#you - i never have been to the oyster bar but like....do i need to?

[exsqueezememacaroni]

Uggghhhhhh - I'm on the train and thinking about Mike getting excited about touring ...him thinking about outfits, getting fun shoes and hilarious compression socks, scoping out restaurants online. I hope Japan treats him so well. I hope Australia rocks out. I'm so excited for him.

[galaxyshine24-7]

The Silver Bullet🥂

Chapter 8 Strawberries and Cream🍓

TW: Violence, Possessive Relationships

After the overblot, Heartslaybul had to do a lot of apologizing to the public about the event. Lots of money was donated to charities around the district and the gang even offered to hold a banquet to raise funds for the community. The gang had a party where Riddle prepared everything and took it as a chance to apologize for his misdeeds. The closeness they had for each other surprised Yuu knowing how cruel gangs could be to their own, but Heartslaybul seemed to accept Riddle back after all the effort he had shown to change. 

Yuu sits by the bar once again all bandaged up and healing from their wounds watching the gang mingle and enjoy their time at the party. Riddle pours tea for his fellow members as Trey stands next to him, proud. Hearing from Ace it seems Trey had his own apologizing to do when it came to not speaking up about Riddle’s behavior to Riddle himself pitying the gang leader for his past hardships. Since that day, Yuu can’t stop thinking about their dream with the young Riddle. Yuu tried to bring it up to the leader himself, but he seemed unaware of what Yuu was talking about. Not to mention the strange black crystal they found in their pocket after the incident, said crystal is now safely at home until Yuu could figure out what to do with it. They go back to enjoying the party taking a sip of the signature drink of the evening strawberries and cream. It’s as much of a happy ending as it good be. 

“Ew what is this!” 

Well almost good. Riddle, Ace, Deuce, Trey, and Cater surrounded the snack table standing by the batch of tarts the leader made. Ace’s face convulses in disgust having to spit out a piece of said tart. 

“It’s so satly.” Ace gags. 

Trey takes a small bit out of his tart cringing at the taste. 

“Riddle what did you put in this?” 

“I put in oyster sauce like you said.” Riddle tilts his head. 

“Riddle dude are you serious?” Cater laughs taking a picture of the moment. 

“I think Trey was joking when he said that Riddle.” Deuce also tried the tart doing his best to swallow it down. 

“I was in fact joking.” Trey starts to laugh as everyone joins him. 

Yuu smiles from the side taking a sip of their drink glade the gang leader seems to have relaxed and let go of his strict mindset, at least most of it. 

The party ended on a good note as Deuce was nice enough to take Yuu home on his blast cycle. Once he was gone Yuu let out a deep sigh heading to their apartment above the bar. As they reach the door a sound alerts them from inside a familiar sound of a radio being played. Yuu opens the door to be greeted by the roar of a fire place as Divus Crewel sits on the armchair beside it. He seems right at home legs crossed with a book in his hand. 

“Getting home rather late pup.” He sets the book down on a side table.

Yuu closes and locks the door behind them, as Grim greets them with a song of meows. 

“Hello Crewel.” Yuu sighs putting their jacket on the coat rack before picking up Grim. 

“Hm formal today are we?” He raises a brow. 

“Well, I’m surprised to see you in my home is all.” Yuu takes a seat on the couch across from him. 

“Does a guardian need a reason to check on his pup? Besides we taught you to never be surprised.” 

Grim jumps off Yuu’s lap to finish his left over food watching Crewel in the corner of his eye. 

“I was taught it was polite to at least send a heads up before entering someone’s home.” Yuu crosses their arms. 

“You’ve gotten cheeky since I’ve been away.” He smirks taking a smoke out of his cigarette. “Let’s cut to the chase puppy, I know you’ve realized the overblot issue we are facing right now, and you getting involved with Heartslaybul was a very foolish decision.” He stares right through Yuu. “The others are thinking we should bring you back home if this newfound freedom is too much for you.” 

“I’m fine I handled it.” Yuu starts. 

Crewel gets up quickly lifting Yuu off the couch by their arm making the bartender wince. 

“Your injuries say otherwise.” 

Yuu pulls their arm out of his hand. 

“You know you shouldn’t get too involved.” He lowers his voice. 

“I wasn’t trying too.” Yuu huffs. 

“You where certainly trying when you nursed that red haired mutt weren’t you?” His voice drips with sarcasm. 

“What was I supposed to do let him die?!” Yuu raises their voice. 

“Your supposed to be smart, and have the upper hand. To much affection will cause others to use it as a weakness.” Crewel flicks them on the forehead.      

Yuu looks up at him rubbing the affected area. 

“If you continue to go this route your heart will be beaten and scattered on these streets.” 

Yuu looks down at the floor Grim comes by to rub against their leg as a moment of silence passes through the apartment before Crewel sighs pinching the bridge of his nose.        

“We just want you to be safe.” He takes out a small black box from his pocket. “Here we thought you needed more protection.” 

“But I already have the guns and the bar is full of traps-” Yuu opens the box to see a simple black ribbon. “Uh what’s this?” 

“It’s a ribbon.” He takes out the simple black ribbon putting it around Yuu’s neck. 

“We have been working on infusing clothing with magic. This will let us know when your in danger and it will protect you.” He finishes making sure Yuu is comfortable. 

“It feels more like a collar.” Yuu mumbles already pulling on the ribbon. 

“It’s just to make sure your safe.” Crewel places their hands on Yuu’s shoulder’s. 

Yuu gives Crewel a small nod. 

“There that’s a good pup.” He gently pats Yuu’s head letting a silence fall over the apartment once more. 

Across town, flashing lights beam down on the arena as blood and teeth litter the floor. Leona Kingschalor punches his opponent across the jaw sending him flying out of the ring. The ground roars his name as he stares at the glittering lights around him. The referee comes over to lift his hand letting the crowd know who the true winner of the match is. Leona doesn’t stay long in the ring after receiving his trophy. He hops over the rope waiting for Ruggie Bucchi to hand him a towel. Leona grabs it wiping the sweat from his face. Once they get backstage Leona finally speaks. 

“So any news?”   

“Everyone is still in an uproar about Riddle’s overblot but the Heartslaybul guys threw a party today,” Ruggie answers. “Very carefree if you ask me.” He yawns. 

“Doesn’t matter once we accomplish what we need to do things will finally be in its rightful place.” Leona smirks as they reach his dressing room. “So they better be prepared.” He closes the door behind him and Ruggie as the crowd cheers in the background. 

“Long live the King! Long live the King!” 

[hades-in-bloom]

A Swim | Leon S. Kennedy x Reader

I somehow had it on repeat while writing *cracks up*

summary: Colorado wasn’t the only self-indulgent vacation that Kennedy took before he found a road to sobriety. When the world is the oyster, Bangkok is the pearl.

content: cheesy af (help me), older Leon, drunkard Leon, thus mentions of alcoholism; mentions of/implied thoughts of suicide, kinda light angst (obviously); Hunnigan with an agenda; gn! and a tad bossy reader with Interpol background; heavy sexual tension, swearing

author’s note: that was unplanned and uncalled for, proceed at your own risk. Also, I need to scream about the man in Death Island. Omfg.

if you’re a minor, go away <3

love y’all, you beautiful souls

xoxo

***

Ingrid called you in the middle of the night, reassuring that only you could track down the infamous Leon S. Kennedy. You breathed out a sleepy “…Why?” and got a response that you could barely consider an explanation. He took a vacation, Hunnigan said. He seemed to disappear, and she needed him back immediately. You could not see her face, but you could hear a pretty please in her voice.

“I am not even under D.S.O. command.” You groaned lightly. You have been working with several D.S.O. agents for the past couple of years, particularly with agent Kennedy, but you have been directly reporting to Interpol instead.

“I have already cleared you for this assignment,” Ingrid confessed. You stayed silent for a moment and then sighed. There wasn’t anything that Hunnigan could not do, after all. “He trusts you.”

As for you, Leon Kennedy trusted no one, but you wouldn’t get into this argument.

“Where was he seen last time?” You pulled yourself out of bed and walked towards the pair of jeans that were casually hanging from the only chair present in your room.

“Ingrid?” You called again when radio silence was your answer.

“We assume he is Bangkok, Thailand, since two days ago.” You sensed a touch of guilt in Hunnigan’s voice. “You have already been booked for a commercial flight.”

It took your tired brain a bit of time to do the math.

“Isn’t it like fifteen hours or so from JFK?” You inquired, genuinely concerned.

“Twenty hours,” Ingrid confirmed mercilessly. “You need to be at the airport within an hour.”

Rushing to your wardrobe, you devotedly cursed Kennedy to the high heavens.

***

Bangkok was hot. Your shirt became almost transparent in minutes and now felt like a second skin clinging to your body. You didn’t like it. You didn’t like any of it. Not until you find the son of a bitch, Kennedy, who went rogue due to no particular reason and made a decision to vacay on the other side of the planet Earth.

The taxi driver that you hailed on the street was painfully chatty, thanks to your creeping headache, but your suffering was about to end when your cab stopped in the middle of the road abruptly.

“That’s the place.” The driver told you in broken English, and you swiftly left the creaking vehicle that smelled of cheap cigarettes and incense.

The place was a dimly lit bar with little to no likable people inside. Damned Leon S. Kennedy was occupying one of the bar stools but was also spearheading the list of human beings that you felt no sympathy for at this particular moment.

He was drunk. You knew he appreciated his liquor, but you had never seen him even close to the condition he was in right now.

You briefly messaged Hunnigan that you have just found her “runaway bride” before shortening the distance to Leon’s chair. He made no effort to check out the newcomer, and you took it to your advantage.

“Surprise, you asshole.” You greeted him coldly. The agent blinked; you could see gears turn inside his intoxicated head while he was trying to identify you.

Finally, he grunted.

“The heck are you doing here?” His voice was hoarse. You blamed it all on some cheap brandy in his whiskey glass. “I am on vacation.”

“Your vacation is my vacation now, too, after Hunnigan made me fly twenty fuckin’ hours to find you.” You grimaced and took over the closest seat to Leon. He looked annoyed. You didn’t care.

“You look like you’ve had enough.” You concluded, having his drinking spree in mind.

He let out a drunken laugh that was devoid of joy. “What’s it to you if I have? I can take care of myself.” He scoffed and slurred his words a little.

A stubborn dumbass—you let out a heavy, irritated sigh. You felt your heat-infused headache intensifying.

“You cannot.” You gave him an unimpressed look. “At least I don’t consider it self-care when one drinks himself to death.” That was harsh, you thought. But right now he probably deserved it.

Your comment seemed to strike a chord with him.

“I told you I can take care of myself!” He raised his voice slightly, and some of the patrons looked over.

Jesus Christ. You wouldn’t consider yourself religious, though.

“How are you planning to take care of yourself?” You raised your voice slightly, too, giving him an unappreciative look. Suddenly, you quietly snapped. “I don’t know what you are thinking, Kennedy, but this is not a vacation. That’s a bloody suicide waiting to happen.”

You have seen alcoholics in your line of work before, and it didn’t matter what Leon thought of himself in this situation – but he looked like one.

To your surprise, he went silent, visibly taken aback. He blinked; there was a noticeable glimmer of confusion in Leon’s eyes.

Did not he realize that he was hurting himself this much?

“I’m fine…” Kennedy groaned, although his denial was slowly crumbling. “I’ll be fine…”

You could see he fought it – the alcohol numbed his feelings, but now, with a glimpse of sanity, they seemed to return to him in droves.

