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a slight raise of his brow as he watched the other's conduct, followed by for a chuckle. he wasn't in the business of telling people how to act even when there were expectations, spoken or unspoken. besides, a potluck at a town in the middle of nowhere wasn't a michelin star restaurant. max wouldn't be surprised if others would complain from a sense of false superiority regardless. ❝  a question someone who doesn't want to eat shitty food asks, ❞   he lightly retorted, grin constant and another laugh only just contained.  ❝  by all means, recommend multiple. ❞   appetite was optimistically large. a few platters he'd passed had threatened to dim it, some people really should've stuck with store bought options if their dish's appearance and smell was anything to go by, but others had been delicious. max's gaze followed copper's gesture. ❝  now that's what i'm fucking talking about. you want one? looks like the numbers are getting low so we might want to grab as many as we can if they're that good. ❞

      〔     ✱     〕    …      𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑   𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐍'𝐓   𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑   𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓   away   ...   mostly   due   to   the   fact   that   his   mouth   was   full.   chewing   on   what   looked   like   an   overstuffed   pulled   pork   sandwich   ,   barbecue   sauce   smeared   along   the   corner   of   his   mouth   like   war   paint.   he   looked   up   at   max   with   a   squint   ,   sizing   him   up   through   a   sun   drenched   haze   ,   and   wiped   his   mouth   with   the   back   of   his   hand   like   manners   were   optional   today.

"   the   fuck   kinda   question   is   that   ?   "   he   mumbled   ,   swallowing   with   a   dramatic   sigh.   his   accent   made   everyting   sound   either   like   a   joke   or   a   threat.    “   mate   ,   you’re   sittin’   at   a   bloody   potluck   and   you   wanna   know   the   one   thing   ?   that’s   like   pickin’   a   favorite   breath.   ”   he   leaned   back   ,   broad   shoulders   relaxed   ,   one   leg   hooked   loosely   over   the   other   beneath   the   table.   with   a   flick   of   his   wrist   ,   he   pointed   toward   the   far   end   of   the   buffet   spread   like   he   was   leading   a   damn   military   op.   "   them   jalapeño   cheddar   cornbread   muffins   ?   fuckin’   dangerous.   little   golden   grenades   ,   those.   almost   knocked   out   our   goalie   with   one   earlier.   "

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❝ i do. that's why i made plenty of extras so you can have as many extras as you want, but i also set aside a box for you. ❞   turning, she picked up a light pink box, filled with a selection of the treats she'd brought, and held it out to alex. a few others, some already filled with desserts and some not, were waiting for people who she knew would want multiple of the treats, either to enjoy at the potluck or to take home. no one could say yujin didn't know her regulars.  ❝  really? ❞   her smile's brightness could've rivaled the sun. she nodded.  ❝  i had a list of ten possibilities. narrowing it down to three was difficult. ❞

a bright grin instantly appeared on alexander's features as yujin 's dishes appeared into view , mouth immediately salivating at the presentation and aroma alone . the sight of yujin herself imparting wisdom on her baking herself , merely a cherry on top of an already wonderful treat. . " don't threaten me with a good time because both you and i know i will leave all these poor folks out of baked goods if given the opportunity . i'm not here to make friends and i'm willing to lose some for your baking " alex alerted in response before taking a tart into his hand , offering yujin an appreciative nod . " not even gonna lie , this was the thing i was excited the most about today . was it hard , deciding what to bring ? " the author questioned as he gleefully bit into his pastry .

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❝ of course. take as many as you want, ❞   she said without hesitation. years of baking for the potluck had taught her that making more batches was the smartest, decreasing the odds of her stomach sinking because she must tell someone she was all out of pastries.  ❝  a few hours. making the tart shells took the longest. ❞   but seeing so many smiling made the work worth it.

