#she likes yellow and . pudding . and toast

[crayonverse]

some more bat man things i guess ... heres my daughter brooke wayne who i love

[primeofprimes115]

Hoodie - Supergirl x Male Reader

Warnings: Smut 💕(Missionary and Male to Female Oral)

18+

Requested by ab1nsur

"I think you should dress like that from now on when it's just us"

"You think I look sexy wearing your hoodie with my outfit underneath?"

Link to art: https://www.deviantart.com/jmascia/art/Hoodie-Supergirl-501570182

A yawn came from the bedroom as the morning sun shined on through the curtains onto the king-sized bed that was shared between two people that lived under the shared roof.

Y/N yawned as his eyes began to open a little more, his arm drifted toward his right, knowing he would feel "her" sleeping beside him, but... He felt nothing, just the cover on the matrass and the feeling of the soft bedsheets on his hand.

He looked narrowly toward that same side, knowing it was rather odd for him to not wake up beside the love of his life who he began dating months ago, heck it's almost been a year since they began dating before they got intimate, sharing their feelings for each other, whether that be during their job or not.

Their job? Protecting the innocent of course! Keeping Earth safe from any who wish to harm its people. Earth was his home too, a "home away from home" according to his refugee mother, he always was reminded that he was pretty lucky to be born after his mother escaped the hell-scape of a war-torn planet she lived on.

That was years ago, Y/N was now 19 years old, living in his shared home with the one person he fell in love with, he had met her during their hero work of course, his technology is what interested her since she was a huge fan over tech, especially the technology of her own people, the Kryptonians.

He loves her for who she is, just a cheery, sassy and out most beautiful blonde girl and they were friends since 16 years old before dating at the age of 18 after confessing their feelings for each other, for it was a "good luck" kiss that made him realize she liked him and has for a while. After all... He has been by her side all this time, defending her from any who badmouth her, that did include civilians who once blamed her for destruction of property, saying what ever she touched, would be destroyed... Thankfully that was dealt with ages ago, other wise those humans probably wouldn't be alive due to a certain boy at the time.

He gets out of the bed with a yawn, grabbing a t-shirt he took off the from last night and pulled it over his head, stretching out his arms as he puts the short sleeves on while walking toward the shared bathroom to brush his teeth, he cared not for a shower at this minute since he smelled something cooking out from the bedroom.

Meanwhile, a humming blonde girl is seen making breakfast for herself and her seemingly now awakened boyfriend, she heard him quietly yawn thanks to her super hearing and also hearing the tap running in the bathroom also.

The smell of what is called the Great British Fry-Up, consisting of bacon, fried eggs, sausages, black pudding and toasted buttered bread on the side, most of it was on a plate for herself and her boyfriend as she was just cooking the fried eggs which were almost ready.

She then heard her boyfriend walking in, without the need of her X-ray vision, she began smirking since she was wearing something that belonged to him, over what she wears out there as her heroic self, the blue crop top and red panties instead of her blue skirt with the yellow belt, yellow outlines on her top with a shield glyph in the middle donning an S, which was her family glyph.

The whole world knew her as the Heroine: Supergirl, but her close family and friends knew her as Kara Zor-El and her alter-ego in the public also: Linda Lang, the niece of Lana Lang.

Lana Lang, Kara Zor-El, Supergirl... They're same person, only two is an alien refugee while being a Superhero, while the other is hiding in plain sight as a normal Human girl, blending into society.

"Morning Ba -" her boyfriend stopped for a moment as he took in what he saw, she was wearing one of his hoodies; in fact it was one of his favorite ones he usually wears out in public, under his "secret identity", he began chuckling at the sight as she smiled after looking back at him.

"Morning handsome" she spoke to her soulmate with a huge smile before she let out a little giggle, he walked closer to her as she focused on making the last few eggs on the frying pan.

"I thought I smelled something, don't need super senses to tell me what you're making, not like I have any anyway ~" he hugged her from behind, placing his lips on her cheek as he watched her cook - "Wearing one of my hoodies now huh?" he asked her as his hands travelled around her hips to the point he could feel her skin under the hoodie, knowing very well she was wearing her Supergirl crop top underneath.

"Yep, and I think it looks damn good on me" she chuckled, her eyes still on the pan.

"You're right about that... It makes you look pretty sexy, you should dress like this from now on when it's just us" he suggested, his hands drifting down a little lower from her stomach to just about her panties, teasing her a little as she slightly purrs at his touch.

"You think I look sexy wearing your hoodie with my outfit underneath?" she cooed with a smirk as she just finished frying the eggs on the pan, scooping them up not long after to gently place them on her plate and his afterwards.

She took the time to turn her body round to face him before planting a kiss on his lips for a few short seconds.

"Yeah, makes you look hot" he spoke into her lips, pulling back as his girlfriend simply smiled.

"Breakfast is ready honey" she gestured to the plates, waiting to be picked up.

"I love you babe, and I gotta say? You're getting better at cooking" he complimented, before unwrapping his arms around her to pick up his plate.

"Love you too, and yeah. You can thank Megan for that, she taught me how to cook better when I was hanging around with her and the Titans" she replied with a smile, also picking up her plate and walking over to the kitchen table where the both sat.

"Miss Martian? That makes sense" he spoke as Kara shot out her heat vision at his food to heat it back up, along with hers.

"Alright, I wanna know how well I've cooked this time around, so..." she smiled as the two dug in...

*

"Okay, that was actually really nice Kara, best breakfast hands down"

"Aww, thanks honey" she was simply overjoyed by her boyfriend's reaction to the breakfast she made, their plates were from full to empty.

"It's nice for you to cook for a change, knowing you told me the last time you ever cooked, you burned something that was cooking in the stove/oven and overcooked something else after that" he spoke as the both began to chuckle.

"Yeah, honestly I just wanted to surprise you since our anniversary is coming up, we've been together for almost a year now, thought I'd show you what I've learnt recently ~" she winked - "Also, there's still some leftovers if you want them, cooked extra incase if you were hungry" she added.

"Hmm ~" he thought, he was in fact hungry but the more he thought about it, he became hungry for something else... He was hungry for her - "Well... I am hungry for something else" he began to smirk as she raised an eyebrow.

"And what exactly are you hungry for?" she chuckled, smiling a little while also looking slightly confused, what else would he be hungry for?

"Well... I'm looking at it right now" he replied, not taking his eyes off of her as her eyes widened before a huge grin grew on her face, knowing exactly what he meant with being hungry for her.

"If that's the case..." she spoke in an alluring tone of voice, standing up from her seat as he did the same.

The two walked up to each other before their bodies made contact, their lips crashed onto each other as they began making out.

Her hands explored his body, she knew he didn't go for a shower but that didn't matter right now, all she wanted was for him to have her since he was hungry for her.

She began pulling at his shirt, hinting at him to take it off as he did so, she purred upon seeing his body once more which she fantasizes over, she used to have wet dreams about his body, how it made her purr, turning her on in ways she never thought possible but thankfully she had a much more better control of her powers... Except when it came to the finale of sex with him, they both knew the amount of stuff that got destroyed in their time spent together when things turned sexual. Sometimes she just needed him so she could just feel relaxed after a hard day, she couldn't help it and neither could he.

Everything was amazing about her, he loved that she uses her powers at times, how the last time they done it in the sky, he always thought back to that time and remembered she wanted to do it on Mount Everest though he feared they could probably destroy the mountain after a good time.

Their tongues danced as their hands explored each others bodies, Kara was tempted to take the hoodie off but he insisted her to keep it on, even the crop top underneath so he knows he's fucking the Girl of Steel.

Next thing is... Y/N had her pinned to the wall, allowing him to take control as his stray hand slipped down her pants to the part that made her squirm and beg for more, his fingers teasing her clitoris as he slowly done circles around it, warming her up.

In a sense, Supergirl is invulnerable to mostly everything on Earth, except magic based sources and but of all: Kryptonite and its many variations... Well, excluding Blue Kryptonite.

She's bulletproof, not a single human being can harm her normally, she's faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, can leap tall buildings in a single bound let alone be able to defy gravity and fly, even out of Earth's atmosphere and fly around in the vast of space... But she's very vulnerable to a single mortal being's touch? That being her boyfriend's touch?? He maybe half alien but he's also half human and considers himself as a human.

"Oh fuck you're making me wet" she purred as she bit her lip, feeling two of his fingers entering her as he went for her neck, pecking and biting it to give her a hickey, marking her as his and only his.

She moans softly as her body began to squirm a little more, her breaths getting shaky before she forced him to look at her and began making out with him again, while being pinned to the wall behind her.

His fingers soon exit out of her, dragging his hand out from her panties as he pulls back to breath after a long minute make out session.

The hoodie wearing Girl of Steel simply smirked before wrapping her arms around him and speeding them both to the bedroom, where things would continue on in there.

She had already took off her red panties, dropping them to the floor before laying on her back on the messy bedsheets, stretching her legs outwards to invite him in.

She began playing with herself in front of him as the bump in his pants began to grow, but he didn't want to fuck her right at this minute, he wanted to do something else to her vagina.

He lowered himself down onto her, his face coming close to her clit, she began to gasp before letting out a fit of arousing giggles which soon turned into moans upon his tongue licking her clitoris.

She looked at him, her hand at the back of his head as she used one elbow to support herself on the bed to get a better look at his work on her, his tongue teasing her entrance as he continued to warm her up.

Her moans escaped with ecstasy, her gaping mouth as she moans in pleasure, feeling his tongue go inside her as he flicked it round.

"Ahhh yeah" she moans softly, rocking her head back as her eyes roll up.

She was right about one thing... Only one person on Earth could make her vulnerable without the need of magic or Kryptonite, it was her boyfriend, his touch alone is enough to make her like this... Especially when she's this aroused.

Her moans increased as his tongue continued to warm her up to the point she began playing with her clitoris, rubbing it as he continued flicking his tongue.

She felt herself coming to orgasm the more she worked herself up with him eating her out, she really wanted to orgasm so badly, it had only been a month since she last orgasmed.

Her hopes to orgasm came to an end for a few seconds as he pulled his tongue out, getting up by pulling down his boxers next.

Before she could even pout, she felt his manhood enter her as she let out a surprised gasp, beginning to thrust into her deeply, her wet vaginal walls had lubed his shaft as he thrusted deeply a few more times before continuing at a normal pace.

"Oh Rao, fuck yes Y/N! Right fucking deep in there" she cursed with a huge grin on her face, a fit of aroused laughter escaping her mouth as he passionately thrusted into her.

He began to grope her breasts through her outfit's crop top, glancing down at the S on her top as he began to smile, letting out a moan as her walls began to close on his penis, he had already eaten her out and it satisfied him, now with this? He was satisfied even more, hearing her moans as he continued thrusting into her tight pussy.

"Oh F-FUCK! I'm c-cumming!!" she cursed out which began loudly before it tuned down as she felt herself beginning to orgasm, moaning loudly as she did so, the orgasm was pretty powerful enough to make the room shake a little.

She kept her eyes on him, not breaking eye contact as she continued climaxing as he slowed down his thrusts, he began groaning a little as he slowed down, allowing her to finish her orgasm... But he didn't stop there.

"Y'know? ~" he began smirking - "You may have finished... But I haven't" he chuckles as a huge grin creeped up on her face, an excited laugh escaping her throat as he began to speed up his thrusts.

Wet noises began sounding off due to Kara's orgasm with her boyfriend's manhood still inside her pussy, easily slipping in and out of her with precision.

Her moans continued with his noisy thrusts overlapping her moans, her pussy filled with her own juices began leaking out a little upon him pulling back his shaft to go deeper in her each thrust.

He couldn't keep his eyes off of her baby blues, he leaned down with a fiery kiss on her lips afterwards, thrusting his hips into her as his thighs began smacking off of her.

The two lovebirds moaned into each other's mouths, her moans increasing louder the more he kept going, getting rough with his thrusts... Just the way she loved it.

He grabs Kara's arms and pins them to the bed, asserting his dominance, although the Maiden of Might could easily break out of his grip, she simply couldn't because of how vulnerable she was right now, and she was living the dream.

"Keep going! Oh fucking Rao, fuck me like there's no tomorrow! rougher!! Faster!!!" she demanded with a growl, grinding her teeth as her cheeks turned a bright red, enjoying the feeling of him beginning to thrust rougher in her, laughing in pleasure as she kept her eyes on him, not breaking eye contact.

She loved the way he makes her vulnerable, the way he pins her down and fucks her, she always thinks about the way he fucks her in any position when she wears his hoodies, t-shirts and vests when he's not around.

And now? She's getting fucked while wearing his hoodie over her Supergirl crop top.

Her legs wrap around his back, she could feel his cock beginning to twitch more inside her as he kept his rough and fast thrusts going, wet noises escaping her pussy.

From her move, the feeling of her legs wrapping around his back, he could tell she wanted him to finish inside of her, despite the fact she can't necessarily get pregnant easily, a procedure would have to be done for that.

He kept thrusting as he began to feel his cock twitching more, which meant one thing - "Fuck, Kara. I'm gonna -"

"Do it! I want it all in me" she quickly interrupted with a moan, grinning knowing he didn't exactly have a choice to orgasm out of her with her legs wrapped around his back.

"Mmmmph, ughhhh" a groan escaped from him while she moaned loudly, feeling him deeply thrusting in her a few more times before releasing, his body on top of her as he dug his face into the crook of her neck with him draining all of his juices that built up in him, into her.

He lifted his face up with a satisfied sigh while looking into Kara's baby blues once more and kissing her deeply, thrusting his cock a little more into her to finish off.

They both settled down after a minute passes, Kara giggles as she heard a pop sound upon his penis exiting her pussy before her boyfriend laid down next to her.

She shifted herself to him by lying her head on his chest, smiling with satisfaction - "Now that's one way to start the morning after breakfast" she broke the silence with a satisfied sigh.

"Well ~" he began, Kara looked up at him from his chest - "You deserve it after making a good breakfast for both of us ~" he complimented, gently tapping her on the nose - "Boop"

"You're freaking cute at times, y'know that?" she began giggling, booping his nose back too.

"Says you ~" he scoffed - "You're the cutest person I've ever met, especially since your wearing my hoodie, cutie" he smiled.

"Aww, thanks honey" a blush arose up her cheeks, smiling ear to ear.

"No problem babe ~" he kissed her forehead - "It's the truth" he pecked her on the forehead once more as the two unknowingly stared at each other lovingly, getting lost into each other's eyes.

Her smile alone would give him butterflies in his stomach, it was a smile that would make a bad day turn good within a second, she radiated that sunshine of goodness and that's all he ever wanted.

He makes her feel the same way, both energetic at times who finishes each other's sentences, always a great team together.

"Well, I'm gonna get a shower -"

"Wanna join me? Yeah, I'll join" she interrupted, knowing what he was going to ask before both began erupting in a fit of laughter.

"Ugh I love it when you do that" he laughed, kissing her on the lips.

"Two minds, think alike, am I right?" she asked.

"Yeah, we both do think alike, and y'know what? After the shower, you better keep the hoodie on, I love the fact you've been wearing it" he smiled as the two began kissing again...

[vulpes-fennec]

Love on Water Lilies 🪷 (Ch 1)

Summary: Prince Lucien Vanserra of the Autumn Kingdom is all play, no work. Elain Archeron, a waitress and aspiring restaurant owner in the city of Colibri, is all work, no play. Caught in a larger scheme of politics and war, Lucien and Elain are turned into frogs. Will Elain get her restaurant back? Will Lucien ever become Fae again?

Read on AO3

An Princess and the Frog inspired story for @elucienweekofficial Day 5: Nature 🍃

“Fried plantains and fresh fruit salad! Two vanilla golden toasts with honey syrup! Banana pudding!” The line cooks’ voices rang out from the sizzling kitchen.

“Coming right on up!” Elain Archeron plastered on a bright smile and cheerful voice as she dished out plate after plate of breakfast at Roy’s Cafe. The heavenly smell of fresh coffee was barely enough to keep Elain awake—she was exhausted. Elain glanced at the clock. Five more minutes…

Her shift at the Purple Flamingo Cabaret last night had certainly taken its toll, for the Summer Kingdom’s Mardi Gras festivities had begun. The swamp city of Colibri, known for good food and even better music, drew thousands of visitors every Mardi Gras. And this year, a special celebrity was in their midst: Prince Lucien Vanserra of the Autumn Kingdom, who had arrived just yesterday.

Although Elain hadn’t seen this prince yet, she heard plenty about him last night at the Purple Flamingo. The fourth and youngest son of King Beron Vanserra, Lucien was young, rich, handsome…and most importantly, single. He would probably remain that way, too, for word on the street was that Lucien was a total flirt. Gallivanting his way across Prythian’s kingdoms, taking on new lovers each week, partying all night long…

Elain grabbed a beignet to-go when she finally clocked out. Gulls squawked in the distance, green-painted trolleys clanged as they rolled by. Mardi Gras revelers walked by, decked out in chic outfits of green, purple, and yellow. With her food-stained yellow apron, worn ballet flats, and frazzled honey-brown hair, Elain felt a pinch of resentment.

Must be nice to never have to work a day in your life. Every year, the promise of generous tips during Mardi Gras dangled before food service workers like a carrot, tricking them into taking extra shifts.

It wasn’t always this way. Elain remembered the Mardi Gras celebrations of her childhood, the way she and her sisters danced to lively jazz and ate their way through delicacies all night long. The Archeron home used to be in the Marigold District, where all the wealthy Fae lived. But then Elain’s mother passed away, leaving her father depressed. Reginald Archeron rallied himself enough to fight in the Hybern War seven years ago, but lost his leg during one of the early battles.

Elain loved her father dearly, but it was plain fact that he had practically given up on life after becoming handicapped. The familial roles had reversed: instead of their father ensuring his daughters’ needs were met, Elain, Feyre, and Nesta were forced to take odd jobs in order to survive. Nesta delivered and occasionally edited for The Colibri Tribune. Feyre cleaned the art studios and landed the occasional art commission. Elain juggled multiple shifts between Roy’s Cafe, the Purple Flamingo Cabaret, and Emile’s Seafood Bar.

Though her shifts were grueling, Elain tried to view them in a positive light. It was career training of sorts: she paid attention to different management styles, brushed up her conversational skills with all sorts of Fae as a waitress, and improved her culinary skills as a cook. Ever since she was a little girl, a riverfront cafe to call her own had been Elain’s dream. When her family fell from wealth seven years ago, that dream was almost lost.

But now, Elain was closer to achieving that dream than ever. She was fairly confident in her capabilities as a cook and waitress. She had strong accounting skills, enough to ensure her restaurant wouldn’t go bankrupt. And more importantly, she had been in serious talks with realtors for a decrepit riverfront pavilion. The pavilion was a little run-down, but it was perfect in Elain’s heart. She juussttt needed a little more money…which was where the Mardi Gras cooking contest would come into play.

Because in addition to the multiple parades, balls, concerts, and parties, Mardi Gras featured local cuisines in a series of cooking concerts.

Today was the jambalaya cooking contest, which was taking place at Firefly Square. Tomorrow, Elain was slated for the baking contest, where she planned to wow the judges with her peach cobbler. The day after, she would participate in the fry contest, having perfected her fried chicken spice rub.

