#I'm probably gonna finish it tomorrow or the day after so it's january

[cinnamon-flame]

It's this time of the year again! This was a very good year for me, I learned so much and honestly drawing became fun for me again after a period when I felt kind of tired of my style - maybe the lesson here is that it eventually gets better. Here's the source of this great template Also here are the previous years for comparison: 2021 2022

[abrushwithdeath]

((Another update because I've still not been around:

Just finished getting the last of our stuff to our new place. Have a LOT of unpacking left to do. We had enough money saved up to get us through without needing to work until January, but after some issues we now definitely don't. We're fine, mind you! So no worries! But we ARE applying for jobs. That means back to a similar schedule to before moving, probably. Hopefully, soon enough though, we'll be unpacked and then that'll be out of the way 🙂

As for everything else- things are going okay at the moment, it seems, aside from the fact that I've been sick with a cold for a couple days and my sister (the one who lives with me) has been sick for almost a week now so that's fun 😅 If all goes well, I'll be around a little tomorrow morning because now that everything is here, we're gonna take it easy with unpacking somewhat until we're feeling less sick. So I'll hopefully, actually, have a bit of downtime in the mornings this week ♥️

With that said - please let me know if there's anything specific of ours that you want me to get to!! Or toss some memes my way if you'd like! I'll also finally try to get back to discord stuff this week (including ooc conversations that I've not replied back to in forever - I'm sorry 😞).

Love y'all ♥️ And I hope to talk to you again very soon ♥️))

[fckwritersblock]

Act 1: While We’re Young

Chapter 5

Erik ‘Killmonger’ Stevens x Black OC

(Unedited.)

Tuesday

January 10th 2005

Last night was the only night I'm allowing myself to cry over him and his 'return'. What good would it do me? No, I was gonna take Erik and whatever he had to throw at me by storm.

Waking up the next day, I feel refreshed. Like a brand new person with a more positive mindset. Today I had 3 classes and I'm determined to have a good Erik free day.

That whole Erik free thing went out the window as soon as I got to my first class.

Double O Computer Programming 1 was a junior class, however I'd taken it during the summer during my first year at UC Berkeley. DOCP 2 wouldn't be available until next semester but I needed to have a class since this was my first year on the actual campus. Thankfully Miss Hill really needed a T.A and the fact that I could help with an algorithm that tied into thermal nuclear astrophysics had her sold.

Right after I finished taking attendance, she barely got a word out before the door swung open revealing Erik as our late comer. I quickly glanced at the sheet in front of me, scanning for his name. I was so use to calling him N’dajaka when we were kids, I completely skipped over ‘Erik Stevens’. I huffed rolling my eyes, arms crossed over my chest. His timbs were the only thing heard shuffling across the room making hid way toward the front of the class. Wordlessly he handed Miss Hill before his eyes were on me. They scanned me from top to bottom, before locking with me a smug grin on his lips.

"Hey Lona," my jaw dropped.

Before I could get out a word, Miss Hill opened her mouth, looking up from the paper he handed her.

"Welcome Erik, sorry for the confusion."

"It's all good," he shrugged.

"Im Miss Hill, and I see you already know my aid. As I explained to the class prior to taking attendance, If I'm unavailable feel free to email or call her during the hours listed on the sheet." She is then took a sheet from me and handed him to me. "Other than that, find a seat."

He nodded pretending look over the sheet before averting his gaze back on me.

"I'm definitely gon do that."

Fuck my life right?

Well, Erik just so happened to be in the Calculus class I skipped two days ago. I thank God my record was squeaky clean and Mr. Kennedy accepted my poor excuse before I was quickly reminded the man upstairs has a sense of humor as the only available seat was next to Erik.

"The person next to you will be your partner for the remainder of the semester so let's take the next 15 minutes getting know one another hmm?." Mr. Kennedy instructed.

I couldn't suppress the groan that slipped as Erik casually leaned back in his chair, examining me.

