#Colorful Owl Flower Pot

[arclantis-blog]

Colorful Owl Flower Pot

Talavera Planter, Super Cute & Colorful Ceramic Owl Flower Pot

Great for Indoor or Outdoor Usage

Talavera Pottery is Handmade and Hand Painted in Mexico

Large Pot Measures 9.5" Tall by 8" Wide by 6.5" Deep; Weighs 2 lbs 15 ounces

Medium Pot Measures 6.5" Tall by 6.5" inches Wide by 5.5" Deep; Weighs 2 lbs 6 ounces

Contains a hole in the bottom for drainage

Handmade Condition means it may contain slight imperfections

Handmade Condition means subtle color variations might occur as well

To learn more about the product, click here.

Please check out other Luv2Brd products, here.

[aspens-apothecary]

Mabon Celebration Ideas!

As some of you know, this Saturday is Mabon, the celebration of the Autumn Equinox. Some also refer to it as the "Pagan Thanksgiving", as you celebrate the bountiful harvest and are thankful for the earth and its many gifts.

Mabon marks the time of equilibrium, where the days and nights are of equal length. During this time, it is good to set intentions that involve decrease, such as ending unhealthy habits, self-destructive behaviors, or bad relationships.

Decorating for Autumn

This a great time to decorate for the coming autumn and spooky seasons leading up to Samhain! I like to open the windows and then cleanse my space(usually a simmer pot and smoke cleanse) and after, i actually physically clean the house.I then close the windows and stir my simmer pot, while setting new intentions for the household until the spring equinox. I then collect the things I want to decorate with(the usual fall decor; pumpkins, pine cones, leaf garlands, gourds and an autumn wreath on the door) and then decorate to my hearts content!

Release and Move Forward

Another thing I usually spend time on is meditation, centering myself, letting go of past baggage from the year and setting new personal goals and intentions until spring.

Find a nice spot outside, where you feel connected to the world around you. Take a journal with you, and meditate. Write down what you want the next few months to bring into your life. Set those intentions in any way you choose.

Have a nice Hearty Meal

Who doesn't love a good meal with great people? You can make a roast, hold a potluck Mabon dinner ect, I usually host a bonfire night and everyone brings their own dishes to feel the group. During covid, I made a pot roast for my fiance and I! You could also do a picnic!

Fall Activities

Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, going to a Pumpkin Patch, all fall activities that are fun for the whole family, as a cute date, or great solo fun!

Honor Persephone and Demeter

If you are one to honor deities/spirits during the holidays, Persephone and Demeter are two that will definitely fall into Mabon.

According to the myth, Autumn is the time where Persephone must leave her beloved mother and travel to Hades, to fulfill her role as the Queen of the Underworld. Each year she lets go of the concerns of the upper world, and willingly descends to guide the souls of the dead over the threshold of Life and Death.

Creating an altar, and leaving offerings for them in honor of their sacrifice is an amazing way to celebrate.

Other

Other things you can do include cleansing ritual baths, Divination for the new few months, hiking, offerings for the local nature spirits, make a gratitude list for the last few months and thank the earth for her gifts

Mabon Symbols:

Cornucopia (horn of plenty), pinecones, seeds

Colors: Orange, red, yellow, brown, copper, dark yellow, dark green

Foods: Corn, beans, squash, apples, pumpkins, cider, root vegetables, pomegranate, wine

Herbs: Yarrow, rosemary, sage, mugwort, rosehips,

Stones: Amber, citrine, cat’s eye, aventurine, sapphire, jasper

Flowers: Sunflowers, thistle, marigolds

Deities: Mabon, Green Man, Demeter, Persephone, Morgan, Pomona, Inanna

Animals: Owl, stag, blackbird, salmon

I hope this gives you a few ideas! Add your own ideas to this list! These are just the ways I like to celebrate!

[avatarmerida]

I caved and I wrote a Paulina/William drabble. I don’t have context except that I HC Paulina would take longer to switch to the plant track and William meets the squad earlier in this version. Maybe I’ll explore this AU more lemme know if I should yo 💚💛

———

“Oh Lina, it’s absolutely stunning!” He marveled at the large colorful flower she was trying desperately to hide. But his praise only caused it to grow larger as a very flustered Paulina tried to control it.

“It’s nothing, I swear!” She insisted, but the vines has already made themselves comfortable. Summoning them had clearly taken skill, it would a challenge for anyone to make them disappear at a moment’s notice especially if they didn’t really want to.

“I have to disagree, I think it’s very much something.” William laughed. “It’s something wonderful!”

“No, it’s so embarrassing!” She said, brushing the flowers out of her hair. “I can’t control them anymore than I can control my other magic. You don’t have to lie to make me feel better.”

“I promise you, I’m not lying!” He insisted, gently removing a white rose from behind her ear. “I would never! I could never!”

“No, William I promise it’s okay I won’t be angry at you for it.” She said. “I guess… I was just nervous to show you. I… haven’t really told anyone I’ve been practicing plant magic.”

“Well, if you ask me you should practice it more. It suits you.” He said with a smile, feeling she looked so natural surrounded by the flowers.

“You’re sweet,” she said with a smile, and her calmness spread to the plants who did not whither away but made a slow return to their pots. “You’re wrong, but sweet. I know it’s silly to try another type of magic when I can’t even get the basics of my track.”

“Paulina, I promise I would not lie to you. In fact I cannot lie.” William said, his normal vigor lacking. “Like… I’m unable to.”

“What do you mean?”

“A secret for a secret?” He said, raising his pinky which she took in hers (thankfully this time there was no goop incident). “It’s part of my curse,” he began to explain. “If I am to lie, I am overtaken with great pain. It feels as though my bones are shifting and trying to escape. It matters not how grand the lie is, any lie will trigger it.”

“How do you know?”

“I did lie once, to my uncle.” He said, shuddering at the memory. “I had snuck out of the castle and when he asked me where I’d gone, I denied having left. And suddenly it felt as though my heart was being ripped from my chest, the pain so severe I could hardly stand. He said ‘this is what happens when you lie to me, you’re only hurting yourself by doing so. I will always know.’”

“Woah,” Paulina whispered, often forgetting William was related to the Emperor. She always views him as cold and scary and William seemed just the opposite, despite his attempts to seem intimidating. She wondered where he had gone before it struck her. “Was this… the night you came to our conjuring?”

He nodded and Paulina felt her heat sink.

“Oh William, I’m so sorry if I had known I would have never-.”

“No, please don’t be sorry princess,” he insisted. “It was a lovely night, truly. It was the first time I felt… normal. I didn’t think about my curse or my duties I just had… fun. That night meant a great deal to me.”

He smiled at the memory of holding her hand beneath the light of the full moon, the sound of her laughter as the managed to navigate the Owl House before Eda found them out. The way her eyes shimmered when she walked him to the door and said how happy she was that he had come.

“Well, you probably would’ve been back sooner if I hadn’t messed up the spell.” Paulina said, her voice low.

“If I had arrived on time I could’ve left on time, don’t blame yourself for something beyond your control,” he said, remembering the time he had put into his outfit, trying to impress her. “I was bound to discover it sooner or later, and knowing the effect has made me more careful. You can take credit for that, but nothing more.”

She smiled, knowing he meant that. She believed even without the curse William valued honesty. But such great pain no matter the lie? Not even a harmless white lie?

“Wait, did he mean every time you lie or just when you lie to him?”

“Well I… don’t really know,” he admitted, furrowing his brow. “I haven’t tried since then. But royalty shouldn’t lie anyway, so it doesn’t really matter. I intend to be an honest and fair ruler.”

“But what if you need to?” Paulina inquired. “What if by lying, you can help someone? Like what if Boscha was looking for me and asked you where I was, it wouldn’t be wrong to lie to her.”

“I would gladly endure the pain to keep you safe.”

Paulina blushed. He didn’t even hesitate.

“But when you go on missions, what if your identity is supposed to remain a secret and someone asks you if you’re the prince? It would be okay then, wouldn’t it?”

“I suppose you’re right,” he said stroking his chin. “Hmm, we should investigate this. Paulina, may I lie to you?”

She giggled, always finding his formality endearing. “You may.” She replied, matching his regal tone.

“All right,” he straightened his spine and cleared his throat, searching for a lie to tell. “Okay um… you are not very beautiful.”

He closed his eyes and prepared for the impact his only lie had given him, but to his surprise he felt no pain. “Huh? I did it! I lied!

“Well, I don’t know if it’s a lie exactly,” blushed Paulina. “It’s kind of subjective.”

“Oh? Oh, yes I suppose you’re right, as usual.” He scrunched his face as he tried to summon a more probable truth. “Okay then, I do not think you are very beautiful.” He clarified for the powers that be. He waited a beat and again felt no pain and raised his arms in victory. “Huzzah!”

Paulina blushed once more. “I mean… I’m still not sure that’s the best example,” she said quietly. “I mean, because what if that’s-.”

“Oh, yes I see what you mean,” he said, reading her mind. “I know opinions and fact can differ, but I can only lie about what I know, correct? Even if it just a lie to me, because I do believe you’re very beautiful. See? Neither sentence triggered the curse. I promise you the truth is the latter, you can ask Luz I’ve said that well before I ever thought about trying to lie.”