You watched him in awkward silence while he was babysitting his demons until he looked at you, both headstrong…

… and embarrassed?

“I swear, it would be better if Hunnigan sent some D.S.O. shrink, not you.” He grunted in disappointment, unwillingly sobering up. This vacation was over.

“Ingrid is worried about you.” You muttered, then scoffed. “And I’m your witness, Leon – you haven’t been fine in years. I know you long enough.”

He didn’t have to like what you said, but you thought he needed to hear this.

Leon gave you a dirty look. How could you see through him? The rest was tiptoeing around his alcoholism for ages, nurturing his drunken arrogance. You might not be nice, but what the others did was not kind.

The man cursed and fumblingly pulled his wallet out of the back pocket of his Hawaiian-looking shorts; these made you stifle a chuckle. The image of invincible Leon S. Kennedy looking like this would be imprinted into your brain forever and ever.

He threw a few – too many – bills in local currency on the table and got himself up heavily from the bar stool. Now he towered over you grumpily. “What a buzzkill you are,” he mumbled, and you could smell that cheap brandy you noticed before on his breath.

You smirked, showing no remorse. “Let’s get you a cab, handsome.”

***

He stayed in one of the hotels right at the beach, and, stepping out of the taxi, you froze for a second, enjoying the view.

“That's one thing people got right about Thailand; it's beautiful here.” Leon hummed, approaching you from behind.

You still had your gaze fixed on the curves of the twilight bay when Kennedy spoke again. “You're right... I haven't been fine in years.”

You raised your eyebrows at him, making no attempts to hide your flabbergasted facial expression. Was this man admitting that he was wrong?..

Then pigs were about to start flying.

But Leon kept going.

“Do you want to know what's been happening in my head... How badly have things affected me?”

Was he even drunker than you thought?

“Yes, you dumbass.” You replied softly. Whether it was Ingrid’s push or not, Hunnigan was not the only one who cared about Leon to follow him around the globe.

The man walked towards the seashore, letting the waves lick his feet.

“My mind is so chaotic these days,” Kennedy admitted; his voice was barely a whisper. “Sometimes, I even lose sleep at night because of the nightmares of...”

Leon hesitated. You didn’t nudge, afraid of ruining his mood. He has already called you a buzzkill once.

At last, he sighed. Why was it so hard to talk about it?

“I made promises I couldn’t keep; that’s all you need to know.” Leon summed it up without looking at you. Did he really want to talk about it? You followed his tired, unfocused gaze, staring at the horizon.

“How about a swim?” Your suggestion came out of nowhere. You tilted your head, waiting for his response, and he glanced at you, confused, for the first time in the past moments.

Leon then let out a laugh in a drunken manner. “What? Now? In my state? I'll sink straight to the bottom.”

“You decided to vacation in Thailand – and not to swim?” You rolled your eyes at him jokingly and pulled him by his wrist. “Come on, Kennedy.” You begged. You might have been a tad aggressive back then, in the bar, but now…

You thought he deserved a break.

Leon groaned slightly but didn’t fight it, tagging along behind you. He felt a little dizzy; the cheapness of the served brandy was finally getting to him. Despite it all, he scoffed, his tone friendlier than before. “You are not going to let me forget that I am on vacation here, are you?”

You smirked, stepping into the gentle ocean waters and shamelessly ignoring his question. “We are not going to go far. I won’t let you drown, Kennedy.”

He smirked. “I trust you.” Oh, did he? Suddenly, shivers ran down your spine when you recalled Hannigan’s words. Why were you special?

You submerged in the water further with no regard to your clothes, now soaking wet. Leon, to your amusement, did the same.

“That should help with your hangover tomorrow.” You gave him a dirty look, and he huffed out a laugh.

“What's with all the dirty looks you've been giving me all day? You think I deserve it?”

“Oh, you deserve all of them.” You snorted - right before he pulled you by the waist, making you scoff out of surprise. You froze, barely reaching his chin covered with two-day stubble.

“You are drunk, Kennedy.” You reminded him softly, still making no attempts to leave his embrace. His intense gaze was trained on you.

“I'm not that drunk,” he scoffed, a grin forming on his lips. What the heck was going on?

“Oh, you are that drunk, Kennedy.” You smirked at him.

And then you felt it; his lips crashed into yours. Unconsciously, your hand darted to his hair, playing with the dirty blonde strands. A soft moan escaped your lips.

What were you thinking? It felt so wrong; you have been partners for years, and you didn’t like to mix work and pleasure. And if he had an excuse, let alone an awful one, to kiss you, you had none.

It felt so good, though.

Leon pulled away from your lips only when your lungs started to burn with a lack of air. His grin was too cheeky for your liking.

“You don't mind spending the night with me, do you?” The audacity.

You smirked. “I’ll spend a night with you when you sober up, handsome.” Otherwise, one of you might have regretted it – while him standing in front of you with wet hair and a soaked-up t-shirt made you hot and bothered. Damn, that man was fine. One way or another, at least.

“You should get to bed, Kennedy.” … And sleep through that hangover.

“Just one more…” He mumbled—one more taste of your lips. “... For today.”

Liar. So you whined into his lips softly when he kissed you again. And again.

Forcing yourself out of the water later, you looked at the boiling ocean; the waves crashed against each other as the sun set behind them. It took you all your willpower to let go of him this evening, and the only thought that brought you peace was that he was suffering at the loss of contact as much as you were.

***

You called him the following morning when you were making yourself a coffee.

“Hey.” Your lips curved into a smile. “How is your hangover, handsome?”

Leon, barely awake, first laughed, then groaned, and there was an audibly sound note of hangover in his voice, too.

“A dreadful headache... And I can still taste you on my lips, which doesn't help.” Your breath hitched. His comment about him tasting you stained your cheeks bright pink.

He yawned. “…I feel like crap.”

You mischievously bit your lip, although your tone was innocent. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”

Leon, no doubt, knew precisely what would make him feel better right now.

[rileytwenty]

IDIA || an Avatar story (x Neteyam)

Chapter 10

Masterlist

(English Na'vi)

Morning passed slowly. I was too upset by Neteyam's emotional admission to be around him, so I avoided him.

How could he say that he doesn't want me to feel like an outsider, when he treats me like one? How can he say that he doesn't want me to feel like I am lesser than, when his whole family acts like I am either a demon or a burden?

After lunch, Tsireya and I were the only ones left in the marui. She was doing some weaving, and had agreed to sit with me so I had some company.

"Tsireya, can I... can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Idia."

"What happened to Neteyam's hands? Do you know?"

She let out surprised giggles. "Yes, I know, but I'm sworn to secrecy. I'm sorry."

"Please, Tsireya, I'm worried." My tone was too concerned to leave space for more of her gentle giggles.

Her smile faltered into confusion for a second. "Okay, but you can't tell him you know. I think the embarrassment would kill him."

"Alright, fine. Now, tell me."

"He was trying to shuck oysters, but he didn't know how and did it wrong for hours. He said he'd get the cuts treated but I think he got too embarrassed and backed out."

I burst out into deep chuckles from my gut and Tsireya joined in. "Here I was worried that he got into a knife fight or something, meanwhile he was just shucking oysters?! That's too good!" I laughed out.

"Tsireya!" Oh shit. "You said you would keep it a secret, skxawng!" Neteyam growled through barred teeth, entering the marui with footsteps heavy enough to shake the netting.

Tsireya raised her hands in surrender, laughing as she hurriedly left the structure. "Sorry, Neteyam. I guess I just like Idia better," she added as soon as she was far enough away to be out of Neteyam's reach.

He clicked his tongue and his tail swished in annoyance.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be training for a hunt with Ao'nung." As in, he was supposed to be somewhere that I was not.

"Yeah, the ass was nowhere to be found." He seated himself next to me at the water entrance of the marui, dangling his legs next to mine. "Look, if I have a free moment, I want to talk to you. I know you're trying to avoid me after what I said last night."

I heaved a sigh. "You might just be right. What about it?"

"Listen, I meant what I said. I don't like the way they treat you. It's not right."

I knew that. It was obvious. But to hear someone else say it, especially someone from the clan? It was nice, to say the least.

"I appreciate you saying that, but as I said, you would never say that in front of your parents."

He rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. "Maybe not, but that's because my parents are terrifying and stubborn. That doesn't change the fact that you don't deserve the treatment you get."

"I know I was dealt a bad hand, I don't need you to tell me. I know I don't deserve the isolation and humiliation and torment the whole fucking clan gives me. You act like this is news, but it's not. It's been like this since I was born. Did you know that I was raised on synthesized breast milk after my parents died because none of the lactating mothers would share their milk with a demon? It's always been this way, even if you never realized it."

"I..." He ran a hand through his braids, tousling them about. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how bad it was. I wish that I had noticed your suffering sooner. Maybe it could have been easier for you."

I rubbed the crease between my brows. "Don't worry yourself about it, Neteyam. It is the way it is." I patted his shoulder in reassurance.

"No. They still treat you terribly, and they shouldn't."

"Well, Tonowari and Tsireya are pretty nice. It's better here than at the mountain base. I'll be fine."

"No, no. You deserve better than 'fine'." He rose to his feet and began to walk off.

"Neteyam." He was too focused on wherever he was going to stop.

I groaned. If he was going to stir up trouble with his family, could he not at least wait until I was healed?

-----------------------------------------------------

"What have you done?" Neytiri barged into the marui, storming over to where I was sitting.

"What?"

"What have you told my son? Filling his head with lies? Turning him against me?" She hissed, her ears flat back against her hair and her eyes wide, standing in a predatory stance.

"I didn't do anything, I swear." I rose to my feet, holding my arms up defensively. Standing on my leg made it sting.

"Mother! It was my own opinion. Now, leave Idia alone," Neteyam defended me, entering the marui behind his mother. Neytiri hissed and snarled at me, ignoring her first born.

"He comes to me saying that I, his mother, am wrong for how I act? He speaks as if I didn't see the massacre of my people at your family's hands! How have you manipulated him like this? Tell me!"

"Mother, please. Can you not take a second to think about it? Idia spent her whole life apologizing for something she didn't do! Her parents' actions are not her own."

Jake entered the structure, clearly stressed out and trying to diffuse the situation by comforting his mate, but she was having none of it.

"She has their blood!" Neytiri erupted in rage, now directed at Neteyam. "She has murderer blood, and you, my son, are giving her your pity!" Her voice lowered to a malicious whisper, "I am ashamed of you."

"Neytiri!" Jake scorned her, looking at her as if he did not recognize her.

Neteyam looked beyond shocked. His tail froze mid-swish. "Mother?"

"Get out, both of you. I do not wish to see either of you right now. Pray I do not carve out your tongues when you return." She shooed Neteyam and I away. Neteyam stood unmoving, stuck in the moment in which his mother had shamed him.

"Neteyam, she said we should go." My statement seemed to draw him back to the current moment.

"Yeah, I fucking heard her." Neteyam's swear drew Jake's attention from his wife, but he said nothing. Neteyam raged out of the marui and across the beach and I tried my best to keep up with him.

"Neteyam look, you're angry right now, okay? Don't do anything stupid because of it," I warned him cautiously. He said nothing.

I was falling drastically behind, and called out for him to slow down. He acted as if he hadn't heard me. My leg was burning again, badly. I winced, sucked in a breath and dropped down to the sand. "Neteyam, please!"