"You heard the man, get to know me."

"I know all I need this know about you Erik."

"Oh so I'm Erik now? Like that?" He spoke cool, calm, and collected like our exchanged was normal.

I gripped my pencils tight, my knee bouncing up and down my body tense.

"Let me set things straight now. We don't need to talk to one another. If it doesn't have anything to do with any of the classes we take together, don't want to hear it. When you see me act like you don't know me. We clear?"

The expression on his face was unreadable before his lip twitched slight him responding.

"Crystal."

Wednesday

January 24th, 2005

It had been two weeks since Erik showed up here.

Ok that's a lie.

Apparently this man has been here. And to top it off, this mans name was in every bitch mouth like the second coming of Jesus Christ. From what I've observed though, he doesn't say much, or gives any of these broads much attention. He don't say much in general actually, he's really good at blending in. He got that laid back, mysterious, bad boy vibe going for him and these females out here hella into that.

But when he opens his mouth, that cocky bastard sure knows how to disrupt my entire soul at least while we're in class.

Outside of class though, he acts like I'm invisible.

It was like he never knew me. And honestly, I don't know how to feel about it. I know that's what I said I wanted but it bothers me just the same.

Today in particular though, he argued me down during our Calculus class. We had one problem to figure out before we could leave class today. You and your partner were supposed agree on the answer, and heaven forbid he just agree with me so we can get out of here. Math was always my subject when we were kids, nothing has changed. I was damn near about to say fuck it when he started laughing.

What in the entire fuck it so funny?" I was fuming.

"You," he shook his head. "You really hella mad."

"Um, YES!" I damn near shouted fed up. "You literally been tryna convince me it's 5 when it's-"

"Chill. I know the answer is 3 girl. C'mon, let's go." So smoothly he closed the book, grabbed his bag and headed to the front.

I was so upset, I had to let him do all the talking when it came to explain to the teacher I'll answer and how we got there. I know I open my mouth I wasn't going to say anything nice.

"Girl what crawled up your ass and died?" Donise questioned with a stank look as we sat at one of the benches outside of the library.

"Yeah What did Erik do now," I could hear teasing in Tatiana's tone so I flipped her off.

Only giving a brief explanation, I went on a mini rant about what happened in class 20 minutes ago. Donise's thought it was funny, while Tati just shook her head.

"I still can't believe it him," Tatianna glanced as a group of guys from across the quad headed our way, Erik included.

"Yes, and I wish it wasn't."

Tatianna was the first real friend I made in a while. I was actually tutoring her online for a while before she found out I was 4 years younger than her. Our friendship started off as a trade. I was her tutor and she both convinced and enrolled in a mentor program to help me with my social skills. I didn't speak to anyone much when Erik left, but I got into a lot of fights. According to the school counselor I was taking out my anger and abandonment issues on.I have meds to tame the anger, and while I haven't had to take them in a while Eric definitely bring that anger out of me.

"Girl that's just sexual tension. You got to fuck all that out." Ashley put in her unwanted two cents.

"Trust me when I tell you on God it isn't."

"Well if you out to holla, then trust and believe I will." She tossed her hair over her shoulder

I didn't really mess with Ashley like that, but she was Tati's frat sister which made them 'friends'. That little thot pocket will screw anything with legs, D, and a pulse and I'm not bout that life. Plus she messy as fuck and I don't trust her as far as I can throw her.

"I don't doubt it," I smirked as Donise said exactly what I was thinking.

Donise was coo' though, I meet her when I first got here 2 months ago. Believe It or not she was apart of the welcome comity for MIT and turned out her and Tatiana were already friends. Once she figured out  who I was, I was shot to the front line during registration and everything.

"Anyways, y'all going Ant and them party tomorrow?" Ashley questioned probably tryna bum a ride.

"What party?"

"The Que's," Donise answered. "The dudes with Erik are frat."