Ryung was a moocher, having not contributed to the Potluck. He hoped no one noticed, but he really didn't cook or bake or make anything that tasted good. And he didn't want to bring some store bought thing and explain to everyone how it he didn't make it, and that's why it was good. "Can we take one of each?" He asked, scanning the options. "How long did all of this take?"

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yujin couldn't help but giggle. she did feel a little bad when indecision struck people whenever they visited the bakery, but it also meant that she wasn't a one note baker. she had to be a little pleased at the same time. leaning closer like she was about to share a secret, yujin asked,  ❝  why choose? ❞   one brow arched, not a challenge but a question. her smile continued tugging the corners of her lips further upwards.  ❝  there's no rule that you can only have one. i brought plenty of each. but if you're looking for one to try first then i'd suggest the strawberry shortcake. ❞

pim   often   found   herself   in   awe   of   her   friends'   abilities   and   skills,   even   more   so   during   times   like   the   annual   potluck,   where   yujin's   baking   was   one   of   those   aforementioned   skills   on   full   display.    ❛   yujin…   ❜    she   whined,   eyes   glimmering   and   wide   as   she   carefully   watched   the   treats,   gaze   trained   on   them   as   if   they   were   ready   to   sprout   legs   and   leap   from   their   delicately   decorated   plates.   finally,   she   tore   herself   from   the   plates   and   straightened   up,   admiration   on   full   display   as   she   spoke.    ❛   you've   outdone   yourself   this   year!   they   all   look   so   delicious,   i   can't   decide   which   one   would   find   the   most   comfort   in   my   stomach.   ❜

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❝ i find a way to steal a few hours of rest, ❞   she replied in between giggles. balancing the bakery and motherhood kept her busy, and adding in keeping up with the town's social calendar added another element to the scale, but yujin wouldn't have it any other way.  ❝  i'd be more likely to fall over due to a food coma today. ❞   every year at the potluck yujin, normally a light eater like a peckish bird, found herself going back not for seconds but thirds.  ❝  thank you. ❞

"you had time to make all of these and run the bakery?" she asked, completely in awe. she felt herself unraveling just with the end of the school year and here was yujin putting her to shame, and of course they were all going to be amazing, like always. "you sleep, right?" she asked before grabbing herself a strawberry shortcake, one of her favorite desserts, "you're not going to fall over any second?" she was mostly joking, a smile lingering on her face before taking a bite, "oh my gosh, amazing like always, seriously."

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she would always have a special place in her heart for those who regularly swung by the bakery. their faces remembered and extra baked goods sometimes finding their way into the bag with the rest of their order. when she'd decided to go to pastry school, owning her own bakery had been the dream; a dream that wouldn't have succeeded without the town's support. malaya's praise made her stand a little straighter.  ❝  hopefully they taste even better. ❞   the most important factor. yujin was confident that people wouldn't be disappointed; the recipes were tried and true ones, frequently on the bakery's menu.  ❝  only a little. i grabbed some fruit salad when i first arrived but i've mostly been here. the afternoon is still young. ❞   she gave a small shrug.   ❝  i assume your stand has been busy too? ❞

if there had ever been one thing malaya had loved about wicklow, it was the town's events. even for a small town, they knew how to come together and engulf themselves in food, laughter, maybe some love — whatever they were willing to give out. it was almost like being back at home, and it was always the perfect chance to meet some of the new people that had blown into town as of late. after making sure her own little area was stocked and leaving one of her employees to tend to it until she came back, she'd decided to take a stroll around the potluck, wanting to sample some of everything. the second she spotted yujin, however, malaya knew it had to be her first stop so she skipped right over, giving the woman a small smile as she started explaining her spread. not that she needed much of one with how often she frequented the bakery, but she didn't dare interrupt the woman anyway. "these look amazing, yujin." she praised, grabbing a napkin before she reached for one of the lemon bars first. "have you been able to enjoy some of the potluck yourself yet, or have you been stuck at your table the whole time?" she questioned curiously as she took a bite of the bar, and as expected, her tastebuds had never been more pleased.

