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inkandpen22 · 3 years

Text

Somewhere (9/?)

Pairing: Sirius Black x Female!Reader

Warnings: swearing

Word Count: 1.6k

Part Summary: Almost a year has passed since Sirius and Y/N have seen one another. Things get interesting when Y/N runs into an old friend.

Masterlist

1 year and 5 months later...

As I walk down the sidewalk, I blast the new Elton John album on my Walkman. I just finished with classes for the day and am heading back to my apartment. Staying in London was the best decision I ever made. I've found myself while living independently in the city. I, of course, still talk to my brother and Lauren, except now I have more freedom. I have my own friends, a casual thing going with a guy, I'm doing well in school. I'm really thriving.

I move to cross the street as I bop my head to some Elton. Then, I suddenly feel someone yank on my arm to pull me back to the sidewalk.

"Hey!" A voice echoes over my music.

I stumble back onto the platform with a huff. "What the actual hell?!" I snap as I yank down my headphones.

"You nearly got hit by a car, you should be thanking me!" A male voice argues behind me.

"Gee, thanks for nearly dislocating my arm!" I sass as I whip my head around to meet my "savior."

When my eyes land on the familiar pair of glasses my heart sinks. The eyes behind them grow wide with amazement.

“Y/N?” James mumbles my name in breathless astonishment.

“James?” I stutter, sounding a tad too shocked. I hope he doesn't notice.

“W...Wow!" He grins ear to ear and takes in my appearance. "I... how have you been?!”

For a time, I forgot we even lived on the same planet. The time in my life when he was a part of it feels so long ago, almost two years now.

“I’m... uh... I'm well," I laugh nervously. "How are you? How’s Lily?”

“She’s good! I’m good!” He gushes like a giddy schoolboy.

I'm glad they're well. They cross my mind from time to time and I still worry for them. Even in the human world, it's clear that things aren't right. Most don't know it, but I know that the strange occurrences lately must be because of Voldemort. If I can see some of the damage leaking over into the human world, I can't imagine what his world must be like now.

“Oh my goodness, you must’ve had the baby!" I recall suddenly. "How is the little thing?”

“He’s incredible! Yeah, we named him Harry," James tells me, enthused.

“That’s a lovely name!” I compliment.

“Harry James Potter,” he describes further.

I giggle, James would name his child after himself. “Of course you did," I tease.

“I wanted it to be Harry Sirius but Lily refused," he playfully rolls his eyes, but then his features shift with worry. “I’m sorry I didn't mean to-“

Oh... Sirius.

“Oh don’t be silly, it’s fine!" I assure him. "You can mention Sirius.”

It would be impossible to ask James to not mention his best friend with me around. He adores Sirius. James nods briefly and rocks on his heels anxiously. There's a prolonged pause between us before he speaks again.

“He was a mess after you left," he tells me, melancholy.

“And now?” I inquire, my curiosity getting the best of me.

“He’s... settled. Well, as settled as Sirius can be," he chuckles lightly.

“I didn’t want to leave," I tell James honestly. "He pushed and gave way. Is he-“

“No, no he’s not seeing anyone," he guesses my question correctly. He could hide that smug smirk though.

"You should come by to the house sometime," James offers. "To see Harry! You know, we still call you his godmother."

His words leave me stunned. After all this time, they still consider me Harry's godmother? After everything last year?

"You're kidding," I mutter.

The boy shakes his head as he releases a hint of a snicker. "Just because you and Sirius didn't work out doesn't mean Lily and I stopped considering you a friend. Well, it was more Lily," he winks jokingly.

I giggle, after all this time, James and I still have this frienemies trend going. It was kind of him though to still consider me Harry's godmother.

"I'd love to," I accept his offer.

Perhaps it would do me some good to see Lily and Harry. James is right, even though Sirius and I didn't work out I still consider the Potters my friends.

"I'll send you a letter tomorrow with the address. Lily will be ecstatic!" He suggests, leaning in for a quick hug. "I hate to hurry off, but I have to return home before Harry wakes from his nap."

I give James a genuine hug and after a few extra seconds, I comprehend that our hug is a bit longer than usual. I suppose he has missed him as much as I missed them. When we part, he gives the outside of my arms a light squeezes and expresses a weak smile.

"I'm so glad we ran into each other, Y/N," he tells me.

"Me too, James," I smile.

_____________________________

I arrive at the address James gave me at seven sharp. The brown, cottage-like home, is very Lily and James. The neighborhood is perfect for a young boy to grow up in. The streets are dimly lit as I step out of my car. Approaching the front door, the brisk night air of fall sends a chill down my spine. I give the door a knock and almost immediately James opens the door.

"Who is it?" Lily calls from within the house.

"Ms. Bagshot!" James lies and pulls me inside. "She doesn't know you're coming," he whispers to me giddily.

"Is it alright that I'm here?" I double-check. I don't want to startle poor Lily.

"Oh of course! She'll be so happy when she sees you," he assures me. "You can join her in the kitchen! She's with Harry and finishing up dinner." He takes my coat and hangs it on the hook behind me.

I move down the hall with James, but before we can make it to the kitchen someone else knocks at the door. Based on James's bewildered expression, he wasn't excepting anyone else. My heart sinks, this can't be good.

"Is that old Bathilda again?" Lily calls from the kitchen and I hear a little Harry giggle through the door.

James looks at me and quietly lifts his finger in front of his lips. I nod in agreement as he slowly moves toward the door and pulls his wand from his back pocket.

"Yes, probably Darling!" He shouts to Lily so she doesn't worry.

I linger down the hall by the kitchen, too afraid to move an inch. James glances back at me once he has his hand around the doorknob again. He releases a deep, anxious, sigh and builds up the courage to open it. Right, when he does, the swinging door to the kitchen opens and Lily reveals herself.

"What is taking so long out here?" She questions James, not noticing me beside her right away.

When she does notice me, she jumps up and down with joy. The wind gets knocked out of me briefly as Lily yanks me into a tight embrace. "Oh my goodness! Y/N, what are you doing here?! This is such a lovely surprise! I can't even-"

A commotion from the front door causes steals Lily and my's attention away from each other. James's laughter and banter with someone else fill the air. When I glance toward the door, my heart really sinks, along with my jaw to the floor. My eyes meet an all too familiar black pair.

I gasp, "Holy-"

"Fuck," Sirius curses.

I always wondered what this moment would be like, what it would be like to see Sirius again. I had hoped one day I would see him again, to see how he's doing. I never imagined it would be tonight. I imagined it years down the road, when we're old, grown, and have lived separate lives.

James switches his gazes between Sirius and me like he's watching a tennis match. Then, he addresses his wife. "What did-"

"I invited Sirius over for dinner!" She explains.

"I invited Y/N!" James points out a matter-of-factly.

"Well, you didn't tell me you invited Y/N!" Lily defends.

"You didn't tell me you invited Sirius!" James argues.

"He's here every other day! I didn't think it mattered!" Lily mentions a fair point.

Unfazed, Sirius and I approach one another, meeting halfway in the middle of the entry hall.

"Hi," I mutter.

"Hi," he whispers.

"How have-" We say in unison, causing both of us to laugh.

"No, you first!" We speak together again.

"No, I insist-" We do it a third time.

After almost two years we still manage to think so in sync. Sirius and I chuckle lightly together, shaking our heads at the silly moment.

"I've been decent..." I answer after a moment's pause.

"Me too..." Sirius nods. "You look great," he compliments with a nervous nod.

"You too," I return the compliment anxiously.

"Still in school?" He questions.

So, we're doing small talk now?

"Yeah, but I got my own place," I describe civilly.

"Wow," Sirius raises his brows. "That's... that's really great!"

"Yeah, I like it a lot!" I mirror his enthusiasm.

"Still studying business?" He inquires.

"No actually, I switched to international affairs so I work in the magical-human relations department like my brother," I explain, finding it easy to talk to him still. "I hope to improve the system. I think Parliament should do more to help the Ministry of Magic with the war."

"I always knew you'd do great things," he charms, offering me one of his perfect smirks.

James appears beside us out of my peripheral vision. "Hi, could we possibly get started on dinner?"

"Come on, Honey. Let's give them a moment to catch up," Lily smirks as she locks arms with her husband and starts ushering him away into the kitchen.

"Shall we?" Sirius gestures to the empty family room behind me.

"I'd love to," I smile.

Sirius grins as he presses his palm to my lower back and leads me into the family room to catch up.

_____________________

Masterlist

Tags: @princess-jules47

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adenei · 4 years

Note

“Go. You go and don’t even think about coming back here.” for Romione 😊

@my-patronus-is-a-champagne-glass Thanks for the prompt! I really loved writing this one!!

************************************************************* Hermione stood up from her desk and gathered her things. “Elizabeth, I’m taking the afternoon. I have an appointment outside the Ministry. I’ll see you on Monday,” she said to her colleague and friend.

“Ooh, more wedding stuff?” Elizabeth whispered.

Hermione smiled. “Something like that.” The wedding was only a month away now, so her assumption was justified.

“Brilliant! Have a great weekend, Hermione!”

“See you,” Hermione responded as she made her way to the lifts.

Hermione was headed to see a mediwitch at St. Mungo’s. Everything had been seemingly fine with her since Malfoy Manor, save for a few spasms now and then if she exerted too much energy on any given task. She’d recently talked to Fleur who had made the suggestion. Hermione had tried to reassure Fleur that she was fine, and she was the one to thank for that, but Fleur wasn’t convinced.

‘Zer could be hidden damage zat I did not catch. It would be best to have a mediwitch check for ze things I could not.’

So Hermione was on her way to get the work up done, and to be reassured of a clean bill of health.

****************************************************************

Ms. Belmont, the mediwitch, had just finished performing a number of spells, which was the last part of the work up. Hermione had already been administered potions, and answered a series of extensive questions about what she remembered of the events of Malfoy Manor before this point. She genuinely liked the woman who was helping her.

“Well, Ms. Granger, I have good news and bad news after reviewing the scans.” Ms. Belmont said.

“Oh?” Hermione asked.

Ms. Belmont nodded. “Despite the extensive time and force you were under during the Cruciatus, your body has not undergone any significant damage. You were incredibly strong in fighting it. However, the spells did detect layers of scar tissue around your lower abdomen, around the outside of your uterus. It will likely affect your ability to conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy in the future.”

