the passenger seat. Will wanted to ask if his bag had Jonathan’s camera in it. If everything was okay. He didn’t. It seemed like Jonathan had been in his therapy with Will, just as shaken up. “It’s okay. Thanks for getting me.”

Jonathan waited until Will put on his seat belt. “Of course. We’re always here to pick you up. Therapy is important; you have to go.”

Will laughed before he could stop himself. “You sound like Mom.”  Why?

“Because she’s right.” Therapy was still kind of weird to Will-- since  no one else  in his grade had to do it-- but he humored his family. It was helping, if he had to admit it. But it was still embarrassing sometimes.

His therapist, Dr. Bright--  Rose Marie, as she insisted on being called-- was a send-out from the Lab, but disguised within a private practice just outside of town. She was able to listen to Will talk about what he saw and felt during his time with the Mind Flayer without trying to commit him. Almost nothing was off limits. Almost nothing.

Will checked his watch again.

“Are you excited to see Mike tonight?” The question was pointed, but Will wasn’t sure why it made him nervous. “I mean, I feel like I haven’t seen him in a bit.”

“Oh, yeah. He’s always with El.”

Will was sure they  weren’t  dating. El was just on a year-long stint of self-discovery and, besides Max, Mike was the person she trusted the most to help make as many helpful mistakes as possible. He bought her books to read and new music to try. It was really sweet, seeing Mike take such big strides toward helping their friend. But there was also a part of Will that felt dejected:  his  sort of help had to be prescribed and couldn’t be replaced with a warm laugh from one Mike Wheeler.

Will was sick while his friends were growing.

“Is there something wrong?” Jonathan used to ask the question like Will was one trembling lip away from crying-- but this time, he asked it like Will had his hand on the door, seconds from jumping out. “Will, are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Will nodded. “I’m fine. Just-- I talked a lot today and I’m tired.”

“Do you want to cancel with Mike--”

“No.” Will had been looking forward to having time with Mike--  just  Mike-- for a whole week. He wanted to sit on his floor with his best friend and be a kid again. Just for the night-- maybe draw some of Mike’s old campaigns or sketch out an idea for his own. He just wanted to remember something good about the past four years. After his hour with Dr. Bright, it all felt painful. Like his childhood naivety had been broken and every conversation he overheard in his house dripped with venom and disdain.

Will didn’t like picturing his house that way. It was a place that loved and raised him, a place he felt safe. He didn’t like thinking the conversations he heard being screamed through the walls were trapped in the drywall.

His arms felt heavy and his chest felt like it was made of metal-- he kept tasting it in his mouth. Will leaned back against the seat and reached for the radio. Jonathan turned it down before Will had even changed the station.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I just want to see Mike.” Will said, his mouth too honest and his mind shrouded in guilt. “I just want to see my friend.”

“Okay. Okay.” Jonathan nodded somewhat somberly. “I understand. Let’s go pick him up. He’s at his house right? Not El’s-- o-or The Sinclair’s or anything?”

“No. He’s at his.” Will crossed his arms and tried to find the loose string-- the thing that could uncoil Jonathan’s still-tightening anxiety. “Are you still dating Nancy?”

Jonathan turned to look at Will, nearly crashing the car. That was the wrong string. “What?”

“Nancy? Are you still dating her?”

“I was never dating Nancy.” Jonathan laughed, shaking his head. “I’m not dating Mike’s sister, don’t worry.” The clarification was strange and felt off-topic. Like Jonathan was trying to talk about something else.

“I thought you were. You guys hung out a lot during school.” Will heard her voice through the walls too. Always gentle, never yelling. Except when she was losing at playing cards. Then she shouted.

“She was helping me pass chemistry. That’s all.” Jonathan turned the radio up a little. Will checked his watch. “And then she helped me apply to the Post internship-- she’s great at writing papers, did you know that? A real wordsmith. Is Mike a writer too?”

He was, he  really  was. Grammatically, Will ran out of red pens trying to help, but creatively? Will envied Mike’s ability. “I don’t know. We don’t really talk about that kind of stuff like you two do… Since you two are dating.”

“We’re  not .” Jonathan laughed. Will took advantage of an upcoming stop sign to lean forward and look at his brother’s crimson face. “We’re not, Will, okay? We’re really not. I’d tell you.”

“You’d tell me?”

“Of course! I’d tell you if I… I had a girlfriend. Which I don’t!” He stayed at the stop sign for a bit too long. “Do you?”

There was an option to play dumb, to make Jonathan ask more directly:  do you have a girlfriend, Will ? but it sounded far more painful than being honest, than being as lonely as he was.

“No. I don’t.”

“And you’d tell me. If you were dating someone?” Jonathan looked at Will, hopeful but scarcely so. “You’ll tell me if anything big happens in your life?”

“Yeah.” There wouldn’t be anything happening at all that summer, that was for  damn sure . “Absolutely.”

Steve had about seventy percent of his puzzle done-- fifty of which was because Dustin was an unstoppable genius with no tolerance for Steve’s careful pace. It was just about quarter past seven, and Steve’s back was getting sore from sitting in his chair all day. He only liked sitting when it was in his car, on his way to the Byers's House, careful, of course, to obey all traffic laws.

Steve was packing his crosswords and pens up in the top drawer of his desk when something clattered the back door open. Steve grabbed a pen and whipped around in his seat, as if to wield it like a weapon.

“Hello? Who’s there?”

“Hey dingus.” Luckily, Steve couldn’t even see Robin yet-- or rather, she couldn’t see him or his emphasized eye roll. She could hear him groan though. “Hey, shut up and quit whining. I’m sending you home early.”

Her head popped out from the hallway. Robin’s ponytail was high on her head, the hair flopping over and getting caught in her stringy bangs. She flung her backpack out from behind her and tossed it toward Steve. She wasn’t in her uniform yet, only wearing the buttoned up shirt-- unbuttoned and showing her torn and dyed shirt underneath. She was wearing jogging shorts, her knees torn up and covered with Band-Aids. They reminded Steve of the ones taped to his face after getting a plate smashed into his forehead. Deceivingly cheerful.

“What are you doing here early?” Steve stood and followed her, holding her backpack awkwardly in his hands. “You’re  never  early.” Eight on the dot. Every time.

“I figure you want to get out of here tonight.” She didn’t even stop to look at Steve as they walked into the back room. “Probably want to see your boyfriend.”

Her words weren’t sharp, but Steve still recoiled. He let his arms, and her bag, hang by his sides.

“Who? Jonathan?” The only way Jonathan and Robin had ever met was in the hallways of Hawkins High. She definitely never saw them interact at the station-- or on any of their nights together: they were always indoors. “He’s  not my boyfriend.”

“First off, I didn't even say a name." Shit. "Second, he came in the other day looking for you.” Robin started buttoning her shirt up, fixing the collar as she finally turned to see Steve. “He was really upset-- didn’t even know what time it was to know you weren’t working.”

“Upset?” Technically, it wasn’t Steve’s problem. It was the deal; they didn’t  have  to care about each other’s lives. It was just summer. It was just like any other summer.

“Yeah. Crying, sniffling, snot-- the whole nine, man.” Robin sounded extremely sympathetic despite beginning to change her pants. Steve whipped around, covering his face. “You should go see him. Make sure he’s okay. Be a good boyfriend... shithead.”

“He’s  not--”

“Steve, I’m the last person you should be arguing with.” Robin laughed-- and it was only momentarily threatening. Until, of course, Steve realized what she meant.

Like all good secrets kept at Hawkins PD, Steve kept his mouth shut and nodded even if she wasn’t looking.

“Yes, sir--ma'am-- Robin.”

“So, are you going to go or what, dingus?” She tapped him on the shoulder. “Get out of here-- and tell me all about it Wednesday.”

Steve blinked at her, holding out her bag. As if it was enough thanks to give her back her own property. “Are we… friends, or something?”

“No, of course not.” She winked, slapping his arm. “Just looking out for one of my own.”

After picking Mike up from his house, they drove home in uncharacteristic chatter. Jonathan was the only one speaking, humming along to the radio. Will was exhausted beyond performative small talk; the type that had to be done between two best friends when a third party was present. Mike was great at just sitting with Will in silence, but Jonathan didn’t know that. Instead, the three of them passed around quiet jokes and laughter, answering questions about their friends for Jonathan’s upkeep of information.

Once they got in the house, Jonathan let them wander off into Will’s room as he started pulling pots out of the kitchen cabinets. He wouldn’t bother or pester them about any summer work, either. They would be left alone in their own coupled silence.

Mike was sitting cross-legged on Will’s floor, twisting one of Will's crayons between his fingers. Will needed new ones but he felt funny asking for them as a near-freshman in high school. He liked the glide of wax on paper compared to the scrape of colored pencils. Well, that and the fact he ruined half of his crayons the year prior making a full map of Hawkins in a fugue state and only had two crayons able to be used normally.

“You had doctor stuff today, right?”

Will was digging under his bed for his emptier sketch book. “Yeah. Therapy.  Doctor  doctor stuff was two weeks ago.”

“How was it?” Mike let his hand still and rest in his lap. “Like, what do you do in therapy? Just start talking?”

“Yeah, but it’s more than that. You have to think about stuff too. Doctors ask you questions, sometimes.” Will pulled back and drug his old drawing supplies along the carpet. He sat back on his heels and was able to see Mike over the top of the bed. He didn’t know Will was looking. “You have to have answers.”

“What do they ask about?” Mike kept looking at his hands, unaware of Will. “Upside down stuff?”

“Sometimes.” Will shuffled back around to Mike's side of the bed. He could feel the tiniest bit of rug burn starting. “She asked me about my dad today.”

Mike looked up, almost immediately. “Can she do that?”

“Why can’t she?” Will popped the lid on the retired Tupperware, now his art bin. “I talked about it.”

“I thought you didn’t like to.” Will had never said those words which meant Mike had gathered it from just observing him. “Did you… like talking about it?”

“Not really.” Will laughed. He found a few extra crayons, but of all the wrong colors. “She had this big speech afterward about learned helplessness that I… really didn’t like.” Will tried to keep laughing.

Mike put the crayon back in the bin. “Are you okay, Will?”

“Yeah. It’s just… the same old stuff.” Will shrugged. “Sometimes it just bothers me more than other days.”

Mike bit the inside of his cheek, picking at his words carefully. “You never talk about your dad, Will.”

“Why would I?”

“Because it bothers you. You can talk about anything you want-- I… I would listen.”

“You don’t have to listen to it just because it happened to me, you know. My therapist says you don’t have to experience things with me for them to be real.”

“But I want to know.” Mike looked insulted, almost crushed and collapsed as he sat back on his hands. “That’s your dad,” he said. “And you’re my friend.”

They sat in silence for a while. Mike went back to studying a new crayon, picking at the wrapper. Will felt something forming in his throat. A bubble that was hot, thick and sticky. Not vomit, but not impending tears either.

“I don’t get why he left.” Will said. “I don’t know what happened to our family.”

“Nothing happened. Maybe he just… wasn’t good at being your dad anymore.”

“But then why? What did I do?” Will didn’t want to ask Mike, make him feel responsible for answering, but Will was desperate to ask the universe again.

“Nothing.” Mike said. “I just think he…”

“He what? My dad got tired of me? Didn’t want to raise me?”

“Maybe he actually learned how to take a hint and knew he wasn’t good enough for you and Jonathan-- or your mom.” Mike wanted to be hopeful, to be positive, so badly. He ached, his smile tight and weak. He didn't have the answers, and who was Will to put him in the position to come up with them.

“So he gave up.” Will said.

“That’s not what I meant--”

“I know. I know… That’s just how it feels.” Will shrugged. He smiled at Mike, accepting his help and his warmth. It hurt knowing that Mike was wrong, but still. Will could always pretend a little longer. Anything for Mike.

“Hey! You monsters hungry?” Steve clapped his hands together before gently tapping the door. “Jonathan’s got dinner on the table.”

The door was open. Steve didn’t have to knock. He wanted to, just to prove he wasn’t  too  comfortable, but he also knew Mike was over. And knocking would announce his entrance rather than letting it just be something that just  was  . Rather than being  cool .

Awkwardly and with a lot of weird, throat-clearing fanfare, Steve opened the Byers’s front door and poked his head inside. Jonathan called him in from the kitchen without even needing to say hello, or being surprised by his walking in:  In here, Steve! Dinner’s almost done .

Steve walked through the living room carefully, as if he’d disturb it. There was a tape playing softly-- some band Steve’s never heard of, but didn’t hate. He’d grown to like the way that every song played in the Byers house was always moody and melancholy. The music was always the opposite of how he felt stepping into the kitchen.

Jonathan was at the stove, stirring a pot of something that smelled delicious. He had what looked to be tomato sauce stains on the front of his shirt-- where he wrapped his hand up to open the sauce jar. Steve was able to hide his smile as he shouldered off his uniform jacket and toed off his shoes, claiming a chair at the kitchen table.

“How was work?” Jonathan didn’t stop stirring. He moved like the stove was turned all the way up and he was afraid of burning the food. He spoke that way too.

“It was fine. Not a whole lot.” Steve didn’t want to have anything seem bigger than whatever upset Jonathan-- and seemed to still be upsetting him now. “How was your day?”

“Fine. Will and Mike are in the other room.” He was checking things off his list. Steve stepped up to Jonathan and stood even with him at the stove. He was making one-pot pasta. It really did smell fantastic. Steve was so hungry, even after his lunch.

“How was… the other things in your day? Develop any good pictures?” Steve covered how stupid he sounded by placing his hand on Jonathan’s lower back.

Jonathan stopped stirring and looked at him. Steve tried to keep cool, tried not to show his motives-- his attempt to calm something he couldn’t believe he’d missed spinning out of control, even if he didn’t know what it was. “Nancy walked into the dark room today-- she’s actually the one who gave me the muffin-- and she exposed the photos to light too early. So no, actually.”

Steve really was a bad boyfriend. Even when he wasn’t one yet-- or at all.

“Okay… how was. Everything else?”

“You don’t have to ask about my day, Steve. It’s okay.” Jonathan sighed and spoke evenly. “I’m just a little tired. Really. We don’t have to do the whole…  thing .”

The whole thing where Steve was explicit about how much he really cared about Jonathan and admitted he was sincerely and terrifyingly in love with Jonathan.

“I was asking because I was curious. Not out of obligation.” Steve clarified. His hand slid to rest on Jonathan’s hip. He moved closer, lips aiming to place a commitment-less kiss on his cheek.

“Steve! I said to keep it  cool .” Jonathan ducked back, placing a hand on Steve’s chest. “I don’t want Will to see us.”

“Your brother?” Steve was surprised; of all people Jonathan explicitly wanted to hide from Will seemed kind and forgiving-- not that there was anything  to  forgive, but it was something Steve often checked for. Steve was sure that one of Dustin’s friends would be… like Steve. Or like Jonathan-- maybe. All of them seemed prepared to deal with any of their friends suddenly being different. Far more prepared than Steve ever was.

“Yes. My brother.” Jonathan snapped, banging the spoon against the edge of the pot. “I don’t want him to learn I’m not dating Nancy but  instead  seeing her ex-boyfriend in the same day.” he whispered.

“Wait, what? He thinks you’re with Nancy?” Steve wasn’t sure where they went wrong. They were trying to  obscure  the truth, not lead everyone to a different reality. “D-Do you think Mike does too?”

“I don’t know! I didn’t want to ask and seem weird.” Jonathan sighed again. He sounded tense again. “I told Will I’d tell him if I was seeing anyone… And he promised me the same.”

Steve knew not to press the obvious question-- well   are  you seeing someone, Jonathan?  -- but also didn’t want to touch the obvious implication that Will  needed  to share a secret with Jonathan. Instead, he placed his hands into his pockets and turned to lean against the counter.

“Dinner smells really good, Byers.” There was another name that began with “B” that Steve wasn’t allowed to use, but always wanted to. Byers Byers Byers. Baby baby baby. “Thank you, again, for cooking for me-- for us.”

“You think I’m going to let you starve?” His stirring slowed; the stove cooled down. He nudged Steve’s arm with the spoon. “You coming home late and trying to cook? You mean half-drinking a beer and falling asleep face down on your bed in your uniform, half unbuttoned.”

“You picture that often, Byers?” Steve lifted an eyebrow. “Hm?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” Jonathan’s lips quirked into a smile again. “But, if you’d like a beer, I think there’s one in the fridge. No one in the house is going to touch it.”

“I can go ask Will if he wants it.”

“Shut up-- do you want it or not?”

“No.” Steve didn’t like drinking when they were together. He’d never really heard the full story about where Mr. Byers went, but he had a father of his own to make those blank spaces fill pretty fast. “But thanks. Don’t want the habit of needing a beer to forget how boring my job is.”

“I thought you liked your job?” Jonathan took a piece of pasta out of the pot and held it out for Steve to test.

He chewed and answered. “I do! It’s nice to have normal hours-- and I’m happy to help have replacements as Flo gets ready to retire but… I don’t know. Sometimes it feels  boring .”

“Would you rather be chasing down a four-legged monster without a face?” Jonathan let out a bubble of genuine laughter, playfully glaring at Steve.

“Frankly, yes! At least we’d all have something to do. I feel like I don’t see everyone anymore.”

“Then throw a party. Don’t wish for anything bad to happen.” Jonathan said firmly. “Let the record show my brother is a very strange magnet for all this… weird shit.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Steve said solemnly. He put his hand on Jonathan’s forearm. “I wish we were all safely doing something exciting. It felt nice to be needed, even if no one knew it was us.”