Now this was news to me. I met most of them before but I had no idea there were in a sorority. Examining them, I guess it all made sense. Most in the clique sported some sort of purple and yellow lanyard either around their neck or on their keychain that hung from their jean pocket as if  they wanted everybody to know who they were. Which I wouldn't doubt.

"Ladies! What we chattin about?" Moses questions every bit of his thick English accent tapering off every word.

"Our plans for mañana," Tati answered l

"Word. Y'all coming to the party tomorrow?" Jay spoke playing with a few strands of Donise's curls.

"Tomorrow? It's Thursday." I said confused. "Ain't there class the next day?"

"What's the matter, you can't hang?" I glared at Jay, knowing he was only chastising me because him and Erik were close, according to Tati.

I swear to God men gossip more than women do. Rolling my eyes I spared Erik a glance and he looked like he was waiting on me to respond.

"Oh, I can definitely hang."

I couldn't hang.

Around midnight I was  in the bathroom throwing up everything, damn near hug in the toilet as my surrounding looks so blurry and I can barely function. Im not sure when I'd finally finished, but I could feel someone picks me up and out the bathroom and soon everything goes blurry and then black.

Tag list: @kitesatforestp @xsweetdellzx @justgetitoverwith0 @letsshamelessqueen-m @cmkcolove @readingaddict1290

[h0neyjaehyun]

☁︎ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 ☁︎

Summary // WinWin is feeling uncertain that Tali likes him, but then finds reassurance after sometime with her.

Characters // Talia Flores + Dong Sicheng (ft Taeyong, Mention: Jisung, Chenle, 127 members)

Era / Year // January 2017

Word Count //

Italics: Chinese

Its obvious EVERYONE loves WinWin, everyone is whipped for him, even Jaehyun who is a person who doesn't do skinship that much. But all the fans wonder...why doesn't Tali swoon over him.

For example Tali gushes over Chenle and Jisung a lot. Mostly because they are younger but she also does to the older members like Taeyong. So they always wonder why doesn't she gush over WinWin like Taeil or Yuta does even Mark. Like if WinWin does something cute, she just smiles and moves on. For a moment the fans thought Tali and WinWin had beef but that was debunked when WinWin was clinging on to her during a music show.

Its even shown WinWin purposely acting cute infront of her or just making eye contact and her just smiling at him and then going back to what she was doing. Then the members laugh him sulking when she doesnt give him much of a reaction and Taeil and Yuta comfort him.

Tali is known to not be charmed easily for example the amount of times she gets shown aegyo to, it has been to the point she doesn't show much of a reaction. If you want to her to fall for an aegyo make Chenle do it and she just for some reason can't deny him. Which makes WinWin sad, he feels like he did something wrong for her not to acknowledge him as much as the others. So usually you see him try to get her attention or him clinging on to her like a half backhug or holding her hand. Which makes Taeil and Yuta jealous of her honestly.

But in reality, Tali LOVES WinWin she really does, its just she has noticed he doesn't like to be smothered or clinged on to he seems uncomfortable and she thinks that since she is a girl be would be more uncomfortable with her hugging him so she doesn't.

He didn't really know what to do so he went to a person he could trust...

"Hyung."

Taeyong looked back and saw a sad WinWin.

"Hey whats wrong?" He asked and went to him and sat him down.

"Do you think Tali likes me...she seems not to." He said pouting, and it took all of Taeyong's power not to squish him.

"No, no ,no Tali loves you of course-"

"Then why doesn't she act like she does when she is with Jaehyun, or Haechan?" He said with sadness.

Taeyong huffed, he knows for a fact Tali loves him, but he also doesn't know why she just doesn't gush over him like the rest.

"I-...I know she loves you Sicheng, she does, but I don't know why she doesn't treat you like the others, you are gonna have to ask her yourself." Taeyong reassured him.