Hermione stared at the mediwitch. She wasn’t exactly sure what she was expecting to hear, but it wasn’t that. She’d never even thought there could be any repercussions in that area of her life.

“It’s not to say that you can’t get pregnant, but it will be more difficult. Luckily, the uterus itself is not damaged, but the scar tissue around the outside could cause problems as it needs to expand as a baby grows.”

“I see,” was all Hermione could say.

“I will be more than willing to work with you if you and your partner come to a point where you are ready to start a family, of course. Do you have any other questions for me?” Ms. Belmont asked.

“Er, no, not right now. Thank you,” Hermione said.

“Of course. Please don’t hesitate to owl if you need anything.” Hermione nodded at the mediwitch’s words and gathered her things.

She exited St. Mungo’s, and began walking down the street. Ms. Belmont’s words were echoing in her brain as she walked aimlessly. Hermione was having trouble thinking straight. She turned down an abandoned alley and apparated away. She found herself not in front of her own flat, but in front of Shell Cottage. Her body seemed to be working of her own accord as she felt her hand knock on the door.

Fleur opened the door after a few moments. “Hermione! Please, come in. Victoire just settled in for a nap.” As she shut the door and turned to look at Hermione, she noticed the look on her face. “What’s wrong?”

Hermione sat on the couch in the sitting room. “It’s...I’ve just been to see a mediwitch. She was very nice, did a full work up and everything. I’m truly always amazed at how Magical medicine works…” she trailed off.

Fleur was busy heating the kettle for tea, and gathered mugs from the cupboard. When Hermione didn’t continue, she turned to her and asked, “Eez everything okay?”

“Y-yes, for the most part. The only thing she found was some scar tissue.”

Fleur poured the hot water in the mugs and brought them over, sitting across from Hermione. “Where eez the scar tissue?”

Hermione’s throat tightened as she looked down and clutched her lower abdomen.

“Oh, Hermione I am so sorry.” Fleur said. This was what she was afraid of.

“It’s- I’ll be fine. I just- I needed to tell someone. I don’t know how I’m going to tell Ron. How is he going to want to marry me still if I can’t-”

“Hermione, do not speak like that,” Fleur stopped her, but before she could continue, Victoire began crying in her room upstairs. “Please, take all ze time you need here, but do not make any rash decisions.”

Hermione sat quietly sipping her tea as Fleur tended to Victoire. She kept trying to come up with ways to tell Ron. He didn’t even know she’d been to the appointment at all. She remembered back to the times they’d talked about the prospect of kids and starting a family someday. His face always lit up at the prospect, and he was such a wonderful uncle to Victoire. Hermione felt the tears start to stream down her face. She couldn’t take that away from him.

Fleur came down a while later with Victoire in tow. “Listen, Hermione, you are more than welcome to stay, but I promised Molly zat we would be by for dinner, and Bill eez meeting us there.”

“Oh! Of course, it’s fine. I need to get going anyway. I should probably get home before Ron wonders.”

“I’m so sorry. You know I am always here if you need to talk, of course. We’ll see you on Sunday?”

“Yes, yes of course. Thank you for the tea.” Hermione then told Fleur she’d rather apparate than floo, and saw herself out as she heard Fleur lock the front door and floo to the Burrow.

The sun was warm and the fresh air felt nice against her skin. Hermione decided to walk on the beach before settling on an abandoned log, watching the water. She thought she’d put the war past her. The nightmares had stopped ages ago, everyone had healed, and then she had to go and tear open all those old wounds. Tears began to fall again. How could she have been so stupid to believe she’d walked away from the Cruciatus Curse unscathed, by Bellatrix Lestrange no less.

Hermione had lost track of time, having forgotten to wear her watch that day, as her thoughts began to spin out of control. She wasn’t sure how long she was sitting there, and was only brought back to reality when she heard a familiar voice calling her name. No, no, no, I’m not ready. I can’t confront him yet, she thought.

“Hermione? Hermione!” Ron called as he moved quickly towards her. “Why didn’t you come home? I stopped by your office to pull you away from your desk for the day, but Elizabeth said you’d left for the afternoon, but then you weren’t at the flat either. I checked your parent’s house and the Burrow, and that’s when Fleur said you’d been here, but she thought you’d gone home.” He paused to look at her, noticing how she stared straight ahead, instead of looking at him. “What’s wrong?” Ron made to move to her side, but stopped abruptly when she backed away and held her hands up as if to stop him.

“I’m sorry. I just, Ron, I really need to be alone right now. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“What? Hermione, where were you this afternoon? What happened?” Ron was confused by her reaction.

Hermione shook her head. “I can't right now. I just need a little space! Please, just-. Go. You go and- and don’t even think about coming back here. Please. Not right now. I’ll be home later.”

“But Hermione-”

“Ron, please!” Her voice broke ever so slightly. It was all she could do to hold it together. She couldn’t do this right now. She needed more time to process this on her own.

“No,” he said. They hadn’t had a row like this in years. Ron had no idea what had happened, but the look he’d seen on Fleur’s face earlier indicated she knew more than she was letting on.

“Ron, why can’t you just give me the space I’m asking for?” she pleaded with him.

“Because we’re not in school anymore, Hermione! I’m not just going to walk away and let you sort it out and ignore me. We’re getting married in a month! I thought we were past this!” He let the frustration take over his words.

“You may not be saying that anymore after you do find out what this is all about,” Hermione realized a moment too late that the words had escaped her as she clasped her mouth with her hands, hoping the ocean breeze prevented her quiet words from being heard.

“What are you on about?” Ron sat down next to her in disbelief of what he’d just heard. The anger had dissipated and now all he could feel was fear. The fear that he could be losing her. He softened his tone. “Hermione, please. Talk to me.”

Hermione closed her eyes as a few more tears escaped. “I went to see a mediwitch today.” She waited a moment, gathering her thoughts before continuing. “To- to make sure there were no...lingering effects from the Cruciatus Curse.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.

“Because I was sure it would all check out to be fine, and I didn’t want to worry you.” Hermione sighed.

“But it’s not fine. Otherwise we wouldn’t be here right now.”

“No,” she said plainly.

“Please tell me.”

Hermione took a deep breath in and exhaled deeply. “There’s a good chance I may not be able to carry a child. It’s not- It’s not definitive, but she said I could have a harder time because of the layers of scar tissue that’s built up around my uterus.” Hermione subconsciously moved her hand over her stomach.

Ron felt like he’d been sucker punched. Not because of Hermione’s confession, but because she thought he might not want to go through with the marriage because she might not be able to have children. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

“Hermione, love, I wish you would have told me. That I could have been there with you.” He tried to reassure her.

“I’ll understand if you want to call things off, since I can’t give you a family.” It was as if she hadn’t heard him, or felt his arms around her.

“I’m not going anywhere, so bloody get that thought out of your head right now. You’re my whole world, Hermione. Kids or no kids, that doesn’t matter to me. You matter to me. We’ll figure this out together. I love you.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

She felt as if a weight had been lifted off of her as she melted into him. “I love you, too.” She looked up at him, her eyes finally meeting his. Ron kissed her hard then, channeling all of the emotion he felt into that one kiss.

When they broke apart, Hermione chewed on her bottom lip before admitting, “I just thought we were finally past it. The nightmares are gone, the pain is gone, but now this will always be a constant reminder. It’s like she’s haunting me on purpose.”

Ron shook his head. “No. Don’t even think that. You haven’t let her get the best of you yet, so we can’t let this setback change anything.”

“I know, I know.” Hermione said. He was right after all. “I’m sorry I tried to push you away. I was just so scared.”

“Well, being alone never helps anything. Learned that the hard way. I hate to break it to you, Hermione, but you’re not getting rid of me that easily,” Ron said as he played with her hair.

“Good.” Hermione said through a smile. “Can we go home now?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Send me a prompt!

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wintaejk · 4 years

Text

Jungkook’s FIC REC | OS 2

I had too many links on the other post. Here is the second part of my Jungkook’s fic rec but with others themes.

Again, all those fictions belong to the amazing authors who wrote them, not me. I want to thank them once more.

(f) = fluff

(a) = angst

(m) = mature

magical au

— Trick or Treat: Howling for You (F) (M) — by @fortunexkookie

The way your Little Red Riding Hood costume lured over a fuckboy in a half-assed werewolf costume was a little cliche, but god damn was he beautiful. He promised he had plenty of big things to show you, and you took him up on the offer, not realizing that you might’ve bitten off more than you could chew.

werewolf au | established relationship | +14k

— rottenfolk (M) — by @junqkook

a look was as hazardous as chemicals, a kiss as perilous as poison; his eyes and lips felt akin to a cure, but he was purely venom.

faerie au | royalty au | +13k

Commentary - If there’s only one one-shot I could recommend you to read of all tumblr, it would probably be this one. For me, it is rare to acheive such a level of mastery in fantasy fictions. Writing is already complicated, but when you have to place the readers in an unknown universe, it is even harder. However, the real brilliance of this story is the end. Because the end is supposed to satiate the reader in a way or another, it is supposed to offer what all the reader craved: a sort of closure. But here we all are, waiting for a sequel, because this story will make you want a next episode. And that is the brilliance, because you will surely never forget a story with that kind of power. So those are some of the reasons why this fiction is for me a mix of art, smartness and excellence ; and also why you would be missing something huge by not reading it.