He let out a aggravated sound, but turned around to come help me. Wrapping my arm around his shoulders and encircling his other hand around my waist, he started hauling me forwards.

"Where are you even going?"

"Lo'ak showed me this place that Tsireya showed him, we can wait there until we're allowed back. It's not far now, you can make it."

taglist: @im-kaii@itsemy01@isabel-ffl-xoxo@useryourbut@hoodiepandaninja16 @slutforsmut4ever @ihonestlydontknowwhattonamethis

[allsadnshit]

how do you deal with being immunocompromised when basically all the covid measures have been dropped? i'm newly diagnosed with lupus and i'm so, so afraid and just really finding it difficult to cope with the fact that infection and hospitalization is basically a given if people continue to ignore precautions :/

I worry about myself! You can never control other people, no matter your situation and it's frustrating for everyone, even people who are lucky enough to not have chronic illness!

It can sound hard, but I really don't go out. Even before covid, the world isn't set up to function sick people like myself with lots of food sensitivies and dietary restrictions, bowel movements so fucked up that I need a bathroom with multiple stalls everywhere I go or I'll have a panic attack, chronic pain, and trying to recover into sobriety. Stuff like parties and bars have been off my menu for a long time now and it was honestly incredibly sad for a long time and sometimes I still feel upset about it even though the world and people aren't doing it to spite me.

I feel most confident in the face of covid things by making sure I have done everything I can for my own immune system even though I do not pretend it's enough. I eat very well, I take food supplements every day (grass fed and finished beef organs, oysters, and turkey tail mushroom for immunity), don't go to highly populated places, and I don't drink any alcohol. And that does count for something, whether people want to acknowledge that or not.

I am really sorry to hear you are going through this incredibly difficult and polarizing situation, I know it can feel incredibly lonely and like everyone is trying to hurt you. People don't know what they don't know, and able bodied people can only ever imagine what it's like to be not able bodied, sick, and having to worry about things they don't.

Be kind to yourself, and make it clear to the people you love what you need and be strong and accept when they aren't willing to meet you where you need met! And have consequences in place to make sure you're as safe as you can be.

sending u love

[storiesofsvu]

Journey to the Past Ch 20

Bryan Kneef x reader warnings: language, alcohol, smut. guys never in a million years did I think this story was going to end up being this long LOL. and there's still another arc to come 👀(lowkey curious if anyone's picked up on it yet...cause none of you have mentioned anything but i'm sure at least one of you noticed the hinting...)

Bryan ended up in the neighborhood of your firm and had a little bit of extra time on his hands and figured he may as well stop by as you were wrapping your day up. Probably have to encourage you to pack up and at the very least get some food in before continuing to work from the comfort of your apartment. When he got to your office door though he found your computer already powered down, a neat little pile of case files on top of it and you changed into a semi formal cocktail dress, fixing your lipstick in the mirror on the wall. You glanced up when the movement caught your eye, knowing you’d sent Larissa home an hour ago.

“Hey.” You greeted with a smile, turning back to the mirror for a couple of finishing touches while Bryan moved into the room.

“Someone looks fucking stunning.” He greeted in reply, wrapping an arm around your waist, his lips brushing against your cheek.

“Thank you.” Smiling you stole a quick kiss, making sure you didn’t leave any lipstick stains as you pulled away, “got a dinner meeting. Athletic Association is looking to ‘expand horizons’ as the boss put it.”

“Over at Cherry Circle Room?” He raised a brow and you let out a groan, your shoulders slumping.

“Oh fuck you. Am I competing against you for this shit?” You asked and he chuckled.

“Are you that into sports?”

“No, but the rumour is whoever catches this client is a shoo-in for the yearly conference and I would do just about anything for two weeks all expenses paid cruising the Amalfi Coast.”

“Well I’m sure you have your winning ways.” He murmured, stepping closer to you for a kiss, “and you’ve been liaising between firms a lot anyways, maybe it’ll count for a double win.”

“Don’t get cocky now Kneef.” You warned with a grin, kissing him once more, the warmth blooming through your body as his arm wound around your waist, holding you tightly to him. “We really need to coordinate our calendars.”

“Certainly would help a few things.” He agreed, watching as you collected your things from around your office, “are you driving over?”

“No, I cabbed in today. Can’t exactly turn down the drinks tonight.”

“My driver’s out front?” He suggested and you smiled, letting out a soft chuckle,

 “You just offering me a ride? Or do I suddenly have a date for tonight?”

“I’m not just going to abandon my girlfriend simply because I’m going to win a client over her.”

“Better put your money where your mouth is Kneef.” You poked at his chest with a teasing grin, scooping up your purse and he let out a mock scoff, his hand resting at the small of your back as the two of you moved out of the firm.

The Cherry Circle Room was on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, along with the vast bar and restaurant, there was a private cocktail and dining room, game rooms set up for cards or something a little more active and even a golf simulator room. It was one of those prime locations in the city for hosting events just like tonight, giving everyone a chance to eat, drink, chat and schmooze while playing and making bets, people who needed to prove themselves given multiple opportunities.

You and Bryan grabbed a couple of drinks from the bar and shifted through the crowd, chatting with those that you already knew and making sure to make introductions to anyone you didn’t. The private dining room was set up for just invited guests, bottles of cabernet and pinot already ready and waiting as you were seated. Plates of bread, oysters, marinated beets and charred octopus were brought out as starters, little bites for everyone to enjoy as you started your more in depth conversations. Drinks were flowing, conversation was easy, a little bit business, a little bit pleasure, Bryan couldn’t help but have his attention diverted over to you, watching the way you animatedly talked with table companions about anything and everything. There wasn’t a dull moment at all, your usual sparkle and shine with a hint of teasing coming through perfectly. You were even more prominent for being one of the only women at the dinner, and the youngest of them by far. He could sense a few lingering eyes and over the top comments and felt the surge of jealousy flow through him despite knowing you would never act on anything. His hand found a way into your lap, wrapping around your thigh as his thumb stroked across your skin and you glanced to him with a warm smile, your own hand coming to rest upon his.

Dinner was served, options of pork chop, free range chicken, sea bass or tenderloin coming out to the table. Conversations continued on and Bryan was a little surprised at the way you didn’t shy away from your relationship in a somewhat work environment, if his hand disappeared from your lap, yours usually retreated to his, settling on his thigh. You were open about it when asked by someone else at the table, and you weren’t scared of leaving a gentle kiss on his cheek before darting off to the bathroom. And he was in the same boat, firstly he wanted all the other men in the room to know you were off the market and very much not up for grabs but also that he was immensely proud of the attorney you were and your work. He brought up the incredible work you’d done in New York, how you’d battled against things someone else would rather avoid, how you still held double jurisdiction and would likely be able to take cases in multiple cities. He knew something like that would likely be a bonus for a company like the one you were pitching to.

The dinner table was cleared not much longer after that, Bryan noticed the way you swapped out your wine for premium tequila on the rocks, something he hadn’t seen you drink before but other partners at the table were indulging in on. You knowledge on the spirit and which ones were actually the more high end intrigued him as he settled into a table for a game of poker, your hand trailing over his shoulder as you laughed at something someone else said before you dropped into the chair beside him.

“Are you playing?” He asked and you practically snorted.

“What? You think I leave all the fun to the big boys? C’mon Bry.”

“Kennedy’s about to whip his ass.” Someone chuckled from across the table and you laughed, putting down a bet to swap out for chips as you collected your cards.

“You know how to play?” Bryan asked and you let out a little laugh.

“Yeah. Sometime when you were too busy pouring over books in the library at least one of us was out getting some worthwhile life experience.”

“You gotta know Kneef,” someone started, “Kennedy here’s the champ, she’s not the usual date you bring to these things.”

“I am well aware of that.” He chuckled, “I’m about to get my ass handed to me aren’t I?”

“That’s one secret I’ll never tell.” You replied with a sly grin before any emotion slipped off your face in preparation for the game.

Just as Bryan had suspected, you absolutely obliterated everyone at the table, what he wasn’t expecting was that you donated all of your winnings to the Athletic Association. Which meant that you were leaving that night with a few extra handshakes, thank you’s and very well secured promises that they would be in touch about the open position.

“So are you allowed to bring a plus one to this yacht conference?” Bryan asked with a grin as you waited on the curb for his driver and you laughed.

“I’m pretty sure we can afford our own vacation.”

“Oh but the free ones are always so much better.” He grinned, fingers coming to tilt your chin towards him for a kiss that you smiled into, “your place is closer?”

“I do really need to get some laundry done, so that can be a task for the morning.” You replied as the car pulled up and Bryan shot off the correct address.

Once upstairs it was the usual moments of stepping out of shoes, bags getting placed down in the appropriate places, phones being plugged in, the offer for a nightcap as you moved through the space. You were coming out of the ensuite when you offered Bryan a drink and he chuckled,

“I can think of something much more desirable than a drink right now.” He murmured, pulling you to him, a hand cupping around your cheek, sinking into your hair and you grinned.

“Oh really?”

“Yeah.” It was only a second later that his lips surged against yours, arms wrapping tightly around you and yours snuck under his suit jacket, gently pushing the garment off him.

He’d already forgone the tie for dinner, leaving you one less thing to deal with as your hands began to undo the buttons of his shirt, fingers splaying up his bare chest as you nudged the fabric off him. His fingers found the clasp and zipper of your dress, pulling it down and sliding the straps over your shoulders, letting it fall to the floor leaving you in only a pair of lace panties.

“Lie back kitten.” He murmured, nudging you toward the bed, “let me take care of you.”

“Yes sir.” You smirked and he shot you a glance, a sparkle in his eye at the title as you settled against the pillows.

He quickly rid himself of the rest of his clothes, your eyes darkening at the sight of his hard cock as he climbed onto the bed, crawling over you. His lips met yours in a passionate kiss, a hand tenderly caressing your cheek as his tongue delved into your mouth, swirling in the now very familiar and desired dance you’d both become accustomed to. Your hands threaded through his hair, tugging him impossibly close to you, the weight of his body on you building the fire hotter and deeper within you. His hands danced across your skin, tickling and teasing in their paths before he finally broke the kiss, his mouth moving south on your body. He nipped across your neck, kissing your collarbone before latching onto your chest. You let out a loud moan, chest arching up into the sensation as pleasure surged through you, a whimper escaping your lips when his teeth scraped across the sensitive skin.

Bryan sunk lower, settling between your legs, this time not waiting, his mouth surging toward your dripping cunt and you let out a cry when his fingers sunk into you. They pumped and curled just enough to have you on the edge but nowhere further, your entire body trembling in anticipation while his mouth made home on your throbbing clit.

“Oh fuck… Bry…oh god… feels so fucking good.”

He felt himself twitch against the bed at the angelic way your voice rung out through the room, nearly growling into your pussy as he started to eat you with more vigor. The pace of his fingers picked up, tapping against the sensitive spot within you with each pump and you were crying out only a few moments later, your body shaking against the bed as your orgasm rocked through you.

“Fuck…” you panted, “oh god… please… please fuck me.” Your hands cupped at his cheeks as he crawled up your body and you could see the desire and adoration pouring from his eyes, letting out a little laugh, your cheeks flushing.

“God you’re so fucking beautiful.” He murmured, ducking to kiss you while his free hand wrapped around his cock, lining it up with your throbbing cunt.

“Oh Bry…” The breathy moan escaped your lips as he groaned, sinking into you and your arms tightly wound around him.

