#friendly neighborhood gloss

[glosskirt]

boyfriend jin texts || KSJ

synopsis: jin is your silly NOT TWINKY boyfriend

a/n: sooo sorry for inactivity *gives you jin trying to use brainrot slang*

@haecien

[glosskirt]

thank you for tagging me ciencien

greedy - ariana grande

lipstick - charlie puth

on - bts

still into you - paramore

sdl - agust d

kiss me more - doja cat, sza

i am - ive

rises the moon

trivia: seesaw - suga

i dont have any1 to tag <:D

Rules: pick a song for each letter of your URL and tag that many people.

Tagged by @sailforvalinor, and thank you this looks like fun!

Remember and Proclaim (Andrew Peterson)

All I Ask of You (Jackie Evancho)

Innocence (Nathan Wagner)

Níl Sé'n Lá (Celtic Woman)

I Still Need a Savior (Billy Sprague)

No Strings (Ed Sheeran)

Take Me Back Road (Tim & the Glory Boys)

How Great is Our God (Chris Tomlin)

Everything Sad is Coming Untrue (Jason Grey)

El-Shaddai (Amy Grant)

Voice of Truth (Casting Crowns)

Endlessly (Amaranthe)

Not Alone (Red)

I'm an Open Road (Paul Brandt)

Never Leave Your Side (Sam Tinnesz)

Good to Be Alive (Skillet)

Hoo boy, can I think of sixteen people?

@griseldabanks @kraytwriter @kingofattolia @catkin-morgs @clawedandcute @nerdychristianfanboy @steampunk-archer @sergeanttomycaptain @smhalltheurlsaretaken @scribblermerlin @authortobenamedlater @stainedleather @mrtobenamedlater @mrgartist @get-loved-nerd @a-fount-of-blessings (Ignore if this is a repeat tag. Unless you want to do it again. Up to you. :)

[spideysbruh]

First Met

It was Florence's birthday. He noticed that she arrived alone, pretty and alone. 

She was pretty extroverted, she talked to everyone and made jokes with people she just met like she’d known them forever. 

She was enchanting, he couldn’t pull his eyes away from her the whole night but was too intimidated to approach her himself. And she’s probably taken.

After everyone sings happy birthday, Y/n hugs Florence and kisses her on the cheek before stepping away and getting a drink. Timothée slowly walks over to her, she’s facing the opposite way as she pours herself her drink and he tries to think of how to break the ice.

“So, you finally worked up the courage to come up and talk to me, huh?” She says as she turns around, smirking as she takes a sip from her drink.

Timothée nervously laughs as he steps closer to her, “You noticed, then.” He says, meeting her eyes and then quickly looking down.

“Of course I did.” She states simply, not looking away from him.

Timothée looks back up and takes another step closer, “I’m Timothée.” He introduces himself as he takes her hand, kissing the back of it softly.

Her cheeks redden as his lips press against her hand, “Y/n.” 

“Couldn’t help but notice you came alone, there’s no one waiting for you back home?” He asks, meeting her eyes as he puts her hand down. 

She smirks and shakes her head, “Nope, just my cat.” 

“Awesome! Well- not awesome, but- good! Cause- ahaha-” He nervously rambles until she cuts him off.

“I get it Timothée, it’s okay.” She giggles, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. He sighs and clears his throat. “Are you enjoying the party?”

He nods, rubbing his chin, “I’m enjoying it a lot more now.” He smiles.

They stay in the kitchen for a while, talking and getting to know each other until Florence comes and finds them. 

“Oh goody! You two have met finally, I’ve been wanting to set you up for ages!” she says and then pulls on each of their arms, “Come on! Get back into the party!”

Y/n looks over at Timothée and laughs and shrugs.

The three of them dance together to an upbeat song playing, Timothée was finding it harder and harder to not look at Y/n. She was so beautiful. and friendly. and charismatic. and-

“I'm gonna go talk with Saoirse really quickly, my loves!” Florence says and darts off, Y/n giggles at that. Timothée laughs and meets her eyes again.

“You're a way better dancers than I am!” He says, leaning in closer so she can hear him over the music.

She chuckles and shakes her head, “You just gotta get out of your head, Timothée. Just have fun!” She shrugs and spins around, making him laugh. 

“It's hard to do that when there's such a beautiful girl right in front of me.” He replies, making her smile. She stops dancing and steps closer, “You are beautiful.” He says softly.

“So are you.” She says, her eyes quickly flick down to his lips and then back up to his eyes.

Timothée smirks, “Can I kiss you?”

She nods, “Yes, please.” 

Timothées hands come up to hold her face as he leans in, softly pressing his hips against hers. She kisses him back, wrapping her arms around his neck as she slips her tongue between his lips.

Timothée chuckles into it as his tongue traces along hers, he can faintly taste the sweet lip gloss that she's wearing, and he loves it.

He finds it hard to pull away, but he eventually does, “I think that was the best kiss I've ever had.” 

Y/n smiles and looks around, no one really seems to care or notice. She sees Florence and Saoirse give her a thumbs up. She blushes and looks back up at Timothée. “I think so too.” She replies, “It's getting pretty late. I should go… I gotta walk home…” She says but doesn't move.

Timothée clears his throat and offers her his hand, “Can I walk you home?”

She nods and takes his hand, walking to the front door and grabbing her keys. They quickly say bye to Florence, who seemed very eager about them leaving.

“You don't mind? I'm about 15 minutes that way.” She wonders and nods her head towards her neighborhood as they walk down the steps, the night breeze hits her and goosebumps immediately appear on her skin. 

“Not at all. I'm that way, too.” He says before stopping to take off his jacket and placing it around her shoulders. She grins and slips her arms through, noticing how good it smells.

“Thank you.” She replies, “I should've bought a jacket.” She shakes her head as they start walking in the direction of her place.

“No, 'cause then I wouldn't have gotten you to wear mine.” He says, teasingly raising an eyebrow at her.

She giggles, “You're smooth.” 

“Only with you…. and only like… two hours after we initially met.” He jokes, Y/n laughs.

“You’re cute.”

The night is quiet, there are barely any clouds so a few stars are visible. Timothée asks her questions about herself and she eagerly answers them, reciprocating by returning the questions back to him.

They get to her place and she sighs as she slowly stops in front of the door, “This is me.”

Timothée looks at the front door and nods, “It’s nice, you don’t live too far from me which is a plus.” 

Y/n giggles and goes to take off his jacket and give it back to him, but he stops her.

“Keep it. I’ll get it when I come back.” He smiles, Y/n jokingly rolls her eyes.

“Sooooo smooth, Chalamet.” She says and he shrugs, his cheeks turning red at that.

He reaches for his phone and hands it to her, “Put your number in, I’ll text you.”

She smirks and types her number in, “You better.” 

“I definitely will. There’s not a world where I won’t text you.” He replies, making her smile, “Can I kiss you again?”

She answers him by going on her tippy toes to press their lips together once again. Timothée smiles into it and has to force himself to pull away.

“Text me when you get home.” She mumbles against his lips, going to walk up the steps. He nods and smiles as he makes sure she gets inside.

Y/n closes the door and sighs, blushing at the events that happened tonight, she giggles and heads to her room. She changes into her pajamas, pets her cat, and gets into bed when her phone dings.

Timothée- Soooo are you busy tomorrow?

She chuckles and types out a response.

Y/n- Nope…. what are we doing? 

*

[makeste]

BnHA Chapter 424: Detroit Tears

Previously on BnHA: You know what, fandom is way too heated about this still so we’re just going to leave that be that for now and not get involved. I have some conflicted feelings about it, but this is not the place or time. This is a happy post.

Today on BnHA: Oh right, Horikoshi still owns the rights to my soul. And I’ve just been reminded of why I willingly signed them over to him so freely.

Quick heads up that this isn’t going to be my usual style of chapter reaction post, in that it’s really just going to be a ton of rambling about That One Scene. Partly because I’m only halfway caught up with stuff, but mostly because tbh, this is the only thing that matters to me right at this moment.

Also this is your friendly neighborhood spoiler warning that I’m posting about a chapter which hasn’t officially been released yet! So proceed at your own discretion. This reaction is based on @pikahlua’s excellent spoiler translation writeup here. I’ve officially lost all of my fucks about spoilers and it’s extremely liberating.

I’m glad that Kacchan’s arm isn’t just magically better and that he’s never going to be 100% again. and also that the doctor mentions him needing to rest his heart as well. because I did feel like there needed to be at least a few lasting consequences from him LITERALLY DYING AND UNDERGOING OPEN-HEART SURGERY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BATTLEFIELD. but I’m also glad they established that it wasn’t career-ending or anything. he’ll probably have some chronic pain and occasionally aggravate his old injuries while fighting, all of which is great for angst purposes. but it was good to see him being calmly accepting of that while also being determined to put the work in to rehab it as much as possible.

also enjoyed the doctor summing up Kacchan’s highly improbable main character resurrection and subsequent antics as basically being some wild bullshit that nobody can explain. lampshaded the shit out of it. “I don’t really understand” lol. nobody understands. in truth it’s that his secondary quirk is bending reality to his will in order to kick ass.

moving on to the main event now! so Kacchan and Izuku’s reunion was obviously the highlight of this chapter and of my life, probably. I’m not gonna sit here and pretend like it wasn’t. y’all know how it is.

what really made this scene for me was Kacchan being more upset at Izuku’s loss than Izuku himself. all those callbacks and all that guilt. that careful selection of flashback panels. the fact that Kacchan’s past bullying of the quirkless Izuku wasn’t glossed over or forgotten, and in fact is the emotional core that fuels Kacchan’s reaction here. Horikoshi didn't have to cut that deep, but he knows what he's about.

and then the crying. I need to write a lot of words about this right the fuck now. first off, having Kacchan just flat out sob while Izuku for once is the calm one (at least until All Might goes in for the emotional kill later on), is such a beautiful reversal and really shows how far they’ve come. even better is that none of it was even remotely out of character. I’m always appreciative when an author can produce top tier emotional hurt/comfort like this and have it feel earned and authentic rather than forced. well done.

also, “Na--cchan!!” fuck yeah Izuku. we’ll never let him live this down. (but also, him later trying to reconcile his forever-tough image of Kacchan with the crying, hiccupping version standing in front of him, by blaming it on Kacchan’s weakened physical state... oh, Izuku.)

also the fact that Kacchan so easily reverts to this smol crying boy even after defeating the world’s greatest evil pretty much activated every protective instinct that I have. he’s seventeen. he’s practically a man now. he’s objectively one of the strongest and toughest people in the entire world. and yet his eyes still go so wide and his face is still so young and Horikoshi still draws him so tiny and vulnerable whenever he’s like this. goddamn gets me EVERY single time. let’s be real, it’s been this way ever since the “you looked like you needed saving” scene back in the literal first chapter. just, omg. he’s still just a kid and he’s too small to contain all these feelings SOMEONE HELP HIM.

anyway so NEEDLESS TO SAY, Kacchan full on mourning in between sobs because he wanted to keep being rivals with Izuku cut me to my core. I cried too, goddammit. because in Katsuki’s mind it’s like. he wasted a dozen years of potential friendship by being a giant asshole. and they were only able to start getting things back on track less than a year ago. and that was probably the best year of both of their lives. and that rivalry meant so much to both of them. pursuing their dreams together as equals. and he wanted it to continue!! he missed out on so much, and it was his own damn fault, and now it’s all being taken away again maybe!!

and I think it’s especially devastating to Katsuki because he was trying so hard to make up for how he treated Izuku, and then this comes along and now he’s worried it was all for nothing. he’s scared that Izuku will maybe have to quit being a hero. (we know that won’t happen, obviously, but Katsuki is living this and not just reading it. he’s never met narrator!Deku and doesn’t have the benefit of all that foreshadowing and stuff.) but even more than that, I think he’s scared that it will undo all of their progress toward mending their relationship. not because Katsuki thinks any less of Izuku now, quirk or no quirk; but because of how Izuku might feel about being quirkless again, and because of the memories it might bring flooding back to the surface. I don’t think Katsuki fully believes that Izuku has forgiven him. so that’s a major fear potentially rearing its ugly head once more now.

and of course, he’s also just sad and upset on Izuku’s behalf, because he knows Izuku is sad about it too, even if he’ll never show it and will just downplay it because of his selfless nature. it’s a major loss, and one deserving of tears being shed, even if Izuku won’t shed any of his.

so yeah. it’s a lot. in Katsuki’s mind it’s the potential loss of a partner (if Izuku quits heroics), and a friend (if Izuku does cool toward Katsuki as a result of being quirkless again), and a dream (of them reaching the highest heights together), and his friend’s dream. so it makes perfect sense that all of that would overwhelm him. all of this is stuff that’s broken him down on past occasions as well.

so anyway it’s going be very cathartic when all those fears prove to be unfounded (because they better be unfounded lol). but in the meantime it’s a very moving reminder of how much he really does care and how far the both of them have come.

also Horikoshi really couldn’t resist giving Nobu one last chance to destroy everyone when this scene rolls up in the anime. that’s so reckless of him. there will be no survivors.