— overdrive (M) — by @junqkook

you thought meeting jungkook was just a coincidence, but the universe didn’t deal in coincidences.

vampire au | soulmate au | enemies to lovers | +13k

— Crescent Bound - Jungkook (F) (M) — by @parkhabits

A pact bound by the moon. A secret kept only amongst themselves. Each of them experiencing their own cycles of heat.

werewolf au | friends to lovers | +12k

— Room 109 (M) — by @lavishedinjimin

Having Jungkook as your apartment buddy was a lot to get used to. But with one early day, your heat comes up much stronger than usual, and you were desperate for an alpha’s touch.

werewolf au | roommate au | alpha!jungkook | +6k

— after dark (M) — by @seokoloqy

Jungkook has served the royal family for generations, seen them live and die countless times. When it comes to you, he can’t watch you wither away too, but your lust for one another makes it harder and harder to stay apart.

vampire au | royalty au | knight!jungkook | +8k

— Life’s Blood (F) (A) (M) — by @littlenoona

You produce blood cells at an increased rate when blood is lost, effectively, you cannot bleed out. This ability has served you well so far, even gaining you a rare friend, and you’ve made it your source of income, but it also has its downsides, one of which you’ve managed to avoid successfully, until now.

vampire au | +13k

— you come in waves (A) (M) — by @angelguk

if jeongguk had a choice, he would destroy the sun. it’s not like he needed it for warmth due to his werewolf abilities making him a scorching radiator. it would also help his heart. because you look delectable in that stupid bikini.

werewolf au | friends to lovers au | 4k

— tell me your secrets (i’m all ears) (F) — by @jinpire

You’re not afraid of Jeon Jeongguk. Even if he’s probably some kind of bear or giant cat shifter, and just a hint of his irritation had your instincts vibrating beneath your skin like a live wire. Your thumb brushed over the plastic dome of mini-Levi’s head, taking comfort in the cartoon scowl and dead eyes, the tiny grey sticks of his 3DM gear. Small could be pretty fucking powerful too.

shifter au | college au | bunny!kook | +6k

drabbles: nooks and naps - foxie moxie (don’t pull my tail) - look before you leap - fluffles and kerfuffles

— Pomegranate Seeds (M) — by @taetaebaepsae

Jungkook thinks he’s found the perfect new roommate, but little doesn’t he know you’re just aching to corrupt him.

demon au | roommate au | virgin!jungkook | +4k

other themes

— Every Kind of Way (F) (M) — by @taehyungforreal

{Three little vignettes, three completely different experiences, same perfectly wonderful boyfriend JK.}

strangers to lovers | established relationship | +14k

Commentary - I remember when this fiction was posted. I read the teaser a few days before, and I was waiting for it. I remember the exact date of the release of this story, and let me tell you it never happens to me. But this is how much I liked this story. This masterpiece. This fiction is 95% made of smut. This is a warning if you don’t like that. However, what I like about Ashley’s works is that smut is not only smut (okay, sometimes it’s just pure filth but whatever). It’s not the first time I’ve read a piece of work of her and that I’ve been so thankful of reading her. Because the stories she writes are realistic. Sex is not always perfect. Sex is not always like in porn. Sex can be embarrassing. And this is why I love what Ashley writes, because she always have that realistic point of view on life. And sometimes it’s also nice to not turn everything into porn. What is very likeable - I said likeable? I meant loveable, sorry - about that story is also the three different stages of the relation of Jk and reader. This is also something I like about her writings. Life evolves, relationships evolve, and so does sex. So in this story, you will experience three different Jungkook. And it’s three reasons why you should read this fiction, three reasons why you will probably love it. One thing is sure, this chef-d’oeuvre will leave you wondering if your eyes have been burnt by the smuttiness or blessed by all the talent of this writer.

— tattooed two (ft. kth) (F) (M) — by @httpjeon

your boyfriend’s best friend joins you for a night you’ll never forget.

tattoo artist au | established relationship | poly au | +8k

— Inkling (A) (M) — by @gguksgalaxy

Jungkook is your brother’s boyfriend’s co-worker, they own a tattoo and piercing parlour. In other words, he’s tall, gorgeous, has his passion literally etched into his skin, looks incredibly good in a man-bun, and is semi-unattainable for you. Why? Well…you’re not entirely sure but him ditching right after a very heated make-out session sure isn’t a good sign. His extremely poor mood the next week sure isn’t either, but the only way to fix it is to face the beast head-on. Right?

tattoo artist au | +17k

— Freak-quency (M) — by @taehyungforreal

His eyes sparkle and he fights back a smile when he asks you why. “Is it because I didn’t give you something else to swallow like I said I would,” he questions, halfway through a much less subtle adjustment of his growing erection. Yoongi was right, he wants to be in trouble.

rockstar au | established relationship | +8k

— Boots (M) —

3000+ words of Ashley kinking on Jungkook’s boot. That’s it.

rockstar au | established relationship | part of Freak-quency | +3k

— Heartbreaker with a Heart of Gold (A) (M) — by @filmflowersbangtan

It was around this time almost three years ago when Jungkook moved to LA after his band got signed to a famous record label. He told you that he’d keep in contact with you. That he’d visit as much as he could. That he loved you. But about a month after leaving, he stopped texting and calling as much. And then a mere week after the band’s first EP dropped, Burning Rabbit was a sensation.

rocksatr au | ex lovers | +3k

— Brother’s best friend (M) — by @lavishedinjimin

In which Y/n owns a smut blog dedicated to her crush and brother’s best friend, jungkook. it was all fun and games until he finds out about it and acts it out with you.

brother’s best friend!jungkook | +5k

— Sugarplum Elegy (F) (A) (M) — by @bymoonchild

You know no bounds nor depth with Jungkook. While your fuck buddy loves sleeping in your bed and doing laundry for you with his favourite fabric softener, you are in love with a mysterious honeyed, velvety voice on Soundcloud. All’s fine, until you find out that the voice that metaphors your heart to a sweet sugarplum melody actually belongs to the boy who has been taking up a special spot in your bed and in your heart, strumming at your heartstrings all this while.

friends with benefits | college au | idiots to lovers | +17k

— The Kids Aren’t Alright (F) (A) (M) — by @sketchguk

Sneaking around with Jeongguk during your Christian retreat is complicated when you’re both dedicated to your jobs as co-youth group counselors at your father’s ministry.

friends with benefits | pastor’s kid!reader | +10k

— Gym (F) (M) — by @hobiwonder

Jungkook has a crush on you and has been watching you work out at his gym. One day you finally confront his obvious crush.

business woman!reader | fratboy!jungkook | older reader | +8k

— Gravity Check (M) — by @gimmesumsuga

The one where Jungkook is your oh-so-handsome climbing instructor.

climbing instructors!jungkook | strangers to lovers | 14k

— The Monogamy Monologues (F) (M) — by @kpopfanfictrash

The year? Some point after college. The occasion? Namjoon is getting married and the Rich Man’s Crochet Club has convened once again. Somewhere between the drinks and the laughter, everyone has the same realization: Jungkook has never been in a serious relationship. In the name of all that is holy (Overwatch and booze), the club’s mission is revived. Now though, their goal is much more perilous. Now, they aim to find Jeon Jungkook a girlfriend. (Part of The Rich Man’s Crochet Club series)

fuckboy!jungkook | wedding planner!reader | strangers to lovers | +42k

— The Virgin Volume (F) (A) (M) —

This fic exists in the RMCC universe. It takes place before RMCC and is the story of how Jungkook lost his virginity. To quote Seokjin/Namjoon: “What Jungkook doesn’t know won’t hurt him and – let’s be honest – his story is hilarious. One pump,” Seokjin laughs, sounding like a hyena. “One pump and he’s done.” // Ducking his head, Namjoon tries not to smile. “It was a rookie mistake,” he protests, defending their friend. “Jungkook was overexcited and couldn’t control himself. He got better.”

college au | friends to lovers | prequel to TMM | +6k

— everlasting (A — by @kimvvantae

being able to love the same person forever is a blessing given from the heavens. to you, however, eternity has become a curse.

reincarnation au | 18k

— Performances (M) — by @littlenoona

The same handsome guy has been appearing at your performances and you become more and more interested in who he is - now you’re dancing only for him, despite a hall full of people.

strangers to lovers | professional dancer!reader | +6k

— Matching Hearts (F) (A) — by @gukwluv

a drunk call to your ex boyfriend leads to a night of fun adventures that make you wonder why you even split in the first place.

exes au | +3k

— locker room talk (M) — by @minnpd

You end up having a rather heated talk with Jeon Jungkook in the locker room when he announces he has been chosen for the audition you both participated to.

dancer au | enemies to lovers | fuckboy!jungkook | +5k

— not quite lovers (M) — by @junqkook

hiring jeon jungkook as your personal assistant happens to have more than one perk.

workplace au | friends with benefits | ceo!reader | +15k

— By Its Cover (M) — by @gimmesumsuga

The one where Jungkook makes a very bad first impression.

workplace au | enemies to lovers | 21k

— Mind in the Gutter (F) (M) — by @kpopfanfictrash

Starting over is never fun. Especially not when you decide to take the phrase fully to heart; new job, new city, new coworkers and new relationships. When you are dragged to a happy hour by your new co-worker, Taehyung, you end up sitting beside a (very) cute, (very) shy IT worker named Jungkook. Several drinks later, he mentions he is in a professional bowling league with his friends and you rather enthusiastically invite yourself along. As time passes and you begin to grow closer, you still find it impossible to read Jungkook. Working in the same company and seeing each other so often, it is only so long before one of you snaps. But who?

workplace au | bowling au | strangers to friends to lovers | +18k

#fic rec #jungkook fic rec #bts fic rec #jeon jungkook

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theprodigypenguin · 4 years

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👀 (I hope it isn't closed yet, love you! 💙)

It’s an end of the year game so I guess it’s open till the end of the year (or until I run out of WIPs, ya know?). Thank you for the Raven-heart! This is from a Jeddy that I initially wanted to be one of those semi-cliche fuck-or-die fics, just to test my abilities and play around with their characters. Never got to the “fuck” part of the fic cuz smut and I have a bad relationship SO this is what I have to share~ This was also written back before I’d decided James was smol in my headcanon, so he’s semi-tall in the oof.

Most of what Teddy did was assess the properties of certain objects in order to pass them along to the more diverse segments of the Department. When something unusual came in, he had to figure out if it pertained to Love, Time, Death, or any other mysterious magic, or if it was harmless enough to send up to the top floors of the Ministry for the rest of the workers to deal with.

In the months he’d been working there, Teddy had seen it all. A teapot that had been tampered with that they’d sent up to the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts department, a Muggle broom that a young wizard had accidentally infused with magic because he wanted to fly already, among more dangerous items. Broken time turners that still had a bit of magic in them and needed to be disposed of properly, a vial of smoky green liquid that nearly made Harry vomit when he looked at it, and their most recent discovery.

They’d deduced that the item wasn’t dangerous or toxic in any immediate way, so Teddy’s supervisor had given him authorization to bring it home for further research and an order to get some rest and eat something other than caffeine. It was an unusual artifact, that was certain.

Like most of the relics stored in the Department of Mysteries, this one didn’t look imposing or dangerous at all. Found in the cellar of an old Death Eater who’d recently passed, sitting on a pillow of black velvet set into a stained mahogany box with a glass inlaid lid that allowed viewing of the item within without opening.