Elain stopped home to briefly freshen up. It was a tiny, cramped space—an utter downgrade from their old home. She and her sisters had squeezed three narrow beds into a room, the sole closet overflowing with clothes. The living room wasn’t much better: Feyre’s art supplies were strewn across every available surface, and Nesta’s second-hand books tilted in precarious stacks. Only the kitchen, Elain’s domain, remained spotlessly clean and organized.

Elain powdered her face, brushed her curls, dabbed a bit of lipstick, and donned a new dress. She needed to look fresh and proper, and a cute face never hurt.

She then hurried to Firefly Square, wheeling a little wagon full of ingredients and her trusty steel pot. Savory dishes were not her specialty, so Elain needed all the luck she could get. However, she was fairly confident that her jambalaya would at least place in the top three. Her best friend, Vassa La Bouff, and her sisters had helped refine the recipe over the last year, and the ladies could be trusted to give their honest opinion.

“Name?” The event attendant held a clipboard at the check-in table.

“Elain Archeron,” Elain replied cheerfully. The event attendant wrote her name on a wooden placard and placed it on the scoring rack. The five judges, a mix of renowned cooks and locals, were seated under a rich purple tent. Onlookers had gathered on the sidelines of Firefly Square to watch the judges sample each entry and announce their points.

Several other participants were already present, busying away at their own cooking stations. While there was no set “start” time due to the participants’ varying culinary skills and recipes, the judges would begin tasting at one o’clock in the afternoon. So Elain got to work.

First, she braided up her honey-brown hair and donned a flowery pink apron. Then, she began expertly mincing: peppers, celery, onion, garlic, and tomatoes. The heated oil sizzled the chicken and sausage, bringing fragrant notes of paprika, bay leaf, and thyme into the air. The meat was taken out, the vegetables added in. Elain cleaned the rice, poured in homemade chicken stock, and added more salt, pepper, and herbs.

Elain stirred the bubbling mixture, using the time to observe the other participants. There were ten competitors total. Some appeared to be seasoned chefs, others looked like novices. Regardless, everybody was making good progress on their jambalaya. And more importantly, everyone looked like they were having fun.

Elain’s mouth watered from the scents wafting from her pot alone. The consistency of her jambalaya was thick, but not mushy—it was all coming together nicely. Elain did a final taste test and smiled. Spicy, savory, and tangy…it was her best pot of jambalaya yet.

The judges seemed to think so, too, when they sampled her dish.

“Wonderful aromas.”

“The chicken is the right amount of tender, Miss Archeron.”

“Tastes just like my grandmother’s home-style jambalaya!”

This—this was exactly why Elain loved to cook: seeing people enjoy her food made her happiest. She was the last contestant up for tasting, which meant the score the judges awarded would be her final placement for the contest. Elain’s breath caught when she tallied up the judges’ marks. Third place…third place! Oh, she was going to walk away with prize money! Elain ducked her head and tried to squash her victorious beam. One step closer to—

“Excuse me! Excuse me!”

The most beautiful male Elain had ever seen strode into the courtyard, lugging a steaming pot with bare hands. His skin was a burnished brown, his long red hair tied up in a haphazard bun. She found herself eyeing his corded forearms, exposed thanks to the rolled-up sleeves of his white linen shirt. The male’s straight-legged olive green pants accented his muscled thighs, and his shiny black shoes with their gold details indicated expensive taste.

An entire entourage of Fae, mostly female, had followed the male into Ironwood Square, inevitably shoving Elain to the back.

“It’s Prince Lucien,” the crowd murmured to each other. “What is he doing here?”

Prince Lucien? Well…that explained how he could hold such a hot pot without any oven mitts. The Autumn Kingdom’s royal family possessed fire magic, which meant they could manipulate flame and were essentially immune to burns. Elain even overheard at The Purple Flamingo last night that Autumn males—especially the royal princes—fucked with an intensity that matched the fire in their veins.

Elain had practically snorted upon hearing such words last night, though looking at Prince Lucien now, it was certainly believable. But the delighted giggling of several females when the prince stepped up to the podium snapped Elain out of her reverie. Ugh! Prince Lucien was a playboy at best, a heartbreaker at worst, she reminded herself. No, she would not encourage the fantasies that had been surely planted in her mind thanks to his impromptu appearance, lest she turn into a tittering female over a male like him.

“Good afternoon, honorable judges.” Prince Lucien’s voice was rich and buttery, with a slight accent. For some reason, it reminded Elain of sunlight. He turned towards the crowd, and Elain stifled a gasp upon seeing the scar that ran down his face and cut through his left eye, which had been replaced by a mechanical gold eye. Such a brutal injury, yet the prince was made more handsome even with the scar.

“Welcome, Prince Lucien!” The lead judge leapt to her feet, a wide smile on her face. The crowd cheered again. Some females even screamed hysterically.

Prince Lucien gestured grandly to the entourage that followed him, gold earrings twinkling off the tips of his pointed ears. “I am here to enter the jambalaya competition. As there was no kitchen in my hotel suite, I had to borrow the kitchen at Restaurante Genevieve. Chef Michel and these citizens can attest that I made the jambalaya all on my own.”

The prince peered intently at the scoreboard, already stacked with ten other names and numbers. Elain could have sworn his brows raised in subtle surprise.

“Though I see now that I was tardy…” Prince Lucien trailed off as his eyes swept the crowd, as if he were looking for someone.

“The entry period closed thirty minutes ago but ah…we can make an exception, can we not?” The lead judge said quickly, and the audience clapped in agreement. The other judges nodded eagerly, clearly delighted at the presence of royalty. “Well, Your Highness, we would be honored to sample your jambalaya!”

Elain’s jaw slackened. A prince, participating in a jambalaya contest? She had never heard of such a thing. Royals had their own chefs. They probably wouldn’t even know how to boil an egg.

The prince’s russet and gold eyes were still scanning the square with unusual interest. Elain eyed him skeptically from the back, observing the confident smile on Lucien’s face and the swaggering cut of his broad shoulders. There was the off chance that Prince Lucien possessed culinary skills…but he was from the Autumn Kingdom. He wouldn’t know a thing about authentic jambalaya, Elain told herself. Elain relaxed, knowing she was safe and secure in third place as the judges sampled Lucien’s entree.

“Cauldron, this is absolutely divine!”

“Look at the colors on the spoon! So vibrant, so fresh!”

“I could eat this for the rest of my life and die happy.”

“Last call to score…and…first place! We have a winner!” The crowd cheered raucously.

Elain’s mouth completely fell open when the score attendant placed Prince Lucien Vanserra’s name placard on the top of the board, shifting everybody else down. Which meant…which meant she had been knocked off third place.

Elain was in shock. She wasn’t going to make it to the podium, and she wasn’t going to earn any prize money. Prince Lucien bowed, and then turned to the crowd that had gathered.

“Good food is meant to be shared! Please, feel free to finish the pot!” he announced, voice dripping with pride. More cheers and claps rang out as Elain was jostled out of the way in the mad stampede for the winning jambalaya.

This was not possible. This could not be happening.

Elain’s face grew hot with embarrassment, as she hurriedly packed up her wagon. It was time to go; she could not bear to spend another minute in the square with knowledge of her loss. Elain half-wondered if she should join the crowd and really try Prince Lucien’s jambalaya for herself. It couldn’t be that good. But the notion of a rich, playboy prince edging her off the podium in a cooking contest he had no stakes in was too shameful to consider. She could’ve done better. Should’ve done better.

Elain didn’t look back as she wheeled her wagon home, the rusty wheels click-clacking over the cobblestoned streets. Her half-full pot of jambalaya would become leftovers for her sister and father. At least they didn’t have to spend more money on groceries this week.

Some humility would do her good, Elain knew, as she was not a “professional” chef yet, but gods…would she ever be? If a prince could beat her in a cooking contest? If she couldn’t even win a couple judges’ favor, how was she going to draw the Colibri Fae to her restaurant?

—Later that evening—

After a fitful afternoon nap, Elain decided to stop by her cafe before heading to Vassa’s house. Well, it wasn’t hers yet, but Elain had recently begun treating it as such. She sat on a bench, listening to the lapping of the Mayhaven River, watching the steamboats chugging by.

“I’m almost there,” she whispered to herself. “People are going to come here from everywhere, I’m almost there.” The riverfront pavilion was a shabby brick building that had been a mess hall for dock workers in its previous life. The interior’s open layout would be the perfect place to install a stage for local musicians. Each table would have fresh flowers, the walls would be painted a creamy tan, the big windows would offer river views and plenty of natural light… oh, it was all coming together.

The door swung open. Hudson Jennings, Elain’s realtor, walked out with a folder tucked under his arm. Elain leapt up from her bench, ready to bid him hello. But she froze when a head of red hair ducked through the doorway. No…it couldn’t be…

“Pleasure doing business with you, Your Highness,” Hudson said, shaking Lucien Vanserra’s hand firmly. Even without his entourage of fans, Lucien held himself with a regal grace and winning smile.

“Of course,” Elain could hear the prince respond smoothly. “I look forward to establishing a second residence in Colibri.” Elain could only watch in horror as the realtor handed Lucien a set of keys before parting ways. Keys to her riverfront cafe!

“Mr. Jennings!” Elain ran as fast as her little feet could carry her as soon as Lucien had walked away. Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods. This must be a bad dream.

“Oh! Miss Archeron!” Hudson blinked his cat-like eyes in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here!”

“Mr. Jennings, did you just sell the property to Lucien?” Elain was breathless. Please say no, please say no, she begged silently.

“Ah, yes I’m afraid I just did.” Hudson patted the folder of papers. “I know, I know…you have been eyeing that property for some time, Miss Archeron, but the prince showed up with ample cash! We have several other properties available in town for your cafe, though. Let us talk more next week.”

“But—” Elain tried to say, then deflated. Her realtor was already walking away. There was no use. Unless she somehow managed to alter Hudson’s memory, rip up the sale papers, and steal the keys from Lucien, the property was gone. And so were her dreams of owning a riverfront cafe.

It seemed the prince was hell-bent on ruining her life. Lucien had fame and fortune, and got everything Elain wanted because of his name. Perhaps Elain had angered the Mother, somehow. For how else could so much go wrong in less than 24 hours?

Elain tried very hard not to cry as she rode the trolley to Vassa’s house. One, she was in public, and ladies did not cry in public. Two, the La Bouff Mardi Gras ball was starting in a few hours. Elain had been looking forward to the event all month, and crying right now would make her eyes puffy.

The La Bouffs resided in the Dorado District, the richest district in all of Colibri. Vassa’s “house” was actually a grand, three-story mansion of pale white marble, elegant columns, iron lace accents, and sweeping gabled roofs. When Elain arrived, the bustle of the musicians tuning their instruments and the servants, the gurgling fountain, and the beautiful lanterns of green, yellow, and purple faelight made her smile. A good party always made her feel more alive, even though she attended very few of them in recent years.

Vassa’s parents were one of the Mardi Gras royalty this year, and had invited Elain to the La Bouff Mardi Gras ball. Vassa was a true friend: she didn’t shun Elain after the Archerons fell into poverty, and for that Elain was eternally grateful. The footmen, used to her comings and goings, offered Elain warm greetings when she entered the mansion via the servants’ gate.

While Elain spent her days working, Vassa spent her days studying. The young La Bouff was finishing her last year at the prestigious Colibri Academy for Witchcraft, and was determined to be the top of her class. The only thing in Vassa’s way? Briallyn, a rival witch from the Continent. During the unfortunate occasions Elain had to interact with Briallyn, Elain felt the witch resembled a beady-eyed lizard.

Elain made her way down the spacious hallway and knocked on Vassa’s bedroom door.

“Elain! I’m so glad you’re here!” Vassa threw her arms around Elain. Her best friend’s orange hair was styled into loose waves, her bright blue eyes already lined with gold shadow. “Come, let us get ready together!”

“Vassa, it’s so good to see you,” Elain sighed, her voice still thick with emotion from earlier.

“What’s wrong?” Vassa asked, her brow creasing with concern. “Was it the jambalaya contest? Did you not get first place? I mean, second place is also fine, and so is third.”

Elain sat down on Vassa’s bed, hugging her knees to her chest. “The jambalaya concert was fine, until Prince Lucien Vanserra showed up at the last minute,” she said bitterly. “I had placed third, but that was before the judges awarded him first place. I got bumped down and I didn’t get any prize money.”

“Oh no,” Vassa rubbed Elain’s back sympathetically. “I’m so sorry, Elain.”

“It’s just not fair!” Elain complained, her face heated with anger. “The judges gave him special treatment, letting him enter the contest even though the judging window had closed! Lucien was cooking off-site, how could anybody truly tell he was the primary chef? And perhaps they didn’t want to upset a prince, so they put him first even though he didn’t deserve it!”

“I see what you mean,” Vassa hummed. “Did you end up tasting his jambalaya? Surely it couldn’t be as good as yours. Those judges must not have working tastebuds.”

“No, but that’s not even the end of it. I found out he bought the riverfront property from Hudson Jennings this afternoon. Vassa, you know how long I’ve been saving up for my cafe! To think the perfect location would be gone, just like that…”

“Cauldron boil and fry him,” Vassa muttered darkly, shaking her head.

“I’m sorry, Vassa. I know you’ve been looking forward to meeting Prince Lucien, that you want him to court you.” Elain sighed. “I shouldn’t be bad-mouthing him.”

“No, no, no,” Vassa shook her head. “Of course, I want Prince Lucien to court me, have you seen how handsome he is? But, your restaurant is something that I’ve been waiting for ever since we were little girls, Elain…when I see him tonight I will convince him to rescind the purchase.”

“Thanks, Vassa,” Elain smiled, feeling better. What Vassa set her mind to, Vassa achieved. She had no doubt her friend’s beauty and persistence would get the prince to change his mind. “He did say he wanted the property as a second residence.”

“Well! It wouldn’t be too hard to convince him to buy property in other Colibri districts!” Vassa raised her brows excitedly. “He could move in with me.” Vassa jumped to her feet, trying to inject some more life into Elain’s forlorn posture. “Now I know today hasn’t been the best day, Elain. But this ball will turn it all around! I have just the perfect dress for you, and I know you’ll have plenty of males to dance the night away with. It’s in the closet, come see!”

***Lucien***

“Just look at all of this, Jurian,” Lucien said to his best friend when they regrouped after the dance ended. “One of the best parties I’ve been to in a while.”

He had left his entourage of pretty females at the La Bouff mansion gate. Not that it really mattered, since there were even more females inside the ball. The musicians played lively tunes, inviting attendees to kick up their feet and whirl across the marbled outdoor dance floor. The La Bouff Mardi Gras decorations were simply exquisite, from the soft faelight lanterns hanging off trees to the flower arrangements on tables. Fae wine and cocktails flowed freely, wait staff walked around with platters of delicious food.

“Don’t tell Tarquin, but I’m enjoying myself far more here than the Mardi Gras balls in Adriata,” Jurian slurred slightly. The male lifted a pair of deviled eggs off a waiter’s tray and handed one to Lucien. “Though it is positively boiling in Colibri.”

“Of course, we’re near the Bog of Oorid,” Lucien remarked. He had donned an emerald green jacket with embroidered gold leaves at the cuffs, a freshly pressed white shirt, and black pants. The layers made him sweat profusely, though Lucien wicked away the excess moisture with a slight release on the damper of his magic. He looked good, and that was what mattered at the end of the night.

“Gods, I’m so hungry,” Jurian muttered as he inhaled a fried catfish filet within seconds. “They ate all your jambalaya before I could eat some.”

Lucien laughed. “Better clean up those crumbs and drink some mint julep before the next dance, Jurian. The females won’t appreciate fish breath.” Jurian only rolled his eyes as he turned his attention to a slice of Mardi Gras king cake.

Lucien scanned the rows of vendors, looking for the baked goods. But none of the vendors’ name tags read “Elain Archeron”. He sighed inwardly. He had no idea what Elain Archeron looked like, but had been hoping to try some of her famed treats. Tarquin, Prince of Adriata, could not stop talking about the hummingbird cake, peach cobblers, and powdered sugar beignets Elain made when she catered his Mardi Gras event in Adriata last year.

“If you’re visiting Colibri, you must try Elain Archeron’s food,” Tarquin had told him. “Elain’s cafe should be open by now. She is a very kind female as well, and please tell her I said hello.”

Elain Archeron had been one of the jambalaya contestants earlier in the afternoon, but the female did not bother introducing herself to him. Odd.

“Looking for Vassa?” Jurian inquired. Lucien was supposed to meet the Mardi Gras princess and ask her for the first dance, but her parents claimed Vassa was running late for the ball.

“I suppose,” Lucien murmured, even though that was not the case. Jurian knocked back another glass of Fae wine beside him. “Cauldron, Jurian. Save some space for the mint juleps before you get too drunk.”

“Aha! That reminds me…I’ll find those mint juleps while you’re looking for your princess. All this heat has me parched. Be right back.” Jurian clapped Lucien on the shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.

Lucien lingered on the side, trying to assess which pretty female he would dance with next, when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. A pale-faced female, with onyx black hair and equally dark eyes, was standing behind him. There was something cunning in her face, something odd Lucien could not quite place. Nevertheless, the female was dressed as one of the wait staff and innocuously offered him a platter of powdered beignets.

“Beignet, Your Highness?” she asked, her voice peppy. “I heard the prince has a sweet tooth.”

“Thank you.” Lucien picked one up with a napkin and absentmindedly brought it to his mouth. It was only when Lucien swallowed his first bite that he realized something was wrong. The beignet was slightly bitter, the powdered sugar chalky on his tongue. Suddenly, everything seemed bigger. Everything was bigger.

Lucien blinked, feeling like his eyes had doubled in size based on how long it took for him to fully blink. The grass…it was eye-level, the blades of green sharp and extra vibrant. His body was hunched over on all fours. He was…a frog?

Oh gods. What the hell just happened?

A looming shadow darkened the space around him. Lucien looked up just in time to see the waitress, monstrously tall with a wicked glint in her eyes, poised to slam a bowl over his head.

Act first, think later.

Booiingg! Lucien moved on instinct, his frog legs launching him into the air like a spring. He dove straight into the crowd of Fae party-goers, stalling the waitress from pursuing him any further.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit. That was new. Fear seized Lucien like a vise, the adrenaline sending him into flight mode. Where the hell did Jurian go? Everything was so damn big…the distance he normally crossed in three quick strides now required multiple leaps.

There! Jurian was near the tree line, mint juleps in hand. Lucien hopped towards his friend, gaining more mastery over his new limbs with each leap.

“Jurian!” Lucien blinked, surprised that he still retained the ability to speak. “Jurian! Down here!” he called out, louder this time.

The Fae male above him glanced down and promptly dropped the drinks in shock. Lucien flinched reflexively when minty sweet alcohol rained down, but it didn’t matter any more. As a frog, he had no clothes to protect from spilled drinks.

“Fuck, I must be more drunk than I thought.” Jurian blinked twice and chuckled. “I could have sworn that a frog with Lucien’s voice just spoke to me.”

“That’s because it is me!” Lucien hissed, hopping up and down insistently. “Jurian!”