All Might telling both of them they’d become the greatest heroes was also the perfect chef’s kiss moment on top of everything else. we already knew it, of course. but it was good to hear him say it. and they needed him to say it. they needed and deserved to hear it.

and I really love that the qualities he specifically praised them for were the same things that each of them had struggled with the most in their respective journeys. he tells Izuku, who had such a difficult time learning how to tell the world “I am here!!”, that he inspires everyone and has become everyone’s hero. and he reminds Katsuki, who struggled with learning how to save people, and has especially struggled with his guilt over what happened to All Might at Kamino, that he saved All Might’s life and is the reason he’s able to still be there with them. both of them just really needed to hear that acknowledgement and encouragement, and it was such a powerful passing of the torch moment. All Might gets so much shit from the fandom, but he really is a phenomenal mentor when he’s in the zone, and I’ll die on that hill.

also a nice touch keeping the focus of those panels on the two boys and their reactions. even though I would have liked to see All Might’s face when he thanked them at the end, it definitely felt deliberate. this is their moment. their soft little tearful smiles afterwards punted my heart off a cliff and then picked it up and held it gently.

lastly, let it be known that I’m still convinced Katsuki has OFA (All Might vestige explanation when??), and it’s not lost on me that that would be a mighty convenient way for Izuku to potentially still go on a-quirkin’ in the end, if that’s how Horikoshi wants to play it. I'm just saying.

also before I forget, just a quick shoutout to Horikoshi for FINALLY showing all three members of the Bakufam in a scene together in which they finally managed to not be completely dysfunctional lol. my deepest darkest BnHA secret is that Mitsuki is secretly super high up on my list of favorite characters. and she was great in this chapter, and I love how she was just “WHAT THE FUCK” aghast at Katsuki using his main character powers to continuously ignore his injuries. and then she and Masaru kind of silently agreeing to step outside the room and let the boys and All Might have their moment. while still secretly listening in. because you know they were. good for them.

lastly for reals, I just want you all to remember that as great as this chapter was, the one thing that it was STILL missing which we have STILL not gotten is a HUG. we demand HUGS. I’m not leaving this manga till I get a bkdk hug goddammit. I will stay here all night if I have to.

[meazalykov]

wrong number

bayern munich frauen x reader

1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6, 6/6

summary: fate brought them to you

you've been in munich for two weeks now, and life has been surprisingly calm. 

after the chaos of packing, traveling, and settling into your new apartment, you've finally found a routine. the apartment is cozy, mid century themed and tucked away in a quiet nice bavarian neighborhood with everything you need nearby. 

maple, your tabby cat, has settled in just as well as you, spending most of her days lounging in the patches of sunlight that filter through your windows. sometimes she lays on your balcony when it is warm outside.

remote work has kept you busy, but it’s not the same as the constant stream of activities back home. you've spent most of your free time exploring the neighborhood, finding comfort in the little things—like the coffee shop at the corner of your street. 

the barista already knows your order: iced mocha coffee with strawberry cold foam to have with a plain bagel with butter. it’s become a morning ritual, something you look forward to each day.

despite the quiet life you're living, you’re still in touch with the girls from the group chat. they’ve kept you in the loop, sending memes, talking about football, and, most importantly, making you feel like you’ve got friends here in munich. 

you’ve especially bonded with sydney, who’s given you tons of recommendations on places to eat and visit. you haven’t met any of them in person yet, though. 

the thought of it makes you a little nervous. would they be as friendly in real life as they are in the chat? would they recognize you?

this morning is no different from any other. you wake up, stretch, and check your phone. a few messages have already popped up in the group chat.

georgia: guten morgen guys! practice soon ugh, i’m so tired from the sprints last night. i need caffeine

sydney: always need caffeine. 

sydney: hey y/n 

you: hi good morning! 

sydney: try the new place i told you about yet, y/n?

you: not yet! i was planning to check it out this weekend.

tuva: y/n, if you don’t check it out soon, we’re gonna have to drag you there!! 

you laugh to yourself as you get out of bed. maple stirs from her spot on the windowsill, stretching her little legs before hopping down to rub against your leg. 

"hey, maple," you say softly, giving her a gentle scratch behind the ears before heading to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

within thirty minutes, you're dressed and heading out the door, your mind already on that iced mocha. the walk to the coffee shop is short, and you smile at the familiar sight of the cozy little café as you approach. 

it’s not too crowded this morning, just a few people scattered around with their laptops and books at the wooden glossed tables.

you step up to the counter, already knowing your order by heart. as you wait for the barista to finish up with a few other customers, the bell above the door rings, signaling someone’s entrance. 

you glance over out of habit, not thinking much of it—until you see a familiar face.

georgia stanway. from the group chat.

you freeze for a second, your brain trying to catch up with what you’re seeing. she’s dressed casually, a grey hoodie pulled over her head with matching joggers, but there’s no mistaking her. 

she’s one of the girls from the bayern munich chat, and she’s just walked into your coffee shop. you’re not sure what to do—does she even care enough to want to talk to you in person? you’ve never spoken to any of them face-to-face, aside from a few private messages with sydney about food spots.

you’re still debating what to do when georgia looks up and catches your eye.

for a moment, you're sure she doesn’t recognize you, but then her face breaks into a smile.

"y/n?" she asks, her voice tinged with surprise.

you nod, unable to stop the grin that spreads across your face. 

"yeah, hey!"

before you know it, georgia’s quickly walking over to you, pulling you into a quick hug. 

"oh my days, i didn’t think i’d run into you here!" she laughs, stepping back. 

"i’ve been waiting to meet you. what are you doing at this café?"

you chuckle nervously, still a little stunned. 

"i live just down the street. this is my usual spot."

georgia’s eyes widen. 

"no way! i live right down the street too. this is my favorite café."

"seriously?" you laugh. 

"i’ve been coming here almost every day since i moved."

"well, i guess we’re neighbors now," georgia says, still grinning. 

"small world, huh?"

you nod, feeling the nervousness melt away. georgia’s warmth and friendliness are exactly how she was in the group chat, and you’re already starting to feel comfortable.

"what are you getting?" georgia asks, stepping up to the counter with you.

"an iced mocha and a plain bagel with butter," you reply.

georgia raises her eyebrows, impressed. 

"fancy. i’m just going for a regular iced coffee today. practice from last night has drained me."

the two of you place your orders and find a table near the window, settling in for what turns into an easy conversation. 

you talk about the neighborhood, about your favorite spots so far, and about how surreal it is to finally meet each other in person.

"i can’t believe we live so close," georgia says at one point, shaking her head. 

"i knew you were in munich, but i didn’t think we’d run into each other like this. we were all planning to invite you to the games in order to get the chance to see you!"

"oh my– and me neither," you admit, smiling as you sip your iced mocha. 

"but this is nice. makes the city feel a little less big, you know?"

georgia nods, her eyes sparkling with excitement. 

"so, what have you been up to? besides chilling at this café."

you shrug. 

"mostly work. i’ve been working remotely, so i spend a lot of time here or at home with maple."

"maple?"

"my cat," you explain with a laugh. 

"she’s a tabby. super lazy."

"cute. i’m more of a dog person, but cats are cool!" georgia says, leaning back in her chair. 

"speaking of lazy, i have to head to practice soon, but we need to hang out again sometime. we all think it’s nice having a non-football friend."

you smile at that. 

"yeah, i’d like that."

before you leave, georgia pulls out her phone. 

"we need to send a pic to the group chat. everyone’s gonna freak out that we met in person!"

you laugh as she leans in for a quick selfie. 

"okay, ready?" she says, holding the phone up. you smile, and she snaps the photo. within seconds, it’s posted in the group chat.

georgia: *one photo attachment*

georgia: look who i ran into!!

the chat blows up immediately.

sydney: NO WAY.

klara: LUCKY???!!!!!

tuva: i’m dying omg 

lena: jealous af rn 

sarah: this is too cute. i can’t 

you laugh as the messages roll in, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. you hadn’t expected to feel this connected to them, but here you are, genuinely happy that you’ve met georgia.

"i knew they’d freak out," georgia says with a grin, pocketing her phone. 

"anyway, i gotta head to practice, but let’s hang out soon, yeah?"

"for sure," you reply, standing up as well. 

"i’m heading to the gym anyway."

"perfect timing," georgia says, pulling you into another quick hug. 

"see you later, neighbor."

"see you," you say, waving as she heads out the door.

as you walk back home, you feel a strange sense of contentment. you hadn’t expected to make friends so quickly in munich, but here you are, part of a group of girls who seem genuinely happy to have you around—even if the way you met was unconventional.

later that afternoon, after you’ve finished your workout and settled back in at home, you check your phone again. more messages have piled up in the group chat, and you scroll through them with a smile.

tuva: y/n, you should come to our game this weekend. we’re playing frankfurt at home

sydney: YES. you have to come. it’s gonna be epic.

lea: you don’t really have a choice y/n 

you blink, surprised by the invitation. you hadn’t even thought about going to one of their games, but now that they’re asking, you find yourself grinning.

you: lea i’d love to anyways! count me in.

the excitement in the chat is immediate.

kathi: yessss! it’s gonna be so fun.

sydney: we’ll hook you up with tickets and the seating stuff. don’t worry about a thing!

lena: you can sit with kathi and i! we can’t play because of our acl injuries

y/n: ouu

y/n: ouu to the seating, not you and kathi being injured

klara: don’t lie y/n

   kathi: ?? 

   lena: ????? 

klara: i’m kidding!

y/n: LMAO

ana g: see you soon y/n!

the day of the bayern munich vs. frankfurt game arrive a few days later. you’re feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. this is your first time attending a professional football match, and it’s not just any match—it’s your new friends’ match. 

these girls, whom you’ve gotten to know through a mistaken group chat, are now part of your life, and you’re here to support them. its out-of-body to you.

you stand outside the stadium, ticket on your phone, which sydney had sent to you earlier in the week. as you walk in, you can’t help but take in the electric atmosphere. fans are streaming in from every direction, wearing red and white scarves, chanting and singing in excitement. 

the energy is contagious.

after buying a pretty bayern-themed scarf from the merch stand, you wrap it around your neck for good measure. it feels like the perfect way to show support for your new friends, even though you’ve only known them for about a month. 

they’ve been so welcoming, and you can’t help but feel grateful for how things have turned out.

you glance at your phone, double-checking the seating section sydney had mentioned in her text. the ticket leads you to the family and friends section, which surprises you. 

you didn’t expect to be sitting somewhere so special for the team. then again, you didn’t expect to be here at all a month ago.

when you reach your row, you notice that the seats directly beside you are still empty, but that’s okay. you sit down, adjusting your scarf and the brown bomber jacket you’d chosen for the game. the late evening breeze is cool, but the jacket keeps you warm as you watch the girls warm up on the pitch below.

as you look out at the field, you spot all of the familiar faces from the group chat—they’re already practicing. you can’t help but smile, knowing you’ve gotten to know these players beyond just their professional personas. 

the same moment– you see two figures walking together along the bottom of the family and friends section, heading in your direction: 

lena and kathi.

you try not to stare, pretending you’re just casually looking around as they get closer to the section where you're seated. 

it’s impossible not to notice when they head directly toward you. your heart skips a beat, unsure of what to expect.