It was a deep scarlet red in color, roughly three feet in length, but folded carefully, a thin ribbon with lightly frayed ends. No, it didn’t look dangerous at all, but when Teddy set his fingertips against the box, he could feel the magic, the power, that made his fingers almost burn. They didn’t know what it was, what it was supposed to do, who made it or why. So Teddy had taken it home, grabbed every book he could on magic infused cloth and clothes, and settled down in his living room. That’s where he was sitting when the floo came to life, flames lashing up before spitting out five foot seven inches of Quidditch Chaser with a cocky grin.

“Evening Teddy!”

Teddy lifted his eyes from the faded pages of an old journal about weaving protective spells into wizard robes, greeting James with a smile of his own.

“Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you had practice today?”

“Mate it’s nearly midnight.”

“What?” Teddy slowly closed the journal. “What are you doing at my house at midnight? Did something happen? Are you okay? Is Harry okay?”

James just laughed. “Calm down, everything’s fine. We haven’t heard from you in days is all, and last time that happened you passed out in the middle of the Ministry, so dad and aunt ‘Mione asked me to come check in on you. Dad probably would have, you know how he is, but he’s been busy too. I said I’d stop by.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Teddy chided, setting the book down on the coffee table and trying not to feel endeared at the fact James was worried about him. “I’m alright.”

“Sure mate, I believe you,” James said, stopping on the other side of the coffee table with his hands up, “but that’s just me. Dad on the other hand sent me with a list,” and he reached down, pulling out a folded paper from the front pocket in his jeans and holding it up with his usual flare that had Teddy snorting.

“You’re kidding me.”

“Not even a little.”

“You don’t need to-”

“Stuff it Tedward, I had to sit through it while dad told me what to write down, you have to sit through it too.” James cleared his throat. “Item number one, have you eaten?”

“Please tell me this is a joke.”

“Should I mark it no?”

“I’ve eaten.”

“Have you properly hydrated? Those are the exact words he used, Ted.”

“Yes.”

“Have you bathed?”

“Yes.”

“Changed into clean clothes?”

“Yes.”

“Rested? He means sleep by the way, have you actually slept?”

“Yes.”

“Are you lying?”

“No, James gimme that.” Teddy stood and grabbed the paper from him, shaking his head at the list that had at least ten more items in it. “Guy blacks out one time in the food court and it’s the apocalypse.”

“You can’t blame them. I’m worried too.”

Teddy almost thought better of looking at James, but his curiosity won him over and he looked up from the paper to meet the intense brown eyes that always seemed to make it hard for him to breathe. Honestly, did this this idiot know what he did to Teddy?

“This job of yours is really debilitating, it drains you more than any job you’ve ever had before. You already blacked out once because you pushed yourself too hard, and the work itself is some of the most dangerous in the entire Ministry. We’re worried about you.”

“It only drains me because I’m not fully used to it yet.” Teddy was quick to defend, setting the paper on the coffee table and holding his hands up. “I’m getting better. I really like this job, Jamie, I’m doing good work and learning amazing stuff. Sure I may have completely lost consciousness while standing and slept three days straight because I hadn’t taken a break or even a nap in six days, but I’m much better at managing my time now, and my supervisor has been keeping an eye on me-”

“Yea, yea, yea.” James waved a hand, looking away. “I believe you, Lupin. So are you going to offer me some tea or coffee? Some snacks maybe?”

Teddy shrugged and turned. “Of course, make yourself at home,” he had a half smile on his lips as he made his way towards the kitchen. “You practically live here anyway.”

“I’d apologize but I’m not sorry!” James called after, and Teddy laughed.

“I should get you a key to the front door already. How’s your work been? How’s training?”

“Exhausting, but it can’t be worse than what your dumbass is doing.”

There was a pause as Teddy pulled down a tin of tea from the cupboard, setting it on the counter before going back for coffee mugs. There was a half pot of burnt coffee sitting to the side, but Teddy wasn’t going to send James home hyped off caffeine, and he himself needed to sleep soon anyway, it was midnight after all, so tea it would be.

“Just got the last pieces of my required uniform,” James picked up again, and Teddy hummed, even though James probably couldn’t hear him. “Still not crazy on the colors, but I guess they’ll do.”

“Just remember to keep an eye out when you’re playing,” Teddy warned. “The Falcons are famous for playing rough, and National games are more violent than Hogwarts anyway.”

“I already know that, Teddy, you don’t have to baby me about it,” there was a high to his tone, annoyance, but Teddy wasn’t surprised.

He was only eighteen, but James had developed a kind of complex about people noting his young age. He was technically an adult after all, he even had a job, and was searching for a place to stay so he could move out of his parents house and be independent. Teddy was proud of him, but his worry wasn’t spurred by a misguided belief that James was somehow still just a baby. Teddy just worried about everyone.

Still, it seemed like he must have offended James somehow, so he sighed, pouring hot water into the two mugs and thinking of what to say to apologize as he balanced them in his hands and started back for the living room.

“Hey, Jamie, you know I’m not warning you because I think you’re a kid. You’re young, but you’re grown enough,” Teddy started, eyes down to keep himself from spilling. “I just don’t want to see you hurt, okay? I don’t know what I’d do if something happened…”

“Ted…,” James’ voice was soft. “I know, Teddy. I’m sorry, I just… I know.”

Teddy shook his head. “Never mind that. How’s everything else been? How are Lily and Albus?”

James was starting a response when Teddy finally stopped and lifted his head from the cups of tea. The younger man was saying something about Lily getting in a fistfight and chopping her hair off before the Hogwarts semester, but Teddy didn’t hear him as the sound of water roared into his ears, and his tedious attempts to not spill any hot water became insignificant as he dropped both cups. One shattered on the floor, the second broke on the coffee table and soaked several important looking documents, but Teddy was focused entirely on James.

He was gaping at Teddy in shock, there was an open box on the table, and the red ribbon Teddy had been studying was hanging in James’ right hand.

“Ted, fuck, are you okay?! Did you burn yourself?”

“James,” Teddy carefully, slowly raised his hands, his posture cautious, eyes locked on the ribbon like it was an explosive. “Jamie. James. What did you do?”

“What?” James’ worry had faded to puzzlement. “Do?”

“That thing…”

“Oh, right, it was just sitting here-”

“James what have I fucking told you about touching shit in my house?”

James looked dumbfounded, morphing to a blend of irritation and panic, because Teddy never talked like that. “What are you going off for? It’s just some stupid ribbon!”

“That is an artifact from work, James, it’s dangerous!”

“Why’s it on your fucking coffee table?!”

“I was researching it to figure out what the bloody hell it was!”

“You don’t even know what it is?!”

“No, James, that’s why they gave it to me, to figure it the fuck out!”

“Well fuck, am I gonna fucking die?!”

“Why would I know that, you dumbass?!” Teddy took a sharp breath in, running his hands through his hair, staring at the ribbon hanging innocently between James’ fingers. “Okay don’t panic-”

“That’s exactly what you say to make people panic!”

“Can it! Let me think! Maybe you can just … just put it back, maybe it’s not as powerful as I thought. Maybe it’s just the box that’s magic infused and the ribbon is just… just a ribbon. Yea, this is fine, just don’t move, okay?”

Teddy shifted around, side stepping closer to the coffee table and reaching down to pick up the box, standing slowly as he lifted it.

“Okay, slowly, place it back onto the pillow.”

“Wait if the box is what’s magic should you be touching it?”

“We’re well past that, Jamie, just put it in the box.”

James inhaled shakily as he held his right wrist in his left hand like he was bracing against a spell, easing the ribbon down towards the box as Teddy raised the box up to meet him. They were both holding their breath, and when James had the last piece of the ribbon sitting in the box, they breathed a sigh of relief, looking at each other and laughing anxiously.

James cursed. “You prick, I really thought I might die for a minute there.”

Teddy laughed. “Actually I was worried about that too, but it seems everything is fine no-”

The universe didn’t even let Teddy finish before proving him wrong. The box in his hand seemed to burn, and he cursed as he released it, but when it fell and clattered against the coffee table, the ribbon hovered. It moved like it was possessed, both ends flinging out like it was a living thing. Teddy cursed colorfully in both English and Welsh as the strip of cloth that looked so silky smooth before wound around his wrist like a vice of course fraying rope that burned into his skin.

James was in the same boat, yelping as the ribbon wrapped itself around his left wrist and arm, winding tight around both of them like it was a Boa Constrictor, only letting up when they’d been yanked closer together. Then it stopped, but one pull at it told Teddy all he needed to know. They were stuck like this.

“Oh Merlin…”

“What?!” James yanked on his right arm, eyes wide and cheeks flush. “What happened?!”

“I don’t know, stop moving!” Teddy reached over with his right hand to stop James, flexing the fingers of his left hand that was bound to James’ right. “Shit, it’s not letting up.”

“Okay, I’m not freaked out by this or anything, but are we gonna die?”

“I… I don’t know. Just don’t panic.”

“No of course, why would anyone panic in this situation?”

“I told you to put it down, I have told you countless times that if you were going to visit, that you couldn’t just touch everything!”

“Well don’t just yell at me about it! How was I supposed to know?! It was a ribbon in a bloody box! I thought it was just a decoration!”

“James why in the name of Godric would I have a ribbon in a box decorating my bloody coffee table?!”

“You’re a weird guy, Teddy, I don’t know what you do in your free time, the oddities you might collect, maybe you like to display vintage ribbons, I’m not judging!”

“Would you shut up?!” Teddy snapped. “Just let me think!”

James listened, kept his lips tightly sealed as he glared anxiously at the ribbon around his wrist and arm. Teddy did his best to assess the situation, tugging at the material and sighing. Whatever this thing was, it had wrapped around his wrist before winding down his arm to his elbow. His left arm was now bound to James’ right, where he was in the same situation with the ribbon. It seemed magically stuck, it wouldn’t loosen or come away, even the ends that hung at their elbows wouldn’t peel up.

“Alright. There’s procedures we have to take when something like this happens,” Teddy explained, his right hand still holding the ends of the ribbon. “Come around the table, stand next to me so we aren’t leaning awkwardly towards each other.”

James shuffled on his feet to get around the table, standing shoulder to shoulder with Teddy and slowly sitting down together as Teddy continued to eye the stupid thing.