WinWin has always been comfortable with Tali like asking her for stuff and her knowing Chinese helped a lot. But he always felt that he wasn't in her heart. He just nodded her head and left...at that moment Taeyong felt powerless to help his friend.

That exact same day Tali went live...

"Huh?"

LOveWinWin: why don't you love WinWin??

Tali looked at it weirdly.

"I do like WinWin, what makes you think I don't?" She frowned

Winwin45: cause you never really give him that much attention and etc.

The fan clear up, Tali made an :0 face. While other fans were trying to reassure her that its was fine. She smiled at them.

"Its okay its fine, you guys are probably wondering too, I do like WinWin don't worry." she giggled

"Its just he is not a big fan of skinship, then Im like the only girl which I think, I think would make him more uncomfortable you know?" She said explaining why, and emphasizing the I think.

"I just don't wanna cross the line since everyone is different." She clarified

All then fans were like oh okay, that makes sense.

Tali looked at her phone and saw it was late.

"Ah, sorry guys its late and I would like to leave before dark, bye everyone~" She waved by to everyone and ended the live.

She quickly started packing her things since its was running late, then she heard the door open and she looked up and saw someone she wasn't expecting.

"Oh, hey WinWin." She smiled at the shy boy. He waved at walked to her, he looked like he was about to say something but hesitated.

"Is there something wrong?" She gave him a worried look and he shook his head no.

"Then whats wrong?"

".....you don't hate me?"

Tali's heart sank when he said that.

"Oh no no, of course I don't, even if I did I don't have a reason to." She smiled at him sadly.

"So you-"

"No, I dont hate you, the reason I don't hug you and etc is because is because you seem so un-"

She was cut off by his tight hug.

"Thank you...I was so worried I did something wrong or said something...thank you."

"Oh noo, I care about you sooo much and honestly I don't think you can ever change that." She hugged him back.

"And by the way you can hug me all you want I won't get uncomfortable...i-"

"No yeah I will no problem."

She cut him off quickly already knowing what he was gonna say...

promise.

He was caught off guard but just smiled and thought nothing of it.

"Hey let me walk you home it looks dark already."

"Oh you don't ha-."

WinWin gave her a pleading look, she huffed and nodded her head. He gave her a big smile, they started to go back home until he got an idea.

"Hey, lets stop at the store, I wanna buy you a snack."

"Oh noo, you don-"

"Nope, I wanna spoil you, I wanna get close to our only female member so, indulge me." He dragged her, while she was shaking her head.

They got some sodas, chips, and ingredients to make a chocolate cake.

"Are you sure? I can pay atleas-" She was cut of by doe eyes staring right at her. She huffed.

"Okay okay..."

He smiled and back hugged her with joy. They got to the dorms and they started baking.

"O-okay where do we start?"

"Uh....okay get me....two bowls...and 2 whisks...yeah."She seems unsure, but really wanted it to work out not to waste WinWins money.

"You sure?"

Tali looked at him and looked at the ingredients infront of her.

"Ah, no, this is where google comes in."

She took out her phone, while WinWin laughed at her. She smiled shaking her head.

"Ah okay lets...." and she started giving instructions, they somehow successfully made the batter and now had put it in the oven.

"Thats...was way harder then its should have been."

"Agreed" Tali huffed.

"Lets clean so Taeyong won't scold us when he wakes randomly."

"Randomly?"

"Yeah, sometimes he wakes up randomly, Im planning to go to the pharmacy tomorrow morning and get some melatonin so he can get proper sleep." She said while she started to clean.

"Tali.."

"Yeah."

"Do you get enough sleep at night too?"

Tali was caught off guard, she looked at him weirdly.

"Yeah of course-"

"Then how do you know?"

She didn't know what to say. Its true, insomnia has been taking over her lately aswell.

"Tali~ after this lets put you to sleep ok?"

"Ah no you don't ha-". The timer rang for the cake, she quickly grabbed the mittens and got the cake out and put it on the cooling rack. While WinWin was looking at her with sad eyes.

