#couple Massage in green park

[rainbowspaaa]

Revitalize Yourself: Experience the Best Neck & Shoulder Massage

A therapeutic healing system that can promote wellness is the real reserve of health. It offers the holistic healing, physical well-being, mental well-being while relaxing the senses to a great extent. To be specific, massage has the power to unlock all the knots that interrupt mobility, flexibility and affect the smooth balance of life. Particularly, when the neck & shoulder massage are being discussed, it is blend of manipulation of muscles, stretching and the use of therapeutic measures to offer absolute relief from pain or stiffness. In order to experience the benefits of best spa in Defence Colony, understanding the art of peace and well-being combined with the luxurious massage is important. 

Hence, without any further delay, let’s touch upon the therapeutic effects of massage that soothe neck & shoulder by manipulation of soft tissues, muscles, ligaments, tendons and the other connective tissues. Shoulders store stress and become stiff further causing discomfort, thus, massage acts as the ultimate healing solution. While promoting relaxation, the shoulder massage ensures well-being. As a part of this therapeutic session, the stiffness, soreness, and restricted motion are addressed by the massage specialist. In fact, tendons, joints and all the muscles of neck and shoulder that have limited mobility are focused on during the massage session. 

Benefits of neck & shoulder massage 

Prior to getting familiar with the best neck & shoulder massage, let’s explore its health benefits: 

Improved circulation 

With the help of shoulder & neck massage, the blood circulation gets boosted. Additionally, the muscles stress gets reduced and the improved circulation plays a vital role in supplying oxygen & essential nutrients to the various tissues. Hence, the physical health is restored along with the pain relief.

Enhanced range of motion 

In order to experience the flexibility in the shoulder & neck movement, you must attend the regular sessions of shoulder & neck massage. On the other hand, it should be known that the best spa in Defence Colony ensures the chances of injury gets reduced after the massage and its posture correction therapies are beneficial for a healthy lifestyle.

Tension and stress are released after the massage 

Due to the improved blood circulation, endorphins get released further offering stress-relief and relaxation. With the release of feel-good chemicals, the tension in the neck & shoulder gets reduced, thereby, pain relief can be experienced. 

If you are looking for the best neck & shoulder massage, then, deep tissue massage, Ayurvedic massage, signature massage and the other options can be explored at Rainbow Spa, the reputable spa in Delhi. 

[m-jelly]

My lovely passenger princess.

Levi had plenty of money as the CEO of a tea, coffee and biscuit company. He could pay for everything and a lot more. After becoming a couple and getting engaged, the talk of possibly leaving your job so you could spend more time together came up. However, it resulted in Levi buying you a little shop where you sold plushies, noodles and snacks.

Your shop was your pride and joy. You loved the little area where people could make their noodles, eat and drink something nice too. Your place was like a cute version of a Japanese or Korean convenience store. It was only part-time for you because you wanted to do some hobbies and your staff were amazing, so the store was perfect.

Levi always picked you up from work, he loved doing it. He drove to your shop and walked inside with your favourite drink in hand from Starbucks. He couldn't help but smile when he saw you in your adorable little uniform.

"Bunny?"

You squeaked in delight, pulled your apron off and ran to your man. "Hello, Levi! Can I get a kiss and a cuddle?"

He leaned over and kissed you before wrapping his arm around you. "Mm, Always. You ready to go home?"

"Yes!"

He handed you the drink before putting his arm around you and leading you to his car. He opened the door for you and smiled when you got in. "Beautiful little bunny. I can't believe you'll be my wife soon."

You grinned at him. "I'm all yours, handsome."

He got on his side and relaxed. "Choose the music, okay?"

You connected your phone to his car and played a playlist you both loved. "This okay?"

"Anything you like is perfect, but wonderful choice." He leaned over and kissed you. "Strap in and make sure the seatbelt comforter is on your shoulder so it doesn't dig in."

You giggled as you did what he asked. You shifted the soft cover on the seatbelt onto your shoulder. "Ready."