“Oh, well okay.” She said with a smile as Willam did not falter from the sincerity of the compliment. He simply acted like her beauty was a universal truth. She wondered how often if came up that he instantly felt that way. But despite how nice the sentiment made her feel, something about the delivery troubled her. “So… if you only feel pain when you lie to your uncle does that mean…”

“Does that mean… what?”

“William… is he the one who cursed you?”

[greenhousethree]

Withered 🪴

April Prompt 25 for @hinnymicrofic. (606 words — sort of micro?)

It’s a housewarming gift for them both, perched on the credenza in their first flat once her rookie contract is up. Neville’s wrapped a bow around the pot, rhapsodizes over its soothing properties: It’s heralded as a rare treasure in the mountains of Ecuador. 

Two spindly stalks, reaching from dark soil like outstretched hands. Colorful, waxy leaves that move as though breathing.

Spring warms to summer amid unpacking, Euro Cup qualifiers blaring from the wireless, family stopping in to share a pint and admire their view from the balcony. The branches dance animatedly among raucous cheers and clinking bottles when England secures third rank. The hum of London presses against the windows. 

She buys a copper watering can. Most days, she remembers to check the soil’s dampness. Fills vases with flowers, burns fewer meals on the stove. Cleans to prepare for Teddy’s first stay, realizes her mistake among sticky handprints and biscuits crushed into the rug.

Ron brings in a Muggle telly amid her peals of laughter. They set it up, and the four watch Notting Hill that night. Later, she leaves the room halfway through Fight Club. The branches shudder.

The leaves tremble with excitement when an owl brings her first full-time contract: three years, better pay. She takes an interview with Quidditch Weekly from their living room while he’s at work.

July brings long days and longer nights, giggling returns from the pubs and a lopsided cake she’s made him. Their party guests file out and then he’s kissing her neck, pressing her against the wall.

The leaves along the street change color. The ones inside are unaffected. It’s quiet most days; he departs before the sun’s fully risen, she rushes off for practice with toast and coffee. A week into preseason, she takes another interview, Witch Weekly this time. He’s away six days. Arrives late, holds her close on the sofa until dawn. 

Late nights, candles burning low on the desk. He brings work home, pores over evidence, accepts mugs of tea. She kisses his forehead, hands find his shoulders. Anxiety undulates from the stem through the branches.

He falls asleep on the sofa. When she wakes him, the curse narrowly misses the plant, singes a hole in the wall.

Time together grows sparse. She travels for matches, he leads his first mission abroad. She loses, he fails. The leaves grow paler, stems yellowing in their absence.

In winter, a week on the sofa with a concussion and the clanging radiator. She grows restless, waters it plenty, buys a bigger pot.

Fireside chats with Luna over glasses of pinot noir, secrets spilled. He’s not sleeping. She’s worried this case is hitting too close. Ron’s thinking of buying a ring.

They forget to put up a tree, and Andromeda chastises them. Next morning he brings one home, wet from sleet, needles everywhere. She sips mulled wine and he lifts Teddy to add the star. Ties a bow around a toy broomstick.

It’s mid-January when they notice. She’s up 3-1 on away matches, he’s back from St. Mungo’s with a case file to close out. Crisp leaves scattered around the pot, withered stems and cracked soil. He suggests they consult Neville. She jokes that she’ll make a terrible mother, and he’s quiet.

Spring brings the chance to have a better year. Playoffs, holidays planned for the summer, an engagement party with the pop of champagne. She makes him dance in the living room one night, a song from Percy’s wedding, pulling him back to the moment, leaving the war behind. 

Outside the window, the tips of branches bud with promises of green.

🌱

[dragonmaiden79]

You say you're willing to write for a variety of fandoms and material, one being Greek mythology. Do you have any ideas you don't mind sharing?

@palettesofrenaissance I had to dig up this relic to respond to you. I had done a short writing in the past that was a bit of a crossover between Nigerian mythology and Greek mythology, wherein the Igbo Supreme Creator Goddess would be minding her business and Zeus would try... Well we all know how Zeus is, but yeah it backfired on him immensely. I've never posted or shared it anywhere and it's unedited (and Idk how old) so please disregard the typos, but here it is.

Zeus, Olisabuluwa

How The Heavens Split

It was a fatal mistake. One that the pantheon could only sit by and watch helplessly. Zeus was the God of Gods, champion of all... Yet and still wasn't prepared for her. Maybe it was his brashness or his ego and certainly his extreme lust and lack of self control that destroyed everything. Zeus just absolutely had to have her, but this time, it proved to be his downfall.

"Olisabuluwa". That was one of the names that they called her in her home world. She was ancient and all powerful, having birthed the Sun, the Moon, and the Universe that she came from. Having retired, she merely traveled and observed those in different universes for leisure now. It's a shame that the narcissistic hunger that composed Zeus's personality resulted in such raw nympholepsy that he didn't even note the power of what he thought was a normal woman.

She was beautiful and dark skinned, long, high-end fabrics conservatively shielding her body, and himation covering her head, her soft figure easily desirable by anyone's standards. She lived modestly in a small home made of brick far out in the countryside, with a pond and under an acre of farmland, just enough to sustain herself. She was ever reclusive, coming out only on the morning of the full moons to give away free goods to peasants and helots.

Zeus had spotted her beauty while disguised, in the midst of one of his other... Conquests. The woman whose home he was leaving was near to where merchants gathered to peddle their wares. On this day, Olisabuluwa had a 4 wheeled cart loaded with various food items and crops from her farm, pulled by a pair of oxen. As if her beauty and sun-loved skin wasn't enough to grab his attention, Zeus realized that she was from a foreign land by virtue of the small clay pots that she was giving away. They certainly weren't Greek and neither were most of the dishes contained within them. He should have been intrigued by that, if not alarmed as a God, that a foreigner of this nature had materialized seemingly over night and had been there for a few years without any of the Gods or Demigods knowing. But he wasn't.

He saw her then and approached, using his best, most handsome human form, introducing himself as Zeus. He complemented her gorgeous eyes-- the color of healthy earth and her hair-- appearing plush as a cloud, but to no avail. She firmly, but respectfully declined until she was forced to harshly demand that he leave her space.

It infuriated him to no end, not that she said no (He would have her regardless so that didn't matter), but that she was in his opinion, stupid enough to decline an immaculate and well-spoken God.

Zeus went on then, to disguise himself as a poor child, gathering information on the mysterious woman. He waited for the next full moon, disguising himself as an owl-- an animal considered to have her favor, and followed her out to her home amidst the plains of blue and white flowers of the open countryside. Were he not so ignorant and trapped in his own megalomania he would have noticed the blue flowers and recognized the symbolism of them and the wisdom of the owls to Olisabuluwa. Common knowledge across the different pantheons.

As she lit the flames of her outdoor lanterns for the night he attempted to attack her, swooping down from high in the sky in owl form and landing on top of her in the form of a man. She didn't scream or struggle, instead posing a question, "Are you certain of your choice?" He responded with using his mighty strength to tear away some of her clothing. He should have been concerned about her non-reaction, but he was too drunken on his own arousal.

Zeus motioned to violate her body and penetrate her, but it never came to fruition. Suddenly her eyes became like mirrors that reflected her own universe and the world shook on Atlas' back. Olisabuluwa's body dissolved into the form of this Universe and Zeus was swarmed by the energy of the cosmos themselves as reality fell away from him. He found the world shrinking in his view as she carried him faster than light further and further away from the human world. The pantheon watched in horror as Olisabuluwa crashed Zeus back into his place on his throne in the Heavens, releasing his God power into the mortal realm, before using her power as a Supreme Being to rend them apart.

The Heavens tore, completely apart from the human world and then again and again it was shredded into shards, tattering and dissolving into the rest of the Universe. The Greek gods were now separated from each other and their subjects. And one thing that was common knowledge about the Greek gods, was that they needed access to the worship of their mortals to survive.

Technically, the Heavens and such could be restored. But Olisabuluwa certainly would not be the one to do it. And as for Zeus. Zeus was dead. His power released upon his mortals that they may all wake up and be gods themselves. They soon will cease to rely on their pantheon.

If only Zeus were not so foolhardy. He would have known better than to execute his usual pattern of behavior and minded his targets. Instead, all of his home dimension must live with the folly of his ways.

[ratsoh-writes]

Hey y’all! Meet the birdfell siblings!!

Roost (birdfell sans):

He’s a bird monster standing at 5’4 with sandy tan wings resembling an owls! He’s 51 years old and has only one working eye, the other socket has a large crack going through and is unable to open any more.

Roost is loyal, affectionate, caring, flirtatious, teasing, and dumb as a rock. He is the perfect definition of a himbo lol. However he isn’t energetic (most of the time) and instead of golden retriever energy, he’s described as having more lazy Rottweiler energy. Roost is a possessive fellow and is quick to claim what’s “his” whether that’s friends or things, or even dates lol. He has so much confidence it’s mistaken for fearlessness.