He began to move, his hips rocking into you, pulling breathy gasps from you with each thrust, his arms sunk under your body, hands wrapping around your shoulders as he buried himself into the crook of your neck. You wrapped your legs around his hips, pulling him deeper and tighter to you with each thrust of his hips, his cock dragging past every inch of you, making you shiver.

“Fuck…” he swore, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of your neck, “feel so fucking good sweetheart, take me so fucking well…” His hand snuck between your bodies in search of your clit, pads of his fingers beginning to rub at it and you moaned.

“Fuck!” Your arms tightened around him as you pussy fluttered, “oh god… oh god Bry, you’re gonna make me come.” His hips thrusted heavier into you, the pace picking up ever so slightly as his fingers did the same, pinching at your clit.

“Good girl.” He urged, “let go for me. I know you’re close.”

You whimpered out, the fire shooting through your body, one of your hands threading through his hair, holding him impossibly close as he continued to rock into you. His cock filled you so impeccably, stretching you with just the perfect amount of pleasure versus pain, his fingers toying with you to the point of you seeing stars. You let out a cry, your entire body tensing around him, thighs shaking as your body trembled, little cries leaving your lips as he brought you to your peak.

“That’s it…” He praised softly, a thumb stroking at your cheek as you shivered in his arms, “such a good girl for me.”

He moved his hand from your clit, letting you catch your breath before he began to pound his hips into you, still holding you impeccably close as he chased his release. The little noises you were letting out right into his ear were more than enough but coupled with the wet warmth of your cunt wrapped around him he was coming in only a matter of thrusts, spilling deep within you as he panted into the crook of your neck.

Bryan did his best to not collapse over top of you, relishing in the feeling of your hands dancing up and down the bare skin of his back, your nails scratching at his skin lightly. The way your hand cupped at the back of his head, scratching into his hair and he hummed happily, pressing a series of gentle kisses into your neck and across your chin. You let out a tiny gasp as he slipped from within you, his free hand coming up to cup your cheek before he kissed you, lingering longer than he normally would. When you opened your eyes you couldn’t help but smile at the way he was gazing down at you, a warmth in his eyes you’d only seen a handful of times before, a happy smile on his face. You reached up, fingertips scratching into his beard,

“What?” You asked and he let out a huff of a laugh, internally debating for a moment before he ducked to kiss you softly. It felt like for the first time he was actually one hundred percent about the blooming in his chest, the way that your smile made him happier than anything else in the world, that there was no other place he would ever rather be than in your arms.

“I love you…”

“Oh Bryan…” you smiled, unable to hold back the giggle as you pulled him to you for another kiss, “I love you too.”

____________

@detective-giggles @plaidbooks @thatesqcrush @witches-unruly-heart @beccabarba @bisexual-dreamer02 @amelia-song-pond @madamsnape921 @whimsicallymad @mrsrafaelbarba @mysticfalls01 @ssaic-jareau @caracalwithchips @barbasbodaciousbeard @alwaysachorusgirl @beardedbarba @michael-rookerr @rafivadafreddy @lustvolle-liebe @anlin2058 @fandom-princess-forevermore @tinyboxxtink @alexusonfire @xovalliegirlxo @nobody-important1212 @somethingimaginative17 @momlifebehard @misscharlielulu @fighterkimburgess

[raynblaze]

The Vamp and The Spellcaster

Caleb Vatore wasn’t always the family man he is today. He was once an ambitious, fast-living vampire that trained his vampiric spells to be the best that he could be. 

He would go out to bars, converse with the social elite, and sleep with powerful spellcasters on the daily.

One of those spellcasters was Morgyn Ember, a powerful pyromancer that had worked themselves up to be a sage for the school of magic. Morgyn was smitten with Caleb from the moment they met him. Caleb was charming to everyone in Glimmerbrook, as he used his magic to show off and get the other spellcasters to admire him, but Morgyn had a natural attraction to this dashing young vampire. 

Caleb and Morgyn eventually became lovers, even though Caleb was still a bit hesitant to commit fully. They still became a power couple that almost everyone from Forgotten Hollow to Glimmberbrook looked up to.

One night, they went out for some drinks with their friends, Tomax and Grace.

“The world is our oyster, Caleb.” Morgyn said smiling at Caleb. “Cheers to the future of magic users everywhere!”

Suddenly, a beautiful elven spellcaster walked in, she was wearing all white and had a lighting tattoo on her back. She looked confident and ready to mingle. Tomax looked over and blushed.

“She’s…. she’s beautiful.” He said, looking over at her. “I’m gonna go talk to her.” Grace rolled her eyes.

“That pretty little thing and you? Oh Tomax, you know you don’t have a chance!” Tomax looked hurt.

“You’re always so mean to me.”

“You know I’m messing with you. Go for it!” Grace patted him on the back. Tomax spent the evening trying to woo the beautiful elven storm mage. 

“Maybe I could use my powers, give him a little boost?” Caleb said to Morgyn. “I can make her flirty in an instant.” Morgyn gave Caleb a look.

“That’s cheating. Let him do it naturally. It’s more fun that way.”

“True. It didn’t take you anything for you to like me.” Caleb smiled over at Morgyn and gave them a kiss. Morgyn blushed and kissed him back.

“It’s stronger when it’s a real attraction, anyways.” Morgyn said. “You never had to use your powers on me.”

They spent the night drinking and carousing, and Tomax eventually was able to get the elven beauty to spend time with him. This would eventually lead to their relationship, and Cyrus Stormsong would be born from it. 

 It was almost midnight when another person entered the bar. This time, it was a human woman. A gothic beauty with pink eyes. Caleb’s eyes widened.

“Who..is that?” He asked Morgyn. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

“Her mother was a witch that passed away recently. She lives on the outskirts of town; we don’t see her much. I wonder what made her come to the bar tonight.”

The young woman came over to Morgyn and Caleb immediately.

“Excuse me, sorry to bother you, my name is Helena.” She said in a melodic voice. “I was wondering if you know anyone that can escort me to Forgotten Hollow? I have business there.”

Caleb suddenly stood up. 

“Hello, my name is Caleb. I’m a vampire. Why do you need to go to Forgotten Hollow? That’s my hometown.” Morgyn was glaring at the both of them now.

“I…well, it’s a long story. I know it sounds kind of odd, but I want to learn about the vampire lifestyle. It might be something that interests me.”

Caleb looked at her curiously.

“Well, Forgotten Hollow will surely teach you everything you need to know. But you need to be careful, there are dangerous vampires there.”

“Oh, I know. I’m prepared to deal with it. Maybe there’s some vampires that are willing to help me though? I’m sure you’re not all bad.”

Caleb smiled at her. “No, we’re not. I have been trying to bridge the gap between humans and vampires since I turned. If you want, I can escort you myself. We can leave tonight or in the morning, I can go out during the sun. It’s up to you.”

Helena smiled back at him now. She was swooning at the sight of a handsome vampire. Caleb is intrigued too. There's something about this woman that makes him feel like leaving everything behind, and running away with her.

”Oh, that would be wonderful! We’ll go in the morning; I’m feeling like having a drink…have one with me?”

“Of course.” Caleb winked at her. Morgyn was fuming now. They knew Caleb was a flirt, but it still hurt to see Caleb so entranced with this woman.

“Caleb, are you really leaving?” Morgyn grabbed Caleb and pulled him aside. “We have business to attend to…people to see, spells to learn!”

Caleb took Morgyn’s hand. 

“I’ll be back, I promise. This woman needs some help, and we promised we’d use our powers to help people, right? Just wait for me, ok?”

Caleb would never come back to Glimmerbrook. In fact, he went on to marry this woman and have a family with her, changing his life forever.

Morgyn is not happy. It's time to blare "You Oughta know" by Alanis Morrisette for the next 25 years.

Although this left Morgyn heartbroken and bitter, they never went after Caleb. They instead continued to train and become a very powerful pyromancer. 

Eventually, Morgyn would eventually make the decision to confront the man that broke their heart.

[berrycobbler]

[ID: a series of quotes which read as follows:

My girlfriend and I both love to read on vacation. Once, on a camping trip, I finished my book early. She was halfway through a hefty novel and ripped out the first hundred pages to give to me. This tradition of giving each other “leaflets” has allowed us to share our favorite books, and the trips we read them on, that much more closely.

– Laura Birnbaum, Washington, D.C.

Today, every day, and on Valentine’s Day, I will visit my wife of 56 years. We are separated by her dementia. I will tell her what’s been going on outside, as I spoon-feed her in her care-home hospital bed. She says, “Thank you,” when I tell her I love her. We both know she would say more, if only she could. We have had a great life together, ever since the second grade. She is slowly leaving, I know that. But we’re a pair until then.

– Gene Lock, Sacramento, Calif.

My husband is Filipino, and I am not, so I learned to cook pancit, a noodle dish his mother made. It makes him happy. We cut vegetables, chop meat, then assemble the dish, always refining our understanding of it. It’s like love — it gets better every time.

– Muffie Alejandro, Los Angeles

We say, “I love you” every time one of us leaves the house. It seems small, but after almost 17 years of marriage, I would feel like I had left my keys behind if I hadn’t said it.

– Kate Reymann, Salt Lake City

I have half a banana for breakfast, and my husband always carves a heart on the cut end.

– Jill Black, Kalispell, Mont.

When my cancer diagnosis recurred this fall, my husband of 54 years began folding 1,000 origami cranes. Legend says that they will bring good luck and good health. We have installed them in our hallway as a constant reminder of hope and joy. They are beautiful to look at, and they also seem to be working, as I am responding to treatment.

– Jane Berke, Alpharetta, Ga.

I hate the sound of liquids being stirred or shaken. So whenever my husband stirs or shakes something, he shouts, “La la la la!” to protect my sensitive ears. (I’ve actually learned to manage my aversion, but I don’t tell him, because I think his off-tune singing is adorable.)

– Emily Strahler, Bethlehem, N.H.

Offhandedly, my husband said that he felt loved when his socks were ready to put on. Since then, I roll his socks into pairs.

– Chris Jacques, Golden, Colo.

My husband loves new bars of soap, so when I need to replace mine, I take his and give him the new one.

– Shannon Moise, British Columbia, Canada

My husband of 30-some years lets me put my cold hands on his body to warm them. We are a husband-and-wife oyster-farming team, so in the winter this is especially endearing.

– Cindy West, South Kingstown, R.I.

Every time my girlfriend calls me, I answer the phone by saying, “It’s the most beautiful woman in the world!”

– Jeremiah Whitten, Minneapolis

My husband and I got married on June 7, 30 years ago. Every month on the seventh, we like to wish each other a happy anniversary — and be the first to do it. Most often, he beats me to it.

– Patricia Davis, Westbrook, Conn.

My husband always makes sure that my car’s gas tank is full, the windshield wipers are in good shape and the fluids are topped off. That’s his way of telling me that he’ll never leave me stranded.

– Diane Norman, Herndon, Va.

I was diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency a few years ago. My husband began taking out two capsules and leaving them for me in a tiny dish in our bathroom. It was a gentle reminder to take my vitamins and stay healthy. The gesture feels like a very sweet, “I love you.” When I take the pills and he’s in earshot, I say, “I love you, too.”

– Cynthia Copeland, Pasadena, Calif.

For more than 21 years, my husband has given me the last bite of his dessert, always.