“Alright, are you in any pain?” James shook his head. “Is the material burning you or itching or-”

“There’s no pain, I can’t even feel it,” James insisted. “I just can’t move it.”

“Me either,” Teddy sighed, leaning back. James slumped back with him, unable to do much else, their arms hanging between them as they both stared dumbstruck at the wall.

Teddy could feel the back of his hand pressed against James, could feel the warmth of his skin, in fact it was almost too warm, but that probably was just him. Touching, being close to James like this, was something he tried to avoid. Teddy had a good handle on his self control for the most part, but he’d be lying if he said there weren’t moments he nearly grabbed James by the face and kissed him in front of everyone.

He could’ve been magically glued to anyone else and it would have been fine. Why did it have to be the one person he’d been crushing hard on since he was seventeen, left Hogwarts, and claimed he was going to be more famous a Quidditch player than his mum had been, with the air and confidence of a man who’d already won the World Cup?

“So what do we do?” James asked. “Got some scissors lying around this mess somewhere?”

“Jamie I really don’t think scissors are going to win this match.”

“Worth a shot.”

Teddy wanted to argue, but at this point what other choice did they have? Teddy knew next to nothing about this thing, so maybe all they had to do was snip it?

“They’re in the kitchen,” Teddy said, standing and hauling James up with him, stepping over the shattered porcelain tea cups. “Watch the cups.”

“Sorry about that tea.”

“There are more important things.”

The scissors didn’t work. In fact, when Teddy started to cut at the ribbon, the scent of burning metal overwhelmed them both, and he lifted the scissors up to reveal the ribbon had essentially eaten into and melted the blades.

“Scissors are a no go,” James muttered. “What about… wands?”

“You want me to try magically cutting this thing off? I could miss and cut you, or it could bounce off the ribbon-”

“Teddy what else are we supposed to do in this situation?!”

“Not freak out!” Teddy ran his hand through his hair again, then groaned. “Damn it. I’ve spent hours studying this stupid thing and I still haven’t got a clue what it is. We need to go back to the Ministry.”

“What for?”

“My boss might know more about this kind of thing. Magic infused cloth, and it… somehow is capable of binding people together. It doesn’t hurt, but it won’t let go. Merlin’s sake.”

“Dad’s gonna kill me,” James lamented, staring at the ribbon. “If I miss practice my captain’s gonna kill me too.”

Teddy could only sigh in silent agreement.

#end of the year wip game #jeddy #james sirius potter #teddy lupin #edward remus lupin #nico writes #nico answers anons #nico answers asks

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saintmachina · 5 years

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Reclaiming Our Attention from the Distortion Machine

This is a reprint of a guest post I wrote for the Fratres Dei blog. Be sure to pay some love forward and check out Rachel’s amazing blog about embodied spirituality and contemplation in the material world!

Social media is kind of my thing. I met my future spouse through Tumblr, I’m an author who promotes her work on Twitter, and, as some of you may know, I’m the digital communications manager for Fratres Dei Spiritual Direction & Ministries.

Thoroughly a product of the digital age, I’ve been privileged to witness the best social media has to offer. I’ve seen friendships forged, beautiful art created, valuable information exchanged, and online spaces for religious expression blossom. However, I’ve also lost weeks of my life to mindless scrolling, been “dragged” and “cancelled”, participated in unwarranted digital pile-ons I still regret, and woken up in a cold sweat from nightmares about being doxxed.

Sometimes, friends, the internet is bad.

At the start of 2019, I knew that something about my relationship to social media had to change. As an increasingly public figure, I was placing too much of my worth in my public persona. My attention was becoming more and more fragmented, and time on social media was the only “leisure” time I was allowing myself away from my day job and writing, even though I viewed social as just another form of work. I had no inner life I didn’t perform for the internet. My prayer life was nonexistent, because I couldn’t sit still that long, much less devote intentional time to something that didn’t have an immediate material benefit or reward.

But what do you do when the internet feels like an increasingly essential, increasingly centralized feature of the human experience, and if, as for many of us, being active on the web is part of your job?

Common sense advises moderation, but I’ve never been good at finding balance. As I started listening to podcasts about the effects of social media and reading Cal Newport’s phenomenal Digital Minimalism, I realized this isn’t a Sarah-specific compulsion. The majority of Americans have a disordered relationship with social media. Like a gaslighting lover, social demands a glance at our phones every spare moment, yet convinces us to consistently underestimate how many hours a day we devote to the tryst. And as we uncover more about how social media is configured to work on our brains the same way slot machines do, keeping eyes on screens for as many minutes as possible to turn the highest profits for companies, whether or not those minutes wreck our sense of self, warp our view of our political reality, or urge us to throw money down the drain on products we would never otherwise want…The straits get a bit more dire.

As this year’s Lenten season commenced, I felt that gentle nudge, that divine voice in the back of my head saying here’s your chance. A chance to pull the plug on social for forty days and re-set my inner schema. It wouldn’t be a total fast, since I do spend a handful of hours a week managing the Fratres Dei social, but there would be no more browsing, posting, or scrolling from my own accounts for the rest of Lent.

By and large, I’ve taken God up on the offer, and the results have been quietly astounding. First of all, the jittery fear of missing out (on what? Malicious gossip and highlight reel announcements of rivals’ successes and the thousandth click-bait headline heralding society’s demise?) faded in about a week. What followed was overwhelming relief that I didn’t have to care about it all. Human empathy is a divine gift, and social media constantly exhausts it. We swing wildly from outrage to apathy, which makes it hard for us to be attentive and compassionate towards the real needs that surround us. Secondly, I got time back I didn’t even know I had lost. I started finding hours to cook big, wholesome meals while listening to audiobooks, and since I didn’t have the illusion of connection from seeing friend’s Instagram posts all the time, I started calling them a lot more. But most of all, I got my focus back.

The fragmented attention created by the noise of social media is really no attention at all. Conversation with a friend, playing with a child, reading a book, and especially listening for the stirrings of God in our lives require real, sustained attention. Constantly flipping from platform to platform, or article to article, trains our brains to make only the most cursory skim of information. Re-training the brain takes time, but we can start by setting aside hours of our day where we leave our phones on the charger, whether we’re out for a run, meeting someone for coffee, or scribbling idea in a notebook. It’s only in these moments of receptivity that God can press in with soft revelations, interesting food for thought, or divine encouragement.

I observe both the church calendar and the wheel of the year, a cycle of seasonal holidays used by Wiccans and other earthy types. The wheel’s holidays usually involve baking, candle-lighting, handicraft, and other things I love to do but never seem to have time for. But when the spring equinox rolled around during Lent, I suddenly had the time, and without the pressure to post aesthetically pleasing pictures and a description of my practice online for the edification of the masses, I didn’t experience the usual sense of poor planning or inadequacy. So, I pulled out the yellow candles, put a bit of soda bread and calendula tea out on my altar, and said some prayers praising God for light, and for new life. The ritual existed for no one except me and God, and that, I found, was empowering. For the first time in a long time I didn’t worry about how I looked or if I was doing “enough”. I just followed my intuition and listened for God.

Like chocolate, long naps, sex, and whisky sours, social media is good, if used in intentional moderation that doesn’t throw off the balance of the rest of our lives. It should be a tool that we use, not a corporate-run outrage machine that uses us for clicks and buys. Philippians calls the faithful to turn their thoughts towards “whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable”. Personally, I find that hard to do when I spend hours a day being fed an inane stream of war crime, advertisement, callout post, wedding pictures, advertisement, human rights violation, cat picture, bad faith political meme, advertisement through my smart phone.

Now, I haven’t jumped off the social media bandwagon entirely. In a move I hope my audience will find charmingly meta I’m currently denouncing social media in a social media post, after all. But for now, I’m enjoying being time-rich and having the space to simply notice my emotions, my relationship to space, and my own breath. I’ve been noticing God a lot more too, not because God wasn’t there when I was scrolling or posting, but simply because I was too tapped in to digital white noise to notice.

Yearning to take better notice of the divine already in your midst? Learn to listen with a spiritual direction session with Fratres Dei.

#social media #digital minimalism #wheel of the year #christianity #creator identidy #parasocial relationships #episcopalian #catholic #digital marketing #religion #spirituality #contemplation #minimalism

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everlarkficexchange · 6 years

Text

Real Love

Written by: @geekymoviemom

Prompt 21: Day 1 of Peeta as a Daddy [submitted by anonymous]

A/N: A huge thank-you to @javistg and @xerxia31 for organizing the exchange! The banner was made from an edit done by @dandelion–sunset. :)

This story is set in my Practice Run universe, and can serve as an epilogue to that story. :)

Rating: T

Warnings: Mentions of childbirth and breastfeeding.

I lean my head back against the headboard of our bed, cradling my brand new daughter against my bare chest as Katniss dozes on the pillow next to me. Our midwife, Rachel, told us that skin-to-skin contact was the best way to keep Willow warm in these initial hours following birth, so besides the soft blanket draped over her back, she’s clad in only a diaper and a knit hat as she snoozes on me, her tiny hand clinging tightly to the hair between my pectorals.

Cupping Willow’s bottom in one hand, I carefully reach my other hand to brush Katniss’s hair out of her eyes, smiling when she unconsciously leans into my touch. Watching her give birth to our daughter earlier today, on Resurrection Sunday no less, was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Even Rachel, who’s been witness to almost one hundred births in her career as a homebirth midwife, told me how impressed she was by Katniss’s strength and determination, especially for a first-time mom. During the entire five-hour labor, there was only one time when I saw fear in Katniss’s grey eyes. Only one time where she said she just couldn’t take it anymore. Where the pain was just too much for her to handle. I’ve never felt so helpless in my entire life. It nearly tore my heart right out of my chest to see my wife in such agony and be unable to do anything to help her. But it was only about thirty seconds later when Rachel told her it was time to start pushing. And thankfully, by the grace of God, it only took five pushes before Willow was born.

Our perfect baby girl, with Katniss’s hair and my eyes. Willow Grace Mellark.

It’s nearly midnight now. Willow is about six hours old. Through the window on the opposite wall, I can see the lake reflecting the light from the stars and the waning moon. The water is calm and peaceful, the perfect mirror image of my home on this Easter night.