"y/n!!!?" kathi grins, stopping beside you. 

"hii its nice to finally meet you!"

"oh, hey!!!" you stand up, a bit flustered but smiling. 

"it’s so good to finally meet you guys in person."

kathi pulls you into a hug, and lena smiles as she steps closer, giving you a quick hug as well. 

"we were wondering when we’d run into you," lena says, her voice warm and teasing.

"same here," you laugh nervously. 

"i wasn’t sure i’d see any of you outside the chat."

"well, now you’re stuck with us," kathi jokes, sitting down on your left, while lena settles in on your right. 

"this seat taken?"

"nope, all yours," you reply, staying cool despite the fact that you’re suddenly sitting between two bayern stars. 

"so, you come here often?" lena asks, nudging you lightly as she adjusts her scarf.

you grin. 

"this is my first time at a soc- sorry, football match, actually."

kathi raises an eyebrow. 

"wait, you’ve never been to a football game?"

"not really," you admit, feeling a little sheepish. 

"i know how the game works, but i’ve just never watched it. i played basketball growing up in the states."

"basketball? that’s cool," kathi says, her eyes lighting up with interest. 

"i could never get the hang of basketball. too many rules."

"too many rules?" lena laughs, shaking her head. 

"you’re a footballer, and you think basketball has too many rules?"

"okay, fair," kathi grins, giving lena a playful nudge from around your shoulder.  

"but come on, football’s just easier to follow."

"yeah, yeah, whatever," lena says with a grin. 

then, turning back to you, she asks, "so. .y/n tell me– do you have any other friends in munich? or maybe… a boyfriend?"

you laugh, not expecting the question. 

"oh, no. definitely no boyfriend."

lena raises an eyebrow, intrigued. 

"really?"

"yeah," you nod, still smiling. 

"i don’t swing that way."

kathi lets out a quiet snicker, and lena shoots her a quick look—one of interest. 

kathi just rolls her eyes playfully, clearly aware that lena is trying to flirt. 

you, of course, are oblivious and continue chatting as if nothing is unusual.

"good to know," lena says, her tone lighter, almost teasing.

before the conversation can continue, kathi jumps in, steering it away from lena’s not-so-subtle flirting. 

"so, any hobbies? other than being in random group chats with footballers?"

"actually, yeah," you say, smiling at the memory of your last project. "i do ceramics."

"no way," kathi says, clearly impressed. 

"that’s awesome. i’ve always wanted to try something like that."

"you should! there’s a ceramics studio in downtown munich. i’m going to a class next week if you guys want to come with me on wednesday."

"i’m in," kathi says instantly, grinning.

"i’d love to, but i’ve got a thing with adidas that day," lena says, frowning slightly. 

"but next time for sure."

"no worries," you say, understanding. 

"it sounds like you guys are always busy with something."

"pretty much," kathi sighs, leaning back in her seat. 

"but hey, at least we get days like today to relax."

you glance over at lena and kathi, both of them sitting out of this gme due to their ACL injuries. 

"how are you guys doing with the injuries, by the way?"

"we’re getting there," kathi says with a small smile. 

"it sucks, but we’re doing okay."

"yeah," lena adds. 

"it’s tough watching from the sidelines, but we’re handling it."

just then, a loud cheer erupts from the crowd as the game kicks off. you turn your attention to the field, watching as bayern and frankfurt begin to battle it out.

about thirty minutes into the game, georgia breaks through frankfurt’s defense and scores a stunning goal. the crowd screams, and you, kathi, and lena all clap enthusiastically.

"that’s our girl," kathi grins, clapping as she watches georgia celebrate with her teammates.

you lean over slightly, grinning as you point towards georgia. 

"so how does someone kick a ball that far? seriously, that was impressive."

lena smirks and leans in a little closer to you, her eyes playful. 

"how do you shoot a three-pointer?"

you laugh. 

"practice, lots of practice. you’ve just got to get the right angle, arm strength, and—"

"so basically, the same thing as kicking a ball from outside the penalty box?" lena teases.

"i guess you could say that," you reply with a grin, enjoying the playful banter.

the three of you settle into the game, chatting in between plays and cheering for bayern.  

as you talk, you can’t help but notice people around you taking pictures. kathi and lena are well-known, and while you’re not used to the attention, it’s clear that people are curious about who you are. 

who’s the girl sitting with two injured bayern players? whispers and glances are cast in your direction from photographers and fans, but you try not to pay it any mind.

by halftime, the score is still 1-0 in favor of bayern, and lena and kathi stand up to stretch. 

"we’re going to the lounge," kathi says, glancing down at you. 

"you coming?"

you hesitate, unsure if you’re even allowed. 

"i thought that was just for family and players?"

lena laughs. "you’re on the list. we put you down as one of our guests. you’re our friend."

"seriously?" you feel a smile spread across your face, touched by the gesture. 

"that’s amazing. i had no idea."

"come on, let’s go," kathi says, waving you along. 

"you’ve got to see it."

you follow them to the lounge, which is a lot fancier than you expected. plush couches, tables lined with snacks, and a relaxed atmosphere for family and friends of the team to hang out during halftime. 

"you know– it’s so nice to have a friend who’s not a footballer," lena speaks. 

"i’m glad you guys like my presence," you admit, still in awe of how quickly everything’s changed since that random group chat.

“oh, i definitely do.” lena smirks. 

kathi roles her eyes at lena while smiling. 

"it feels like you’re one of us now." kathi says, nudging you. 

after the break, the three of you head back out to your seats just in time to see bayern score another goal. this time, it’s klara who fires a screamer from way outside the penalty box, sending the ball soaring into the back of the net. the crowd erupts, and you clap along with lena and kathi.

lena glances over at you with a playful smile. 

"i’ve got to say, y/n," she starts, her voice light but with that familiar teasing edge, 

"you’re really pulling off that look. the brown bomber jacket, the bavarian scarf—you're fitting in with the bayern fans already."

you laugh, tugging at the scarf and feeling a little flustered by the compliment. 

"oh, thanks. i wasn’t sure if i could pull off the whole ‘bayern fan’ look, but here we are."

"oh, you’re pulling it off," lena says, her eyes lingering on you for a moment longer than you expect. there’s something in her tone—something that makes your heart skip a beat—but you shrug it off, thinking she’s just being friendly.

kathi, sitting on your other side, shoots lena a knowing look. 

"careful, lena. you’re laying it on pretty thick," she says, grinning as she leans forward to catch your eye. 

"she’s just messing with you, y/n."

you chuckle, completely oblivious to the flirtatious undercurrent. 

"well, it’s working. i feel like a proper football fan now."

"you look like one too," lena adds, her smile widening as she casually adjusts the scarf around your neck. her fingers brush lightly against your skin, and for a brief second, there’s a flicker of something more in the way she’s looking at you. 

again, you chalk it up to her just being playful. after all, you’ve only known these girls for a month—there’s no way lena’s flirting, right?

"okay, okay," you laugh, trying to shake off the slight awkwardness you feel. 

"i get it, i look the part. but you two are the real stars here."

"oh please," kathi says, rolling her eyes. 

"we’re benched, remember? lena and i are just here for moral support. you’re the real star for coming to your first game and surviving sitting with us."

you smile, feeling comfortable with them even though you’re completely out of your element. 

"honestly, i’ve had so much fun already. i didn’t realize how intense football could be."

"you haven’t seen anything yet," lena says, nudging your arm. 

"this is just a regular league game. wait until you see the champions league.” 

"yeah, lena’s right. the energy in those games is something else," kathi adds, leaning back in her seat and stretching.

you nod, already imagining the bigger games. "i can’t wait to see more."

"and now that you’re here in munich," lena says, leaning a little closer, 

"we’ll have to make sure you come to more games. maybe we’ll even get you onto the pitch someday."

"me? on the pitch? you guys would concede twenty goals before the second half." you laugh, shaking your head. 

"i’m just here to watch. you guys are the pros."

"oh, i don’t know," lena says, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

 

"you’ve got the look down, you’ve got the enthusiasm. all you need now is a little practice."

"practice?" you raise an eyebrow, amused. 

"i don’t think i’d last five minutes on the field."

kathi grins, leaning in from the other side. 

"i think you’d surprise yourself. plus, you play basketball, right? you’ve got the coordination."

"it’s not the same thing," you say, laughing. 

"i’ve never even kicked a ball before."

"we’ll fix that," lena says confidently, her hand brushing against your arm again. 

"next time we’re at the training grounds after our injury rehab, you should come. we’ll show you how it’s done."

kathi watches the exchange, clearly picking up on lena’s flirty tone, but you remain completely oblivious. 

you just smile, nodding along as if they’re simply making friendly suggestions.

"yeah, i’m sure i’ll be a natural," you joke, but lena’s gaze lingers on you for a beat longer, and kathi gives her a subtle nudge.

by the time the final whistle blows after the game, bayern has secured a solid 3-0 victory, and the atmosphere in the stadium is electric. you clap and cheer along with the rest of the fans, feeling proud of your friends on the field.

"let’s go down and meet everyone," lena says, standing up and stretching.

"wait, meet everyone?" you ask, your eyes wide.

"yeah, come on," kathi says, grinning as she grabs your hand and pulls you toward the field. 

"we’re taking you down to meet the whole team."

you can hardly believe this is happening. as the three of you make your way onto the pitch, your heart races. you’ve seen these girls on instagram or in the group chat, but now you’re about to meet them in person.

as soon as they spot you, georgia, sydney, tuva, and the rest of the team come running over, laughing and cheering.

“y/n!!” sam kerr squeals as she jogs over.

"it’s the wrong number girl!" tuva jokes, pulling you into a hug. 

"i was starting to think you were a figment of my imagination." the norwegian continued. 

“no no, i am real!” you laugh as she patted your shoulder. 

"y/n!!!!" 

you look over to see sydney sprinting to you from the benches.

she nearly tackles you as her strong body pushes yours into a hug. shes happy just as you were. you’ve talked to her more individually than the rest of the girls throughout the month, so you are most familar with syd. 

sydney pulls back from the hug but keeps her hands on your shoulders. 

"finally! it’s so good to meet you in person."

you smile, feeling the warmth of her welcome. 

"yeah, it feels surreal, honestly."

"how’s munich treating you so far?" she asks, genuinely interested, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"it’s been great," you reply, nodding. 

"i’m still getting used to everything, but it’s such a beautiful city like you’ve said. i’ve just been trying new places, you know?"

"that’s awesome," sydney says, giving you an approving nod. 

"i’m glad you’re settling in. you’re gonna love it here once you get into the groove. georgia mentioned you live near her?"

"yeah, just a few streets down, actually."

"perfect!" sydney says, her smile widening. 

"do you have a ride home? i can give you a ride home if you want. i’m heading that way anyway."

you blink, surprised by the offer, but then you nod, grateful. 

"i was just going to take the bus home but that’d be great syd, thank you so much."

"no problem," she says, waving off your thanks. 

"plus, tomorrow, you should join us for lunch. by us i mean me and sam. we are going to get pizza if you’re interested!?” 