For work, he’s a florist! Roost is surprisingly enthusiastic about flowers, the language behind them, and making beautiful arrangements. He has a good eye (singular lol) for matching colors and has a green thumb when it comes to growing his babies. His florist shop is in the land his sister owns.

His hobbies: flowers of course, he also does some gardening, long flights, axe throwing, sparring and wrestling, bird hunting, wine tasting, throwing really large rocks off cliffs to see them roll down, falconry, hooking up/flirting, babysitting (don’t worry he’s actually pretty good with kids)

Loved items: his sister/all the vineyard workers, kids, Mediterranean food, wines and cheeses, flowers of course, specially morning glories, the color green, ducks, football and the World Cup

Special ability: rocky skin: when he feels threatened his bones and feathers harden making a rough cutting surface and protecting him from attacks. It only lasts a few seconds

Magic weapon: he has two hand sized axes! They’re fairly simple but they get the job done.

Harpy (birdfell papyrus):

She’s an exceptionally tall bird monster standing at 6’9 feet. She has large dark golden brown wings resembling an eagles and a thin scar on her cheekbone. She’s a feminine presenting monster with a husky woman’s voice.

Harpy is sharp, serious, and very to the point. She’s an organized lady and very ambitious. She’s extremely protective and loyal to her friends and workers and is passionate about her loves in life. She takes no sh*t in life and is very brave in the face of any trial. Harpy is more of an honest straightforward person and is rarely sneaky about what she does.

For work, she owns a large vineyard in the mountains as well as a big chunk of land where she’s the landlord to some other farmers and businesses. Her wine is considered one of the finest of ebotts and her grapes are fought over by other brewers. She takes her job very seriously and expects a lot out of her employees, but with lots of work comes high reward from her.

Her hobbies: wine tasting, javelin throwing, shoe shopping (she fkn loves heels), collecting travel brochures, floral arrangements, weightlifting, long flights, horror and mystery novels, collecting antique weapons, falconry

Loved items: her brother and her employees, Mediterranean food, potted basil, wines and cheeses, the color purple, heels, antique weaponry, murals, antique books, her pet golden eagle Gaia.

Special ability: look at me. When she needs people’s attention, she can give off this aura that will naturally stop people in their place to look at her. She doesn’t need to utter a single sound

Magic weapon: a gorgeous ornate javelin with vines all up the staff

Extra details:

The birdtale AU was very warlike with small mixed tribes of humans and monsters constantly fighting over the little pieces of farmable land left. It created a large sense of loyalty between families but also made an au of very territorial monsters (and humans who came in the crash with them).

Roost and harpy’s parents were killed in one turf war when harpy was a toddler. Roost raised his little sister himself and according to her did a decent job. However most people think she’s the older sibling with how much she bosses him around lol

The birdfell au is interesting as they actually had five “royals” but none who had taken the oath (the ritual had been lost ages ago). They were unable to decide on two representatives without fighting, and so the birdtale royals stepped and took the birdfell monsters as their own. It was supposed to be temporary, but the fells ended up loving their fair and attentive new rulers.

Birdfell monsters are very scattered around ebott so every community has a little pocket of them somewhere.

Side characters:

Phoenix: birdfell grillby, he has a set of gorgeous flaming wings and a massive wingspan. Phoenix is ebotts top model and adores his fans just a little too much. He is also an old friend of rooks and was harpy’s main babysitter when rook was out

Lewis: a frail 89 year old middle eastern looking man and the grandfather of rook and harpy. (Their mother had been a half breed). Harper is enjoying his retirement on harpy’s vineyard as an “official wine taster” lol. He has a good relationship with his grandkids and is not so secretly glad that there are no more babies in the family lol

[etchif]

Hello Birdblr. The other day I got reminded of the existence of a german folk/childrens' song called 'Die Vogelhochzeit' (The Bird Wedding). I think some here might enjoy it so I will translate the lyrics :)

Ein Vogel wollte Hochzeit machen

in dem grünen Walde.

Fidirallala, fidirallala,

fidirallalalala. (Chorus, sung after every line.)

A bird wanted to have a wedding

in the green forest.

Die Drossel war der Bräutigam,

die Amsel war die Braute.

The Thrush was the groom,

the Blackbird was the Bride.

Der Sperber, der Sperber,

der war der Hochzeitswerber.

The Sparrowhawk, the Sparrowhawk,

it was the Hochzeitswerber (made up of the words ''Hochzeit': Wedding' and ''Werber': Suitor/Advertiser'. I do not know for certain what this term means, and I have heard differing opinions about its meaning. Here are the options:

Someone who asks for the bride's hand in place of the groom

Someone who sets couples up to marry

Someone who also asked for the bride's hand (but was rejected in this case)

Someone who spreads the news of the wedding around

Pick which one you like best I guess)

Der Stare, der Stare,

der flocht der Braut die Haare.

The Starling, the Starling,

it braided the bride's hair.

Die Gänse und die Anten,

die war’n die Musikanten.

The Geese and the Ducks,

they were the musicians.

Der Spatz, der kocht das Hochzeitsmahl,

verzehrt die schönsten Bissen all.

The Sparrow, it cooks the wedding meal,

eats all the best bites himself.

Der Uhu, der Uhu,

der bringt der Braut die Hochzeitsschuh’.

The Eagle-owl, the Eagle-owl,

it brings the Bride her wedding shoes.

Der Kuckuck schreit, der Kuckuck schreit,

er bringt der Braut das Hochzeitskleid.

The Cuckoo shouts, the Cuckoo shouts,

it brings the bride her wedding gown.

Der Seidenschwanz, der Seidenschwanz,

der bracht’ der Braut den Hochzeitskranz.

The Waxwing, the Waxwing,

it brought the bride her wedding wreath.

Der Sperling, der Sperling,

der bringt der Braut den Trauring.

The Sparrow, the Sparrow,

it brings the bride her wedding ring.

Die Taube, die Taube,

die bringt der Braut die Haube.

The Pigeon, the Pigeon,

it brings the bride her veil.

Der Wiedehopf, der Wiedehopf,

der bringt der Braut nen Blumentopf.

The Hoopoe, the Hoopoe,

it brings the bride a flower pot.

Die Lerche, die Lerche,

die führt die Braut zur Kerche.

The Lark, the Lark,

it brings the bride to church.

Brautmutter war die Eule,

nahm Abschied mit Geheule.

Mother of the bride was the owl,

said her goodbyes with crying (or 'howling' it's a pun ^^).

Der Auerhahn, der Auerhahn,

der war der stolze Herr Kaplan.

The Grouse, the Grouse,

he was the proud Mr. Chaplain.

Die Meise, die Meise,

die singt das Kyrie eleise.

The Tit, the Tit,

it sings the Kyrie eleise.

Die Puten, die Puten,

die machten breite Schnuten.

The Turkeys, the Turkeys (female),

they made long faces.

Der Pfau mit seinem bunten Schwanz

macht mit der Braut den ersten Tanz.

The Peackock with his colorful tail

had the first dance with the bride.

Die Schnepfe, die Schnepfe,

setzt auf den Tisch die Näpfe.

The Snipe, the Snipe,

put the cups on the table.

Die Finken, die Finken,

die gaben der Braut zu trinken.

The Finches, the Finches,

they gave the bride her drinks.

Der lange Specht, der lange Specht,

der macht der Braut das Bett zurecht.

The (long) woodpecker, the (long) woodpecker,

it made the bride's bed ready.

Das Drosselein, das Drosselein,

das führt die Braut ins Kämmerlein.

The Thrush, the Thrush,

it leads the bride into the chamber.

Der Uhu, der Uhu,

der macht die Fensterläden zu

The Eagle-owl, the Eagle-owl,

it closes the blinds.

Der Hahn, der krähet: „Gute Nacht“,

nun wird die Kammer zugemacht.

The rooster, he cawed: "Good night",

now the chamber is closed.

Die Vogelhochzeit ist nun aus,

die Vögel fliegen all’ nach Haus.

The bird wedding is now over,

the birds all fly home.

Das Käuzchen bläst die Lichter aus

und alle ziehn vergnügt nach Haus.

The Little Owl blows out the lights

and everyone goes home happily.

Also in most illustrations of the song I've seen the blackbird bride is drawn black, however only male blackbirds are black meaning she is canonically trans god bless.

[jungle-angel]

Fall Prompts: Part 3

Guys if anybody has any ideas for prompts, send'em in!! I'm running on fumes!! (lol). Taking requests for Top Gun Maverick (any character), Outer Range, Bad Times At the El Royale, Catch 22, Salem's Lot and Press Play.