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the soft gasp that escaped her lips when the dog initially nudged her with his nose was replaced with a smile. yujin knelt down, ruffling the golden fur.  ❝  have you not been given enough treats today, max? ❞   she knew she shouldn't have left the homemade dog treats at the picnic blanket. if he stared at her any longer with those big, brown eyes then the food on her plate was no longer going to be hers. but her husband's voice drew both their attentions away.  ❝  what a greedy dog. ❞   each syllable filled with fondness. yujin stood back up. smile remained but a near undetectable twinge of reservation lurked like a shadow.  ❝  i am. it's always nice seeing the town come together, and most seem to be having fun. are you? ❞

ᝰ　　open  for  anyone ᝰ　　wicklow  summer  social,  afternoon

ᝰ　　　　the  perks  of  having  an  older  and  (  seemingly  )  well-behaved  dog  means  a  lot  of  things,  mostly  that  eddie  has  the  luxury  of  keeping  him  leash-free  as  he  spends  most  of  his  time  sleeping  on  their  blanket.  but  predictability  was  never  something  max  is  known  for,  and  one  passerby  later  he's  up  on  his  feet  and  following  the  scent  trail  of  food  and  inconveniencing  its  possessor.  “  max!  c'mon,  boy,  that  isn't  yours!  ”  eddie  calls  out,  rushing  to  clasp  the  leash  back  onto  his  dog.  “  sorry  about  him,  you'd  think  i  don't  feed  him  enough,  ”  he  jokes  as  max  tucks  behind  his  legs  like  a  reprimanded  child.  “  you  enjoying  yourself?  ”

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❝ i'll keep that in mind. ❞ if hunger crept back, she'd more likely fetch herself something, taking from another, even when offered, rarely felt right. her smile was soft.  ❝  i'm glad. the potluck is always so busy. i forget that even the outdoors can feel crowded. ❞   yujin noticed it less than she had her first few years in town.  ❝  not at all. i'm not overstaying and interrupting your solitude, am i? lemon bar, blueberry tarts, and mini strawberry shortcakes this year. there are still some left if you want to add to your current selection. ❞

"Well, if you change your mind sure there will be plenty left over." The comment just leaving space. People did change their minds. The offer didn't have an expiration date. He nodded though in understanding. "And here I thought no one would notice." Adrian offered a small smile, one that didn't mind her observation. "I'm alright. Promise." He paused but it wasn't awkward. The man was relaxed. It was more calmer out here. "I hope I didn't take you away from all the craziness over there. So, what kind of baked good did you bring today? Sure it was nothing less than being delicious."

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losing track of time was easily done. timers prevented her from forgetting about the batch of cookies in the oven as she prepared the next tray but the time that moved the rest of world faded. until reality crept back in - her phone chiming, the bell above the bakery door ringing.  ❝  thankfully, i only had to stay a few hours after closing, ❞   she reassured with a smile. nazli had remained a comforting ever since she'd come to her defense against a customer that yujin swore would've never been pleased no matter how many complimentarily baked goods she offered. lips briefly pressed into a line, brow furrowing in thought.  ❝  strawberries are my favorite so i'm biased about the shortcakes, but the lemon bars have also been pretty popular. ❞

NAZLI PEERED AT THE DESSERT IN HER HANDS. Luckily she didn't need to ask what it was and chance hurting her feelings now that she was already calling off the desserts in hand. "You must of been up all night trying to make these." Yujin was too good for this world, Nazli had decided that many months ago. While it would have normally driven her out of her mind to be around someone who was as timid and kind as she was, it had oddly made her softer in a way she hadn't anticipated. After witnessing a karen's public meltdown towards yujin, she'd found herself defending her and throwing the woman out by calling her an anti-christ who needed to get laid. "Which one do you recommend I start off with? I'm watching myself so I'll just have one."

