#Swiss Chalet too good to go

[stenoodie]

Too Good To Go Surprise Bags from Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, GTA - August 2023

Too Good To Go Surprise Bags from Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, GTA - August 2023. #swisschalet #cakeinacan #filipinofood #niagarafallssurprisebags #cinnamonrolls #wholepizza #chinesenoodles #jerkchicken #riceandpeas

27 surprise bags purchased in August 2023 If you want to save money on food and rescue unsold uneaten food from being wasted, you can try out the smartphone app called “Too Good to Go”.  You can buy “mystery bags” or “surprise bags” of food from participating restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, convenience stores, etc. for one third of what the food would normally cost.  It has been so fun for…

[hairmetal666]

Scandal follows Eddie Munson wherever he goes. He doesn't mean for it to, it just does. And, like, sure, he should've known that cavorting with a bunch of topless models in a hot tub in a chalet in the Swiss Alps was a bad idea, but 1) he's gay and 2) even if he wasn't, does anyone really care if a rockstar has an orgy these days?

Well, it turns out that they do. They do so much, in fact, that he hasn't known a moment's peace since the photos leaked. Every time they go outside, they're mobbed. Their socials are a disaster zone.

Chrissy, Jeff, Gareth, and Freak are sick of his shit, worried that this will ruin the world tour, which doesn't make any sense. All publicity is good publicity, right?

Anyway, he's not surprised when he, Chrissy, and the rest of the band are whisked away in a fancy car with dark-tinted windows, thinks they're about to fly home for a break. And honestly? Good riddance to Europe.

Imagine his surprise when he exits the car mere feet away from the sun soaked Mediterranean.

"Oh no. No, no, no." He says, trying to force his way back into the sedan.

"Oh, yes." Chrissy links her arm with his. "You need to lay low for a few days and this was the best I could manage on short notice."

He glares. "You know I hate boats."

"You do not," Gareth accuses.

"You're just mad at facing consequences for your actions," Jeff adds.

"I didn't do anything!" He wails.

Freak pulls out his phone, reads, "Munson, 26, has always been open about being gay, out of the closet since Corroded Coffin's first gig. Now, though, his sexuality is in question. Multiple women have come forward to claim they slept with the rockstar. And, while many of the women in the photo have said that Munson was 'deeply uninterested' in them, the fact remains that his antics are more Motley Crue than Troye Sivan."

Eddie groans up at the sky. "Why would I be anything like Troye Sivan!? I'm in a heavy metal band! And he's around boobies all the time! Honestly, has no one been to a rave?"

"Not since the 90's." Chrissy smiles brightly, continues up the dock.

"I'm never forgiving any of you for this."

"It's a luxury yacht, Eddie. You'll survive," Gareth says.

He very bravely does not point out that he's wearing black jeans and an over-sized black hoodie and black platform Doc Martens, so obviously he's not the type of person equipped for any kind of boat.

The conversation ends but only because, when they get up to the main deck and the crew waiting for them, he sees the most beautiful man in the world. Artfully messy sun-bronzed hair, strong jaw, classic nose, skin dotted with freckles. Aviators hide his eyes, but even the sunglasses look good on him. Not to mention the little white uniform that shows off all of his many many muscles.

Eddie stares at him, blatantly, unabashedly, totally missing the introduction to the rest of the crew.

As soon as he's left to his own devices, he locks himself in his cabin. Not even the chance to gawk at that hot guy can draw him out of his pout. They can force him onto a boat, but they can't make him enjoy it.

He lasts until afternoon the next day, when Jeff barges in, surprising him enough that the throws his phone with a very un-rockstar yelp.

"You have to come out." Jeff's arms are crossed over his chest.

"Nope." Eddie relaxes back into his pillows. "Not until this is over."

"So, you're going to stay in your room for a week?"

"Guess so."

"Orr, you could come out and enjoy yourself instead of pouting over what your own actions caused."

"My actions!" He shrieks. "My actions! I stumbled on a bunch of topless French models in a hot tub, and I'm at fault?"

"No, you being drunk enough to get in with them was the problem."

"I wasn't even that drunk! I just thought it was funny. They did too!"

Jeff sighs. "You get yourself into a situation more than any person I've ever met."

"See? It's not my fault."

"I mean. It kind of is. I suspect any other guy would learn how to avoid this."

"I'm not leaving."

"Man, Chrissy isn't going to let you stay in here."

"Too bad."

"She told me to carry you out, if I had to."

"You wouldn't."

"If you come out, you can chat up the cute bosun."

"The bos-what?"

"Bosun. The guy you were ogling when we boarded. His name is Steve. He's really nice. He--"

"I was not ogling him."

"Eddie. You looked like you wanted to eat him for dinner."

"I'm not leaving the room." He sing-songs.

Look, would he have fought so hard if he'd known that Jeff was strong enough to toss him over his shoulders and fireman-carry him out of the room and up the stairs? He would not.

Instead, he screams the whole way from his cabin to the deck, where he's unceremoniously deposited into a lounge chair next to Chrissy. She's in a hot pink bikini, sipping a cocktail.

"Good to see you." She deadpans.

He glares. "Et tu, Chrissy?"

From behind him, a rich voice calls out, "Glad you could join us." It is, of course, the hot bosun. He waves when he catches Eddie looking in his direction.

Eddie sinks down in the lounger, Chrissy stifling giggles against her elbow.

---

The thing is, Steve is nice. He's nice and he's funny and he's hardworking. He's good with the other deckhands, Dustin, Max, and Lucas; strict but fair and good at keeping everyone on task. The stewards, Nancy, Robin, and El, all love him. Sometimes, he'll be down on all fours scrubbing the deck, and his t-shirt will bunch up, reveal a tantalizing glimpse of his taunt stomach that makes Eddie feel like a feral dog.

He's out on the top deck reading a copy of The Hobbit that Dustin loaned him, when Steve comes around the corner.

"Oh! Eddie, hey." Steve smiles. "Didn't realize there were any guests still up here."

"Do you need me to move?" He asks. He swings his feet over the side of the lounger.

"Not at all. Just wasn't expecting you." Steve's puttering around, picking up the detritus of the day. "I'm glad we've been able to overcome your expectations of boats."

His squeak is indignant. "It wasn't about the boat! I was brought here against my will!"

Steve smiles at him, eyes glittering. "Yeah, what a horrible punishment, boarding a luxury yacht for a Mediterranean cruise."

Eddie grabs at his chest, mimes being shot in the heart. "Stevie, how could you? All this time I thought you were on my side."

"Eh," he shrugs. "You were kind of being a baby."

He falls off the lounger at this. "The killing blow," he wails.

Laughing, Steve extends a hand, helps him to his feet. Their eyes meet and Eddie's struck, once again, by the way the hazel shines so gold, even at twilight.

"I'm being punished," he says, looking away.

"Again, getting on a chartered yacht for a week is not much of a punishment."

"I have a tendency to find myself involved in shenanigans."

"The topless women," Steve says.

Eddie groans. "You know about that?"

Steve does a real bitchy thing with his eyebrows that makes Eddie very warm in places it shouldn't. "Everyone knows about it."

"Okay. I'll have you know those boobs meant nothing to me, which is why it was fine! We had fun! Also, I am very, very gay. Like. The gayest."

"Oh, I know." Steve grins.

He doesn't know what to do with that. Changes the subject instead. "I hadn't clocked you for someone who listened to our stuff."

"I don't. Or well. Not really. No offense. The kids love you guys. And Robin. It's just--it's really loud? Not really my thing. Some good lyrics, though."

"No, I get it." He nods, licks his lips. "I write most of our songs." He's not sure why he says it, what he hopes to get from it.

"I know," Steve says.

"Oh." Eddie smiles down at his hands, The Hobbit. Before he can say more, Chrissy calls him down for dinner.

---

It's no secret that the Corroded Coffin boys are diehard dnd fans. They've done interviews about it, posted video of their sessions on YouTube and TikTok. Everyone knows they play, everyone knows Eddie DMs, so, he supposes, it's only a matter of time before Dustin and Lucas asks if he would DM for them.

The band, Chrissy, Lucas, Dustin, Max, Nancy, El, and Robin all agree to play. When asked, Captain Hopper snorts, doesn't take his eyes off the horizon, and Steve tells Dustin, "You know nothing in the world will make me play that game, kid. I'll try to stop by, though."

Eddie is totally in his element, everyone is having a blast, even Captain Hopper stops by. And Steve--he shows up after fifteen minutes, stays the whole time, can't keep his eyes off Eddie. He's not sure if it spurs him on, makes him more wild and dramatic, but the game is electric, the mood high.

It's an amazing night, one of the best of Eddie's life, and that's really saying something. They go late, well into the morning, but he's too hyped to sleep. He's pacing across the deck when Steve appears.

"You were great tonight." He says.

Eddie feels like he's effervescing. "You should think about playing sometime."

"Nah." Steve ducks his head a little. "Wouldn't be the same without you leading."

There's not a ton of space separating them, but he closes the distance anyway. "That could be arranged," he says, voice low.

"Yeah?" Steve meets his eyes, doesn't look away.

"If you want."

The air between them goes heavy, tightens, the silence lengthens.

"I can't," Steve breathes. "I'm working."

"No, yeah," Eddie nods. He steps back, runs his hand through his hair. He's never said no to something like this, never to someone like Steve. "I'm avoiding--"

"Situations." Steve finishes.

"Oh, but, Stevie, you're a situation I want very much."

"Take me on a date tomorrow."

"It would be my pleasure," he says.

He should leave but--he does love an occurrence, so he lets the impulsivity fly-- leans forward, places a soft kiss at the corner of Steve's mouth.

"Tomorrow, sweetheart."

[ruesol]

Imagine an AU where actor!Nanami found out that his new movie’s producer is considering popstar!reader to act alongside him as his love interest so he goes to their concert to actually see what they’re like.

Nanami had never heard about y/n, sure they had a few catchy songs but he never really sat down to watch their music videos because when he wasn’t acting, he was busy vacationing in his Swiss chalet.

His manager Gojo recommends him to go see reader at their concert and he reluctantly agrees. Concerts weren’t always his scene but he wasn’t obligated to stay long so he felt reassured.

The show is incredible. The reader is belting out high notes after high notes and has an incredible energy while performing difficult choreographies. You might be the next triple threat.

He’s enamored by reader’s voice but is too shy to approach them so he decides to meet them at the cast’s first meeting.

But he does end up buying a signed poster before leaving the arena.