He pulled away from the parking spot and started driving through the city. He reached over and placed his hand on the inside of your thigh. He would softly massage occasionally but release you when he needed to manoeuvre or change gear, when he was done he'd be back to massaging.

He pulled up to a red light with a long line. He leaned over and kissed you. "You need a snack?"

You hummed. "Sure."

He opened the compartment between the two of you to show the snack supply and drinks. "Anything you want?"

You grabbed some chocolate and ate a piece before feeding Levi some. "So yummy."

He licked his lips. "Mm, it is."

You grabbed a drink and helped Levi have it. "Thank you for the snack compartment."

He smirked at you. "Anything for you." He took your hand and showered it with kisses. "My bunny princess."

You giggled. "I'm all yours."

He released you and huffed. "Green light."

You hummed a laugh and enjoyed how grumpy Levi was. You reached over and rubbed his thigh making him smile. "There, there, Levi."

He took your hand and moved it up his thigh. "I'm happy now."

You leaned over and kissed his shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too." He glanced over at you. "You want to go out for dinner?"

"Okay! Where are we going?"

He used his special technique that always worked. "Guess."

You frowned in such a cute way before a brightness engulfed your face. "Ramen!?"

He never had an idea of where to go and he knew if he asked you what you wanted, you'd get very shy. So, he'd always get you to guess and say yes to whatever you said because what you said was what you wanted. "Correct."

You wiggled in your seat. "Yes!"

He pulled up to a ramen place before leaning over to you. "Kiss?"

You kissed him over and over. You purred into the kiss when he tangled his fingers in your hair and slipped his tongue into your mouth. You shivered when his other hand moved up between your legs and massaged a sensitive part on the inside of your thigh.

He pulled back and lightly kissed you. "I love you so much."

"I love you too."

He nuzzled his nose against yours. "Ready?"

"Mm."

He kissed your cheek. "Let me get the door for you." He got out before walking around to your side and opening the door. He offered his hand to you. "Come on, princess bunny."

You held his hand and stepped out. "Thank you."

He tugged you against him and kissed you. "Mm, mine."

@ladycheesington @levisbrat25 @nyxiieluna @li-anne @galactict3a

@youre-ackermine @thebobaprincess @2moth-anon2 @cypidity @nbinairyn

@bts-spnlvr12 @darkstarlight82 @emilyyyy-08 @levistealeaf @pelicanpizza

@hideandgopeep @notgoodforlife @demonic-bird @searriously

[ciaomarie]

Part 6: What Then?

It's over kids! The longest and final chapter is done. Chris Storer & Co. are probably going to put our beloveds through it in S3, but until then let's enjoy our low-key angst and romance. Post Season 2, Canon-Compliant, swoony, girly, fluffy. A happy-ending obviously.

After 10 years of grinding himself into dust Carm’s body began to surrender. About a month after The Bear’s opening, he came down with a cold that turned into a low-grade fever, a bitter cough with lime green mucus, night sweats, and mind-numbing exhaustion. After two days Sydney and Fak showed up to his apartment and dragged him to the emergency room. It was pneumonia and dehydration. The young male doctor muttered that his lungs sounded just like his father’s, a 40-year smoker. Yes, pneumonia was the primary reason, but a man Carmy’s age should be in better shape. He was out of commission for a whole week. The regret of letting down The Bear crew so soon after the Friends and Family fiasco motivated him to make a couple changes. First, he allowed himself only one emergency cigarette a day, which he needed less and less. Second, he went outside on Mondays, when the restaurant was closed. If the temperature was over 30℉, he took the train or walked to a park. His favorites were Humboldt and the Garfield Park Conservatory. Today he had come to the latter with his sketchbook and pencils in his backpack. Since the renovation he had continued drawing.

As he went towards to his favorite bench, he noticed a slender woman walking ahead of him. Her height, long swishing braids and jacket were identical to Syd’s. He compulsively began jogging towards her. Before he could call out her name, the woman pounced on a tall lanky man in front of her, wrapping her arms around his waist. Carmen had the sensation of being pushed off a diving board unexpectedly, his stomach pitching forward, unable to breathe much less scream before slamming into the water like a brick. The man turned and picked up Sydney up, planting a kiss on her mouth. He spun her around and…she wasn’t Syd. Thank God.