Waiting at the bus stop with the kids on the first day of school/dropping off/picking up

Walking through a spooky pumpkin patch or graveyards

Pumpkin spice coffee or baked goods

The smell of old books

Snuggling with a black cat

Whiskey/hot spiced liquor

Dyeing wool and spinning it on the spinning wheel

"It's looking a little spooky out there"

The kids playing in a freshly raked/blown pile of leaves

Making chicken soup for their s.o who is sick

"Everything smells like fall"

Binding together a homemade book and watching the leaves and rain fall

Needle-felting

"I can't believe Carhardt weather is here"

Wearing fuzzy slippers/socks

Morning on a fall camping trip

Sunday dinner after church with the family

First frost

Maple sugar candies

Sewing together a fall quilt

Singing a Halloween lullaby to their children

Chilly air that leaves the nose a little red

"God we've already spent a fortune on school supplies"

Fall hiking

"Well, the church pastor certainly knows how to throw an awesome Halloween party"

Feeling the fall breeze while sitting in the porch rockers/porch swing

"I'm loving the new decorations"

The sun setting but the trees are completely bare of leaves

Hot apple/pumpkin pie

Flying over the forest landscape which has turned to fall colors

"I feel like a bear getting ready to hibernate"

Taking pictures of the kids on the first day of school

Crackling fireplace

Making cuddly fall toys for their children

Making their s.o a flower crown using the potted mums on the porch

Their s.o having a drawing book full of cottagecore watercolors and it's also fall themed

"I think the owls are nesting again"

Reading in the candlelight/by the fireplace

Storing the harvest for the winter

"I swear, if I get bonked on the head with one more apple...."

Pressing leaves in an old book

Hand knitted/crocheted scarves and hats

Comfort foods

Sewing little flannel jackets for the kids

The whistling of the teapot and the smell of a hot tea

"This place looks like a real life gingerbread house!"

Falling asleep under the flannel blankets and sheets after a long day

Toasted pumpkin seeds

The family dog jumping in the leaf piles with the kids

Sleeping in their s.o's hoodie

[diariodelissa]

Jake and MC

****Another part of the fanfiction. Jake goes to visit MC in Duskwood. He tells of his history and why he started hacking.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

As he walks through the old alleys of Duskwood toward the MC's apartment, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, Jake's sharp mind reflects on recent changes in his life.

The hacker, who has spent many years moving stealthily through avenues and subways from metropolis to metropolis, always apprehensive and solitary, can now walk peacefully and even, if he wishes, observe passersby and places, unhurriedly. The world he had known since he was a boy was so impassable, gray, and violent that he had never imagined it could present new colors and a sea of possibilities. Never, until he came across a love so intense and so strong that it was able to break through the barriers of a prison and a history of trauma.

He continues on his way, with his thoughts on MC, when he comes across a flower shop.

Hesitant, he enters the store, remembering that the girl likes flowers. He is approached by a friendly and communicative employee who presents him with several options of bouquets and arrangements. He finally opts for an elegant bouquet of 40 red tulips, capriciously wrapped in luxurious black paper and gold ribbon, after the florist describes the meaning of the flower: true and eternal love.

Minutes later, he arrives at MC's apartment. Embarrassed, he waits for her to open the door, smelling a pleasant aroma of coffee.

“ Jake!” - MCs eyes sparkle when he sees the hacker. - “Are they for me? Really? I love the flowers.” - Delighted, she admires the bouquet. - “Thank you!”

The hacker doesn't quite know what to say. Enraptured, he notices that the girl is wearing a light and tight dress, similar to the one in the photo he keeps so fondly.

“There's a card, but I think I'll turn red if you read it in front of me.”

“Are you still blushing?” - she asks, finding his behavior adorable.

“It's ridiculous, I know, a guy acting like that, like he's a virgin boy.” - he blurts.

 “It's not ridiculous at all, Jake!  On the contrary, I think it's so cute!”

Jake sits at the dining table, which is set with a coffee pot, a white porcelain tea set, a basket of bread, butter and jam. The apartment emanates such a good vibe. He listens to a song, probably from a playlist playing on his laptop. Meanwhile, MC puts the flowers in a vase.

 “This game I got from Cleo”. - the girl says. - “She was always annoyed that I only had a few stripped down mugs to serve my guests”. - Pouring the tea into the cup, she hands it to the hacker. - “Here, it's melissa tea with mint. I learned it from my grandmother. It has calming effects and is great for fighting insomnia”.

Realizing that Jake is hesitant, she laughs. - You don't like tea, do you?

The hacker replies. “Actually, I've never been in the habit of taking it”.

 “I can imagine, - MC smiles. - “You must be a fan of energy drinks and coffee”

“You read people very well” - Jake smiles.

"Oh, that wasn't so hard to deduce, you insomniac and night owl hacker! If you want, you don't have to take it. I thought I could help you."

 “That's fine.  It's not that bad” - he jokes.

“You can't tell me that your grandmother, unlike mine, never made you drink those teas with a hundred things in them when you had the flu?”

At this, MC realizes the lapse. “Oh, I'm sorry, Jake! You haven't participated in many family moments, have you?”

The hacker's gaze lingers for a moment, remembering fragments of his life.

"My mother took me away from my maternal grandparents, when I was a very young child. They did not agree with the life she led, always self-destructing or isolating herself. They tried once to get custody of me, but my mother threatened to kill herself"- There is a glimmer of sadness in Jake's gaze, which makes MC's heart squeeze. - "I had a neighbor, who saw my situation, and tried to help me. Her husband was from the government intelligence agency. The couple had no children, so they sort of adopted me for a while. - The hacker gets excited when he remembers the kindly man, who had a personality very similar to his and was just as brilliant.- "He gave me my first high-performance computer and taught me many programming tricks."

"That's great, Jake! He was your male reference.* - MC notes: "Do you still have contact with them?" - she asks, curious.

A new gleam of sadness came over Jake's face.

"He denounced a corruption scheme and ended up being murdered by corrupt government agents. I was in the car when he was shot. -" Shaken, Jake closes his eyes for a moment and continues to relate,"- Afterwards, fearing for his life, his wife left the country.  She wanted me to come along, but my mother wouldn't let me.

MC  asks Jake.

"Jake, does this have to do with the information that you have disclosed in the past?"

"Yes. It was the way I found to avenge his death, which was treated as a robbery". - He recalls the dirty scheme of important government officials, who did everything to cover up the crime. - "It's very complicated to beat them"

"My God!  I am so sorry about that!"

MC wraps her arms around the hacker and, being shorter than him, can hear the uncompensated beating of his heart. The smell of the hacker is so good.

Jake, seeing that MC is so close that he can smell the delicate scent of her perfume, wishes to kiss her ardently. However, he resists, as he wishes to respect the time she has asked him to take.

[punk-aziraphale]

Tagged by @thecrackshiplollipop

1. are you named after anyone?

Nope. Neither my dead name or my real name are named after anyone else. Unless you count one of my chosen middle names which is Dandelion because I'm a Witcher nerd and also a flower fairy.

2. when was the last time you cried?

Uhhhh...hmm....last week? Whenever was my last watchthrough of The Owl House. Which I think was last week. I have a bad memory.

3. do you have kids?

Nope! I have a nephew who I babysit a lot but no kids of my own.

4. do you use sarcasm a lot?

Despite being autistic and bad at telling sarcasm when I hear it, I do use it quite a bit, yes.

5. what’s the first thing you notice about people?

This is gonna sound petty but it's not for petty reasons. Their clothes.

I am FASCINATED with fashion and textiles and it's my special interest and I also think you can learn a lot about someone based on how they dress.

6. what’s your eye color?

Blue

7. scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings every time. I'm not really a scary movies person 🤷

8. any special talents?

Knitting! Sewing! Fiber arts babey~

9. where were you born?

Stanford, CA

10. what are your hobbies?

Knitting again, sewing again, mending, art, poetry, music. Basically I like to make stuff.

11. have you any pets?

Yes!!! By big fat ginger boy, Charlie. And by that I mean he's a REALLY large cat. Like tall and long and very muscular. He's just a huge breed. I love him.

12. what sport do you play/have played?

Competitively? None.

But I have done tennis and Olympic style power swimming.

Currently nothing cause POTS is evil 😩

13. how tall are you?

5'2". Very slightly under that but y'know...tiny.

14. favorite subject in school?

Sculpture/ceramics. I probably wouldn't have said that back then but looking back on it, I felt the most free with my creativity in that class. I could make weird abstract stuff and did some really interesting pieces. Possibly tied with printmaking though. I also got weird with that too.

15. dream job?