– Jennifer Grissom, Los Angeles

My precious husband, to whom I was married for 46 glorious years, passed away six years ago. But not a day has gone by since when I haven’t blown a kiss to the photograph of him that I keep on my bedroom table.

– Karen Strauss, New Rochelle, N.Y. /end ID.]

The New York Times did a piece titled 100 Small Acts of Love and these are some of my favorites 💕

[manwalksintobar]

What Follows Us Now Must Soon Enough Be Carried // Dobby Gibson

To read the news of things both splendid and sad happening far from me today I had my computer keyboard whisper this coffee shop’s secret network password — pacific — and it clicked it was two years since I had seen the ocean and those I love who live near it. Like Dean, who could see the Bay from his bed but is now being kept alive in Texas by a box of valves and lithium batteries serving the functions of a human heart. The last time I saw him our bellies were filled with oysters and we were drunk in North Beach, which is where I can imagine Matthew now walks the hills with an endless twisting distorted Neil Young guitar solo traveling between his precision-engineered Chinese-manufactured ear buds. I don’t know whether Matthew listens to Neil Young, but I know what it sounds like when the fog pours around Coit Tower in the mid afternoon as you step inside a bar for a Sierra Nevada and a conversation about war or poetry. Matthew has written many beautiful and slightly tragic poems about my city, which he lived in just long enough to spend trapped in a cast. I never visited him once and in fact don’t know where he lived so I imagine it’s going to be difficult for you and probably him to believe that I miss him. But I was a little afraid of Matthew back then, and maybe still am, as I am often scared of people who are larger and more amazing than I, which feels like nearly everyone. I can’t drink beers at 3 p.m. very often or anytime soon live in San Francisco because I am trying to be a decent middle-class father, which requires living close to adequate schools and inexpensive consumer packaged goods. Many of my new best friends live as far from me as do my old best friends, like Amanda, who is rehabilitating an artificial steel hip she selected from a medical supply catalogue while sitting on her parents’ couch. Amanda says the hip feels like an ice cream headache in her leg. Dean says his box of heart valves feels like being followed by a cuckoo clock. That’s all I really know about how strange these things must feel though I was once chased by time. It was in Seoul, near Sinchon Station, where the sound of a second hand followed me and my wife as we walked with Mrs. Jeong, who had strapped a little girl who was not yet our daughter onto her back. She was carrying our future and my daughter’s future and my daughter’s past and now complete strangers feel the need to tell me that my daughter is “a lucky girl” forgetting or unaware that entire shelves of memoirs have been sarcastically titled Lucky Girl to awaken us to the horrible things we say to people who are just trying to be four years old. According to some of these books the presence of good fortune is something one has to decide for oneself, so today I thought about reaching for it without knowing what I was exactly supposed to grab, and I thought of that same afternoon in Seoul, which my wife and I spent as gentle imposters in Jogesi Temple. A woman prostrated herself next to us hundreds of times as a priest struck a gong and chanted things that felt as if they were about being human but also not and a small bird flew through the temple and kept landing on the Buddha’s giant golden shoulder. When I put my shoes back on I knew I would spend the rest of my life wondering many new things, including whether that bird was trapped in the temple or had been there all along by choice.

[pro-whimsy-agenda]

take me on a date in Bikini Bottom and I'll psychoanalyze you (for free!)

The Rock Bottom Bus Stop

This could go a few different ways. If this is our first date and you intentionally took me to a remote bus stop with a limited time table, sketchy clientele, and ominous lighting - I do have multiple friends already tracking my location and they will come rescue me if they don't hear from me in an hour. Freak.

On the other hand, if we already know each other - we've vetted the vibes and don't fear that one of us is on the verge of a violent psychotic break - this place has the energy of a beautiful, emotionally bonding night.

Imagine we grab a few vending machine snacks and sit on the ground cross-legged butt-to-butt. Perhaps we laugh, cry, and share our deepest, most repressed childhood memories with one another. Some of the best bonding experiences I have ever had have been on creepy park benches in the middle of the night, stuck somewhere we didn't intend to be, just crying together.

Let's do that.

The Prom

You had someone else in mind for tonight who either cancelled on you or declined the offer, and I know that. It's alright. I can be your long, tan, and handsome tonight. I can be whoever you need me to be, whatever you want.

Just know that I will never be him.

Bar Hopping

You're probably not as much of a partier as the person you're pretending to be at the start of this date. You're nervous and a drink or two will help you loosen up. We can probably get into the Salty Spitoon, not based off our looks but because we both ask nicely and treat the bouncer with respect. We are on a first name basis with him before we leave for the night, but after one drink we both admit that we're both honestly craving a sundae and perhaps a ween at Jrs. We head out early and promise to visit Reg again soon.

The Kuddly Krab

You text me a few hours before we had planned to meet-up to let me know that you got us reservations at this exclusive pop-up you know the manager at.

It's a themed, retro inspired place with a young hotshot creative behind the vegan omakase menu. You insist that it's absolutely to die for, you've been watching their Insta reels for days and can't wait. You just can't imagine going there without a beautiful girl like me by your side (smooth).

Our lunch is cool and the restaurant is interesting, but I have a tough time understanding what exactly it is that you do for a living, you're really vague about your actual role but very clear about your earnings. And the company you work for. It's definitely big tech.

The Workers' Uprising

One with the people, you are an advocate for worker's rights, let's spend our afternoon sticking it to the man (Mr. Krabs) and talking about our mutual disdain for capitalism. You already know half the people at this protest from previous picket lines - what a social butterfly you are! You also brought a blunt to share with the class.

This is where you are truly at your hottest and you know it.

Inside a box

Well, well, well... show me what you have in mind! ;) I love a date out in nature, totally free of charge - with this option, the world is truly our oyster. Let's bring our own picnic, eat inside the box, we can go anywhere, be anyone, provide our own soundtrack and be the main characters to our own movie.

I like your whimsy, would you care to join my cult?

[starlingsrps]

the dial tone is all i have

his ass hurts and his head hurts and joe can’t think of which hurts worse when his mouth also feels like a sock.

if he were forced to guess, he would guess that he spends one third of his time hungover (the second third drinking, the final third not drink but thinking about drinking, respectively) so the sensations aren’t foreign. the sore ass is unusual but as the pieces of last night come back to him, he did fall off the trellis at the ceren’s. that might explain a lot. he’s not exactly ancient but the first time he’d fallen off, he had been a lot younger and the ground had been softer. or something - memory is a funny, fuzzy thing, especially with the amount of clearance rack whisky working through his system.

“joe, you’ve got someone to see you,” a cop passing through lockup says. “look alive.”

oh. right. jail. that explains a lot.

the night had started the way most of his thursdays did - close down the store, hit stanley’s for a few with his friends, hop across town to the ever shady oyster bar (which had, despite the name, never sold food that wasn’t stale popcorn) and then….that was usually where it tended to get fuzzy which tended to be how joe liked it anymore. ever since aiyla had left wayfield, he had preferred things to be fuzzy around the edges. he tried not to think about why too much. if he doesn’t have to think at all, so much the better, but aiyla is a bruise he can’t help but poke every so often.

poking tonight had, at some point, ended in him trying to call her. when the call had been answered and immediately hung up, the brilliant idea for a romantic gesture had come to him. of course she was home - her the light in her old bedroom was on. the flowers on the trellis under her window were all dead in march so of course that was a sign from the universe for him to climb up to see her and of course she would want to see him. the phone was so impersonal. they should talk face to face and maybe then he could apologize, explain….everything. he just needed an in.

he hadn’t spoken to aiyla in six months and couldn’t begin to remember when he’d last spoken to the elder cerens so how was he supposed to know that mr. ceren had moved his home office into her old bedroom and would be up late reading?

it’s pointless to try to apologize to mr. ceren. mr. ceren doesn’t like him, hasn’t since the first time he’d leaned in and sniffed the stale beer and cigarette smoke on his jacket the first time aiyla had brought him over to dinner. joe knows better - he had been responsible for far too many missed curfews and acts of teenage rebellion on aiyla’s part and even if he never said it, it was pretty clear who had been the one to deflower aiyla.

of course his visitor is mr. ceren. as always, it would be better to keep his mouth shut. he paces a few steps, polishing his glasses on his shirt before coming to stop in front of him.

“what was so important?” he asks finally.

joe shrugs.

“i won’t be pressing charges,” he says. he sighs, a little regretfully, as though nothing would make him happier. “i would like to but aiyla has asked me not to.”

he brightens a little, as much as his sore head will allow. she's thought of him, she's spoken of him and it's as close an in to anything he's had in so long.

“you’ll leave her alone.” before joe can even fully form a lie, he shakes his head. “no. you'll leave her alone. that's my only condition. she's making something of herself and she can't do that when you won't let her go. no more calls, no more trying to see her. stop."

he doesn't know what to say to that, not when the only thing he's ever let himself want is a second chance with aiyla. it's the only thing he can think of that might fix him - the motivation to have something to work for, someone to work for. he only wants one thing but it's still too much.

there's nothing else for him to sayso he just rubs his forehead and nods. "yeah. yeah, okay."

mr. ceren nods as well, a short sharp nod as though to say that they're done here. "i'll let the deputy know that we're agreed then."

joe falls back on the thin mattress when he turns away and wonders how fast a hangover could kill him.

[teaguehq]

Of course your kisses are still a reward! How often they happen doesn't make them less so, I'll have you know. I care about you too, Joseph, and I'd always keep your secrets safe with me. It makes me happy that you think we're so good together too, especially when that feeling is so mutual. I'm a little sad you can't come with me when I have to leave for filming, and though I'm excited about the project, I know it's going to be difficult being away from you. I get a little weird about distance because I've had a relationship end over that before, so I should apologize in advance if I seem a little clingy. But you can hold onto me until it's time for me to leave, how's that? The planetarium date was honestly, the best I've been on next to the one we got to be zookeepers for a day. You've just shown me such a great time with dates on the whole, though. I was hoping you'd want to be my boyfriend at some point, you just asked first, which of course made me so happy. You're going to make me blush all over again saying that I look cute when I blush, especially when you make it happen so often! Your eyes are honestly gorgeous though, and I'd never tire of looking into them. I can't complain when it comes to you touching or kissing me no matter what I'm doing, and it's probably a wonder I played anything on the mandolin at all that day. Though I'll certainly have to play violin for you one day, since you'd like to hear it. You're making me blush again, but you're certainly on my mind too, love, no matter what I'm doing. If there's anywhere I'll need homemade knitted things, it's certainly New York with their winters! I know I'll be the most stylish wearing the things you've knitted for me too. I've honestly never had anyone who makes me blush so much, and I'm flattered you think I'm gorgeous! Though I can relate since I can't stop looking at you for the same reason. I'm really thankful that we've found each other and that I have such an amazing boyfriend. You made Comic Con a lot more fun, and you know I can relate to that part! I'm all for spending more time with Jamie and Anya whenever we can all have a visit, since I can see why you like them so much and I'd love to get to know them better. The catacombs?! I've been in those and they were fun, so I'd be excited about another trip with you and them. Though I can't say I've been to any secret entrances, and that just makes the thought of going all the more fun! I promise I'll hold your hand and give you plenty of kisses so you're not as scared. The double date with Alex and Troye was a lot of fun, and I feel the same way about wanting to know Troye better. I'm still laughing that you carried me through the pub when it started flooding, my hero! And I felt perfectly safe, not to mention we had the chance to make a new fun memory together. You're definitely sexy to me, and it always makes me blush knowing you think the same thing about me.