He finds out that reader will be singing the soundtrack for the movie and he cannot contain his inner fan and he loudly says “what an excellent idea!” Flustering himself and the reader.

Him and reader having cute moments on set like immediately being covered in one giant blanket after a scene requires them to stand in the rain.

The reader only asks him for pointers on acting because they admire him (he is so red over this but clears his throat and talks about his technique anyway).

Both of you purposefully messing up kissing scenes because you both have a giant crush on each other.

Being spotted outside set by the paparazzi where the two of you are probably getting coffee or lunch together under the pretense of good friendship.

Nanami asking how you tour so much without getting tired and insisting on letting you stay at his house when you’re performing in his city because you’re “friends.”

Magazines interviewing him and asking him his favorite tunes for the season and everyone is expecting it to be the same as usual like rock from the 80s and bossa nova but no, there’s a new and very specific addition to the mix: your cutesy single.

After the movie comes out, a lot of reporters ask if you and Nanami did any method acting aka pretended to be a real couple.

The world is not ready for stoic actor!Nanami x cutesypopstar!reader

No thoughts, just awkward actor!Nanami and popstar reader. Even better if reader has a super cutesy aesthetic with a crazy voice 🙏

[flowerfan2]

Casting in the Dark

Drarry, 8k, M.

Summary:

The first time Draco has an orgasm with Harry, he’s not sure Harry even notices. In retrospect, this might not have been ideal.

A story about eighth year sexy shenanigans, boys who are not particularly experienced at either sex or communication, and first times that don’t always go smoothly.

A note of interest: I was inspired to write this story when someone recently left a very lovely comment on a Klaine fic I wrote years ago (Dancing in the Dark). This Drarry fic starts out the same way, but due to the fact that these are rather different couples, it then took on a life of its own. This is evidence, however, of how leaving comments can sometimes result very directly in more fic!

Casting in the Dark (read on A03):

The first time Draco has an orgasm with Harry, he’s not sure Harry even notices.  In retrospect, this might not have been ideal.   

It’s eighth year, an extremely convenient concept that McGonagall came up with when she witnessed students losing their collective shit as the end of the summer after the war approached.  No amount of cooperatively fixing up the castle had prepared their cohort of traumatized survivors to move forward with adult lives just yet, so McGonagall and the castle, apparently, improvised.  Instead of having to fend for themselves, the group gets another year of food provided to them three times a day, schoolwork so they have something to think about other than fear, and rules that are familiar, if not always welcome.

There are some differences, of course.  The eighth years now live in a new house on the grounds that is a tad too rustic for Draco’s taste, a cross between a Swiss chalet and a hunting cabin.  Their bedrooms are haphazard with little rhyme or reason to them, and instead of being assigned they all just wandered in and set up wherever they landed.

Draco and Pansy are in a room on the second floor, overlooking a grassy hill that swoops dramatically down to the lake.  Blaise, Millie and a Ravenclaw girl are next to them, with two Hufflepuffs and Longbottom across the hall.  Thomas and Finnegan are downstairs, next to the kitchen, along with Weasley, Granger, and a few other students.  In a move that surprised no one, moments after they all filed in the house had shifted and popped a third floor, giving Harry a room all to himself.  

The common room has a high ceiling and heavy wooden beams, thick rugs in faded colors, and scattered chairs and sofas that look worn but are on the whole surprisingly comfortable.  And it’s here that it happens.  Afterwards, Draco wonders if he should mark it down somewhere, whether maybe there’s a special way to commemorate such a first.  If he should dig out his baby wizard book from a trunk at the Manor and make a new page:  Draco’s First Partnered Orgasm.  Mother would be so proud.

It's a Saturday in early December, almost the end of term.  After dinner someone puts music on, louder than normal, the kind that thrums through your body and rattles your bones.  Between that and the bottles of elf wine getting passed around, Draco’s feeling fine.

Millie and her Ravenclaw friend are dancing, hands above their heads and hair flying.  They are soon joined by Pansy and Granger, who have formed an odd friendship, and Blaise, who’ll dance with anyone.  Lovegood’s there too, turning the music up, and Longbottom arrives bringing more beverages, along with a group of seventh years that traipse in after him.  Finnegan is fucking around with the candles, charming them to shine in shades of pink neon and tangerine.  It's not the first house party of the term, but it’s shaping up to be the wildest.  Despite that, Draco’s content to hang back, watching the colors flash and reflect against the tall windows that line the sides of the room. 

Later Harry flops down on the sofa next to him, flush with alcohol.  His eyes gleam in the flickering candlelight as he turns to Draco and hands him a glass.  “Try it.  It’s pretty good,” Harry says, leaning close to yell in Draco’s ear.

Draco takes a sip and grimaces as the liquid burns going down.   It tastes like fruit flavored acid. “Is this Longbottom’s?” He leans close too.  Yelling is so gauche.

Harry’s hair brushes Draco’s cheek.  “Yup.  He claims it’s punch.”

“Sure.”  Draco braces himself and drinks the rest of the glass.  “Where’s yours?”

Harry shrugs.  “Finished it already.”  He holds Draco’s gaze, and Draco can feel his whole body tingling.  He thinks he knows where this is going.  He really, really hopes he knows where this is going.

By now most of the students have abandoned the dance floor for more dimly lit corners of the room, the charmed candles accommodating the mood by blowing themselves out.  The music is still loud, pulsing through Draco’s brain to the tune of the alcohol flowing through his veins.

Harry gives him a look that is probably meant to be sultry, but even as ridiculous as it is, it gets the point across.   “Wanna…?” Harry asks, a smile dancing around his lips.

Draco nods, and before he knows it Harry has cast a <i>notice-me-not,</i> and then they are kissing, hands in each others’ hair, messy and free.  After a while Draco shifts and stretches his legs out, optimistically pulling Harry down with him, but the soft isn’t big enough for them both to lie down and they wind up on the floor, half under the coffee table, laughing into each other’s faces.

“You’d think we’d never done this before,” Harry says, his grin stretching his cheeks, and Draco nearly chokes with glee because, to be clear, <i>they have never done this before.</i>  Not with each other.  Not even once.

“But you wanted to,” Draco says, regaining his composure, as much as it is possible to do while avoiding what he is hoping is a puddle of spilled wine and not something even more vile behind his head.

“Yeah, I did,” Harry says.  “For ages.  So did you.”

“I did.”  Draco takes in a deep breath, and then leans in, wondering if Harry will kiss him again.  He does.

Harry is an energetic kisser, and Draco tries to pay attention, tries to match what Harry is doing.  Harry is generous with his caresses, but keeps his hands firmly above Draco’s belt, and his hips canted away, so Draco does the same.  It’s more than fine with him, frankly, because he’s not all that interested in giving his fellow students a show, even if the room is dark and no one else is paying a damn bit of attention to what’s going on underneath the coffee table.

They kiss again and again.  It’s fantastic.  Harry drops kisses along Draco’s chin, and then down his throat, nosing his way into the open collar of his shirt.  It makes Draco shiver with delight.  Eager to make Harry feel just as good, Draco runs his hand over Harry’s chest, pausing to circle his nipples as he feels them harden through Harry’s thin t-shirt.  This apparently works as intended, so Draco does it again, and Harry moans wantonly in appreciation.  The sound shoots straight through Draco, and then he’s jerking his hips, pressing them to the floor and letting out his own embarrassing noises, ones he can only hope are muffled by the music.

Moments later, when feeling has returned to his legs, Draco shuffles to his feet.  He just came in his pants.  From kissing Harry Potter.  He can hardly believe it.  “Be right back,” he says, pointing towards the bathroom.  Harry, looking a little dazed, just nods.

When Draco returns from cleaning himself up, Hermione and Ron are bracketing Harry on the sofa, clinking glasses together.  Harry shoots Draco an apologetic look and turns back to his friends.  Draco goes to his room, pushes all of the night’s confusing feelings away, and, helped along by the relatively high level of alcohol in his bloodstream, falls asleep.

The next morning Draco panics.  He’s not really surprised that something happened between him and Harry – the UST, as Pansy calls it, has most definitely been building.  But he’s got no idea what’s going to happen next.  After Harry testified at Draco’s trial and McGonagall assigned them to work together mending furniture in the Great Hall, it became easier to get along.  They’ve even been on a mostly first name basis since Harry’s birthday, as a result of a gillyweed-inspired game of truth or dare.  More recently, the eighth year house has done its job, providing a cozy, safe space for the two of them to relax and breathe.  Draco knows that as strange as it seems, he and Harry are friends.

Still, it’s one thing for the wizarding world’s golden boy to demonstrate how good and forgiving he is by allowing a former Death Eater to hang with him.  It’s quite another to snog him.  

So when Harry knocks on Draco’s door that morning and asks if he wants to come play Quidditch, Draco is very pleasantly surprised.

When a week goes by and there has been zero additional kissing, however, Draco is not so happy.

He hasn’t told Pansy about what happened, or anyone else.  He doesn’t want to inadvertently screw it up before he knows what Harry wants.  He doesn’t even know if Harry has kissed a boy before, how Harry identifies, or if he’s out.  

Draco is, more or less.  After the war, and after it was clear he wasn’t going to Azkaban, he told Pansy and Blaise.  He’s not trying to keep it a secret, not any more.  He thinks his parents already knew, but kept it quiet so that it wasn’t one more thing putting them at risk, one more vulnerability for Voldemort to exploit.  

He doesn’t think Pansy saw Harry kissing him at the party, because if she had, she absolutely would have said something to him by now.  Regardless, she seems to know something is up, giving him quizzical looks and questioning him on his plans in the evenings.  He’s not quite ready to tell her, though.  Not yet.  Besides, he doesn’t need to confide in her to know what her advice would be.

Talk to him. Ha.

Read the rest on A03.