Carm made his way to the bench and hunched over, his head in his hands. She wasn’t Syd he recanted over and over until the feeling of relief gave way to self-reproach. This time it wasn’t her, but one day it would be. Would he be able to live with that? Uncle Jimmy’s warning not to be an overthinking manichino flashed in his mind. It was time to do something. He took out his sketchpad and began thumbing through it, an idea beginning to take shape. Hopefully, it wouldn’t scare Syd away.

The following Monday Sydney was in her cousin’s salon getting her entire life. Her microbraids were taken out, her hair was washed, deep conditioned, her scalp massaged, and now she was getting box braids put in. They were accented with delicate gold hair cuffs. She drowsed in the chair, with an almost empty to-go container of jollof rice in her lap, as her cousin and another hair stylist quietly discussed the latest season of Love is Blind.

“Sydney babe, would you ever go on Love is Blind?” her cousin, Ashley, asked in a louder tone.

Syd startled and rubbed her eyes.

“Never. That’s insane.”

“I got a message on IG that it’s coming to Chicago. You live and breathe your job so when are you going to meet somebody? Maybe your soulmate is in one of those pods!”

“Why don’t you apply then? You could find “love” and get more exposure for the salon.”

“Same for you and your restaurant ma’am, but I have a man.”

“Since when?”

“Since three months ago. His name is David, he’s a chemical engineer and the son of you know, Ms. Jumoke, she goes to the African church on Mackinaw…St. Paul.”

“Yeah, I remember her. Her sister used to watch me when my dad worked nights.”

“Anyways, back to you. Are you dating anyone, or should I send you the show application?”

“I don’t think love is blind. Have you seen the people they cast? Nobody too unfortunate-looking gets on. It’s so shallow.”

 “Ha! You’re one to talk. You have a very distinct type…white boys with tats and muscles.”

“Ashley, there’s been two of them. Like, that’s not a pattern.”

“No, three! This boss, no “partner”, of yours, had Sydney written over him. The family never sees you anymore.”

“I came to lunch at uncle and auntie’s last month! Besides, opening a new business is like having a kid. You know this.”

“Sure, but when I had dinner at your restaurant and you introduced us, he complimented you for five minutes and then followed you to the kitchen like a whipped puppy.”

Sydney grinned biting her lower lip and covered her eyes. Her cousin stopped braiding and hugged her.

“Aww…my baby cousin is finally going to get some!”

“ASHLEY!” Sydney groaned pushing off her cousin’s arms.

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop, but I am happy for you. He is sexy. That neck is thicker than a tree stump.”

Sydney who had just taken a sip of her sweet tea, spat it out all over the mirror.

“That’s on you, Ashley!” she choked out between laughing and coughing.

When she was able to contain herself, she tried to reel her cousin back in. Talking about romantic potential with Carmy gave her too much pleasure. If he was content with the status quo she didn’t want to get her hopes up.

“Nothing really is going on. We’re business partners and we’re pretty good friends and it’s probably best we keep it that way.”

“Yes, and he gave you an equal share in the restaurant out of the friendly kindness of his heart.”

“You know, I think he would do that, because I’ve put in so much work, but it did feel like it was something more, at least his Uncle Cicero or Jimmy seemed to think so.”

“Girl, watch out. His sister and an uncle like you!? Would you take his last name, hyphenate, or keep Adamu?”

“Ugh, I’m not going there with you! Shouldn’t you be done with my hair by now?”

“If you want it done right it’ll be 2 more hours. If you don’t…30 minutes?”

“Fine, take your time but please let me sleep.”

Sydney closed her eyes, admiring her self-control. She hadn’t told Ashley that Carmy asked her to come by The Bear this evening. He was reworking a few old dishes. The invite was made at the end of the night a few days ago while they were turning off the lights. She said yes as they pulled down the last switch and she couldn’t see his expression, but she heard him exhale loudly as if he feared she’d decline. Sometimes they meet up on Mondays to network with vendors or collaborate on menu ideas, so this wasn’t out of the ordinary. However, she intuited he was hiding something again like when he and Nat surprised her with a share in the restaurant. This time she didn’t pester him for details, knowing that it was probably worth waiting for.