“Holy shit.” Jurian knelt on the ground, scooping him up in his hands. “Lucien, is that you?”

“How many times do I have to say it’s me?” Lucien grumbled. Jurian’s green-brown eyes peered down.

“Cauldron, you still have your scar and your gold eye. Well, it’s not made of metal anymore, but…fuck.” Jurian lifted Lucien up to perch on his shoulder. Lucien brought a webbed hand to his face, feeling at his left eye. Sure enough, he could see out of both eyes—truly see, without relying on a metal contraption. “Fuck, I probably look like I’ve gone mad, talking to a frog.”

The male took some deep breaths, pacing back and forth. Lucien clung onto Jurian’s purple jacket for dear life. “Jurian, can you stop moving?”

“Sorry. We need another drink.” Jurian swiped two goblets of wine off a passing tray and ducked behind a drooping willow tree. Lucien hopped down, sitting on all fours on top of Jurian’s thigh. “Okay, Lucien. What the fuck happened?”

“I ate a beignet from this waitress, and then I turn into a frog and she’s trying to trap me under a bowl!” Lucien glanced furtively at their surroundings, but did not see the wretched female’s face.

“What did the waitress look like?”

“High Fae. Pale, with black hair and black eyes. She was wearing the La Bouff servant’s uniform.” Jurian’s gaze darkened with protective instinct.

“Why would she put a curse on you?”

Lucien shrugged. “Not sure. She knew who I was, though, so that’s strange. I’m Beron’s youngest son, with a slim path to the throne. What good would come out of cursing me?”

“Perhaps she wanted money. Ransom a prince, you know.”

“As if Beron would pay more than a couple coppers to get me back,” Lucien said bitterly.

“You’re right, your father is a bastard.” Jurian frowned. “Could you undo the curse yourself?”

“I can try.” Now that he had Jurian to keep watch, Lucien closed his eyes and tried to tunnel deep down into his well of magic. He had always had a knack for spells and curses. It wasn’t like that of witches, who required specific ingredients, tools, and conditions to generate any effect. Rather, it was pure magic—power that stemmed from being the son of a High Lord.

He found the dark stain of the curse, but despite all his efforts to extract it, the stain remained stubbornly present. It was as if it was interwoven into his very essence. Lucien yanked and prodded and threw wave after wave of magic against it, but to no avail.

“It’s not working,” he announced glumly.

“We should find the La Bouffs…tell them that one of their staff, or the food they served, turned the visiting Autumn Prince into a frog,” Jurian proposed, his fists clenching with concern. “If they cannot resolve this, then they should be held liable.”

“Isn’t that a little harsh?” Lucien replied dryly. “Lord and Lady La Bouff can only do so much. But Vassa…she’s studying to be a witch. I heard she’s the top of her class…perhaps she could assist with undoing the curse.”

“Perhaps,” Jurian mused doubtfully.

Lucien hopped onto the rim of the wine goblet and stuck his tongue into the chilled liquor. The sweet and tangy notes were far more sensational thanks to his new taste buds. Unfortunately, his added weight was an imbalance to the delicate stem, and Lucien promptly tipped backwards. Red wine poured over his entire underside, drenching him.

Jurian began to laugh.

“You know frogs absorb liquid from their underbelly skin, right? You’ll be drunk in no time.” Lucien stuck his tongue out at Jurian and rolled around the grass for a bit, trying to clean himself off. “I suppose Vassa would be glad to help a prince for fame, or fortune.”

“Also, we have the old tale of princesses kissing frog princes,” Lucien reminded Jurian. “With the laws governing witch magic, it’s very likely that this curse follows the same path of resolution.”

Jurian snorted. “Good luck trying to convince a princess—even if it’s a Mardi Gras princess—to kiss a frog. We are better off pleading directly.”

Lucien tried to grin, but it felt strange with a new mouth and new facial muscles. “You seem to underestimate me, Jurian.”

“Let’s bet on it: if you can get the princess to kiss you, I’ll walk Eris’s dogs for the next month.”

“I do enjoy a challenge. I offer you this, just for fun. If the princess kisses you, Jurian, then I’ll buy you a new sword. Out of Illyrian steel.” Lucien stood on his hind legs, straightening his back and tilting his chin up with the regal air of a prince. Jurian rolled his eyes.

“As if a princess would want to kiss a lowly Autumn Kingdom foot soldier over its prince.”

“I beg to differ, Jurian. I’m a frog this time…I think that evens the playing field.” Lucien winked. “Besides, stop discrediting yourself. You’re one of our most skilled warriors. Anyways…best of luck, I’m off to find the princess!”

“You bastard,” Jurian muttered darkly, shaking his head with amusement. He finished his wine in two large gulps, holding the empty glass up in a mock toast. “I would say I hope you lose, but life would also be boring if you were stuck in frog form.”

With that, Lucien hopped off towards the La Bouff mansion. There was a slim chance Vassa was still getting ready for the party—truly, females needed all the time possible plus more for these elaborate events.

Most of the ball’s festivities were taking place in the garden and first floor, and Lucien could hear Lord and Lady La Bouff—the Dorado Mardi Gras King and Queen—chatting with guests. That meant the light emanating from the window on the second floor was none other than Vassa La Bouff’s.

Clinging to small nooks in the marble, scaling up vine to vine—which was made harder thanks to his slippery frog mucus, Lucien made his way to the golden window.

Princess Vassa was standing on the balcony, and simply put, she was the most beautiful female Lucien had ever seen.

The female’s wide eyes were cast towards the heavens, her expression a mixture of hope and despair. Honey-brown hair was swept up into an artful bun studded with luminous pearls. A tiara of rose gold rested on her brow, glittering in the moonlight. Her soft curves and elegant shoulders were accented by a strapless lavender gown with a heart-shaped neckline.

“Please, please, please,” the ethereal princess whispered, clasping her gloved hands to her chest. “Please.”

Lucien hopped closer, the world spinning out of view. Ah, damn it. The alcohol was kicking in faster than he’d anticipated. Princely charm now had to be mobilized in full force if he wanted to receive a kiss.

He cleared his throat, but only a ribbet came out. The princess glanced down, spotting him. Gods, she was beautiful. Those doe brown eyes, that golden skin still warm under the silver moon, and those pretty rosebud lips that hooked Lucien in like a moth to a flame.

“If you wanted a kiss, all you had to do was ask.”

[cpssidy]

St. John - Smithfield review.

Back in 2019, I went to London for the first time, and I visited St. John with my dear friend Effy. I was broke as hell at the time and knew much less about food, and while we will still enjoyed the experience (the poached pear pavlova I still think about) I wanted to try again with more class and cash. Luckily Sam is up for eating gross shit, so we went again for lunch, nearly missing our flight back to Brussels to do so.

The concept of the restaurant group is to utilize all parts of the animal when cooking, so pretty foreign in my typical restaurant rotation (Tacos El Gordo aside).

We started with liver, kohlrabi and the famous bone marrow, of which I didn't grab a pic. The liver was served cold and sliced in a potato-salad-esque preparation with a heavy emphasis on horseradish and herbs, I think dill and parsley but not sure. The liver freaked me out based on our waiter's description, as she said it was quite "iron-y" but it was actually a really nice foil to the rich mayo dressing and sharp horseradish flavor. Texturally, it wasn't my favorite, it was almost the texture of a thick cold cut from a deli, but with the soft yellow potatoes it blended into each bite. Paired with the cold kohlrabi salad with a bright and herby dressing it was like the fanciest potato salad I'd ever had.

The bone marrow is served as three big cuts of beef bone with little picks for digging it out, a slice of sourdough bread toasted (burned, yum) and a parsley and shallot salad, just as I'd had in 2019. It also comes with a slick of smoked chunky salt that combines with the residual fat from the marrow on the plate. Piled up with the cold salad's we ordered, the salty and rich spread of the marrow on the crunchy bread was a cold, crunchy, salty, beefy flavor that I'd like to eat on a beach someday. Unintentionally, I think the kohlrabi was the win of the day, as the rich fatty flavors we had in everything else probably would have made a lesser man gag - the only other flavor I think could have added to the meal would be some crisp green apple or something similarly acidic and sweet.

Our entrees were the ham cut, served with a mustard sauce and some horseradish-y broccolini ? and the roasted squash, with white beans, some greens and a big scoop of a soft, milky goat cheese. The waiter who dropped our plates commended us on our pairing and we pretended we knew what we were doing. The point of St. John is the meat but honestly this meal kind of showed me their veg is slept on. I don't know what kind of squash they used, but the skin was soft and easy to chew, the flavor was sweet and paired with a rich creamy pan sauce and the milky cheese, wheew. The ham was braised I think, the outer layers of fat and skin rendered to soft edible consistency, and the inside salty but light in texture. The combination of the sweetness of the squash, creamy goat cheese, salty ham, and mustard/horseradish was superb. Sam watched me finish my last bites and laughed at me because I wouldn't stop nodding.

We finished the meal with a half dozen Madeleines and the spotted dick, because we were in London. The spotted dick is a suet pudding with raisin and I guess boiled? In sugar? I don't know. it was fudgey and dense and mild, served with fresh cream. I went to the bathroom right before it came out and the table next to us allegedly asked Sam what it was and he almost offered a bite, I'm glad he didn't so I could have my share...

The Madeleines are perfect, but they're famous for them, so I wasn't surprised. I really wish I could go back and try more of the desserts but I'll have to wait til next time.

[fayesrossua]

AOT HEADCANON: their fav fruits

Mentioned: Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Connie, Sasha, Reiner, Hange

!Back on my stupid headcanons!

Not edited. I’m posting this as I’m starting class LOL

Eren: Eren is a big banana and blueberry boy. He chokes down bananas in like three bites, puts them in smoothies AT ROOM TEMP 😭 eren gives me room temperature fruit smoothie vibes and I don’t love it. He’ll buy a bunch unripe bananas and then eat his ripe batch so that in a few days he can new ripe bananas. He dumps so many blueberries in his oatmeal

Armin: Armin loves yellow peaches and nectarines. They’re seasonal, and there’s a finite window where they’re fresh, and perfectly ripe. It’s a challenge every spring/summer for Armin and he loves to bake with them, putting them in a pie or making jams with them so he can remember the taste of his favourite fruits in the winter. He ACHES to go to farmers markets and buy loads of fresh fruit every year

Mikasa: Mikasa likes pomegranates seeds. Mikasa usually buys them from the frozen section of grocery stores and will usually treat herself to a bowl of them at the end of the night. They’re crunchy, cold, and tarte. Sometimes she’ll drown them in cranberry juice or orange juice for extra sweetness but Mikasa will throw down a bag of pomegranate seeds in 3 days, easily.

Jean: Jean loves bananas and raspberries. Jean LOVES raspberries, they remind him of his childhood and everytime he buys a container he eats them slowly — treating them as if they’re rare gold. Then he realizes, he’s an adult, and he lives alone. He can eat as many raspberries as he wants becuase he’s the only one who’s going to eat them. Jean loves bananas on peanut butter toast, or in a protein shake. He freezes them and makes gym bro pseudo desserts with them — that Splenda, xyntham gum, banana “ice cream” shit

Connie: Connie loves mangos and pineapple. Connie DIES for a good mango, he loves them. He’s obsessed with mangoes as they are but you give him mango pudding, candies, DRIED MANGO, he’s going in. He loves the McDonald’s mango pineapple smoothie even if it’s not real fruit. And he’ll gorge on pineapple until he gets canker sores all over his mouth

Sasha: Sasha loves berries… she’s a berry girl, tell me otherwise! She’ll eat an entire container of strawberries if they’re ripe— stem and all. There is no wasting with her. Blackberries and raspberries are her favourite to eat in the summer time and she finds ways to put them in everything. In drinks, in oatmeal, desserts, she’s *tried* to make jam but usually gets Armin to help her.

Reiner: Reiner is a melon man for sure. Watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew, canary melon. He loves them all. He’ll do the dad tap on all the watermelons a — trying to see which ones are ripe 💀✋🏼 he finds the process of depitting the honey dew and cantaloupe really satisfying too! If he really tried he could break a watermelon w this thighs

Hange: Hange likes cherries. They WILL eat an entire bag if they’re unsupervised. Hange loves making cherry pies — depitting each cherry and sugaring them to make a pie for Levi which he will not eat becuase it’s too sweet for him. They don’t really make it for Levi though — it’s more about Hange’s desire to conquer every domestic activity ever.

[fistsandfangs]

to build a nest, we plucked feathers from our chests

A dual purpose 6x14 older and far away coda and pre-6x15 as you were context just because 💕

“And you’ll always love me, won’t you?” “Yes.” “And the rain won’t make any difference?” “No.”

--Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms

“God…” Buffy grunted, pulling herself to her feet with leverage provided by a now slightly fractured headstone belonging to Ada Marie Wilson. “Sorry,” she added, giving it an awkward caress. Once she had straightened up, she brushed away the remaining vampire dust from her clothes and hair. Some had even gone down her bra, and it felt particularly icky to acknowledge. She’d have to toss it in the laundry hamper as soon as she got home.

It had hardly been a challenging patrol, but chasing down three fledglings properly turned by a strong sire and fresh from their graves, reeking of the grave dirt and dried blood their raw skin was caked in, had pushed her body to the point where she knew it would be gratifyingly sore tomorrow. However, the last hit she’d taken had knocked her back into the sharp edge of a marble headstone and left her with bright, sharp pain lancing through the right side of her ribs.

Bending over to retrieve her leather jacket from the damp grass, Buffy contemplated stopping by the corner convenience store for Rainbow Mini Nilla Wafers on the way. She hadn’t had them since she was a kid, and she was just stubborn enough that she was willing to trek the extra mile for a sudden craving. After all, if anything should warrant some comfort food, it should be a potentially cracked rib. The ache in her side as she started off through the uneven terrain of the cemetery dissuaded her in the end though, and she instead set her sights on the more domestic idea of some warm buttered toast before bed. Maybe even with some cinnamon sugar on top.

Suddenly, a familiar prickling sensation beneath her skin made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. A slightly pained sigh broke through the quiet as she addressed the darkness around her. “Spike? There’s no point in lurking, I already know you’re there. I’m not in the mood for this.”

Spike landed silently on the soft earth nearby, coiled slightly in a crouch. “Hello cutie.”

“Were you watching me?” Buffy put her hands on her hips, trying to keep from pressing her shoulders back too far. Even breathing made her ribs ache.

With a derisive snort, Spike tossed his head back defiantly. “Hardly. I live here, eh? You’re the one encroachin’. ‘Sides, I was outta the way.” He gestured haphazardly at elevated roof of the nearby mausoleum.

“Yeah, lurking. Like I said.”

“Not lurkin’. Why does everyone always bloody assume that?” He sounded exasperated. From the back pocket of his jeans, he pulled a small, tattered paperback and held it out to her. “Was readin’. There’s the pudding.” His fingers were relaxed, allowing her to take it from him.

By the light of the moon, she could just make out the faded lettering of the author’s name. “Ernest Hemingway?”

Spike dipped his chin in confirmation, watching her closely. He kept looking at her like that, ever since— Buffy’s stomach roiled in discomfort. At least in the dark, his yellowing bruises and clotted wounds weren’t so stark against his pale skin. He wasn’t afraid of her, but he was anticipating the spark of her anger, her violence. He would take every hit, every bruise, every scrape, without complaint, and that made her feel sick. “You ever read any of his?”

“My first semester at UC Sunnydale, we read The Sun Also Rises. I read most of it, but then…” She shrugged in an attempt at dismissiveness.

“D’you like it?” Buffy didn’t miss the way that his hand caressed the cover as he took it back from her, slipping it away beneath his duster.

“I think so.”

“What’s to think?”

“I just… We went through it kind of fast, and I want to feel whatever it makes me feel straight to the heart. To have time to feel it.” For the life of her, she had no idea why she was standing in the middle of Restfield covered in dirt, grass stains, blood, and vamp dust discussing Hemingway at two in the morning. It was crazy. She must have absolutely lost of her mind somewhere between home and here. Although really, she’d lost it long before now. Maybe it never even came back with her when she clawed her way back.

“Good.” Spike nodded thoughtfully, his hands moving almost nervously at his side. They hadn’t ever figured out how to be gentle with each other without punishing themselves for it later, but looking at his long, strong fingers and the rounded angles of his knuckles, she wished her life were simple enough that she could feel them slotted between her own.

It was rare, but sometimes, in the midst of the dark heat of whatever their tumultuous and fragile mistake had snowballed into, she would hold him down by his hands and his fingers would grip so tightly to her that she bore his bruises along the backs of her own the next day. Sometimes he would turn his head away from her, uttering breathless, babbled praises of the most deliciously dirty promises and devotions, and he would sink his blunt human teeth into the meat of her thumb to forcibly quiet himself. When she finally crawled back into her own bed, hiding her shame in blackened loneliness, she would relish the feel of the indentations in her skin.

“Reckon that’s how it’s meant to be done.” Spike continued, a few beats late. “It’s a right cockup to tell people what they’re meant to feel about it. Analyzing shit to death kills the bloody art of the thing.” Raising his gaze to meet hers, he gave her an almost hesitant smile. “You ever read A Farewell to Arms?”

Buffy shook her head.

“Think you might like it.”

“What are the chances I get a spare half-hour to get lost in a bookstore?” she pointed out.

Spike shrugged. Softly, his words almost lost on the gentle breeze that blew through the trees, he murmured, “Hemingway has nothing but lovely things to say ‘bout you, Slayer.”

continue on ao3

[hughjidiot]

Jelly Beans, A Sashannarcy Oneshot

So I’ve written a number of Sashannarcy oneshots that I’ve posted over on AO3 and figured it was about time I start sharing them here as well. So here’s the first oneshot, in which Sasha brings some special candy to spice up the girls’ weekly game night

---

“BeanBoozled?”

 Anne blinked in confusion as she beheld the colorful box Sasha was holding up. She and Sasha sat on the couch in the living room of the apartment they shared with Marcy, who at the moment was searching through the board game cabinet for a suitable game for their weekly game night.

 “Picked it up while I was out running errands today,” Sasha said. “Thought it could be a fun way to spice up game night.”

 “How are jelly beans gonna make game night more interesting?” Anne asked with a furrowed brow.

 Sasha grinned and gave the box a shake, the candy contents rattling within. “Ah, but these are no ordinary jelly beans. There are ten colors, but twenty possible flavors. Each color can be something really good, or really  really bad, and the only way to tell is to pop one in your mouth and hope for the best. Take a look.”

 Sasha passed the box to Anne. Her eyes widened as she beheld the flavors on the back. “Birthday cake or dirty dishwater? Coconut or spoiled milk? Peach or  barf!? Jeez, it’s like Russian Roulette with candy!”

 “Nah, at least with Russian Roulette the odds are five-to-one in your favor,” Marcy said as she walked over to the couch, a huge stack of boxes in her hands. “With those it’s more like a coin flip. Heads you get a delicious bean, tails you get one that’ll make you wanna die.”

 “Exactly,” Sasha said with a smirk and a mischievous glint in her eye. “What do you say, girls? Wanna raise the stakes this week?”