[f1-disaster-bi]

Manifesting good results and a fixed car 🕯🕯🕯

Good to see you are feeling better 🫶🏼 and i'm glad you want to write Vampire norrix again i missed little Snack pack lando 😂 i would love for them to have a bit peace and quiet from their busy lives 🩷 maybe they could rent a chalet in the swiss alpes going on a few hiking or climbing adventures and enjoying a bit of solitude together 🩷

Thank you! The car is fixed and running and hopefully will stay doing so 😂

I hope the whump wasn't too much if you got a chance to read it, but here's some softness!! ❤️

Lando had never expected to love disappearing to a little cabin in the mountains to be this refreshing. When Martin had suggested it, Lando had cracked several Twilight jokes to do with the forest. He had had a pillow thrown at his head for asking if Martin was going to call him a spider monkey and carry him on his back, but now, he loved it. There was just something freeing about being away from the noise of the cities they visited. It was peaceful having no eyes on them and knowing that they could just be themselves here. The scenery was beautiful too. Lando had spent yesterday hiking with Martin and his camera. He took his time, taking endless pictures of nature and of Martin. He even took some blurry pictures of the two of them, and let Martin take some of him. Martin had carried him back, in his arms and not on his back, and he had held him close as he kissed him on the porch. While Martin hunted, Lando stoked the fire and reheated the pre-made meals Martin had had stocked for him, and they spent their nights tangled together, relearning how to be alone together and be a couple after weeks a part. "I never want to leave", Lando whispered against Martin's neck, tucked into the other as they cuddled in front of the fire. "I know", Martin agreed softly, kissing his curls and pulling him closer, "I don't want to leave either. Maybe we can just....disappear here" "Maybe you could turn me and we could just...disappear", Lando offered, only half joking because the truth was that a forever with Martin was lingering in all his thoughts recently. Fangs dragged against his cheek gently as Martin moved them to be able to kiss Lando softly. "Some day, my love"

[spaciousreasoning]

More Travel Fun

The low last night got down to 35 degrees and the high today was 55. The day started out overcast, but the clouds dissipated during the day and blue sky appeared, punctuated by a bright sun.

This morning’s blood sugar measured 145, still in a healthy range. Nancy and I had our coffee and then played all but two brain games before I had to leave for my podiatrist appointment.

According to the doctor, the arthritis in my foot is simply part of aging. She also said that giving up walking hard and fast was a good idea, but that I can continue to walk, doing it more slowly and taking care not to go so far that the pain increases. Finding an insert with a little more lift in the arch might help, I was told, but not to spend too much money on it. Filling out the paperwork almost took more time than I spent with the doctor. She said to get back in touch if I have more problems with my left foot, or the other one as well.

When I got home, Nancy and I finished the last two brain games. Then we took off for Creswell Bakery for a loaf of sourdough and two chipotle ham brioche sandwiches for breakfast.

Then we hit the road north, taking I-5. While I drove, Nancy did a little research in a couple of the Oregon travel magazines we’ve collected recently, looking for something we might actually be interested in seeing.

We wound up heading for Mount Angel, a city in Marion County of about 3,400 some 20 miles northeast of Salem. Originally settled in 1850, the city was incorporated April 3, 1893. Its name is the English translation of Engelberg, the Swiss city from a contingent of Benedictine monks arrived in 1881 in order to establish a new American monastery. About the same time large numbers of immigrants from Bavaria settled in the area.

Mount Angel is known for its annual Oktoberfest, the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. It features beer and wine gardens, sports tournaments and races, arts and crafts exhibits, a farmers market, community dinners featuring sausage and sauerkraut, and a wide assortment of food, games, and entertainment.

A 49-foot Glockenspiel was completed in time for Oktoberfest 2006. The largest in the United States, it is part of the Edelweiss Village Building. The building and tower resemble a large chalet with numerous Alpine features. The massive tower with its conical roof is a tourist draw similar to the Glockenspiels of Europe. We arrived in time to see the 1 p.m. Glockenspiel display, which features carved wooden characters from the area’s history and traditional music of several kinds. The routine occurs four times each day.

Our travel resources also mention the nearby city of Woodburn and the large immigration of Mexicans and the numerous restaurants and cafes currently in operation. (By the early 21st century, 59 percent of the population of the town was Latino, with a mix of first-generation immigrants and long-term residents.) Having had little success since our move to Oregon in finding good Mexican food, we hoped to find something tasty for a late lunch.

We lucked out with Casa de Caldos, a little place established in 2018, that specializes in soups and stews. We both chose the molé tacos with rice and beans and then experimented with a variety of salsas presented to us. I also got a Mexican coke. Everything was quite good, and spicy. We will certainly return when our adventures bring us in that direction again.

After lunch, we returned to Mount Angel and visited the Benedictine Brewery, the third of its kind in the U.S. It opened at the Mount Angel Abbey in 2018. Brewing is part of the Benedictine tradition since the early Middle Ages. The beer brewed at Mount Angel follows the early monastic tradition and is “crafted for a higher purpose.” The beer receives a priestly blessing at every stage, from raising the hops to pulling the tap. Nancy got a glass of St. Michael’s lager. I, of course, had a cup of water.

When we left the brewery, we made our way back to I-5 and headed home. We arrived by 5 p.m., and since our lunch was late and large, we had simple snacks for dinner.

Our streaming for the evening commenced with Colbert’s Wednesday night show, which featured CNN’s Jake Tapper as guest. We followed that with the newest episode of “Reacher” and the second episode of “Recipes for Love and Murder.”

The temperature is expected to get down to 34 degrees tonight, with the high tomorrow once again reaching 55. There is no rain in the forecast, but it appears the day will be partly cloudy, tending toward more sun by the end of the afternoon.

[sitp-recs]

Some Erised Recs…

I wanted to post this yesterday but fell asleep while reviewing my blurbs lol so here’s my first 2023 reclist! Just wanted to do a lil something to celebrate these authors and artists as I did not include any Erised fics on my 2022 reclist. Hope you enjoy before the reveals, don’t forget to give these some love. You can find more lovely recs here by @thehoneybeet and here by @epitomereally

Check all Erised 2022 works!

Fic:

🍺 everything you should say by @candybarrnerd (E, 7.4k) - lush rebound fuck buddies to something else, hot and tentative, love the uncomplicated matter-of-fact tone here, sexy and refreshing!

They're not friends. But when Draco offers help, Harry takes it.

🐺 Service Bell by @shiftylinguini (E, 8k) - est relationship but make it complicated, obsessed with this nuanced pining wolf!Draco with his sharp edges and soft heart

Draco is: a werewolf, living in a cabin in the woods, minding his own business, and never going to buy plaid because he's not that much of a fucking cliche (yet). He's also counting down the days until he sees Harry again.

🎤 Meddling, Menswear, and Magic by @writcraft (M, 19k) - I’m utterly besotted with their voices, the superb level of banter oh my god. I wanna live inside this fic’s dialogue and have it for breakfast thank

Draco Malfoy is working in a job he hates and avoiding the magical world entirely, but he really is fine. When a bequest from Severus Snape brings Draco back to a much-changed magical world, he must find his place within it and navigate his growing attraction to Harry Potter in the process.

🐍 In The Company Of Serpents by @corvuscrowned (E, 25k) - an instant fave, fabulous characterization, perfect slow burn, top notch ust and some of the hottest smut I’ve read lately, so satisfying yum 🔥

There’s something wrong with the serpents at the Greengrass Ophidiarium. Luckily, a certain Parselmouth just might be able to help.

⛷️ Historians by @oknowkiss (E, 30k) - fake dating goodness with holiday vibes, the right amount of angsty pining and a gorgeous Swiss background. Just what I needed to cheer me up on a snowy day

It’s the Dumbledore’s Army Reunion Holiday, and Harry’s found himself in hot water with his friends once again, after telling them he has a boyfriend he definitely does not have. In an attempt to fix things, he’s made it his colleague on Level Nine, Draco Malfoy’s problem too. Featuring a ski chalet in Switzerland, a pair of bunk beds, and an agreement that should’ve been simple, were it not for all the bloody feelings getting in the way.

🏉 All Things Go by @sorrybutblog (E, 32k) - an enchanting 8th year romance with strong Heartstopper vibes👨‍🍳💋 our boys are so wonderfully awkward and young and lovely, my heart is melting! And the scorching UST? Superb

Draco’s back at Hogwarts by court order. Harry’s back for no particular reason at all. Some things change, some stay the same. Neither expects to spend eighth-year living in close quarters, playing rugby (poorly), staying up late, sneaking around, and finally figuring it all out.

⏳Everything is Relative to You by @thehoneybeet (E, 43k) - really brilliant take on time travel/multiverse, inventive concept exploring star-crossed lovers dynamics. It’s about the yearning!!!

Potter was supposed to have lived. Draco is certain of this. That Potter would no longer walk the earth was tantamount to the sun moving west to east across the sky. If only he could have stopped this from happening, if he’d have known… It comes to him as ideas often did: too late.

Art:

🦉Birdwatching for Beginners by dustmouth (G) - so very warm and sweet, I love the cozy vibes, the soft flirting and the ultimate Wizarding fashion as per this artist’s usual

Draco does his best to sneak out early from Ginny and Luna's Christmas party, only to be cornered by a drunk Harry Potter.

🦄 Light in the Dark by @creeeee (G) - stunning art, romantic and evocative. I love the palette and detailed outfits, want those capes in my wardrobe right now

Draco and Harry find themselves encountering more than they anticipated while performing a divine blessing within the deep thicket of the Forbidden Forest.

👔 Routinely Yours (G) by @apriicat - the softest domestic bliss we deserve, gorgeous characters (long-haired Draco!), tender intimacy, lots of cozy cuddling and boyfriending stuff

Morning routines are the best with you.

❄️ Snapshot of Moments by @drarrydoodles (E) - stunning illustrations from daily life scenes, so rich in details and full of emotion. I love how each scene comes with a short description, and the nsfw one is!!!!! 😳🔥

A snapshot of moments in Harry and Draco's relationship.

🎹 The sound of your heart by @pato-roldnart (G) - a charming and moving musicians AU, great storytelling and the prettiest boys finding inspiration together 🎵

Harry is requested to perform a musical piece for a Great Serpent, it can’t be that hard, right? What he does not expect is having to work with an annoying, distracting, good-looking Draco Malfoy.

🛌 Two Wizards, One Bed by dustmouth (G) - soft, hilarious and adorable as usual, this made me giggle the whole night! Draco’s grumpy blushing face is my fave

Harry and Draco are trapped together in a safe house. Fiery discourse ensues (intercourse, more like...)

🪢 This time, tomorrow by @bluebutter-art (M) - talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique etc etc when I tell you my heart missed a beat seeing this beauty, I’m!!!!!

Two souls, bound by fate, destined to meet again and again and again.

[astarlow]

Hii, I saw your request is open so I would like to request you if you don't mind :3 can you do mercy x Fem reader oneshot. Maybe more dialogue too if possible. The scenario is maybe like when the reader and mercy want to go to beach or holiday and thought it will be fun. But end up reader meet her abusive ex boyfriend and is shocked of that. What would mercy react or anything you thinks suits. I will trust your creative imagination, I'm sure I will love it . Thank you so much and take care💕

Character: Mercy Word count: 1624 Form: One-shot Warning: Mentions of past abuse, abusing relationship (not with Mercy), swears/insults A/n: I hope this is what you wished and I'm so happy you'd trust me with your request. Have pleasure reading it:D

"Come on Angela, we've planned this for months. You can't just tell me you're not able to at the last moment, right?" She watches your pleading face and she couldn't possibly say no to this. Especially when you put so much effort in preparing this for the both of you. A relaxing vacation for just the two of you is a nice thought. 