When Syd arrived home at 3:00 pm she could’ve folded laundry and watched an episode of Psych, but she decided to pretend this was a date; well, like she was preparing for a date. It was a long time since her last. She had entered the Convent of Failed Dreams after Sheridan. Then The Beef/The Bear became her world. The light blue cuffed jeans and stripped white and mint green button-down shirt she was wearing was more than appropriate for a food brainstorming session. However, Carmy’s mysterious attitude might be concealing more great news. She might as well look good when and if he had some.

She took a luxuriously long shower, shaved, and rubbed in her mandarin-scented body oil. Then she entered slowly sifted through her closet considering a red jumpsuit, or just nicer jeans and a blouse when her eyes fell on her marigold-colored shirt dress. It was knee length, comfortable, but chic and the color made her complexion pop. She paired it with a brown and gold oval buckle belt and brown flats because she might be standing in the kitchen for hours. After a short struggle she decided to keep the top two buttons of her shirt dress open. It was only a collar bone, not cleavage. Then she considered makeup. She hated wearing a lot of it; her skin felt suffocated with foundation. She did her brows, applied mascara, a little mineral powder, a smidge of highlighter on her cheekbones, and finished with the Fenty “Hot Choclit” gloss bomb her cousin had given her as part of a set for Christmas. Her new braids with the gold cuffs made the look even better and Sydney couldn’t help admiring herself more than usual in her floor-length mirror. She felt so delicious that she ordered an Uber rather than sit on the train. She would take it later or maybe Carm would give her a ride home.

Just before she could lock the door Emmanuel came up the stairwell, his face lighting up.

“My baby girl, you are stunning! Where are you headed?”

“Thanks, daddy. I’m just going to the restaurant. Felt like dressing up for once.”

“So, is it a staff meeting?”

“No, just working on some recipes. I gotta go. My Uber’s waiting.”

Emmanuel leaned against the door and nodded with a sly smile.

“Oh okay, I see. Tell Carmen I said hello. Have fun!”

Sydney’s eyes widened and she ran down the stairs waving goodbye. Her voice couldn’t be trusted.

When the car arrived at the restaurant, the sky was overcast, the evening darker than usual for the time of year. She let herself in and observed the layout. The lights were low, and the back center booth was set for dinner, with a single table candlelit. She could see Carmy in the kitchen already sautéing something. She was headed towards him when he looked up, seeing her through the window and rushed to meet her in the front.

“Syd don’t-” he began before he was immobilized by the vision before him.

Sydney was similarly taken with him and marveled at how often they were of the same mind. Carm was wearing a crisp button-down blue shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, the shirt tucked into dark navy pants, and he had gotten a haircut. Somehow it made his eyes stand out more. The sides were moderately tapered, his hair on top remained almost as long as before, and one of his rogue curls was damp against his forehead. He was perspiring, apparently having been cooking for a while.

“Nice haircut”, “You look amazing” they began at the same time and laughed nervously.

Carmy started again, beating his trusty spoon against his palm.

“So, the food is almost done. Just have a seat over there and I’ll be right out.”

Sydney nodded, a little confused and excited for this change of plans. She sat in the booth and noticed the speakers were playing The Teskey Brothers’ “Take My Heart.” She leaned back and closed her eyes letting the lyrics wash over her, her emotions stirring with that sweet ache.

“Take the time to notice what you really need, 

You’ll find it’s a little more simple, than what you thought before,

But I can say for certain that I’ve got more than I ever had before,

By remembering the little things that make my heart warm.

So take my heart and cut it into two,

After all the only thing missing from me was you,

You’re all I want, you’re all I need, you’re the air I breathe,

Cause after all the only thing missing from me was you.”

“Hey, are you good?” Carmy asked  approaching the booth with their plates.

Sydney sat up and cleared her throat.

“Yes, I’m good. I really like that song. Reminds me of-“

 “Otis Redding?”