"that’s awesome, i’d love to" you say, clapping her hands together once as sydney pulls you in for a last hug– just happy to see you after speaking for a full month. 

you laugh, feeling a sense of ease settle in. sydney’s kindness wasn’t surprising since she has always been kind and humorous in her messages. 

a hand touches your shoulders and you see lena’s bestfriend– lea. the woman’s blonde hair and blue eyes complimented each other and you couldn’t help but smile.

"lea!!!" you laugh, hugging her.

"it’s so good to meet you," lea says, smiling warmly against your shoulder. 

"its nice seeing you in person rather than in pictures on my phone." lea continued. 

you blush, overwhelmed by how kind they all are. it feels like you’ve known these girls for years, not just weeks. 

as the hugs and introductions continue, you can’t help but feel like you’ve found your friends here in munich.

pernille and magda walk over, and you freeze slightly. of course you’ve talked to them in the groupchat but you’ve recently discovered that they’re one of the most iconic couples in women’s football. 

"so, you’re the famous y/n," pernille says with a grin, her arm coming to wrap around your shoulders. 

"uh, yeah, i guess that’s me," you say, feeling your cheeks heat up.

"you’re adorable," magda says, giving you a once-over before flashing you a smile.

"thanks," you mumble, feeling your face grow even hotter. these girls are all so effortlessly cool, and you’re still trying to wrap your head around the fact that they’ve accepted you into their world.

after chatting with the team for a while, discussing the game and making jokes, you realize just how lucky you are to have stumbled into this friendship. 

sure, it started with a wrong number, but now, standing on the pitch surrounded by these incredible women, you feel like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

as the night winds down, sydney meets you after changing and showering in the locker rooms. she grins as the both of you walk to her car, georgia already waiting. 

sydney agreed to take the both of you home. since you and georgia are neighbors and sydney lives a couple of minutes away.

"so, what do you think y/n? are you a football fan now?"

"definitely," you laugh, glancing around at the team. "i can’t believe you guys play that amazing sport."

“It's exhausting sometimes though.” georgia says from the passenger seat as you settle in the middle seat in sydney’s car. 

“i feel you. i mean i’m not a professional footballer, but i did play basketball for many years.” you say. 

“that's not shocking, you look athletic.” sydney says as georgia nods her head.

“thank you! i can’t believe the one and only sydney lohmann is complimenting me.” you joke and georgia laughs. 

"believe it," sydney says, reaching over her drivers seat to pat your left knee. 

"we’re not letting you go anytime soon."

part three here

[aquamarine-dream-queen]

Going back to when I made some self-ship drawings last Sunday, I decided to do a self-ship meme after seeing one by @candyheartedchy with my top fictional crushes as follows:

Anna x Mikey (Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012) - Lovable Dorks

As one of my biggest fictional crushes, Mikey and I have a few things in common, like pizza, video games, a sweet tooth, a love for cats AND we enjoy having fun with our friends and loved ones! Plus, he's one of the funniest and cutest ninja turtles out of all four of the brothers.

Anna x Arthur “Artie” Pendragon (Shrek the Third) - Awkward Boy and Friendly Girl

Of course, not everyone agrees with Shrek the Third being a bad movie in the Shrek franchise since I find it a guilty pleasure not only because I love seeing Fiona with the princesses, but also because of my childhood crush on teenage Arthur “Artie” Pendragon. Yeah, I know how awkward he is, but that’s one of the qualities I like in my perfect man.

Anna x Greg Heffley (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) - Platonic Pining

Ever since I read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books during my childhood well into my college years, Greg Heffley and I go way back when my mom got me the fifth book, called The Ugly Truth and because I could relate so much to him, I got more of the books and even the 3-movie collection on DVD for my 19th birthday last year. But since the books as a whole mostly targets kids, the pining is platonic just to keep the relationship clean and family-friendly.

Anna x Corky (Snorks) - Height Difference

I love most of the Snorks characters all the same like Allstar, Casey, Dimmy, Daffney, Tooter, Junior, Dr. Gallio, Jo-Jo and especially Corky as another fictional crush. But since he’s no bigger than my thumb, he would be covered in loads of lip gloss when I shower him with kisses. Nonetheless, though, I love him for his courage and heart of gold.

Anna x Tin Man (The Wizard of Oz) - Tragic Past x Ray of Light

Because of how big his heart is, the Tin Man is always there to help me feel better when I’m not feeling good. But since he cries easily due to his sensitive nature and especially when he used to be human back before he became the Tin Man, I would return the favor by comforting him, which makes us the emotional support duo.

Anna x Fly (Help! I’m A Fish/A Fish Tale) - Friends to Lovers

Since I enjoyed watching Help! I’m A Fish/A Fish Tale as a kid loads of times, Fly, Stella, Chuck, Sasha and Professor MacKrill have been my favorite characters from the movie and just like all the other fans of this flick, I especially liked Fly and we’d fairly get along if I were in his neighborhood before crushing on him as he accepts my crush on him.

Anna x Balan (Balan Wonderworld) - Theatrical Duo

While Balan Wonderworld wasn’t exactly the best video game of 2021, Balan himself was another dude I had a huge crush on. He’s very charismatic, dramatic, playful and funny. Not to mention that we both love musical theater as a common interest and there’s a mutual respect between the two of us and his Tims since he’s incredibly gentle.

Anna x Balthazar (The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part) - Flirty Femboy and Blushing Beauty

Ever since The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part came out when I was 14 years old, I felt my heart skipping a beat hearing the soothing sound of Balthazar’s voice and mentioning that he’s an attractive, non-threatening teen vampire, plus he wears makeup and mom jeans and enjoys music. He’s one flirty femboy, which is seriously making me blush.

Anna x Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians) - Winter Twins

Going back to when I watched DreamWorks’ Rise of the Guardians on Netflix, Jack Frost, the Guardian of Fun by all means, just had to be one of my next big fictional crushes. He’s playful, just like me and we both have winter birthdays, despite being born in separate months.

[lovesosweeet]

better left unsaid // cth

chapter one

in which orion has leukemia, and calum doesn't know.

read chapter zero

june 2, 2016

madrid, spain

orion

-

It’s been about a week since I got to Madrid, depending on if you count my first few days of jet lag coma that left me bound to the confines of my room for roughly 48 hours after landing. My flatmates were quite concerned, but didn’t want to wake me. It has been a week of so much fun and exploration of this city I get to call home for a few months.

The three girls I’m living with are also students, so we all have minimal responsibilities during our summer break. We spend our days meandering through Malasaña and Lavapies, popping into cafes and shops that intrigue us. We grab pastries and coffee and take them to Retiro during the day or hang around bars drinking glass after glass of tinto de verano and swap silly stories. We attempt to cook dinner together most nights, but I’ve quickly become addicted to falafel sandwiches that I can order to be delivered at practically any time of day. Life is sweet and slow, as it should be, while we get to know the city and each other before classes begin in a couple of months.

Paula and Marta, two of my roommates, are both from Spain and have promised Ilse and me an authentic night out in Madrid tonight. Paula’s girlfriend is a bartender at a popular club, so we’ll also get to have a budget-friendly night out since she promised us a discount.

It’s 9:00 now and we are all getting ready while sharing a pizza and some cheap beer. I’m still trying to decide what to wear, shuffling through the pile of offerings from each of my roommates as something to wear tonight.

As soon as I met Pau, Marta, and Ilse, I instantly felt underdressed and unfashionable. My wardrobe of simple tees and jean shorts don’t seem to cut it here. Thankfully we are all relatively close in size so I can borrow things, but I will probably be spending a lot of my money at Zara trying to catch my wardrobe up with the way Spaniards dress.

Eventually I settle on a light blue slip style dress with lace trim—I think it’s Ilse’s. I pair it with my white sneakers and throw my hair up into a loose ponytail. It’s so hot out, and our apartment doesn’t have AC, and to add another layer, the sun doesn’t go down for another 30 minutes! It isn’t worth bothering with too much makeup since I’ll sweat it all off, so I keep it minimal but add a sparkly lip gloss to seem a bit more done up.

Pau and Ilse are discussing which shoes they’ll wear.

“Orion, my love, you cannot wear sneakers to the club!” Ilse says as soon as she sees me in the doorway to her room.

Our apartment is small, but it’s in a really cute neighborhood and right next to a metro station, so we don’t plan to spend a ton of time at home anyway, especially not once classes start.

I look down at my worn sneakers and quarter socks, feeling a little embarrassed. “I mean, I’m not wearing heels. Those cobblestones will roll my ankle instantly.” Truthfully, though, I’ve never gone clubbing. I’m 19 and live in the US. It’s not exactly legal for me to go clubbing, and I’m a big rule follower.

Ilse opens her mouth to continue, but Pau stops her. “Actually, you should be fine. We’re not going to that kind of club.” She gives me her signature warm smile. “Light blue looks nice on you!”

I grin back at her. “Thanks! That orange looks so good on you.”

Paula is what I think of when I envision a pretty Spanish girl. She has rich olive skin, brown hair with lighter streaks from being in the sun, and striking green eyes. Her nearly neon orange one shoulder top contrasts and complements her coloring beautifully. She has her long hair pulled back with a claw clip, but a few stray strands frame her face effortlessly.

“Okay, back to me,” Ilse jokes. Well, partially jokes. “Are we thinking sandals or boots?”

We decide that Ilse should wear sandals since it’s so hot out, and after that we check in on Marta who had been staying silent in her room this whole time. By the time we get out the door to head to the metro, it’s already 10. Are we going to have a hard time getting into the club? Should we have tried to leave earlier?

I try not to question it, knowing that Pau’s girlfriend will be there to sneak us in if needed.

We all swipe our metro cards and head to the platform for the line we’re taking. Pau knows exactly where to go and the rest of us just follow. I’m still getting the hang of the different lines and stations, so it’s nice to have Pau and Marta with us since they’ve been using the Madrid metro their whole lives.

“Pau, I don’t feel like you’ve told us much. What’s your novia like?” I ask.

A wide smile takes over her face and her eyes light up. “Oh my god, she is the best! She’s so funny and she remembers like, everything anyone has ever said to her which is so nice. I never have to wonder if she remembers what I’ve told her and she is always, always on time and I never am. She loves running and, of course, football. She’s so easygoing and always makes everyone in the room feel welcome. Oh, and—sorry. I’m talking too much!”

What Paula doesn’t realize is that all of us are smiling at her description.

“She sounds incredible,” I tell her, resting a hand on her arm. “I’m excited to meet her!”

When we get to the club — discoteca — there’s absolutely no one outside aside from the bouncer. He smiles when he makes eye contact with Paula.

“Buenas, Pau!” He wraps an arm around her loosely in a quick hug.

“Hi, Jorge! Podemos entrar?”

Jorge nods and holds the door open for us, not even bothering to make sure we’re over 18. Pau was already smiling when we walked in, but when she sees her girlfriend her smile overpowers her entire face and she runs over to the bar.

I notice that the club is basically empty, aside from a group of three hanging out off to the side of the bar. It’s 10:30 and it’s empty? This is the authentic Spanish experience?

Marta, Ilse and I trail after Paula and smile at her girlfriend, whose name I still don’t know.

“Marta, you know Lucia,” she starts.

Marta smiles. “Of course! Siempre es un placer.”

“Lucia, these are our new flatmates, Ilse and Orion. This is both of their first times in Madrid, and I said, ‘what better way to see the city than to visit Space Monkey?’ So, here we are!”

“Space Monkey?” Ilse asks.

“Space Monkey! That’s where we are right now!” Lucia says, gesturing to the space around us.

A Green Day song echoes from the speakers and there are posters of the band on the walls, accompanied by posters of Blink 182, Nirvana, The Rolling Stones, and the like. The lighting is dim and the floor is a bit sticky, and still, the place is practically empty.

“Is it normally this… dead on a Saturday night?” I ask, trying not to sound too negative.

My question sends Marta, Lucia, and Paula into a unified laughing fit while Ilse and I exchange slightly worried glances.