Jonathan put the spoon down on the counter and pivoted to be looking only at Steve. There was something resting just on the tip of his tongue, just under the surface of their conversation. It would’ve been a digression-- Steve could tell by Jonathan’s tense and furrowed brow-- but he would’ve listened.

“Jonathan?” Steve squeezed his arm, lifting his eyebrows. “What is it?”

“I--” He clenched his jaw, trying to swallow his words. “I think--” Steve knew there was no end to Jonathan’s sentence; merely starting it meant there was trust between them. A careful admission through omission. Steve knew Jonathan was looking at his shoes and wouldn’t be seen as he took in the secret flinches of Jonathan’s face. The crinkle by his left eye, the twitch of his mouth, double blinking--

They both jumped apart as the phone started ringing, practically shaking on the wall. Jonathan stepped away from Steve and left everything unsaid. Again.

Jonathan tucked the phone between his ear and shoulder as he turned to lean against the wall.

“Hello? This is--” His face changed sharply, his eyebrows furrowing. “I told you to stop bothering us. You’re lucky she’s not here to pick up the phone-- I don’t  care !” Jonathan cleared his throat and looked at Steve in a flash of uncertainty and anxiety. “I have the police here right now and if you don’t stop calling me I will send them to your house-- it’s not a threat if you’re the one bothering us. Stop. Calling.” He slammed the phone down and braced his weight against the wall with his other hand.

“Am I considered ‘the police’ now?” Steve said lightly. It was his way of letting Jonathan know he was listening, but not asking direct questions. “I’m not even allowed to have a badge.”

“It counts.” Jonathan said, letting his arms fall down by his sides. Steve stepped over and kept stirring dinner.

“Who was that?”

“No one. Can you go get the boys in the other room? Dinner’s ready.” Jonathan pushed Steve aside to hunch over the stove again.

“Sure.” Steve nodded, knowing he wasn’t seen. “Hey! You monsters hungry? Jonathan’s got dinner on the table.”

Dinner felt weird.

Will couldn’t help but feel like he and Mike had gotten into a fight. Talking about his dad made anything feel sticky, feel like it was violent or volatile. A second from snapping or tearing off, bouncing around the walls and echoing in Will's body. A small conversation between friends-- actually a little  understanding  between  best  friends-- felt like it had been a screaming match, all because it was cut off. There was no apology from Will. He didn't have the chance to tie it all up with an  I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, forget I said anything.

His plea sat heavy on his tongue as he talked to Steve-- who had arrived without notice-- and let Mike make him laugh so hard he nearly shot water out his nose. Will let it all happen under the tremor, the ache, of an apology. And maybe, if he was the best brother and friend he should’ve been, no problems or therapy, it would be enough of an apology.

He wasn't hungry and only ate half his serving of pasta, even though it was usually his favorite of Jonathan's recipes. He did apologize for that though, and it felt right to say aloud. Even if it was misdirected and no one heard it.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm so so sorry. Please come back--

Mike wasn’t tired, Will knew, but he still wanted to go to bed right after their horror movie ended. It was clear Mike hadn't been paying attention to the movie; the entire plot was that dreams were a new horror-scape for monsters to get teenagers. It wasn't too scary to Will; it just felt familiar. The villain looked different, more human, but Will knew what it felt like to dream while wide awake. To watch and be unable to do anything but scratch at the surface--

Convincing Will to get ready for bed, Mike said they’d have all day in the morning. He said that maybe he could convince his mom to let him stay over again if they don’t get all their fun in. Will knew Mike's mom probably would, if only because she felt bad for Will. But he would take the pity. A sleepover wasn't the worst thing to get from pity.

Will could still hear Mike fidgeting in his sleeping bag. He was rubbing his feet together like a cricket and twisting his wristwatch. The plastic scratched the sheer material of his sleeping bag rhythmically: back and forth. back and forth. backandforthbackandforth. It was like Mike was counting the ticks of his silent digital watch. Will began to play with his own watch, keeping it on in bed only because he'd noticed Mike hadn't removed it when they were brushing their teeth that night; apparently the watch was too good to part with.

Time though, was something Will wished he could separate himself from. He could hear the seconds scraping by now. Every moment he kept his friend awake and bored because Will was too weak or (rather and) too  everything  to stay up late again.

Therapy hadn’t even been that bad. Not really. Maybe it could be exhausting but it didn’t count because Will sat in the same spot for an hour. It wasn’t real work. It shouldn’t have counted. Will should’ve been able to hang out with his friend until sunrise, getting in trouble with his mom for being up so late. He should’ve still been a stupid, carefree kid, not a by-gone troubled teenager.

Maybe his dad had seen that from the beginning. Will's dad was always gambling, betting on baseball games he had these incredible "feelings" on. Sometimes he was wrong, but when he was right it was an amazing prediction; having the foresight no one else had. And maybe that was what it was, leaving them when he did. Maybe he saw Will wouldn’t be the second son he wanted after all. Maybe he knew of all the damage that would be done to him, the damage he would cause. Probably saw it from miles-- years-- away. And he left without a single warning to any of it.

What if his father had known? Could've known where he was when he came back into town two years ago? Not gone forever just in the lights. Just out of reach, just through the wall, Dad. What if he had known, been able to see, able to know, but wanted to leave Will Down there being possessed and enveloped and consumed and--

Will felt a chill scurry down his back. The feeling almost had legs. Too many. He felt ice cold, his body going blank-- not numb, but  blank -- for a second. He couldn’t feel his fingers, but could still feel every inch of his body, suddenly pulsing and seizing.

"Will?" Mike asked, sitting up. He gripped the end of the bed and pulled his face closer to Will's. He squinted in the darkness, feeling for Will’s hand. Will couldn’t answer, his jaw tense and breath rattling out of him. "Will, what’s wrong?"

After a (thankfully) non-awkward dinner, Steve and Jonathan washed all the dishes and let the boys watch whatever movie they wanted. Steve didn’t pay attention to what tape he put in the VRC. He was too busy thinking about the hands hidden in the warm soapy water in the kitchen sink. Neither Mike nor Will seemed too bothered by the  disgusting  amount of blood or the scary blade man on the TV. He felt no regret letting them go to bed right after the credits rolled. Jonathan had looked exhausted after putting the last dish away, and dozed off during the climax of the movie-- even slept through the high-pitched screaming.

They waited for the sound of Will’s door closing over before they got into bed.

Jonathan flopped onto his back, a pillow resting between his chest and crossed arms. Steve laid on his side, bracing his weight on his elbow. He poked at Jonathan's furrowed eyebrow lightly.

"What's the problem, Byers?"

"Nothing."

"You are not a really great liar, you do know that right?" That and Steve could still hear Robin's blasé recounting of Jonathan's distress.  Yeah. Crying, sniffling, snot-- the whole nine, man.

Jonathan sighed and turned to look at Steve. He hated being called out. "It's about Will."

"What's wrong with Will? He seemed alright at dinner."

"Yeah, but," Another sigh. "Steve, I think my brother’s gay."

Steve's first response was swallowed and he nodded. "Okay. Okay. And, um, what's the issue with that?" He adjusted himself on the bed, hoping there was more subtlety in that.

"I can't talk to him about it. I mean," Jonathan smiled and reached to touch his face. "This is a very different thing than being fourteen and confused."

"Who says he's confused?"

"I don't mean with himself-- the rest of the world is so confusing, Steve. You see the news... I can't talk to him. I didn't grow up like that. And being with you is... Different. We dated girls before. Will... I don't know. I think he knows already."

"You think he's got feelings for--"

"Oh absolutely." Jonathan nodded, closing his eyes. "Oh, I'm so glad it's not just me who sees it."

"Hopefully Wheeler does too."

"Hey, keep your voice down, he's only a few rooms over ."

"Sorry. Sorry. Me and my big mouth " Steve rested his head on Jonathan's shoulder. "Shut me up, maybe."

"Not until my mom gets back." Jonathan said, rolling up onto his side too. "If I catch her when she comes in the door, she won't come into my room to say good night. I can't have you distracting me until then."

"Your mom is on a date. She's an adult and so are you." Steve kissed Jonathan's shoulder. "You are a working man who just finished a long day at work-- I think you can cuddle up with your boyf--" Steve choked on his own stupidity, feeling his face go red and charisma die on impact. "With me."

"I will. Once my mom is back." Jonathan kissed Steve, as if a parting promise. Only to backtrack on his words immediately. He tucked Steve’s hair back behind his ear, his hands trying not to hold his face. “No--  no . Steve, not until my mom gets back.”

“I can keep an ear out--” As Steve spoke, the power in his bedside lamp dimmed. The power hummed quietly before flickering back up. Jonathan tensed and pushed himself up in bed.

“Did you see that?”

“Yeah, it was just the light, Byers. It’s windy out tonight, maybe a tree brushed a powerline.” Steve pushed Jonathan back down to his pillow-- and back into his own skin again. “It’s  nothing  . What if I turn out the light? Your mom won’t even  see  us in here.”

“No. No, I have to wait for her.”

“What if she doesn’t come back?”

“What!” Jonathan jerked upright again.

“I  meant  what if she’s at Hopper’s or something?” Steve shrugged. “She’s an adult.”

“Steve, that’s my  mom .” Jonathan hissed, swatting at the hand resting on his shoulder.

“I  meant  because she drove there on her own. If she had some wine, maybe she stayed somewhere and is being a smart, responsible parent.” Steve soothed. “Something you don’t have to be right now. You’re not Will’s parent and you aren’t your own. Lay down, will you?”

Jonathan was reluctant, but let Steve ease him back down again. He pulled the pillow tighter to his chest and sighed, his crossed arms sinking deeper. Steve laid down beside him, nose gently touching the end of his shoulder. As he breathed, his short exhales tickled Jonathan’s skin and got him giggling. It was Steve’s secret trick; something that always worked because Jonathan didn’t know it was a pattern-- didn’t know he was ticklish.

“Sorry I was weird today.” Jonathan said suddenly. He wasn’t even grinning.

“What?” They didn’t apologize. There was no need. “You’re worried about stuff-- it’s okay.”

“No, I like our dinners. And I was so uptight. I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

“Okay.” Steve didn’t know what to do with the sentiment. “Apology accepted?”

Jonathan sighed again, blowing it out slowly between his pressed lips. “Lonnie called today.”

“L- your  dad ? Is that who was on the phone?” Steve wasn’t sure what came over him-- or his body-- as he placed an arm over Jonathan’s waist and pulled them together. There was something unspokenly intimate talking about abusive fathers while being nearly sutured together in bed, but Steve pretended he was just having problems hearing Jonathan correctly.

“Yeah.” Jonathan turned, his nose brushing Steve’s. “Said he wants custody of Will. He doesn’t trust Mom, he said.”

“How is he-- He can’t do that.”

“He’s going to try. I don't know where it came from. He still thinks he can win a case because the news says Will just  disappeared into the woods . Like he ran away from us or something.”

“Everyone knows that’s not true.”

“A court might not.” Jonathan sighed, ducking his head down. Steve resisted lifting his chin to hook it over Jonathan’s head, nestling him into his neck. He laid still, listening to his breathing and the gentle creaking of the house--

Jonathan's door was thrown open, both men sitting up quickly, ready to defend themselves and their actions. It was Mike, in his pajamas with his hair sticking out in wild curls. Will stood just behind him in the hallway looking far more awake. Stilted and untousled.

"Mike?"

"Jonathan, quick!"

"What is it?" Jonathan swung his legs around and motioned both boys to come in. "Will?" Mike pushed him into the center of the door frame, although he remained in the hallway, in the light. Will’s hand grabbed at the back of his neck. His face was blank and his eyes were distant.

"Something's wrong." Will said slowly, blinking to focus. "I feel him."

"Feel who?" Jonathan kneeled in front of Will, holding his shoulders. "Feel who, Will?"

"Dad."

[xiaomoxu]

LUCIEN - Taste Date

SPOILER ALERT!!

A date from CN server which hasn’t been released on EN server yet. Might contains some spoiler.

The projector in the living room flickered, and the music at the end of the movie was intertwined with the warm sunshine. In this space that belongs to me and Xu Mo, there is a warmth day after day.

I looked at the scrolling subtitles on the screen and yawned.

Xu Mo: Do you think the movie is boring?

Xu Mo turned his head and looked at me with a faint voice as always, but the smile in his eyes was a little bit more than usual.

MC: Nope. The movie is very interesting. I especially like narration, music and mirroring.

MC: It's the movie you picked.

As I said, I leaned against Xu Mo again, leaning my head on his shoulder.

MC: I just relax suddenly and feel like I'm lazy

MC: Obviously I did all kinds of imagination before the holiday, but when I could really rest, my brain went on strike, and I didn't even bother to think about the plan.

Xu Mo: However, if you don't plan well, this rest day will also slip away unknowingly.

MC: There is nothing wrong with this principle

MC: Then we will discuss how to spend a full and rich rest day tomorrow.

MC: But right now... just rest with nothing to do for one day, okay?

When I looked up at him, I was amused and blinked earnestly. Xu Mo seemed to squeeze my face helplessly.

Xu Mo: You...

Xu Mo: Do you want to watch another movie?

Before I had time to agree, Xu Mo's phone on the table rang untimely.

The caller is Aming.

Xu Mo pressed the hands-free button after answering the phone, got up and walked to the cabinet where the discs were stored.

Aming: Professor Xu, sorry to disturb you.

Xu Mo: what's happening?

Aming: Do you have any arrangements for today? The previous experiment has made some progress, I would like to trouble you to follow up.

Xu Mo paused when he picked the DVD.

Xu Mo: is it urgent?

Aming: It's not actually too late after the holidays.

Aming: However, there will be a few academic conferences and postgraduate papers that you need to check. Time will be a little tight.

Xu Mo: I know. Leave it until after the holidays.

Aming: Alright professor, take a good rest.

As the phone hung up, Xu Mo also chose the DVD. And I, who was listening silently beside him, suddenly had a thought.

MC: Xu Mo, I have a plan!

Xu Mo: Yes?

MC: Since it's a holiday now, there shouldn't be many people in the research right?

Xu Mo: Well, that's right.

MC: Then I will go to work with you!

As if shocked by my sudden suggestion, Xu Mo raised his eyebrows and said again to confirm.

Xu Mo: Go to work with me?

MC: Yes! This way you can spend the rest day with you without delaying your work.

MC: And it satisfies the condition of "fullness and richness" very well. Isn't it a great idea?

Xu Mo: I do not deny that this is a feasible method....

Xu Mo: But my work is probably not as interesting as you think

I shook my head vigorously.

MC: It is not an opportunity every day to see Professor Xu's work side up close.

MC: This holiday plan will definitely be the one I wanted to start a long time ago.

MC: "Professor Xu Mo's Ecological Observation" project adds an important record!

Although I have “sneaked in” here many times because I gave Xu Mo a lunch box or helped him take care of the plants in the office...

But walking into the office with him in this way and watching him sitting behind his desk up close is still a new experience.

MC: Xu Mo, you just treat me as if I'm not here, just do your usual work normally!

Seeing that I had quite taken out a notebook to record his daily momentum of work, Xu Mo gently tapped on my head.

Xu Mo: Well, now that producer MC is fully prepared, then I will cooperate well.

Xu Mo: But say it in advance, even if you feel boring, you can't run away.

MC: Pftー don't worry, I won't!

I hope our "cooperation" today will be turned well.

I held back a smile, sat pretentiously on the sofa in the corner of his office, and waved to him.

The so-called "Professor Xu Mo's Ecological Observation" project, only "observing Xu Mo" is my real purpose.

The person in front of me always seemed to be able to cooperate with my careful thoughts, and would not pierce easily.

For me, seeing Xu Mo's work in a rare way is already the most interesting thing for me.

Xu Mo sat behind his desk, his narrow eyes could not see emotions, only the light spots on his face swayed playfully with his breathing rate.

We didn't speak for a while, and typing sounds regularly echoed in the office where only the two of us were alone.

Xu Mo: Is it connected to the intranet?

Xu Mo didn't stop his hand movements and spoke naturally

MC: Yep, it's already connected.

MC: However, the network speed of the highest biotechnology institute is really fast

??: After all, we have a lot of data to process, and it will be troublesome if the network cannot keep up.

With a soft knock on the door, a familiar voice heard outside the door.

Researcher: Amin told me that the professor was not coming today, and he was probably going to accompany MC. I saw that the office light was on, and it was strange.

Researcher: Unexpectedly, you came together.

The other party was one of the researchers who followed Xu Mo as a researcher, and I had met Xu Mo several times before.

Xu Mo nodded lightly in response, and I also smiled politely at him.

MC: Do you have a job to talk about? Then I first

Researcher: No, no, I will go back to the lab now. Professor, you are busy, I won't bother you.

The researcher winked at us jokingly and waved away.

Xu Mo raised his eyes and looked at the direction the person was leaving, then smiled and said to me.

Xu Mo: It seems that when I didn't know, the researchers around me had a better relationship with you.

MC: Because everyone is very kind.

Xu Mo: A lot of things have been added to the office unknowingly.

Xu Mo smiled and pointed to the blanket on the sofa.

MC: Of course. My goal is to make it comfortable and easy to work with!

Xu Mo: Then I will wait and see.

In the next few hours, Xu Mo's typing sound never stopped.

Occasionally, a few researchers came in to submit materials, and because they were all familiar people, they directly handed me the documents that needed to be sorted out.

In this way, I also feel a little happy to be around Xu Mo and do something for him.

But....

Xu Mo: Ugh...

Hearing Xu Mo's sigh for many times today, I walked behind him and massaged his shoulders and neck.

You keep sighing, is your work today not going well?