"I know Liebling, I'm just finishing those papers and I promise we'll go pack our stuff together." You clap your hands together, excited for the incoming trip you’re about to have with your lover. As promised, she joins you after finishing her papers.

“I’m grateful to you Schatz for planning this whole holiday for us.” 

"No problem! It was easy to do it once you had your schedule cleared. I knew you were busy but this is more than busy, you have almost no break."

“Indeed, thankfully I could squeeze in a week of holidays for the both of us.” She lays her papers flat on her office, holding your hand and head out her office. “We can go now.” As promised, you pack your stuff together for your little trip to Switzerland. You decided to go to Zurich for its famous Christmas Market. The festive atmosphere would definitely relax her from her stressful duties.

You waste no time once you arrive to your destination, you leave your suitcases in your room and leave with Angela to head to the festivity. You go to the one in front of the Opernhaus and Angela is hit with nostalgia.

“Are you okay Angie?” 

“Yes, it’s just bringing some memories back. Let’s enjoy this as much as we can, alright?” She kisses your cheek and you decide to not press the subject. Instead, you agree with her, watching the many stands this Christmas market offered. You smile once you spot a perfect stand for her.

“Yes! So let’s go to this one!” You walk toward the chocolate stand and once Angela read the name of the stand, she can’t help but smile at you. “I once heard from someone Swiss chocolates were the best so it’d be a shame if we didn’t take some home. Right? You can choose as many chocolates as you want. Plus, I know they’re your favourites.” She blushes a bit and sighs in defeat.

“Thank you darling.” She hops in front of the shop owner, discussing with them all the flavours they have in their shop. You scan the area out of curiosity. There is a restaurant called ‘Fondue Chalet’ and you think it could be a good place to eat dinner. Your eyes widen when you see an all too familiar face. Your body instantly freeze before you turn around so he wouldn’t be able to see  you.

“It can’t be him… Why here out of all places?” You mutter to yourself and Angela just finished placing her order. It’ll be prepared in a few hours.

“You were saying Liebling?”

"Angie, can we- can  we avoid this place please?" There is a certain sense of urgency in your voice. She can't quite understand why so suddenly but she isn't going to ignore your pleas. 

"Of course, where do you want  to go?" Your eyes were fixated on your ex, observing his every move to plan yours. You pointed at a stand, further down the road, going the opposite way than him. 

"This way, if you're okay with that." She intertwines her arms with yours, walking down the path you pointed. You give her a little gratifying smile. "Thanks."

"Of course darling."  You decide to change the subject to make you forget about the appearance of your ex.

“So what flavours did you get?”

“I’ve picked some plain ones, one with hazelnut, another one with almond and the last one with caramel. I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I do.” 

“I’m not worried, you’re the one who picked them after all.” You enjoy the rest of the night. Little by little, you forget what you have seen and truly enjoy your evening with your lover. Unfortunately, it brutally comes to an end. 

"Well, well, would you look at that? (Y/n), I didn't expect to run into you here. With someone especially." Shivers run down your spine as you slowly turn around. You meet eyes with your ex, and it's the worst thing that could happen. 

"(B/n)..." Angela looks at you with a curious glaze. Your body language screams at her you're not entirely comfortable with the person in front of you. 

"What? No hello or anything?" He whistles as he sees Angela beside you. "Look at this beauty here, what's your name  angel?"

"Angela Ziegler, and you would be?" She stays polite even if she senses your distress. Escalating the situation wouldn't help you at all. 

"As you've heard, I'm (B/n). Her ex-boyfriend." She raises an eyebrow at this. She heard of him through you, and you weren't exactly describing him in the best of light so she is quite on her guard now. 

"And what are you to her? Just acquaintances I hope." He snorts but the next answer catches him off guard. 

"More than acquaintances hopefully, since I'm her girlfriend." His eyes blink and you know she surprises him. 

"Nah, you're playing a joke on me aren't you? You're too famous for her. I don't think she's quite worthy of you. Come to this side and I could show you what a real lover is. I'm surprised you're even dating (Y/n). Based on what I recall of her, she's never been quite ambitious. Not standing up for herself, always waiting for me to say something. Right?" You shrink on yourself, frowning at his words. All of this is supposed to be buried in the past. Still, it hurts you to confront him once again. He should be gone from your life. What would Angela think of you if you can't say anything to him? 

"Is that so? My lover is quite the opposite of what you just said. After all, she's the one who asked me first on a date and confessed to me. As busy as I would get, she never gave up." Angela rubbed the back of your hand with her thumb, trying to reassure you. "And there's no such thing as not worthy. Nothing as too good for someone, so no thank you for your invitation. I'd stay with my lover without a doubt." His eyes twitch, either in anger or shock, you couldn't choose. 

"What a change of heart. Is it because you didn't love me back then? You could've told me you know, I wouldn't have said anything." He suddenly changes the topic, attention back on you. It feels like you’re going back to the day of your breakup and it brings no good memories.

"I did love you! You're the one who never loved me. U-using me and tricking me." 

"Come on, (Y/n), don't use such big words. It wasn't anything big. You're just making a scene in front of her." Angela steps protectively in front of you. Not entirely, but enough to reassure you and confront  him. 

"I do not believe she is making a scene, I know you're the one belittling her feelings. I also saw the marks you've left on her, so I would advise you to leave her alone from now on." He raises one of his eyebrows in amusement, watching her. 

"And what are you going to do little bird?" 

"Right now, nothing, but if you keep terrorising (Y/n), I'll have my ways. And you would know better than to upset an ex-Overwatch soldier." 

"Yeah, ex-soldier. What are you now?" He steps closer to her and that's when you snap. You step in front of her, placing an arm protectively in front of her. The roles switch but the terror lingers in you. 

"Hahaha, and what do you think you'll do? You still tremble like a leaf. Just like when we left. I'm right on one point, you're still the same weak partner you were." 

"Threaten me all you want but don't you dare insult  Angela. She's done things you can't even fathom and confronted people way more intimidating than you. So step back-" You shriek when he suddenly grabs your collar. He brings you closer to his face, and you notice his eyes. They are oh so full of anger. 

"Come again? What did you say?" Angela steps in, using the few lessons of martial arts she had learnt with Ana to free you from his grasp and to calm him down. 

"I really hate using violence but you weren't giving me much choice. Now, it is true Overwatch has been disbanded but my learning there didn't." She holds your hand once again, glaring at him. "Unless you want to get hurt once more, I'd advise you to never meet with (Y/n) ever again." He step back, growling furiously. A little crowd had been gathered in the meantime and he knows better than to cause a  scene. 

"Two bitches in a relationship, how fitting. Don't want this for me." He walks away and you let out a breath you don't know you were holding. 

"Are you okay Liebling?" She's quick to check up on you. You shudder when you recall his grip on you but Angela's touch ground you. 

"Yeah, yeah. I just- I wasn't expecting him." A few tears build up and you can't keep them in when she looks at you so lovingly. "I love you Angela. I love you so much." She kisses your cheek before kissing your lips. She places her forehead against yours, holding your head gently. 

"I love you too."

[monsterhighdiaries]

Holt’s Basic Diary - August 1st

Being the new monster in town means I've got to figure out who all the players are so I don't get off on the wrong claw with any of the locals. So I've been taking walks at night with Crossfade just to check things out. This is what I've peeped so far.

Count Dracula: This ain't no mopey "Please give me a hug 'cause I'm a vampire" crybaby. This is the original, old school, dark as midnight, bad to the fang Nosferatu. There may be monsters that have been around longer, but none of them have Count Dracula's street cred. He and his daughter live on my street in what is either a gigantic mansion or a small castle. I guess you'd have to go with the mansion, but only because there isn't a moat and a drawbridge.

The Mummy: Got to say there's just something about old-school monster royalty. They're like rockstars or something. I'm not the kind of monster that gets starstruck, but I seriously wanted to ask for his autograph. I didn't, but I thought about it. He and his princess daughter Cleo de Nile live in this palace that looks like a movie set with servants and all. I don't know Cleo, but it seems like she's wound a little tight.

The Werewolf: There's one Alpha wolf in his pack, and he is it. I heard he could have gone pro in just about any sport he wanted, but he was so much stronger and faster than the other players they said it wouldn't be fair for him to play. He's got a big family in a not so big house, and it always seems like there is some kind of drama going on over there. The way they argue, you'd think they don't like each other, but you'd be wrong. They watch out for each other, and if you fight one of them, you better be ready to take them all. Clawd is the BMOC (Big Monster on Campus), and Clawdeen is going to have songs written about her one day.

Frankenstein and his bride: Mr. Stein is pretty chill for a dude who's eight feet tall and looks like he's strong enough to tie knots in oak trees. Mrs. Stein, on the other hand...well, let's just say Mr. Stein is a lucky monster. They live in a house that looks like a cross between a Swiss chalet and a research lab. I think they've got a new baby over there, but I haven't seen her yet.

The Sea Monster: He doesn't really live on land. At least, I don't think he does. For sure, he's got a little beach house where Lagoona Blue lives. It's got a killer dock that goes out over the water. I saw Lagoona sitting out there talking to him one night. He never got out of the water, though, so I couldn't tell exactly what he looked like, but he churned serious water when he left. I think he mostly just keeps to himself and doesn't spend a lot of time with surface monsters.

Medusa: Seems like she's got her hiss together and is in total control of her emotions. Good thing, too, 'cause if she ever lost it, your career as a permanent life-size paperweight would start right away. I guess that's why she wears sunglasses outside of her house, even at night. Speaking of her house, it looks like a building from one of those pictures at a Greek restaurant. The kind with the big columns and everything. I bet the acoustics in that place are awesome. Wonder if she ever lets Deuce have parties up there?