“Oh my sweet American friend, 10:30 here is like 7:30 in the US. Just give it a few hours!”

We aren’t too late for the fun, we’re too early. I’d heard that the Spanish run on a much later schedule, but I didn’t realize just how much later it was.

“What can I get you guys? On the house.” Lucia throws her bar towel over her shoulder and awaits our answers.

“Do you have tinto?” I ask, scanning the bar for some kind of menu or something that indicates their selection.

“Only been in Madrid for a week and you’re already hooked on tinto?” Lucia laughs, grabbing a cup from under the counter, scooping in some ice, and pouring my cup of lemony wine deliciousness from the tap. She sets it on the bar and slides it toward me. “Plenty more where that came from!”

The next few hours pass by in a blur. Paula was right, Lucia is wonderful. She slid me a fresh glass of tinto each time I neared the bottom of the one I was holding, which quickly put me into a tipsy stupor. We sang along to the throwback punk pop songs that played on the speakers and had so much fun talking to Lucia that I didn’t even realize Space Monkey was no longer an empty, sad bar, but was now full of dancing people. Lucia had pulled away from us to help paying customers, so it was just the four of us congregated in a huddle at the end of the bar.

“Wanna dance?” Ilse asks us, setting her beer glass onto the bar and holding her hands out for us to take.

Marta grabs her hand and chugs the remainder of her own glass. “Yes, please!”

I look down at my basically full glass. “Let me finish this, then I’ll come find you!”

“I’ll hang here for a bit too!” Paula says, and the next thing we know our two friends are long gone, swallowed by the crowd.

I lean closer to Paula so she can hear me without having to scream. “Lucia is great!”

Paula, who’s more outgoing than anyone I’ve ever met, suddenly is shy. She gives me a sheepish smile and blushes, looking away from me. “She is, isn’t she?”

When I go to say something else, I get cut off by the song that starts next because the entire room starts screaming.

Coming out of my cage and I’ve been doin’ just fine

Paula shrieks and starts to sing along, grabbing me by the shoulders as she screams every word. Lucia runs over to us to sing with her girlfriend, and in the blink of an eye Lucia is standing on the bar, holding her hand out to Paula.

“Give me a lift!” Pau says to me, motioning for me to help her onto the bar as well.

It takes me a second to process what she wants, and then I’m locking my hands together so she has a step up to join Lucia. The two start jumping around and keep screaming the words, acting out the lyrics with massive smiles on their faces. With my phone in one hand and my fresh glass of tinto in the other, I try to grab a picture of the cute couple while they dance, but am having a hard time getting the image to stay focused without the flash coming on.

I’m so focused on taking the picture that when a hand places itself on the small of my back, I practically leap a foot into the air, startled. My phone clatters to the floor and my drink sloshes everywhere, cold wine splashing onto my arm and the floor.

“Fuck!” I curse, setting my now half empty glass onto the bar and bending down to grab it.

But, at the same time, a deep voice says, “Let me.”

Next thing I know I’m whacking my head on something hard. The stranger’s head.

“OW!”

I reach for my phone on the ground at the same time as a much larger, tattooed hand reaches for it. It retracts as soon as mine clutches the sticky iPhone I’m hoping isn’t shattered. Within a split second I feel the same pressure on the small of my back.

“No me toques!” I say frustratedly. This stranger’s touch has already made me spill my drink and drop my phone and feel somewhat concussed as I stand up. They need to keep their hands off me.

I turn around to yell at the person more, but am just met with a person’s chest. Rather, a chest covered in a freshly stained (with my red wine drink) white cotton t-shirt. Oops.

I look up to meet the eyes of this stranger, unsure if I’d like to keep scolding or apologize for the stained shirt. I gaze into rich, deep brown eyes framed by thick lashes and warm skin. I mentally curse the stranger for having beautiful eyes and scowl at him.

“Sorry, what?” He asks.

I stare at him blankly and blink. What? I thought we were at an “authentically Spanish” club? Why is he defaulting to English?

“Oh, er… lo siento? Inglés… uh, por favor?” He slowly sputters out a few words, each syllable taking a lot of effort for him to say. Clearly he doesn’t speak any Spanish.

I take in the rest of his face. Groomed eyebrows and full cheeks. Pouty lips. Fluffy, nearly black dark brown hair. A few freckles to decorate his smooth skin. He’s beautiful, to say the least. Or, I guess his face is beautiful. I don’t know if unconsensually touching strangers is a particularly beautiful trait.

“Fuck, and you don’t speak English, great…” he mutters, grabbing his own phone out of his pocket.

“Oh, no, I speak English.” I blankly stare at his face. I think he’s still typing out Google translate on his browser while my words sink in. He then looks up.

“Oh, sweet. I um… sorry to startle you, I was just going to ask what you were drinking.”

He has to stand pretty close to me for me to hear anything he says, with Mr. Brightside still blaring through the room and every single other person singing along. I glance over and see Paula and Lucia behind the bar now, instead of on top of it, still dancing and singing while holding hands.

Possibly in an unwise decision, I decide flirting with this pretty guy is the move for the moment. Maybe I’m tipsy, maybe there’s just something about him… maybe it’s both.

My mouth curves up into a slight smile. “Before or after I spilled it on you?” I say back, feeling like I’m almost yelling to speak clearly.

The pretty stranger smiles and lets out a tiny chuckle. “Both.”

This time I grin. “First time in Spain?” I ask.

His smile falls a little. “No, why?”

I give him a jokingly judgmental look. “You’ve been to Spain and haven’t had tinto de verano?”

He shakes his head. I roll my eyes and hold my glass out to him.

“Here, take mine—or, rather, what’s left after I spilled it on you. I’ll get another when the song’s over!”

I watch him hold my cup up to his nose and smell it, frown, and then he takes a sip. As soon as the sweet drink is in his mouth he looks pleasantly surprised. He takes another drink, and then another, and then he’s chugged the whole thing in about 10 seconds, placing the cup back on the bar just as Mr. Brightside ends.

“Shit, that’s good,” he muses, looking back at me with his pretty smile. “Is that like sangria or something?”

Sharing things I like with people is one of my favorite things, especially when my recommendations are appreciated. “It’s called tinto de verano! Kind of like a very dumbed down sangria.”

I wave my hand to try to get Lucia’s attention, and when she sees me, so does Paula. Paula’s eyes dart back and forth between me and the stranger who is still standing quite close. She gives Lucia a kiss on the cheek before she runs back around to the customer side of the bar.

When Lucia walks over to me, I open my mouth to ask for another glass, but before I can say anything, Mr. Tall Stranger is holding out a 20€ note and leaning over me, pressed against my back. “Two of the uh, tinto de…” he trails off as Lucia grabs the bill from him.

“Tinto de verano?” She asks, her Spanish accent thick.

“Yeah, that.”

Lucia quickly gets the cups together and places them on the counter. When she steps toward the register to get his change, I feel that same hand from before graze my shoulder, but this time I mind it a little less.

“Keep the change. Gracias!”

Lucia is taken aback since tipping isn’t super common and his change would have been at least 10€, but she doesn’t say anything else, just smiles at him gratefully and quickly returns to serving other customers.

The guy’s tattooed hand grabs the glasses and holds one out to me. “Sorry, I should’ve asked if I could buy you a drink, but it’s too late now.” I glance up at his face and swear he’s almost blushing.

I bite my lip and shrug. “You owed me one, anyway.” Taking the glass from his hand, I clink it against his. “Salud.”

“Salud.”

Now they’re playing some less popular Nirvana song that the whole crowd appreciates but isn’t as eager to hear as they were to hear The Killers. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to leave this guy alone now or not. I mean, he’s cute, and he bought me a drink, and he tipped generously, but I don’t know that that means he wants to actually talk to me. I take a few sips of my fresh glass of tinto and try to scan the crowd to find my friends.

When I finally locate them, only because of Paula’s bright orange top, they’re already staring at me. Marta is grinning with a thumbs up held in front of her face. Ilse is wiggling her eyebrows, and Pau just smirks at me. I shoot them a quick death glare that means “stop staring” and take a step back with my back against the bar now, making the stranger face away from my flatmates if he chooses to keep talking to me.

He steps right in front of me and takes a sip of his own drink, scanning the crowd for a second before he looks down at me. He has to be like 6’2—he’s towering over me and it almost hurts my neck to make eye contact with him.

“You know,” I start, catching his attention again. “The next time you order this,” I hold up the cup, “just ask for tinto.”

He nods, looking down at the glass in his hand. “Tinto,” he repeats. “What does that mean?”

“Tinto de verano means summer wine! Tinto is just easier. The Spanish love to shorten things.”

He chuckles, and I watch the crinkles around his eyes appear with his laugh. It’s cute. His hand ruffles his hair for a few seconds and then he starts to nod to the beat of the music. His brown eyes look down into mine and it almost feels like he’s staring into my soul. “What’s your name?”

“Orion.”

“Calum.” He puts his hand on his chest to refer to himself.

His accent is hard to place, and I’ve never met anyone else named Calum before. “Where are you from?” I ask. An unoriginal question. I kick myself mentally.

“Australia. What about you? You don’t seem like you’re from here either.” I’m not sure if it’s because I’m short or if it’s really loud or if he just wants to be closer to me, but I feel him step closer and lean his head down.

I shake my head no. “No, I’m from the US. Unfortunately.”

Calum laughs, or it’s almost like a giggle. “When I’m not traveling for work, I live in LA.”

My mouth falls agape for a second but I quickly close it. LA is a big city, it’s not that crazy to find someone else who lives there, but still. “No way, I’m a sophomore at UCLA! I’m studying here for the semester but I’ll be back on campus in January.”

“Do you speak Spanish?”

I grimace. “I wish. I’m trying, but definitely have a lot of room for improvement.”

Calum smiles. “Seems like you’re getting on just fine.”

I roll my eyes and nod. “So far, I guess. Only been here a week.”

“Only a week and you’re recommending traditional Spanish drinks to a random guy at a club? I’d say you’re doing great.” He puts his hand on the bar and leans against it, inching closer to me yet again.

“You’re here for work?” I ask.

He nods.

“How long are you here?”

He hangs his head and laughs. “We’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow.”

I wonder who this “we” is, but ignore that. So this guy is looking for a little one night stand… isn’t that part of the study abroad experience? Well, maybe I’m supposed to hookup with a local.

Locals haven’t talked to me this much, though. Or been this cute. I’m zoned out trying to wrestle with my decisions in my head. A one night stand couldn’t be that bad? Maybe that’s the alcohol talking… Maybe a traveling Australian giant can fill the role. It’s not the craziest thing I’ve ever done. Actually, it probably is. I don’t do a lot of crazy things.

“Orion?” He asks, snapping me back to the moment.

“Hmm?” I hum, looking back up at him.

“The uh, bartender is trying to talk to you.” Calum nods in the direction of where Lucia is standing behind the bar.

I spin around to face her and she just slides me a napkin with some writing on it.

OMG GIRL DO YOU KNOW WHO THAT IS

ORION GO HOME WITH THAT SEXY MAN RIGHT NOW

be safe love you xoxo

-i, m, + p

A hot blush rises to my face and I crumple the napkin and shove it into my bag as quickly as I can, hoping Calum didn’t read it. At least I have their blessing.

I clear my throat and chug the rest of my drink. “Do you want to dance?” I nervously look up at him.

His wide smile appears again. “Normally, I’d say yes. But I think I’d rather talk to you more? Is that weird?”

I try not to look too stunned. He wants to talk? Am I that interesting? Or is he just eager to get back to his hotel?

I must have failed in trying to not look shocked because he quickly starts to correct himself.

“Is there a park or a McDonald’s or something nearby? Maybe we can grab a snack, or go for a walk?”

I let out a sigh of relief and nod. “Yeah, actually I know a place. Did you want to go now?”

Calum also looks relieved when I agree. “Let me find my mates and tell them I’m leaving. I’ll meet you out front?”