Xu Mo: Is not. It's just that the efficiency is not as high as usual.

MC: Is it too tired?

MC: Xu Mo smiled and took my hand, leaned a little later, half leaning on me.

He took off his glasses and put them on the table. The eyes that looked at me were full of clarity, and there was no fatigue.

Xu Mo: If you are here, I will be distracted.

Xu Mo: Are you hungry, do you want to eat first?

The noon daylight gradually slanted, and the crisp keyboard tapping in my ears stopped.

Xu Mo stood up and moved his shoulder and neck slightly.

The work is more cumbersome than I thought, and it may take more time.

Xu Mo: Why not we have lunch together?

MC: It would be nice if Professor Xu Mo could eat as well as he did today in his usual work.

Xu Mo: With your strict supervision, I am getting healthier day by day.

Xu Mo got up and put on his coat, and naturally brought me a coat and hat.

Xu Mo: For the restaurants nearby.

Seeing Xu Mo's thinking, I interrupted him first.

MC: Today I am here to do "Professor Xu Mo's Ecological Observation", so just go to the place where you usually eat.

Xu Mo: But I usually.....

I can probably guess what he said subconsciously. I squinted at Xu Mo.

MC: Did you really eat well under my supervision?

Xu Mo: ....

Xu Mo: Compared to before, my life is indeed much healthier. Especially the love bento you sent, I ate them on time.

MC: Huh?

MC: What about when I didn't send it? Is it not on time?

I did not let Xu Mo go, but further "questioned" him.

Xu Mo: Overall.... it is on time.

Xu Mo turned his gaze away with a rare guilty conscience, and gave an ambiguous answer.

MC: Then take me to the place where you usually eat now.

MC: I have to supervise the cunning big fox Professor Xu!

Although I am always amused by him accidentally, I will never compromise in this kind of place.

Xu Mo: Alright, I get it.

Xu Mo: In the future, I will follow MC's requirements more strictly and try to ensure that I work and rest regularly.

Seeing that I couldn't help but Xu Mo could only sigh and surrender.

Xu Mo took me to a small restaurant near the research center.

Most of the diners who come and go in the store wear badges from the research center.

MC: It seems that this is still a popular meal of the research center.

Xu Mo and I stood at the end of the ordering queue, looking up at the short menu. The dishes were almost occupied by sandwiches, burgers and pizza.

MC: But the food does not seem to be too rich...

Xu Mo: Yes. After all, people usually think more about how to make eating time the most efficient than enjoying food.

Xu Mo: If you have not forgotten to eat, you will choose food that is portable and can be eaten as quickly as possible.

Xu Mo: So you can finish a meal while walking or working.

Xu Mo didn't look at the menu and ordered a sandwich when it was our turn.

It seems that he does come here often.

The clerk clearly placed the order and settled the bill. The smooth and streamlined movements are in line with efficiency aesthetics.

MC : I'm going the other way with you, and I will never give up any chance to enjoy food

MC: Occasionally, I ran for a cup of coffee during my lunch break.

MC: After all, eating is a very happy thing.

Xu Mo: Yes. Indeed it is.

MC: Xu Mo looked at me as if he missed and said with joy.

Xu Mo: I didn't think three meals a day were important or pleasant.

Xu Mo: But I found it now.

Xu Mo: This feeling is especially strong when you eat the rice cooked by this "Snail Girl".

Almost as soon as I was seated, the clerk had already delivered some nice sandwiches.

MC: Huh? Is this restaurant serving food so fast?

The sandwiches on the tray are very rich in content, some vegetables and meat, and it seems that there is an egg in it.

MC: Is this your usual lunch?

Xu Mo nodded and unpacked.

Xu Mo: The sandwiches in this shop are very popular in the research center.

MC: Is it because the nutrition is balanced and delicious?

Xu Mo: Would you like to taste it?

Xu Mo smiled and split off a corner of the sandwich and handed it to me.

While talking, other meals were also delivered over.

In such a comparison, I always feel that the sandwich in front of me looks very simple.

But as the saying goes, the food is not good.

MC: Well.... the nutrition seems to be very balanced.

I returned Xu Mo with a bright smile.

Xu Mo: Doesn't it taste good? It's better to say that it was just enough to swallow it just now.

MC: ....

MC: It must be that the ingredients used in the store are more particular, right? It can add rich nutrition.

Xu Mo: It's just ordinary ingredients.

Xu Mo: From a nutritional point of view, meat is somewhat insufficient, and the intake of carbohydrates and protein is definitely not enough.

I tried to maintain the smile on my face, somewhat worried whether the store would hear this straightforward conversation and swept us out.

Xu Mo: However, it has a unique advantage that it can become the favorite food in the hearts of researchers at the research center.

I opened my eyes slightly and listened carefully.

Xu Mo: High speed.

MC: What?

Xu Mo: The serving speed is very fast, if it is taken away, the speed is even faster.

MC: So that's all...

Xu Mo: Someone once did statistics...

Xu Mo: If you order this sandwich in this restaurant, you can save at least 13 minutes and 22 seconds even during peak dining periods.

As I listened to this so precise and unnecessary data, my brain gradually emptied.

Does the research scope of the research center cover this kind of place?!

Xu Mo: This statistical report covers all shops within a walking distance of 20 minutes, and the credibility is very high.

MC: That's it, everyone at the research center are so strictㅡ

Xu Mo was amused by my lack of emotional ups and downs, and he pushed my burger toward me.

Xu Mo: But the taste of other dishes should be normal and worth eating.

Sure enough, the beef Hamburg, which looked very tender and juicy, basically reached the standard of "delicious".

Compared with the tasteless sandwich just eaten, it can be called "delicious."

MC: So, do you usually eat this kind of food for lunch?

Xu Mo: Yes. This is considered to be one of the most optimal in all aspects

Xu Mo bit the sandwich in his hand and explained the facts calmly.

MC: Although time is important and this sentence is also very long-winded, I still think three meals a day are very important

MC: After serious work, it is worth rewarding yourself with delicious, nutritious and balanced food.

MC: Eating enough and sleeping well is not only a guarantee of life, but also a statement to myself: Today I am also living seriously.

Facing my serious "preaching" Xu Mo stretched out his fingers to smooth my frowning brows, and smiled a little happier than before.

Xu Mo: It is as expected.

Seeing me looking at him a little puzzled, Xu Mo smiled and fed me a piece of French fries, and continued to speak.

Xu Mo: Several times, when I ate sandwiches from this restaurant, I wondered how you would react if you came here and ate the same food as me.

Xu Mo: When you taste the taste, you will definitely hesitate to say it bluntly.

Xu Mo: You will definitely tell me after listening to my reasons for choosing it, to eat well and take care of yourself.

Xu Mo: My guess was not wrong.

MC: Hm....

MC: Why do you think of me at this time?

Xu Mo: When you encounter all kinds of things, you will always share with me

Xu Mo: Every time I receive a message from you and learn about every bit of your life, I am very happy.

Xu Mo: Of course I would want to do the same thing.

Xu Mo: Rather, it is the most normal thing to unconsciously think of the people you care about in every bit of your life.

Xu Mo's tone was light.

This is indeed an ordinary thing.

But this kind of thing, being said so bluntly and seriously by him, still makes my cheeks hot.

MC: You, why don't you hurry up and try other foods?

MC: This pizza looks delicious. Would you like to try it?

As if to conceal my feeling of making a fuss about "normal things", my body has already taken a step before my reaction.

(karma CG included)

I picked up the pizza just baked and handed it to Xu Mo.

MC: Is it a sweet pizza that you haven't tried before, try it?

Xu Mo didn't take the pizza I handed over, but just bent down and bit the tip of the pizza.

His snort rubbed my fingers, it was warm and a touch of humidity.

The reduced distance is like a switch that flashes a similar scene in my mind.

Xu Mo: is good?

Xu Mo who bit the pizza opened his eyes slightly.

MC: Is the pizza with cheese, blueberry and honey taste too weird?

I looked at Xu Mo's face and tried to find the answer in his expression.

Xu Mo moved closer to my side and bit off the cheese.

Probably the pizza that was just out of the oven was still a little hot, Xu Mo didn't speak immediately, but motioned for me to try it too.

MC: It is good!

On the first bite of the pizza, I also opened my eyes wide and nodded to Xu Mo frequently.

MC: it's nice!

MC: Unexpectedly, there is such a delicious thing hidden in a place so close to the research center!

The little beauty and surprise that I suddenly found, the joy that I shared with my favorite person the first time...

The scent of blueberries and the sweet taste of honey are intertwined, and the heart is full of satisfaction.

Xu Mo: It seems that I am too underestimated and I am too used to this restaurant.

MC: Coming with you today is really rewarding!

Xu Mo: Indeed it is.

As Xu Mo said, he picked up another slice of pizza and handed it to me, his eyes were softer than the lemon-colored sunlight outside the window.

Xu Mo: Even if I'm very familiar with the things I am used to, when I'm with you, it will always be different.

Xu Mo: It seems that as long as I look at you, I won't miss all the beautiful things.

Xu Mo's voice is still so faint, with some warmth and softness in the heart.

MC: In the future, I will continue to work hard to discover the little beauty in life.

MC: So Professor Xu will continue to rest assured with me.

He did not speak any more, just smile and stretch out his finger and wiped the corners of my mouth.

There have been many times when he used the same tone and tone to explain a certain theory and a certain truth for me.

Just now, he told me more facts about himself.

Small, ordinary facts have not been verified by large sections of papers, nor are they new discoveries that shock the world.

But it is absolutely correct and constant like any other law that constructs this world.

It was enough to make my heart beat faster than usual.

--- END ---

I’m sorry if there’s some mistranslation. Kindly tell me if you found some :) thank you for read it~ ^^

[rightsockjin]

For the Record

Summary: Namjoon owns a record shop. It’s more for the nostalgia than anything but he loves to see the happiness on someone’s face when he can recommend a good record to someone who’s never owned one before. Enter you, but you’re not looking for a record. You’re looking for a helping hand and a gentleman. Namjoon is happy to oblige.

Rating: M

Genre: SMUT! Crack... I got carried away....

Warnings: A little blood. Nipple play. Sexual activities in a store. There is spanking. Daddy. Princess. Baby girl. Hiding. Fingering. Namjoon’s hands... mentions of big dick Joon. Open ending??? Provocative dress. Clumsy reader. Cute Joon.

Word count: 6,061

Author’s note: 죄송합니다! 죄송합니다! I’m sooooo sorry... I got way too carried away and I still feel like it’s unfinished.... it’s longer than intended....

Have a great day and I hope that you enjoy your record,” Namjoon said to the girl who had been browsing the shop for the last two hours. His heart was beating fast as he watched her walk away. Her hips swayed from side to side as her hair swished behind her. He’d genuinely thought she was pretty and he’d spent the whole time she was walking around trying to muster the courage to ask for her number but when she had come up with one of the oldest records in his shop and a big bright smile to check out, he’d choked and inevitably let her walk out without even finding out her name.

He felt his whole body relax as he sat back in his old- or how he liked to call it- vintage, rolling chair. It expelled a ridiculous amount of air and the cushion flattened slowly under his weight. It was nearly closing time on a Friday and yet again he had no plans after work. No girlfriend, no dates, no hookup… not that Namjoon was the type to hook up. Which, he guessed, was the reason it was so difficult for him. Most people his age wanted a quick hook up and he… he wanted something real. And it scared people away it seemed.

He twirled his chair from side to side. The silence in the shop made him anxious so he reached over to one of the newer models of the record players that were on display and turned it on. He couldn’t remember what record was playing on it but it was soothing and kind of jazzy. He let his eyes close and simply enjoyed the music. It caressed his ears with its slightly grainy and deep sound. It made him think of dark coffee and libraries. His thoughts seemed to be playing in black and white and he could almost see an old-time-y club from the 20s with a live band and girls with short hair and flapper dresses.

He could see himself in a corner of the venue in a jet black suit and a perfect white button-up with some glasses and a dark tie. A glass of some fancy alcohol was in one ringed hand as he watched people dancing.

A woman had caught his attention. She was faceless but wearing an incredibly low cut flapper dress that, though he was seeing it in shades of grey, was a golden yellow that jingled with every step over the loudness of the music-

Wait. That’s the bell of the store!

Namjoon jumped, his eyes shooting open. He felt groggy like he’d just taken a nap but one look at his watch told him that he had only been resting his eyes for a couple of minutes. Right after that realization, he looked up and around to see who had walked in. When at first, his eyes were met with no one, he was confused. It was completely possible that he had imagined the sound but he didn’t think it was the case.

Reluctantly, he stood up to get a better vantage point and was quick to find  someone cowering behind one of the many displays covered in records.

He wasn’t sure what to do. You seemed to be alright. At least, he thought you did, but also you were hiding. Was it from him? Were you a thief? He wasn’t sure.

Were thieves usually dressed in mustard yellow sundresses and strappy straw wedges? No. He didn’t think so. You seemed more so like a random person who was…maybe checking out the boxes under the tables? Then again, you weren’t really looking at the records. Instead, you were looking at the glass windows and door with what looked like- was it fear? Disgust?

He struggled with himself on what to do. One hand, you could be in some sort of danger, but on the other hand…he did have a microwave dinner waiting for him at home.

Who was he kidding? He had nothing to do for the night and he supposed he could keep the store open for a little while longer if it was to help an innocent person.  

“Excuse me,” Namjoon said loudly and you flinched.

He flinched reflexively as your head snapped to look at him. Your doe eyes were wide like a car was ready to hit you full force. Your pretty hair tumbled down your back in waves that hardly seemed possible without some sort of heat and your cute button of a nose shone in the fluorescent lights of the shop.

Namjoon had never seen a woman more beautiful and ethereal than you. It was like he was staring at an angel that had been sent down from heaven just for him. Was there a God? Namjoon had never believed there was but looking at the masterpiece that was you, made him think that there must have been because someone had to create this work of art before him. His mouth went dry, it was suddenly harder to breathe, and all thoughts and words and languages were absent from his brain. Years of study down the drain. What point was there to his impeccable English grades when he couldn’t properly utilize it to converse with a woman of such beauty?

Okay so it was working in his brain so why were no words coming out of his mouth? How does one speak again?

“S-sorry,” he slurred through his useless tongue, instantly beating himself up. He cleared his throat awkwardly and tried to swallow, but his mouth may as well have been filled with cotton or saltines because it was as dry as the Sahara. Water. He needed water.

He looked around for his bottle but couldn’t seem to find it. When was the last time he had seen it? He’d drank some of the water during his lunch break after he had choked on a particularly hard potato chip then his phone had rung and-

“I’m really sorry,” you whispered back not really sure why you guys were speaking at such volume but you went with it, “I know it’s kind of late and I saw that your store closes in like five minutes but can I just hide in here until then?”

Namjoon snapped his head back to you. He blinked owlishly as you silently begged with your Bambi eyes. Two shimmering stars sparkled in each iris. Your pinkened lips were pulled into the most adorable pout he’d ever seen. And that included puppies and babies. How could he possibly say no?

“Uh,” he took a deep breath trying to get his mouth to function properly, “yeah- yes! Of course…uh… take your time.”

Namjoon rubbed the back of his neck nervously hoping that he didn’t seem too eager and therefore creepy in your eyes, but your shoulders relaxed and a small endearing smile graced your pouty lips.

“Thank you! Thank you, I promise I’ll buy one of these…” you paused looking at the slightly dust-covered box before you-geez, Namjoon really had to dust again-with a perturbed expression, “jukebox thingies?”

Record scratch. Jukebox thingies? Jukebox thingies? Were you kidding? You had to be kidding. Beautiful and funny. What a combo. Namjoon giggled, thinking that this was the correct way to react to your joke but your confused, raised eyebrow stopped him in his tracks.

Oh no. You weren’t kidding. Did you really not know what these thingies were? Who didn’t know what a record was? How young were you? Fear shocked his spine and he blushed. Had he just been ogling a minor? In his defense, you looked at least 20 but he guessed you could be around eighteen if he stretched his perfective a bit. But anything younger than that wasn’t feasible. Yet, the only explanation was that you had to be far younger than he was accounting for. Kids these days… they dress really inappropriately for their age.

“No kid, those are records. Are you hiding from your parents or something?” Namjoon asked, suddenly a little irritated.

You furrowed your eyebrows at him and Namjoon forced himself to look away. He was not going to look at you in a weird way. He had higher respect for himself than that. He likes women.

“Parents? What are you talking about-” the ding of the bell from the front door stopped you in your tracks. You shut your mouth, your eyes once again wide and terrified as you glanced over to see who had walked in.

On all fours, you squeaked almost inaudibly and scurried away from your spot and over to another table. Namjoon watched you, perplexed and a bit amused as you tried your best to be silent. Your puppy dog face made its appearance once more from the other side of the table and he rolled his eyes ready to give up to whomever it was that was here for you. Your dad probably?

With a roll of his eyes and a smug smile, he turned over to the door as heavy footsteps echoed behind the quiet music. His stomach sank into his ass when he saw who had walked in. A man, clearly far too young to be a father but definitely not young enough to be in high school like he had originally thought you might have been. And this guy looked flummoxed and partially upset. He had the looks of a Greek God and shoulders wider than he’d ever seen. He was a good couple of inches shorter than Namjoon but he would not be prudent to pick a fight with him.

“Hi! Welcome to Disc-O Overload,” he said in his best customer service voice, “I’m really sorry sir but I’m just about to close up shop so if you could come back tomorrow-”

“Yeah, yeah, look I’m not here for your shop okay? Have you seen a girl walk by here? About this tall,” he held a hand up so that it was level with his cheek, “wavy hair? Great ass?”