[khodorkovskaya]

07.01.23

spent the whole day on the road today bc my parents are spending a week in central switzerland and i came along for the weekend.

my zurich friend texted me a whole novel lol. so i don't remember if i wrote about it here but when we went clubbing on christmas he kept talking about this greek girl he's in love with. and he was like "ohhh i don't know what to do bc she has no experience". but in reality he's the one with no experience and he thinks too much. so anyway, i was v curious about this whole story bc i love gossip. so today i asked him if there's anything new with the greek girl. and the man sent paragraphs upon paragraphs oh my god.

so the story is, he's been courting her for over a year. and he was her first kiss. and then they went to a ball (yes, a ball like the one cinderella went to) and he embarrassed himself and then it was complicated. and then she invited him to the opera. and then she took his hand and he was shook and didn't know what to do. and then they went to the market and held hands. and then kissed. and now, to quote him, they're "more than friends". and it all sounded so 19th century to me like going to the ball and to the opera and making a big deal out of holding hands. but hey to each their own i guess. if they find it cute and romantic, good for them. i wanted to ask if they fucked in the end bc like come on. but i decided to be more tactful. but now im super invested in this whole story!

idk ive never been courted and i don't know how i would react. how would i act if a boy asked me to a ball and was shy to hold my hand? before B the only interactions i had with men was sa. and with B it all happened so quickly. we made out the second we met. and we slept on the 2nd date (and i remember being disappointed bc i wanted to sleep with him on the 1st date). i wonder how my next relationship is gonna be. i don't know if id have the patience to go thru the hand holding phase and the hugging phase and the kissing phase or whatever. or maybe that's how it's supposed to be idk. but it doesn't feel intense enough.

as we were driving i don't remember how we got onto the topic, but my parents were like "omg imagine if you had a swiss german boyfriend". and at first i was like ew. but the more i thought about it and the more i looked out the window at those little houses and chalets along the road, the more i thought that maybe that's the kind of love i need. it was too intense with B. and we were both too weird. what if i had a normal and blond swiss german boyfriend with parents who weren't divorced and who'd celebrate christmas on the 25th of december with his whole family in their chalet somewhere in the swiss countryside. id be the exotic one of the family of course. but he would be normal and i could pass off as normal. we'd have a cute little normal family with normal values and no family trauma and no trips to the balkans. and i wouldn't have to worry about our kids being messed up. and we would fit into society and have a lukewarm (but nevertheless warm) love story with family dinners and date nights with red wine while the kids are at their grandparents' and a golden retriever and a bmw. and it would be calm and normal and i would be at peace and not having to constantly justify things to others and to myself. maybe that's what i need.

so yeah, that's gonna be my new dream. a swiss german boyfriend with parents who have been married for over 30 years.

the place we're staying at is very nice. but it makes me a bit nostalgic for the trips we would go on with B every winter. to the mountains, to the hot springs. i remember walking into our hotel or airbnb and looking around and anticipating how we're gonna make love there for the next couple of days. it was such a great feeling. but now i know that i don't want to be with him anymore bc it was too intense.

[nuclearforest]

🌿🍑🐝

Ty! This ask meme is so cute and it's not quite oversharing hour but I am about to provide far too much information on some really simple stuff lol. These were really fun 😊

🌿

Ok so usually something like lavender or peppermint may be the usual goto but I have a long list of extremely comforting scents that are just a little bizarre. Imma share three. We got cleaning chemicals (specifically artifical lemon smells; there's the reassurance of being clean and a weird edge that drives a bit of joy), gasoline/auto shop smell (because I used to spend time going to classic car shows with my dad, but don't get to so much any more now that I've moved away; if I ever have kids I want to be able to provide the same joys if they like it), and the kinda fruity smell of one particular brand of gummies I can never remember and apparently soap used at the Swiss Chalet that we used to stop at en route driving up to my maternal grandmother's place in the woods (sweet sweet nostalgia).

[Okok ONE more. It's the smell of old labs. And I think it's gotta be argon in the air or something but it smells like science and history lol. It's kinda stale and musty but once you get used to it, it's nice.]

🍑

Mint!

There's something really nice and sweet about like, a super light green almost on the side of blue. I'm a sucker for all sorts of vibrant and super saturated blue and teal colors, but mint is calming and usually used on super cute things because it's a pastel color. So I'm usually smiley when I see it. Would've been fun to have a color I associate with somebody or something, but the best I got there is the silver of my old car and the blue on my current car (lovingly called the Bastard even tho he takes good care of me 🤣). Also it's not exactly a color but I still smile when I see the plaid of my old Catholic school uniform, too. Probably another nostalgia thing.

🐝

It's really hard to pick because I love so many. Like, it's a toss up between Pokemon Yellow, Minecraft, and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky. Like, open world sandbox and dungeon crawlers are great and I love them to bits, but Pokemon Yellow holds a special place in my heart as my first game ever.

When I was a super young kid I got my cousin's hand-me-down teal Gameboy Color and Pokemon Yellow. I loved it to bits and even though in the beginning I always got lost in Viridian forest and would restart over and over again thinking it was the end of the game or something, I made it through one day. Like, I remember I used my first master ball on Zapdos, pretty much exclusively used my Nidoking in battle and always suffered uneven levelling as a result, and beat my elite four for the first time many restarts later. I also once restarted because I ran out of money to buy Pokeballs in Saffron city lol.

So like, any time I think about it I feel a bit warmer inside. And I don't really play any more (and the internal battery is probably dead, so goodbye cartridge memory) but thinking about it is fun. I should probably preserve all my old Gameboy Color games lol.

But that said answering this ask made me kinda pause and realize I derive a lot of joy and comfort from my past experiences. Probably why it feeds into how I really strive to make good memories now and take a little diary of notes so I can look back and smile. And I know that a lot of nostalgia is looking on the past with rose colored glasses, but I believe even so it can be a source of strength and motivation. So thanks again for the ask!

[introvertguide]

The Life of Roman Polanski

The director of our current movie under review, Roman Polanski, is a man that has been surrounded by sadness and controversy. I think that he is a great director and an amazing creator of the visual arts, but he has a major flaw that makes me very glad he is nowhere near me. I think a statement like that deserves some explanation, but know that a lot of my take is based on opinion. I was not alive when a lot of his issues occurred so I base my opinion on news and official record statements. I will try and rely on recorded facts as much as possible and make a point to mention if something is not proven. I also encourage anyone who is interested to find out more because it is a fascinating story.

Polanski started off the in a pretty bad way as he was born in 1933 in Paris during the height of Nazi reign in Europe. He was moved to Krakow in 1937 right before the German invasion and his parents were taken in raids. He was kept alive in foster homes under an assumed identity and was lucky to survive. His mother died in Auschwitz, but he was reunited with his father after the war in 1946. Roman had quite the artistic eye and used it for both photography and filming. He attended the National Film School in Lodz, Poland and started directing short films that gained recognition. One film in particular was called Bicycle. It was a true story of a thief that tricked Polanski out of his money when purchasing a bicycle and instead beat Polanski around the head with the butt of a gun. The thief was found and eventually executed for past crimes including 3 murders. 

After graduating in 1959, Polanski went to France and continued to make short films. He reported that there was a problem with xenophobia at the time since so many Polish people had dispersed around Europe after the war. He went to England and made three movies between 1965 and 1968 that gained recognition in America: Repulsion, Cul-de-sac, and Dance of the Vampires. A young woman named Sharon Tate played a role in Dance of the Vampires and Polanski fell in love. He married her in 1968 in England, and they moved to the U.S. so he could make movies in Hollywood. His first film in the states was a horror film entitled Rosemary’s Baby, one of the highest rated horror films of all time. Polanski had a beautiful young wife, a son on the way, a hit movie with more work coming, and great prospects for life in the United States.

As horrific as his formative years were, I am surprised to find myself writing that this is when Polanski’s life really went out of control. On August 9th, 1969, cult members who followed a man named Charles Manson broke into the Polanski home in Los Angeles and murdered the 8 month pregnant Sharon Tate and four friends that were at the home. Polanski had been working in London on a new film and wasn’t there that night. He says to this day that it is by far the greatest regret of his life. Remember this. It seems that some wires got crossed as far as Roman’s thinking process because his behavior really took a turn.

His films had been dark and violent in the past, but they started to have sexual undertones with more graphic nudity. His first movie back after the loss of his wife was Macbeth, a movie that was rated X at the time for graphic nudity and violence. Polanski later said that he was in a dark place, but the media would find things in his movies always looking for a story. He hated the media after the sensationalism and lack of privacy involved with the loss of his wife and son. Next came an extremely odd road trip sex comedy that was appropriately called What?. And then came his last work filmed in the United States and the film he was probably best known for, Chinatown. I don’t want to go over the film too much since it is the film currently under review for the group, but it is very dark and has an extremely down beat ending. 

And then another crime was committed in Polanski’s life that would haunt while simultaneously erasing any good will the American public had for him. He was charged for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl who modeled for him during a Vogue photoshoot. It was recorded as occurring at the Bel Air estate of Jack Nicholson. There is no question about this encounter as Polanski was arrested and confessed to the charges. He thought he was going to receive probation and timed served for a guilty plea, but the judge was reported to have changed his mind and was planning to reject the plea and give Polanski prison time for all charges. This would result in up to 50 years in jail and what amounted to life in prison. Polanski would not serve this sentence so he fled the country to France where he would not be extradited. 

The charges are still pending and there is no statute of limitations on rape in the United States, so Polanski is on a list of people that if found outside of certain countries will be immediately sent back to the U.S. to face charges. He has dual citizenship in France and Poland; both countries do not extradite citizens. He went on to make one of his best works, a film called Tess, while in Europe. It was a great success and Polanski was nominated for Best Director. The film ended up winning three Academy Awards (none for Polanski). So it seemed that this acclaimed director would live in France and hope that things would blow over. He settled a civil suit in court with the girl and she went on to marry and says she forgives Polanski. But it didn’t end...

Because the woman was in the U.S. and Polanski was not, she was harassed by the press to speak out and tell her story. She reported that the media did much more harm to her and her family than Polanski did. That is a very strong statement considering the charges. Things finally cooled down somewhat when Polanski married an actress from one of his films, Emmanuelle Seignor in 1989. The couple have two kids together and things were apparently going fine in France. 

Things remained well through the 90s although nothing Polanski did got much attention. It seemed he would simply live out his life quietly in France. Then in 1999, he came out with a film called The Ninth Gate that garnered attention since it starred the very popular Johnny Depp. Polanski was back on his game and he directed and produced a film called The Pianist. It stars Adrian Brody and told the story of a Polish-Jewish composer who survived the concentration camps because of goodwill received from German officers that appreciated his work. It is a masterpiece and earned Polanski the award for Best Director. He could not accept the award in person because he would be arrested, so Harrison Ford accepted it on his behalf and took it to him in France. A strange little detail about this is that The Pianist was also up for best picture, but stirrings about Polanski’s past were brought up by a competing producer to throw the award. There is no real proof of this, but the man said to have done this was quite powerful in Hollywood at the time. Ironically, that man who was said to remind people of old rape charges was none other than Harvey Weinstein. I don’t have proof of this, but it is an interesting story. One of those “I heard it is said that” kind of things from TMZ. 