I agree and try to push my way through the crowd to find my flat mates, getting shoved back to the bar almost instantly. Downside of being small—you get pushed around pretty often. Calum, who’d started in the direction of wherever his friends are, notices my struggle and strides back to me.

“Here.” He grabs my hand in his, and it feels like the crowd parts like the red sea. Somehow he knows which group of girls is my friend group — he must’ve remembered Paula from her dancing on the bar — and leads me to them. The girls are all staring at me with practically bulging eyes as Calum waves a quick hello to them. “I’ll see you out front?”

I nod and watch him meander through the sea of sweaty bodies again before I’m jolted back to my friends by Ilse shaking my shoulders. Hard.

“Do you know who that is!?” Ilse yells.

I raise an eyebrow. “Uh, his name’s Calum?”

“I could smack you right now!” Ilse hisses. Jeez, harsh much?

“That’s Calum Hood!” Marta explains, as if I should get it now.

“Okay?” I say, looking between the three of them. I guess Calum is famous for something, but for whatever reason I’m unfamiliar. I cut them off when I see Calum wave to me from the door. I nod to him and then turn to my friends. “I’ll see you at home. Guess you’ll know who to call the cops on if I don’t show up at home tomorrow. Love you!”

I can feel their eyes burning into me as I make my way to the door, catching up with Calum who’s already having a chat with Jorge at the door. When he sees me, he gives Jorge a handshake and walks toward me. It’s the first time I’ve really taken in his outfit, which is simple, but still seems cooler than I’ll ever be. Must come with the fame.

His now stained white shirt hangs from his broad shoulders and the short sleeves show off the tattoos on his arms. He’s wearing some black jeans and a pair of black boots, a bold move in the Spanish heat, but the sun has finally gone down, so it’s a little less smothering at this point.

“Where are we going?” He asks and claps his hands together, taking long legged strides toward me.

“Do you like falafel?” I ask, pulling my phone out from my purse to route us to my favorite shop.

“Love it.”

I look up to catch him staring at me with a dopey grin. “What?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing, nothing, I’ve just never heard of falafel being someone’s post-club snack.”

I scoff. “Look, first off, falafel is delicious.” He nods. “Second, I’m vegetarian and that limits things at…” I check the time. “1:52 am.”

“Hey, no hate from me! I am all for a 2 am falafel run.”

I purse my lips, still unsure if he’s making fun of me. “It’s this way. The metro closes at 2, are you good with a bit of a walk?”

I start walking before he can answer, but I hear his footsteps following as soon as I start. I am once more relieved that Paula said it was okay for me to wear my sneakers, although I feel extra tiny walking next to Calum. Most people are taller than me, but he especially towers over me.

“So, Orion,” Calum begins, breaking our brief silence.

“So, Calum,” I mock, attempting to mimic his faint accent. I fail, miserably, but he doesn’t comment on it, just chuckles.

“Why Madrid?” He asks.

I smile. Maybe I’m too tipsy to know any better, but he seems genuinely interested in me, which is a welcome change from my normal dating situations. “Short answer or long answer?”

“Long answer, of course. You said it was a bit of a walk, we’ve got time.” He gives me that bright smile again and I think I start to melt a little. “In the meantime, do I have permission to hold your hand while we walk?”

It takes everything in me not to laugh. Not that long ago he was placing his hand on the small of my back and startling me, now he’s asking for consent to hold my hand. It’s sweet, just unexpected. Instead of answering, I just reach across the space between us and interlock our hands.

“Okay, long answer,” I begin. Calum squeezes my hand.

“So, I want to be an immigration lawyer, and of course, a large percentage of the immigrants moving to the US come from Spanish speaking countries, so I’d really like to be as close to fluent as I can be. Growing up in San Diego, though, I felt pretty close and intertwined with Latino culture, so when I was trying to figure out where to study abroad, choosing Latin America wasn’t my top choice. I wanted to do something different, I guess.

“I’m a Spanish major — well, double major — so of course a Spanish speaking country just made sense, and that left me to choose Spain. I love big cities, and I thought it was cool that Madrid is the capital while Barcelona is more… touristy? And there’s the whole Catalonia and Catalan thing, so yeah, didn’t want to go to Barcelona, and, I guess of the programs offered through UCLA for studying abroad, a direct exchange to Madrid felt like the perfect fit.”

I feel his eyes trained on my face the whole time I speak, like he’s listening intently, even if it feels like I’m rambling.

“What does a direct exchange mean?” He asks.

“Basically, I’m enrolled as a student at UCLA and paying my tuition to them, but taking my classes through a university here. There’s a longer name but everyone just calls it UC3M. So instead of registering for fall classes at UCLA, I applied through the international office to UC3M and when I was accepted I just chose some classes here. Because it’s a direct exchange, there isn’t a group of other UCLA students I’m living with or anything, I had to find my own housing and figure out how to get here and all that on my own.”

I look over to catch him nodding. “I didn’t go to uni, so I’m not super familiar with all of that. But it sounds really, really cool.”

I laugh and think back to my flat mates and their reactions to Calum. “My turn to ask you a question.”

Calum beams at me. “Go for it.”

“Why did my roommates know who you are and I don’t, Calum Hood?” I give him a side eye and squeeze his hand to let him know I’m being playful, but he instantly groans as the words fall from my mouth.

“Nooo,” he curses. The hand that’s not holding onto mine rubs his face over in mild frustration.

“What? Is it that bad?” I laugh, now even more curious.

Calum sighs and shakes his head. “No, it’s not bad. Or at least, not really. Do you know One Direction?”

I accidentally let myself cackle in front of him but smack my hand over my mouth as soon as I realize the awful sounds coming from it. He laughs at my reaction, but leaves silence for me to continue whatever my response is. “Yes, I am familiar with One Direction.” Who isn’t?

He nods. “Yeah, so I’m uh, in a band. We opened for One Direction a few years ago on some of their tours.”

Oh, shit. How uncultured am I? I guess I didn’t follow One Direction that closely, but still, the band has to be somewhat successful if they opened for multiple of their tours.

“Wow, that’s… huge? I don’t know, am I an asshole for not knowing who you are? I swear, I don’t live under a rock.”

“No, no, honestly, it’s refreshing that a pretty girl at a bar doesn’t know who I am and wants to take me for 2 am falafel just because she wants to, not because I’m… who I am.” Calum rubs his thumb over the back of my hand.

“It would be my greatest honor to take you to get 2 am falafel in Madrid, Calum Hood.”

read next chapter

—

A/N: soooo this is how orion and calum met and just gives you a glimpse at their dynamic and orion’s personality and stufff… and aaaahhhh okay i do wanna say the 2016 bits will not be historically accurate bc madrid is the last stop on the slfl european leg and (spoiler) orion and calum will be hangin across europe all summer after this. i just chose a random date from that summer :)

tysm for reading if you get this far!!!

[thebandcampdiaries]

Honcho Rob presents “No Hook.”

With “No Hook.,” Honcho Rob delivers a direct and unfiltered perspective that speaks to life in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. The track functions less as a traditional single and more as a window into the artist’s environment and state of mind. There's no pretense or overly polished narrative. It feels like an entry in a personal diary, written in real time, with all the tension, defiance, and resilience that come with it.

The track’s title is fitting. He actually created the song without a main hook, which brings the energy of the track to the next level, making it the perfect turn-up song! This is not a song built around catchy refrains or radio-friendly structures. Instead, Honcho Rob leans into a raw, continuous flow that carries his voice like a stream of consciousness. His delivery is steady but unrelenting, landing somewhere between storytelling and catharsis. Sonically, the beat draws from modern drill aesthetics, with a minimal yet ominous production style that leaves room for Rob’s lyrics to stay front and center.

Influences from artists like Young Pappy & Lud Foe, & FBG Duck are present in the DNA of the track, particularly in the emotional weight and narrative grit. However, Honcho Rob doesn’t rely on imitation. He brings his own pace, his own phrasing, and most importantly, his own perspective. Rather than painting his city in broad strokes, he presents it with texture and specificity, allowing the listener to sit with the tension rather than gloss over it.

The accompanying video, produced as part of the Off The Wire Performance series, amplifies the track’s tone. The visual is cinematic but grounded, capturing the artist’s energy without turning the setting into a spectacle. Its pacing matches the track’s steady forward momentum, reinforcing the feeling that the song is both a performance and a personal moment captured on camera.

“No Hook.” is not trying to please everyone. It’s a personal piece, reflecting the internal monologue of an artist who didn’t set out to chase trends but to document his life. In doing so, Honcho Rob ends up offering something quietly compelling: a self-contained world that feels lived-in and real, without needing to conform to expectations.

You can also hear the narrated version of this article below!

[polymerhouse]

Affordable Modular Kitchen Shutter Installation in Dhayari, Pune

If you’re planning a kitchen upgrade and looking for affordable, stylish, and durable solutions, modular kitchen shutters are the perfect choice. They not only enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen but also offer functional ease and long-lasting performance. For homeowners in Dhayari, Pune, finding reliable installation services just got easier with Polymer House – your local expert in modular kitchen shutter solutions.

Why Modular Kitchen Shutters Matter

A modular kitchen shutter is the front panel or door that covers kitchen cabinets and drawers. These shutters play an important role in the appearance, functionality, and maintenance of your kitchen. Whether you’re renovating or building a new kitchen, choosing the right shutter style and material ensures a neat, elegant, and easy-to-maintain space.

At Polymer House, we offer a wide variety of modular kitchen shutters including acrylic, PU, polymer, membrane, and natural finish designs – all customized to fit your style and space.

Local, Trusted Service in Dhayari, Pune

Located at Mahadev Nagar, Dhayari, Pune, Maharashtra 411041, Polymer House is your neighborhood solution for high-quality modular kitchen shutter installation at affordable prices. Our team has worked with hundreds of clients in Pune and surrounding areas, delivering customized kitchen shutter solutions that blend design with durability.

🔗 Visit Us on Google 📞 Call Now: 09168010205

Affordable Solutions Without Compromising Quality

We believe that modern kitchen design should be accessible to every homeowner. At Polymer House, we offer budget-friendly options without cutting corners on quality. Whether it’s a compact kitchen in a flat or a spacious layout in a bungalow, we provide shutter options that fit your needs and your budget.

Our pricing includes:

Free site visit and measurements

Shutter design consultation

Material selection and customization

Professional installation

After-sales support

Our Services Include:

1. Modular Kitchen Shutter Installation We provide full installation services for new kitchens, including measurements, design planning, and precision fitting.

2. Shutter Replacement & Upgrade Want to refresh your existing kitchen? Replace old shutters with stylish, modern options from our latest collection.

3. Custom Design & Color Selection From glossy acrylic to matte PU finishes, we help you choose the perfect combination that matches your interior.

4. Expert Consultation Our experienced team guides you through choosing the right materials based on usage, budget, and style preferences.

🎨 Choose From a Wide Range of Shutter Materials

We offer multiple types of modular kitchen shutters including:

Acrylic Shutters – High gloss, easy to clean, premium finish

PU Shutters – Elegant, smooth texture, perfect for luxury kitchens

Polymer Shutters – Durable and moisture-resistant

Membrane Shutters – Classic design and budget-friendly

Natural Finish Shutters – Ideal for eco-friendly or rustic themes

Whether you love modern minimalism or classic wooden finishes, Polymer House has something for everyone.

Why Choose Polymer House?

Located in the heart of Dhayari, Pune

High-quality modular kitchen shutter materials

Experienced team for fast and neat installation

Affordable prices for every budget

Wide variety of designs, colors, and finishes

Excellent customer support and after-sales service

We don’t just install shutters – we help you design a kitchen that feels like home.

🛒 Visit Us or Book a Free Consultation

If you’re in or around Dhayari, Pune, visit Polymer House today to explore our range of modular kitchen shutters. We’re just a call away from helping you get the kitchen you've always wanted.