I know I should try and get some sleep. “Sleep when the baby sleeps,” is the advice Katniss and I received from just about everyone we came across in the last few months, both at church and around our small town of Starbuck, Minnesota. But strangely enough, after the events of the day I don’t feel tired at all. I only want to sit here, holding my precious baby and sniffing her tiny head. I want to listen to every single squeak that she makes. I want to feel the rise and fall of her little chest against my own. I want to soak in all in, for as long as I’m able to before she wakes up hungry and I have to give her back to her mommy.

This is my daughter.

I’m a daddy.

Thank you, Jesus.

XXXX

The very small but very strong yank on my chest hair is what startles me awake. I blink a few times, squinting to look at the clock. It’s nearly 2am already, and Willow is starting to stir, sucking on her tiny fist. I guess I was able to doze off after all.

Rubbing at the crick in my neck, I look down at my sleeping wife, reluctant to wake her but knowing it’s best to catch Willow before she gets too frantically hungry, and therefore more difficult to get latched on properly. Rachel taught us the newborn hunger cues at one of our last prenatal visits, and so far we’ve been able to avoid making Willow too upset to feed well. I’d like to continue that streak.

“Katniss,” I whisper, gently shaking her shoulder. “Wake up, my love.”

Katniss’s eyes flutter open, and she brings her arms up over her head to stretch. “Mmm. Is she hungry?”

“She’s trying to eat her hand, so I’d say yeah,” I reply. Holding Willow’s head under my chin, I reach my free hand under Katniss’s arm, helping her sit up and tucking an extra pillow behind her head. Rachel recommended that Katniss stay in the bed as much as possible for the next two days and allow me to spoil her, and I fully intend to follow through with those instructions.

Handing Katniss the baby, I watch in awe as she lifts up her pajama shirt and latches her onto her breast. I chuckle as Willow’s tiny hands splay out to hold onto the breast as she suckles. “I think she knows what she likes,” I say to Katniss.

“Of course she does,” Katniss says, running her fingertip along Willow’s tiny cheek. “She’s my daughter.”

I lean in to kiss Katniss’s forehead. “And what would you like to eat, Momma?”

Her beautiful grey eyes lock with mine as she gives me a tired smile. “A cheese bun. No, two of them. And some water, please.”

I peck her forehead again. “You got it.”

Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I slip on my t-shirt as I get to my feet, limping slightly as I walk out of the bedroom and into the kitchen of our small home. I’m not used to wearing my prosthesis this late at night, or while I’m sleeping, and my left leg is a bit sore.

While I wait for the cheese buns to heat up, I look through the open kitchen to the living room, my eyes falling on the now-empty birthing pool where our daughter was born just a few hours ago. I run my hand through my hair as I recall the exact moment that Willow was born, and how I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her. With the kind of household that I grew up in, and the constant questioning of whether or not my own mother even loved me, it was a huge weight off my shoulders. As much as I hate to admit it, I am my mother’s son. And it would absolutely devastate me to ever have Willow be unsure of our love for her.

The microwave beeps, startling me out of my reverie. I pull out the plate of warm cheese buns, then grab a water bottle from the fridge, turning off the kitchen light with my elbow as I make my way back to the bedroom just in time to see Katniss switching Willow to the other breast.

“Here you go, love,” I say as I set the plate down on the bedside table. I twist the cap off the water bottle and hand it to Katniss, watching with wide eyes as she downs over half of it in several large gulps before handing it back to me and reaching for a cheese bun.

“Rachel said that nursing makes you extra thirsty,” Katniss says, taking a big bite of the cheese bun. “If it’s this bad already, it’s going to be ridiculous once my milk actually comes in.”

“I’ll go to the store and get more if we need it,” I tell her, smoothing back her hair. “I’ll get you whatever you want, you just say the word.”

“Joseph and Katherine said they’d be bringing us some groceries on Tuesday,” she replies. “And Rachel said she’d bring food when she comes to check on us tomorrow morning. We’ll be okay.”

Joseph Everdeen is my boss, and the Head Pastor at Central Minnesota Community Church, where I lead the Alive Teen Ministry. He’s also Katniss’s distant cousin, which we discovered when we came here to Lake Minnewaska on our honeymoon almost three years ago. In that time, I’ve become closer to them and their family than I ever was to my own. In fact, just earlier this evening, after I texted Joseph to announce Willow’s birth, he replied with a link to a website where members of our church family had signed up to bring us daily meals for the next three weeks. I only hope we have enough freezer space for all of the leftovers. People definitely enjoy showing their love up here in Minnesota through food and hospitality.

“She’s done eating, Peeta,” Katniss whispers a few minutes later. “And I need to pee.”

“Let me help you!” I exclaim, probably a little too loudly when Katniss winces. “Rachel said you shouldn’t be doing much of anything on your own for at least a couple of days, Katniss.” I gently take Willow from her, propping her up against my shoulder with one arm. “Let me help you.”

Katniss scowls, but sits tight while I make my way to the other side of the bed, offering her my free arm to help her stand. She sways a little once she gets to her feet, shooting me a contrite look as we step towards the small bathroom a few feet away. Willow turns her head as I stand near the door, burying her tiny nose into my neck, her little hands kneading the fabric of my t-shirt. As Katniss finishes up and we head back towards the bed, I hear a tiny belch in my ear and chuckle.

“That’s my girl. Already burping like a true Mellark.”

“She needs her diaper changed,” Katniss says, crawling back into the bed. She stuffs the remaining half of a cheese bun into her mouth and hands me the diaper, which is smaller than my hand. “Do you want to try it?”

“Absolutely,” I whisper.

Carefully cupping Willow’s head, I lay her down on the bed in front of me. With her constantly kicking and wiggling legs, it takes me a good five minutes to get her wet diaper off and the fresh one fastened, but when it doesn’t fall off of her after I pick her back up, I consider it a success.

With her tummy full and a dry bottom, Willow is now wide awake, her blue eyes bright in the dim light of the bedroom. “Go back to sleep,” I tell Katniss. “I’ll stay up with her.”

“You need sleep too, Peeta,” Katniss protests, even as she lays back down. “I’m feeling okay—“

“I had a short nap,” I say. “I’m fine. You need to sleep.”

“Mmm,” Katniss grumbles. “Your leg’s gonna be sore in the morning.”

I bring the blankets up over Katniss’s shoulder and tuck a stay hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry about me. You just get as much rest as you can. You worked hard today.”

Yawning, Katniss nods. “All right. Just make sure she stays warm.”

“I will. I’ll put her in that outfit that Annie sent us and wrap her up in her blanket.” I lean down to give Katniss a kiss. “Sleep now, love.”

“Don’t walk around too much,” Katniss mumbles as I reach the doorway. “Your leg… “

If getting Willow diapered was difficult with all of her wiggling, getting her wrangled into clothing is even more interesting. Once I finally get the last snap fastened I lean back onto the couch, propping my knees up and laying her against my legs. I watch in awe as her blue eyes flit around the living room before landing on my face.

“That’s right, tiny girl,” I whisper. “I’m your daddy. And I love you, and I’m gonna tell you that every single day of your life, so you never have to wonder. Okay?”

Willow gives a hard kick, which I take as a favorable response.

“You are a gift from God,” I continue. “The most perfect kind of gift. And the cool thing is, He loves you too. Even more than I do, which I have to admit is pretty hard to believe.” Willow’s small hand wraps around my index finger, holding it tight as she digs her little heels into my stomach, and I squeeze my eyes closed at the onslaught of tears threatening to leak from my eyes.

I always knew that I wanted a family with Katniss, in that vague, nonspecific way that I’m sure a lot of guys do when they meet the love of their lives. I started dreaming about what our future children would look like almost as soon as we got back together four years ago, at the TobyMac concert. That’s one reason why it was such a shock that the first emotion I felt when Katniss told me she was pregnant, was fear.

Of course, the fact that I’d just been offered an interview for my dream job an hour earlier might’ve had something to do with it. And the fact that this job was halfway across the country, which meant we would have to leave our home, our jobs, and our church and move to a place I’d never, ever once dreamed of living. But deep down I knew that wasn’t the main reason why I was afraid.

I was scared I’d be a lousy father.

Katniss and I talked a bit about this stuff during our premarital counseling back at Mountainside Church, both with Pastor Dale and with Finnick and Annie. But I was always too afraid to admit in front of them just how deeply my fears went. Especially since Katniss herself was frightened as well. It hadn’t been all that long since she’d told me she wasn’t sure if she ever wanted children, after what happened to her family. She’d lost so many people that she’d loved, she wasn’t sure if she could handle opening her heart to having a family, out of fear of losing them.

And then, with the whirlwind of interviewing for my job, moving, and purchasing our home, for a long time I simply didn’t have a good opportunity to face these fears that were roiling around, deep in my gut.

It wasn’t until Joseph caught me yelling at my computer screen at work one afternoon that I was able to talk through some of them. I was trying to write my sermon message for the week after Easter, and the words were simply refusing to flow. Katniss’s due date was rapidly approaching, we had passed all the childbirth classes, the car seat was installed in the car, and all the supplies were purchased and being prepped. And yet, I found myself almost dreading the impending birth.

Poking his head into my office, Joseph asked if he could help me with something, and to my surprise I broke down, right there in front of him, and confessed that I was terrified of my own unborn child.

Being the wonderful Pastor and mentor that he is, Joseph simply listened to me, without interruption, until I talked myself out. I told him about my family life growing up, how I never felt loved by my mother, how she told me she’d always wanted a daughter and instead got stuck with me. How she basically disowned me after I told my parents I was going to attend Bible College. How I knew that I wasn’t my mother, but still afraid that I would somehow turn out like her.

And, not surprisingly, once I was done, instead of offering me advice, Joseph told me to close my computer, shut my office door, get down on my knees, and talk to God.

So I did.

And three hours later, with sore knees and a stiff back, I stood back up. My conversation with God had ranged from ranting to talking to asking to begging during the course of those three hours, but as I drove home afterwards, I realized that a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. And the next day, when Joseph asked me how I was doing, I was able to tell him without hesitation, that I was much, much better.

Because I couldn’t change the fact that my mother had desperately wanted a daughter and had another son instead. I couldn’t change the fact that she took her frustrations out on me, and my father did little to stop her. I couldn’t change the fact that while I forgave her for all of that, it didn’t mean that I wanted a close relationship with her now that I was an adult.

But I could choose to be different. I could choose to be better. I could choose to be the kind of father to my children that I wished I had.