Namjoon balked. Instinctively, he wanted to look at you almost as if to confirm what the man was asking but then that would give you away for sure and he didn’t have a great feeling about this jerk.

“I- great ass? I haven’t seen,” he cleared his throat feeling that he was about to say something that would be both good and probably really bad, “anyone like that here today… do you know what they were wearing?”

The man scoffed and rolled his eyes as if he was annoyed that you couldn’t just find this girl for him, “yellow dress? Real low cut? Heels I think? Listen, man, I was on a date with her and the bitch straight up climbed out of the bathroom window! Can you believe it?”

Yes. Namjoon could easily believe it. The guy’s cognitive dissonance was unbelievable. He didn’t seem dangerous but he sure as hell wasn’t going to give you up if you were that desperate to get away. Clearly, if you were on a date with this he-man, you must be of age because this man had to be in his late 20s. Thank God.

“No, I really can’t,” Namjoon said with a fake smile, “but uh… I think I saw her walk past here, now I think about it,” he said thinking quickly. The man perked up instantly and out of the corner of his eye, he saw you tense. He kept his gaze fixated on the man before him, adamant that he wouldn’t give you away.

“Which way did she go,” he asked eagerly. Namjoon almost felt guilty for misleading him, but one minuscule glance in your direction was enough to push his little white lie on.

“I think she was headed for that donut shop around the corner. I hear they have some fantastic glazed.”

The man sighed in disgust, “Yeah she looked like a fattie. The dress she was wearing was practically bursting at the seams,” he sighed, “I guess you can’t have a great ass without fat elsewhere.”

Namjoon could not believe what he was hearing. Men like this still existed? How do these people breed? It is a miracle that the man wasn’t walking on all fours and picking at his hair for fleas as sustenance.

“R-right,” he said when he realized that the man was waiting for him to answer.

“Anyway, thanks for the help.” He slapped something down on the counter then winked at Namjoon.

“Here, I think you’ll need this when this shit show,” he gestured at the store, “goes under. More power to you.”

Then with a smug look, he walked slowly out of the store. His fancy shoes hitting the linoleum floor like the blood that pounded in his ears. What an ass. What a selfish, horrible awful excuse of a human-

The door fell shut of its own accord and it snapped Namjoon back into reality. The red in the corners of his vision ebbed and he walked over to the door to lock it before he came back. He left a crap taste in his mouth. No wonder you had climbed out the bathroom window.

Namjoon pulled the curtains shut so that the night sky was covered and if that ass decided to come back he wouldn’t be able to see you. It was only when it had been fully covered that Namjoon felt his shoulders relax and the anger leave his body slowly.

He really needed to buy himself a new bonsai to soothe his nerves. The world was full of idiots.

When he turned around, you were standing and he realized that the guy had been right about two things. You had a great ass and your dress… was really low cut. Damn. The face of an angel and the body of a… of a…

Was he drooling? Why was his face a little wet? Namjoon blinked and reached up to his mouth to wipe. Low and behold…wait was that blood?

Panic filled his veins as he felt it drip down his chin. The cherry red was alarming but what was more alarming was the fact that it was coming from his nose! Instantly, he pinched his nostrils so that it stopped the flow. Have you seen it? Of course, you had seen! You’re standing right there! With your great ass and fantastic legs and perky- okay stop it Namjoon that’s not helping the situation.

How embarrassing. This hadn’t happened to him since he was in middle school. Why now did his body revert to its prepubescent functions?

“Oh my God are you alright,” You said, taking a couple of steps towards him but Namjoon held a hand out to stop you. He didn’t want to get blood on you. God, he wanted to disappear. If the floor could swallow him up right then he would be grateful.

“Yeah,” he said in a high pitched nasally voice, “Yeah happens all the time…” he lied. Great. Now you probably thought he had some weird problem with his nose. Real nice, Namjoon. “Oh, uh… do you have napkins or something? Uh… I think I have a tampon somewhere in my bag…”

“Behind the counter,” he said imagining just how stupid he would look with a tampon stuck up his nose. It was the last thing he needed. He watched you walk cautiously to the counter and start to move things around. It was then that he realized that he’d put the napkins he’d used for lunch in a drawer that was under lock and key. Don’t ask him why, he couldn’t tell you but there was no way you would be able to get into it without the keys that…were strapped to the belt loop of his denim jeans.

“I don’t see them,” you said as he walked over carefully so that he didn’t bump into anything.

“I’m sorry,” he said before taking a deep breath through his mouth, “they’re in the drawer with the keyhole… they’re on my belt loop.”

You blinked up at him then looked down at his waist. He silently prayed to whatever God made you to please, please(!) let his nether regions behave but he feared the worst. If his nose was gone, his dick had to be at least halfway there. And…not to toot his own horn but he wasn’t exactly small.

He saw your eyes glaze over for a second and his heart skipped a beat. It was only for a second though because you shook your head and were reaching across the divide. Namjoon kept his head tilted back, his eyes staring at the popcorn ceiling.

Gentle as the breeze, he felt your hand gingerly touch the keys on his belt loops. It wasn’t hard to unclip, he knew as much and you seemed to have been taking extra care to not touch anywhere that didn’t need to be touched.

It was a flood gate of relief when he felt you successfully unclip the ring from his jeans without incident but the discomfort in his pants told him that while the blood was running out of his nose, it was also rushing straight between his legs.

He felt the humiliation fill him as he heard you unlocked the drawer. Why… he would have rather his night have gone how he had originally thought, boring and uneventful than this shit show he was in. It’s not like he had a chance with you.

“Hey, um…what’s your name?” You asked and Namjoon looked down at you. He was met with your pretty eyes and a soft inquisitive smile.

“N-Namjoon. I’m Namjoon.”

“Namjoon,” you confirmed with a nod, “you should sit.”

You gestured to his chair which was a bit of way behind you. He complied, still holding his nose out of fear. It started to feel dry enough but he was scared that it would start again if he looked- gulp- down.

It was then that he realized his huge mistake. Now he was sitting, he was level not with your face but with your chest. Your milky, exposed…soft-looking chest. Fuck. He forced his eyes to meet yours. A smirk was pressed across your pretty lips, or was he imagining it? The white lights framed you like a halo and he had to wonder if you had set him up for this. It was too perfect. The light, the level, the proximity of your body to his.

“Here let me help,” you said bending at the waist. Danger! Danger! Keep your eyes up Namjoon! Don’t look into her dress!

“Ah-I got it!” he nearly yelled pushing his chair farther away from you, his dick pulsed painfully against his jeans. Why had he chosen the tighter ones that day?

“No really let me help! It’s the least I can do to repay you for letting me hide in here past your closing time.”

“It was no big deal,” he said trying to avoid you as you got closer once again. You scrunched up your nose and lunged forward again. Namjoon tried to dodge but cornered himself against the wall. There was nowhere to go and you weren’t letting up.

You grabbed onto the armrests and held the chair from moving. The napkins were in your hand ready to use. You smiled sweetly at him. Why did it feel like a threat?

“You saved a damsel in real distress. I think it was a big deal Namjoon, please?”  

How could he refuse? How was he supposed to refuse you when you were so close and you smelled so good and every time you moved, your steep neckline gave room for him to look right into the depths of…

“Oh alright… can I at least get your name?”

You brightened triumphantly, as a smile that was less smug than it was the picture of adorable graced your lips. You gave him whiplash. How could you be both cute and the epitome of sexy? Were you ever trying or was this just you?

“I suppose it’s only fair,” you said, “my name is Y/N but most people call me Bambi for obvious reasons.”

“Do you like it?” Namjoon asked slightly freaked out that he’d thought of that equivalent to you earlier.

Gently, you took the wrist of the hand holding his nose and had him remove it. He felt a bit of blood move as soon as he had but you wasted no time in wiping at it with the napkins. It was so gentle that he could have fallen asleep.

“I don’t mind it,” you shrugged, leaning in a little closer to wipe something he couldn’t see. Suddenly, he felt you nudge his legs closed and you straddled them between your own still standing. Then, ever so slowly, you raised your right led and wedged it between his left thigh and the armrest.

“Sorry, do you mind?” You asked him sugar-sweet, “It’s better leverage.”

“I uh…” words… what were words again. When Namjoon couldn’t think of the right thing to say, he simply held up an ok sign and leaned back on the chair. If his heart would take a chill pill, that would be great.

“Kind of a nightmare huh,” you said and his heart did a full stop. Could you read minds as well?

“Wha-what is?”

“My date,” you said with a laugh that was supposed to diffuse the tension but he could tell you were uncomfortable.

“Oh. Yeah…”

“Found him on an app for people in their 20s who are supposedly ready to settle down but that guy was anything but marriage material.”

You dabbed carefully at his nostril but the blood was starting to dry. Luckily, it wasn’t flowing anymore. Unbeknownst to you, it was for a very BIG reason.

“Yeah. The guy was a real dick,” Namjoon said chuckling lightly as your hand came up to his head. You held your hand against his cheek and steadied his head so you could try to get as much of the blood off his face as you could. Wow… he had a pretty face…

Your legs slipped further onto the chair until your knee was flush against the backrest. You were a short woman, and Namjoon was a long man. It was almost no surprise when your back leg slipped slightly-darn those stupidly slippery yet absolutely adorable wedges- and your ass landed directly on his thighs.

He’d have to be dead to not feel the intense amount of heat that was radiating from between your legs. And Namjoon was not dead, at least, he hoped he wasn’t, because this was his definition of heaven and he wasn’t sure what was real at that moment. His member twitched impatiently in his pants. He felt a deep blush rise to his cheeks as you glanced up at him apologetically and slightly terrified.

Namjoon swallowed hard. His chest was rising and falling rapidly. 

Think with your brain, not with your dick. Think with your brain, not with your dick. Think with your brain, not with your-

“I-I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s okay! I mean- it’s not your fault! I uh…” Namjoon stuttered.

“It’s my shoes.”

“Yeah they’re cute,” he said clearly thinking with his dick.

“I slipped and-wait what?”

Namjoon would have facepalmed if he had any blood left in his body and his arms had any feeling left in them but he settled for connecting his eyebrows.

“Sorry… sometimes I speak without thinking.”

Namjoon chose that moment to shift under you. Electric pleasure coursed into your belly through the thick fabric of his pants. You bit your lip to stop yourself from having a reaction but Namjoon noticed.

“Would-“ he cleared his throat and shifted slightly once again, you hissed, “would it be…better leverage if you had both your legs on the chair?” It was an invitation but it was indirect enough that he hoped you wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

It took a second for you to understand, but then a brief picture of you pushing his head into your chest popped in your head and understanding dawned on you.

“Oh uh… yes actually I- I think that would be much- much better.”

Had Namjoon heard you correctly? Had you just agreed? He must be dreaming. He had to be. But then you were adjusting, and your knee had joined your right at the backrest on either side of his thighs. You were sitting up so that he had to strain his head to look you in the eyes. Your chest was once again easily accessible to him yet he wasn’t sure if he could look.

“Can I ask you something,” you questioned, dabbing at his nose as an excuse to get closer to his face even though he was as clean as he was gonna get without water and soap.

“Mhm.” If he wanted, he could reach up slightly and kiss your delectable lips.

“You really think I have a great ass?”

Namjoon’s stomach twisted. Was this a trap?

“I um- I mean- not that I was looking per se but uh yeah...”

A pause followed shortly in which you balled up the napkin and threw it over your shoulder. Then you brought your attention back to him. Your cheeks were rouged and your pupils were blown wide. You were breathing almost as heavily as Namjoon was.

“What if,” another pause in which you let your eyes study his every feature, “I want you to look?”

“I-what?” No way. This was a wet dream. He was going to wake up any moment now and he would be in his bed with his sheets ruined. He just knew it.

You used the hand that had been taking care of the napkin to grab his wrist again and guided it to the swell of your ass. His hand molded onto the curve almost as if it was made to hold it and you clenched around nothing as he gently squeezed.

You let go of his face and grabbed his other hand. He didn’t fight you. He let you lead him onto your chest, the swell of your breast seeming just the right amount of big for him. It wasn’t huge but it wasn’t small. It was the goldilocks of breasts, he thought before he rolled his eyes internally at himself.

“Is this okay,” you asked him, suddenly feeling self-conscious when he didn’t move or so much as blink at you, “I don’t really do this kind of thing like- ever… and I understand if you want me to just back off-”

“No!” He pulled and pushed you closer to his body roughly with the hold he had on you.

“I mean… no. It’s fine I- I don’t do it often either. I’ve had sex- I meant just not casually? Not that there’s anything wrong with casual sex or anything, I’m not judging in the slightest I’m just saying that I don’t usually sleep around… not that sleeping around is a judgment-”

“Namjoon?”

“Yes?” He breathed, glad for the interruption.

“I got it.”

“Oh,” he chuckled, “okay… sorry.”

“It’s alright just… do you wanna-”

“Yes!” He was too eager. He knew he sounded it and if you could feel the way that his body throbbed you would feel it too but he couldn’t help it. Something about you was alluring in a way he’d never felt. It was like you were a magnet and he was metal. He couldn’t pull away if he tried.

It was true, Namjoon didn’t usually do things like this but it felt okay. This one time it felt like he NEEDED to sleep with you. Like it would all fall into place if he did. Usually, he’d at least buy you dinner and take you on a couple of dates. He shrugged off his thoughts. He’d deal with that moral dilemma later.

Right then, he was a little too focused on the way he could feel your nipple in the center of his palm.

He graced his thumb over the erect nub. You shivered with the minimal contact. Namjoon watched the goosebumps erupt all over your arms. So you had sensitive nipples? He stored that in the back of his mind. He did it again, this time putting a little more pressure on the spot and you arched into him.

Embarrassed, you bit your lips and giggled. Namjoon could write poetry about the sound on its own.

“It’s okay, Baby girl,” Namjoon said slipping a little too fast into his sex mode, “you don’t have to be embarrassed.

He leaned forward and kissed the skin between your breasts tenderly. Another wave of excitement ran through you.

Namjoon hooked his thumb into the neckline and pulled it back slightly. With a quick glance up to make sure it was okay with you. you confirmed by giving him a quick nod. He pulled it all the way to the side to reveal you weren’t wearing a bra. He had not expected that. But was he complaining? Hell no. he wasted no time in kissing the exposed skin. His lips were warm against your nipple and the little pecks were driving you crazy. Wow, if he was this good with his mouth up here… you could only imagine what he would be like a bit lower.

His tongue ventured out and licked a thick stripe on the bud. The warmth and wetness of his tongue contrasted heavily with the coolness of the store. He didn’t hesitate to trace your areola then noisily suck in your nipple. His hand was cupping under your boob to keep it in place. Your core was throbbing painfully. You needed him to touch you. You need to touch him.

You felt his hand pull the other side of your dress aside. The cold air nipped at your skin as his fingers went to work, tweaking and pulling lightly at the raised skin.

You moaned deep in your throat, moving your hips uncomfortably above his hips. You couldn’t take it anymore. You reached down and pulled at the neat bow on your hip that held the two ends of the dress together. It untied easily exposing your front entirely to him.

Namjoon felt the fabric give way. He pulled his lips from your chest and the small hickey he’s started to make and looked down in inquisition. What met his unexpectant eyes was your nearly naked body in full view. Bra absent and black, silk panties present. They wrapped intricately onto your stomach. Attractively.

“Damn am I lucky that your date was awful… look at this pretty little thing you have for daddy,” Namjoon groaned aa a flash of embarrassment hit him. He’d really just thrown that out there like a live bomb. He looked up at you, expecting your to be disgusted or have some strong, unpleasant reaction to what he’d said but-

“Daddy?… noted,” you said with a smile.

“Is that alright?”

“I’m a daddy’s girl so… I’d say it is.”

Perfect. How could this be any more perfect?

You grabbed the hand on your boob and dragged it down into your underwear. Namjoon swallowed as he felt just how wet you already were. You were gushing. With what felt like practiced ease, he found your clit and gave it a soft stroke. You were sensitive. So, so sensitive. A moan was ripped out of you instantly.

“That’s it princess… so good for daddy.”

A resounding smack vibrated in your ears. A gasp escaped your pink lips and your doe eyes were back.

“Do that again.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. He spanked your ass again, harder. It pushed you further into his big hand. He rubbed your clit in fast tight circles. He wanted to see you come undone. He wanted to make you writhe under him, he wanted you to scream his name.

It wasn’t long before he had you on the cusp of what was going to be a fantastic orgasm. His dick throbbed painfully but he didn’t care. He was always a big giver and for you, oh God for you… he could do this all night if you let him. Anything to make that angelic face twist in what could only be described as pure pleasure. This is what it was like to make an angel his.

“D-daddy… I think I’m gonna-”

“Cum little doe… cum for me.”

A gurgled moan left your lips as you were thrust into the eye of the orgasm. Your body tensed and little stars began to dance behind your closed eyelids. You convulsed as Namjoon pushed his fingers into your heat mid-orgasm and continued to draw circles with his thumb. He spanked you again and again as you rode it out.

You shivered and twitched in his hold. Lewd, loud squelches left your core. It was embarrassing.

“That’s what I like to hear,” Namjoon growled. Your scent hit nostrils. He was going feral. God, he wanted to taste you. He spanked you one last time before he pulled his fingers tenderly from your heat. Almost instantly you collapsed into him. Exhausted from your experience.

“Whoa, hey Y/N, are you alright?”

You breathed against his wide shoulders and held onto his toned arms. In the back of your head you knew that you wanted to return the favor but you were so weak… you needed to recharge.