I'm honestly also gonna say "I don't dream of labor" but I'd really like to be either a potter or a textile artist or a shepherd

tagging @teddybards and @positivityjediprince (and anyone else if y'all feel like it)

[mythofstarlilly]

100+ Inspo Words and Ideas

Animals

​

Giraffe

Jaguar

Elephant

Bear

Snow Leopard

Panther

Squirrels

Fox

Rhino

Wolf

Leopard

Elk

Peacock

Tiger

Butterfly

Lynx

Badger

Parrot

Macaw

Panda

Red Panda

Skunk

Whale

Jellyfish

Owl

Horse

Moth

Swan

Orcas

Octupus

Seahorse

Koi Fish

Crow

Stingray

Deer

Bee

Angelfish

Bat

Dragonfly

Crocodile

Goldfish

Monkey

Turtle

Sloth

Shark

Frog

Dolphin

Crab

Rabbit

Hedgehog

Lion

Coyote

Zebra

Goat

Snake

Penguin

Seal

Fish

Otter

Bird

Cat

Dog

Raccoon

Puffer Fish

Crane

Lizard

Bug

Axolotl

Caterpillar

Eel

Eagle

Falcon

Firefly

Gorilla

Spider

Plants/Flowers

Violet

Snowdrop

Primrose

Cactus

Pansy

Lilac

Carnation

Daisy

Snake Plant

Lily

Sunflower

Wllow Tree

Rose

Succulent

Poppies

Aspens

Peperomia

Azalea

Mushroom

Coral

Tulip

Leaf

Acorn

Eucalyptus

Lavender

Cherry Blossom

Lotus

Vines

Jade Plant

Monstera

Ivy

Hydrangeas

Leaf

Wild Flowers

Sage

Bamboo

Orchids

Rubber Plant

Holly

Oak Tree

Palm Tree

Hibiscus

Bluebells

Hawthorn

Pothos

Magnolia

Rattle Snake Plant

Buttercup

Iris

Aster

Bellflower

Dahlia

Coral

Objects

Lights

Treasure

Ship

Map

Car

Train

Book

Ticket

Bow and Arrow

Trash Can

Axe

Key

Knife

Necklace

Lantern

Candle

Mug

Camera

Glasses

Piano

Mirror

Chess Piece

Trident

Crown

Seashells

Crystals

Lamp

Swing

Fossil

Hot Air Ballon

Sword

Tent

Campfire

Snowflake

Potion

Skull

Planet

Sand Dollar

Tea Pot

Tea Cup

Dreamcatcher

Perfume

Compass

Wand

Globe

Umbrella

Lock

Button

Ring

Neon Sign

Headphones

Flag

Bike

Sparkler

Snow Globe

Hour Glass

Anchor

Stained Glass

Radio

Watering Can

​Stuffed Animal

Concepts/Ideas

Fall

Winter

Dreams

Summer

Spring

Enchanted

Tranquil

Mysterious

Ancient

Hope

Overgrown

Sparkly

Adventure

Calm

Wicked

Fancy

Royal

Happy

Marble

Chaotic

Colorful

Angry

Sad

Wet

Deep

Lush

Wonder

Flowing

Dizzy

Bubble

Vintage

Love

Haunted

Electricity

Patterns

Memory

Shadow

Food

Grapefruit

Cotton Candy

Waffle

Lemonade

Tomato

Ice Cream

Blueberry

Strawberry

Cherry

Egg

Hot Cocoa

Pie

Apple

Cake

Donut

Star Fruit

Kiwi

Raspberry

Carrot

Avocado

Coffee

Dragon Fruit

Banana

Orange

Peach

Watermelon

Margarita

Shake

Tea

Lime

Lemon

Honey

Peas

Pineapple

Mango

Gummy Bear

Juice

Iced Tea

Cupcake

Yogurt

Popsicles

Pancakes

Lollipop

Hamburger

Bread

Pear

Grape

Landscape/Nature

Waterfall

Lake

Galaxy

Mountains

​Storm

Cliff

Rocks

Clouds

Desert

Jungle

Trees

Forest

Rainbow

Ocean

Meadow

Rain

Beach

Volcano

River

Canyon

Snow

Hiking Trail

Underwater

Cave

Waves

Sunset

Cove

Valley

Swamp

Arctic

Lightning

Flower Field

Dune

Marsh

Hills

​

Structures

Bridge

Castle

Stairs

House

City

Temple

Window

Door

Famous Structure

Lighthouse

Gazebo

Cottage

Fountain

Allyway

Faris Wheel

Cafe

Book Store

Arch Way

Sidewalk

Lamp Post

Market

Store

Balcony

[arclantis-blog]

Colorful Owl Flower Pot

Talavera Planter, Super Cute & Colorful Ceramic Owl Flower Pot

Great for Indoor or Outdoor Usage

Talavera Pottery is Handmade and Hand Painted in Mexico

Large Pot Measures 9.5" Tall by 8" Wide by 6.5" Deep; Weighs 2 lbs 15 ounces

Medium Pot Measures 6.5" Tall by 6.5" inches Wide by 5.5" Deep; Weighs 2 lbs 6 ounces

Contains a hole in the bottom for drainage

Handmade Condition means it may contain slight imperfections

Handmade Condition means subtle color variations might occur as well

To learn more about the product, click here. Please check out other Luv2Brd products, here.

[luv2brd]

Black Owl Vase in Clay

Black Owl Flower Pot -- so alluring in its sophisticated and elegant black design

Great for highlighting your dried plants as Indoor Decor or Centerpiece for Home Decor

Handmade by master ceramicists from Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico

Measures 6" Tall by 4.75" Width by 4" Deep; Weighs approximately 1 lb 6 ounces

Contains a hole in the bottom for drainage, although this is really for dried flowers

Handmade Condition means it may contain slight imperfections

Handmade Condition means subtle color variations might occur as well

Disclaimer: After you fill this planter with dirt and a plant of your choice, some subtle transitions in color from white to cream on the surface of this planter may occur, and are a natural result of soil moisture permeating through the clay pot, causing a gradual change in color. This effect is quite common in this particular finish which uses our wood-fired kiln, includes natural glazes and paints, and can be influenced by the placement of the piece in the kiln during firing. The kiln's varying temperature zones, known as hot spots and cool spots, can also contribute to the outcome of the glaze color. This ancient craft, passed down through generations, embraces the occasional occurrence of these natural transformations, and is one of the unique characteristics of our handmade Atzompa pottery from Oaxaca, Mexico.

To learn more about the product, click here.

Please check out other Luv2Brd products, here.

[shinyoldhide]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Owl Figuring Pot Hugger Planter decoration Garden statue patio Flower Pot Hanger.

[magnificentanniversarygift]

Gift Ideas For Aged Couples

There are plenty of great gift ideas for aged couples, but how do you find one that will be most appreciated? If you're not sure what to buy, consider home decor items, such as a decorative mirror or decorative iron bowl. You can also give a gift of homemade scrubs, packed in fine bottles. If the couple are in the mood for a little pampering, a gift certificate to a nail spa is a great idea.

Older couples love fashion items - perfume sets and luxury chocolates are great options for anniversary gifts. There are also several gift ideas for elderly couples that will be appreciated by the elderly. Gifts that emphasize sentimental value are always appreciated, whether you are shopping for a partner who lives far away or just want to pamper your spouse. Gourmet food hampers, home and living, and gift cards can make for a memorable gift. The perfect gift for a senior couple is one that has a personal touch.

A picture collage is another great gift idea. A photo collage printed on a canvas will brighten the recipient's day and show your appreciation. Similarly, the fourth anniversary is all about flowers. You can give a classic dozen red roses as anniversary gifts, or go for something more exotic. If you're unsure about what to give, opt for a potpourri gift, or buy a potted plant to symbolize the couple's life together. Alternatively, a romantic fruit basket filled with chocolate-covered strawberries or a bouquet of cut fruits is a wonderful gift.

Anniversary gifts for an older couple don't need to be boring. If you're looking for something unique and memorable for an aged couple, consider giving them an engraved cutting board. This kitchen item will surely make their day and will be a conversation piece in the kitchen. Throw pillows are also a lovely option. They are soft and comfortable to the touch and can be customized to reflect the couple's tastes. Don't forget to include their favorite colors in the personalized gifts.

A programmed coffee maker is easy to use and customizable. This makes a great last-minute gift for a night owl. A diary is also a wonderful gift idea for an elderly couple. It contains prompts for writing down memories and includes photo pages and envelopes. It can also be an ideal date night activity for two! If you can't buy a gift for an older couple, try making one together.

A traditional anniversary gift for an aged couple should be something that reflects the couple's beginnings. For example, if they're celebrating their twentieth anniversary, you might want to buy them an upgraded wedding or engagement ring. The new rings will remind them of their engagement period and their wedding day. A new engagement ring will also make the occasion more meaningful for the couple. If you're looking for a thoughtful gift, remember to include your own personal touch.

[hearts-hunger]

sunshine daydream — chapter two

Read on AO3 | Masterlist

chapter one 

Series Summary: Friends can go on platonic vacations to cosy lakeside cabins, right?

Chapter Summary: Any decent platonic vacation should include picnicking, fishing, picking flowers, getting high, dancing on the beach, and... skinny dipping?

Pairings: Sam Kiszka x Reader | Genre: angst, fluff, friends to lovers, mutual pining | Word Count: 5.7k | Chapter Warnings: smoking that wacky tobaccy

A/N: Sam and birdie are literally the world’s biggest simps in this chapter, bless ‘em. If you find yourself asking “would all this realistically happen?” the answer is no, absolutely not ♡ That’s what fanfiction’s for, babey — creating highly, highly unrealistic scenarios that no normal people would ever get tangled up in, but damn if they ain’t entertaining to daydream about. I hope you like it! ♡

When you woke the next morning, you had a headache but no Sam.

It was early, judging by the pinkish sunshine streaming through the windows, and you were surprised you were already up. You couldn't exactly remember what time you’d gone to bed last night, though, and figured it must have been earlier than your usual night-owl bedtime.