“Yeah.”

Carm carefully placed the plates on the table.

“Well, speaking of throwbacks, I made-”

“Pork confit with onions and rhubarb!”

 “Yes, and after we’ll have Milk and Honey.

Sydney bit the inside of her mouth trying to absorb what seemed to be happening.  Carm muttered something about getting their drinks and went to the bar for their club sodas. Sydney remained mute, not knowing if she should ask him what this meant now or let it play out. “Don’t get ahead of yourself”, she admonished her heart.

He returned to the booth with their drinks and encouraged her to start, rubbing his chin as she put the first bite in her mouth.

“That’s it Carmy. Maybe even better than the first time,” Syd purred the pork melting on her tongue and some of her anxiety with it.

He blushed and began eating too.

“It is pretty good. Eleven Madison Park taught me a lot.”

The meal was mostly silent except for the occasional ejaculation over some element of the dish. Carmy couldn’t help gazing at Syd, taking in each detail, and rejoicing in the whole. The dip above her collar bone that rose and fell whenever she swallowed, made his head swim. Her lovely face was absolutely regal framed by her new box braids. Syd’s brown skin glowed in the candlelight and a heavenly citrus scent emanated from her. Whenever her eyes caught his obvious staring, he was too filled with gratitude to look away. Sydney’s eyes were soft and filled with kindness for this dear, lovestruck man. He looked helpless. In moments like this she remembered her capacity to build or obliterate him at will.  “Go with the flow” she reminded herself.

After they finished the main, Carmy took their plates and returned, with dessert, Milk and Honey. Syd lit up at the sight and when she tried it a wave of surprise flitted across her face.

"Is that mango? I didn't taste it at first, but then it like...bloomed at the back. Wow!"

"I thought it could use a Sydney twist. You always grab the mango lollipops off Sug's desk."

She resumed eating her dessert. Carm noticed everything about her. She'd played the Teskey Brothers, once or twice while they cleaned after a service, comparing them to Otis.

The Milk and Honey was devoured too soon and just as she wondered what else was on the agenda, Carmy took their bowls and returned with a package tied with twine. He set it in front of her, hands trembling, and sat a little further away than before. Syd perceiving his anxiety didn't raise any questions. She untied the string, removed the wrapping paper, revealing a red leather hand-bound notebook. The cover was engraved with her initials. On the first page was one of Carmy's drawings. It was a curbside view of The Bear. Several lined pages followed, then a drawing of the grapes in bone marrow broth. This alternating of lined pages and his pictures continued throughout the thick notebook. There were more pictures of their recipes, the various designs of her head scarves, and some were of her in different attitudes. In one she was leading expo with the confidence of Napoleon, and another was a portrait, her chin leaning on her hand, with a faraway expression in her large brown eyes. There were several others, so perceptive that Sydney felt naked. Adored. The final picture was surreal. It was a profile of Carmy's head the entirety of which was filled with Sydney wearing a hopeful smile and the scarf and shirt she'd worn her first day at The Beef.

She couldn't stop looking at it, her index finger tracing the lines.

"Sy-d" Carmen croaked his voice thick.

Breaking.

She looked up to find red-brimmed blue eyes searching hers.

"Come here" she breathed and no sooner than she blinked he was at her side.

"Syd" he tried again. Hyperventilating.

"Say more", she gently commanded smoothing his hair back before taking his hand in her lap.

This disarmed him, and he grinned in surprise. That was his line.

"Okay."

Breathe

"I want you Syd. I want to be with you.”

Breathe

“I want to do everything with you or not at all."

Then for the first time he wanted to say the words that had been a weapon for most of his life. They either were forced on him or yanked from him. His mother thought those words meant meekly submitting to her abuse. For Mikey it was cutting him off, so he wasn't exposed to his self-destruction. He never got to say it all. Claire believed it was part of a script. If he would only play his role and ignore who they were underneath, those words would become true enough.

Now, he had a new idea about those words, and they were wrapped up in this beautiful, talented, funny, tender, generous, stubborn, loyal, woman. His friend.

Suddenly they didn't hurt. He continued leaning to rest his forehead on hers.