And with the Lord’s help, that’s what I’m going to be.

“I love you, baby girl,” I whisper to my daughter. She taps the finger she’s holding against her cheek. “Yes, that’s right. You’re my baby girl, and I love you. And your Mommy loves you, and everyone at church is gonna love you.” I lean forward, pressing a kiss to her tiny forehead. “And I promise, that you will never have to wonder about it. Not ever.”

Willow yawns, arching her back, smacking her lips together once she’s done. Her eyelids are starting to droop and her frenetic movements are starting to slow down. It must be time to sleep again.

“Let’s go back in by Momma now, okay?” I whisper, chuckling when Willow yawns again in response. I limp back into the bedroom and climb back onto the bed, careful to avoid jostling Katniss awake. She stirs anyway as I settle in, reaching for me in her sleep, burrowing closer to my side as I unsnap the front of Willow’s outfit and pull my t-shirt up so she’s lying against my bare chest, regulating her body temperature. I adjust the blanket across her back and lean against my pillows, closing my eyes as one final thought flits across my consciousness.

This, right here, is real love.

XXXX

“You want to do what?” I ask Katniss as she takes a freshly diapered Willow from me, positioning the baby to nurse. I can hear Rachel moving around in the kitchen and living room, setting out our breakfast and packing up the birthing supplies that she didn’t get to yesterday, so I know I’m not still asleep. But there’s no way I could have heard Katniss correctly just now.

“I want to join the worship team,” she repeats. She looks up at me through narrowed eyes. “What. I thought you’d be happy.”

A huge smile splits my face. I guess I really did hear her correctly. “Are you kidding me? I’m ecstatic! I just never thought that you’d… I mean… what made you decide on this?”

Katniss looks down at the newborn cradled against her breast and presses her lips together. “Yesterday, while I was in labor. During the transition part, where I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, I made a deal with God. I told Him that if He got me through the rest of the labor, that I would join the worship team when Willow got a bit older. As a thank you.” She brings Willow’s tiny hand to her lips, her grey eyes shimmering with tears. “The Lord held up His end of the bargain, so now it’s my turn.”

My chin starts to quiver, and I shake my head in disbelief. I’ve dreamt of a day where the rest of our church could see how beautiful Katniss is when she sings, where they could be as mesmerised by her enchanting voice as I am. But she was always adamant that she didn’t like singing in front of strangers. She always said she only sang for people she loved. I never in a thousand lifetimes thought she would willingly change her mind.

“Katniss, you know that’s not how—“

“Yes, I know that’s not how God works,” she interrupts. “But it’s how I work. And you know I don’t like owing anyone.” She looks back down at the baby. “I want her to see that her Momma’s not afraid to face her fears.”

I reach over and cup her cheek, turning her head to look at me. “You’re sure about this?”

She nods, kissing my palm. “Yes. I’m going to talk to Cinna about it the next time I see him. I know they practice one evening a week, so you’d have to make sure you could watch Willow while I’m practicing. And I’m not going to start until she’s at least a few months old. But I am gonna do this, Peeta. I made a promise.”

I choke back a sob as a tear rolls down my cheek. “You have such an amazing gift, Katniss. People aren’t going to know what hit them when they hear you sing.”

“You’ll be there to watch me the first few times, right?” she asks in a small voice.

“I’ll be there every time,” I say, bringing my other hand to pat Willow’s head. “We both will.”

Katniss smiles, leaning in for a kiss. “Thank you.”

Our attempt at a second kiss is interrupted by a loud knock on the door. “Are you ready for a shower before you eat, Katniss?” Rachel calls.

“Come on in, Rachel,” Katniss replies, winking at me as she hands me the baby. “I’m ready.”

The door swings open as the compact, grey-haired midwife enters the room. “Good morning, Peeta,” Rachel says as Willow and I slide off the bed. “How was your first night as a daddy?”

I hike Willow up onto my shoulder, patting her gently on the back and grinning when she rewards me with a loud burp. “It was glorious.”

Rachel gives us a huge grin. “Aww, aren’t you two the picture of happiness this morning! I love it when the daddies are able to bond with their little ones right away. Now, go out there and eat your breakfast while it’s hot.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

There’s a brand-new little bouncy seat set up next to the couch, a baby gift sent to us from Delly and Thom. After I get Willow strapped into the seat I head to the kitchen, filling a plate with the delicious food that Rachel brought before returning to the living room to sit on the floor next to my daughter.

“Your Mommy has made me so happy today,” I say to Willow around a mouthful of fried potatoes. “And it’s all your doing, baby girl.” I grab onto her foot, pressing her bootied toes to my lips. “You’re not even a day old yet, and you’re already changing our lives for the better.”

XXXX

Six months later.

“Oohh, I don’t know if I can do this,” Katniss says, slumping into a chair behind the main auditorium stage. It’s five minutes prior to the start of the first morning service of the weekend. “I don’t think I’m ready yet, Peeta. There’s too many people out there!”

Hiking Willow up onto my hip, I crouch down to look at her. “Yes, you are, Katniss. You are ready. You’ve been practicing for four months now, and you’ve been leading worship at the Alive services for a month already. This is no different from that.”

“But there’s twice as many people here, Peeta!” she cries. “And the teens don’t listen as closely anyway.”

“Yes, they do,” I say firmly. I cup her cheek in my free hand, urging her to look at me. “You don’t know the effect you have on people, Katniss. Your voice is captivating. I hear all the kids talking about how good you are, and these adults will be no different.”

“But—“

“Cinna thinks you’re ready,” I interrupt. “And I know you’re ready. You’re going to be wonderful, Katniss. And Willow and I will be in the front row, cheering you on.”

Biting her bottom lip, Katniss finally nods, her grey eyes falling on our daughter. ��You brought her headphones, right? This auditorium is louder than the smaller one.”

“Yes. They’re in my coat pocket.” I press my lips to Katniss’s forehead. “Willow’s going to be fine, love. She’s with me.”

A huge smile breaks over Katniss’s beautiful face. “Of course she’ll be fine if she’s with you.” She holds her arms out. “Let me give her a hug though.”

Handing Willow to her mother, I get to my feet, pulling both of my girls into a big hug. “You’ve got this, Katniss. If it helps, just pretend you’re singing to only Willow and me. Okay?”

Katniss nuzzles Willow’s chubby cheek, laughing as the baby lets out a giggle. “I love you, sweet girl. And I love you, too,” she adds as she reaches her hand around my neck, pulling me down for a kiss. “Thank you.”

“Everything okay, Katniss,” Cinna asks, poking his head in through the curtain. “It’s time to take the stage.”

“Yes,” Katniss says, smiling up at me. “Everything’s fine.”

With a final kiss, Willow and I head down the stairs and into the auditorium, taking our seat in the front row. I slip the bright pink, noise-reducing headphones over Willow’s little ears just as the band takes the stage. Willow spots Katniss right away, letting out an adorable squeal as she claps excitedly.

“That’s right, Willow,” I say. “That’s your Mommy up here on that stage. And she’s gonna sing for us.”

Willow stills as the lights dim around us, looking around with her wide blue eyes as keyboard chords fill the auditorium. On the stage Katniss steps forward, microphone in hand, and looks straight down at the two of us as she begins to sing.

Staring into Your eyes Makes my heart come alive Suddenly brought to life When I met You

Reaching beyond the skies Running deep, stretching wide Perfect love realized Here with You

Cinna’s lower, gravelly voice takes over for the second part of the verse, but Katniss’s eyes don’t waver from Willow and me for a second.

Yeah this love is for real You will never let go Never let go, oh And it’s more than just words Love beyond my control Out of control

Heads up!

I can see our church family singing along, enthralled by Katniss’s enchanting voice. Willow bounces happily in my arms as Katniss and Cinna’s voices combine beautifully for the chorus.

This is real love This is real love

Oh, this is real love This is real love

As the song draws to an end, I wink at Katniss, smiling so wide that my cheeks hurt. All around us, people are bursting into applause for my beautiful wife and her beautiful voice. I squeeze my baby girl closer to me, sighing in happiness as Willow lays her little head against my chest and grabs a handful of my shirt, absolutely secure in her daddy’s love even at only six months old.

This truly is real love.

Thank you, Jesus.

Song Reference:

Real Love by Hillsong Young and Free

#Springtime Edition 2018 #geekymoviemom #prompt 21 #submission

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acciopolitics · 5 years

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410: The Politics of Expectation (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 10)

Oh, so you thought you were only going to get one episode this week? No, dear listener, you're getting TWO! Sequoia Thomas (@sassquoia) from Fanatical Fics and Where to Find Them (@fanaticalfics) joins me in talking about expectation in this chapter.

We tackle all the important questions:

Why does Percy Weasley suck more than usual, and why is he the human spam mailbox?

Why is Arthur Weasley working around the clock?

What would we do with time-turners (spoiler alert: NAPS)?

Could Fred and George hack it at the Ministry of Magic (LOL)?

Why do Gryffindors assume everyone else on the face of the Earth is a Gryffindor (spoiler alert: HUBRIS)?

Support the podcast and get some awesome rewards: www.patreon.com/acciopolitics.

Find us online:

www.patreon.com/acciopolitics

www.acciopolitics.com

Twitter: @acciopolitics

Instagram: @acciopolitics

Facebook: www.facebook.com/acciopolitics

Leave a voicemail: 915-996-1699

Our theme and transition music was written and recorded by the very talented Kayla Sluka. In addition to being an amazing composer, she is a fantastic photographer. You can find her at www.treasuredroots.com.

Contact the show: [email protected]

Check out this episode!

#harrypotter #harry potter podcast #podcast #politics #culture #potterhead #jk rowling #harry potter #books #children's literature #analysis

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spikeyandspeedles-blog · 7 years

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Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 🍂

Hi all! Speedles here again :) K wanted to write a post (she said she had nothing better to do, lols), so here it is! P.S. Please don't tell her if you like my posts better than hers ;)

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[This was written during the last week of October. I hadn't had time to finish it until this week, and even though this is the October update, the topic happened to be quite Thanksgiving-y ^-^ So: HAPPY THANKSGIVING from the Hwangs!]