She turned around to him.

"Tali...you can sleep in my room I will sleep on the couch." He tried to negotiate so she would sleep, since the cake is out and they could finish it tomorrow.

"Ah no, I cant.."

"No take my bed."

"No."

"Yes."

They looked at each other then Tali ran for the living room. Winwin held her back before she could get to the door frame and they were laughing while wrestling. Winwin somehow got on the couch before Tali and Tali was just standing beside him pouting.

"Nooo, WinWin~ let me sleep on the couch."

"Nope." He shook his head cutely.

"Okay, how about this, how about me and you sleep on the bed..or both on the couch, cause there is no way I'm letting you sleep here." She whined while pouting. He went soft for her cause how can he not with that face.

"Fine." He sighed

He got up and Tali smiled in victory.

"But tell no one that we slept in the same-"

"Can se cuddle?"

She asked hoping he would say yes, it was rare for her to ask, she mostly asked because she knew the bed was alittle small.

"Sure...wait this is the first time I will ever cuddle you."

"Is...that a problem?"

"Nope, come on I will treasure this." He shook his head.

They went in bed and she layed her head on his chest and surprisingly they both fell asleep really quick.

To WinWin there was something about Tali he feels so relaxed around her, like home, so cuddling together was quite peaceful.

The next day came and Taeil barged in wanting attention from WinWin but instead got greeted by Tali and WinWin cuddling.

He yelled loudly which woke up WinWin but surprisingly not Tali.

"Whats wrong." WinWin said with a raspy voice, still holding on to Tali in a protective manner.

Everyone barged in worried.

"What's wrong?!" Taeyong asked worried why the oldest yelled, then they saw a half awake WinWin holding a sleeping Tali. They all sighed in relief it was just that and some glared at Taeil.

"What?"

"Why did you scream?" Johnny asked while some where leaving back to their room to sleep. The people that stayed were Yuta from shock that WinWin and Tali were cuddling and Taeyong also wanting an answer.

"I wasn't expecting Tali and WinWin in the same bed okay? She's not that affectionate with him." He reasoned. The two just shook their head and went back to bed. Yuta still looking at the two, he decided to take pictures.

"Now this is gonna be a memory."

[marcholasmoth]

OSRR: 2669

(nice)

today was a long day. i woke up and ended up getting to work half an hour later than i wanted but technically on time for wednesdays. and then i stayed until 6pm.

during the day, i worked on my essay, the one that's been plaguing me for a while. i just. everything i started to write, all of my notes and everything just came out wrong. i had no idea how to fix it. so i compiled everything into my original notes document, exited out of everything else, opened a new document, and went to town on what i like to call a "bad" draft. when i get super blocked for essays and shit, i go in and i write something that basically says the thing i we'd to say, but that is so fucking offensive and not at all proper words and it gets all of the thoughts out of my head into something that ends up being fucking hilarious.

once i bitched about the character count and all of the points i needed to touch on in my essay, i opened up a new document, put the other in the background, and went to town on the right draft.

i ended up needing to pace around the bookshelves in the middle of the room, twice, at different points, because i had so much pent up energy and anxiety i needed to get it out somehow. it also allowed me to empty my head so i could sit back down and think about what i wanted to write next. i ended up also finishing the bag of m&ms i had - i ate all of the brown, blue, orange, red, and greens first, and then went to town on the pile of yellows left. write, pace, eat, drink, write, pace, eat, drink, write, pace, fill up water bottle, drink, write, pace, write, get distracted, write, write, write. send to chelsie. get feedback. edit. send to person from the school to check it.

and i was finally finished with it.

i also ended up completing the other sections that needed to be done for the application, and i think on friday if the last section isn't finished i'll send emails to my professors to kind of remind them to upload their letters.

then it'll be done.