“Fine,” you breathed.

After a couple of seconds of rest you pushed yourself up and sat back on his thighs. His member was so hard that it almost hurt against your core.

“Your turn?”

Namjoon smiled, “Mmm I think I’m alright.”

You quirked a curious eyebrow at him, pulling your dress slightly over your chest.

“Don’t get me wrong, I want… you but I really should close up shop and it's getting kind of late.”

“Oh, right I hadn’t even thought of that.” You haphazardly tied your dress up again and pushed yourself off his lap. Namjoon mourned the loss of your weight on him but he knew it was for the best. He didn’t exactly have a condom or anything so it’s not like he could have had sex with you even if he wanted to but damn did he want to.

“Right… yeah I should go,” you agreed straightening yourself out awkwardly. When you were sure your breasts were well and covered you stepped around the counter to make your way out, that is until you realized it was locked.

“Could you maybe-”

“Oh yeah! Right, hold on.” Namjoon grabbed his keys then a box and a flat cardboard thing and turned towards you.

“Here, for the record, this is a record,” he said, holding up the flat thing you had seen earlier, “this is a record player,” he patted the box, “And this,” he grabbed a sticky note and a pen and stuck it to the front of the box while quickly scribing something down, “is my phone number. You know,” he paused, “in case you wanna learn about this jukebox thingy.” He chuckled at your expense and only then did you realize your mistake. Had you really called the records jukebox thingies? What an idiot.

“Oh God, how much is all of this?”

“On the house, well,” he sighed looking at what your date had set on the counter earlier, “Really it’s on your date. Guess that Ass was good for something after all.”

In his hand was a one hundred dollar bill. Namjoon smiled.

“Just leave the keys in the keyhole. I’ll fix it later and don’t hesitate to call if you need any help.”

“I won’t,” you said, majorly excited that your date had gone so horribly. You waved at the cute man behind the counter. Dimples popping out at you.

As you walked towards the door, arms full, you looked down at the record he had given you. In big colorful letters, the word Dynamite was written. Huh, you hadn’t ever heard of this- was it a band? You were always looking to expand your music taste.

You turned the key to open the door and the bell jingled above you. You glanced over your shoulder once more. Namjoon was watching you leave. Without a second thought, you gave your own ass a light spank and sent a wink his way.

Namjoon felt his whole body convulse with need as he watched you leave. What a fucking dream.

Read the rest here!

[ellewritesathing]

What A Man

Summary: What do you do when your best friend gets buried alive? If you're Evan Buckley, you completely lose your shit.

Masterlist

Word-count: 1.1k+

A/N: my mom’s reaction after Eddie Begins was “those two should just get married and raise christopher together already” and i knew my time had come to write my first buddie fic p.s. this is barely edited but i needed validation so here goes

Buck had survived the worst day of his life. He’d been pinned by the ladder truck, survived a tsunami and fought his way back to Christopher, made it through earthquakes, and kept his cool on the days Maddie was kidnapped and held hostage. Each one of those days was supposed to be the worst day of his life. 

He was wrong. 

The worst day of Buck’s life started at night when the lightning struck. The explosion wasn’t the worst of it; that came after. The worst was that feeling when he realized he’d forgotten Eddie underground. Buck couldn’t forget him - couldn’t leave him - so he started digging as soon as he crawled back to where the tunnel should have been. He’d bring Eddie back home even if he had to dig through forty feet of mud and rising water to do it. 

Bobby pulled Buck off the ground and put him back together. He kept telling Buck that he couldn’t dig his way back to Eddie, but that they’d find him no matter what it took. Buck tried to listen to them and their new plan, he really did, but he just kept staring at the place in the ground where the tunnel should have been. 

Buck was so busy staring at that spot that he almost didn’t hear Eddie’s voice. If he was being honest, Buck thought he imagined it. 

“I’m pretty cold.” 

That’s all Eddie said before he collapsed, but that was all Buck needed to hear for his heart to explode in his chest. His body rushed him to Eddie’s side before Buck was even capable of making a coherent thought. 

“Hey, hey. You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

That’s all Buck said as he wrapped his arms around Eddie and carried him to the truck for Hen to take a look at him. His heartbeat a mile a minute while all Buck could think about was how lucky he was to see Eddie’s face again. 

Chimney tried to get Buck to give them some space to start pumping warm IV fluids but Hen said it was fine, so Buck stayed with him the entire time. He held onto Eddie’s hand as they checked for broken bones and organ damage and only let go because the hospital staff made him. But that didn’t mean he left Eddie’s side. Buck was even there when they did the CT scan, though he wasn’t sure why because that’s usually reserved for family or partners. 

Speaking of family, thank God for Carla Price. Buck wasn’t sure what they’d do without her looking after Chris when they were on calls like this. She understood what needed to be done five minutes after being on the phone with Buck. At least one of them knew what to do. 

Buck sighed and tried to get comfortable in his chair for the fifth time that night. Eddie insisted that he didn’t need to stay for the whole observation period, but Buck made it pretty clear that he wasn’t going anywhere. 

After a while, Eddie woke up and tried to sit up in his bed. “Hey,” he said quietly, rubbing his eyes to get the sleep out of them. “Have you heard anything from Carla and Chris?” 

“Carla got him in bed on time and Hen checked in with them before she went home,” Buck said. He straightened himself out to check on Eddie again. “How are you feeling? Are those pain meds enough because I can get a nurse in here-” 

“No, I’m fine,” Eddie said in a voice that sounded anything but. He sighed and sat back against the bed, closing his eyes for a second. “God, I just want to go home. These lights are killing me.” 

“You want me to turn them off?” 

Eddie laughed before wincing slightly. “The lights are fine, Buck. Seriously.”

Buck was quiet for a moment, or at least quiet for him, as he mumbled an okay and looked down at his hands. After everything that happened, he wasn’t exactly sure what to do now. It’s not like he’d been much help when it happened anyway, but now he just felt in the way. 

“So Chim said you were pretty upset when the tunnel collapsed,” Eddie said when the sound of the local news calling him a hero seemed to get to him. 

“Uh, yeah,” Buck said as he shifted around and brushed his nose. “We all were.”

“Right,” Eddie said. “The team.” 

“Yeah, the team. Exactly.” 

Deflection was one of the only things Buck thought he was any good at, or at least he hoped he was considering all the practice he had over the years. He’d deflected whenever old boyfriends and girlfriends asked him about something real, whenever his parents tried to spend ‘quality time’ with him, and whenever Maddie asked him about Eddie. 

Never one for self-reflection, Buck shoved down his feelings as far as Eddie was concerned. He was on the team, which made it infinitely more complicated than it ever was with Abby, and he was Chris’ dad, which meant if it didn’t work out then Buck would never see him again. It was way, way too complicated for Buck to even think about it. 

So, for now, Buck would content himself with their almost daily lunches and dinners, video-game sessions with Eddie and Chris, weekend trips, and anything else in between. He wouldn’t let himself think about the future. Buck knew he’d just burn those bridges when he got to them. 

“So did the whole team offer to dig me out of the tunnel by hand?” Eddie asked. 

“Uh, what?” 

As he said, deflection was a specialty of Buck’s. 

“Did the team think digging through forty feet of mud by hand was a feasible idea?” Eddie asked. He turned in the bed to look at Buck, and Buck turned awkwardly to face him. 

“Well, I mean …” Buck let out a breath. “No? But you know me - I’m always coming up with dumb ideas on calls.” 

“Dumb ideas like embracing the cross brace?” Eddie asked. “Or the dumb ideas that got you and Chris through that tsunami?” 

“That’s different!” 

“How is it different?” 

“Because-” 

Because they aren’t you.

“Because the cross brace was dumb luck and I lost Christopher that day,” Buck said. “It’s just different, okay?” 

Eddie was surprised by the outburst and Buck hated himself for stressing him out even more after everything he’d been through that night, but he dropped it. “Okay.” 

He never pushed when he knew Buck couldn’t handle it. How Eddie knew when that was, Buck had no idea. Eddie was just like that; he always knew what Buck could handle and how to deal with what he couldn’t. He made sure Buck ate something every day, sent texts to let him know when he and Chris were home okay, and got him to talk about the rough stuff whenever he was ready. 

Eddie was smart and gentle, kind yet forceful, and the best friend Buck had ever had. 

What a man. 

[charmingpplincardigans]

January Kitchen Sink Check In

This is mostly for me, because I’m trying to become a better person this year, for varying definitions of the term ‘better’, and I like to see my progress laid out all organized like. It helps me move forward. So I’m gonna go through my Body/Mind/Money goals for January and note how I did and what I’m going to do moving forward!

BODY

Working Out: 

My two work out goals for the end of the year are to 1) be doing yoga semi-regularly and 2) be working out four days a week reliably, including the yoga. I’m working on easing myself into these (and all) habits, because I don’t want to overwhelm myself and give up on everything, so my goal for January was to work out one day a week. And I worked out *drumroooooooll* NONE! NOT A ONCE. I don’t have an excuse for this. Part of it was stress, part of it was depression, part of it was sheer laziness. I promise myself I’m gonna work out at least once a week in February, but also shoot for the two times a week that is the February Goal. 

Food: 

I have several overall food goals for the year. One is to give up soda near completely, or at least to break my addiction to it. The others are to start planning meals and eat less meat. For January I wanted to drink only two sodas a day (20oz max). I managed that 23 days out of 31. In looking at the calendar you can reliably match the days I failed to the days that were extremely stressful or anxiety ridden. I have a very bad habit in those moments of throwing up my hands and deciding that I’m a failure anyway so nothing matters. That’s definitely a mental tick to keep an eye on over the next few months as my job no doubt just gets more and more stressful. The other goals I did okay with. I decided to plan one meatless meal a week. New recipes I made in January were: 

Black bean soup

Moroccan sweet potatoes

Spinach lasagna

Black bean & sweet potato enchiladas

Do recommend most of them. The lasagna had way too much cinnamon in it, which was kind of weird. If I make that recipe again I’m gonna quarter the amount. But I might just find a different veggie lasagna to make. 

For February I want to drop the soda to one a day (12oz max), and start to plan to make two meals a week. I’m doing okay with meat, but I could for sure do better. It helps that I have started making THE WORLD’S BEST SANDWICHES for lunch. Probably just gonna eat those forever instead of ordering out Huey Magoo’s or whatever. (The sandwich is hummus, cucumber, and feta on toasted Good Seed bread. Try it!)

Doctor Things:

Uff. I need to figure out the CPAP issues and the chest pain issues. I absolutely despised the first mask they sent me for the CPAP. It gave me panic episodes and I was ripping it off IN MY SLEEP. Insurance refused me a new mask until April, but my doctor came in like an angel with a sample version of a different type of mask to try. This one is...better. I’m still not comfortable in it and it’s not appreciably helping my sleep. People keep telling me it’s going to change my life, but that has not happened yet. On the other hand I have friends who’ve tried to make them work for YEARS and never did, so I’m wary of this whole process, but still trying. 

I had a sort of fraught meeting with my cardiologist last week. My chest pain symptoms had been getting better as of October, but with the change in my job I’ve back slid almost entirely. I had a 36 hour period of chest pain two weeks ago. I go whole nights having every heart attack symptom in slow motion, but doing nothing about it because I can’t afford for the ER to tell me I’m fine five times a month. I cried when she asked me why I didn’t go to a hospital when that happened. I feel so helpless all of the time and I’m certain I’m going to die any day now, even though my heart is technically physically fine. Can you anxiety yourself into a heart attack? I THINK YOU CAN. She did tell me to try to speak to the psychiatrist again about anxiety medication. The last time I tried the woman I saw didn’t want to prescribe me anything. She told me to work on my sleep and come back. Welp! The cardiologist said that if that happens this time she’ll write a note telling her to prescribe me something. We’ll see. I need to try to make that appt this month. 

MIND

Therapy:

My therapist thinks I’ve done really well over the last year with working on myself and said out loud that she thinks I’m better at dealing with some things and am in a good position to move forward. But I’m so stressed right now that I just feel like I’ve fallen apart again. We’re meant to start on EMDR this week, but I’m going to have to put a pause on it so I can talk about how I’m at like, the lowest point of my life, which she will be very supportive of and then probably remind me that if we could just get to the EMDR and work with the older traumas this might not feel so dire. I’m just, on the struggle bus and too tired to do anything but freak out about that. 

Writing: 

I have so may creative goals this year! Too many probably! I should put some back! My creative goals for the year are:

Complete a rough draft of AMLD (10,000 words a month)

Complete and mail out the Girls Who Date the Universe chapbook

Complete and mail out any remaining art for people who helped me with the car fund

Work on poetry and short fictions (Monster Story?)

Actually check in to @gywo every month (10 days a month goal)

My creative goals for January were to write 10,000 words on AMLD, work on the extra poems for GWDTU, and send the remaining postcards from the car fund. And uh...look. I did work on writing. I worked on the chapbook layout and editing pieces that needed to be edited/replaced, because there are several. I did also work on the outline for AMLD, but didn’t write new words on it. Not anywhere 10,000 of them at any rate. 

The owing people art thing is just...it fucks me up, man. I have learned a huge lesson between the car fund and the patreon. I get so in my head about how these people deserve beautiful things and then I tell myself I’m not capable of making things worthy of them and then I put off doing the thing because I want to put off letting them down and then it just spirals from there. ALL THE WHILE I AM FOR SURE LETTING THEM DOWN. I realize this is both unhealthy and unprofessional. It’s why one of my goals this year is to clear all of this once and for all so that I can square myself away with everyone and try not to end up here in the future. 

So, the January Goals now get rolled up into the February Goals, which leaves the new list for the month at: 

10,000 words AMLD

Complete extra poems for GWDTU

Send postcards from car fund

Complete layout for Boston chapbook for car fund

I did check in for GYWO. 

Future Plans:

Part of letting off the pressure for the now for me is always about planning for the future. Not like, the actual future, I’m not starting a 401k, let’s not go nuts. But for something that is one step forward. In my notes for my year goals this is all about moving back to Boston. I need to set a date for it. I need to save money for it. I need to keep my job until after I’ve done it. But now I think this part needs to include notes about my job itself and the ways I can either move forward with it or move away from it once and for all. 

I talked to Lisa and Kait at the beginning of the year about the moving plan, and now I just need to talk to my apartment complex to see if it would be feasible to extend the lease to December or February without paying an exorbitant amount in rent each month. If rent ends up being more than $2k/mo for the extension then I’m just going to have to have to wait until June 2022. This frustrates me, because I hate not being able to just follow through with decisions once I’ve made them, but patience is another thing I’m working on eternally. My goal for February is figure out money stuff well enough and talk to complex and set a timeline. 

Work is. Wow. It’s awful right now. I still have my job, which takes up much of my days, but because of re-org I’m also having to learn a whole new job which would also take up much of my day. I can’t not learn this job, because the person who used to do it is in another department now too, so there’s no one to get the work done if I don’t learn to do it. But I also can’t do both. I CAN’T DO BOTH. An issue popped up last week with my job that literally brought my ulcer back. I asked my boss for help with it and she sent me a message at one point saying she wanted to cry about it. So like. She knows now, right? She knows I can’t do both jobs?? BUT THERE’S NO ONE ELSE TO DO IT SO I GUESS I JUST GET TO SLOWLY KILL MYSELF. I’m just so frustrated, and angry that these decisions get made without taking the people in them into account, and of course anxious and miserable. I’m currently dreading work in a way I haven’t since I was in text perms. It’s real bad. So I have to find a way to make it work or find a way out. 

My February approach to that is to finish this Love It or Leave It book and see if I can’t divine where my true motivation lies, and also to research library school. I kind of would rather not go back to school. Not because I wouldn’t spend my entirely life in school if I could. I WOULD. But because it’s expensive and time intensive and there’s no promise my life will be better after it’s over. But every job I think I want pretty much requires that masters, so. We’ll look into it at least. 

MONEY

Eating Out:

During the pandemic, one of my money sinks became DoorDash. I never used it before, because it costs literally twice as much as just going to get the food. (Also because I kind of like eating in restaurants alone. Ah, one day again I hope!) But the more afraid I became of the outside world, the less inclined I was to go into a restaurant to pick up take out, so I’ve had it brought to me. And I need to cut that shit out! I have food at home! My goal for January was to order out only 4 times a week. I managed this for three of the weeks, but when I blew it it was definitely those weeks at the very beginning and very end of the month where I was super stressed. The goal in February is to only order out 3 times a month.

Savings:

I need to open a high yield savings account. I’ve had the starting money for the move just sitting in my bank account making me no extra money for like, four months. The latest reason I haven’t moved it over is that I’m worried I’m going to owe a lot in taxes this year because of the partial unemployment I got. Hopes are that since it was a work share the taxes were taken out ahead of time, but I do not trust the government with my money as far as I can throw them, so. I’ll do my taxes this month and finally know for sure. And then I WILL move the rest of the money into a high yield savings account. I WILL. 

Also, every time my credit union savings hits a grand, I’ll move $500 of that over into the high yield account to put toward moving expenses. 

Budget:

I keep meaning to sit down and work out my new budget for 2021. I’m bringing home a little bit less in my paycheck because I changed my health insurance, and I’m also, of course, trying to save as much as I can ahead of moving so I don’t put anything on credit cards. (I’m doing so well paying those down!) This means I need to save everything I can and not spend money on stupid frivolous stuff. I’m not buying clothing like I did in the before times, but I AM spending too much money at Target still, because the app lets me just peruse any dumb idea I have and then pick it up that day! What a disaster! So, I really need to work something out. Or at least, I need to check my bank accounts more often and keep tabs on how much is actually going out. I have a bad out-of-sight-out-of-mind habit when it comes to bank accounts. Just another piece of me to try to cure this year.