 “Sounds potentially disgusting and humiliating,” Marcy said, setting the board games on the table and taking a seat on the couch next to Anne. She grinned. “I’m in.”

 “Me too,” Anne said, smiling and handing the box back to Sasha. “What did you have in mind?”

 Sasha  hmmm’ed  as she looked over the games Marcy was offering. “We need a simple game. Let’s see here...  Clue,  no…  Cards Against Humanity, Settlers of Catan, Boss Monster…  no, no, nope… Ah, perfect!  Would You Rather.”

 Sasha opened up the game in question, took out a stack of cards and began shuffling them as she continued speaking. “So here’s what I’m thinking: we each take turns drawing a card and asking an either/or question for the other two to answer. Anyone who picks the less popular option has to eat a random bean out of the box. Sound good?”

 Anne and Marcy nodded. Sasha set the deck of cards down and drew the top one. “Cool, I’ll start us off then. Anne, Marcy, would you rather… punch a pilgrim or eat an avocado?”

 Anne sputtered out a laugh. “What kind of question is  that?”

 “That’s just the game,” Marcy said with a shrug. “Some of the choices have logic to them, others are just completely random. I think I’d rather eat an avocado, they’re loaded with nutrients and can be used to make guacamole.”

 “Avocado it is,” Sasha said. “Anne?”

 Anne pursed her lips. “Well from what I remember from history class, the Pilgrims  were kind of dicks… But I think I’ll go with the avocado too.”

 “And those are your final answers?” Sasha asked her girlfriends. Anne and Marcy nodded. “Well congratulations! According to the card fifty-nine percent of people agree with you.”

 Marcy and Anne high-fived. Sasha discarded the card and Anne reached for the deck to draw her own card.

 “Okay Marcy, Sasha, would you rather… have no teeth or have no tongue?”

 “Oof, that’s a tough one,” Sasha said. “Either one of those would make eating a pain in the ass.”

 Marcy rubbed her chin. “I think I’d rather have no teeth. ‘Cause at least if you have a tongue you could still taste stuff.”

 “But how would you chew with no teeth so you don’t choke and die?” Sasha asked.

 “Well that’s what blenders are for. Plus no tongue means you can’t  talk either.”

 “Oh, that’s a good point. Yeah, I’ll go with no teeth too.”

 Anne nodded, discarding her card. “You and sixty-three percent of people. Congrats girls, no one gets to try the beans yet. You’re up Marbles.”

 Marcy drew a card. “Sash, Anne, would you rather… sing everything you say or dance all your movements?”

 “Sing everything,” Sasha said with a proud smirk. “After all,  I’m a heart-stomper~! Stompin’ on hearts~!”

 Anne and Marcy laughed. “Oh man I haven’t thought about our old garage band in  years,” Marcy said. “We should break out the instruments one of these days, for old time’s sake.”

 “Yeah but it’s been so long we probably suck,” Anne said. “Dancing was always more my thing, so that’s what I’m going with.”

 “Ooh, first time two of us have picked different options,” Marcy said. She reached down for the BeanBoozled box. “Those are your final answers?” The other two girls nodded. “And the jelly bean goes to… Anne!”

 “Aw, for real?” Anne asked as Sasha pumped a fist in the air. Marcy nodded and showed the text on the card: fifty-six percent of people would rather sing as opposed to forty-four who’d rather dance. “Damn it. Okay, let’s see what we’ve got here…”

 On the back of the box was a circle of the ten jelly beans with a built-in spinner. She gave the spinner a flick and watched it slow until it settled on brown. “Okay that’s… chocolate pudding or canned dog food? Oh boy.”

 Anne picked through the box of candies, pulling out a single brown bean. She held the candy up between her thumb and forefinger, gulping audibly. “Well. Here we go…”

 Marcy and Sasha watched with great interest as Anne plopped the candy in her mouth. She slowly chewed… and a smile graced her face.

 “Oh thank God, it’s chocolate pudding!” She said, swallowing.

 “Aw, well that’s no fun,” Sasha said with an exaggerated pout. “You were supposed to get a gross one so me and Marcy could laugh at your misfortune.”

 “Hey, the night’s still young,” Anne said. “Don’t forget  you could also end up with a gross bean, Sasha.”

 “Well not this time, ‘cause it’s my turn to ask the question.” Sasha drew the next card of the deck. “Would you rather… be dangled over the edge of the cliff or forced to speak in public?”

 “Dangled off a cliff,” Marcy said instantly.

 “Really, Mar-Mar?” Anne asked flatly.

 “You girls  know how I am about public speaking! Why do you think I did most of the work during our group projects back in school and left the actual presentations to you two?”

 “Yeah, but we’re talking about public speaking vs. being dangled off a cliff!”

 “It doesn’t say anywhere that you actually get dropped!”

 Anne rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I’ll still go with public speaking.”

 “You and seventy-eight percent of people,” Sasha said. “Sorry Marcy, but the price of not having to speak in public is a gross jelly bean.”

 “Totally worth it,” Marcy said defiantly. She picked up the box and flicked the spinner. “And I get… toasted marshmallow or stink bug.”

 She plucked a brown-and-white bean from the box and plopped it in her mouth. She slowly chewed, and her neutral expression slowly morphed into disgust.

 “Oh. Oh that doesn’t taste good,” she said. Her jaw moved again and she gagged, hand going to her mouth. “Oh that’s really not good!”

 Anne tried to cover her giggle with a closed fist. “I don’t think she got the toasted marshmallow,” she said to Sasha, who openly laughed and slapped her knee. Marcy hunched over, face contorting.

 “Ugh, it tastes like how stink bugs smell,” Marcy said with a grimace. “That  sucked .”

 “Could’ve avoided it if you just did a little public speaking,” Sasha said in a sing-song voice.

 “Bite me, Sash,” Marcy grumbled. “Let’s see how you like it when  you get one of those beans. Draw a card, Anna-Banana.”

 Anne nodded and did so. “Would you rather own a mini horse or own a regular horse?”

 “Ooh, I’d love a mini horse,” Sasha said with a smile. “They can actually be kept as house pets, right?”

 “Yeah, but they still require a lot of upkeep,” Marcy pointed out. “If you’re gonna have a horse, it might as well be a full-sized one you can actually ride. I’d rather have a regular horse.”

 “Well I’ve got good news Marcy, so would fifty-nine percent of people.” Anne said. Sasha crossed her arms with a  hmph as Marcy smirked. 

 “Go ahead, take a bean Sasha,” Marcy said, holding the box out and giving it a taunting rattle.

 “Fine, I will,” Sasha said haughtily. She accepted the box and spun the spinner. “And I got… buttered popcorn or rotten egg.”

 Sasha quickly fished a yellow-and-white spotted jelly bean out of the box and quickly popped it in her mouth, face full of determination. Seconds passed as she chewed, Anne and Marcy watching her expression closely.

 Finally, Sasha smirked.

 “Buttered popcorn it is!” She said triumphantly. “Once again Sasha Waybright comes out on top.”

 “Seriously?” Marcy plopped back on the couch, crossing her arms and letting out a frustrated exhale. “I can’t believe I’m the only person who didn’t get a good bean yet!”

 “Cheer up Marbles, I’m sure you’ll get a tasty bean at some point,” Anne said. “Now draw the next card, this is getting good!”

 ---

 “Green,” Marcy said. It was a few questions later and she’d picked another lower option, choosing to only have access to games online along with thirty-three percent of people, compared to sixty-seven percent who’d rather have access to only Youtube. The spinner had given her a light-green bean to sample. “That’s juicy pear or  booger?  Oh jeez…”

 She picked a green jelly bean from the box and popped it in her mouth, chewing tentatively. She retched, cheeks turning as green as the candy she just ate.

 “Oh God it’s booger,” she said with a retch, to Anne and Sasha’s shared amusement. “ Blech, plech!  Oh that’s foul!”

 “Okay, so you got two bad ones in a row,” Anne said between giggles. “I’m sure you’ll have better luck next time.”

 ---

 “More people would rather drink tea than coffee, are you for real?!” Marcy asked, incredulous.

 “Well coffee  is an acquired taste, and there’s like a million different varieties of tea,” Anne pointed out, having picked the tea option to the question Sasha had given.

 “Yeah but… coffee!”

 “We get it Marcy, you love your bean water,” Sasha said. “But you still picked the lesser option, so it’s jelly bean time.”

 Marcy gave the spinner a twirl and grimaced. “Strawberry banana smoothie or dead fish?! Oh this isn’t gonna be fun.”

 She dug through the box until she found a lightly-colored orange bean with red speckles. With a heavy sigh she tossed it in her mouth, and her face contorted in disgust almost instantly.

 “Dead -  ack, hack - fish!” She said between gags. Anne looked like she was caught between sympathy and amusement, while Sasha was openly laughing.

 “Man Marcy, those beans really hate you,” Sasha said, wiping a tear from her eye.

 ---

 “Oh goodie, I got another one wrong,” Marcy said with a too-wide smile. “Silly me for thinking more people would rather die by drowning in a tsunami than throw themselves in lava.” 

 She let out a short, desperate laugh as she grabbed the box of jelly beans. “You know what? That’s fine, it’s fine. So what if three of three beans have tasted like garbage? One of them is bound to be good sooner or later. I mean if you flip a coin enough times, it’s bound to come up heads at some point. That’s just the law of averages, yeah.”

 “Uh, I think that’s the gambler’s fallacy,” Sasha pointed out with a raised brow.

 “Shut up and let me have hope, Sasha.” Marcy spun the spinner and giggled again. “Oh good, it’s peach or barf. That’s fine, that’s totally fine. Nothing to worry about, I’ve got a good feeling about this one.”

 She plucked another jelly bean out of the box, this one a darker orange with red flecks. She kept giggling, one of her eyes twitching.

 “You sure you’re okay, Marcy?” Anne asked, concerned.

 “I’m just  peachy , Anne!” Marcy said, far too brightly. “Peachy like I’m sure this jelly bean will be!”

 She stuffed in her mouth, chewing quickly. The smile remained frozen on her face even as her eyes began to water.

 “Aaaand it’s barf because  why not?!”  Marcy doubled over, hacking and coughing. “Oh God it’s on the sides of my tongue!”

 Anne gave Marcy a comforting pat on the back. Sasha just shook her head with a chuckle.

 “Okay, maybe we should give BeanBoozled a rest before Marcy keels over,” she said. “It was funny at first, but now it’s just getting sad.”

 “No no, I’m fine,” Marcy insisted even as she kept gagging. “I can get a good bean at some point, I know I can!”

 Anne and Sasha exchanged uncertain glances as Marcy grabbed the next card, it being her turn to read the question. “Okay, would you -  blech - rather be a Jedi master or an elite Saiyan?”

 “Ooh, I’d rather be a Saiyan,” Anne said instantly. “I love Dragon Ball!”

 “Well I guess I’ll be a Jedi,” Sasha said with a shrug. “At least I’ve actually seen Star Wars. I’ve only seen like a handful of Dragon Ball episodes.”

 “Well sixty-eight percent of people agree with you, Sasha,” Marcy said. “Sorry Anne, looks like it’s your turn for a bean.”

 Anne nodded and spun the box’s spinner with a swift finger flick. Around and around it spun until it landed on blue. “That’s berry blue or toothpaste.”

 “Aw man, you got an easy one,” Marcy said with a pout as Anne picked a blue jelly bean out of the box. “Toothpaste doesn’t even taste that bad.”

 Anne looked to Marcy as she plopped the bean in her mouth. Marcy, who’d been unfortunate enough to get four terrible-tasting jelly beans in a row. She smiled as an idea formed in her brain.

 “Hey Mar-Mar,” Anne said, voice slightly muffled with her mouth full.

 Marcy looked up, and didn’t even have time to react before Anne pulled her in for a surprise kiss. Marcy’s face lit up as she felt Anne’s tongue push past her lips, too stunned by the audacity to offer any sort of resistance. Anne pulled away after a few seconds, and Marcy felt a familiar lump in her mouth.

 “Oh my God!” Sasha laughed, a splash of red on her own cheeks as she brought a closed fist to her mouth. “Did you really just…? You  didn’t! ”

 “Yeah, I totally did,” Anne said proudly, blushing herself. “Well Marcy? What’s the verdict?”

 Marcy’s face was burning as she slowly chewed, a pleasant taste spreading across her taste buds. “Berry…”

[carewyncromwell]

OC emoji ask: 👁 🥞 🍩 ☕️ 💐 🍁 👖 ☁️ 🌟 for Ed, Desiree, Eli, and Bairn.

Somanyquestionsmyheart -- 😭

👁️ EYE - what colour are their eyes? do people notice their eyes? is there anything special about them (shows emotion easily, literally magical...)?

Ed's eyes are a bright blue than can be both boyish and shining when they’re happy and stony and unreadable when they’re not. Many of his more starry-eyed fans find his eyes incredibly dreamy...and so did Regulus, back in the day. 😉💚

Desiree's are a bright, gleaming black. When she's excited, they resemble a child's on Christmas. 

Eli's eyes are hazel with flecks of green and gold, depending on the light. It's the one trait he inherited from his mother that none of his siblings did -- his resemblance to his late mother is a large part of the reason why his father Grover has had such a difficult time accepting Eli's gender identity.

Bairn's eyes are blue. They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and I'd say Merlin @magical-retales would agree, since for as strong and masculine as Bairn looks, his eyes are incredibly gentle, and he's an open book emotionally through those eyes for anyone with a talent for Legilimency.

🥞 PANCAKE - what is their comfort breakfast?

Ed really likes sweet pastries, so things like donuts, sugar-dusted crepes, or even churros would be right up his alley.

One of Desiree's favorite foods in general are croissants, so that plus a cup of Earl Grey tea and some fresh fruit? Yes. Just yes.

Eli isn't the type to care about what foods should be eaten for breakfast versus lunch or dinner, so he's just as likely to eat steak and French Fries for breakfast as he is bacon and eggs. That being said, though, he does usually have to eat quite a bit of carbs to get through a bad hangover, so toast is often his go-to.

During the Renaissance, it was most common for Londoners to eat bread, cold meat, and ale for breakfast. Bairn himself, however, often ends up roast any meat he has for breakfast -- most notably fish or venison -- so that it's nice, hot, and crispy, since he sometimes will share some of his breakfast with his dragon familiar Morag.

🍩 DONUT - favourite sweet treat?

Ed's one true love is cheesecake. He's not picky about its supposed "quality," he will indulge in some if he gets the chance.

Desiree really isn't a sweets connoisseur, largely because in her household, the Lestranges really didn't have many of them around, so she's not used to eating them and even now doesn't tend to gravitate toward them. While traveling, however, she did try ice cream for the first time (strawberry, specifically), and she really enjoyed it. Fruity flavors in general tend to be up Desiree's alley more than anything chocolate or sugary -- if you want to try to tempt her "sweet tooth," put fruit in it or make it fruit-flavored.

Eli really loves custards and puddings, though when he gets to the States, he develops a liking for Muggle Jello. He loves playing with it and watching it wiggle as he eats it.

Bairn also tends to prefer fruit to sugars or chocolates, largely because in his time period, chocolate is still rather new and way more bitter than it is today. Fresh fruit preserves are actually one of his favorite foods, especially plums.

☕️ HOT BEVERAGE - do they prefer hot or cold drinks? what is their favourite drink?

Ed likes sweet coffee blends best, especially the kinds with lots of foam. One of his personal favorites is the white chocolate mocha.

Desiree is a tea person through and through -- Earl Grey is her go-to.

Eli really enjoys butterbeer, preferably cold, as well as root beer and Coca Cola.

Bairn's all about the Scottish Whiskey, baby! Though hot apple cider is great on cold nights.

💐 BOUQUET - create a bouqet for them! what do those flowers mean? are any of the flowers their particular favourite?

Ed would need some yellow crocuses for his bouquet, while Desiree would need some purple irises. As I said in this post, yellow crocuses represent rebirth, innocence, joy, cheer, positivity, and new beginnings, while irises represent faith, hope, courage, admiration, and wisdom. 

For Eli, I pick the daffodil. They represent rebirth and new beginnings (fitting, considering his storyline), as well as hope, youth, energy, creativity, renewal, inspiration, and forgiveness. They are also the first flowers to bloom in spring, meaning they thrive despite very unforgiving circumstances, which associates them with strength and resilience. 

For Bairn...I pick lavender! They represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness, and their purple color associates them with royalty. Lavender is also frequently associated with its soothing, therapeutic scent and its healing properties. 

🍁 MAPLE LEAF - what is their favourite season? why?

Ed's a spring kind of guy -- he loves when the warmer weather comes back after a long chill, but he also likes going out to see some live music at a warm, cozy club on those dark, rainy nights.

Desiree also really enjoys the spring, largely because it's the best weather for traveling.

Eli isn't picky about the weather, but he loves the fall because fall means Halloween! And Halloween is one of his personal favorite American Muggle traditions.

Bairn enjoys the fall and spring best -- he enjoys the change of season in both directions, but he also finds both seasons the best compromise kind of weather to go out and do things.

👖 JEANS - what is their go-to outfit?

Ed ~ t-shirt, jeans, couduroy jacket, baseball cap, shades

Desiree ~ collared shirt with burgundy tie, burgundy culottes, tall boots, burgundy fedora, gold winged earrings

Eli ~ suit with the jacket left unbuttoned, collared shirt, loosely tied tie, argyle-printed socks (often yellow, blue, or red), black oxford shoes

Bairn ~ Renaissance peasant tunic, belt, breeches tucked into boots, hand-carved rune pendant on a cord around the neck

☁️ CLOUD - a soft headcanon

Just about all of the songs Ed has written, even back when he was still a teenager, were about the love of his life, Regulus. Even when he and Regulus couldn’t be as upfront about the nature of the feelings they had for each other, Ed would often write little songs to make Reg smile. 

One of Desiree’s go-to happy moments, whenever she has to summon a Patronus, is the first time she and her first friend and eventual other-half Jules Aquila @kathrynalicemc fully hugged each other. Jules had initiated a few casual hugs in the past and Desiree had awkwardly reciprocated them, but this moment in particular was after the Empyrean’s crew had gotten separated during a particularly hazardous adventure. When they all reunited again, Jules’s eyes were so bright at the sight of Desi and the others that Desiree couldn’t stop herself from running over to him and throwing her arms around him. Although a bit startled at first, Jules very quickly reciprocated, laughing in delight and relief, and the two hugged each other like they never wanted to let go again. 

One of Eli’s favorite films of all time is MGM’s The Wizard of Oz. Several times, while meeting child fans, he’d made them smile by cracking jokes and singing songs from the movie, especially If I Only Had a Brain, since the Scarecrow is his favorite character. 

Bairn may be an orphan raised by an abusive adoptive family, but small children are attracted to him like magnets. Even if at the very start, they might be afraid of his height and muscles, as soon as he gets down on their level and speaks to them in his measured, quiet voice, they pretty instantly take to him and will start gabbing away about what they’re interested in or about their home lives while Bairn patiently listens. (Bairn’s way with children is ultimately how Merlin and he adopted more than one of their kids. 😂) 

🌟 GLOWING STAR - what do they think about when they look at the night sky? is there someone they want to star gaze with?