Come to think of it, you couldn't remember a lot about last night after you'd finished dinner. That would account for your headache and the fact that you hadn’t changed out of your dress, and you promised yourself you’d go a little easier on Grandma Kiszka's homemade wine in the future.

You padded downstairs after you got dressed, hoping to find Sam, but he was nowhere to be found; you saw a coffee mug set by the half-full coffee pot, a pink sticky note on the side of it.

Gone fishin’, the note said, written in Sam’s messy scrawl. You smiled as you made yourself coffee and ventured out to the porch.

Sunlight shimmered on the surface of the water in the places where the trees weren’t casting long, cool shadows; birds flitted back and forth between the branches, and you thought you caught the morning song of a whippoorwill. It called to mind the line from “Flower Power” that Sam had written on an early-morning hike, one you'd often daydreamed he'd written with your nickname in mind. In the cool of the quiet morning, you allowed yourself a moment to imagine that he had.

Sam was out on the skiff, casting his line into the nearly-still water. You stepped off the porch and waved, hoping to catch his attention, and you were pleased when he waved back. You sat on the steps and enjoyed your coffee while you watched him, amused when you heard a muttered curse here and there as his voice drifted back to you over the water.

You headed back inside to make breakfast when you finished your coffee, and Sam came in soon after.

“Morning, birdie,” he said, giving you a sweet smile.

You smiled back. “Good morning,” you said. “Have any luck?”

“Nah, but I didn't really expect to. I’m not that great at fishing.”

He fixed himself a cup of coffee as you cooked, and you enjoyed the comfort of sharing a kitchen with him. He settled at the table, and you wondered briefly if he was watching you the way you’d watched him yesterday.

“So,” he said, and the lone syllable was colored with excitement and cheerfulness. “You have anything you want to ask me, birdie?”

You frowned. You half-turned from the stove to look at him, and though his boyish smile nearly took your breath away, you couldn’t for the life of you imagine what he was talking about.

“Um...” You glanced between him and the stove. “Do you want an omelet?”

You’d been making one for him anyway, but it seemed like the only reasonable response to his question.

His expression faltered, and you felt bad even though you were completely bemused.

“No, that’s...” He shook his head and gave you a more subdued smile. “Yeah, an omelet would be great. Thank you.”

Wishing you knew how to fix whatever it was, or even knew what was broken, you put his plate in front of him and started on your own.

“Watch that for a second,” you said, gesturing to the pan as pain spiked at your temples. “I need to take something for this headache.”

“There’s medicine in my bag,” he offered. 

You hurried upstairs to take it, easily finding it among his things. 

“How much did I drink last night?” you asked when you came back down, happy to find your omelet hadn’t burned.

His smile was slightly rueful. “A lot, I guess.” He tossed you his water bottle. “Here. Hydrate before you die-drate.”

You laughed as you caught the water bottle in a fumbling grip. “I’m gonna start saying that.”

He chuckled as you brought your plate over and sat across from him.

“What’s on the agenda for today, Sammy?” you asked.

He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “Whatever you like, birdie. We could go out on the boat for a while before it gets too hot. There’s a couple places we could go and walk.”

“We should take a picnic,” you said.

He smiled. “Sure.”

He was quiet while you ate, and you tried to read his body language as you cleaned up the breakfast dishes. You had the sudden thought that you might have done something untoward last night, and dread snaked its way into your chest.

“Sam?”

He looked up from his phone. “Hm?”

You fidgeted with the hem of your shirt. “I don’t really remember... I mean, if I said or did anything last night that...”

You trailed off, uncomfortable under his level gaze. He pocketed his phone and stood.

“We smoked a couple cigarettes out on the porch,” he said. He gave you a kind smile, and you felt a weight come off of you.

“You didn’t start singing Dolly Parton, if that’s what you're worried about.”

You smiled. “Well, that’s a relief.”

You started to pack up what you’d need for your picnic, and you knew he was feeling better when he started whistling while he helped. You put your bathing suits on under your clothes in case you wanted to swim while you were out on the boat, and soon you were following him back out to the dock.

“Oh, before I forget,” he said, taking something from his pocket. “A present for you, birdie.”

He let his tiger’s eye necklace dangle from his fingers, and you looked up at him in surprise.

“You’re giving it to me?”

He smiled. “You said you liked it.”

“I...” You shook your head. “I mean, I do, but... it’s your favorite.”

“Turn around and let me put it on you.”

You did as he said, still a little confused; the crystal was cool on your neck as he fastened the clasp, and you blushed when his fingers brushed the back of your neck.

“There,” he said. You turned back to him, and he gave you a head-to-toe sweep.

“Looks better on you anyways,” he said.

You hoped your smile wasn’t too besotted. “Thank you.”

He tweaked your cheek. “You’re welcome.”

You couldn't stop playing with it as you rode in the boat, the cool breeze no match for the warmth in your cheeks. While you loved the necklace and would cherish his generosity in giving it to you, you still couldn’t puzzle out why he’d given it to you, other than it just being a simple gesture of affection.

You sighed. Sam had always been one for little things like that, bringing you flowers when you were feeling down, sneaking funny notes into your lunchbox all through grade school, taking out the trash every time he came over to your apartment even though you’d never asked him to. And though you supposed that to anyone else, those little things over the years might have added up to an indication that he felt something more than friendship for you, you couldn’t let yourself think that way. He was just sweet-natured, and it was your good fortune to be his friend. 

He couldn’t feel the way you felt about him. You were too awkward and shy and plain for someone as charming and handsome as Sam. He’d always had his pick of girls, even since middle school, and there had never been any competition between you and them. Especially not now, when his confidence and talent drew beautiful girls by the dozens.

You glanced over your shoulder at him, and he gave you a smile that you thought might break your heart.

“We’re getting close to one of the places I told you about,” he said. “We’ll stop and see if you like it.”

You were sure you would, and it was no surprise when he eased the boat to a stop at one of the prettiest beaches on the lake.

“Look at those flowers!” you said. A wide swath of grass further up the shore was covered in wildflowers of every hue, and you went straight for them as soon as you and Sam got the skiff securely on the beach.

“I think these are Dame’s Rocket,” you said, kneeling to pick a small bunch of the delicate purple flowers. “You’re actually supposed to pick these, because they’re an invasive species.”

“Since when do you know so much about invasive flower species?”

You smiled. “It’s all about the late-night Wikipedia dives, Sammy.” You examined the flowers and counted their petals. “Though there’s a rule about how many petals they have, because blue phlox looks almost the same, and you’re not supposed to pick those because they’re endangered.”

You glanced up at Sam. “Can you look that up for me?”

He raised a brow. “You already picked them.”

“Yeah, but I want to know if I should feel bad about it.”

He chuckled and shook his head, but he pulled out his phone anyway.

“Blue phlox has five petals,” he said after a moment.

“Sweet!” You stood and showed him the flowers. “These are Dame’s Rocket for sure, then. Aren’t they pretty?”

He gave an appreciative hum.

“Hold still for a second,” you instructed.

He did as you asked, and you tucked the flowers into his hair, brushing back his breeze-mussed curls as you went. You tried to get one in exactly the right spot around his bun, and he gave a soft laugh.

“You’re concentrating pretty hard for just putting flowers in my hair, birdie.”

Your smile was triumphant as you placed the blossoms just right. “Aha! There.”

He reached a hand up to gently brush over the flowers, but you drew his hand back before he could.

“Don’t fuss with it,” you chided. “It’s perfect.”

He held his hands up in surrender. “Sorry. Far be it from me to mess up your handiwork.”

You fished around in your backpack for your phone. “Here. I’ll take a picture so you can see.”

He flashed you a charming smile as you took a picture, and you set it as his contact photo before you showed it to him.

“Aw, look how cute I am.”

You grinned. “You are cute. You should wear flowers in your hair more often.”

“Only if you fix them up all pretty for me,” he said adamantly.

You gave a dramatic sigh. “If you insist.”

He smiled as he slung his arm over your shoulder, drawing you close as you walked further up the shore. 

“We should do stuff like this more often,” he said. “Just you and me.”

You felt a nervous little fluttering in your chest. Usually, you and the guys all hung out together, and aside from just enjoying their company and friendship, you also leaned pretty heavily on Jake, Danny, and Josh to help keep yourself from devolving into infatuated schoolgirl antics around Sam.

But how could you say no to such an offer? You pressed closer to his side.

“Okay,” you agreed. “Just you and me. Sammy and birdie against the world.”

He laughed. “See? That’s got a pretty nice ring to it.”

You whiled away the morning walking through the woods, looking up flowers you didn’t recognize from your Wikipedia searches and trying to place the calls of different birds. Sam was a bit of an amateur ornithologist, and he had a talent for mimicking birdsong. He whistled different calls, and sooner or later he’d get a whistle back. He grinned like a kid on Christmas morning every time he did, and you couldn’t help but smile too.

You picnicked on the beach, and you headed back to the cabin before the heat of the day. You’d just put your things away and gone back out for a swim when both of you got an alert on your phones.

“Storm warning?” you read. You looked up at the bright blue sky and didn't see a single cloud.