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max would never complain about getting to eat good food, and it normally went along with good company, but jury was still out about many of wicklow ridge. cale was not one of them. max arched his brow.  ❝  you're going to have to show me where those are immediately before they disappear. ❞   he almost stood up instantly, but the shock of hearing such an unforgivable act froze him in place. brow furrowed and expression twisted in disgust. what was next: people in this town putting ketchup on their eggs?  ❝  and she hadn't been banned from bringing cookies? someone should take a stand. ❞

Happiness was definitely free food. He could ignore all the pushing and shoving like it was the old Black Friday Sale Days at some electronics store or Wal-Mart. For such a small town, there was always large turn out. Cale wasn't sure if they came to just show face, because let's face it anyone who didn't would be ridiculed or actually enjoyed the craziness that most of them brought. "Gravy Fries - hands down. Just don't go getting cookies from the lady with blood red hair, can't miss her. She will trick your ass into thinking you're getting a chocolate chip cookie and then it's Oatmeal Raisin." A legitimate food foul. Like pineapple on pizza.

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❝ don't worry about it. ❞ max knew plenty of actors who would be annoyed, but ego preened whenever eyes lingered upon him. the smile that spread across his lips the one he'd offer to fan to make them feel noticed, important even.  ❝  i'm still adjusting to the town myself and doing plenty of people watching so we're even. ❞   a shine brightened brown hues at the mention of pie. a self-declared foodie with a decent sweet tooth, he'd never say no to a good slice of pie.  ❝  my hero. ❞   he chuckled. ❝  you must know something most people don't, because i've heard many talking about the apple pie but nothing about this incredible blueberry one. ❞

Oliver heard the chatter that Max was in town. Of course he did, a staff reporter at the local paper had to keep up with potential headlines. He was familiar with him — his work, mostly, the gossip secondary to his talent. He couldn't help but stare, and the other's question snapped him out of it, leading Oliver to wonder if he was speaking to him just to get him to stop. A nervous laughter escaped him, "Sorry, I... just normally don't see someone of your status out here." The last he wanted the other to assume was that he was studying him to make a story of it, so he flashed a genuine smile, taking a seat on the other side to carry on the conversation. "I just ate my weight in blueberry pie, but, don't worry, I was kind enough to leave you some."

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it wasn't the dullest conversation topic he'd heard today, and it was a change from cillian's normal talk about wicklow, but max still had to bite back a deadpanned "fascinating". he did nod; different feathers were easy to see, couldn't say the same about the size of their beaks. a good thing that he wasn't looking to take up birdwatching.  ❝  is there a reason they're always feeling down? ❞   he tossed a playful grin at cillian before grabbing another muffin. thinking, he took a bite. it'd been a while since he'd had homemade food like this; actually, he'd almost forgotten how good it could be.  ❝  i'm pretty sure the bacon mac and cheese was the best i've ever had. i have half the mind to get a third serving. ❞

⤿ open  starter  :  @ wicklow  summer  social

despite  having  lived  in  wicklow  ridge  for  just  over  twenty  years  now,  there  was  something  about  events  like  this  that  still  felt  special  --  the  gentle  warmth  of  the  sun  against  his  skin,  the  sound  of  chatter  and  laughter  --  it  wasn't  something  you'd  find  back  in  the  frenzy  of  inner-city  london.  he  rests  back  on  his  elbows  where  he's  sprawled  on  his  picnic  blanket,  stomach  full  from  one  too  many  muffins,  eyes  trained  on  a  trio  of  birds  on  a  nearby  tree.  “   downy  woodpeckers,   ”  he  thinks  aloud  to  the  nearest  person,  “   very  similar  to  the  hairy  woodpecker,  but  these guys  have  smaller  beaks  ...  and  black  spots  in  the  tail  feather, see ?  ”  he  watches  for  a  moment  before  shaking  his  head:  snap  out  of  it,  david  attenborough.  “   anyway,   ”  sheepish  grin,  “   what's  the  best  thing  you've  eaten  so  far  ?   ”

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❝ i wouldn't want that. ❞ her stomach would've twisted and hands turned clammy if someone had expressed disappointment in her selection. far better to present multiple options, decreasing the likelihood of such an exchange. yujin smiled at harper.  ❝  it's the least i can do when so many of you frequent the bakery so often. ❞   the potluck wasn't the first time she had given out baked goods without any consideration of repayment, monetarily or otherwise, nor would it be the last. there were plenty of colorful boxes back at sweet haven waiting to be filled when someone needed a pick-me-up.