Anyway, these reminders had people trying to interview Polanski and his wife about the past and he basically said that people needed to move past it. This does not tend to go over very well with the American public or the legal system and Polanski was arrested while in Switzerland and held in Zurich. Public sentiment in America, France, and Poland leaned towards Polanski being sent to America to face trial. The Swiss judge denied extradition and Polanski was sent back to France. There were requests in 2014 by US courts that Poland send Polanski to stand trial since there was question concerning the conduct of the original judge in Polanski’s case. It was believed that Polanski would be given some form of probation, but it also meant he could travel. Polish courts ruled that Polanski had served his punishment and should not have to face U.S. courts again. In 2016, it was presented by Polish officials that no amount of time could account for the crime of rape, but the decision of the lower court was held. 

In 2018, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences removed Polanski as a member. Strangely, that same year, they offered a membership to his wife (who loudly said no).

So the final say about how to feel about Polanski and his works lies firmly on the individual. Here is all the information about the trial that can keep it nice and ambiguous for you. The judge, the lead prosecutor, and the LA County Deputy DA at the time all admitted bias against Polanski. He would not have gotten a fair trial and would likely have ended up in prison for life. The prosecutor said later in an interview for a documentary that he was not surprised at all that Polanski left and it would have been a media circus. Polanski paid the victim almost a million dollars in civil settlement money and she said she doesn’t want to see any further prosecution. Okay. In 2017, a website run by Matan Uziel was sued by Polanski for libel when it was posted that 5 other women had come forward and accused Polanski of sexual assault. Polanski did not show up in court so Uziel was dismissed of charges. Uziel requested specifically that the cases not be dropped so that Polanski could not try and sue him at a future date. It is true that, in 2010, an English actress accused Polanski of “forcing himself” on her during filming of the movie Pirates. In 2017, a Swiss woman accused Polanski of raping her in the 70s when she was only 15. The same month, another woman accused him of assaulting her in 1975 when she was only 10. Finally, in 2019, a former actress model from France said that Polanski violently raped her at a Swiss chalet in 1975.

So what can you say about the man? His early life was tragedy and misery. The loss of his wife and child was horrific. He seemed like he was in a very bad place in the 70s. I don’t want to give credence to accusation without proof, but it can be sure that he committed at least one sexual assault of an under aged girl. He ran from his trial because he knew it would not be fair, but he was still never held accountable in a court of law for what he did. He has been forced to stay in Poland and France, but he is wealthy with a wife and kids, never seeing the jail time for what he did. And if it is true that he has committed other crimes like this, then he needs to be in jail. But could he ever get a fair day in court at this point? The man is 87 and will likely die soon, likely before any sentencing could occur. Also, how reliable is testimony from any parties about things that happened between 40-50 years ago? Everything he is accused of seems to have happened after the death of Sharon Tate and before his marriage to his current wife, so it seems like his behavior was linked to his state of mind and he is no longer in that state. That may explain things but it does not forgive them.

I don’t know. This is probably why I chose psychology instead of law enforcement or criminal justice. Trying to decide if someone has adequately paid for crimes they have committed is not my specialty. It will be a moot point soon enough because he will be dead. So what do we do with the guy? He has encountered both great suffering and great joy in his life. He as also caused great suffering and great joy. I guess it is more about how he will be remembered at this point. I would be curious to hear what others think. 

[onthesandsofdreams]

Mountains + Wondertrev

Late response is late and a small one, but here you go!

Pairing: Diana x Steve Rating: T Summary: The fireplace on their chalet was lit, warming the small living room. And now, they were cuddling in the sofa, the warm blanket that she had gotten, covered half their bodies. She rested her head on Steve’s shoulder, a mug of hot chocolate in her hands. Outside, the snow was falling. Words: 700 Notes: February Prompt as per @steventrevor’s request! Also Tagging: @mousedetective

Read @ AO3

Diana and Steve had finally come back into the chalet they had rented in the Swiss alps. It was a vacation they both had taken. And they had spent the day enjoying the outdoors, skiing and doing whatever else activities they could. They only came back indoors when they were both thoroughly exhausted.

“I’ll make us some hot cocoa, if you wish to change?”

She looked at Steve, they both were slightly wet from their outdoor activities. They both could benefit from better clothes. “How about we both change and then you make us hot cocoa.”

“Very well,” Steve grinned at Diana. “Good thing that I made us dinner, so now all I have to do is reheat.”

“Yes. Very wise of you.” She smiled and made her way to the room, she took her clothes off and changed to a fleece pajama. The chalet was warm, but that didn’t mean she would not be comfortable, now it was only them and they could enjoy each other’s company.

Steve followed a moment later, “I lit the chimney.” He said as he began to remove his clothes, he set his suit aside and changed to warm sweatpants. Kissed her on the cheek and walked out of the bedroom, “And now, I’ll start the hot cocoa.”

She chuckled and took a blanket with her as she made her way back to the living room. She would not complain about Steve’s cocoa. He truly made one of the best ones. Once he finished it, he served two mugs and topped them with marshmallows. Together, they made their way to the living room.

The fireplace on their chalet was lit, warming the small living room.

And now, they were cuddling in the sofa, the warm blanket that she had gotten, covered half their bodies. She rested her head on Steve’s shoulder, a mug of hot chocolate in her hands. Outside, the snow was falling.

“You know,” she sighed happily. “This was a very good idea, just a few days away from everything is so lovely.”

Steve smiled, “Well, it seemed right. A small vacation for us both, when was the last time we simply took time to just be?”

She frowned, placed her mug on the small coffee table near the sofa. “A while.” She admitted. Because it was true, between her work at the museum, her work as Wonder Woman and Steve’s own work with ARGUS, it was hard to find time to simply relax and enjoy each other’s company. “And I’m glad that you suggested this.”

“Isn’t this a breathtaking view?”

She followed Steve’s eye line, and she felt herself smile. Outside their chalet, a tall mountain range stood tall and majesty, everything was covered in a white blanket of snow. The light of the houses made it look like a Christmas town right out of a movie or postal, and she found herself glad that they had agreed to this vacation. “It is.”

“You know, we should do this twice a year?”

“Run to the alps twice a year? I don’t think it would be a good idea.”

Steve laughs, twists and kisses her nose. “Vacations twice a year, I meant. Just imagine, we could do a summer and winter vacation. It doesn’t have to be this level of grand, perhaps just a week on a nice bread and breakfast, or something like that.”

She frowned, but she finds that she’s quite excited at the idea. “It is not a bad plan,” she starts slowly. “Think we could get away with it?”

“Yes, I think we both need it. You more than I, you’re leading a double life, I don’t.”

She snorts. “Very well, I’m convinced. Let’s do this twice a year.” Steve grins widely and rises his mug to toast her, “Here’s to us and to vacations twice a year! I love you, Diana.” She knows that she’ll never regret what she and Steve have, and he has always gone out of his way to show her, both in word and deed that his love for her is something she can be proud off. She smiles and as she looks into his eyes, she tells him, “I love you too.”

[mhdiaries]

Wave 1 Holt Hyde Journal

July 23

Woke up in a moving truck last night - in the cab... this time. But I was totally confused as to how I got there and exactly where I was going. I figured since Moms was driving it meant another new job in another new town - maybe this one will be the last for a while...

July 25

Tried to stay up so I could see what the new town looks like in the daytime but it was no use. Soon as the first ray or sunlight cracked the horizon I was out. Shouldn’t be surprised, since for as long as I can remember, I’ve been trippin’ to the music of the night. I can’t recall the last time I saw the sun... really I can’t. I used to wonder if I was part vampire but so far no fangs and no overwhelming desire to make beat juice my new drink of choice. I must do some serious sleep walking during the day though, cause sometimes when I wake up I am dressed like a complete dork. 

July 27

I put some flyers up at the Maul advertising my DJ biz. Hopefully I’ll get some bites. I know that once I get a few gigs I’ll be busy all the time ‘cause I can definitely spin some scary mixes.

August 1 

Being the new monster in town means I’ve got to figure out who all the players are so I don’t get off on the wrong claw with any of the locals. So I’ve been taking walks at night with Crossfade just to check things out. This is what I’ve peeped so far:

Count Dracula - This ain’t no mopey “Please give me a hug ‘cause I’ma vampire” cry baby. This is the original old school, dark as midnight, bad to the fang Nosferatu. There may be monsters that have been around longer but none of them have Count Dracula’s street cred. He and his daughter live on my street in what is either a gigantic mansion or a small castle. I guess you’d have to go with mansion but only because there isn’t a moat and a drawbridge.

The Mummy - Got to say there’s just something about old school monster royalty. They’re like rock stars or something I’m not the kind of monster that gets star struck but I seriously wanted to ask for his autograph. I didn’t but I thought about it. He and his princess daughter Cleo de Nile live in this palace that looks like a movie set with servants and all. I don’t know Cleo but it seems like she’s wound a little tight.

The Werewolf - There’s one Alpha wolf in his pack and he is it. I heard he could have gone pro in just about any sport he wanted but he was so much stronger and faster than the other players they said it wouldn’t be fair for him to play. He’s got a big family in a not so big house and it always seems like there is some kind of drama going on over there. The way they argue you’d think they don’t like each other but you’d be wrong. They watch out for each other and if you fight one of them you better be ready to take them all. Clawd is the BMOC - Big Monster on Campus and Clawdeen is going to have songs written about her one day. 

Frankenstein and His Bride - Mr. Stein is pretty chill for a dude who’s 8 feet tall and looks like he’s strong enough to tie knots in oak trees. Mrs. Stein on the other hand... well let’s just say Mr. Stein is a lucky monster. They live in a house that looks like a cross between a Swiss chalet and a research lab. I think they’ve got a new baby over there but I haven’t seen her yet.

The Sea Monster - He doesn't’ really live on land, at least I don’t think he does - for sure he’s got a little beach house where Lagoona Blue lives. It’s got this killer dock that goes out over the water. I saw Lagoona sitting out there talking to him one night. He never got out of the water though so I couldn’t tell exactly what he looked like but he churned serious water when he left. I think he mostly just keeps to himself and doesn’t spend a lot of time with surface monsters.