📍 Polymer House Address: Mahadev Nagar, Dhayari, Pune, Maharashtra 411041 📞 Calling Now: 09168010205 🔗 Google Location: https://g.page/r/CdqZWe1Pr9HLEAE/

Ready for a kitchen makeover? Contact Polymer House today and experience professional, affordable modular kitchen shutter installation in Dhayari, Pune.

[vdfengineers]

Best False Ceiling Materials for Hot Climates in South India

Let’s be honest—South India is stunning, but it does get hot. Between the blazing summers, humidity, and those long sunny afternoons, keeping indoor spaces cool becomes an art form. And while ceiling fans and air conditioners do their job, there’s an unsung hero that can make a big difference—the false ceiling.

But not just any false ceiling! When choosing materials for hot climates, it’s all about insulation, heat resistance, and keeping things cool (literally and style-wise). So let’s dive into the best false ceiling materials for homes in South India that know how to beat the heat—with a little flair, of course!

🌿 1. Gypsum Board: The Cool Classic

Gypsum is like that one reliable friend who never lets you down. It’s lightweight, budget-friendly, and—most importantly—excellent for thermal insulation.

Why it works well in hot climates:

Gypsum is naturally heat-resistant

It maintains room temperature by reducing direct heat transfer

It also absorbs excess moisture, which is a bonus during humid days

Extra perk: It’s super easy to cut and mold into stylish shapes, so you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for function.

🍃 2. POP (Plaster of Paris): The Sculptor’s Favorite

Plaster of Paris is perfect if you’re looking to add curves, layers, or dramatic lighting effects to your ceiling without making the room feel stuffy.

Why it suits South Indian homes:

POP is non-combustible and holds up well in heat

It allows for intricate designs without adding weight

When combined with LED lighting, it adds glow without extra heat

Pro tip: Use white or pastel shades for the POP finish to enhance light reflection and reduce heat absorption.

🌬️ 3. PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): The Moisture Boss

PVC is the MVP in coastal or humid regions like Kerala or coastal Tamil Nadu. It doesn’t warp, crack, or absorb moisture—plus, it has excellent insulation properties.

Hot climate benefits:

Doesn’t retain heat like metal or wood

Reflects light, keeping the room brighter and cooler

Resistant to mold and mildew (very useful when humidity strikes)

Style alert: PVC panels now come in wood-look and marble-look finishes—chic without the sweat!

🪵 4. Thermocol (Expanded Polystyrene): Feather-Light & Functional

Yes, it sounds old school, but modern Thermocol boards have come a long way. They’re lightweight, easy to install, and surprisingly great at insulation.

Heat-busting highlights:

Acts as an excellent thermal insulator

Keeps room temperature down by reducing direct exposure

Budget-friendly and quick to install

Heads-up: It’s not the most durable material in the long term, but works wonderfully as a secondary ceiling layer for insulation.

🌾 5. Wood Wool Panels: Eco-Friendly and Effective

Wood wool panels are made by combining wood fibers with cement. These are breathable, absorb heat gradually, and help regulate indoor temperature.

Why they’re summer saviors:

Naturally absorb and dissipate heat slowly

Provide good acoustic insulation too (great for noisy neighborhoods)

Sustainable and stylish—what’s not to love?

Design bonus: Pair them with cane furniture or exposed brick for an earthy, rustic vibe.

💡 Choosing the Right Finish: Matte Over Gloss

Now here’s a lesser-known tip—finishes matter. Glossy surfaces tend to reflect light and heat, which sounds good but can actually bounce heat around the room. Instead, opt for matte finishes—they absorb less glare and help your living space feel more relaxed and grounded.

🧊 Insulation Hacks for Added Comfort

If you really want to go the extra mile, consider adding a layer of insulation above your false ceiling. Materials like mineral wool or glass wool are lightweight and boost your false ceiling’s ability to keep temperatures cool during those blazing afternoons.

Pair this with energy-efficient LED lighting and you’ve got a living room that stays stylish and chill all summer long.

🌟 Final Thoughts

In a region where the mercury loves climbing, your false ceiling can do more than just look pretty—it can be your secret to a cooler, comfier, and more energy-efficient home. Whether you go with budget-savvy Thermocol, classic gypsum, or moisture-proof PVC, the key is picking a material that suits your environment and lifestyle.

And if all this sounds exciting but a bit overwhelming, you can also check false ceiling contractors in Hyderabad to get expert help on choosing the right material, design, and finish for your home.

Stay cool—literally and decoratively! 😎

Author: Sarath

[glosskirt]

Let's go out for ramen! || JJK

Synopsis: You and Jungkook have just started dating. He's a little nervous, because he's never dated anyone before. You decide to ease him out by bringing him on a late night ramen date.

Genre: Fluffy

Warnings: None, it's Jungkookie in this one

Pairing: Jungkook × F!Reader

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

You both just.. sat there. No words, no touching, no nothing. It was like that for 30 minutes already. You felt so awkward. Jungkook probably did too. "I'm sorry." He randomly said. You looked up at him. "Why?" You asked, worried. He didn't do anything wrong. The poor thing was just nervous. Nervous to move in with someone. Nervous to date someone. Nervous in general. "I'm not the ideal boyfriend. I'll get better, I'm just.. quite scared." He said. "I've never been in a relationship before. I want to treat you the best, but I'm scared I'll take it too far." He frowned. "Jungkook, it's like that. Sometimes you just need to take a risk, you know what I mean? Maybe we should go out. Are you hungry?" You asked, reaching for his hand. He nodded, and took your hand. "I kinda want ramen.." He started. You smiled at him, and tightened your grip on his hand. "Then let's go out for ramen!" You said. Letting go of his hand so he could get dressed. He looked disappointed that you let go, though. "I'll hold it as we go to the ramen place." You said, reassuring him.

"So, Y/N.. how was your day?" He asked, drawing circles on your hand with his thumb. "It was nice! How was yours?" You asked. "The best." He said, pulling up your hand to his mouth. "Can I?" You blushed and nodded. He kissed your hand for the first time. It was adorable. "My day is amazing because today is the day you became my girlfriend." He said. He was so charming without even knowing it! "Then my day is the best too." You said.

The ramen place was full. There was one table with two seats. Perfect, right? "For two, please." You said to the waiter. After waiting a couple minutes, he walked you to your table and gave you both menus. "What will you get?" You asked him. "Well, what are you getting?" He asked you. "Maybe Shoyu."

When you both placed your orders, you talked. It was so nice. Spending quality time with your significant other is something not everyone can get, so you both treasured the moment. You held each other's hands, and appreciated each other's presence.

When your food arrived, you both enjoyed it. Jungkook told you while you were talking that it's always good to eat well, because eating well is always better than not eating to look well. After a bit of eating, Jungkook accidentally slurped too strong on the noodles, and the hot soup landed on your neck. It didn't hurt that much, but you pretended it did so that Jungkook would have to kiss all the ouchies better. He really is starting to get comfortable with you.

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

tagging: @haecien 🍬

[tnsigns]

Why 3D Acrylic Letter Sign Boards Are Perfect for Chennai’s Retail Boom

Chennai is witnessing a retail transformation. From trendy boutiques in T. Nagar to stylish cafes in Besant Nagar, the city is buzzing with new-age brands and startups. But in this competitive market, what truly captures attention from the street? It’s not just the products inside — it's the face of your business: the signage.

As retailers evolve, many are turning to 3D acrylic letter sign boards in Chennai to represent their brand. These modern, visually appealing signs are fast becoming a go-to for startups and retail stores across the city. Why? Because they offer the perfect mix of affordability, elegance, and brand impact.

Why 3D Acrylic Letter Sign Boards in Chennai Are Leading Chennai’s Visual Branding

With Chennai’s retail sector booming, store owners can no longer settle for basic flex boards or traditional painted signage. Consumers today expect a premium visual experience, even before stepping inside a store. This is where 3D acrylic letter sign boards in Chennai stand out.

They provide:

✨ A high-end look that feels professional and trustworthy

🧩 Customizable fonts, colors, and finishes to suit any brand

💡 LED backlit options to enhance visibility day and night

🔧 Easy installation and low maintenance

Whether you're opening a clothing showroom, a tech store, or a small café, these boards make your outlet look established, upscale, and exciting — all while being budget-friendly.

How Startups Benefit from 3D Acrylic Letter Sign Boards in Chennai

For Chennai-based startups, first impressions matter more than ever. Customers make snap judgments based on what they see — and signage is often the first touchpoint.

By using 3D acrylic letter sign boards in Chennai, startups can:

Stand out in crowded streets or malls

Build immediate brand credibility with polished visuals

Create Instagram-worthy storefronts that drive foot traffic

Enjoy long-term value with durable materials and finishes

These signboards strike the perfect balance between price and performance — something every startup strives for. Instead of spending big on TV or print ads, many smart entrepreneurs invest in signage that does continuous marketing from their very storefront.

Real Stories: Chennai Retailers Using 3D Signage to Boost Their Brand

Across neighborhoods like Adyar, Vadapalani, and Anna Nagar, retail shops and brands are upgrading to 3D acrylic letter sign boards in Chennai to grab attention.

A sneaker boutique in Velachery opted for matte black acrylic letters with bright LED backlighting, creating a bold urban vibe.

A women’s fashion store in Egmore used rose gold 3D acrylic letters to complement their premium branding.

A juice bar in Nungambakkam added playful colored acrylic lettering with a gloss finish to attract younger audiences.

These are just a few examples of how the right signage can elevate perception and increase visibility — helping retail businesses grow faster and stand out louder.

[alphagraphicsb2b]

Professional Flyer Printing: The Power of Tangible Marketing

In the digital age, where social media ads and email campaigns dominate, one might think print marketing is a thing of the past. However, professional flyer printing continues to be one of the most effective, tangible, and affordable ways to grab attention and deliver your message to a targeted audience. Flyers bridge the gap between physical presence and brand awareness, making them an essential tool for businesses of all sizes.

What Is Professional Flyer Printing?

Professional flyer printing refers to the creation and production of high-quality printed flyers using specialized printing services. These services offer expert design support, a wide range of paper choices, premium finishes, and precise printing technology to ensure that each flyer is polished and impactful. Unlike home or DIY printing, professional services elevate the final product to meet branding standards and visual appeal.

Why Flyers Still Matter in Marketing

Despite the digital boom, flyers remain relevant for a number of reasons:

Tangibility: Flyers provide something your audience can hold, take home, or pass on. This physical presence often leaves a stronger impression than a fleeting online ad.

Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to large digital campaigns, flyer printing and distribution can be surprisingly affordable, especially for local businesses.

Targeted Reach: Flyers allow for hyper-local marketing. Whether it’s a neighborhood event, a store opening, or a limited-time offer, you can hand flyers directly to the right audience.

Easy Distribution: Flyers can be placed in mailboxes, handed out in public, included in product packages, or displayed at local businesses.

Benefits of Using Professional Flyer Printing Services

Opting for professional flyer printing offers numerous advantages over in-house or amateur printing methods:

1. High-Quality Print and Design

Professional printing services use advanced printers and materials, ensuring clear images, crisp text, and vibrant colors. They also offer finishing options such as matte, gloss, UV coating, or lamination for durability and a premium look.

2. Design Assistance

Many services include access to professional designers who can help you craft an eye-catching layout that aligns with your brand identity. Good design maximizes readability and ensures your message is communicated effectively.

3. Multiple Paper Options

From lightweight budget-friendly sheets to heavy cardstock, professional printers offer a wide variety of paper types and thicknesses that can influence the tone and impact of your flyer.

4. Bulk Printing Discounts

Flyer campaigns often require printing in bulk. Professional services offer significant discounts on large orders and the consistency that only industrial-grade printers can deliver.