i have another scholarship to apply for, but i have to find it again, so i can do that tomorrow or the day after. i also need to do my homework.

anyway,

when i was finished with work, i went back to joel's to pick up my stuff to go home. to my great surprise, when i pulled in the driveway joel came outside and talked to me, and he came and sat in the car while he waited for his friend to come pick him up.

he's so fucking relieved to have a job. the crease that's been between his eyebrows isn't there anymore, his shoulders are less stiff, he's been sleeping better, and he's been more affectionate. telltale signs he's happy, that he's less stressed. and i'm so happy for him. i'm so glad that he's gotten a job where he'll be able to work with a friend. i'm glad he's gonna have things to do. i'll probably say "please let me drive you places again" so he doesn't have to pay for ubers but also because i could use an extra $400 a month (that's about half of what he'd pay on ubers, so it's good for me and for him). so we may go back to that arrangement. it'll let me have gas money. but also? even if it ends up ALL going to gas, that also includes MY life of doing shit, so two hundred dollars of my regular paychecks would be freed up for other bills, since the gas is already taken care of.

that'll be nice. give me a good schedule to stick to. both of us.

and speaking of money, i think i have a plan for my first paycheck for next month, in terms of christmas and a passport and spending money for the cruise. passport first. christmas gifts. credit cards. phone. following paycheck can cover my car payment and car insurance, and have a little for spending money for the cruise. i just won't have money for january or february bills. so i'll need to ask for help for that. and i feel bad about that, but i don't have a choice. i also need to find a way to pay for classes and i need to schedule my hours at work and schedule classes for next semester. this semester was about 5k. next will be about 7.5k. anyone got money they don't need that they can give a broke college student? no? didn't think so.

anyway, if you couldn't tell, this scholarship i'm applying to would change my life. i desperately need it.

god, i'm a broken record. between money issues that are constant and the gaping wound in my chest where riot fits, i really can't say anything else, can i? fuck.

[lastemeraldrabbit]

10.1.2019

I've been off and on reading Positive Magic an Occult Self-Help, I'm only a few chapters in and its quite outdated, but it's giving me ideas to work on and other things to look into when I'm further into the book and I feel ready to start another book. So far its been about the historic aspect of the occult, and a little about the author. I'm gonna make it through more by next week and hopefully by then I'll have more insight on what I'm reading.

Its been a wild week. Not sure what's to come next in the near future but I'm.. just chillin', I guess. I'm getting the hang of teaching, and scheduling out projects without getting overwhelmed, and I'll be working more closely with budgeting either tomorrow or after this weekend. Things are tight financially, but with some planning, patience, and work I think I can get to a comfortable place again. I didn't really know how much to budget for my puppy to get shot updates and neutered, but I haven't gone negative and I get paid tomorrow, my lovely brother got gas for my car, so I'm grateful for things not being absolutely terrible in this moment.

I don't have work work tomorrow but I do have housework, and still getting money from selling stuff, and ine commission if they have their payment ready. Other than that, I had a wonderful few days with my boyfriend staying over and doing art with me. That's probably one of my top favorite activities I enjoy with others, but especially him.

Overall, weird ups and downs, but nothing scary to overthink more than I already have. I've done what I could.

Plans for the following week:

Read, read, read. I finally have the time, I need to use it, I'd like to get to at least the halfway point of my current book, so Ihave more to write about it; pick the next book

Art projects; I have one 5x5in I'm almost done with, 3 small sewing projects I need to finish before starting more, pastel and adjust a drawing.

Exercise; will be going for 30 minutes on Tuesday, and planning for a longer timeframe on Thursday if possible.

Plan a photoshoot for January.

Grading schoolwork and working on wire experiments I can do here and there.