Medusa - Seems like she’s got her hiss together and is in total control of her emotions - good thing too, cause if she ever lost it, your career as a permanent life size paperweight would start right away. I guess that’s why she wears sunglasses outside of her house - even at night. Speaking of her house it looks like a building from one of those pictures at a Greek restaurant the kind with the big columns and everything. I bet the acoustics in that place are awesome. Wonder if she ever lets Deuce have parties up there? 

August 3

Have you ever met someone for the first time and it’s like you’ve known them all your life? Dude this totally happened to me last night. I was doing this bubblegum dance gig, not really my style but sometimes you’ve got to give the monsters what they want - ya know? Anyway, this absolutely smokin’ little vampire was out on the floor doing the Transylvania Trance and there wasn’t another monster in the place who could keep up so I flipped the switch to auto pilot and jumped right in there with her. When the song was over I was like, “Ula D you rock!” Then she said, “How do you know my name because I don’t think we’ve ever met have we?” I couldn’t think of a time when we had but somehow I just knew who she was. Weird huh? 

August 10

Had a date with the lovely and lyrical Operetta. She’s a bit of a diva but what a set of pipes! I took her to see this band I really like and everything was going great until this gargoyle bumps into her and almost knocks her down. I didn’t think his apology was sincere so I got hot and long story short... I got us kicked out. Operetta was embarrassed about it, and asked me to take her home. I sent her a dozen dead roses but she’s still not talking to me. My temper constantly gets me into trouble but never gets me out.

August 11

Mom found out about last night from Operetta’s dad. She says I need to do a better job controlling my temper and stop being such a hot head but it’s not like I can just become a different person. Sometimes I think she wishes I wasn’t a monster at all. Does she think I can just snap my fingers and turn into some dorky human or something? I swear sometimes I just want to ~~~~~~~~~~ ASHES! I melt more pens this way. Maybe mom’s right - wish there was like a potion you could drink to get rid of the bad stuff... oh well.

August 20 

I think I’m going to take some night school classes this year. I heard that Monster High does non-traditional classes for monsters who don’t do daylight and since I seem to fit into that crew I’m gonna sign up. There’s supposed to be this siren that gives voice lessons and Operetta’s dad teaches a keyboard class. 

September 5

I started working on this song that I want to be kinda about my life. Maybe inspiration will hit and I’ll finish it or maybe I haven’t lived long enough to write a song about my life. Anyway I got the first verse:

A twisted road plays out like a rhyme

Revealing itself a little at a time

Turn the corner Leave what’s behind

Outta sight and outta mind

Outta sight and outta mind

Guess I’ll have to see where the road leads.

[avengerscompound]

Bartoned - Chapter 32

Bartoned - A Hawkeye Fanfic

Masterlist PREVIOUS //

Buy me a ☕ Rating:  E

Warnings:  Nothing really

Pairing: Clint Barton x F!Reader

Word Count:  1620

Summary:  Clint’s name has become synonymous with fucking things up.  When you have a one night stand with him, your whole life gets Bartoned.

Chapter 32

Kari being away on her honeymoon with Wanda was almost worse for you than when Steve and Bucky were away because it meant you were being sent out on every mission.   Also, because the Avengers had lost their heaviest hitter, the rule about not being sent out at the same time was ignored twice to make up for her not being there. You’d put Doreen on full-time for that period, thankfully it was something she was able to do because even with Doreen being a constant, Nattie was not coping at all with the fact that her parents were taking turns to be gone for days at a time.

You weren’t coping that well either. You were only seeing Clint for brief periods and with Nattie so distraught you were only getting a few hours of sleep a night. By the time Kari and Wanda returned looking tanned and relaxed, you could have kissed them both on the mouth, you were so happy to see them.

“Am I boring you?” Kari asked as your eyes fell closed while she was telling you all about their little lakeside chalet in the Swiss Alps. Nattie was sitting in her lap playing with the cowbell they’d bought back for her.

Your eyes snapped open and you blinked at her. “I’m so sorry. I was listening. You just have no idea how busy it’s been since you’ve been gone.”

“I mean, I think I have some idea, you were on maternity leave for a long ass time,” Kari said, pushing you.

“Yeah, but you didn’t have a baby and Wanda was still working so they didn’t need to have five extra people there just to make up for her not being there,” you complained. “I’ve seen Clint for maybe five hours in the past two weeks and that’s more than the average hours I’ve been sleeping in a day.”

“Aww, you poor baby,” Kari said and you weren’t sure if she was being sarcastic or not.

“She was being sarcastic,” Wanda confirmed. You turned and looked at Kari, in an attempt at giving her a rather sleepy death glare but she just broke down laughing.

“I’m really glad you both had a nice time though. And I’m extra really glad you’re home because I need to sleep for a week,” you said.

Nattie wriggled off Kari’s lap and used the couch and then the coffee table to move over to Wanda, ringing her bell loudly as she moved. “I hope you got one of those for Natasha,” you joked as Nattie climbed up into Wanda’s lap.

Wanda started giggling. “Natasha moves like a cat. The bell wouldn’t even ring.”

“Yeah, she’d just use it to clock Clint on the back of the head,” Kari laughed. “Just ‘hey, bird -’ Clang!!”

You started laughing too and Nattie joined in, bouncing on Wanda’s lap and giggling though she had no idea what anyone else was laughing at.

“Oh my god, she’s so cute,” Wanda said, picking her up and raising her above her head. “Aren’t you the cutest baby?”

Nattie giggled and started babbling as she swung her bell around.

“You look pretty good with her, Wanda,” you said, playfully.

“Don’t go giving her ideas. She’s already super clucky,” Kari scolded.

“Aww come on, I don’t wanna be the only one in the group with kids,” you whined.

“So go bother Bucky and Steve,” Kari said. “We’ve said we’re going to take time to just be a couple alone for a while.”

“Lucky for some,” you teased.

“Oh no,” Wanda said, covering Nattie’s ears. “Don’t listen to her, little one.”

You rolled your eyes and stuck out your tongue. “She knows I love her more than anyone else on the planet.”

Wanda giggled and kissed Nattie’s chubby cheek. “Well, I’ve been looking into adoption anyway. I think I want to try and adopt from Sokovia.”

“Wanda?” Kari yelped. “What?”

You started laughing as Wanda waved off your best friend. “I’m looking into it. And it takes forever anyway. So it’s worth looking into now.”

Kari chuckled and shook her head. “What can I do? You bat those eyelashes and I’m putty in your hands.”

Wanda giggled. “Yeah, you love me.”

“So where is Clint anyway?” Kari asked as Wanda went back to playing with Nattie.

“West Coast with Katie. I think they’re coming back today, but who the hell knows?” you answered, pulling your feet up under you.

“I’m guessing you haven’t had time to choose dresses then…” Kari said and you started laughing a slightly exhausted and hysterical laugh as you remembered hassling her about picking a dress.

“Well, actually,” you said and pulled out a tablet and switched it on opening up your photos. “I found some things online. I contacted the designer and we have a meeting with them.” You flicked over to a photo of the dress you planned for the wedding party that consisted entirely of women. “You know we’re doing a masquerade theme right?”

“Yes,” Kari said moving closer to you.

“Well, this is what you, Wanda, Kate, and Nat are wearing,” you said and showed her a photo of a gown. It was an asymmetrical cut, with a sheer ombre blue fabric that started as almost green at the hem and branded up into a dark blue at the bust. Under it was a much darker blue satin with jewels sewn into it to give the look of a night sky. Sewn into the hem of the overlay, up to the join at the waist were peacock feathers. There was a gold chain belt with a pendant in the middle that resembled a peacock feather and gold chains that acted as sleeves.

“Wow,” Kari said in awe. “That is something else. Come look, Wanda.”

Wanda got up with Nattie in her arms and came and sat close to Kari as she showed her the screen. “I get to wear that?” she said, looking at you.

“You sure do,” you agreed. “And I thought you could each have a different peacock-themed mask.”

“That is so beautiful and such a good idea for you two,” Kari said.

“Oh yeah, we’ve been quite busy. You’re all gonna come to this wedding and go, oh yeah that’s those two idiots to a tee,” you said.

“What about your dress?” Wanda asked.

You took the tablet back and flicked to another picture hiding the screen from them. “Get ready for it.”

“Come on, we’ve all seen a dress before,” Kari snarked.

“Oh yeah?” You said. “Well, have you seen this?”

You turned the screen to show them and Wanda audibly gasped before snatching the tablet from you. “Oh my god!” she squealed.

The dress was ball gown style with a long train and an open back and looked to be made out of layer upon layer of blue butterfly wings, from the bust down to the end of the train. Each wing was paired with another and intricately detailed with both black embroidery and beading.

“Holy shit!” Kari cursed. “You got your butterfly dress.”

“I got my goddamned butterfly dress,” you agreed.

“It is so beautiful,” Wanda said. “It must cost a fortune.”

“It’s not cheap, but not as bad as you think. The designer isn’t a big name,” you said. “But come on, can you picture me in anything else now?”

“No, I can not,” Wanda agreed. “Oh wow, you’re going to look like a fairy.”

“And I’ll have a butterfly-themed mask. And Nattie will be in purple and gold too, with I’m not sure, maybe some kind of bird theme mask. Match her dad,” you said.

The handle on the front door clicked and you took the tablet off Wanda and quickly shut everything down. Clint slumped inside followed by Kate, both of them looking exhausted and a little worse for wear. Nattie immediately reached out for Clint babbling ‘da-da-da-da-da-da-da’ over and over. Not quite a word yet, but the proto sounds when she’d actually call him dada.

Kate collapsed into the recliner that Wanda had been occupying as Clint picked up Nattie and kissed your cheek. “You’re back earlier than I thought,” you said, running your fingers through his hair as he stood up.

“Thank god,” Kate said as Clint flopped down in the other recliner. “Super glad to see you back, Wanda. Might be able to have a day off again.”

Wanda laughed. “It’s nice to feel needed.”

“I swear to god, it was like every single bad guy on the planet heard you were on vacation and tried to take over the world at once,” she complained. “I have blisters everywhere.”

Wanda giggled. “I bet now we’re back there’ll be a huge quiet spell and none of us will need to go anywhere.”

“Please, please, please, speak that into existence,” you groaned. “I want family time and the only thing to worry about is which circuit Steve plans to put us through.”

“Don’t forget, we’re all moving out to that new compound too,” Kari added. “The break will be good for that too.”

“Oh yeah, I wonder how Tony is going with that. I heard he’s got like a weird little village away from the work buildings,” you said. “That will be really cute. Especially when you guys adopt.”