Weekends are my favorite for getting to stay in bed with you a little longer, and I know one of the things I'm going to miss while I'm filming is waking up and getting to kiss you. You can silence me with kisses as much as you'd like, I'll just casually put that out there! Your place in New York is gorgeous and it fits you so well! So it makes me happy you'll be there when you're not working, especially since it's so close to my place. I'm so happy the rooftop bar lived up to me hyping it so much, though I had a feeling the oysters might make it a little better, too. Plus it was nice the weather cooperated with us and wasn't as hot as it was during mid-summer. Well, I know that I'm going to be looking for some fun dates to take you out on in Calgary, so it's certainly something you can expect when you visit. I'm so happy you liked the idea of a cooking class for a date, and it was a great one to do during my last weekend here. Plus I think we did a pretty good job, and I know I've never made lobster bisque from scratch before. We'll definitely have to plan sometime to go camping in Florida, because I think you'd like it a lot. Plus if you wanted, we could even visit the sanctuary while we're there so you can meet Bentley! I don't know, you're the best view and certainly the one my eyes enjoy the most. And you can kiss me anytime you'd like, without question. The trip to Sussex was so beyond perfect from the beach access to the beautiful hotel. I'd certainly want to go back there sometime. That tub was definitely the most fun, and well, I can't help blushing a little at the things we got up to while we were in it. I'm all for taking our showers together since it's both conserving water and having fun, and you can't go wrong with that, can you? It makes me happy we're both so glad we're in each other's lives, and I can't see a time I'd ever not want you, Joseph. You're still making me blush saying I take your breath away, and I can certainly say that's mutual when you're such a beautiful person, both inside and out. I fee like we're definitely meant to be since we understand each other, and I don't have to be nervous about sharing anything with you. I'll just say you can always show me how much you want me, especially after all the fun we had both in your trailer and after you were done on set. And if you come visit me, we can have a lot of fun in my trailer too, love. I'll be happy to show you just how much I want you there, too. I'm so happy the apartment in New York is officially yours, and of course I'd be happy to help you move in when you have the chance! I'm happy we had such a good visit in New York as well, and I knew my friends would love you and be happy that you were in the city, too. The picnic in Central Park was so much fun too, and we'll have to make that a tradition, don't you think? Especially when I know fall in the city is going to be beautiful. Plus all the sandwiches were delicious, too. Smoked quiche and sausage rolls? I'll have to remember that for our next picnic! I like cooking for you, especially knowing you like it so much. You're always welcome to cook for me too, and I appreciate so much that you want to before I have to leave for work. Couldn't think of a more perfect meal to share, honestly. You make me feel lucky every day that you're my boyfriend, I'll have you know. | @josephafq

though i guess my question is -- is it really a reward when i already kiss you all the time? that's exactly right, and i care about you so much, which is why you should know your secrets are always safe with me, love. yeah? i love hearing that you think we're good together too, i think we're the best together, honestly. i'm glad that you're getting to spend so much time with me, gorgeous, and it'll be hard when you start filming and i can't go with you. it makes me feel good that being with me is exactly where you want to be, though, i just want to hold onto you for as long as possible. yeah? it's safe to say that our dates are the best i've ever had too, and you know it made my heart very happy that you enjoyed the planetarium date i planned. you're the best thing in the universe, though, it felt fitting. it feels really good that you'd have not said anything but yes to be my boyfriend, love, and the fact that your mine makes my heart beat a little faster every time i think about it. and i can't help but say things that make you blush, honestly, since you look so cute when you do it! though now you're making me blush, saying my eyes are so beautiful, and i'm pretty glad that you like looking into them so much, love. i couldn't help but distract you though, because i couldn't get enough of touching or kissing you. but you still did a good job playing the mandolin -- but you're right in thinking that i'll distract you again, no matter what you're playing, because i can't get enough of you. i just feel like you're talented no matter what instrument you play, so i still have high hopes for your violin. you are on my mind no matter what, you can be sitting right next to me, and i'm thinking about you, and how much you already mean to me. but i'm glad it's mutual, i love being on your mind. i'm glad that you don't think my knitting hobby is lame, and you're right, you're going to always get cool knitted things from me all the time. especially since you live in new york, i feel like i need to knit you all the things for winter! i promise i won't tell bach that i'm a better cuddler, we'll just let him keep thinking he's the best! i love getting to cuddle with you every night too, it's honestly the best way to wind down after a long day on set. i do think the glasses look cute on you, but you're probably learning that i think everything looks cute on you, because you're just so gorgeous. i spend a lot of the time thanking my lucky stars you're mine, honestly. thank you for thinking i did so amazingly at comic con, love, but i'll always say it was made better because you were with me. i'm glad i'm important enough to you that you want to spend so much time with me in london, love, and i truly do love having you here so much. i'm glad that you liked jamie and anya, and i know they liked you in return! and hopefully, they'll bring their behinds to london soon so we can spend time together again! because i do what you to know them better, but more importantly, i want them to see how amazing you are. i don't think they've ever been scared when it comes to haunted or spooky stuff, and honestly, i can see some sort of catacombs in our future. they love going to secret entrances! but yes, please hold my hand, and possibly give me kisses as well, yeah? that'll really help me not be scared. i'm glad we ended up going on the double date with troye and alex, because i like to get to know alex better, and troye is a lot of fun to spend time with. but that pub that you found? i loved it so much! it was fun getting to pick you up and carry you around so you wouldn't get wet, though i'm a little sad i couldn't throw you over my shoulder like alex did troye, but i'm not a giant. i will always find you sexy, love, and it's cute that you're blushing about it! and i'll just say i'm glad that you find me sexy no matter what to, i like being sexy to you.

getting to wake up to you and kiss you truly is the best way to start the day -- but i have to agree that i wish we had a little more time and i didn't have to head off to set like i do, so it's safe to say that weekend mornings are my favorite when i get more time in bed with you. i hope you know that's a dangerous game you're playing, because i'm going to silence you with kisses all the time now! it's safe to say with my new place in new york, i'm very excited that i'll be there more often when i'm not working. and i loved the rooftop bar that you took me too as well, love, plus, you know, anyplace that serves oysters is going to be my favorite. you make me blush when you say that my dates are amazing, and just know that any date you plan, i'll love. i love the idea of us doing a cooking class date with just the two of us, because you know i love cooking, and making something together would be truly amazing. so very much a fun date idea! well, since you've been spending so much time in my home country, i would love to go camping in florida since that's your home state! hey now, if you try and say that i'm a better view than you are, love, i'm going to disagree because you're the best view. i can kiss you anytime i like? well, that's good to know because i pretty much always want to kiss you. you're very much my favorite, so as long as you're involved with the date, gorgeous, i'm happy. and i'm glad you feel the same way. i'm so glad that you enjoyed the trip to sussex, love, and the hotel really was beautiful! plus, i agree it was amazing just being on the beach with you and getting to take walks there whenever we wanted. i loved that tub so much, and loved spending time in it with you -- though it's so cute to me that you're still blushing about it. though, that made me realize that we really need to just take our showers together every morning, don't you think? conserving water and all. i'm really happy you're in my life too, love, and i can say i didn't expect someone like you to come into my life either. i just know that you're the only one i want, and i have a feeling i'll always feel that way. you're just making me blush, gorgeous, but i'm glad you think i'm model-tier handsome. you are breathtaking, you take my breath away every time i look at you, and if that helps boost your confidence, i'm happy for that. believe me, i understand, because it's happened to me before too, i just feel like that means we're even more meant to be you know? is that so? well, i was thinking about showing you how much i want you later, after i'm done on set, how about that? or i can show you how much i want you in my trailer during one of our breaks. now that i think about it, i want to do both. and you can show me how much you want me anytime, love, and i'm glad you always want me since i feel the same way. well, now that the apartment is officially mine, i'll have to find the perfect time to move in and love that you want to help me because you're the best boyfriend! thank you again for coming to new york with me though, gorgeous, and i loved getting to meet jon and the other band members! plus his girlfriend, she was really sweet. do you think they liked me? i also loved the picnic we had in central park, it was very romantic, and i'm glad i went with making sure you had ever sandwich you love. my favorite picnic foods are typical british fare, like a good sausage roll or smoked quiche! pasties are really good for picnics as well, and scones. you're sweet to want to cook for me so much, love, and honestly, you know i love to eat anything. though i'm a sucker for good bangers and mash, and i love a good sunday roast too. so far everything you've made me has been fantastic, though, and hopefully you'll let me cook more for you? i know that i work a lot, so i can't, but maybe this weekend i can make something? yeah? it makes me smile like crazy every time you say that as well, i'm just so lucky to have you. i'm so lucky you're mine. || @teaguehq

[jude-thedude98]

Since you disowned me

I want you to know that I'm gonna flip it -

I never owned you

Right

Flight.

From the fight.

A liar in shining armor of a night.

Right?

Left me in the middle of knight.

That's why I had to improve by improv the rest of my life - think on the fly.

Cause manyscripted.

A robotic emotion just three little words spittin'.

How could I love you?

Look at you.

You were the whole package.

Blonde surfer wavy hair

Skateboard skills

Blue eyes

Soccer boy

And you were white.

Then you grew up black.

Wherein a hood

Saying you down to ride.

But I tried to tell you be careful

Wolves hide in grandma's clothes m, right?

That lesson I learned in a hard night.

Titanic stretches rips the transgression.

Transmission I had to admittance.

So my whole game is to switch it up.

Born a boy

Now I'm a girl.

Flirting with two spirits.

Gender exploring.

Having fun cuz lame niggas is boring.

The world is my oyster

So damn right I'm gonna tour it.

Floor it like Maybach

I'm going air Jordan on the jump line

I come from way back

But this shit is easy

A free throw line

I need the rock back

If you smell what I'm cookin

Then you wouldn't talk that

Smack that

Eminem and Skittlez

Too lost in a world of melting in your handles.

Turn off the lights and blow out the candles.

I'm Moses walking these directs in sandals.

Man how does he do it when he's on the road like cannibals

I give more lectures than hannibal

Yall ain't ready for this kid ink shit

I'm spitting granimals

Niggas wanna change well I'm the animor0hs

Niggas wait around for the flame when I take the torch

This is not s relay race

If it was I'm passing it back to myself

I goes on my own pace

Teach lines

To the outlinez

World to steady coloring inside

I tell em color outside the lines

Inkcorporated

If you ain't wit it

You ain't gotta hate it

Just now we on the scene like a masturbation

We cummin'

So like a candy switch

I'll see you now and later

My haters I love you

You the ones that keep the gators aidin

This heart pumps myself

Muse says bitch get outta the way

I'm a lil ludicrous so forgive me if these bars are a fiasco

I lupe that shit

Another line for the foolish fish

Trying to swim upstream but ain't got the moxy to do that shit

Yall know what it is

I do this shit

We got a fireman and a snowman in the game

When I come in it'd likebtwobtornadoes hit

Touchdown

Lose your breath

Shit

What the fuck did I do to deserve this shift

Two twister boards on the floor

We family game knightin this shit

Switch to a will smith

Back when we chillin in Miami wit

Them Boyz in Black

Yall know the BlackOutBitch

Way weigh wait

Summertime shift

Like I dos this

Two works overnights shift

That overtime shit

Like my brain always on graveyard shit

I'm talking to deceased cuz the alive ones are too dead for this shit

Everyone tryna be supernatural

When. All. You. Gotta. Do. Is.