"I think you would have been doing this town a disservice if you had only brought one type of dessert." The lavish display of sweet treats was more than what Harper had provided for the potluck. One, overpriced bottle of wine had been added to the table with a lack of care. Even then, the blonde had poured herself a generous glass beforehand. One thing people always seemed to be surprised about what Harper's sweet tooth. Maybe it was why the older woman often found herself stumbling into the bakery whenever she got the chance. "You've done more than you should have, especially since you're not getting paid for this." For Harper, everything came back to money, especially when it came to your time and effort.

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joy swelled in yujin's chest. she would never tire of the emotions that colored people's faces when they tried one of her baked goods. the widening of eyes, brows raising, and a smile spreading all signs that she'd done well - beyond getting the balance of ingredients right.  ❝  i'd never! ❞   laughter tumbled from her lips.  ❝  certainly not the first. ❞   even if these days she questioned it herself. wouldn't a good wife be one their spouse could confide? wouldn't a good wife notice? thoughts she didn't let mar her smile.  ❝  and unless you're planning to fill an entire, large tupperware container all for yourself then i say your self-control is safe. ❞ her eyes softened without sacrificing their warmth.  ❝  really? she must've been a very talented baker. let me guess, her homemade cookies were the best medicine when you were a kid? ❞   memories of her own childhood flashed in her mind before the present moment recalled her. picking up one of the lemon bars, she held it out to him.  ❝  i can live with that. ❞

      〔    ✱    〕   …   𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫   𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐝   𝐢𝐧   𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡   𝐚   𝐥𝐨𝐰   𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞   ,   eyes   dragging   over   the   spread   like   he   was   sizing   up   a   starting   lineup.   he   plucked   a   blueberry   from   the   corner   of   one   tart   ,   popped   it   in   his   mouth   ,   and   groaned   —   a   whole   hearted ,   jesus   christ   ,   that's   good   kind   of   groan.   “   bloody   hell   ,   love   …   you   tryin’   to   kill   a   man   ?   ”   he   nudged   her   playfully   with   his   shoulder   ,   flashing   that   crooked   grin.   the   one   that   meant   trouble   ,   or   maybe   gratitude   in   disguise. 

“   made   all   three   ?   ”   his   brow   arched   ,   a   little   impressed   ,   a   little   flirt.   “   what’re   you   tryin’   to   prove   —   that   you're   wife   material   or   that   i’ve   got   no   bloody   self   control   ?   ”   then,   softer   ,   a   beat   beneath   the   teasing   —   not   enough   to   drown   it   ,   just   to   anchor   it.   “   my   mum   always   wanted   a   bakery   ,   y’know.   never   had   the   chance.   seeing   all   this   …   smells   like   what   home   would've   been   if   she'd   gotten   her   way.   ”   he   cleared   his   throat   ,   shoved   his   hands   into   his   jacket   pockets   like   they   might   keep   the   warmth   in.   “   anyway   ,   i'm   startin’   with   the   lemon   bars.   if   i   black   out   from   happiness   ,   you’ve   only   yourself   to   blame.   ”  

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a gentle gaze observed nety's action, attentive and curious, as if simple choice opened a window that peered deeper into the mind, the soul. did her own hand not drift to certain desserts based on the emotions filling her ribcage?  ❝  oh, it's nothing. ❞   a phrase, accompanied by a soft smile, yujin had said far too many times to count, but sincerity coated each syllable. another day, in another circumstances that might not be true, but the words would be spoken nonetheless.  ❝  i'm glad you like it. ❞   brown eyes blinked.  ❝  um . . . i grabbed a burger earlier. why? did you try something that can't be missed? ❞   hopefully, the cake wasn't the first food she'd had all day.