Ed always thinks of Regulus, without fail. He has to find Regulus's star and make a wish on it every time he stargazes.

Desiree ends up stargazing a lot while on board the Empyrean with Jules. Whenever Jules asks her what she's thinking about, though, she doesn't respond like most people do -- rather than thinking of a person, her place in the world, or even the endless assortment of countries she could visit or adventures she could go on, she's usually stuck dwelling on something like how a star's chemical composition affects its electromagnetism. 🤣

Eli is one of those people who wouldn't want to stargaze with anyone, but rather do it when he wanted to be completely on his own and take some time to consider his overall insignificance, in the face of the rest of the universe.

Bairn would love to stargaze with Merlin!! 🥺 The stars are beautiful at night...he'd love to go out and look out at the stars!! He probably wouldn't talk much, but if Merlin wanted to talk while they stargazed, he'd listen. ❤️

Emoji Ask Game!

[frosty-talks]

Feast of the Winter Star

Hey y’all! I finally dusted off my laptop and got to writing again! Though this time it’s with a twist as I wrote my first proper fanfic in years. With Christmas and other holidays upon us I got into the mood to combine two favorite fandoms of mine: Stardew Valley and Miraculous Ladybug. Thank you @medic-eliza for editing this for me, it couldn’t have been done without your help!

Coat. Hat. Scarf. Gloves. Boots. Yup, everything needed to face the cold winter air. She tightened the scarf once more before glancing over at a wrapped box on her kitchen table — small, wrapped in festive paper, and topped off with a simple green bow. Her gift for the Feast of the Winter Star.

Every year in Pelican Town, the citizens got together to enjoy food and give presents to a randomly assigned person. This was Marinette’s first year in the Valley, her first year to participate. She sighed and plucked the box from its place, tucking it under her arm before opening the door with a shiver. The cold December air creeped in and cooled her warm cabin down.

The door was quickly closed on her exit and she looked out on her empty field. In the summer, it was filled with all sorts of crops: melons, blueberries, corn, and tomatoes. However, in winter, she had to get by without those precious crops and get by she did thanks to making enough money to last until spring’s harvest. Marinette walked through the barren field and trudged through the snow in front of her cabin, past the still broken down bus stop, and paused at the town’s entrance.

Once she arrived, she’d be in the middle of the festivities  and she most likely wouldn’t be able to get away until late at night. She felt nervous. She’d skipped the other festivals the town had held. This one she decided to go to as she didn’t want to disappoint whoever she's got for her secret gift-receiver. But at the same time, there was the slight chance that they wouldn’t like her present and the thought made her involuntarily step back…

‘Snap out of it, Marinette! You can do this!’

The mental kick was just what she needed, and she confidently entered the town’s center. She marveled at the giant tree in the middle of everything, its long branches decorated with ornaments, lights, and tinsel. Children ran around without a care with an occasional snowball being thrown. Despite everything being outside, she couldn’t help but feel warmth all around.

“Hey, girl!” A voice called out to Marinette’s left. “Come join us!”

It was Alya! One of the first people to welcome her to the Valley, she had become a best friend of sorts to the newcomer. “Oh, hey Alya! You don’t mind?”

“Why would I ask you to join if I did?” The brunette grabbed Marinette’s arm, tugging her to her family’s table. “Just get over here!”

Currently only Alya’s father was seated, his attention being entirely focused on Alya’s younger twin sisters, but Marinette could see her mother setting out food nearby. “We’re so happy you could make it. We were worried you’d stay home.” 

“Ah, well… I thought about it.” Her face turned red a bit as she held up her gift. “But I didn’t want to leave someone without a gift.”

She could see the faintest bit of disappointment in her friend’s face though it was quickly replaced with a smile. “Doesn’t matter, you’re here and that’s all I care about! So who did you get?”

Marinette sighed and revealed the tag. “Chloe.”

“Oh good luck with that.” 

Chloe. The mayor’s daughter and the spoiled brat of the town. Hard to please and easy to annoy, and of course she was Marinette’s secret gift-receiver for the year. Chloe was a high end shopper with all clothes being designer, ate only the best food, and never lifted a finger to help unless it benefited her. Marinette was dumbfounded when she got the letter, how was she supposed to give Chloe a present when she was a farmer? All her money went to making sure she’d survive the winter with almost none left over to spend on personal items, much less items of a more expensive taste.

“Well, hey, maybe she’ll be in a good mood?” Her friend offered.

“When was the last time Chloe was in a good mood?”

“I’m only trying to help.”

A huff and the present was set aside, quickly forgotten as the friends chattered on about how the day could go. Soon enough the call for everyone to grab their food went out. Everyone rushed over and clambered to get the best bites, despite being assured by the cooks that there was plenty for everyone. With the townsfolk settled, the mayor of the town himself, Mayor Bourgeois, stood up with his glass raised in a toast. 

“Another year is almost done and now we celebrate everything that has changed in our lovely community. The biggest one being that the farm down the road has finally been cleaned up and is now in use once again, thanks to our new farmer: Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

The small claps from the gathered townsfolk caused a blush to creep up Marinette’s face, and the farmer to duck down to avoid all the attention.

“With that out of the way I declare that the Feast of the Winter Star may now begin!”

The food was delicious, unlike anything Marinette had tried before. From the honeyed ham to the sticky toffee pudding, the farmer couldn’t help but devour everything she could until she was full. A look around even proved others had the same thoughts on it, Nino shoveling more onto his plate, Ivan looking like he was going to pass out from eating too much. 

The mayor watched the trays of food slowly dwindle away until he was sure everyone had gotten their fill. Another success for the holiday. Now onto the best part. “With the feast itself out of the way, it is time to move onto the next part!” Mayor Bourgeois stood with a present held above him. “Secret gift givers, it is time to exchange!”

A whistle and everyone was awake and alert. People rushed to be the first to give their gift away while others waited until things had calmed down. Marinette instead went right up to the mayor’s table where Chloe waited, bundled up in a stylish but thick, yellow coat, white sunglasses still atop her head despite the cloudy weather.

“Ugh,” The compact mirror snapped shut, disdain evident in Chloe’s voice. “What do you want, Dupain-Cheng?”

She took in a breath before holding out her present. “I’m your secret gift giver! I hope you like it.” Fat chance she’d admit to liking it. 

The blonde considered the present for a moment before snatching it away. 

“Fine I guess I’ll see what you got me.” First the bow, and then the paper, finally leaving the box to open. With a flourish of her hand, the lid was off and a moment of silence surrounded the two girls. “Uh, what is this?”

“A scarf? It’s winter and I’ve never seen you wear one so I thou-”

“Well you thought wrong!’ The box was unceremoniously dropped on the table. “Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous! I don’t need a scarf!”

Just what she thought. Marinette turned and trudged back to Alya’s table with a sigh. Even though she knew Chloe wouldn’t like the gift, she had hoped there would’ve been some appreciation for it But no, just ridicule. She plopped herself back in her seat with her head slamming down on the table.

“Didn’t go well?” Alya had come back, a new phone case replacing her old one.

“As well as you’d expect.”

“Well get back up because I have something that will bring that smile back!” Marinette gasped as Alya grabbed her arm, pulling her out of her seat and around the decorated tree. Her friend then skidded to a stop and covered the farmer’s eyes with her hands. “Okay, don’t peak.”

“Alya, what’s going on?!”

“Marinette?” 

She stiffened at the new voice. No way. She had to be dreaming. Could her gift giver really be…?

She took Alya’s hands and lowered them down. In front of her stood none other than Adrien, a somewhat nervous smile on his face and a tiny box in hand. He took a step closer and coughed to hide his steadily reddening cheeks while handing over the box. “Surprise, I guess, I got your name in the mail. I had a hard time deciding what to get you so I… Well, it’d be better if you opened it.”

She took the box with a shaky hand. In all the time she’d wondered who got her she had briefly considered Adrien, but threw the notion out as it would be a miracle if he just so happened to get her. Yet, here she was facing that slim possibility. All she had to do was open it… 

There wasn’t much, the box itself had a festive pattern to it, the lid following the same pattern, and a tiny bow taped in the center. A slight tug pulled the lid off to reveal a small handmade bracelet inside.

“It’s a friendship bracelet.” The blond explained. “You’ve been mostly keeping to yourself So I thought maybe I could give you something to show we’re friends. Look-” 

Adrien rolled up his coat sleeve, another bracelet having been hidden from sight; this one’s colors being a slight variation on the one just gifted to her. “I have one too.”

She couldn’t think of any words to say. She had been distant from most everyone, wanting to focus on her work and not ruin another friendship like when she’d been in the city. Holding the bracelet in her hands, seeing Adrien and Alya’s hopeful expressions, maybe it was time to consider a different approach to her new home.

Marinette couldn’t help the small tears that creeped up as she pulled both of her friends into a hug. “Thank you. I love it. And I’ll do better to get away from the farm more.”

The other two joined in the hug while the Winter Star itself shone down on Pelican Town’s residents, another festival coming to a close.

[blueboxesandtrafficcones]

The Nuptial Necessity - Chapter 19

A 12xRose Human AU

Despite an unglamorous job description, Rose loves the work she does with The Thistle Foundation, a charity founded by her best friend’s great-uncle.  It doesn’t hurt that her boss, her friend’s father, is easy on the eyes.  With a great job, wonderful friends and a loving family, life couldn’t be better – except for having someone to share it with.

All of that is threatened, though, when the great-uncle dies – and sets a strange condition for his nephew to inherit, jeopardizing the Foundation and Rose’s future, sparking a chain of events that might just get her everything she dreamed of and more.

Chapters will be posted on Saturdays and Tuesdays.  Many thanks to my beta, @stupidsatsuma

Rated: Explicit, for eventual smut

@doctorroseprompts

AO3  |  Masterlist

—

Saturday (the morning after)

The blaring alarm startled Rose awake, and groaning, she swatted blindly at her bedside table until the noise stopped.  Once again in peaceful silence she buried her face deeper into her pillow, pouting slightly at having been woken up.  She’d been having the most marvelous dream; after the Gala, she’d persuaded Malcolm to come to bed with her, and they’d spent half the night making glorious love.

Rolling over at the sound of her door squeaking open, she became aware of several things at once; she was naked, she was sore in delicious places, and Malcolm was walking towards her carrying a tray loaded with breakfast and wearing a dressing gown.

“I hope you don’t mind, I thought we’d share breakfast in bed,” he murmured, stopping at the side of the bed, looking adorably flustered and shy given what they’d shared.

Wide awake now at the scent of bacon Rose nodded eagerly, pulling back the covers from the other side of the bed, accidentally flashing him in the process.  “Oops,” she giggled, pulling the sheet up to cover her breasts; he didn’t look particularly offended, instead running his eyes over her like a starving man.

“Let’s eat,” was all he said, handing her the tray before moving to climb back into the bed.

“Erm-”  When she nodded towards the dressing gown on the chair next to him he passed it over, and she gave an apologetic grin of thanks as she pulled it on while he got in.

“This looks lovely,” Rose observed, picking up one of the forks and diving in.  “Smells good, too.”

“Thanks.  On the weekends, I try to do a full fry-up – especially if Clara’s here.  I’ve gotten away from it over the past few years- seemed a waste to do all this for myself- but… now that I’m not alone here, it might be time to resume it.”

Grinning, she nudged his foot with her own.  “You can make me breakfast anytime.”  Then, realizing what she was implying, she blushed and shoved a forkful of eggs in her mouth.  He’s your husband, you shagged, don’t be so weird.  She stopped chewing as it occurred to her that just because they’d been… intimate, that didn’t automatically make them a couple.  Little conversation had occurred, other than him checking every so often that she was good with what they were doing.  No declarations of love had happened, nothing to indicate anything had changed between them except they’d now seen each other naked and… done things to each other.  Amazing things, granted, but…

She suddenly felt very exposed and vulnerable.

“So, what’s the plan?” she asked, nibbling on a piece of toast and drawing her dressing gown tighter around her with one hand.

He finished chewing, taking the time to set his fork down and have a mouthful of coffee before answering.  “We fly out of Heathrow up to Inverness, and the estate driver will meet us there.  Then it’s just roughly an hour’s drive north, and we’re there.”

“Sounds simple enough.  How long’s the flight?”

“About an hour and a half- Graham’s picking us up at nine, and we should arrive a little after two.  It’s part of why I made such a big breakfast- we’ll have lunch when we get there.”

Rose nodded in agreement, before biting her lip.  “Um…”

“What?”  Malcolm looked at her, concerned, and she tried to find the right way to phrase what she wanted to ask without offending him.

“Uh, do you- what would- any idea what the… menu will look like during our trip?” she asked nervously, pushing a runaway lock of hair behind her ear.  “Will it be…” she bit back weird, trying to find an alternative- “traditionally Scottish?”

He stared at her for a long moment before his lips twitched.  “No one’s going to try to force you to have haggis, if that’s your concern.”

“What about black pudding?”

“Nor that.”  His smile broke free.  “Fish, beef, lamb, venison… all possible, and perfectly normal.  I didn’t think you were picky?”

“I’m not,” she said, slightly defensively, “but… there are certain things that just…  Ugh.”  She shivered, making a face.  “And I don’t want to be rude, but it’s easier if I know going in.”

Leaning forward, Malcolm patted her leg.  “Relax.  I’m sure it will be fine.  Besides, I already called ahead and told our chef, Ianto, that we’d like fish and chips for lunch and lamb chops for dinner.  How’s that sound?”

“Brilliant,” Rose relaxed, thoroughly distracted by his hand on her leg; even through the sheet she could feel the warmth, and it was heating her blood.  “Sorry, I just- I’m nervous,” she confided in a rush.  “I want them to like me, and accept me, and I don’t want to embarrass you…”

“They will,” he said confidently, rubbing her thigh.  “They’ll love you, trust me.  How could they not?  And it’s far more likely that I will embarrass you.”

“True.  Thanks.”

She just hoped he was right.

-

 They settled into their seats, Rose still arguing with him.  “Are you sure you don’t want the window?”

He sighed, counted silently to ten, then said, “I’m absolutely certain.  I’ve got some paperwork to look over, and I want you to enjoy.  Look out the window, watch the country fly by.  I insist.”

“Fine.”  She huffed, belting herself in and fluffing her hair before looking around.  “You really didn’t need to book business class- it’s not even a two hour flight.”

“It’s not that expensive, and I wanted the extra room.  Besides, you’re going to spend the next week getting called ‘my lady’ – might as well start with the star treatment, eh?”

She gave him a shy smile, making his heart flutter.  “If you insist.”

“I do.”  He wanted to lean forward and kiss her, but wasn’t sure she would accept it- things were weird, a low-simmering tension between them.  When he’d woken they’d been spooned together, and it was heavenly, but he’d been nervous about how she would react when she woke up.  He had no idea if she felt the same as he did, if this was the start of a real relationship, or if she’d just been bored and horny and he was the closest bloke.  Based on all the evidence he suspected it was closer to the first than the second, but he didn’t know how close.  The last thing he wanted was for her to wake up and say it was a mistake.

So he took the coward’s way out.  She hadn’t seemed bothered by his rejoining her in bed, or sharing breakfast, but… that left a lot of room between where they seemed to be and where he wanted to be.

Because he wanted everything.

-

Over the past eight years of working together they’d taken a handful of business trips together.  Typically Rose would make all the arrangements for that and he would let her lead, but for this, he’d handled everything himself, and felt an absurd sense of self-pride that things had gone well.  The last thing he wanted was for their trip to get off to a rocky start.

Walking out through security, he spotted a lad with a sign reading Gallifrey and headed for it, wheeling their suitcases behind him as they approached.

“You Ross?”

“Lord Gallifrey?”  The young man looked startled, bowing his head lower than necessary, and Malcolm hid a smile at his nervousness; it had been a good ten years since Wallace was well enough to travel back to Scotland, so this would be the first time the lad met the owner of the Estate he worked on.  “An honor, my lord, may I take those?”  Then he craned his neck around Malcolm, who glanced back to see Rose practically hiding behind him.  “Er, Lady Gallifrey?”

“Hi,” Rose said sheepishly, wriggling her fingers in his direction as she came around to stand at Malcolm’s side.  “I’m Rose.”

“Yes, my lady.”  To his credit he didn’t bat an eye, keeping to the proper address, and Malcolm’s opinion of him soared.  “If it pleases you…”

Malcolm passed over the rolling suitcases, keeping his ever-present backpack with him, noting out of the corner of his eye Rose kept her purse and carry-bag as well.  It was a short walk to the car, and Malcolm found it upon himself to keep the idle chitchat going, the other two too nervous or uncomfortable to speak much.

Seeing the car he smiled, not bothering to tamp down his boyish joy.  For many years, his sole reason for looking forward to inheriting the estate was this car- he’d learned to drive in it, and had always admired how cool and elegant it looked.  He wasn’t a car man by any means, but this- this one he knew every inch of.

A canary-yellow Edwardian roadster, it had been lovingly restored several times by the family, and had been called Bessie for over fifty years.  It was as much a part of the family as he was, at this point; moreso, he’d argue, as it never really left the Estate.  He was sorry to see the top up, though it would be the more practical way to travel.  I’ll have to take Rose out for a ride on the grounds with it down.

“Still running well?” he asked when Ross joined him at the bonnet, which he’d popped to take a look.  “How often is she driven?  Is the Silver Dawn still around?”

“Yes, my lord, beautifully.  I tend to her everyday- I hope you find her to your satisfaction.  Take her through the property two or three times a week. Same for the Silver Dawn.  We have a modern Land Rover that’s used for more daily needs.”

Malcolm let the hood down, nodding.  “So far, yes, I’m satisfied. We’ll see how she handles- she was old when I was young.”

Rose snorted, leaning on the side of the car.  “Must be positively ancient, now, then,” she teased.

“Bite your tongue,” Malcolm rolled his eyes, returning to her and opening the door for her to enter.  “I’m not that old.  Still in the prime of life, me.”

She waited until he was situated next to her to respond.  With a coy grin and a hand on his knee, she said, “Oh, I know,” in a terribly flirty voice.

No question- this would be an interesting trip.

-

Rose stared out the window, watching the farmland go by.   She’d tried to listen as Malcolm peppered Ross with questions about how the Estate was doing and people he knew, but was almost instantly lost.  It didn’t help that his accent had grown thicker almost immediately; it was normally strong, easy to tell he was a Scotsman, but now…

She liked it.  A lot.

“What do you think of Scotland so far?” Malcolm asked, squeezing her hand and drawing her attention back to him.

“It’s beautiful,” she said honestly, giving him a bright smile.  “What are all the golden fields?”

“It’s rapeseed.  You make vegetable oil or protein meal out of it.  You’ll find it all over Scotland- I believe we grow some as well, don’t we Ross?”

“Aye, my lord, we do,” Ross confirmed.  “Is this your first trip to Scotland, my lady?”

Malcolm had to nudge her.  Right, that’s me.  I’ll never get used to this.  “Uh, yes, it is.  So far, I love it.”

“In just a little bit we’ll pass through some of the hills, and you may be in luck- I believe I spotted some heather on my trip down, which would be a treat.  By the end of the week, it should be out in full force.”

“Can’t wait.”

-

“Rose, we’re here.”