And that’s it for January. I’m now late to bed because I’ve been working on this post for an hour and a half. Working on my sleep is also a goal, but we’ll see how exercise and the cpap handle that. Til next month!

[ponyregrets]

can you do the instagram one on the prompts list for bellarke if ya feel like it thank you

I sent Brit a bunch of messages on Instagram to see how it worked because I am a PROFESSIONAL who DOES RESEARCH and DOES NOT UNDERSTAND INSTAGRAM also I forgot what the actual prompt was so it’s a little different

bls_bblake liked your post.

Clarke stares at the notification, nestled in among her others, ordinary and unremarkable, and tells herself that it’s not what she thinks. It’s a completely innocuous username that could be anyone. It’s not going to be Bellamy. There’s no way it’s Bellamy. She hasn’t even talked to him since they broke up, and he wouldn’t possibly be liking her Instagram posts.

Although, if he was going to like a picture, that one makes sense. It’s almost four years old, from back when they were dating, and it’s of one of his books, a few passages of Latin that she particularly liked and got a nice, artistic shot of. If he somehow found it, he probably would like it.

The picture on the bls_bblake account is just a mug with a map of the world on it, which is not really helpful in terms of his identity. Part of her feels stupid for even clicking through to the actual account; after all, she runs an aesthetic blog and gets lots of random likes from accounts she’s never seen before. That doesn’t mean any of them are her ex-boyfriend.

But there it is, in stark black and white, right below his username: Bellamy Blake History teacher at Boston Latin School. Follow for more history content.

And there he is in the second row of pictures too, posing in a graveyard she thinks is somewhere on the Freedom Trail. She’s clicking into the picture before she’s fully processed it, eyes roving greedily over his face. It’s only been three years, so he doesn’t look that different, but she can see how he’s aged, grown into his looks, grown more comfortable with himself.

bls_bblake Hope everyone is spending their summer doing the important things, like visiting one of the many historic sites in the city. This stuff is on the AP exam, guys!

Clarke and Bellamy broke up for one very simple reason: he got into grad school in Connecticut, and she got into grad school in California, and they decided that trying to maintain a long distance relationship while they were starting on new jobs and new careers was just not at all feasible. It was probably the right decision, and Clarke wouldn’t say she regretted it, but she wishes she hadn’t taken the cold-turkey approach she did to the breakup.They could have stayed in touch. But he’s never been a social media person, wasn’t on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram back then, and every time she thought about texting him, she talked herself out of it. She told herself that if she missed him as much as she did, it wouldn’t be safe, to just talk to him. She’d get over him faster if they just never interacted again.

Given the erratic beat of her heart and the way her hand is trembling a little on her phone, it didn’t work at all.

Clarke checks back to her own account, giving it a critical once-over. This isn’t her personal account, and she doesn’t appear in any of the pictures. Bellamy knew it existed, back in the day, but she’s not convinced he’d remember the username, if he ever knew it.

Still, if he looked at the profile, it’s right there: Follow my personal account @clarkegriffin. He might know it’s her, or he might have just found the picture doing some weird search for Latin books, and he liked it without doing any follow-up on the account that posted it.

He wouldn’t have liked it, right? If he knew it was her, he would have said something.

If he goes to her personal account, he’ll see that she’s in Boston too. Not that that means anything. But–she is. And he is. And she could be talking to him.

She switches accounts to her personal blog and navigates her way back to Bellamy’s profile, looking it over again before she bites the bullet and opens up the message box.

clarkegriffin: Did you know photographilia was my aesthetic side blog, or just a lucky coincidence?Also, hi, Bellamy

She’s not sure what exact response she’s hoping for, really, but it feels weirder to not acknowledge him. She knows now, she can’t not know, and it’s going to bother her, if she doesn’t say anything.

She’s planning to turn off her phone and do something else, but before she can, his icon pops up to indicate he’s typing, and she’s frozen again, rooted to the spot as she waits for the response.

It’s been three years. It shouldn’t be like this.

bls_bblake: I thought that book looked really familiarHi, ClarkeI was just looking for some dorky stuff to make my kids stop following me, I had no idea it was you

clarkegriffin: Have you considered not giving your students your Instagram username?And also not having an Instagram that actually seems to be centered around being a teacherThese are good steps you can take so students won’t follow you

bls_bblake: I should have known I should come to you for the inside tips on InstagramIt’s this thing my principal is into for some reasonShe thinks that if the teachers have a social media presence we’ll be more approachableAnd I thought I’d do better on Instagram than Twitter

clarkegriffin: Does that really work?

bls_bblake: ApparentlyA bunch of them follow meAnd sometimes they send me homework questions on hereWhich is really inconvenient, but I guess it’s better than them not asking

clarkegriffin: Well, let me know if you need any other pictures of Latin booksI think I have a few more

bls_bblake: ThanksHow are you doing?Still in California?

clarkegriffin: Cambridge, actuallySo I guess we’re neighbors

bls_bblake: Wait, really?That’s one hell of a coincidence

He’s not wrong. They were both living in DC when they dated, Clarke recently out of college and Bellamy just finishing up himself, having started late because he was taking care of his sister, and they’d been together for two years when it ended. Clarke applied for schools back in California because her dad was sick and she wanted to be close to home, and Bellamy had just gone wherever would give him the best financial aid. Clarke had thought about staying on the west coast, but she found she actually preferred it out here, and once she was done with school and her dad was in better health, she wanted to come back.

She’d always assumed he’d go back to DC, when she thought about it. It hadn’t occurred to her that he might be in New England. That he might be here.

clarkegriffin: Yeah, I couldn’t believe itHow long?

bls_bblake: A yearI started right after I finished grad schoolYou must have just graduated up in May, right?And then moved here?

clarkegriffin: I’m working at the MFA, yeahStarted in June, so I’m finally starting to feel like I’m settling in

bls_bblake: Cool, that’s goodI like it here

clarkegriffin: Yeah, me too

She worries her lip, trying to figure out where to go from here. Can she just ask if he wants to hang out? It doesn’t feel like it should be such a huge deal. They were friends, they liked each other even before the dating thing. And then–well, he’s still the best relationship she’s ever had, and nothing ever went wrong. They just couldn’t make it work living apart. And now they’re living together again.

clarkegriffin: I haven’t gotten to much of the historical stuff yetAny suggestions?

bls_bblake: I was going to check out the Tea Party Museum this weekendI haven’t been beforeIt would probably be more fun with company

clarkegriffin: I work Tuesday to Saturday, but I’m free on SundayIf that works for you

bls_bblake: YeahWe could grab lunch first, maybe? Catch up?

clarkegriffin: It’s a date

And, to her profound relief, it really, definitely is.

[sophiaholmes221b]

Sophia Holmes and the Blind Banker

Chapter Five

We take a cab to the end of the Shaftesbury Avenue and walk down the road looking for the restaurant Van Coon ate at on the day he died.

"So you bought your lunch from here en route to the station, but where were you headed from?" dad asks himself out loud, trying to piece his movements together. I look down the road and see the entrance to China Town, and my mind begins to find links. "Where did the taxi drop you...?"

He begins to spin around as he walks, taking in a full 360 of the streets surrounding this one. Almost immediately and completely predictably, he bumps into someone who was approaching from behind, and who seems too engrossed in a book to look where he's going. Dad grunts as they collide, and John looks up, surprised to see us here.

"Right," John begins, ready to launch into an explanation of his findings, but dad begins to quick fire.

"Eddie Van Coon brought a package here the day he died – whatever was hidden inside that case. We've managed to piece together a picture using scraps of information ..."

"Sherlock ..." John says, attempting to interrupt.

" ... credit card bills, receipts," dad continues, blanking John out. "He flew back from China, then he came here."

"Sherlock ..." John tries again, unsuccessfully.

"Somewhere in this street; somewhere near. I don't know where, but ..."

John gives me a pointed look, and I nudge dad in the ribs as John points to the other side of the road. "That shop over there."

Dad and I look over to the shop he's pointing to then look back to John, frowning. That could work; it certainly supports my theory.

"How can you tell?" Dad challenges.

"Lukis' diary, " John explains showing us the diary entry. "He was here too. He wrote down the address." How helpful of him. John turns and heads towards the shop, leaving us confused by such a simple answer.

We follow John into 'The Lucky Cat' - a tourist shop in China Town which lives up to its name by stocking mostly decorative cats. Most of the cats are sitting up on their hind legs, one front paw raised in greetings, but some of them have their paws waving back and forth.

I frown in confusion as I wonder why someone like Lukis would come here after a trip abroad. I can't even fathom the idea of Eddie doing it, unless...

The female Chinese shop keeper holds up one of the cats as we pretend to look. "You want lucky cat?

"No," John says politely, smiling slightly, "thanks. No." Dad looks around at him and smirks.

"Ten pound. Ten pound!" the shop keeper cries, in a feeble attempt for us to buy something that is vastly overpriced.

"No," John repeats, smiling awkwardly at the woman.

"I think your daughter, she will like!" she persists, gesturing to me and my interest in a set of miniature cats by the window. I turn one over to see the price, and my eyes widen in disbelief.

John looks to me with a look of betrayal and I shrug my shoulders, smiling slyly. He hands the woman the ten-pound note from his pocket and tosses the cat my way. I catch it easily and smile fakely at him.

"Thank you daddy," I laugh.

Dad spins around to face me and gives a half-smile, before turning back to the clay statues on a rack in the corner. John picks up a small ceramic handle-less cup and turns it over to see the price as I slip the cat into my bag. His hand begins to tremble as he too spots the symbol on the underside of the cup and, going by his expression, it's one of the cyphers we've already seen.

"Sherlock," John mutters, drawing dad over. "The label there."

"Yes, I see it," dad murmurs in reply as I walk over to the pair.

"Exactly the same as the cypher," he points out unnecessarily, clearing his throat awkwardly and putting the cup back.

Something in dads mind clicks into place, and he lifts his head in awareness and walks out of the shop and down the street.

"It's an ancient number system!" dad says in frustration at not realising it before. "Hangzhou." I groan in annoyance and rub my temples, matching the name with the symbols. "These days, only street traders use it. Those were numbers written on the wall at the bank and at the library." He walks over to a greengrocer's and looks at the produce displayed in boxes outside. Dad picks up various signs, checking the symbols against the English. "Numbers written in an ancient Chinese dialect."

I follow him over to check the handwritten signs for myself and see another one which matches the graffiti.

John sees it too. "It's a fifteen!" John cries. "What we thought was the artist's tag – it's a number fifteen."

"And the blindfold – the horizontal line?" dad starts, looking around. "That was a number as well." He shows us a price tag which has the same almost-horizontal line at the top and '��1' written below it. "The Chinese number one, John," he grins triumphantly.

"We've found it!" John says in disbelief and smiles.

Dad turns and walks away, but as I turn to walk with him, I see the same Chinese woman who was outside 221B the other day. She lifts up her camera and takes a photo in our direction, then someone walks between us, obscuring her from view for a second. By the time they pass, she's gone.

I'm certain it was the same woman, and I don't believe in coincidences. We're being followed.

We cross over into a restaurant opposite The Lucky Cat and take a seat inside by the window. I take a paper napkin from the end of the table and begin to jot down the Hangzhou number alongside the English equivalents as John sits opposite us, writing his own notes into a small notebook.

"Two men travel back from China," John begins, starting to form a timeline in his head and voicing it. "Both head straight for the Lucky Cat emporium. What did they see?"

"It's not what they saw," dad corrects him, "it's what they both brought back in those suitcases."

"And you don't mean duty-free," John jokes dryly as a young Chinese waitress brings over a plate of food for John. "Thank you," he mutters in thanks.

"So what did they bring back?" I murmur as the girl walks away. "Something of value? A heist maybe?" I suggest.

"Unlikely," dad says thoughtfully, "but something along those lines maybe. Think about what Sebastian told us; about Van Coon – about how he stayed afloat in the market."

"Lost five million ..." John says in realisation.

"... made it back in a week," I finish.

"Mmm," John agrees, beginning on his food.

"That's how he made such easy money," dad says.

"He was a smuggler," John says in realisation, scooping up another forkful. "Mmm."

"A guy like him – it would have been perfect," dad states. "A businessman making frequent trips to Asia. And Lukis was the same. A journalist writing about China."

"Mmm."

"Both of them smuggled stuff out, and the Lucky Cat was their drop-off."

"But why did they die?" John questions, voicing my own thoughts."I mean, it doesn't make sense. If they both turn up at the shop and deliver the goods, why would someone threaten them and kill them after the event, after they'd finished the job?"

Dad pauses thoughtfully for a few seconds, and I try to pick the question apart. There's no feasible reason why a gang of smugglers would threaten and kill two of their workers unless they had taken something which wasn't theirs to take. Both visited China around the same time, so either one of the men could have that item. But the gang doesn't know who, so they kill them both.

"What if one of them was light-fingered?" I suggest.

"How d'you mean?" John asks.

"Stole something; something from the hoard."

"And the killer doesn't know which of them took it, so he threatens them both," John says in realisation. "Right."

Dad looks out of the window and towards the shop opposite, then his gaze lowers to the ground. I follow his line of sight down and narrow my eyes as I see something out of place.

"Remind me," he says, "when was the last time that it rained?"

Without waiting for a reply, he gets up and leaves the restaurant. A few moments later, I stand up and follow him out, leaving John to chose between his almost untouched meal and us.

"Sophie, the weather forecast for the week," dad says, as I join him outside a house beside The Lucky Cat. A copy of the Yellow Pages is propped up against the door, it's plastic cover mottled with raindrops.

"The Yellow Pages was sent out on Monday," I recall, "it hasn't rained since."

Dad nods thoughtfully as John joins my side, and he runs a finger along the sodden pages of the book. I notice the plastic wrapper is torn at the top, allowing access for the rain to ruin the book.

"It's been here since Monday," dad tells John, straightening up and pressing the doorbell of the flat. The name tag above tells us that the owner of this place is a young female called Soo Lin Yao, but inhabitant doesn't reply.

Dad spots something to the right, and heads towards it, disappearing into a small alleyway beside the flat. I follow behind dad and we look up at the windows, looking for a way to get in.

"No-one's been in that flat for at least three days."

"Could've gone on holiday," John suggests and I roll my eyes at his lack of observational skills.

"D'you leave your windows open when you go on holiday?" dad remarks, looking up again and seeing a cantilevered metal fire escape above us.

I step back as dad does a short run at it, and he successfully grabs hold of it on his jump, pulling it down towards us until it reaches the ground. I sprint up the steps behind him towards the open window.

As we reach the top, the steps swing back to its original position, and John realises that he's missed his opportunity and is too short to pull it back down.

Ignoring his calls for help, I wait outside for dad to get through the window, but he gives a muffled cry of alarm as he reaches the other side. I prepare myself for the worst, readying myself in a defensive stance.

"Someone else has been here," dad calls out of the window and I relax a little and climb on through.

As I reach the other side, I notice he's holding a vase in his hand that he knocked on his way through. It looks as though he caught the vase before it could spill, but a small damp patch on the carpets suggests someone wasn't so quick to react.

"Somebody else broke into the flat and knocked over the vase just like I did," dad continues, quieter than before.

"It must have been fairly recent, too," I note. "It hasn't had time to dry."

Dad nods and we split off to start searching. I look around the room for any signs of disturbance whilst dad opens and sifts through the washing machine, looking for another time signifier.

The doorbell rings downstairs and, like before, we ignore it. Dad closes the washing machine and reaches for a towel whilst I step forward into another room. The bathroom is pretty basic, but it also contains a shelf of disturbed shampoo bottles.

The door slams shut behind me, blocking out the only light source in the windowless room. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I realise I'm not alone.

We never were, from the moment we entered this house. We were being followed. That's why the window was open. That's why Soo Lin Yao isn't here. Because the killer never left. I prepare myself for the attack, but a hand covered with a soft handkerchief clamps over my mouth, leaving me unable to shout out.

He - going by the strength and the size of the hands - holds my arms behind my back as I squirm, then shoots a cold liquid into my neck.

My eyes close. My heart stops. I drop to the floor, motionless.

[eveningcoffee-morningregret-blog]

Info to obtain the very best IELTS Test Score Achievable

Countless of my students ask me, 'How can I get the ideal IELTS score possible?' OK, so probably the most obvious thing is usually to do lots of practice and make sure your reading, writing, listening and speaking capabilities are very good adequate to obtain the IELTS Band Score you may need. First of all, I recommend that you just familiarise your self with what's anticipated inside the test on the official IELTS web site (www.ielts.org) but in the meantime, I'm going to produce it genuinely simple for you by giving you some info about what to count on. In my opinion half the battle is figuring out the IELTS test procedure. If you've ever had to sit a test additional than when, consider just how much much easier it was the second time due to the fact you knew what to anticipate! I must know; I failed my driving test 4 occasions!