“Not until tomorrow,” he said. “But we might have to cut our trip short to get back. Sorry.”

You shook your head. “It’s ok,” you assured him. You smiled. “We’ll just cram everything in today.”

He tossed his phone with your towels. “Sounds good to me, birdie.”

—

True to his word, Sam tried to figure out a way for you to do everything you wanted before the sun went down. You swam for a while before he took you fishing, and even though you were worse at it than he was, you did manage to catch one tiny fish. You didn’t like the way it wiggled around on the hook, and Sam laughed and teased you with it for a second before he let it back into the water.

You stayed out on the porch after dinner, leaning back on the steps to let the evening sun warm your skin. You lifted your necklace to see how the crystal looked in the sunlight, running your thumb over the smooth surface.

“And... voilá,” he said, holding up the joint he’d been working on. 

“Very nice,” you said. 

He lit it and took a drag before he handed it to you, and you handled it with only a modicum of coughing.

“What do you want to listen to?” he asked, pulling up Spotify on his phone.

You lay back and closed your eyes. “You pick.”

He put his speaker between you as the strains of a Grateful Dead song started to play, and you passed the joint back and forth until it was spent. You kept up a steady stream of the world’s most predictable stoned conversation as the sun went down, and Sam’s stoner laugh became even more pronounced.

“You know Friday the 13th?” you asked.

“Uh, the movie?”

“Yeah.”

He nodded. “I know it. Hey, we should watch it.”

“Like I really want to watch a movie about getting killed at a lake house right now.”

“It’s good.”

You wrinkled your nose. “It’s scary.”

“Nah. I wouldn’t let a psycho killer get you anyway, birdie.”

You tried to remember what you were going to say, and you stared at each other for a second before you both started laughing.

“Oh yeah!” you said. “Did you know that when they were filming the sex scene, Kevin Bacon took her out to the woods and smoked a joint with her to help her mellow out?”

He gave you a dopey smile. “You watched a documentary about it but you won’t watch the actual movie?”

You shrugged. “I like to see how they make all the fake blood and stuff.”

He laughed. “You remember when Josh was obsessed with making all that fake blood for his movies? I think the fans got a hold of that picture he took where he looks like a murderer and he's smoking that cigar.”

He propped himself up on his arm and looked over at you.

“I’m glad we came out here,” he said. “Even if it is going to storm tomorrow. This is nice, isn’t it?”

Your smile was dreamy. “Yeah, it’s really nice.”

He reached over and tapped the tiger’s eye on your chest.

“It’s for self-confidence and courage, you know. Bringing all that light and love inside of you to the surface and helping you show it.”

You liked the thought of that. You could use a little courage every now and then.

“It’s associated with the sacral chakra, the solar plexus chakra, and the root chakra,” he continued.

“Which ones are those?”

He ran his fingers over your tummy, and you giggled.

“These ones right here,” he said with a smile. “And a little lower, but, you know.”

You grinned. “You gave me a sex crystal?”

He shrugged, cool as could be. “Maybe.”

You took a deep breath, enjoying the cool breeze that twilight brought with it. The stars were unbelievably bright, and you tried to pick out different constellations.

“Oh, this is a great song,” he said as the track switched. He stood and offered you a hand. “Dance with me.”

You took his hand, and he gave a dramatic groan as he pulled you up. When he led you closer to the water, you draped your arms over his shoulders and let him sway you gently to the music.

“She's got everything delightful,” he sang. The music was faint from the porch, and Sam’s lovely voice overtook it completely. “She's got everything I need. Takes the wheel when I'm seeing double, pays my ticket when I speed.”

You laughed. “I’m not paying your tickets, Sam.”

He chuckled and rested his forehead against yours. “Yeah, I know how you feel about traffic safety laws.”

“How I feel?” you said. “Everybody knows you shouldn’t speed. What if you got in a crash and died?”

“Who said I’m speeding?” He wrapped his arms snugly around you. “I won’t speed, birdie. I promise. I’m not gonna crash and die.”

You hugged him back, and like you did every time you were in Sam’s arms, you felt completely at home. His hair was coming loose from his bun, and you tugged the ponytail holder onto your wrist and ran your fingers through his hair.

“What’re you doing?” he said against your shoulder.

“Taking your hair down,” you said. The flowers you’d tucked into his curls earlier tumbled onto his shoulders and fell to the ground.

“Don’t step on your flowers,” you said.

He hummed, but he didn’t seem that concerned about it. You saved one before it fell, and you twirled it between your fingers as he held you.

“Keep singing to me,” you said.

He smiled and pulled back just enough to look at your face.

“Sunshine daydream,” he sang. “Walking through the tall trees, going where the wind goes.”

You were coming down from your high a little bit, but you were still pleasantly dreamy and unhindered by your usual shyness. You touched your fingers to his cheek.

“Sammy and birdie,” you said softly.

He turned his head and gave your thumb a gentle kiss. 

“That’s right,” he said. “Sammy and birdie.”

You felt a safe, comfortable warmth spread through you at his kiss, and when he looked at you from under those long lashes, your breath caught in your chest.

“Have you ever been skinny dipping?”

You couldn’t stop the nervous laugh that bubbled up at the question. Letting him hold you was one thing, but you weren’t sure even your tiger’s eye confidence could get you to swim naked with him.

“No,” you admitted, almost in spite of yourself. “Have you?”

“Nope,” he said. He gave you a crooked smile. “You want to?”

You blushed. “N-now?”

“Yeah, why not? I won’t look.”

“Oh, sure, you’re just gonna swim around with your eyes closed.”

He laughed. “No, but it’s not like I’ve got x-ray vision or anything. I won’t look while you get in the water, and unless you decide to do some fancy flip off the high-dive, I won’t see a thing.”

“Naked on the high-dive, huh?” you mused. “That’s an interesting mental image.”

He hummed. “That’s one word for it.”

You let him hold you while you considered his offer, and the longer you stayed in his arms, the easier it was to say yes.

“What about the fish?” you asked, trying to come up with a way to dissuade yourself from doing something so insane.

He shook his head. “I got rid of them.”

“Sam.”

He laughed. “What do you want me to say? Yes, there’s fish in the lake. We’ve been over this. You even caught one earlier.”

Your expression scrunched. “Yeah.”

He let you think for another minute, and then he asked you again.

“Will you come skinny dipping with me?”

You rolled your eyes, but you gave him a grudging smile.

“Okay,” you said, shrugging off the sensible part of your brain that never let you do anything risky. What was the harm in it? “I’ll go skinny dipping with you.”

He grinned. “Atta girl.”

You told him to go first, and you closed your eyes as he started to unbutton his shirt.

“You’ve seen me shirtless, birdie,” he said, amused.

You put your hands over your eyes. “Just hush and get in the water.”

His laugh was like music over the sound of the gentle surf. You felt fabric land on your feet, and you jumped.

“Sam!” you scolded, blushing vividly.

You could just imagine his devilish grin. “Oh, sorry.”

Your heart rate jumped as you heard him walk towards the water, your nerves finally catching up to the impulsive decision you’d made. You couldn’t do this. You were crazy to have ever considered it.

“Your turn, birdie,” he called.

You lowered your hands and slowly opened your eyes, and the sight of him in the dusky light was absolutely breathtaking.

He’d gone only as far into the water as decency demanded, facing you as the water lapped at his hips. Your blush was scorching as you just looked at him, taking in everything from the breezy waves in his hair to his lean torso to the maddening treasure trail that disappeared beneath the water.

“Enjoying the view?” he teased, entirely too self-satisfied.

You put your hands on your hips. “Samuel Francis Kiszka, you’re — ”

“One handsome devil?”

Yes. You huffed. 

“Incorrigible,” you finished. He grinned.

“Come on, birdie,” he coaxed. “Come in with me.”

You bit your lip. You knew he’d let you call it off without a moment’s hesitation if you really wanted to, but you wanted more than anything to join him.

“Stupid tiger’s eye,” you muttered.

“What was that?” Sam asked innocently, though his smile gave him away.

“Hush,” you said. “Close your eyes.”

He did as you said, putting a hand over his eyes for good measure. He didn’t turn away from you, though, and you wondered if you could possibly blush any more than you already were.

“No peeking,” you said, even though you knew you didn’t need to.

The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Scout’s honor, birdie.”

You took a deep breath and shimmied out of your bathing suit, leaving it in a pile by Sam’s swim trunks. There was nothing on you but his necklace, and you were surprised at how... beautiful you felt.

He waited patiently as you waded in and reached a spot you were comfortable with, the water reaching just over the swell of your breasts. 

“You can open your eyes now,” you said, your voice soft and shy. Though you weren’t close enough to touch, there was an incredible intimacy in being naked with him in the cool water.

He turned to face you, and his gaze was so gentle and modest that you forgot all about your nerves.

“Look at you,” he praised. He smiled, and you felt a flurry of butterflies. “I’ll make a rebel out of you yet, birdie.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” you said. “I’ll probably still be too much of a goody-two-shoes for you, even after this.”