“Mhmmm.”  Blinking, she lifted her head from where it had apparently fallen on Malcolm’s shoulder to look out the window.  “We are?”

“Well, almost,” he conceded, “we’re about a mile from the gates, but I didn’t want you to miss your first look.”

Yawning, she rolled her head around to stretch her neck.  “Thanks.” Taking his proffered hand and linking their fingers together, she watched diligently out the window for any sign.

Only a minute or so later they came to a minor fork in the road, where it seemed the main road went left and a side road off to the right; a little cottage sat just behind the stone wall, which ended in pillars.  No gate crossed the road, but it had a distinct private feel to it.

“Here we are,” Malcolm confirmed, as they turned onto the side road.  “The house is about half a mile up.”

“Okay.”  She couldn’t see anything yet as the road was tree-lined, but her excitement was growing, as were her nerves.

He nudged her, and before she could ask what, they came around the curve to see a gorgeous house waiting for them.  The front of it contained three solid sections; the middle was Georgian-style, with a light-red brick front and a rounded portico.  The side sections were white-washed and bright.  The overall effect was of a beautiful, clean, well-maintained house, and her heart soared.  Knowing that neither Malcolm nor Wallace had been there in so long had had her concerned about what the state of it would be, imagining a damp and dreary rundown house in the middle of nowhere.

This was infinitely better than that.

“Oh,” she gasped, squeezing his hand.  “It’s spectacular.”

“Thank you,” Malcolm laughed.  “Want to see the inside?”

She nodded eagerly, and still holding hands, they made their way inside.

[peace-coast-island]

Diary of a Junebug

Sandwiches and charming little huts 

Walking the trails of Charm Villa is like stepping into a bright, colorful, and cute notepad. Rolling hills with vibrant green grass and colorful flowers scattered all over. On the tops of the hills are rustic and whimsical little cottages and huts, as well as shops, cafes, and a library. Take a picture and you’d think it was from a stationery set!

After sleeping in until around eleven we met up with Gutsy and Livvy at Coffee Studios for a tour of Charm Villa. Gutsy’s a college friend of Daisy Jane who just moved to the village a few months ago. Livvy’s her niece - first cousin once removed - and she and Jack - her dad/Gutsy’s cousin - own Coffee Studios. The cafe was founded by Gutsy and Jack’s grandma, then it was passed down to Jack’s mom, and after she retired her son and granddaughter now run the place.

The cafe’s best known for their sandwiches and every few months they set up a contest for a new sandwich to add to the menu. Livvy was the one who started that tradition and it got popular so it stuck. Guess what today happened to be? While Lolly, Pancetti, Biskit, and Lyman prepped for the contest, the rest of us hung around the village before meeting back around 3 for the contest.

I’ve only met Gutsy a handful of times over the years and she always leaves an impression. The name Gutsy - short for Augusta - fits her to a T. She said that she never thought her impulsiveness and wild imagination would make her a good detective and yet there she was solving crimes and saving the day. Gutsy really does remind me a lot about Jamie, except a lot more extroverted and bold. Honestly, I’m surprised that they haven’t crossed paths yet.

So far Gutsy’s enjoying the peaceful village life. It’s a huge change of pace compared to her old life. Gutsy grew up in a boarding house that also ran a stable so her life revolved around horses since forever. Her father died when she was seventeen, opening up a can of worms that led to her getting tangled up with an embezzling scheme that he was involved in and indirectly caused his death. After exposing the crime, Gutsy joined a task force dedicated to investigating crimes relating to shady underground practices involving horses like racing and such. 

Daisy Jane and Gutsy met in college when they became roommates. At the time Gutsy was considering studying to be a veterinarian but ended up dropping out a year later because the task force was starting to take over her life. In retrospect, the whole being a vet thing wasn’t meant to be for her.

Being a detective was an unexpected turn for Gutsy, one that no one saw coming - and yet, at the time, it made sense. For a while, she felt that she found her calling, especially after being betrayed by what her dad and his friends had done. Maybe, in a way, she was trying to absolve him of his misdeeds. Solving mysteries and working with horses, what else can she ask for?

But then around last year things went sour. Investigating crimes has its dangers, which Gutsy knows all too well. She can handle being a target, but when loved ones are in the line of fire, that’s where she draws the line. The birth of her daughter Lulu led to Gutsy reevaluating her life choices. Eventually she decided that it was time to move on and give Lulu a stable childhood.

That’s why she decided to settle in Charm Villa. Other than her cousins and a small handful of relatives, Gutsy doesn’t have much family. With Lulu to take care of, a journey of self discovery was out of the question so she opted to stick close to family for practical reasons. With Livvy in college and only coming home every other weekend and Jack having experience as a young single parent as well as needing help with the cafe, Gutsy knew she and Lulu would be in good hands. 

While she finds herself much happier and less stressed in Charm Villa, Gutsy does miss being around horses. As far as she knows, the nearest stable is about two hours away so she hasn’t had a chance to visit yet. Maybe when Lulu’s a little older, she says. For now, Gutsy and horses are taking a long break. 

The way she describes it is like a close relationship that has gone a bit too codependent. All her life she grew up surrounded by horses so she related to them more than people. Her views on the family she grew up with, especially her dad, have been clouded in recent years. When she put together the pieces, she didn’t want to believe it, but at the same time, it all made sense. While being a detective gave her a sense of purpose, it also showed Gutsy how deceiving people can be. She always - and still - find horses more trusting than people, so in a way she relied on them as a crutch. Do it for the horses - that was her mantra whenever she tackled a case that would push her limits. Then that led to her letting the task force take over her life to the point that she had nothing outside of that. 

Eventually it got to the point where all she cared about was getting the truth out. Right and wrong, black and white, collateral damage was unfortunate but it didn’t matter as long as what’s done is done. As a result, Gutsy ended up burning a lot of bridges, which in turn made her question if she did more harm than good.

Lulu was her wake up call, the one who turned Gutsy’s life upside down and forced her to reevaluate her future. Being a parent wasn’t in the cards for her but in the end she made her choice. While the idea of raising a kid is still terrifying for her, so far it seems to be the best thing to happen to her. After spending most of her life jumping headfirst into danger and chasing thrills, Gusty realized the weight of her actions and how one can’t always jump to conclusions or make poor judgements just to get ahead of everyone else.

Maybe it’s another attempt to right her dad’s wrongs - that’s still something she struggles with - but Charm Villa, the cafe, Lulu, her cousins, it’s been doing her a lot of good. There’s still a lot that Gutsy’s uncertain about, but getting herself out of a bad place is a good first step. After everything she’s been through, I hope she finds that peace of mind she deserves. From the looks of it, I think she’s finding her way.

Around 1:30 we headed back to the cafe to help set up for the sandwich contest. When we were done, we had time to kill so Jack and Livvy gave us a tour of the kitchen. Then we made lattes and bread, which was a lot of fun. By the time we were able to master latte art, it was time for the contest to begin!

Candy Fruit Sando by Lolly A super sweet take on the cute Japanese fruit sandwiches! To kick things up a notch, the fruits are coated with a sugary syrup for an extra crunch! Fresh ripe fruit candied to perfection, freshly whipped cream that feels like eating a cloud and a soft and pillowy brioche to tie it all together - it’s the perfect addition to any bento box! Rod - Candied fruit?! Genius! 9/10 Snooty - I just wanna take pictures of it and make my friends jealous over how pretty it looks! 10/10 Sylvana - Strawberries and cream are a winning combo! 8/10 Audie - Aesthetic and yummy - that’s a win for me! 9/10

Spa Day Sandwich by Pancetti In need of shaking up your skin care routine? No need to swap out your face mask or moisturizer when you can have a sandwich instead! All the freshest veggies guaranteed to give you a healthy glow like cucumbers and seaweed seasoned with a zesty citrus glaze on a slice of lightly toasted pumpernickel. Snooty - My skin’s already feeling great! 7/10 Sylvana - This kinda reminds me of a salad, but in sandwich form! 6/10 Audie - This was definitely inspired by a spa! 6/10 Rod - Skip the moisturizer, go for the sandwich! 7/10

The Ultimate Dessert Sandwich! by Biskit What happens when you mash a pie, cake, and pudding into one? Well, we’re about to find out with this sandwich! The bread’s kinda like a pie crust/brioche hybrid and the sauce is a rich caramel custard. In between are thin slices of red velvet cake, blueberry-ginger pie filling, and slices of yellow cake. Sylvana - If this doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, I don’t know what will! 8/10 Audie - Talk about indulgent! 6/10 Rod - Perfect for a cheat day after an intense workout - but only in moderation! 7/10 Snooty - Are you sure this is a sandwich? 5/10

Take a Bite of Nature! by Lyman Need a palate cleanser after having too many sweets or processed foods? Nothing like fresh organic veggies to put your body back in balance! Green, leafy veggies, rustic roots, and crisp, sweet fruit on sprouted bread - all the flavors of nature in one tasty package! Audie - Crunch, crunch, crunch! 7/10 Rod - I wonder if this will make a good post-workout shake… 7/10 Snooty - Turn the bread into croutons and add some dressing and it’s a rustic salad! 8/10 Sylvana - This is probably better than some of the stuff they sell at health food stores 7/10

[superfoodfantasytrashnproudblog]

Could you post your ToastPudding story please? I'm going to write one of my own and I would really like to have some inspiration to keep me going!

i kinda wanted to write one buti never found the right time to do so because of work and stuff ( i once posted a little bit it’s in the ff toast tag i think)but i could give you some headcanons if you’d like:

(i went kinda overboard lol)

against what most people think it was pudding who confessed first . as soon as he reliased his fellings he thought about it and deducted that it would be the best move (thats what he likes to say but it was actually jello’s idea)

it wasnt romantic or so they were closing up for the evening and pudding just told him after he then had done his cleaning

toast was suprised he didnt see it coming (and almost droped the dishes he was putting away)

afterwards pudding quickly leaved 

at first toast thought it minght be a dare or so but then again pudding wouldnt do something like that 

toast then wanted to speak with him about it but pudding started to avoid him

when toast went to the ice arena he left, he would volunteer for the air ship / orders and stuff

toast went to jello for help and she got pudding to listen to toast( he dosent know how and pudding wont talk about it and when he asks jelly she just smiles)

and they just hit it of after from then on (i seriously havent thought about this part yet i love drama so im better at coming up with misunderstandings and such than the resolving ending)

toast likes scratching pudding with his stubels

toast found out that pudding knows how to style hair from jello (because he does it for her sometimes) 

after a lot of presuasion and a promise to not tell anyone pudding agreed to do his hair (omurice would either tease him or be jealous about him doing jello’s hair and he’d rather not have to deal with that)

toast may have one or two spare glasses but puddings collection is on a whole new level ( when he first found it he was alone in puddings room because he had to get something but as he returned he found toast wearing at least ten pairs simulainiously)

pudding steals toasts shirts (when he first saw that toast almost died it was too much for him)

toast gets pudding to relax and turn his manager mode off which is something even jello cant pull off that often

they kept their realationship a secret at first , pudding just wanted to keep it profesionel and not because he’d scream at every food soul who’d try to talk about romance with him out of embarrassment ( toast saw through him almost immediately played along)

the master attendant was the first one to find out. they were missing some ingredients so pudding volunteered to go to the market real quick and toast decided to tag along they had a rather romantic evening but what they didnt expect was that the master attendant decided to go tp the market as well shortly after them  (a suprise order came in so they had to buy more stuff) so just imagine this moment : toast and pudding hug/kiss beneath a street lamp the sun is setting the town is painted in a warm red/orange the street is empty because atmosphere. they remain standing close for a bit longer afterward and then the fucking master attendant just exitsa near by store and walks by not even stopping and pudding immediately freezes, toast the has to convince pudding that the MA wouldn’t tell the others about them or do anything else they wouldn’t want. pudding agrees but as soon as they entered the restaurant almost every food soul sits in the dining part (with jello being rather amused at a tomato red pudding) and they all just go “so how long??” and ask questions with chocolate declaring that they can and should come to him if they have problems he’s after all the love expert. a horrified pudding stormed into the storage room where the MA is preparing the order and ask them way they told everyone the visibly confused MA can’t even declare their innocence before jello (who as well as toast followed him) says that it was orange juice /nasi lemak (i have this headcanon that those two are the central figure of any gossip spreading around the restaurant) both had accompanied the MA earlier pudding and toast were just to surprised at a wild MA appearing to see them( i actually eanted to draw a comic about that scene but i acidentally deleted the wip and went to bed)

the whole comotion died down rather quickly after black tea gave everyone disaponted glare and the MA threw a “i expected more from you “at them 

it took pudding some time to actually ask the MA what they thought about the realtionship (they just gave a tumps up a wink and said to “keep it quite while working”) 

after doing one too many fake kissy sound around pudding omurice gets kicked in the shines so hard he minght have cried if he jello hadnt been around 

after the big reveal toast find himself having chocolates pat his shoulder followed up by a “feel free to talk with me about anything” almost daily (mainly because pudding just gave chocolate a judmental glare and silence the one time he did that with him)

jello now drages pudding along to almost every “girl talk” about romance (chocolate wants to be invited to those but he kinda went overboard that one time and lets just say they dont want to shoulder another flower bill and the MA’s disapointed head shake like this again)

the only time toast listend to chocolate was to just buy pudding flowers he bought him a smal yellow bouquet because it remined him of puddings eyes (and he actually managed to talk chocolate ,who had decided to tag along, out of buying the biggest rose bouquet the shop had)

pudding looked like as if he’d explode any second thats how hard he blushed  (he even forgot that they were infront of the restaurant and everyone could see them .the MA just looked at them and said “nice” before going back to work)

[strawbbylino]

things my idiot brother has done:

- cooked a grilled cheese only to realize he didn't unwrap the plastic from neither the bread or the cheese. Still ate it.

- asked my grandmother if he could have her cats when she dies ("so when you decide to just give up on life, can I have Buckle?" "Sure dear,")

- told my mum her pasta was less edible than cat food

- ate cat food to prove previous point ("tastes like tuna tbh. Not bad."

- told a girl she looked like she could stab him

- stabbed himself with a pencil to get out of a math quiz "I may not know math but I do know how much force it takes for me to impale myself and not in the fun way"

- asked a girl out then proceeded to fall down the stairs and land 'smoothly' (he landed in the classic 'hello ladies pose, on the floor upside down) ("see, I fell for you your so fine."

- tried to break my other brothers arm to see if it would hurt him or my other brother more ("I want to test my morals.")

- walked up to my other brother, slapped him with a tortilla wrap and challenge him to a duel to the crumbs ("come on you limp toaster strudel, take me on in a duel to the crumbs!")

- lost said duel and screamed out, "Why! The yeast you could do is let me win, you dry piece of toast,"

- asked my grandfather if my dad was a mistake ("no but you were," "I know that what about my pops?")

- demanded the school let him do the announcements, only for him to play Rick Rolling

- told a teacher to go suck on a apple, proceeded to provide said apple ("your looking a little too healthy, here take a apple.")

- asked our neighbor why he enjoyed h***** ("honestly man, what's so good about it? Its so suckie. Eh get it?")

- compared my cousin to King Henry the 8th but with dudes instead of dudettes ("I'm telling you, he chopped off his head with his thighs. I saw it." "How did you see that happen-" "that's not the topic right now,")

- got stuck on the roof in a lighting storm, in nothing but his underwear ("I wanted Thor to see my hot body and come to take me away from this mortal world,")

- streaked in my aunt's pool, fully sober ("I didn't want to get my swim shorts wet.")

- calmly threatened to "eat all the bananas in this store" to a confused shop employee. It was a clothing store

- dyed his hair ugly yellow to prove a point to my mother that nothing would make him uglier ("im so going to break the mirror now")

- fell asleep in the middle of a exam, woke up before it was done and screamed before handing it in, his name misspelled

- fell down the stairs and told everyone he was over life, was becoming a pimp and the old lady next door was his first stripper

- calmly informed my father he was a ninja turtles, then screeched

- stared at someone so hard they looked ready to piss themselves only to inform them that he was a alien and was just studying there facial features so that he can find and probe them later

- slut dropped in the middle of church

- sang "My neck, my back" in the middle of Sunday school

- dressed up my cat for Halloween as Donald Trump (he was Hilary Clinton, my other brother Berine Sanders. I was a cow) ("he's Donald Trump because his hair looks like a toupee")

- explained to my mother the pros of being a pornstar on the way to church, asked the pastor if he agreed

- drank a whole bottle of vodka, vanished for a few hours and came back covered in pudding. To this day we don't know what he did

- bought my entire family (including elderly grandparents, and young cousins) Christmas lingerie ("see, I got you the Mrs.Claus cause I didn't know if you had a furry kink)

[oflopez-blog1]

counselor olympics → task 002

total questions answered: 150

1. if they were a candle, what scent would they be?

strawberry & candy cane !

2. what female celebrity do they wish was their sister?

1000% lauren jauregui

3. what male celebrity do they wish was their brother?

ooooooooo probably jordan fisher

4. how old do they think they’ll be when they get married?

she hopes around 25 / 26 but she won’t be upset if it takes longer

5. how many countries have they been to?

only the one she currently lives in !

6. what would they name their daughter if they had one?

either sofia or isabella / bella

7. what would they name their son if they had one?

diego !!

8. what was their favorite tv show as a child?

she was only really allowed to watch one show & she picked Spongebob 

9. what language, besides their native language, would they like to be fluent in?

her native language is spanish but she’s also very fluent in english

10. would they ever change their name? if so, to what?

she really loves her name because it’s also her grandmother’s name. I honestly don’t think she’d change it

11. what was the last compliment they got?

“you look so good in yellow”

12. what is their favorite flavor of tea?

CHERRY & ALMOND !

13. how did they find out that santa and the easter bunny weren’t real?

she never really had the chance to believe in them in the first place ? val never celebrated easter & her mom gave her money to buy things for herself during christmas

14. what is their hogwarts house? (recommended: take pottermore quiz)

hufflepuff !!

15. what tarot card are they?

the sun card

16. are they more of a marvel or dc fan?

neither ! she never got the chance to watch them

17. who is their favorite superhero?

probably wonder woman

18. everyone has a song that deeply reminds them of their childhood. what is theirs?

skyscraper by demi lovato

19. what are the meanings of their first, middle, and last name?

valeria  = “to be strong”

rae = ?? ( I couldn’t find the meaning )

lopez = “son of lope”

20. have they ever stolen a street sign before?

nooooooo never

21. what is their biggest pet peeve?

people touching her / walking slow in front of her

22. if they were a month, what month would they be?

I think she’d be the month of May

23. what is their least favorite movie?

friday the 13th

24. what five movies would they bring with them if they were stuck on a deserted island?

a basket of lil snacks

paper + pencils

her anxiety pills

bathing suit

fire starter kit

25. out of all of the late night talk show hosts, who is their favorite?

she doesn’t know any of them !

26. what are three things they are afraid of?

confronting her mother

snakes

super deep water

27. what was the first concert they went to?

she’s never been to one

28. is there a nickname that only their family calls them?

val !