What's the IELTS test? The first thing to accomplish is to verify that IELTS is actually the test you'll need. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing Technique; it truly is an English testing system which assesses the language capacity of folks who want/need to study in an English speaking environment. A lot of employers, universities and immigration authorities require that you have a particular IELTS Band Score before they will accept your application. When thinking about when you happen to be going to take the test, it's vital to bear in mind that your IELTS Band Score is only valid for two years. Next, you have to decide which version with the test could be the very best IELTS test version for you personally. You'll find two versions in the IELTS test; the Academic version as well as the Common Education version. Should you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you must take IELTS Academic version, if you want to emigrate or perform overseas, IELTS Common Education version is proper. The two versions have 4 sub-tests or modules; reading, writing, listening and speaking. The IELTS Listening and IELTS Speaking sub-tests would be the similar in both the Academic version along with the Basic Training version however the IELTS Reading and IELTS Writing sub-tests are different. A certified examiner, who has undergone thorough instruction will assess your writing and speaking capabilities and provide you with a Band Score in these sub-tests. How do I apply for the IELTS test? I advise you go to the official IELTS web-site and download 'The IELTS handbook'and 'IELTS Details for Candidates'. These two booklets both clarify how to apply to take the test, however I'll give you a brief overview and some of my personal comments right here. 1. You apply to your regional IELTS Test Centre to sit the test. You'll be able to find your nearest test centre in the official IELTS web site; you'll find the address, contact details along with the upcoming test dates. 2. Visit the IELTS Test Centre to obtain an application type. If it's difficult for you personally to go there, you are able to download an application type from the official IELTS site. You can even ask when the Test Centre would mail a single out to you. three. Choose what date you wish to take the test and fill in the application type. Be sure you write the right module; Academic or Basic Coaching, according to what you may need. 4. If probable, get a native English friend to verify more than your application form for you. 5. Send your completed kind towards the Test Centre you wish to attend, with each other with two passport sized pictures plus the test fee. six. Be sure you present the identical ID on test day as you place on your application kind. When the two forms of ID are unique, you are going to not be permitted to take the test. If for any cause, this won't be probable, make contact with the Test Centre right away. 7. When your application form has been processed, the Test Centre will send you a confirmation letter together with the date and time with the test and also some directions for the day. What do I do on Test Day? Nicely, initial of all make sure you get a very good night's sleep the evening before and that you have a excellent breakfast (yes, I am also a mum!). If your speaking test is on the same day, try to remember you might also really need to have lunch. Don't neglect to take your ID with you as it might be checked on your arrival. Be conscious which you can not take your belongings, including your mobile phone into the test area. There are going to be a specified region outdoors the room exactly where you may leave them. As with all exams, once the invigilator (the test supervisor) has stated that the test has started, no speaking is allowed. For those who have to ask something, just raise your hand. The listening test is first, then reading, then writing (I'll give you additional particulars about the different sub-tests in my subsequent posts). Your Test Centre will let you know the time (and date) of the speaking test.

And then what? As soon as the test is over, all there's to accomplish would be to wait for your final results. IELTS test benefits are posted out around the 13th day immediately after your test so you must get them two weeks just after the test. It might be feasible to visit the Test Centre around the 13th day right after the test to gather your final results but you might must ask them. The Test Centre can not, having said that, offer you your benefits over the telephone or via fax or e-mail. You don't get a certificate following taking IELTS; you get a Test Report Kind (TRF) along with your final results. Look following your Test Report Form, you only get one copy. Remember, having said that, which you can ask for more copies (a maximum of 5) to become sent to the organisation asking for the result (university, immigration and so on.) Hopefully it really is now time to celebrate! If not, do not despair; see my post 'What todo in case your IELTS score isn't high enough'. It might be probable to salvage the circumstance. In any case, it's time to move 'onwards and upwards'! Here's for the greatest IELTS score achievable! Get to understand more luyn ielts

[n74jw-blog]

Facts to have the ideal IELTS Test Score Achievable

A lot of of my students ask me, 'How can I get the top IELTS score feasible?' OK, so one of the most obvious thing is usually to do plenty of practice and ensure that your reading, writing, listening and speaking capabilities are excellent sufficient to obtain the IELTS Band Score you'll need. Initial of all, I suggest which you familiarise your self with what's anticipated inside the test on the official IELTS internet site (www.ielts.org) but inside the meantime, I am going to make it genuinely effortless for you personally by giving you some data about what to count on. In my opinion half the battle is figuring out the IELTS test process. If you have ever had to sit a test extra than after, believe how much much easier it was the second time because you knew what to anticipate! I must know; I failed my driving test Four instances!

What's the IELTS test? The very first thing to perform would be to check that IELTS is actually the test you may need. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System; it is actually an English testing technique which assesses the language capacity of people that want/need to study in an English speaking atmosphere. Quite a few employers, universities and immigration authorities require which you possess a specific IELTS Band Score prior to they'll accept your application. When contemplating when you happen to be going to take the test, it is critical to recall that your IELTS Band Score is only valid for 2 years. Next, you have to make a decision which version with the test could be the ideal IELTS test version for you personally. You can find two versions with the IELTS test; the Academic version and the Basic Instruction version. If you want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you should take IELTS Academic version, when you want to emigrate or function overseas, IELTS Common Education version is appropriate. The two versions have four sub-tests or modules; reading, writing, listening and speaking. The IELTS Listening and IELTS Speaking sub-tests will be the identical in both the Academic version along with the General Education version but the IELTS Reading and IELTS Writing sub-tests are different. A certified examiner, who has undergone thorough education will assess your writing and speaking abilities and give you a Band Score in these sub-tests. How do I apply for the IELTS test? I recommend you go to the official IELTS site and download 'The IELTS handbook'and 'IELTS Information and facts for Candidates'. These two booklets both clarify the best way to apply to take the test, on the other hand I will offer you a brief overview and a few of my personal comments here. 1. You apply to your regional IELTS Test Centre to sit the test. It is possible to locate your nearest test centre with the official IELTS web-site; you are going to locate the address, contact information plus the upcoming test dates. 2. Visit the IELTS Test Centre to get an application type. If it really is difficult for you personally to go there, you can download an application form from the official IELTS web site. You could possibly even ask in the event the Test Centre would mail one out to you. three. Choose what date you would like to take the test and fill inside the application type. Ensure you create the right module; Academic or General Coaching, based on what you need. 4. If doable, get a native English buddy to check more than your application kind for you personally. five. Send your completed form towards the Test Centre you want to attend, collectively with two passport sized images and also the test charge. six. Make sure you deliver the exact same ID on test day as you place on your application type. When the two types of ID are different, you will not be permitted to take the test. If for any purpose, this won't be possible, contact the Test Centre quickly. 7. Once your application kind has been processed, the Test Centre will send you a confirmation letter using the date and time of your test as well as some directions for the day. What do I do on Test Day? Nicely, very first of all be sure you get a good night's sleep the night just before and that you just have a fantastic breakfast (yes, I am also a mum!). If your speaking test is around the similar day, try to remember you will also should have lunch. Do not forget to take your ID with you since it will probably be checked on your arrival. Be aware that you simply can not take your belongings, which includes your mobile telephone in to the test area. There will likely be a specified area outside the area exactly where you could leave them. As with all exams, after the invigilator (the test supervisor) has stated that the test has started, no speaking is permitted. In case you have to ask one thing, just raise your hand. The listening test is initially, then reading, then writing (I'll provide you with additional facts concerning the various sub-tests in my next posts). Your Test Centre will tell you the time (and date) of one's speaking test.

And after that what? Once the test is over, all there is certainly to accomplish will be to wait for the benefits. IELTS test benefits are posted out on the 13th day immediately after your test so you ought to receive them two weeks soon after the test. It might be achievable to go to the Test Centre on the 13th day just after the test to collect your benefits but you may must ask them. The Test Centre can not, having said that, give you your benefits over the telephone or by way of fax or e-mail. You do not get a certificate right after taking IELTS; you get a Test Report Type (TRF) with your results. Look following your Test Report Kind, you only get a single copy. Remember, nevertheless, which you can ask for added copies (a maximum of 5) to become sent to the organisation asking for the outcome (university, immigration and so forth.) Hopefully it really is now time to celebrate! If not, do not despair; see my post 'What todo in case your IELTS score isn't high enough'. It might be possible to salvage the circumstance. In any case, it is time to move 'onwards and upwards'! Here's to the greatest IELTS score doable! Get to understand far more luyn ielts

[bestfishingreel78-blog]

Info to obtain the most beneficial IELTS Test Score Probable

Numerous of my students ask me, 'How can I get the top IELTS score feasible?' OK, so the most apparent thing is always to do a great deal of practice and be sure your reading, writing, listening and speaking expertise are excellent enough to acquire the IELTS Band Score you may need. First of all, I suggest that you simply familiarise yourself with what is expected in the test on the official IELTS website (www.ielts.org) but inside the meantime, I'm going to make it genuinely easy for you personally by giving you some information about what to expect. In my opinion half the battle is being aware of the IELTS test procedure. If you've ever had to sit a test more than as soon as, assume just how much easier it was the second time since you knew what to expect! I should know; I failed my driving test Four times!

What is the IELTS test? The very first factor to do should be to verify that IELTS is actually the test you may need. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing Method; it truly is an English testing system which assesses the language potential of people that want/need to study in an English speaking environment. Lots of employers, universities and immigration authorities demand that you simply possess a specific IELTS Band Score ahead of they're going to accept your application. When thinking about when you happen to be going to take the test, it is essential to remember that your IELTS Band Score is only valid for two years. Next, you must make a decision which version in the test would be the greatest IELTS test version for you personally. You will discover two versions from the IELTS test; the Academic version and also the Basic Coaching version. In case you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you need to take IELTS Academic version, should you wish to emigrate or function overseas, IELTS Common Instruction version is acceptable. The two versions have 4 sub-tests or modules; reading, writing, listening and speaking. The IELTS Listening and IELTS Speaking sub-tests would be the very same in each the Academic version as well as the Common Education version however the IELTS Reading and IELTS Writing sub-tests are distinct. A certified examiner, who has undergone thorough instruction will assess your writing and speaking skills and provide you with a Band Score in these sub-tests. How do I apply for the IELTS test? I advise you go to the official IELTS web site and download 'The IELTS handbook'and 'IELTS Info for Candidates'. These two booklets each explain ways to apply to take the test, on the other hand I'll provide you with a brief overview and a few of my own comments right here. 1. You apply for your regional IELTS Test Centre to sit the test. It is possible to obtain your nearest test centre in the official IELTS web site; you will obtain the address, make contact with specifics along with the upcoming test dates. 2. Go to the IELTS Test Centre to acquire an application kind. If it really is tough for you personally to go there, you can download an application type in the official IELTS internet site. You could possibly even ask in the event the Test Centre would mail 1 out to you. 3. Decide what date you wish to take the test and fill within the application type. Be sure you create the right module; Academic or Basic Instruction, according to what you need. 4. If attainable, get a native English pal to check over your application form for you personally. 5. Send your completed kind towards the Test Centre you wish to attend, collectively with two passport sized photographs as well as the test fee. six. Be sure you present precisely the same ID on test day as you put on your application type. In the event the two forms of ID are different, you might not be permitted to take the test. If for any explanation, this won't be attainable, get in touch with the Test Centre straight away. 7. Once your application kind has been processed, the Test Centre will send you a confirmation letter together with the date and time with the test as well as some guidelines for the day. What do I do on Test Day? Nicely, first of all ensure you get a good night's sleep the evening before and that you simply possess a excellent breakfast (yes, I'm also a mum!). If your speaking test is around the identical day, recall you'll also have to have lunch. Never neglect to take your ID with you since it will probably be checked on your arrival. Be aware that you just cannot take your belongings, like your mobile telephone into the test area. There might be a specified area outdoors the room where you are able to leave them. As with all exams, once the invigilator (the test supervisor) has stated that the test has started, no talking is allowed. When you should ask one thing, just raise your hand. The listening test is first, then reading, then writing (I will offer you additional information about the distinct sub-tests in my next posts). Your Test Centre will tell you the time (and date) of the speaking test.

And then what? When the test is more than, all there is to complete is to wait for your results. IELTS test outcomes are posted out around the 13th day following your test so you must receive them 2 weeks immediately after the test. It may be probable to go to the Test Centre on the 13th day right after the test to collect your final results but you are going to have to ask them. The Test Centre cannot, even so, provide you with your outcomes more than the phone or through fax or e mail. You do not get a certificate right after taking IELTS; you get a Test Report Kind (TRF) with your final results. Appear soon after your Test Report Kind, you only get a single copy. Recall, nevertheless, which you can ask for extra copies (a maximum of 5) to be sent to the organisation asking for your result (university, immigration and so forth.) Hopefully it really is now time for you to celebrate! If not, don't despair; see my post 'What todo in case your IELTS score isn't higher enough'. It might be attainable to salvage the scenario. In any case, it really is time to move 'onwards and upwards'! Here's to the ideal IELTS score attainable! Get to know extra hc ielts

[stealth-daddy-corvo-blog]

Details to acquire the very best IELTS Test Score Feasible

Numerous of my students ask me, 'How can I get the top IELTS score feasible?' OK, so by far the most clear factor is to do a lot of practice and be sure your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are fantastic enough to acquire the IELTS Band Score you'll need. 1st of all, I suggest that you simply familiarise your self with what's expected inside the test around the official IELTS website (www.ielts.org) but within the meantime, I'm going to create it genuinely easy for you by giving you some info about what to count on. In my opinion half the battle is knowing the IELTS test process. If you have ever had to sit a test more than after, consider just how much less complicated it was the second time for the reason that you knew what to expect! I really should know; I failed my driving test 4 occasions!

What's the IELTS test? The initial point to complete would be to check that IELTS is actually the test you'll need. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System; it's an English testing program which assesses the language capacity of people that want/need to study in an English speaking environment. Lots of employers, universities and immigration authorities demand that you just possess a certain IELTS Band Score prior to they may accept your application. When thinking about when you're going to take the test, it is critical to keep in mind that your IELTS Band Score is only valid for two years. Next, you will need to determine which version with the test would be the best IELTS test version for you. There are two versions in the IELTS test; the Academic version along with the General Instruction version. When you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you need to take IELTS Academic version, should you want to emigrate or function overseas, IELTS General Coaching version is appropriate. The two versions have four sub-tests or modules; reading, writing, listening and speaking. The IELTS Listening and IELTS Speaking sub-tests would be the very same in both the Academic version along with the Basic Education version but the IELTS Reading and IELTS Writing sub-tests are different. A certified examiner, who has undergone thorough instruction will assess your writing and speaking capabilities and offer you a Band Score in these sub-tests. How do I apply for the IELTS test? I advise you go to the official IELTS web-site and download 'The IELTS handbook'and 'IELTS Information and facts for Candidates'. These 2 booklets both clarify the way to apply to take the test, however I'll offer you a brief overview and a few of my personal comments right here. 1. You apply to your local IELTS Test Centre to sit the test. You could locate your nearest test centre with the official IELTS internet site; you are going to locate the address, get in touch with specifics plus the upcoming test dates. two. Go to the IELTS Test Centre to acquire an application type. If it really is difficult for you personally to go there, you may download an application form from the official IELTS website. You might even ask in the event the Test Centre would mail one out to you. 3. Choose what date you desire to take the test and fill inside the application form. Be sure you write the right module; Academic or General Coaching, depending on what you will need. 4. If achievable, get a native English friend to verify over your application type for you personally. five. Send your completed form towards the Test Centre you wish to attend, collectively with 2 passport sized photos and the test charge. six. Be sure to present the exact same ID on test day as you place on your application kind. In the event the two kinds of ID are various, you may not be allowed to take the test. If for any purpose, this won't be attainable, make contact with the Test Centre right away. 7. As soon as your application form has been processed, the Test Centre will send you a confirmation letter with the date and time of your test and also some instructions for the day. What do I do on Test Day? Effectively, first of all be sure to get a very good night's sleep the night before and that you simply have a good breakfast (yes, I'm also a mum!). In case your speaking test is around the identical day, recall you may also need to have lunch. Never overlook to take your ID with you since it will be checked on your arrival. Be aware which you can not take your belongings, such as your mobile telephone in to the test space. There are going to be a specified location outdoors the space where it is possible to leave them. As with all exams, as soon as the invigilator (the test supervisor) has stated that the test has started, no speaking is permitted. In the event you should ask something, just raise your hand. The listening test is first, then reading, then writing (I will provide you with additional details regarding the diverse sub-tests in my subsequent posts). Your Test Centre will let you know the time (and date) of the speaking test.

And after that what? As soon as the test is more than, all there is certainly to complete is usually to wait for your outcomes. IELTS test outcomes are posted out on the 13th day immediately after your test so you ought to get them 2 weeks immediately after the test. It may be possible to visit the Test Centre on the 13th day following the test to collect your final results but you can have to ask them. The Test Centre can't, even so, offer you your outcomes over the telephone or via fax or e-mail. You do not get a certificate just after taking IELTS; you get a Test Report Type (TRF) together with your outcomes. Appear soon after your Test Report Kind, you only get one particular copy. Bear in mind, nevertheless, that you could ask for added copies (a maximum of five) to become sent for the organisation asking for the outcome (university, immigration etc.) Hopefully it's now time to celebrate! If not, don't despair; see my post 'What todo if your IELTS score is not higher enough'. It may be possible to salvage the circumstance. In any case, it is time to move 'onwards and upwards'! Here's to the ideal IELTS score possible! Get to understand extra ielts listening

[priyankafemaleadda-blog]

Information to obtain the top IELTS Test Score Possible

Countless of my students ask me, 'How can I get the top IELTS score achievable?' OK, so the most obvious point is always to do lots of practice and ensure that your reading, writing, listening and speaking expertise are very good enough to acquire the IELTS Band Score you may need. 1st of all, I recommend that you familiarise your self with what's expected in the test around the official IELTS site (www.ielts.org) but within the meantime, I am going to produce it definitely effortless for you by providing you some data about what to count on. In my opinion half the battle is knowing the IELTS test procedure. If you have ever had to sit a test much more than when, believe how much less difficult it was the second time mainly because you knew what to count on! I really should know; I failed my driving test Four instances!