Be your super self naturally.

Like who's on first.

I don't knows on second. Costello and abbott

I can switch lines cuz I been hit wit different lines.

Well here's a one liner

Your nut must be so good because all the forest life are trying to bark up your tree

I hit em wit tha uh

That's cuz they know my lifestyles evergreen

And when you wit me you'll surely see

The D

Like damn I thought this dude was cocky

Now I can see why

It's cuz his cock meat

I ground beef

No need to pound beets.

If you ain't around the heat.

I can get cool as a Dolphin and as killer as Whale deep

Sheep skinnin it

Chestshire cat grinnin it.

I always play on kayfabe mode - sitting and pretending in

That don't mean I'm fake.

Watch your clocks

Tik toks of what you saying kid.

That mean my life so fucked up

I'm always envisioning.

Cuz ima Disney plus a nickelodeon

The dream works

All you gotta do is put a quarter in

Told yall long time ago

Life is like a vending machine

Press a button to see what gleam

See ima g ima always feed

Check the leam rearrange the four letter anagram

And see what I mean.

FooDBarz by Mr. PoetAll

[doesmichelinevenknowfood]

All I do is eat oysters

I feel like a lot of people my age somehow don't like oysters, which to me is just embarrassing and childish if I'm being honest. We live in New England, delicious seafood is all we really have.

New Haven specifically has historically been known for it's oyster industry. It's important. Go to the beach it's like 99% oyster shells and 1% discarded drug paraphernalia. We're famous for our rich history with oysters. We're also famous for our rich history with ghosts apparently. Google the ghost ship. We have an entire boat ghost. The vessel itself haunts our waters. There's a beautiful painting of the ghost ship somewhere that I've seen when I was like 8 but I still remember it vividly because a ghost ship in the sky is crazy.

That's a long winded way for me to say that if you are really from New Haven, you need to refine your palette to enjoy the traditional foods of our people. Get in touch with your roots.

Maybe my favorite oyster spot in the whole state is actually in west Hartford though. Despite west Hartford being quite possibly the most boring city on earth, Max's oyster bar knows how to shuck a mean one. I don't know really what that even means but it sounds like something an out of touch food blogger would say on daytime television so I'm sticking with it.

Max's is maybe the most pretentious place I've ever eaten, which makes it a great date spot. It's got like 50 different wines. It's got rich people to make fun of right in front of their faces. Most importantly though, it has EIGHT different oyster varieties on the menu. I remember the first time I went there I ordered two of each oyster, and then another round of the same thing. I'm going to be honest the waitress was appalled at a second round of 16 oysters. I guess that wasn't very classy of us. We also got octopus and lobster. I'm going to be honest it was an all around fly dinner. All of it was phenomenal. Too bad there's literally nothing else to do in that area of the world. No bars. No crackheads to dance battle. West Hartford really sucks but the oysters go nuts.

Lenny's in branford also has great locally grown oysters. maybe the best I've ever had but I appreciate the variety of Max's.

in spite of what I said about New Haven before, I have yet to find a good oyster spot down here. Shell and bones is supposed to be good but I don't know it gives a weird vibe. It gives the vibe that like 40+ year old beer enthusiasts eat there. Yuck.

I honestly don't know what a blog is. I haven't heard mention of one since 2014 I swear to god.

Short story long, oysters are out of control and if you don't like them, grow up. Perfect food. Jesus would have never let himself get crucified if he knew about oysters man I'm telling you. I think there just wasn't much to live for back then. Oysters would have changed the course of history for sure. I bet romans ate oysters and let's keep it real they were living the most lavish of anyone ever. Walking around butt naked in the streets drunk, going to parades and whatnot.

Max's gets no Michelin stars though because I don't like the location or rich people.

This is funny to me but I bet it reads so deranged lol.

[hyperlexichypatia]

One of the many, many reasons I have less than zero sympathy for these men is that what they purport to want, their "birthright" -- heterosexual sex with women -- has literally never been easier to obtain at any point whatsoever in U.S. history (or, indeed, the history of many countries, but right now we're talking about U.S. politics).

A straight man has more access to heterosexual sex than ever! The world is his symbolically yonic oyster!

There are abundant dating and hookup apps, bars, and other physical and virtual spaces used for finding a mate.

Laws governing sexual behavior between consenting adults are more lenient than ever (for now, no thanks to the fascists you voted for) and less constrained by social stigma than ever. Safe, effective birth control is widely available, and the risk of unintended pregnancy, while never zero, is lower than ever (again, for now, no thanks to the fascists you voted for).

Like. If your great-great-grandpa wanted to get laid, he might have had to get married. Or hire a professional. You don't have to do any of that!

There are a multitude of horny straight women with minimal standards! You don't have to be rich or handsome or anything! All you have to do is put yourself out there and not be actively repellent to the women you want to have sex with.

And you won't do that! Because you don't think you should have to meet that absolute bare minimum threshold.

The bar isn't even on the ground; it's helpfully buried underground so no one will trip on it! And you show up with an excavator!

You don't actually want sex with women! If you wanted that, you could have it. But that's not what you want.

You want a Barbie-shaped virgin who will have sex with you and only you the moment she meets you, and will be forever loyal to you, while also leaving you free to have sex with other Barbie-shaped virgins who will also be forever loyal to you, and who will never "trap" you with pregnancy, but also will willingly birth and raise your children with no expectation of any input from you, and also cook and clean for you while you play video games featuring Barbie-shaped pixelated cartoon women and throw a tantrum if one of them has pores.

That doesn't exist. That has never existed. That will never exist. So you became a fascist about it.

I will not and will never pretend that this is in any way rooted in "valid concerns" or need for "better outreach" or those mean nasty feminists said "men suck" so now you're a misogynist fascist.

but the Democrats need to listen and appeal to them more

[mackenzielovee]

burnout: part one - rafe cameron

a/n: if you hate this i literally will not be offended at all but before i invest any more time in writing this i need to know if people actually like it or not so pls leave me a comment and let me know! so much love xoxo

warnings: swearing, underage drinking, really bad attempts at flirting

italics represent the future!

wc: 3.5k

series masterlist

my writing

The pretentious, boring chatter of the adults at the largest table in the Island Club just about had Jenna feeling like the afternoon would never end. The only other young girls at the table had been seated on the other end - Sarah Cameron and her best friend, Scarlett, which left Jenna to fend for herself among sea of white wine and french manicures.

"Jen, where's Josh?"

Jenna's eyes shoot up from her lap to her mother, who is holding up her glass of wine as if it's her prized possession.

"I think I saw him go off with Topper and his friends," Jenna's father speaks up, "Will you go get him, please?"

He directs his question to Jenna, who lets out a sigh and actively tries not to roll her eyes. She looks down to her lap, adjusting her dress before she stands up from her chair, balancing her weight in her wedges as she does so.

"Be right back," she mumbles to her parents, although she knows they're not listening.

She walks away from the table, away from the Midsummers talk and debate over whether the oysters this year will actually be edible. Jenna adjusts the strap on her dress as she rounds the deck, spotting her brother surrounded by older guys, all of whom Jenna is sure are not good influences.

Josh throws a football across the deck, turning and laughing at something one of the guys said while simultaneously paying attention for the ball that will come flying back over to him.

"Josh," Jenna says, keeping distance from her brother and his friends, "Mom and Dad want you to come back to the table."

The football is returned to Josh, which he catches easily, then groans, "Five minutes, Jen."

"No, now," she says, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Yo, listen to your sister, dude," Kelce calls, holding his hands out for Josh to throw, "Hey, Jenna."

She gives him a smile, "Hi, Kelce."

Out of the three older boys Josh hangs out with, Kelce has always been Jenna's favorite. He's polite, he always holds doors open for her, and he's always just been overall respectful. She knows he's the voice of reason in the group, which she'd glad for, for Josh's sake.

"Hey, Jenna," she hears. She rolls her eyes, not even having to look over to know who the speaker is.

Rafe is the epitome of a teenage boy raised on Figure Eight; he seems to think the world just revolves around him. Jenna's always done her best to avoid him, which can be hard to do on an island, and especially at the Club.

Jenna looks over at him, raising her eyebrow at him and staying silent, as if to ask why he's speaking to her. He smirks, scratching the back of his neck and flexing the muscles he thinks he has while he does so.

"Josh," she repeats, "Come on."

"Fine," Josh grumbles, tossing the football back to Kelce.

"Come on, Jenna. You remember me, don't you? Rafe Cameron. I'm at every one of these-"

"I know who you are," Jenna waves him off.

"So, hang out with us."

"No."

"Jesus, Rafe, just let her get her kid brother out of her, all right?"

Jenna's head snaps over to the speaker, finding Topper Thorton pressing some blonde girl up against the bar and leaning in close. He shifts his head over and glares at her, a look which Jenna returns. She narrows her eyes at him and then rolls them, then turns back to her brother. When she opens her mouth to speak, Josh holds up his hand.

"I'm coming," he grunts, bumping her shoulder as he passes her. Jenna closes her eyes and sighs, then turns to follow him.

"I'll come back to the table, too, if you ask nicely," Rafe calls out.

Jenna practically gags as she walks away, not bothering to respond or turn around to let him know she heard him. She hears the boys break into laughter just as she rounds the corner, disappearing from their view completely.

Jenna rushes down the stairs at the sound of pounding on her front door, adrenaline pumping as she debates opening it. Being home alone, she's not sure who the hell is banging on the door. Ultimately, she does, when she glances through the peephole and sees Rafe.

"What are you - oh, my G-" she stops when she sees his condition.

"Jen, you gotta help me," Rafe pleads, bloody hand clenching at his side. He wipes it on his shirt, which doesn't help, as it is covered in blood as well.

"What happened?" she breathes, staring at him, "What did you do, Rafe?"

"Let me in," he demands.

"Rafe-"

"I can't fucking stand out here covered in blood, let me in the house!" he raises his voice, stepping toward her.

Jenna winces and moves to the side, watching Rafe dive into the house and urge her to shut the door the second he's in.

"Are you alone?" he questions, eyes darting all around the foyer.

"Yes."

"Thank God," he mutters.

"Rafe," she says, keeping her voice as calm as she can even though she's trying not to freak out, "What did you do? Whose blood is that?"

"You- you don't understand," he starts, Adam's apple bobbing in his throat, "You can't tell anyone, Jenna."

She parts her lips and stares at him, not totally sure she can make that promise judging by his condition. Her eyes rake over his figure, seeing the swipes of blood on his shorts from where he'd been wiping his hands, the spots on his shirt, and the way he can't stay still for longer than five seconds.

"Promise me," he continues.

"Rafe-"

"Fucking promise me you aren't gonna tell anyone what I'm about to tell you."

An entire minute of silence falls between them before Jenna speaks again, "I promise."

"So," Rafe speaks as he approaches Jenna, who is standing at the bar, "You're really gonna stick with the 'bratty, I'm too good for you' attitude?"

"Excuse me?" she snaps her head over, raising both of her eyebrows and daring him to say that again.

He laughs, as if what he said was funny, "Finally. Some emotion. I was starting to worry you really felt nothing for me."

"Keep worrying," Jenna mutters, silently urging the bartender to hurry up.

"Please tell me you're wearing that to Midsummers," Rafe grins, eyeing her up and down as he leans on the bar.

"What?" Jenna glares at him.

He licks his lips as he gives her a once-over, trailing his eyes all the way down to her shoes before he moves back up again.