“I like that you’re a goody-two-shoes, actually,” he said sincerely. “You always have been, ever since we were kids. You wouldn’t be you without it.”

Your smile was bashful. He’d never said anything like that to you before. You’d always worried it annoyed him, even just a little, that you’d never been as invested in the good-natured troublemaking he’d always had a penchant for.

“Well, you need someone to try and keep you out of trouble,” you teased.

He grinned. “And you need someone to try and get you to live a little.”

He waded further in before he swam out towards the middle of the inlet with broad strokes, apparently comfortable with the chance of you seeing something you’d promised not to. Then you remembered that though he’d promised not to look at you, he hadn’t felt the need to get any such promise from you.

You felt so warm that you dipped underwater to cool off, and it helped only for a second as you nearly came up too high when you surfaced.

“Come out here,” he called. He could still stand where he was, but the water was up to his shoulders. 

“I can’t,” you said. “I can’t touch out there.”

He came back over to you. “Hold on to me, then.”

The thought of it alone made you dizzy with want.

“Here,” he said, holding out his hands. “I won’t get close enough to touch.”

You knew you shouldn’t. This meant so much more for you than it did for him. But you went to him anyway, and your forearms rested against his as you held onto him. His worn macrame bracelet brushed against your arm, and you melted at how he smiled at you.

He drew you out into deeper water, careful to keep distance between you like he’d promised. You wanted to be closer.

“So, is skinny dipping everything you hoped it would be?” you asked.

“It’s... interesting,” he said. “Technically not that different from just regular swimming, as far as sensation goes, but the vibes are...”

You laughed. “Yeah. I know what you mean.”

The sun had fully set, leaving you both in the warm, heady darkness. Crickets and frogs chirped from the banks of the lake, surrounding you in the lush cacophony of the summer night. You wanted to kiss him more than you’d ever wanted to do anything in your life.

You tilted your head back to look at the night sky. 

“The stars are so bright out here,” you said. You’d thought it was your high, earlier, that was making them so dazzling to you, but you were sober now and they still sparkled like diamonds against the inky darkness.

“Lay back and look at them,” he said.

You snapped your gaze back to him, but there was no hint of teasing or smugness in his expression.

“What?” he asked you.

You blushed. “I can’t just...”

“Oh, right,” he said quickly, bashful. “Of course. Sorry, I didn’t — wasn’t trying to... you know.”

His stumbling apology was endearing, and you gave him a soft smile.

“It’s ok,” you said. “Don’t worry about it.”

But even as you told him not to worry, the ridiculousness of the whole thing seemed very apparent to you all of a sudden. You were hopelessly in love with him. There was nothing but water between you, and you loved him so much it was like a physical pain, and you couldn't do a thing about it.

You let go of him. How could you have allowed yourself to do something so incredibly stupid?

“Um, I should probably...”

Before you could go back to him and make it even worse, you swam back to where you could touch, trying to get your bearings.

“Birdie, wait,” he said, following after you. “I didn’t mean to make you upset. I just wasn’t thinking.”

“I know,” you said truthfully. “And I’m not upset, I just...”

You crossed your arms over your chest and rubbed your shoulders, trying to ease the self-consciousness that had set in quickly and mercilessly.

“I mean, it’s kind of weird, right?” you asked. “The two of us skinny dipping together?”

He studied your face, an increasingly apologetic expression on his own, but it wasn’t his fault you’d been so shameless and wanton with someone you knew didn’t have feelings for you. Embarrassment burned hot over your cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” you blurted, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for your behavior, for the way you’d let your desire run away with you. “I shouldn’t have said yes.”

The guilt in his face was like a knife straight to your heart.

“No, birdie,” he said. “Don’t apologize. If you shouldn’t have said yes, I never should have asked. This is my fault.”

He rubbed the back of his neck like he did when he was nervous.

“I’m sorry, birdie,” he said, and his sincerity tore at you. He met your eyes. “I didn’t mean to fuck up this bad. Please forgive me.”

You shook your head. “There’s nothing to forgive, Sam. We’re both adults, and we both made our own decisions.”

He didn’t say anything, and the silence between you was heavy with tension and awkwardness. You bit the inside of your cheek.

“Sam?” you asked cautiously. “I’m probably gonna go in now, so can you...”

“Yeah, of course,” he said. He turned away from you then, and you quickly made your way up to the beach to grab your suit. You covered yourself with one of the towels hanging over the railing of the porch stairs and glanced back at him before you went inside.

He was farther across the inlet than you’d ever ventured, his body casting ripples over the surface of the water. You wondered what it would be like to watch him without the sting of guilt and shame you felt.

No matter what he’d said, you’d allowed yourself to get caught up in something you knew you shouldn’t have done. What’s the harm in it? you’d thought. You shook your head. There was a reason you didn’t ever take risks. They ended up being messy more often than not.

You showered off and got into your pajamas, listening for the sound of the front door as you did. You didn’t dare look out the window, wanting to give him his privacy as he came up to the house, but he was gone long enough to make you worry. After doing every little task you could think of to keep yourself busy — folding up your clothes, plugging in the Christmas lights and rearranging them until they draped just so over the bed — you curled up under the covers and tried to settle. You thumbed through Sam’s dog-eared copy of Eric Clapton’s autobiography, but you were too keyed up to really concentrate.

Finally, you heard the door open. You busied yourself with reading the same page you’d been going over the whole time as he came upstairs.

He got a quick shower and dressed for bed in a t-shirt and basketball shorts. You waited for him to climb in next to you, but he stood at the foot of the bed and fussed with his bracelet, turning it around and around on his wrist.

“We should get an early start tomorrow,” he said. “Get ahead of the storm.”

You nodded. “Okay.” Whatever he thought was best.

He gestured back downstairs. “I’ll sleep on the couch.” 

You put the book down in your lap. He wouldn't look at you, and it broke your heart.

“You don’t have to,” you said, knowing he might not be making the decision for your comfort so much as his own. “I mean, you can if you want to, but please don’t feel like you have to.”

He did look over at you then.

“You’d be ok with me sleeping with you?” he asked, genuinely surprised. “After... all that?”

You softened. “Of course I would. I know you’ve got it in your head that I’m mad at you, but I promise I’m not.”

“You should be.”

“Why?”

He ran his hands through his hair. “Because I’m your best friend, and instead of taking good care of you, I’m making you do shit you’re not comfortable with.”

“You didn’t make me do anything, Sam,” you reminded him.

Over the years of your friendship, you’d learned that Sam could be bossy and baiting when he wanted to be; one of his most annoying habits was his knack for pushing buttons you didn’t even know you had until he waltzed in looking to get a rise out of you. But even in all that, he’d never gone too far. You knew you could tell him to knock it off and he would. He’d never made you do something you didn’t want to do, and he’d never tried to guilt you about anything you wouldn’t do. 

And when he’d asked you to go swimming with him, he hadn’t been trying to tease you or push your buttons. He’d held you, sang to you, made you laugh. He’d asked only in tenderness and good fun, and you knew he knew that as well as you did. Sam was always good to you, and you hated that his guilt was making him doubt it.

“You asked, and I said yes,” you said, trying to ease his guilt. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have even asked. I crossed a line. I shouldn’t have...” He sighed. “It was a mistake. A big one.”

You bit your lip. You knew he was sorry to have made you uncomfortable, but now you knew he was also sorry he’d come up with the idea in the first place. There was a part of you that had hoped he'd done it because he wanted that kind of intimacy with you, and the sting of hurt you felt was foolish, childish. Just like your feelings for him.

“I’m really sorry, birdie,” he said.

You set aside your own hurt in favor of comforting him, patting the pillow next to you.

“Come here.”

He was hesitant and still tense, but he came and sat on the edge of the bed. You’d take it, for the moment.

“I forgive you, Sam,” you said. You gave him a soft smile. “You trust me?”

He sighed. “Yeah, I trust you.”

Satisfied, you opened the book you’d borrowed from him and found your page.

“Lay down and let me read to you,” you said.

He didn’t, but you started to read aloud anyways. A few minutes later, you hid your smile behind the book when he got under the covers with you.

You read the rest of the chapter, softening your voice when you looked over and saw him starting to doze. He stirred when you got up to unplug the lights, his hand reaching towards your side of the bed, and you twined your fingers with his when you lay next to him again.

“Sam?”

“Hm?”

You brushed your thumb over his knuckles.

“You do take good care of me,” you said softly.

He gave a sleepy sigh. “You take good care of me too, birdie.”

You smiled to yourself, settling down to sleep with your hand still safely in his.

Read chapter three!

p.s. — my taglist is screwed up for some reason. tumblr’s highlighting your urls when i try to tag you, but sometimes it doesn't show up in people's notifications. sorry about that, besties :(

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forever taglist: @punkgeekcryptid​ @tv-saved-the-teenage-girl​ @bobbydearest​ @starlight-scully​ @sugarsweetkisses​

i’m so thankful for each one of you! if your url isn’t highlighted, it’s because tumblr is dumb and won’t let me tag you :( please fill out this taglist form or send me an ask if you’d like to be added to any of these lists, or if i’ve forgotten to tag you! ♡