What is the IELTS test? The initial issue to do is to check that IELTS is actually the test you'll need. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing Program; it is an English testing system which assesses the language capacity of those who want/need to study in an English speaking environment. Many employers, universities and immigration authorities need that you have a particular IELTS Band Score ahead of they'll accept your application. When thinking about when you're going to take the test, it is critical to remember that your IELTS Band Score is only valid for two years. Next, you should determine which version of your test could be the very best IELTS test version for you personally. There are actually two versions from the IELTS test; the Academic version along with the General Instruction version. Should you wish to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you will need to take IELTS Academic version, for those who wish to emigrate or work overseas, IELTS Basic Coaching version is appropriate. The two versions have four sub-tests or modules; reading, writing, listening and speaking. The IELTS Listening and IELTS Speaking sub-tests will be the same in both the Academic version and the Common Education version however the IELTS Reading and IELTS Writing sub-tests are distinct. A certified examiner, who has undergone thorough coaching will assess your writing and speaking skills and give you a Band Score in these sub-tests. How do I apply for the IELTS test? I recommend you visit the official IELTS web-site and download 'The IELTS handbook'and 'IELTS Facts for Candidates'. These two booklets both clarify ways to apply to take the test, having said that I will give you a short overview and a few of my own comments right here. 1. You apply for your neighborhood IELTS Test Centre to sit the test. You may obtain your nearest test centre on the official IELTS web-site; you'll come across the address, get in touch with details as well as the upcoming test dates. two. Visit the IELTS Test Centre to acquire an application kind. If it is tricky for you personally to go there, you'll be able to download an application type from the official IELTS internet site. You could even ask if the Test Centre would mail 1 out to you. 3. Determine what date you want to take the test and fill inside the application type. Ensure you create the correct module; Academic or Common Instruction, according to what you'll need. four. If attainable, get a native English pal to check over your application type for you personally. five. Send your completed form for the Test Centre you want to attend, collectively with 2 passport sized pictures and the test charge. 6. Make sure you supply exactly the same ID on test day as you place on your application form. If the 2 kinds of ID are various, you may not be permitted to take the test. If for any reason, this won't be attainable, speak to the Test Centre promptly. 7. When your application kind has been processed, the Test Centre will send you a confirmation letter using the date and time from the test as well as some directions for the day. What do I do on Test Day? Well, 1st of all be sure you get a superb night's sleep the night prior to and that you simply have a very good breakfast (yes, I am also a mum!). In case your speaking test is on the exact same day, remember you'll also must have lunch. Don't neglect to take your ID with you as it is going to be checked in your arrival. Be aware that you cannot take your belongings, like your mobile telephone into the test room. There will be a specified area outdoors the room exactly where you can leave them. As with all exams, after the invigilator (the test supervisor) has stated that the test has began, no talking is allowed. Should you need to ask something, just raise your hand. The listening test is first, then reading, then writing (I will provide you with further particulars in regards to the different sub-tests in my subsequent posts). Your Test Centre will inform you the time (and date) of the speaking test.

And then what? Once the test is more than, all there is to perform is to wait for your benefits. IELTS test outcomes are posted out on the 13th day after your test so you need to receive them two weeks following the test. It might be feasible to visit the Test Centre around the 13th day right after the test to gather your final results but you can must ask them. The Test Centre cannot, on the other hand, give you your benefits more than the telephone or via fax or e mail. You do not get a certificate immediately after taking IELTS; you get a Test Report Kind (TRF) along with your benefits. Appear soon after your Test Report Form, you only get one particular copy. Recall, nonetheless, that you can ask for added copies (a maximum of 5) to become sent for the organisation asking for your result (university, immigration and so on.) Hopefully it's now time for you to celebrate! If not, don't despair; see my post 'What todo if your IELTS score is not high enough'. It may be attainable to salvage the circumstance. In any case, it's time for you to move 'onwards and upwards'! Here's towards the best IELTS score attainable! Get to know additional ti liu ielts

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Details to have the most beneficial IELTS Test Score Feasible

Countless of my students ask me, 'How can I get the ideal IELTS score feasible?' OK, so the most apparent point should be to do a lot of practice and be sure your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are very good adequate to obtain the IELTS Band Score you will need. First of all, I suggest that you simply familiarise oneself with what's anticipated inside the test on the official IELTS site (www.ielts.org) but inside the meantime, I'm going to produce it truly uncomplicated for you personally by giving you some facts about what to expect. In my opinion half the battle is understanding the IELTS test procedure. If you've ever had to sit a test extra than when, believe how much less difficult it was the second time simply because you knew what to expect! I ought to know; I failed my driving test 4 occasions!

What is the IELTS test? The initial thing to accomplish should be to verify that IELTS is really the test you'll need. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing Program; it is actually an English testing system which assesses the language potential of those who want/need to study in an English speaking atmosphere. Several employers, universities and immigration authorities need that you just possess a particular IELTS Band Score prior to they are going to accept your application. When thinking about when you happen to be going to take the test, it really is critical to remember that your IELTS Band Score is only valid for two years. Subsequent, you will need to determine which version from the test is definitely the greatest IELTS test version for you. You'll find two versions from the IELTS test; the Academic version and also the Basic Instruction version. If you want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you will need to take IELTS Academic version, if you want to emigrate or function overseas, IELTS Common Training version is suitable. The two versions have four sub-tests or modules; reading, writing, listening and speaking. The IELTS Listening and IELTS Speaking sub-tests will be the very same in each the Academic version plus the Common Instruction version however the IELTS Reading and IELTS Writing sub-tests are distinct. A certified examiner, who has undergone thorough coaching will assess your writing and speaking abilities and give you a Band Score in these sub-tests. How do I apply for the IELTS test? I advocate you go to the official IELTS web site and download 'The IELTS handbook'and 'IELTS Info for Candidates'. These 2 booklets each clarify the best way to apply to take the test, nevertheless I will give you a short overview and a few of my personal comments here. 1. You apply to your regional IELTS Test Centre to sit the test. It is possible to discover your nearest test centre on the official IELTS web site; you are going to uncover the address, make contact with particulars and the upcoming test dates. 2. Visit the IELTS Test Centre to acquire an application form. If it is tough for you to go there, you may download an application type in the official IELTS site. You could even ask if the Test Centre would mail a single out to you. three. Determine what date you need to take the test and fill within the application form. Ensure you write the correct module; Academic or General Instruction, based on what you will need. four. If feasible, get a native English buddy to verify over your application type for you personally. five. Send your completed kind to the Test Centre you wish to attend, together with 2 passport sized photographs along with the test fee. six. Be sure to provide the identical ID on test day as you put on your application kind. If the 2 types of ID are distinct, you are going to not be allowed to take the test. If for any reason, this won't be attainable, contact the Test Centre right away. 7. When your application type has been processed, the Test Centre will send you a confirmation letter together with the date and time of the test and also some guidelines for the day. What do I do on Test Day? Nicely, initial of all be sure to get an excellent night's sleep the evening just before and that you just possess a excellent breakfast (yes, I am also a mum!). If your speaking test is around the exact same day, remember you can also must have lunch. Do not forget to take your ID with you since it is going to be checked on your arrival. Be aware that you simply cannot take your belongings, such as your mobile telephone in to the test space. There are going to be a specified area outside the space where you could leave them. As with all exams, when the invigilator (the test supervisor) has stated that the test has started, no speaking is permitted. If you need to ask one thing, just raise your hand. The listening test is first, then reading, then writing (I'll offer you further specifics about the unique sub-tests in my subsequent posts). Your Test Centre will tell you the time (and date) of one's speaking test.

And then what? When the test is more than, all there is certainly to accomplish will be to wait for your outcomes. IELTS test benefits are posted out on the 13th day just after your test so you ought to obtain them two weeks immediately after the test. It might be possible to visit the Test Centre around the 13th day soon after the test to gather your final results but you'll have to ask them. The Test Centre cannot, nonetheless, offer you your benefits more than the phone or via fax or e mail. You don't get a certificate just after taking IELTS; you get a Test Report Type (TRF) along with your final results. Appear after your Test Report Type, you only get one particular copy. Remember, having said that, that you can ask for further copies (a maximum of 5) to become sent for the organisation asking for your outcome (university, immigration etc.) Hopefully it's now time to celebrate! If not, do not despair; see my post 'What todo if your IELTS score isn't high enough'. It may be achievable to salvage the circumstance. In any case, it really is time for you to move 'onwards and upwards'! Here's towards the most effective IELTS score attainable! Get to understand far more ti liu ielts

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Data to get the very best IELTS Test Score Attainable

Countless of my students ask me, 'How can I get the best IELTS score doable?' OK, so essentially the most obvious factor is usually to do plenty of practice and be sure your reading, writing, listening and speaking expertise are excellent sufficient to acquire the IELTS Band Score you may need. Initially of all, I suggest that you familiarise oneself with what is expected within the test on the official IELTS web-site (www.ielts.org) but in the meantime, I am going to make it definitely simple for you by giving you some info about what to expect. In my opinion half the battle is understanding the IELTS test procedure. If you've ever had to sit a test far more than as soon as, assume just how much a lot easier it was the second time due to the fact you knew what to anticipate! I must know; I failed my driving test Four times!

What is the IELTS test? The very first thing to complete is always to verify that IELTS is really the test you'll need. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing Program; it can be an English testing program which assesses the language capability of folks who want/need to study in an English speaking environment. A lot of employers, universities and immigration authorities require that you possess a certain IELTS Band Score just before they'll accept your application. When considering when you are going to take the test, it's critical to remember that your IELTS Band Score is only valid for two years. Subsequent, you need to make a decision which version of the test could be the very best IELTS test version for you. There are two versions with the IELTS test; the Academic version plus the Basic Training version. Should you want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you will need to take IELTS Academic version, for those who want to emigrate or operate overseas, IELTS Common Education version is acceptable. The two versions have four sub-tests or modules; reading, writing, listening and speaking. The IELTS Listening and IELTS Speaking sub-tests are the identical in each the Academic version along with the Basic Instruction version but the IELTS Reading and IELTS Writing sub-tests are different. A certified examiner, who has undergone thorough training will assess your writing and speaking abilities and provide you with a Band Score in those sub-tests. How do I apply for the IELTS test? I advise you go to the official IELTS web site and download 'The IELTS handbook'and 'IELTS Facts for Candidates'. These 2 booklets each clarify how you can apply to take the test, having said that I'll offer you a short overview and a few of my own comments here. 1. You apply to your nearby IELTS Test Centre to sit the test. You'll be able to locate your nearest test centre in the official IELTS web page; you are going to discover the address, make contact with information along with the upcoming test dates. two. Visit the IELTS Test Centre to have an application type. If it really is challenging for you personally to go there, you are able to download an application form from the official IELTS website. You could possibly even ask if the Test Centre would mail one out to you. three. Decide what date you wish to take the test and fill inside the application kind. Make sure you write the appropriate module; Academic or Common Coaching, based on what you'll need. 4. If attainable, get a native English friend to check over your application kind for you. 5. Send your completed form for the Test Centre you want to attend, collectively with 2 passport sized images plus the test fee. six. Make sure you supply the identical ID on test day as you put on your application form. If the 2 forms of ID are different, you might not be permitted to take the test. If for any purpose, this won't be feasible, contact the Test Centre immediately. 7. As soon as your application type has been processed, the Test Centre will send you a confirmation letter together with the date and time in the test as well as some instructions for the day. What do I do on Test Day? Nicely, initial of all be sure to get a superb night's sleep the night ahead of and that you just possess a good breakfast (yes, I'm also a mum!). If your speaking test is on the same day, don't forget you may also must have lunch. Never neglect to take your ID with you as it is going to be checked on your arrival. Be aware which you can't take your belongings, such as your mobile phone in to the test room. There will likely be a specified area outside the area where you'll be able to leave them. As with all exams, as soon as the invigilator (the test supervisor) has stated that the test has began, no talking is allowed. Should you must ask some thing, just raise your hand. The listening test is 1st, then reading, then writing (I'll provide you with further particulars in regards to the different sub-tests in my subsequent posts). Your Test Centre will tell you the time (and date) of one's speaking test.

And after that what? As soon as the test is over, all there is certainly to complete will be to wait for the benefits. IELTS test benefits are posted out on the 13th day soon after your test so you ought to acquire them two weeks after the test. It may be possible to go to the Test Centre on the 13th day following the test to collect your results but you might have to ask them. The Test Centre can't, even so, give you your outcomes more than the telephone or by way of fax or e mail. You don't get a certificate soon after taking IELTS; you get a Test Report Type (TRF) along with your outcomes. Appear soon after your Test Report Type, you only get one copy. Remember, on the other hand, which you can ask for additional copies (a maximum of 5) to become sent to the organisation asking for your result (university, immigration and so on.) Hopefully it's now time for you to celebrate! If not, don't despair; see my post 'What todo in case your IELTS score isn't higher enough'. It might be attainable to salvage the scenario. In any case, it really is time for you to move 'onwards and upwards'! Here's towards the best IELTS score attainable! Get to know additional luyn ielts

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Info to obtain the ideal IELTS Test Score Feasible

Lots of of my students ask me, 'How can I get the most effective IELTS score possible?' OK, so probably the most obvious issue is usually to do plenty of practice and ensure that your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are excellent enough to have the IELTS Band Score you will need. Initial of all, I recommend that you familiarise oneself with what is expected in the test on the official IELTS website (www.ielts.org) but inside the meantime, I'm going to create it genuinely effortless for you personally by providing you some data about what to count on. In my opinion half the battle is understanding the IELTS test process. If you've ever had to sit a test a lot more than when, feel just how much less difficult it was the second time mainly because you knew what to expect! I must know; I failed my driving test 4 instances!

What is the IELTS test? The initial factor to do should be to verify that IELTS is actually the test you need. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System; it truly is an English testing program which assesses the language potential of people who want/need to study in an English speaking environment. A lot of employers, universities and immigration authorities demand that you possess a particular IELTS Band Score before they'll accept your application. When contemplating when you happen to be going to take the test, it really is essential to bear in mind that your IELTS Band Score is only valid for 2 years. Subsequent, you have to make a decision which version in the test could be the finest IELTS test version for you personally. You will discover two versions with the IELTS test; the Academic version and also the General Education version. Should you want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you need to take IELTS Academic version, in the event you want to emigrate or operate overseas, IELTS Basic Coaching version is appropriate. The two versions have 4 sub-tests or modules; reading, writing, listening and speaking. The IELTS Listening and IELTS Speaking sub-tests will be the exact same in each the Academic version plus the General Instruction version but the IELTS Reading and IELTS Writing sub-tests are diverse. A certified examiner, who has undergone thorough education will assess your writing and speaking capabilities and offer you a Band Score in these sub-tests. How do I apply for the IELTS test? I suggest you visit the official IELTS internet site and download 'The IELTS handbook'and 'IELTS Information for Candidates'. These 2 booklets both explain how you can apply to take the test, however I will offer you a brief overview and some of my personal comments here. 1. You apply for your local IELTS Test Centre to sit the test. It is possible to locate your nearest test centre of the official IELTS web-site; you'll obtain the address, contact facts and the upcoming test dates. two. Visit the IELTS Test Centre to get an application type. If it is challenging for you to go there, you can download an application type from the official IELTS site. You could possibly even ask in the event the Test Centre would mail 1 out to you. three. Choose what date you'd like to take the test and fill inside the application type. Be sure you create the right module; Academic or Basic Training, based on what you will need. 4. If attainable, get a native English pal to check more than your application type for you. five. Send your completed form towards the Test Centre you wish to attend, together with two passport sized pictures along with the test fee. 6. Be sure you give the exact same ID on test day as you put on your application type. When the two forms of ID are distinctive, you are going to not be allowed to take the test. If for any cause, this won't be attainable, contact the Test Centre immediately. 7. After your application type has been processed, the Test Centre will send you a confirmation letter with all the date and time of your test and also some guidelines for the day. What do I do on Test Day? Effectively, initial of all make sure you get a great night's sleep the evening ahead of and that you simply have a great breakfast (yes, I am also a mum!). In case your speaking test is on the exact same day, don't forget you may also really need to have lunch. Never neglect to take your ID with you because it will be checked on your arrival. Be conscious which you can't take your belongings, which includes your mobile phone in to the test room. There will probably be a specified area outdoors the area where you can leave them. As with all exams, once the invigilator (the test supervisor) has stated that the test has started, no speaking is allowed. In the event you really need to ask some thing, just raise your hand. The listening test is initial, then reading, then writing (I will offer you additional facts regarding the diverse sub-tests in my next posts). Your Test Centre will tell you the time (and date) of one's speaking test.

After which what? Once the test is more than, all there's to complete is usually to wait for the benefits. IELTS test final results are posted out around the 13th day soon after your test so you should get them two weeks right after the test. It may be possible to visit the Test Centre on the 13th day soon after the test to gather your outcomes but you'll must ask them. The Test Centre cannot, having said that, give you your final results more than the telephone or by way of fax or e-mail. You do not get a certificate just after taking IELTS; you get a Test Report Kind (TRF) together with your final results. Appear after your Test Report Form, you only get one copy. Recall, nonetheless, that you could ask for further copies (a maximum of 5) to become sent towards the organisation asking for your result (university, immigration etc.) Hopefully it is now time for you to celebrate! If not, don't despair; see my post 'What todo if your IELTS score is not high enough'. It may be doable to salvage the situation. In any case, it's time for you to move 'onwards and upwards'! Here's for the most effective IELTS score probable! Get to understand much more ielts listening