“Shush,” Kari scolded. “Stop encouraging her.”

“It’s too late,” Wanda said, cuddling into her side. “I’m already there.”

“That’ll be good won’t it, Clint?” You said looking over at your fiancé. You might as well have been talking to yourself though. Clint was deep asleep with his mouth open and Nattie was snoring on his chest.

// NEXT

[fanficflaneuse]

One Day - Part 10

A/N: Dear magical tumblr friends, we’ve reached part 10. I’m sorry if it’s not that good. I was really excited to write it, but today I had to do a bunch of things for my graduate applications and it was just hectic. Still, it is Draco Malfoy’s birthday and I didn’t want to let the day pass without uploading a big, nice chapter. I hope you like it either way. 

Also, before we start, I feel the need to express my utter love for Theo Nott and Astoria Greengrass lol. I don’t hate them. In fact, if anyone wants to recommend some Theo Nott fanfiction, I’m all for it.  

Let’s do this! 

Draco x reader (she/her pronouns) Word count: 1921 Summary: One day AU. Post-war. Since The Battle of Hogwarts, Draco and y/n meet one day a year.

Masterlist 

Enjoy! 

3 May, 2009

“What is this?” Draco asked in awe, motioning to (Y/N)’s hair.

“It’s my take on the French bob,” she answered playfully.

Every time he saw her, Draco found (Y/N) more beautiful than before. This time, though, he swore she was actually glowing. She had gotten a haircut and now her locks framed her face differently. She dressed so…French now, which he found adorable and incredibly sexy. And her smile was bigger and brighter than he had seen in years. In general, this version of his best friend made him feel like a teenager again.  

Draco had been postponing this trip for weeks now. They had not addressed the issue yet, (when had they ever?) but everyone knew that the moment one of them reached out for the other, things would finally be settled. Their friends were tired of seeing them clumsily stumble through their feelings. That’s why Astoria took Scorpius to the Nott’s chalet on the Swiss Alps and practically forced him onto a train to Paris.

Astoria and Draco were not exactly the closest friends, but they had a son together and for his sake they maintained a more than civil relationship. She had settled down with Theo Nott, marrying him just after the divorce was finalized. They were happy together and she wanted his son’s father to move on as well. She was not only moved by a sense of guilt; deep down, Astoria had always known that the connection Draco and (Y/N) had was deeper than she would ever comprehend.

Whatever the case, the feeling of elation that washed over him as they held each other at Gare du Nord made him grateful for being alive again. He had butterflies in his stomach and a tingling all around. As if their bodies were connected, (Y/N) could also feel something electrifying. They hugged for the longest time, as if they weren’t in a crowded station with people rushing around.

(Y/N) and Draco walked arm in arm to her apartment in Montmartre. He still had a lot of questions about muggles, so she enjoyed pointing things out for him as they strolled. He had been to Paris countless times in his childhood and even once with Astoria, but this felt different. Walking with (Y/N), listening as she told him about the things she did every day, the places she frequented and the muggle history behind them felt like a dream come true. (Y/N) was very excited about taking him to a bunch of places and she numbered cheerfully all of the activities she had planned for them. Draco wished he could live in this moment forever.

“So, you’ve been consistently on the Prophet’s Best Seller list for almost a year and now you’ve won the Beedle the Bard literary prize. Don’t you dare to forget about your commoner friends, (Y/L/N),” he teased.

“You’re hardly a commoner, Healer Malefoy,” she taunted back, using the French translation of his last name.

Draco rolled his eyes playfully. “But really, you’re conquering the world one book at a time and I cannot be prouder…of myself for still having your original poetry saved somewhere at home.”

(Y/N) snickered. “I guess magical readers like the flavour of muggle literature. ‘That Kafka fellow? An absolute genius’,” as she quoted him playfully, Draco’s heart flipped.

When they reached the apartment, Draco observed everything in astonishment. Each little detail around the house embodied her. From the towers of books that flooded the flat to the position of the sofa by the fireplace, the rickety spiral staircase leading to the second floor, the creamy colours of the walls, the muggle paintings – she would later call them ‘impressionist’ –, the huge windowpanes and the mismatched yet harmonious furniture, it was all her. Draco had never seen a place represent a person so well. Even more surprising was the feeling that invaded him as soon as he set foot inside; he sensed that he had finally arrived home. He was Odysseus returning to his beloved Ithaca and he never wanted to set sail again.

They goofed around for a while, talking nonsense as they drank some very expensive wine. They danced around the room, enjoying the different layers to muggle music. Lately, (Y/N) had got then both hooked on muggle jazz. Draco relished greatly how the music seemed to pierce through them as they swayed around the room.

As the sunset painted the sky with colourful swirls, Draco stood by the window, observing the rooftops, the quaint streets and the Eiffel tower at a distance. (Y/N) took in his form. He looked much better. He stood taller; his shoulders no longer sagged forward in defeat. The bags under his eyes were practically gone. She could tell he was eating more. And he seemed generally happier. It made her smile.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go anywhere tonight?” she asked softly, walking towards him.

He turned to face her and nodded vehemently. He knew what he wanted to do. But it was only about an hour later, when they were cuddling in her bed, that he delved slowly into the much-awaited conversation.

Draco’s head laid on (Y/N)’s stomach. He was facing her way, eyes closed as her fingers worked their magic on his scalp. He was thinking about the right way to say it. And it all started off clumsily.  

“So, Olivier Flamel, huh?”

“Yes,” she sighed.

For a while, (Y/N) had dated Olivier Flamel, a descendant of the one and only Nicholas Flamel, who, not coincidentally at all, was also a big-shot alchemist. It had ended like most of her relationships and flings in the last few years: casually, easily, no real pain for either part involved because they hadn’t been really that involved.  

“Do I have to hex him?” Draco asked seriously.

(Y/N) snorted. “Ron asked me just the same,” she explained when he shot her an amused look, “And of course not, Dray. Olivier is an amazing guy. There was a lot of chemistry between us and we had a very passionate affair. But ultimately, we were just so different.”

Draco was invaded by a horrible feeling of envy when she talked about their amazing chemistry, but he did his best not to show it, to be rational and kind.

“How are you holding up?” he asked, even though he already knew. He needed the confirmation that still didn’t have feelings for him.

“You know it’s fine,” she shrugged, “I guess I’m just shook. For a while there I was half of the ‘it’ couple of the French wizarding jet set. It was a wild ride. Way too much to handle”.

Her cheeky smile then turned into a more concerned gesture. “How are you holding up?”

To say that (Y/N) had been surprised by Draco and Astoria’s divorce was the understatement of the century. The only thing she was certain of was that she didn’t want to see Draco suffer like that ever again. It had made her physically sick, to see him in so broken. She had been there through every stage of his grief. She helped him move back to Malfoy Manor. She took care of Scorpius on the days in which he couldn’t get out of bed. She cried with him. She got drunk with him. She was the big spoon. And through it all, (Y/N) only real target was to help Draco’s heart heal.  

“I’m alright now. In hindsight I guess I am not surprised, you know? Our relationship was doomed since the beginning. The most important thing to me is Scorpius and I believe we’re handling it well, the share custody and all. He’s a happy boy.”

(Y/N) kept caressing Draco’s hair. There was a painfully long silence. The feeling of repressed words and feelings clouded the air. They had kissed a couple of times before. Once they had a very heated make out session that almost leads to them shagging. But they hadn’t talked about it. Every time it happened, they would just ignore it and carry on, as if they were not both elated by it. (Y/N) had spent countless nights telling herself that she wouldn’t kiss him again; she didn’t want to be Draco’s rebound.

“We totally suck at this love thing, don’t we?” (Y/N) finally said.

Draco’s heart was beating hard on his chest. It was now or never. “I don’t think we suck at this ‘love thing’,” he pointed out, raising up to face her, “I think we have ignored the right person to do the love thing with”.

(Y/N) regarded him seriously for a second. This is really not how she thought the infamous conversation would go. She was braising herself for yet another disappointment. And now here he was, saying the things she had wanted for so long. A lot of mixed messages were bouncing in her mind.

“You mean us? Together?” (Y/N) sat up, “Dray, don’t you think that boat sailed about a decade ago?”

Draco’s smile fell. He was certainly not expecting that. All of a sudden, he felt an emptiness in his stomach and an urgent need to cry. “D-do you really think so?”

“The timing is never right,” she breathed out.

“Look at us now, love. The timing is perfect,” he said before kissing both of her cheeks.

(Y/N)’s eyes welled with tears. “I don’t want to be your rebound, Dray,” she softly.

Draco looked at her, his expression softening. “I’ve been in love with you for the longest time, (Y/N). I pushed you away, convinced that I was doing the ultimate sacrifice for you. I wanted to save you from, well, me. You deserved better. You still do”, he heard her scoff, “But I guess that doesn’t matter anymore.”

They looked at each other intently. “Now,” he said dramatically, “I’ve come all this way to confess my undying love for you…”

“Idiot,” she muttered playfully, the widest and most genuine smile plastered on her face. He inched forward and kissed her face again: her forehead, her cheeks, her jaw, her neck. (Y/N) felt like she was floating on a cloud.

“I want to be yours, (Y/N). I want you to be mine,” he whispered in her ear, before kissing her on that soft spot he knew made her breathing hitch.

“Draco, I swear if you hurt me, if you use me as a rebound, I swear to Circe I’m going to hex you and never talk to –“

He shook his head. “I will never hurt you, (Y/N/N). I am in love with you.”

“I’ve always been yours, Dray,” she said, softly.

“As I’ve always been yours,” he answered. 

They looked at each other then, eyes full of adoration. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. His eyes quickly set on her lips before meeting her gaze again. (Y/N) pressed her lips to his. It was, by no means, the first time Draco and (Y/N) kissed. It was, though, the best one they had shared to date. It started sweet and loving, but its intensity raised as the minutes went by. Their feelings let loose, pressing themselves unfiltered with each caress.

“I love you, Draco,” she said breathlessly.

He pressed (Y/N) to his chest, kissing the top of her head multiple times.

“Say that you love me again,” he almost pleaded, his voice small and a bit ashamed. Draco couldn’t believe his ears and he wanted every confirmation he could possibly get.

“I love you, Dray,” she said, pecking his lips, “I love you.”

tags: @fandomscombine @okaydraco @naomi02hook @iliketoast23 @winnsmills @oldfashionedlovergirlsblog @happycomb @xtrashmouthxtozierx @animelover09556 @hopplessdreamer