I'm currently sitting in bed with the lights off, writing a blog post. In bed, because I got cold. With the lights off, because I'm trying to save energy and/or I'm too lazy to get out of bed and turn them on. Probably both. Writing a blog post, because the internet is down and I therefore 1) can't send the emails I was going to send, 2) can't make dinner (recipes online), and 3) can't communicate with Daniel to ask why the internet is down because I haven't re-charged my data plan yet. Whew. Now we all know what's up.

What else is up? The sky, yes. But you know what ELSE is up?!?! FALL BREAK IS UP!!!! That's right, peeps: fall break is happening in T-minus five hours, which is a pretty spectacular fact as far as the Hwang household is concerned. The last thing that happens to be up is that this blog has been pretty un-informative as of late, so I'm trying to change that. October went by faster than probably any other month on current memory. I remember that at some point September sorta morphed its way into slightly cooler days and darker evenings, but by the time I actually checked the date it was already the 17th. Then I checked the date again and it was the 26th. And tomorrow, the 27th, is the first day of our very own week of break. We're pretty excited.

School has been a whirlwind, but of the fun, crazy, learn-a-ton sort. The program continues to be a perfect fit for D, which means he's loving the classes, loving the work, and always has lots to talk about with his professors and fellow classmates. However, he also has LOTS of homework. Our current schedule involves working until 3am most nights and then sleeping until 9am, possibly with some naps thrown in later on. I'm grateful to have lots of personal-project work as well as real (!) work to do, so we can hang out by working in the same room… just like college :P

I'm always amazed and humbled by God's provision for us over the past 2.5 years--it's a bit like one's birthday every week, seeing what sorts of things He'll bring along that you hadn't planned for. In the case of these last few months, we have been given a flat, jobs for both of us, food, health, safety, friends, spiritual encouragement, and gifts from some of you on top of that!

FLAT (D is still working on his blog post… but until then…)

The other day, D was commenting on the fact that God has been teaching us about the insignificance of our own work. Not, of course, in many ways, but specifically in relation to His work in our lives, whether that be salvation or finding us a place to live. We had asked Him for a flat, and had put in hours of emailing agencies and visiting possible places, but nothing panned out. When He brought us this current place, it was by no work of our own; instead, someone else had already done the calling, visiting, and talking with agents. Our flat is "practically perfect in every way": lots of space, a private bathroom for us, a sunny screened balcony, a big dining/entertaining area (including a ten-person set of china--plates, bowls, teacups, the whole nine yards), a kitchen with lots of counter space, and tons of storage in each room.

FINANCIAL PROVISION

Even when it seems impossible, God has always given us the money we need to pay bills, eat, and buy toilet paper each month. Most recently, we have been incredibly blessed by the generous gifts of family and friends, and are so grateful to receive that love.

Also: we got jobs! In October, D was contracted by a producer he works for regularly to write string arrangements for a Matt Papa album. It was a pretty crazy few days with very little sleep, but worth it. As for me, the tutoring company I was accepted at in September finally had some students for me, so I've been helping them with English reading, writing, and speaking for a few hours every week. However, because the job pays very well, I am able to spend the rest of my time keeping the house clean and making food… which takes a while, especially when you're trying to save money and therefore make like EVERYTHING from scratch :P Also when you don't have any small kitchen appliances and the oven only has a top element (this is a thing in Spain--I have no idea why?).

FOOD

Our working food budget is very small. It's a fun challenge (D might not be as quick to say so :P), but also discouraging at times. More than ever, we strive to faithfully live out Jesus' instructions to "not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink." And just in this past month, He has provided food for us in a multitude of ways: through gifts from family, through dinners hosted by friends, through our flatmates' leftovers, through good sales at the market, and through recipes that make a little go a long way.

HEALTH and SAFETY

We walk or ride the city bikes everywhere. It's great exercise, and so working out and commuting just happen at the same time, which is super. Despite all the pedestrians, cars, Vespas, motorcycles, and other cyclists, we have been protected from injury while commuting and otherwise traveling around the city. We have also been kept from sickness, despite a cold apartment, little sleep, and sick friends.

FRIENDS

First, HUGE shout-out to our family and friends from the States who Skype, chat, email and pray for us so often. Our stay here really would be impossible without your love and encouragement. Despite the time differences, we've been able to Skype friends often, and keep up with the goings-on in both our families. God has also provided us with good friends here in Valencia: at church, at En Vivo (the independent campus ministry), and at school. We also have two wonderful Christian flatmates who are interning at En Vivo until the end of December, as well as a Filipino friend from church who stays with us on the weekends.

SPIRITUAL ENCOURAGEMENT

We continue to be blessed by the ministry of our church, through the Word preached and through the community of fellow believers. Neither of us had the experience of finding and becoming part of a church in a totally new place before, but we have definitely seen how our Father brings His children together despite differences of culture, language, and worship style. It makes me excited for the total understanding and harmony that will exist in our collective adoration of Christ in heaven! I've also really enjoyed listening to sermons from our home church in Montana (Lolo Community for anyone interested; all the sermons are online) when I'm working by myself in the house.

We are thankful for these many and bountiful blessings from our Father, and thankful for you who exhibit and channel His love to us! I'm also especially thankful today (and during our time here) for His Word, which is CRAZY COOL you guys :D It is truly life-giving, so read it read it read it :D

Hehe OK, signing off for now; it'll be time to write the November update soon! O.o

With love,

Katherine and Daniel (and Spikey and Speedles)

#happy thanksgiving #valencia #almostdecember #finallyanotherblogpost #Christmasmusictime!

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sarahsadventuresineurope-blog · 7 years

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5/22/2017

wow i suck and i have so much to catch up on...

so some cool things

- india’s host mom works at rathaus schonenburg which is where jfk gave his famous ich bin ein berliner speech, so we got to tour that and stand on the balcony where he spoke

- the day after i wrote, 4/9 was the hertha vs. ausburg soccer game. went with chandler, jessy, amelia, grant and paul. it was fun! got drunk and watched the game

- sometime that weekend we went to afrohaus and chandler lost her phone that night :(

the next weekend was dublin, the last trip we did together as a group. we flew thursday night at like 10pm and arrived at the hostel past midnight. it was a 22 person hostel so we just went straight to bed. the next day we just walked around and explored dublin, like the dublin castle and the trinity college library. that night we went to the dog races since it was good friday and they dont sell alcohol in the city. it was a shit show, we all got plastered and found out the dogs werent even actually racing there lol. jessy got cat called by some man and we talked with this syrian security guard who said he liked trump which was weird. i had a weird breakdown that night about being insecure about being asian with all my white friends and not being pretty like them/being started at/being made fun of or whatever lololol. after we went back to the hostel and amelia had her shitshow of throwing up everywhere and on chandlers backpack/passport. she didnt remember the next day lol. the next day we did the guiness tour, that was really cool. after we went to this really good irish pub for lunch and i had irish beef stew and it was so good. we went out that night to bars in temple bar and that was so so fun! so many good live performers and good drinks. the next day was our last day, we just had a good irish breakfast, then some dessert, then took a bus to the airport.

- got a tour of the finance ministry, which is a nazi built building in my architecture class

- saw the north korean embassy lol

the next trip was the excusrsion! frankfurt and prague. we took a train to frankfurt and when we got there we took a nap hahah then we got up and had dinner at this thai restaurant. it was actually pretty good, first time having thai food in germany. after, we went to this craft beer place called naaiv, turned out to be one of my fave places ever!!

the next day we went on a tour of the city, it was very lame lol. we had chipotle for lunch which was so nice to have after so long without it. the rest of the day was a blur because we did lame things bc frankfurt is lame lol. i think we went out to this ratchet club that night, and it was just very ratchet haha. first we went to the bars and that was like a cool area but it was really ratchet and like super cheap and trashy guys lol. the next day we went to heidelburg, a cute town nearby. we walked around the cute downtown, then went up to the castle and just hung out there and took pics and stuff. after we went back and didnt do much again. the next day was the european central bank. this i was excited for because i thought it would be a cool tour, but nope we just got talked at about economic policy for two hours lol. after we went shopping for a couple hours so that was cool. had a good lunch/dinner at this fit food place haha. then went back and napped more. for dinner we went to this sushi place and it was pretty good. then we went back to naaiv to have a couple last beers bc it was our last night in frankfurt. it was nice bonding with diane and marie and lily that night (besides that i hate lily glynn lol)

the next day we took the train to prague. got there, got settled in, rested, ate dinner at the hotel, then went out to the ruins bar. that was sooooo sooo cool! there was a bit of drama but we didnt let that ruin our experience. the next day was another city tour but it was sad and rainy and a shitty tour. we went to a bunch of jewish things - synagogues, funerals. after we got daaaaaank pasta for lunch that mikayla recommended. it was actually amazing haha. next we went to the prague castle which had a really cool cathedral. that night we hit up a couple bars then went out with ethan’s friends who were studying in prague to this place called retro music hall. it was absolute trash ahahha like american study abroad students just being fucked up. the next day we got up and went to the charles bridge, then to the john lennon wall. after we went and got czech food, then we went to this tour with the program to these underground cave things under the old city hall with the famous clock. that night we went to the famous 5 story club and it sucked besides the hot check coat guy lol. the music sucked besides the “chill” floor which was kinda like berlin techno. oh before, we stumbled upon this weird czech bar and we ordered drinks and there was this creepy fucked up old man trying to talk to us and then a loud group of guys hitting a raw chicken on the table LOLOL. so weird. anyways, david was really weird and mean that night and it stemmed my annoyance of him to this day of not wanting to talk to him lol. the next day we took a bus to this castle an hour away, i was so so so hungover lol. after, we had the jazz boat tour. then we took the overnight bus to budapest after the boat tour. that was prague!

okay next is budapest! arrived at like 7am, got really fucking high for the bus ride before it and i was like lowkey freaking out bc i was so high haha. but got there okay, didn’t sleep well bc the roads sucked. got eggs benedict for breakfast, then walked around the city. hiked up this hill to these statues, walked down to this cool government building, went to the hostel to nap, went out to dinner then to a bar, then to a club. next day we went to the baths, then on the beer biking tour. after we stumbled upon this market and ate some good hungarian food. after we went to the 360 bar to watch the sunset and it was so pretty. after that we went back to the hostel area and got dinner then went back to the hostel and slept. i threw up when i got back lol i was quite drunk. next morning woke up to get an early flight back to berlin!

may day! got ready, went to tino’s to pregame, left tinos, got burgermeister and just went to goilitzer.

CONT. later lol

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