29. what side of the bed do they sleep on?

she has a small bed so she sleeps in the middle

30. what is their favorite comfort food?

definitely bread pudding

31. what award shows do they watch?

her mother used to watch the grammy’s and val would listen in so probably the grammy’s

32. do they have any weird body skills (example: being double jointed)?

she can do that flower thing with her tongue

33. if they drink coffee, what is their coffee order?

she love macchiatos

34. what social media platforms do they have?

all of them but she uses instagram the most

35. are they a cat or dog person?

dogs 10000000000%

36. if they were a supernatural creature, what would they be?

either an elf or a nymph

37. what show are they currently watching on netflix/hulu?

mainly bob’s burgers & the hollow

38. what is their favorite disney movie?

lilo & stitch all the way

39. do they wear any perfume or cologne? 

she wears a pretty citrus-y body mist 

40. what genres of music do they listen to?

mostly pop + acoustic

41. have they ever seen the bee movie?

nO

42. what are their favorite memes?

you died memes

43. what celebrities do they share a birthday with?

brendon urie, saoirse ronan & jennifer morrison

44. what is their moon (zodiac) sign?

cancer

45. which of the seven cardinal sins do they embody the most?

of the 7, she’s probably most like envy because she didn’t experience a childhood worth being happy about & she gets envious of people who did

46. do they watch sports on television? if so what ones?

even if she was allowed to, I don’t think she’d watch sports tbh

47. what do they put on their typical sandwich?

tomatoes, ham and mustard

48. what was the name of their first significant other?

his name was dwight

49. do they care if people think badly of them?

it depends on the day tbh but for the most part, she doesn’t care 

50. what was the last thing that made them cry?

one of the kids told her she was least fun of all the counselors because she was so quiet

51. are they an iphone or samsung user?

iphone ( rose gold with this case )

52. what type of computer do they use (example: apple)?

a mac computer

53. what is one of their nervous habits?

bites the side of her tongue

54. out of all reality shows, which one would they have a chance winning?

big brother 

55. would they ever go bungee jumping or skydiving?

n O omg she’d be way too scared

56. what do they call their grandparents?

abuela + abuelo

57. what do they do when they can’t sleep?

read or scroll through social media or use her ouija board

58. what time do they normally go to bed?

usually around 10pm

59. if they have instagram, what was the last picture that they posted?

this captioned with “lunch is my favourite time of day”

60. if they have twittter, what was the last thing that they tweeted?

“does anyone know where I left my sunscreen?? or can I please borrow someones”

61. who is their otp?

kara + luther from detroit become human

62. do they like sweet, salty, or sour?

sour !!

63. did they play any sports in the past?

she tried to get involved + play soccer but it didn’t end up working out

64. what is their favorite cheesy pick up line?

did the sun come out or did you just smile at me?

65. what tv show or movie is their guilty pleasure?

she loves to watch Nailed It

66. if they were a fruit, what fruit would they be?

honeydew

67. do they sing in the shower?

YES ! she performs

68. what is their favorite type of chips?

sweet chili heat doritos

69. do they drink juice? if so, what is their favorite kind?

she l o v e s fruit punch

70. what is more important to them: power, money, friends, family, love, or fame?

friends + love

71. what does their handwriting look like?

72. do they have reoccurring dreams? if not, what is their most memorable dream?

she doesn’t usually remember her dreams but one that she has never been able to forget is she was sitting at the dinner table during dinner and her father walked in and they had dinner as a family and then a big tornado came and he sacrificed himself for her and he kept saying how much he loved her. she woke up crying

73. if they were a taste, what would it be?

salted caramel 

74. what is one random fun fact about them?

she doesn’t have good memory

75. what is their lucky number?

12 and 34

76. do they have any pets?

no but she really wants to adopt one

77. do they believe in the paranormal or the supernatural?

YES!!!! she does

78. have they ever had any paranormal experiences?

yes, she’s surprisingly had a lot??

79. can they sing or dance?

she’s a great dancer

80. who is the first person they call/text when something exciting happens?

usually theo

81. what is their social media handle?

littlelopez

82. what swear word do they use/like the most?

“shit”

83. what is their ideal first date?

sitting on the beach, watching the sunset + having a nice picnic

84. if they were a type of weather, what would they be?

stormy

85. what is their least favorite holiday?

valentine’s day

86. what is the first thing that they do in the morning?

put on her slippers

87. who is their ultimate celebrity crush?

JESSE WILLIAMS

88. do they usually pay with cash or card?

with cash unless she absolutely has to use her card

89. what was the last thing that they bought?

a new pair of sunglasses

90. are they a good or bad driver?

she’s a decent driver. not the best but not the worst

91. if they could meet one person (from history or currently alive), who would it be?

probably marilyn monroe

92. have they ever gotten into a physical fight?

yes but she didn’t fight back

93. do they prefer pepsi or coke?

she doesn’t like either

94. do they prefer the city or the suburbs?

suburbs 1000000%

95. do they have any special or odd talents?

she........ can eyebrow dance

96. when they were little, what did they want to be when they grew up?

she knew she wanted to help people so either a social worker or a therapist

97. do they have any favorite smells?

she loves the smell of cookies, caramel, vanilla, lavender + green tea

98. if they could visit any place in the world, where would they go?

either italy or france

99. do they wear jewelry?

yes. her father’s old necklace, she never takes it off

100. who is the last person they talked to on the phone?

her grandpa. he wanted to check up on her

101. do they prefer ‘would you rather’ or ‘truth or dare’?

would you rather. truth or dare just makes her ... nervous

102. what has been their favorite halloween costume yet?

when she dressed up as Belle ( from beauty and the beast )

103. do they like horror movies?

she HA T E S them

104. what is their typical breakfast like?

cereal and toast with honey on it

105. are they a netflix or hulu person?

netflix. she probably doesn’t even know what hulu is lMAO

106. do they like to gossip?

not at all. she stays as far away from it as possible

107. if they were a song, what one would they be?

hold on just a little while longer ( idk who originally sings it )

108. what was their best subject in school?

math!!

109. what was their worst subject in school?

she wasn’t very good at gym, mainly due to shyness

110. have they ever met anyone famous?

not yet but she wants to

111. who was their childhood hero?

her grandma :)

112. were any tv shows or movies that they weren’t allowed to watch as a child?

anything horror or that had sexual innuendos or gore

113. what is the strangest thing they have ever eaten?

celery, peanut butter + raisins

114. do they prefer friends or family?

friends, for sure

115. how do they feel about pineapple on pizza?

she doesn’t like pizza so she doesn’t really care for it

116. do they put the milk or cereal in the bowl first?

milk first & then cereal

117. how do they think dogs would wear pants?

option #2. she thinks it would be too hard for dogs to walk if pants were on all 4 of their legs

118. do they believe in luck or fate?

she definitely does

119. do they use emojis when they text?

y e s, all the time

120. who was their favorite character on friends?

she never got the chance to watch it :(

121. what character on friends are they most like?

probably phoebe 

122. would they rather read the books or watch the movies?

read the books 10000%

123. what is their favorite time of day?

evening

124. did they watch the teletubbies as a child? if so, who was their favorite?

as a young kiddo, yes. her favourite was laa-laa

125. do they check the rating (like a rotten tomatoes rating) of a movie before they go and see one?

it doesn’t cross her mind to, especially if she’s excited about the movie

126. do they have any favorite old hollywood movie stars?

umMmM , not really tbh?

127. if they had to live in any other decade, which would they choose?

1950s for sure

128. if they could only listen to five music albums for the rest of their life, which ones would they choose?

confident > demi lovato

red > taylor swift

+ > ed sheeran

you > dodie clark

get weird > little mix

129. do they believe in heaven/hell or reincarnation?

she believes in reincarnation 

130. do they like chewing gum?

she does indeed

131. do they like to go see musicals or plays?

though she has never seen them, she would love to see both of them

132. were they apart of any clubs or teams in high school or college?

she was in a book club for a lot of high school and also the soccer team but she quit shortly after being accepted into the team

133. what was their high school superlative?

math surprisingly

134. are they good at cooking or baking?

she’s super good at baking & decent at cooking

135. could they beat bobby flay?

probably not tbh she’s more of a baker than a cooker

136. do they watch actual television? if so, what channels do they watch?

only cartoons tbh

137. have they ever seen rupaul’s drag race?

no :( she definitely wouldn’t have been allowed to

138. do they prefer pink or yellow lemonade?

definitely pink > yellow

139. could they lip sync for their life?

if she was really passionate about it, Y E S. she would SLAY the house down

140. is their room messy or clean?

clean AF

141. if they were a body part, which one would they be?

hands; she likes hand holding

142. if they were an emotion, what would they be?

anxiety

143. if they were a planet, which one would they be?

pluto :)

144. how would they describe their clothing style?

cute & simple

145. do they shower in the morning or at night?

usually at night. but if she forgot the night before, than she will in the morning

146. do they order regular fries, onion rings, sweet potato fries, or tater tots?

T A T E R  T O T S

147. do they normally wear socks?

yes, she likes wearing mismatched socks

148. do they fear natural disasters?

not really, no !

149. can they ice/roller skate?

she likes to ice skate even though she isn’t very good

150. are they good at video games? 

surprisingly .. yes !! 

[rainbowamory]

Grimrose [Part 1] (original piece by rainbowamory)

Some info:

Content: This piece, while it does not contain incest in the parts I uploaded, will eventually lead to consensual incest between first cousins. You have been warned.

Characters and ages: Syden (15), Cela (15), Kate (17), Sia (11), Alex (13), Damian (adult), Delilah (adult), Charlotte (adult), Leigh/Leighanna (adult), Oliver (adult), Elizabeth (adult)

-This scene is not supposed to be the beginning. There would be other chapters or scenes before and after, going more into detail about the different things covered here.

-For the concept of “Grimrose”, I was inspired by a picture of a fiery flower I saw randomly online while looking up black roses. It was tagged as ‘fantasy’ and it inspired a bit of this piece.

-Ages: I still am not 100% settled on the ages. I may stick with Syden and Cela both being 15 when they meet, but in my original roleplay she was actually one year older than him (I may go back to that, not sure).  Kate is about 2 years older than Syden. Syden is 2 years older than Alex. Alex is 2 years older than Sia. Syden is 4 years older than Sia. Their parents were still young when they had them, like early 20s? Leigh and Charlotte are adults, while the others are teens in this piece (except Sia).

Names: I use placeholder names like in my first piece I shared on tumblr because I want to publish someday and I want to keep certain details to myself for now, like what the final character names will be.

-This is Draft 2.

“Wakey wakeyyy!” came the excited feminine voice right above his head. As sweet as a bird’s song it might have been were it not for how deep in sleep he was.

Syden’s eyes flew open, and he stared ahead in shock, unable to remember where he was for a moment. He was about to say it’s too early for fighting practice and was trying to figure out in a short space of time why the master of arms sounded like his sister.

He didn’t have to wonder for long. The visitor came around the bed to stand in front of his gaze and he saw that it was indeed his younger sister, Sia, dressed up in a ruffled, summery yellow dress. Her thick blond hair fell in curls over her shoulders, and she looked far more awake that he felt at that moment.

“Hey,” he said, looking up at her. He tried to shake off the tiredness by sitting up in bed. Thankfully, it didn’t take long. He was used to getting up early routinely.

“You know what day it is,” she said, beaming.

“Yes. I do,” Syden replied. He stretched his arms and placed them over his legs, waiting for her to speak.

“Do I look pretty?” she said, doing a little twirl in front of his expressionless face.

That melted him a little. “Yes,” he said with a slight smile. In trying to get his bearings right, he hadn’t realized that it was almost breakfast time. Just as Sia prepared to speak again, Henna, the maid, bustled into the room on her way to do some dusting.

“What? Still not up yet?” she said, as she went about the room, dusting the tops of the wardrobes and cabinets. “Your auntie Elizabeth is arriving in a few hours.”

Sia and Syden stared at each other.

“I thought she was coming on the 1st of the month,” he said.

“It is the 1st of the month,” said Henna, pausing for a moment to look at him with her hands on her hips.

“Oh,” he said. Sia giggled.

Henna continued with her dusting and cleaning, talking while she worked.

“They are expected to arrive in the early evening. We all have a lot of preparation to do before then.”

Syden began getting out of bed, and Sia moved aside to give him space.

“And what about us? What do we have to do?” he asked.

“The usual. Look your best,” said Henna before striding over to the window and pulling back the curtains with a swish. The sunlight streamed into the room and pierced Syden’s eyes. Once he adjusted to it, he saw that outside the world was waking up too. Birds were flying about, and the blue climbing roses that grew around his window frame were at the peak of their bloom. All the treetops of the forest which dominated his bedroom view were bathed in bright sunlight. Not a bad sign for what would be the day that marked the end of spring and the start of summer.

“Let’s go,” said Sia, taking him by the hand. It seemed the view from the window had had an effect on her too. She was eager to start the day. He followed her lead as she made her way past the halls and down to the dining room where he found Kate and Alex already seated at the children’s table. The children’s table was smaller than the main family dining table, and it was where they had shared their meals together from a young age whenever their parents had other adult guests over or when their parents weren’t home.

The table was laden with all the treats the children had come to expect for an early morning breakfast in their household. The assortment included honey-glazed sausages, piles of hot toast, platters of tiny sandwiches, wholesome soups, cupcakes, cookies, an assortment of fresh fruits, and a variety of drinks both hot and cold.  

The only one of them who thought it excessive was Kate, who made a point of setting aside any food that was left whole and untouched at the end of every meal to give to townspeople with lesser means—a charitable ritual begun by their mother long ago.

Today, Kate was sitting at the head of the table, buried in a book behind her bowl of scallop chowder soup. It looked like one of her books from school, possibly an old novel.

Alex was munching on a small sandwich intently, with his gaze focused on a glass apple he was holding in his hands, seeing things in it that no one else could see. When Sia sat down, she too had a glass apple in front of her, a smaller one, resting on a little silver dais that was made for it to sit on when not hanging from a tree. The stem of the dais was shaped like a tree-trunk with silver branches that gathered under its flat top, like entwined fingers holding up a tray.

Both Kate and Alex were still in their pyjamas.

“Anyone else coming?” he asked Kate, as she looked up from her book.

“Well, I believe Charlotte is coming. I don’t know about Leighanna.”

Syden skewered a sausage and dropped it onto a plate, reached for some toast, then took a seat on the side closest to Kate. Sia sat beside him.

Though nothing seemed out of the usual that day, Kate seemed to glow with a restrained excitement. She seemed unable to stay focused on her reading, stopping periodically in the middle of a page to gaze up dreamily while stirring her soup.

Syden ate his breakfast silently like everyone else. Usually there was some talk around the table, but he didn’t really have anything special to say that day. In every sense it seemed like just another morning at their house, except that they were shrouded in a delicate air of unspoken anticipation. At least, most of them were, he thought, as he glanced at Alex who was lost in his own world, seemingly unaware of his surroundings.

Sia seemed to be the only one who was feeling talkative. She was the first to break the silence.

“Can we do fireworks in the garden?” she asked.

Syden looked at her with amusement.

“It’s not New Year’s,” he said gently.

“But it’s a special day!” said Sia, unfazed. “We haven’t seen Auntie Elizabeth in years!”

This amused Syden. “You don’t even remember her,” he said. How old was Sia when their uncle and aunt last visited? About three years old, more or less.

“She’s right,” said Kate. “We should celebrate the reunion. And fireworks sounds lovely.”

Syden turned his attention back to the remaining food on his plate. The mood continued to be solemn. At one point even Sia quieted down, and no one said another word until Chef Oliver came into the room to greet them.

“Lovely morning today, isn’t it, children?” he said, standing in his white uniform at the threshold of the dining room. His dark, curly hair was tucked neatly under his cap. His beard and mustache, the only visible hair on his face, were also well-tamed and immaculate.

Chef Oliver looked around at them, scanning the room with his dark, twinkling eyes.

“It was so quiet in here, one would think we were preparing for a funeral,” he said. “I was beginning to get worried...”

“We’re perfectly fine,” Kate assured him. “It’s just the end of the week.”

“Ah, too much play and not enough rest,” he said, glancing at Sia and Syden with a teasing smile. He knew as well as anyone that it was their summer vacation. If there was any exhaustion to be felt, it would not be coming from work or study—unless perhaps one was Kate.

“Well then,” he said. “I know just the thing that will help you children feel more awake.”

“Fireworks?” asked Sia, perking up in her chair.

“Hmm, not quite. But it might create fireworks within,” he said. He told them he would be right back and slipped out of the room. After a few minutes, he returned with a tray on which were arrayed several desserts in cocktail glasses.

“I give you… Saffron Pudding with Honey and Fire-Essence.” He wore a proud grin on his face as the children looked at the platter in awe. The puddings were a golden yellow, with a glaze of honey on top, and sprinkled with what looked like flakes of orange embers.

“It is from the Grimrose that we get fire-essence,” he said.

Syden wondered if this was the opening to one of his “food stories.” Sure enough, a moment later, the Chef was sitting at the table with them, with his arms folded in front of him on the tabletop, looking a bit somber as the children began to devour the treat.

“I want to tell you the story of the Grimrose,” he began, a distant, wistful look settling on his face and in his eyes.

“You see, long ago, in a faraway land, people lived in fear of shadow beings that would attack in the night. In one village, two children were born who had abilities that made the shadows afraid of them. For a time, these children kept the darkness away. But there came a time when the darkness came in a larger form than they could beat. Mistrust grew among the villagers.

“Every time a shadow came into the village and got away with killing, people began to think that they were coming because of the witch children.

“Suddenly, the abilities that had once been revered began to frightened others. So, when the children were still very young, they were both abandoned on a mountain range.

“They didn’t have any place to live, so they wandered the land looking for food and shelter, in exchange for protecting other villages from creatures.

“Though they met some nice folk on their journeys, they never wanted to overstay their welcome in any village, for fear that they would be prosecuted by someone that mistrusted them. So they kept moving, learning how to live off the land and keep safe from wild animals.

“They went into villages only to do their work but lived mostly in caves.

“They lived like this for years. Then came a time when they discovered something neither of them ever knew before… It crept up on them in slow steps, entered their hearts and settled there. They fell in love.

“It was then that they really felt they began to live. Suddenly all the colours of the world were a little bit more vibrant, and they could see their own future in a way they had never thought about before.

“They made plans to move somewhere where they could freely be around others and live more like other humans. As much as they loved being in nature, they couldn’t help but be drawn more and more to the warm fires, food and human company of the villages they visited.

“With their newfound love, they grew more confident and began to make plans. They saved enough of their earnings to try and buy a little house in a village. All they wanted was to be human.

“They chose the house they wanted, just a two-room place not much bigger than their cave. They paid the money and began to pack their belongings to move out of their cave and back into civilization.

“But on the night before they moved, unexpectedly, they found their dwelling surrounded by a sea of torches. The word had spread about their powers and the people from their own village had been hunting for them. You see, they believed it bad luck to allow a witch to get away. When the children were abandoned in the mountain range long ago, they were expected to die there.

“The villagers had convinced others that the shadows will stop attacking humans if the witches were killed.

“The children kept wondering, How? How did this happen? Then they saw at the front of the mob the man who had sold them the house, and they knew… he must’ve recognized the markings, the spidery tatoos of a black snake and a butterfly – the marks of a male and female witch. They had been branded long ago, to help in locating them in the event that they survived the wilderness.