🏹

[auroargraves]

alia 😊 your headcanon posts have been so good to get me through studying this week. I am in the home stretch now and I wanted to ask if you have the time could I get some webgott or other BoB guys celebration headcanons for when I finish my last exam tomorrow?

for you, I will try my best.

webgott

When his final exam is over, Web wants nothing more than to sleep the exhaustion away. Probably for two days straight but his boyfriend has other plan because as soon as he steps out from the exam hall, Lieb is there, waiting for him with a big grin on his face; dragging him by the wrist. Web doesn’t even have the chance to protest when Lieb pushes him into the beat-up car.

“Shush. Don’t say a word. Just lemme do everything,” Lieb says when Web tries to speak.

Pouting, Web keeps his mouth shut. Leaning his heavy head against the cool window, watching the city goes by on a flurry of traffic.

He doesn’t know when he falls asleep but when he blinks his eyes open, he realizes that the car has stopped and Lieb’s fingers are in his hair, brushing gently as if to coax him to wake up.

“We are here, Sleeping Beauty,” Lieb says with a smirk when Web glares at him.

But the annoyance doesn’t stay long because as soon as he looks out of the window, he could see the sunset reflecting on the clear sea water, making the surface pink. The waves beckoning him to come over.

“C'mon.”

Web follows. Tumbles out from the car gracelessly as Lieb pops open the trunk.

The wind on his face feels like heaven and the salty air around him feels refreshing. It feels like he’s been thoroughly cleansed by just standing on the soft white sand and breathing in the sun and the sea.

“Are you gonna stand there like an idiot and let me have this picnic all by myself?”

“You packed us a picnic?” Web turns around to see his boyfriend carrying a basket that he’s pretty sure belonged to Skinny.

“Don’t get too excited. It’s just cheap champagne and chicken sandwich. And uh… some fruits in here too because I read that after a big exam you need to topup on your nutrients because you’ve used a lot of brain cells to thin—”

Lieb doesn’t get to finish his rambling because Web takes three steps towards him and leans in to kiss him soundly on his pretty mouth, hands on his bony shoulders to steady both of them.

When they pull back a touch, their brows still touching, spit making their lips shine.

“It’s perfect,” Web murmurs softly, nuzzling Lieb’s cheek tenderly before kissing him again.

“You’re perfect,” Lieb answers, smiling into the kiss as the sun sets, bathing them in golden warm glow.

------

baberoe

When Eugene steps inside the apartment, the first thing that hits him is the delicious smell of Bill's Grandma meat sauce.

He throws the key into the bowl and makes his way to the small kitchen. Certain that Bill is going to spend the weekend at the apartment and is now repaying them by making food.

Only it isn't Bill in the kitchen but rather his boyfriend who is standing in front of the stove; red hair plastered on his sweaty forehead, watching the sauce bubbling in the pot.

"Babe?"

"Hey!" Babe turns around with a bright grin and Gene belatedly realizes that he's wearing a flowery apron with Kiss The Cook slogan on it. "You're home! How's the exam?"

"It was okay," Gene replies, blinking when Babe turns back to dip a small spoon into the sauce before tasting it.

Hesitantly, Gene takes a step further into the kitchen, peering over Babe's shoulder to see the spaghetti boiling. "Is there something special that I've missed?" He asks. "Is your mom coming over?"

"No!" Babe laughs, swatting his boyfriend's side before hip-checking his way to the fridge, pulling two chilled bottles of beer before handing one to Gene.

"You only cook on special day. And I know that our anniversary is in January and it's not your birthday yet."

Babe swipes his sweaty forehead; leveling a look at his boyfriend. "I just thought that since today is the last day of your exam, why not cook for you to celebrate it instead of going out to eat."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Oh," Babe sasses back, drinks his beer slowly. "'Sides. I know you've worked hard to study for your final so this is like the first reward for you."

"There's more reward?" Gene asks dumbly.

"Only if you help clean up afterwards," Babe replies coyly, wiggling his brows, twisting his mouth into a smirk when Gene blushes, finally catching up on what's the next reward would be.

Maybe he could convince Babe to wear just the apron in bed.