nety’s fingers hover above the lemon bars, stilled by the tenderness in yujin’s voice rather than indecision. her smile comes slow, a quiet curve that tucks itself into the corners of her mouth and stays there, small and steady. "all three, huh?" her voice is soft, laced with the kind of warmth that doesn’t ask for attention. she picks up a shortcake, delicate fingers brushing crumbs from the rim of the plate before she adds, more quietly. "you always do so much." but there’s no judgment in it — just something like understanding, something like recognition. "it's all perfect, yujin.  you didn’t have to, but i’m glad you did." there's a pause, focus shifting away from the baked goods and on to the brunette before her. "what about you? did you eat today?" it’s not small talk. it never is, with her.

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growing up, yujin had been the one who sought out the quietest corner when a crowd grew too overwhelming. those days might be long behind her now, though an occasional need for quiet lingered, she found herself keeping an eye out for those who slipped away from the crowd. especially when it was as big and loud as the one today. bleeding heart prone to worrying after others.  ❝  oh, no, thank you. it looks like a great spread, but i've eaten more than enough already. ❞   she shook her head. momentarily, she rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet,  ❝  i only wanted to see how you were. ❞

Where: The Great Ridge Potluck

For: Anyone

Adrian's social battery was kind of low for these events whether it was the crowds or the rowdiness that seemed to come easily as the day moved on. However, he wasn't ready to leave yet. He just needed some time to himself. To eat in peace. One thing he could control, nothing much worse than a 100 eyes on you while stuffing one's face. He wasn't some heathen with his eating habits, but the male liked to protect his peace in most situations. Until he heard footsteps to where he was seated comfortable on the tailgate of his truck. A variety of food items he had scavenged in his rounds. "Sure I can make an exception in sharing, plenty to go around." He motioned towards the spread basically which consisted from salty foods to sweets. A polite offer nonetheless.

[w1ldflcwers]

like a flower, she blossomed under the sunlight, soaking in each ray that embraced her and exuding the warmth that filled her veins in doe hues and soft smiles. good company only brightened her mood further. if time were to freeze, trapping them in a never ending picnic, yujin would never wilt. she sat down beside minty, careful to not tip the plate in her hands.  ❝  a choice. ❞   lips curling further upwards, yujin presented the plate of baked goods with a small flourish.  ❝  lemon bar, blueberry tart, or strawberry shortcake? or all three if i can get two extra brownies for my daughters. ❞   attempt at bartering was accompanied by an arched brow and quiet hope that agreement would be reached before will relented.

        ↷  *   STARTER  :  open  to  all   ╱  LOCATION  :  great  ridge  potluck

            she'd  managed  to  find  the  perfect  spot  —  enough  of  a  shade  so  she  wasn't  dripping  sweat,  but  rays  of  sunshine  filtering  through  to  keep  her  nice  and  toasty.  reclined  back  under  the  blanket  that  was,  frankly,  too  large  for  one  person  with  the  sounds  of  melon  crunching  on  a  bone  that  minty  had  brought  for  her,  she  was  content.  pilfered  treats  spread  around  in  one  corner,  book  forgotten  and  resting  on  her  stomach  as  she  tried  to  take  a  quick  cat  nap  before  the  next  round  of  corn hole  or  whatever  else  that  may  capture  her  attention,  but  a  shadow  falling  over  her  had  her  creaking  an  eye  open  under  her  glasses.  "  look,  i  told  you  if  i  got  to  the  double  fudge  brownies  before  you,  they  were  mine.  i'm  not  sharing  without  a  good  trade.  so,  what'd  you  bring  for  me  ?  "