“The two of them were usually careful to keep those brands hidden, but on the day they bought their house, the builder had invited them over for a meal and a bath, and his servant might have seen something while helping them wash.”

The children at the table watched the Chef in a suspended silence. He could sense their tension as they ate less speedily, focusing more on listening to the story. Even Syden put aside his slight feelings of impatience and was listening intently.

“Now here were the villagers, with torchlight flickering on their faces, looking the way they looked when on a hunting trip and just about to corner their prey. Determined, unfeeling, advancing towards them like an army.

“They had nowhere to run. The powers they had weren’t made to harm humans. There was nothing they could do…

“They were captured by the villagers and brought to a clearing where they were tied to a stake, back-to-back. They tried pleading but were beaten for every word that escaped them until they grew silent.

“Others from nearby villages were called to witness the event. Among the witnesses were some of those whom the children had helped in some way. But on this day, their faces were the faces of strangers.

“Before the night was over, the flames were crackling. The boy and girl held each other’s hands as the smoke went up around them. They were bruised in a number of ways, and they had scars from their hard life in the wild. But those wounds were nothing compared to the wounds received in their hearts on that night.

“The next day all that was left of them were ashes blowing in the breeze. A child came to visit the spot once everyone was gone and found there, in the ashes, what looked at first like blackened paper. When he stepped forward to take a closer look, he found two large black roses, with a fiery glow lighting up the dark petals from within.

“Later, it became known as the Grimrose, and that was the first of its kind.

“They say the land mourned the young witches and made the flowers grow out of their ashes.”

Sia had tears in her eyes by the end of the little story. Kate looked thoughtful and sad. Alex was leaning back in his chair, with his hand on the stem of his dessert glass, fidgeting with it absentmindedly.

Syden was thinking about the other place and the other time he had heard this story. Chef Oliver had forgotten about the myth that followed the Grimrose… about the fire inside being a sign of the undying nature of the soul. The witches died, but their souls lived on, he almost said out loud. But something about the tale always left him feeling unsettled. If they had magic, why didn’t they fight back? Why didn’t they kill all the villagers and run free? He simply didn’t believe that there was nothing they could do.

Kate said the story was beautiful. Alex asked, “Where did you get a rose to make the dessert?”

Chef Oliver seemed happy to see some interest in his work. “The cores are brought in by traders from the other world,” he said. “They have some fine spices, plants, meats… and of course, Grimrose cores. Whole flowers are rare, but I happen to have one that I ordered for my own keeping.”

He said he’d be right back and left the room for some minutes.

When he returned, he had with him an earthen black flowerpot which he was holding very delicately as if it was one of the most precious things he owned. Inside the pot was a beautiful black rose, with large, open petals. He placed it in the center of the table so the children could gather around and peer into its depths.

Just as described in the legend, the petals were illuminated at the roots by a fiery glow that emanated from the core of the rose and which burned along the inner gaps, making it look as though the flower was on fire. It had a short stem and seemed to grow directly out of the pot, so large that it obscured what was below it.

“It is hot to touch?” asked Sia.

“Yes, but more on the inside than the outside.” said the Chef. Sia leaned in for a closer look, then flinched back suddenly when some sparks emitted from the center of the flower. She seemed more fascinated than scared.

He explained that the flower grew in ashes from the other world. It was seedless and would not grow in ordinary soil. How it multiplied was a mystery. He took out a metal case from inside his pocket and opened it to reveal a transparent, hard, bubble-like object containing a flame within. It had little holes on the surface, through which sparks occasionally shot out. The ball glowed red and orange as he turned it in his hand. Chef Oliver told them that this was what the cores looked like.

“When we shake it, we get the sparks. They are hot when they are first extracted,” he said. “When they cool, they look like shiny metallic orange flakes.”

“Fire-essence,” said Sia.

The Chef nodded.

Syden continued gazing at the flower sitting at the center of the table. It was beautiful… yet, out of place.

Sia wanted to know what they were having for lunch, but the Chef insisted that it was a surprise. The rest of them were finishing off their desserts when a maid came into the room to announce that their clothes were ready.

“I will see you all at lunch,” said Chef Oliver. With a respectful bow of his head, he delicately gathered the potted plant in his large hands and headed out the door. The maid glanced curiously at the shadowy bloom as he swept past her through the doorway.

                                                              *

As the children headed up the stairs to the second floor, they passed maids who were busy dusting surfaces and carrying objects back and forth, such as fresh flowers for the tall vases spread around the house. Some of the vases reached one’s waist in height and were covered with embossed or painted images of angels and nature imagery – the kind of things his mother, Delilah, liked. All the furniture their parents chose to have in their house always had soul while reflecting wealth – according to past guests, their house was ‘an elegant mix of classic and modern design.’

When he entered his room, Syden found his clothes ready for him on his bed, freshly cleaned and neatly folded. There was a lot of white in the pile. He picked up one of the items – a long-sleeve white shirt – and breathed in the scent of it before letting it fall back onto the pile and going to his wardrobe.

He opened the large wooden doors and peered inside. Reaching in, he grabbed the darkest blackest clothes he could find (a simple t-shirt and a pair of jeans), along with some black, ankle-high shoes with white laces. The jeans had skeletal hands painted on the pockets, and the shirt had some graphics on the center along with a word or two in long letters. Wedding or funeral, this was his style, and he wasn’t going to change it for anyone or any occasion.

He dressed up and took a quick glance in the full-length mirror next to the wardrobe. Then he went outside onto his balcony and stood leaning against the railing for a while, until he eventually felt compelled to go look for the others.

He found Sia in her room, sitting in her bed with her little glass apple in her hands. Her eyes were closed as if she was sleeping.

“Hey,” he said at the door. She looked up from her trance and her face lit up.

“You ready?” He asked her, though he already knew she had been dressed and ready earlier than any of them.

Sia smiled and got out of bed with a little bounce. The two of them made their way through the house to their older sister’s room.

But Kate’s door was closed when they got there.

Syden knocked on the door. “What’s taking so long?” he asked, as Sia lingered patiently beside him.

“I’m almost done,” came the answer from within after a few seconds’ pause. Syden and Sia counted the minutes until Kate finally opened the door and let them in.

She looked at Syden with mild surprise, but soon after seemed to simply accept what she saw. His wardrobe choices were not new to her. And she seemed too happy this day to even make a passing comment.

Syden stared back at Kate’s outfit with an equally unsurprised expression. She wore a long, flowing, beige-coloured gown that went down to her ankles, complete with a pearl necklace and a pair of matching slippers. It was modest but elegant. As with most of her clothes, it made her look more mature than her age.

The sunlight pouring into her room from between the parted curtains made her light-brown hair shine like silk. There was peace in her warm, blue eyes.

“You look so pretty,” said Sia.

They waited a little longer until Kate was done with her hair and makeup, then the three of them headed to Alex’s room and knocked. When he opened the door, Syden was not at all surprised to see that his brother had dutifully worn the formal outfit that had been prepared for him. Dark brown pants, white dress shirt, a tie, and a light-brown vest.

A little smirk flickered across his face as he watched Alex stroll over to them.

“Edna’s little pet,” he mused aloud, ignoring the stern look he saw Kate give him out of the corner of his eye. As the head maid who ran the household, Edna was the one who set the tone for the day-to-day as well as special occasions. She liked to treat their home like a little doll house, and they were the dolls.

Whether they were aware of it or not, she influenced a lot of things about their presentation and manners. After all, she practically raised them, before Kate was old enough to take over.

“What took you so long?” Syden asked his brother as they made their way to the ground floor. “Were you polishing your shoes?”

Alex just stared at him with a blank look on his face, but Syden noticed the slightest blush of embarrassment. He knew Kate would scold him if he went on with this commentary, but he was satisfied, so he stopped himself there.

The four of them made their way down the grand stairs and into the main hall. From there they were ushered into the main waiting hall where they met with their parents who were already dressed and waiting for them.

They were a sight to behold.

Their mother was wearing an azure gown that reached her ankles, just above a pair of solid blue, matching high heels. With pale blond hair and creamy white skin, she was an ethereal beauty, made for the limelight. Her hair was partially done up, with a few loose, wavy strands grazing her shoulders. Her makeup was spare and natural-looking, with subtle gold tones that blended with her skin.

Their father, standing beside her, looked like a prince next to a princess. Brown hair combed in a dashing style, black evening coat with a white ruffle shirt beneath.

There was something both old and new about them.

They stood tall together to greet their children. Syden looked at them and thought, this is what the fans see every day. But to the children, they were Mom and Dad first and foremost. They were the only ones who got to see the domestic versions of their parents, off the dreamscape.

They all settled down in the Living room couches and chairs, as maids came in and placed tea and biscuits on the central table.

“We’re just waiting for Leighanna and Charlotte to arrive,” said Damian, who was sitting next to his wife on the white lounge chair. Everything in that room was whiter than usual: the lamps, the vases, the chairs, and the chandelier that hung above all of them. The only color was in the pastel pinks and yellows of the flowers in the vases and the gold details that adorned some of the furniture and the rug.

The children all looked at him.

“Leigh’s coming?” asked Syden, from one of the armchairs in one corner of the room. He didn’t feel strong emotions either way. He simply found it mildly surprising that their older sister actually found time in her hectic high-profile schedule to attend a humble family event.

To his left, on another lounge chair, he could see that Kate was thinking the same. She had that look on her face where she seemed at a loss for words. But he couldn’t tell whether she was happy about it or not.

Sia was the only one who seemed excited.

“I want to ask her what role she’s playing next!” she said, blissfully unaware of the slight increase in tension in the room.

Damian looked at his daughter and smiled. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he said.

                                                              ***

After some time, they heard the doorbell ring. They waited for the maids to usher in their new visitor.

When Leighanna entered the room, everyone stood up to greet her. Her parents hugged her, Delilah kissed her on both cheeks, Kate and Sia also gave her a hug. Syden said hey, and Alex stood far off and merely watched.

She wore an open-chest, sheer gown covered in silver sequins with a split at the thigh. She looked like she was attending a first showing for one of her dreamscape stories – almost too much of a shining star for their home, regardless of the elegance of the surroundings.

Once everyone had sat back down, the maids refilled the tea and brought in fresh snacks. Syden took a moment to observe his oldest sister, while eating a raspberry-jam-filled biscuit. Her hair was blond like her mother’s, but with a little more color in it, and some streaks. Her beauty was often attributed to their mother, but Syden thought they looked very different in reality.

Delilah’s beauty was like an angel’s – there was something divine about it – while Leighanna’s looks were somehow more fabricated. Flashy clothes, glittery high heels, all that makeup. He had his theories (they all did) about what procedures she might’ve had to enhance her natural attributes. But these things were not spoken about in her presence as that would be considered insensitive…

They found out that her latest story featured her as a young woman from a small town with dreams of becoming a model.

“It’s about how far someone is willing to go to follow their dreams. If all goes well with the casting, Caleb Heavens is going to be playing my love interest,” she was saying above a steaming cup of tea.

“That’s wonderful, sweetheart,” Damian praised. “Who will be directing this one?”

Syden tuned out to the rest of the talk as it did not interest him much. Scenes and scripts, Dreamlores, fans and haters, and more glittery dresses. And names… so many names of so many people whom he had never met: actors, directors, friends of friends. Scandals, awards, achievements and disappointments.

“Caleb Heavens…” Delilah mused. “He’s very talented.”

“I hear he’s a favourite with the girls…” said Damian, smirking teasingly. “If I remember correctly, he got nominated for an award for his role in Love Overseas.”

Leighanna’s face lit up. “I know he’ll win it,” she said, smoothing out her dress over her long, crossed legs. The lights of the chandelier glinted off the sequins every time she moved.

Sia hung onto every word of it, eager for the details, even though she didn’t know as much as their parents did about that other plane of existence. But Syden wanted to be somewhere else.

Again, he looked over at Kate, and saw that she had a nervous expression on her face. Perhaps she was thinking the same thing: Their little sister was still young and impressionable. What sort of influence was Leighanna’s sharing of her carefree lifestyle likely to have on her?

As he was pondering these thoughts, the doorbell rang again. A maid with pretty red curls went to answer the door. When she returned, she had with her another well-dressed young woman – their sister Charlotte.

They had been expecting her as well, though no one knew when she was going to arrive. It was a pleasant surprise. They all greeted her just as they had greeted their eldest sister. But Syden noticed that his siblings were a little more at ease around Charlotte than they had been around Leigh. She even went over to give Alex a hug when she saw him standing at one end of the room.

“You have grown so much!” she said to him, looking at him top to bottom. “Everyone looks so beautiful!”

Charlotte was dressed in a long-sleeve burgundy dress that looked plain next to Leighanna’s sparkles. She wore loop earrings and high heels and her auburn hair fell in thick waves around her shoulders.

Once she was seated, Damian and Delilah began asking about her life. How was she doing? How was her work going? Was she enjoying the balmy weather of her new home away from home?

Charlotte seemed happy to share, though she was not as “tell-all” as her older sister was. When Caleb Heavens was brought up, she seemed a bit sad. Everyone in the family knew Charlotte had wanted to be an actress.

This is going to be a very strange day, thought Syden.

It had been a couple of years since the family had been together like this. He would say they were complete, if it wasn’t for the knowledge of the empty crib gathering dust in some dark place in the vastness of the mansion. It lingered at the edge of his memory, though no one ever talked about it.

Everyone seemed so happy. Leighanna was the first to comment on his outfit.

“Did you misplace your evening clothes?” she asked, with a raised eyebrow.

Syden stared at her unblinkingly.

“Did you misplace your bra?” he said.

Leighanna gave him a wry smile, let the comment go over her head and turned her attention to Kate.

The adults chatted some more about their lives – Leighanna more than anyone else. Syden had no interest in listening to her talk about her 17 celebrity crushes. He thought his parents were incredibly patient to listen to all this as attentively as they were doing.

In the end, it was Kate who changed the subject and brought everyone out of the Dreamscape for a moment.

“It’s great that everyone is here today,” she said. “I’m sure Auntie Elizabeth will be very happy to see us all together.”

This got them started talking about the past, about the days when their aunt used to visit them often – back when they were young children. The maids, too, seemed to recall the times fondly. The ones that were around back then remembered Elizabeth’s daughter Cela as being “very pretty” like a doll and “incredibly polite.”

Henna in particular had a lot of memories. “It was always the three of you,” she said, standing at the edge of the circle and looking lost in reminiscence. “Syden, Kate, and Cela. Always playing some game together or exploring the wilderness… So full of energy.”

“We were all heartbroken when they left…” said Delilah, taking a sip of her tea silently.

“Well, today we get to see them again, mother,” said Kate. This brightened Delilah’s mood, though she still looked a bit sad beneath the smile.

See Part 2 Here

[writingevanhansen]

Day 8- Madrigals

ok hi!! in case you don’t know, typically around christmas each year, some schools and colleges put on a “madrigal feaste,” where select students dress up in renaissance clothing and put on a concert and typically serve food. it is a huge part of my life, and since i’m doing a christmas series, i figured it is probably a big part of someone else’s life too (since yknow we all love musical theatre and singing and stuff) so i would include it!! i’ll also be including reference links throughout the post. :) thx for all the love, guys!

(p.s. this is going to be x fem! reader but if anyone wants a male or gender neutral one just shoot me an ask!! thx) (aha also if anyone wants pictures from my madrigal feaste ((which is tonight!!! ahh)) hmu and i’ll rb this post with some for reference)

Connor:

-When you initially walk out, he is awestruck. He has never seen you in your dress before...and now your pet name of “princess” has a whole new meaning

-When you finally get a break, you walk directly to Connor to say hello. He gives you the tightest hug and tells you how beautiful you look

-It’s a good thing it’s so dark and warm bc otherwise your blush would be super visible

-His favorite part is the atmosphere of it all

-Despite it being set in a cafeteria, the decorations were very detail oriented and set the mood perfectly

-He knows how hard you've worked, but it all looked so effortless and breathtaking

-During one of your songs, you look away from your director and catch him staring at you

-And dang that candlelight on his face and his smile as he just stares at you, so content

-That can turn a girl on js

-But it also makes you melt a little

-Afterwards he hands you a beautiful yellow rose he bought and whispers to you how much he loves you and how proud he is of you.

-He gives you a huge hug, squeezing you tightly, and then walking back to his car, where he’ll immediately look up some of the songs you sang and the watch videos he took.

Jared:

-Literally is having the time of his life

-He is enjoying the jester so much and can decode his witty sayings, so he's basically dying

-His favorite part is toasts when the wassail is passed out. He didn't know this was a thing, otherwise he would've made you a toast, but he loves the jokes and rhymes about everyone getting drunk.

-He’s super excited by the flaming “pudding” and takes a million pictures of it

-but hey he also takes a million pictures of you up there at the head table too

-Of course there's the dancing

-and Jared basically begs you to pick him because all he wants to do is try a medieval dance

-And!!! He's actually pretty good!!

-You’re dying laughing by the end, so 10/10 props to Jared

-When the song with your solo ends, he claps the loudest. He knows he can't be super disruptive because everyone is at a table with other people instead of in an audience, but he makes sure you notice him

-At the end, when he's making his way out and you stand to greet everyone, he hands you a rose.

-He knows you have to stay to help clean and reset, so he gives you a kiss on the cheek and tells you he loves you before skedaddling

-precious boy

Evan:

-this child

-my love

-(no I don't have a favorite what)

-He sits down at his table and he sees a rose there and is all ??? what

-The servant walks over to him

-”Ladye (y/n) of the royal court instructed me to tell you that she loves you very dearly and has gifted you this rose.”

-he nods a bunch and stutters out a thank you, picking it up with shaky hands

-this boy is already swooning and it hasn’t been five minutes

-During your walkout piece, he is just

-like

-Shook

-because he knew his girlfriend was beautiful but holy crap she's literally a princess right in front of him and oh god now his palms are sweaty i mean they already were because it's warm because of all the candles but now it's just like SUPER sweaty and

-and he loves you sm

-Evan tries wassail for the first time and is #HOOKED and begs you to smuggle some for him after the dinner

-(and you do)

-The flaming pudding stresses him out a little but it's okay

-You don't pick Evan to dance. You asked him if he would be comfortable with it beforehand and though he really wanted to support you, you didn't pressure him into anything.

-But it's okay you just chose Zoe instead.

-By far, his favorite part is the concert. He would do anything to hear you sing and now he gets to sit and listen to you for hours.

-During “This Evenfall ‘Tis Snowing” you look over at Evan during the lyrics, “Ah love, does it not grieve you that I do wretched be? Then hold me in your arms dear, let winter fly from me.”

-He starts tearing up hardcore

-And so do you ahhhhjjgjkdsafl

-Afterwards, he runs to you and wraps you in a hug, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck, kissing it and rocking you back and forth.

-”(y/n) i just want to tell you that i love you so much and that in my eyes you’re perfect and you could never be wrenched or what-what you said out there because you’re amazing and beautiful and talented and funny and the best princess out there and i can’t wait to be with you forever and i love you so much.”

-if you weren’t already crying now you were, because this sweet boy was all yours.