"Actually," he says after a minute, "Don't. Wouldn't be fair."

"As usual, Rafe, I have no idea what you're talking about," Jenna replies, running a frustrated hand through her hair.

"It wouldn't be fair," he repeats, "To the other girls. None of them would even come close to measuring up to you."

She doesn't say a word, just rolls her eyes. The bartender hands her the club soda she had ordered, and she turns to walk away when Rafe speaks again.

"You got a date?"

She stops, glancing over her shoulder, "To Midsummers?"

"Yes, Jenna," he sighs, exasperated.

"I'm going with my family."

Rafe smirks, his tongue poking the inside of his cheek as he tries to hide it.

"Go with me."

Jenna turns around completely, so over his bullshit that she decides to have a little fun with denying him. She sets her drink down on the bar and steps dangerously close to him, watching his breath hitch as she does this. He can smell her perfume, and when he flickers his eyes down, he has a perfect view of her breasts, given his height. Faintly, she can smell the alcohol on his breath as he gapes at her.

Jenna's hand travels up, fixing the collar of his polo and smiling tightly.

"I wouldn't go with you if my life depended on it," she says, keeping the smile on her face.

"Ouch," he teases, licking his lips as he stares at her.

"Don't talk to me again," she warns, patting the center of his chest with her hand.

She turns, picking up her drink and waltzing away from him without a second thought. Rafe exhales the breath he hadn't known he was holding, then turns to order a drink.

Jenna tries to get the stupid smirk Rafe sports out of her brain, but she is still fighting annoyance when she returns to her seat at the table. She glances over, finding Josh playing a football game on his phone under the table.

"Why are you friends with those guys?" she whispers to him, nodding in the direction of Rafe and Topper when he looks up.

"They're cool," he shrugs.

"It has nothing to do with the fact that they're older than you?" you question.

"No," Josh grumbles.

"They don't seem cool," Jenna continues, "They seem like idiots."

"You always see the best in people, Jen," Josh remarks sarcastically.

Jenna rolls her eyes, sipping on her club soda and watching as Topper returns to the table, plopping himself down in a seat between his parents. He looks at Jenna from the other end, raising his eyebrows and holding her gaze until she looks away.

Although Saturday lunches at the Club usually last hours and hours, this week is cut short when Rafe Cameron stumbles onto the deck and knocks over a high-top table and one of the chairs, glass shattering everywhere.

Jenna sits up quickly, frightened at the noise. She scoffs when she sees Rafe lying on the ground, drunken daze searching the deck as if to figure out what just happened. Sarah, his sister, audibly laughs from the other end of the table.

"Here we go again," Jenna's mother remarks, sending a look to her husband.

"Ward will handle him," her father whispers in response.

Jenna watches as Ward Cameron rises from the table, nods to his wife and his two daughters, then smiles apologetically around the table. He stalks over to his son, who is still attempting to stand up despite the glass, and lifts him by the collar of his shirt. He mutters something in Rafe's ear, then shoves him forward, toward the exit.

Jenna shifts around in her seat once more, eyes fixing upon her club soda again. She glances over to Josh, who saw the whole thing and seems to look a little disappointed in Rafe.

"Yeah," Jenna mutters, only loud enough for Josh to hear, "He's really cool."

The next morning, Jenna is handed a list and asked to go to the supermarket for her mother, who's suffering from one of her migraines and has not come out of her room all day. She just rolls her eyes, annoyed that she has to go while Josh plays his Xbox in his room.

As she's leaving the grocery store, cart full of packed plastic bags, she hears a familiar voice call out behind her.

"Jenna!" and then, "Whoa! Slow down a second."

She turns around, seeing Kelce hurrying over to her. She waits, smiling at him as he nears her.

"Hey," he says, returning her smile.

"Hey, Kelce," she greets, "What's up?"

"Not much. How are you?" he asks, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

"Well, I'm grocery shopping for a family of four, so," she gestures to the cart full of groceries.

"Oh, shit. Let me help you with that," he says politely, reaching for the cart.

"Oh, it's okay," you try to say, but he quickly shakes his head.

"It's no problem. It's the Range Rover, right?" he points to the car, watching Jenna nod.

She fumbles with her purse to try and find her keys, then opens up her trunk. She quietly prays that her trunk is clean and there's nothing weird or embarrassing inside, letting out a relieved exhale when she sees that it's empty.

"So," Kelce starts, picking up a few bags and loading them into the trunk, "My mom's starting to get crazy with the Midsummers prep. I've had my suit tailored five times. She finds a flaw every single time I bring it home."

You laugh, "My mom's the same. It's so bad, she's in bed with a migraine right now."

"Crazy," Kelce shakes his head, "I don't get why this thing is so important for them."

"Right? It's the time for every Figure Eight family to gather together and show off how perfect their family is. And I don't know about you, but Josh and I are definitely far from perfect."

Kelce grins, "Well, I'd sure say that about Josh. You, I'm not so sure I could agree."

You smile at him, tints of pink appearing on your cheeks. He loads the last two bags in the car, then reaches up and presses the button to shut the trunk.

"Thank you, Kelce," you say.

"Of course. Get home safe, all right?"

You nod, "I will. I'll get the cart."

Kelce shakes his head, "Nah. I'm headed in anyway, I'll just use it."

"Okay," you smile, "Thanks again."

"I'll see you, Jenna."

With one last smile exchanged, Jenna climbs into the driver's seat and turns the car on. Through the rear view mirror, she watches Kelce walk back toward the entrance of the grocery store. Her jaw drops halfway when he pushes her cart back with the others, then walks into the store empty handed. She smiles and shakes her head, unable to believe what a gentleman he is.

Jenna's phone dings as she's waiting to pull out of the parking lot. A text from her mother, asking if she will stop by the Cameron home and pick up realty paperwork from Rose. She closes her eyes and throws her head back on the seat, imagining the thousand things she would rather do than that. However, knowing how bad her mother's headaches were, she types back a quick agreement and changes directions.

When she arrives at Tannyhill a few minutes later, Jenna glances hesitantly at the groceries in the back before she climbs out of the car. When she rings the bell, she thinks back to yesterday, when Rafe had made such a scene at the Club that the Camerons had left. She prays he won't be the one to answer the door.

"Jenna!" Rose exclaims when she pulls open the front door, "Come in."

"Hey, Mrs. Cameron," Jenna smiles, stepping inside the foyer.

"I didn't think you'd be here so quick. I just about have everything ready, will you just give me a few minutes?"

Jenna nods, offering Rose another smile. She's always been Jenna's favorite, aside from Sarah, who both make her feel comfortable when she's around them.

"Of course, take your time."

"Thanks, hun. Wheezie made cookies, they're in the kitchen. Help yourself."

Rose excuses herself with one last smile, gently patting Jenna's arm as she passes to get back to her office. Jenna glances around the foyer, observing the decor and the various photos hanging on the walls. She notices the vast amount of pictures containing Rose and Ward, as well as the number of photos of Sarah. Wheezie is littered in the sea of pictures as well, but there are hardly any of Rafe. In fact, if the few pictures of the five of them were not there, nobody would know Rafe is even in the family.

As she's looking around, she hears a door in the back of the house shut. When she hears Ward's booming voice only a room away, she freezes.

"How nice of you to join the land of the living, son."

Jenna swallows, knowing exactly who Ward is speaking to and praying, by some miracle, that the floor will open up and swallow her whole so she won't have to see him.

"How selfish of me to sleep in on a Sunday, Dad."

"You really think sarcasm is your best defense right now, Rafe?"

"Seemed like it at the time."

Jenna closes her eyes when she hears Ward's hand collide roughly with the countertop, practically echoing through the entire first floor.

"Do you know how much your little stunt at the Club cost me? Not to mention how you made me look like a damn fool-"

"Oh, my God, I had a few drinks and then tripped, what's the big fucking deal?"

"The big fucking deal?" Ward seethes, "I'll tell you the big fucking deal, Rafe. Every single one of our family friends saw you drunk off your ass and behave like a complete idiot. I have had enough of this frat boy asshole act that you have going on. Get yourself together, or you can go live out on the Cut. Understand me?"

"Yes, sir," Rafe mutters, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Another door slams about thirty seconds later, and Jenna feels her shoulders relax when she realizes the fight is over. She hears footsteps, and assuming it's Rose, she glances up from the wall of photographs to the doorway into the foyer.

She feels everything inside her freeze when Rafe walks through the doorway, shirtless and sporting gym shorts that hang a little too low, low enough that his boxers show.

"Holy shit," his eyes widen, "Please tell you're part of that naked maid service."

Jenna rolls her eyes, "Shut up, Rafe."

He smirks, "Why are you in my house?"

"I'm just picking something up for my mom," she tells him, trying to gauge his feelings on what had just happened.

Rafe nods, seemingly unaffected by his fight with his dad. He shifts his glass from his left to right hand, taking a long drink before looking at her again.

"Hungover?" she blurts, pointing at his messy hair as if it backs up her inquiry.

"Nah," he chuckles lowly.

She just nods, glancing toward hallway in hopes Rose would come save her from this conversation.

Rafe clears his throat and then takes another sip of his drink, almost looking amused with how uncomfortable Jenna seems.

"I take it you heard," he mumbles, then gestures through the doorway, where he had just been screamed at by his father.

"Oh, I heard," Jenna replies easily, watching the smirk reappear on his face.

"And?"

Jenna furrows her eyebrows together, staring and waiting on him to clarify. Instead, he shifts in his stance and then reaches up to scratch the back of his head.

"And, what?" she questions.

"You think I'm just a frat boy asshole?"

The question takes Jenna by surprise, so much so that she instinctively takes a step back from him. Briefly, she thinks about the groceries in her trunk and wonders if Rafe would've asked Josh this question if he had been sent instead of her.

Jenna stares at him, parting her lips but staying silent for another moment before she speaks, "Yes. I do."

For a split second, she thinks she's offended him so bad that he'll walk out of the room and never bother to look her way again. She thinks maybe, finally, she'll be rid of him for good. Instead, he grins. So wide, you'd think Jenna just told him the funniest joke he'd ever heard.

"I'm sure you do," he replies, looking over to a hallway Jenna can't see down and finding Rose on her way back, "It would bug me more if you weren't such a stuck-up brat."

Jenna crosses her arms over her chest, her favorite defensive move, and prepares to speak again when Rose comes around the corner. Rafe ducks back through the doorway he'd come from before Rose can see him.

"Sorry, Jenna," Rose says as she approaches her.

"No problem," Jenna plasters a fake smile on her face, holding out her hands and accepting the files from her.

"Please, make sure your mom gets everything, but especially the one on top. And, let her know I hope she feels better."

With a wide, genuine smile, Rose leads Jenna back to the front door and opens it up, letting the cool air rush inside.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Cameron," Jenna smiles politely.

"Thank you, hun. Drive carefully."

Jenna looks back up to Rose, prepared with a smile and a nod, yet finds Rafe standing a good distance back from the door, watching her leave. Still shirtless, still with the same troublesome grin plastered on his face.

Brat, he mouths.

Jenna clenches her jaw, then waves to Rose and turns her back on the Cameron house. When she gets back into her Range Rover, shoving the files from Rose in the backseat and staring for far too long at the groceries Kelce had loaded into her trunk, she lets out a loud groan.

She's not sure when her life became a never ending saga of dodging Rafe Cameron, but apparently, she isn't very good at it.

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