5. Custom Sizes and Shapes

Beyond the standard 8.5” x 11” flyer, professionals can print various sizes or even custom die-cut shapes to help your flyer stand out in a stack.

Types of Flyers for Business Marketing

There are several types of flyers you can use depending on your marketing goal:

Promotional Flyers: Ideal for announcing special sales, new products, or services.

Event Flyers: Perfect for promoting concerts, festivals, store openings, or local community events.

Informational Flyers: Used to educate or inform about causes, policies, or complex services.

Business Flyers: Focus on company branding, showcasing your offerings, or providing business contact information.

Menu Flyers: Common for restaurants and cafes to distribute menus through delivery or handouts.

Key Elements of an Effective Flyer

An effective flyer must grab attention, inform, and persuade the reader to act—all within a matter of seconds. Here’s what you need:

1. A Strong Headline

Your headline is the hook. It must be bold, clear, and relevant. Avoid vague language. Instead, go for something that speaks directly to the reader’s interest.

2. Eye-Catching Design

Use color schemes and images that reflect your brand and theme. Make sure there’s enough white space to keep the flyer from looking cluttered.

3. Concise and Persuasive Text

Get to the point. Use bullet points or short paragraphs to highlight benefits, features, or instructions. Include a compelling call-to-action (CTA).

4. Contact Information

Always include your business name, phone number, website, social media handles, and physical address if applicable.

5. High-Quality Images

Use professional photos or vector graphics to keep your flyer visually appealing. Low-res images can ruin the entire impression.

Tips for Designing Professional Flyers

Keep it simple and focused: Don’t overload your flyer with information. Stick to one central message or promotion.

Use readable fonts: Avoid using more than 2–3 font styles. Prioritize clarity over style.

Color psychology: Use colors strategically to evoke emotions or reinforce branding.

Proofread: Spelling or grammatical errors reduce credibility. Double-check all details before printing.

Use bleed and margins: Make sure your design accounts for print-safe margins and bleed areas for edge-to-edge printing.

Digital vs. Printed Flyers: Why Go Print?

While digital flyers can be shared via email or social media, printed flyers have a physical impact. They can't be scrolled past or blocked by ad filters. In high-traffic areas or face-to-face events, printed flyers ensure direct engagement.

Furthermore, printed flyers are better suited for situations like:

Handouts at trade shows or local markets

Door-to-door campaigns

In-store promotions

Leave-behinds after meetings or networking events

Combining both digital and print efforts can yield the best results, with each medium supporting the other.

Choosing the Right Printing Partner

Selecting the right flyer printing service is crucial. Consider the following:

Reputation and reviews: Check testimonials or sample work.

Range of services: Ensure they offer design help, multiple finishes, and custom sizes.

Turnaround time: Speed matters, especially for event-based flyers.

Customer support: A good printer will offer guidance throughout the process, from design to delivery.

Sustainability: Look for eco-friendly printers who use recycled paper and soy-based inks.

Final Thoughts

Professional flyer printing remains a powerful marketing tool for building awareness, promoting products, and connecting with customers. Whether you’re a startup, a local business, or a national brand, well-designed printed flyers can make a lasting impression.

Investing in professional flyer printing means you’re not just printing on paper—you’re printing your brand’s message, voice, and promise in a form that people can see, touch, and remember. With the right design and distribution strategy, flyers can drive real-world engagement in ways that digital advertising often can’t replicate.

[letterboxdistributionadelaide]

Flyer Printing and Distribution Adelaide  

Flyer Printing and Distribution Adelaide  

Fast and Affordable Flyer Printing Across Australia  

After you've decided to conduct letterbox drops in your neighborhood, save time with our budget-friendly and speedy flyer printing services! At Letterbox Distributors, we provide quick turnaround times on economical flyer printing in Adelaide for all types of businesses throughout Australia. All flyers are produced at our Adelaide facility in vibrant color, on high-gloss paper stock, ensuring top-notch quality.

catalogue distribution Adelaide

letter box drops Adelaide

pamphlet delivery Adelaide

local leaflet distribution Adelaide

letterbox drop Adelaide

letterbox distribution Adelaide

flyer distribution company Adelaide

flyer drop Adelaide

flyer distribution near me Adelaide

Why go for black and white when you can draw maximum attention with a colorful flyer at a reasonable price? Whether your business is large or small, discover how you can take advantage of our cost-effective flyer design and discount printing expertise today.

Quick & Affordable Flyer Printing Adelaide 

Rapid Flyer Printing Services 

Our Flyer Printing Prices and Rates  

With our budget-conscious flyer printing services in Adelaide, you can print 10,000 flyers for as low as $304 (now that's a fantastic price for business or wholesale flyer printing), and have them delivered to letterboxes in no time thanks to our fast delivery service. There's no better way to promote your business and increase brand visibility to numerous potential customers in your target area.

The costs for our rapid flyer printing service apply to full-color, double-sided flyers printed on 115 GSM gloss stock. The unit price of flyers decreases with larger print orders.

We can provide such affordable wholesale flyer printing prices because of our significant buying power as a national flyer printer and distributor in Adelaide, Australia, which allows us to pass the savings on to you. Whether you're looking to print 100,000 A5 flyers, inexpensive A4 flyers, or require DL flyer printing for 50,000 units, we ensure the process is swift, efficient, and budget-friendly, with guaranteed low printing costs.

The Advantage of Budget-Friendly Flyer Printing in Adelaide  

At our core, we believe that every business, regardless of size, should have the opportunity to make a significant impression. Our flyer printing services allow you to place your brand directly in the hands of potential customers. Imagine the impact when 10,000 beautifully designed flyers are strategically distributed, capturing the attention of countless prospects in your target area.

Please Note: 

We require print-ready PDF files with a 3mm bleed and crop marks included. 

Flyer delivery must be organized through Letterbox Distributors to qualify for our lowest flyer printing prices.

Contact Us Today to Learn How to Quickly Deliver Flyers and Catalogues! 

Go ahead, print a flyer with us. Ready to place your order for high-quality yet affordable flyers, or want to find out more about how we can support you through the design and printing process?

Letterbox Distribution Adelaide

Phone - 0884 728 279

Email -letterboxdistributionadelaide@gmail.com

Website - https://letterboxdistributionadelaide.com.au/

[letterboxdistributionbrisbane]

Flyer Printing and Distribution Brisbane  

Flyer Printing and Distribution Brisbane  

Fast and Affordable Flyer Printing Across Australia  

After you've decided to conduct letterbox drops in your neighborhood, save time with our budget-friendly and speedy flyer printing services! At Letterbox Distributors, we provide quick turnaround times on economical flyer printing in Brisbane for all types of businesses throughout Australia. All flyers are produced at our Brisbane facility in vibrant color, on high-gloss paper stock, ensuring top-notch quality.

catalogue distribution Brisbane

letter box drops Brisbane

pamphlet delivery Brisbane

local leaflet distribution Brisbane

letterbox drop Brisbane

letterbox distribution Brisbane

flyer distribution company Brisbane

flyer drop Brisbane

flyer distribution near me Brisbane

Why go for black and white when you can draw maximum attention with a colorful flyer at a reasonable price? Whether your business is large or small, discover how you can take advantage of our cost-effective flyer design and discount printing expertise today.

Quick & Affordable Flyer Printing Brisbane 

Rapid Flyer Printing Services 

Our Flyer Printing Prices and Rates  

With our budget-conscious flyer printing services in Brisbane, you can print 10,000 flyers for as low as $304 (now that's a fantastic price for business or wholesale flyer printing), and have them delivered to letterboxes in no time thanks to our fast delivery service. There's no better way to promote your business and increase brand visibility to numerous potential customers in your target area.

The costs for our rapid flyer printing service apply to full-color, double-sided flyers printed on 115 GSM gloss stock. The unit price of flyers decreases with larger print orders.

We can provide such affordable wholesale flyer printing prices because of our significant buying power as a national flyer printer and distributor in Brisbane, Australia, which allows us to pass the savings on to you. Whether you're looking to print 100,000 A5 flyers, inexpensive A4 flyers, or require DL flyer printing for 50,000 units, we ensure the process is swift, efficient, and budget-friendly, with guaranteed low printing costs.

The Advantage of Budget-Friendly Flyer Printing in Brisbane  

At our core, we believe that every business, regardless of size, should have the opportunity to make a significant impression. Our flyer printing services allow you to place your brand directly in the hands of potential customers. Imagine the impact when 10,000 beautifully designed flyers are strategically distributed, capturing the attention of countless prospects in your target area.

Please Note: 

We require print-ready PDF files with a 3mm bleed and crop marks included. 

Flyer delivery must be organized through Letterbox Distributors to qualify for our lowest flyer printing prices.

Contact Us Today to Learn How to Quickly Deliver Flyers and Catalogues! 

Go ahead, print a flyer with us. Ready to place your order for high-quality yet affordable flyers, or want to find out more about how we can support you through the design and printing process?

Letterbox Distribution Brisbane

Phone - 0731 302 236

Email -letterboxdistributionqld@gmail.com

Website - https://letterboxdistributionbrisbane.com.au/

[flyerprintinganddistribution]

Flyer Printing and Distribution Melbourne  

Flyer Printing and Distribution Melbourne  

Fast and Affordable Flyer Printing Across Australia  

After you've decided to conduct letterbox drops in your neighborhood, save time with our budget-friendly and speedy flyer printing services! At Letterbox Distributors, we provide quick turnaround times on economical flyer printing in Melbourne for all types of businesses throughout Australia. All flyers are produced at our Melbourne facility in vibrant color, on high-gloss paper stock, ensuring top-notch quality.

catalogue distribution melbourne

letter box drops melbourne

pamphlet delivery melbourne

local leaflet distribution melbourne

letterbox drop melbourne

letterbox distribution melbourne

flyer distribution company melbourne

flyer drop melbourne

flyer distribution near me melbourne

Why go for black and white when you can draw maximum attention with a colorful flyer at a reasonable price? Whether your business is large or small, discover how you can take advantage of our cost-effective flyer design and discount printing expertise today.

Quick & Affordable Flyer Printing Melbourne 

Rapid Flyer Printing Services 

Our Flyer Printing Prices and Rates  

With our budget-conscious flyer printing services in Melbourne, you can print 10,000 flyers for as low as $304 (now that's a fantastic price for business or wholesale flyer printing), and have them delivered to letterboxes in no time thanks to our fast delivery service. There's no better way to promote your business and increase brand visibility to numerous potential customers in your target area.

The costs for our rapid flyer printing service apply to full-color, double-sided flyers printed on 115 GSM gloss stock. The unit price of flyers decreases with larger print orders.

We can provide such affordable wholesale flyer printing prices because of our significant buying power as a national flyer printer and distributor in Melbourne, Australia, which allows us to pass the savings on to you. Whether you're looking to print 100,000 A5 flyers, inexpensive A4 flyers, or require DL flyer printing for 50,000 units, we ensure the process is swift, efficient, and budget-friendly, with guaranteed low printing costs.

The Advantage of Budget-Friendly Flyer Printing in Melbourne  

At our core, we believe that every business, regardless of size, should have the opportunity to make a significant impression. Our flyer printing services allow you to place your brand directly in the hands of potential customers. Imagine the impact when 10,000 beautifully designed flyers are strategically distributed, capturing the attention of countless prospects in your target area.

Please Note: 

We require print-ready PDF files with a 3mm bleed and crop marks included. 

Flyer delivery must be organized through Letterbox Distributors to qualify for our lowest flyer printing prices.

Contact Us Today to Learn How to Quickly Deliver Flyers and Catalogues! 

Go ahead, print a flyer with us. Ready to place your order for high-quality yet affordable flyers, or want to find out more about how we can support you through the design and printing process?

Ivolve Marketing- Flyer Printing and Distribution

Phone - 0430 399 433

Email - ivolvemarketingaussie@gmail.com

Website - https://ivolvemarketing.com.au