"I love you."

Sydney blinked slowly as if in a trance, tears dropping to their joined hands.

Carm didn't move, but his face was filled with concern.

'Syd, are you-" he started to ask. Then he was spinning.

Sydney kissed him.

His neurons habitually used to process grief, anxiety, and small doses of happiness, trembled with the unusual amount of joy coursing through him.

Sydney was delirious. Her only thought was, he loves me.

Carmy couldn't close his eyes. The curve of her soft cheek so near his made him want to cry.

Then he did, for Sydney said,

"I love you, too."

[bakuhoewriting]

CLASS 1B HEADCANNONS THAT MAKE SENSE

☰ NOTES⋮ reader! is in Class 1-A ; gn!reader x Class 1-B; some mildly suggestive themes

𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐄 tends to weld himself onto your side whenever he’s exhausted from training. It may earn him a scolding from Vlad-sensei or even Shiozaki-san, but you never complain and if Yosetsu gets to fall asleep cuddled in your warmth, that’s his prerogative.

𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀 carries a polaroid of you in his wallet. It’s frayed at the edges from time, but it’s the first polaroid you ever took together. He keeps it alongside his provisional hero license because it’s the best motivation he has for the future.

𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐑𝐈 has a pet Rhinoceros Beetle he keeps in his dorm room. You caught the little guy when he took you bug-catching for your first date to the local park. It wasn’t until you compared him to the little guy with pink cheeks and a wide smile that Togaru just had to have him.

𝐊𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐑𝐎 hosts a seánce in your room every month. He would do it in his room, but Shiozaki’s room is close to his and he’d rather not be accused of sinful behaviour (as if your other activities aren’t sinful, but Shiozaki-san doesn’t need to know that).

𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐎 often plans informal joint class outings with Yaoyorozu so your classes can bond. It doesn’t always work—Mineta, Monoma and Bakugo are banned for the next three activites—but she’s just glad to see you mingle with her classmates.

𝐊𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐈 is a frequent vistitor of UA’s communal garden. In fact, she recently signed up to have her own plot so she can grow tomatoes and cucumbers—both for her and for you.

𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐎𝐙𝐀𝐊𝐈 was in her churchs’ choir. She doesn’t do it often, but if you’re especially tired than she’ll sing you to sleep. It works everytime.

𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐀 has an Uncle in France that he’s really close to. His Uncle is the person who told him the story of the Beast of Gevaudan, and the first person Jurota confided in about his crush on you. If you ever get married, his Uncle Daichi has offered his estate for the wedding.

𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐃𝐀 always wanted to give Boxing a go, but didn’t have the courage to visit a gym (largely due to his size) until you offered to join him. It’s one of the many things he’s grateful to you for and now something of a couples’ activity for the weekends.

𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈 didn’t know you could speak English until you laughed at her insulting Monoma during a joint training session. Now, she begs you to talk in English whenever you’re together because she finds your accent really cute.

𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐀 definitely fainted the first time you agreed to study with him in his room. Bleeding nose and all. The same thing happened when you proposed to study in your own room so now you just work together in the common room. It’s better for his health that way.

𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐒𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐒𝐔 will deny it for as long as he can, but sometimes he does provoke you into a senseless argument. Namely because you have an adorable pouty face and his heart is reduced to a pandrum whenever you kabedon him to tell him off. It’s glorious.

𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐄 has a dinosaur onsie that she wears whenever she misses you. It’s not her colour, but it’s the same colour as your eyes so it’s automatically her favourite. She’s also got a matching pair for you in green, one that she’s planning to give you for your birthday.

𝐅𝐔𝐊𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈 has an all year-round pass to the Manga Museum in Kyoto. It’s become a post-exam tradition to visit the Museum everytime you want a celebrate, because in addition to reading some of his favourite manga, you often stop for ramen on your way back to UA.

𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐊𝐈 tends to smell like jasmine and sweet orange with how often he lathers his hands in massaging oil. It earns him some light ribbing from the boys at first, but that ends as soon as you show up smelling the exact same from massaging Juzo in return.

𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐎 practiced his confession to you for two weeks because he didn’t want to stammer mid-confession. It didn’t work, but it turned out that you liked him with his stammer anyway; in fact, you have a nervous tic of over gesticulating which he soon found was endearing all the same.

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐌𝐀 has a growing pile of Franco-Belgian comics in your room. 9/10 times his comics lead to an argument between him and your classmates whenever he comes over to take one back. Bakugo’s now petitioning to have him banned.

𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐈 is an avid fan of Kabuki theatre; in particular, the popular horror classic Yotsuya Kaidan. For your first Halloween as a couple, you dress as Tamiya Lemon and Oiwa. Not a conventional couple by any means, but it makes Reiko glow in a way you’ve never seen before so it’s worth it.

𝐑𝐈𝐍 read that couples who watch the first snowfall are destined to stay together forever so he plans your first date for late-Autum. He’s shivering for most of your time together, but there are two highlights by the end of the night: when you worriedly draped your scarf around his neck and when a snowflake landed on his cheek in the middle of a spontaneous kiss.

– 2023 ©️ credit to bakuhoewriting ; soon to be crossposted on all my other accounts under the same name!

[kaycrowley]

Winter Cabin (Chapter 1)

You and Loki decide to spend some time away from the city to a quiet, cozy cabin in the middle of nowhere.

(Fluff Galore!)

Tags: @lokisgoodgirl @foxherder @prince-ben-solo @anukulee @lokischambermaid @wheredafandomat @holdmytesseract @glitchquake @lokisstarlight

It felt so nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York City, especially with your boyfriend, Loki. You were feeling a bit overwhelmed by the crowded stores, the calls and visits from Family, and attending a big Christmas party Tony had thrown. Loki had suggested that you spent a couple of weeks in a cabin together, where you could be alone and away from it all. Loki pulled up to a beautiful log cabin with a gravel circle driveway. You looked up in awe at the sturdy wooden structure, it had a porch with two rocking chairs, an emerald green door decorated with a wreath made of real pine needles and decorated with pinecones, holly berries, and a big red bow.

"Loki, it's beautiful!" You exclaim, sounding like a child on Christmas morning.

Loki chuckled at your reaction. "Wait until you see the inside, darling." He parked the Jaguar and you two exit the vehicle to grab your luggage and the large cooler full of food and drinks that you both packed. Loki handled both of your suitcases, while you dragged the rolling cooler to the front door. He reached into the pocket of his dark blue jeans and pulled out a little gold key with a big, rubber green tag with the number 61 on it. He unlocked the front door and allowed you to go in first. You couldn't believe your eyes when you saw the inside; a fully furnished cabin with a flat-screen TV, a fireplace, a fully functional kitchen, and even a fresh cut Christmas tree in the corner, fully decorated with ornaments, lights, tinsel, and a star on top.

"Oh my God, Loki..."

"Wait until you see the bedroom." Loki smiled, shutting the door behind him. "It's got a King-sized bed, a flat-screen as well, and it even has an en-suite bathroom."

"No way!" You looked back at Loki, who smirked and beckoned you to the back where the bedroom is. Sure enough, as soon as he turned on the light, you were immediately greeted by a large bed, made from logs and topped with plaid blankets and fluffy pillows, as well as a few decorative pillows, two of which were completely plaid, and the center was cream-colored with a plaid silhouette of a bear. You immediately climbed into the bed to test it out, and you let out an "Oh my God..." as you realized that it was memory foam. Loki chuckled at your reaction. "Only the best for my favorite Mortal."

You sit up on the bed and looked at him. "Loki, this is too nice..."

"Nah, it's just right for these two weeks." Loki then beckoned you to the en-suite bathroom, to which you obliged, getting off the bed and looking in. There was a beautiful in ground bathtub with massage jets and a removable shower head, and the tub itself was big enough for two people to bathe in. "Ooh Loki, you thought of everything~" you purred. Loki smiled and replied. "It's one of their Honeymoon cabins, made specially for couples." You looked up at him and smirked. It all made sense, especially how private the cabin was, nothing but pine trees and nature surrounded the place...

You and Loki unloaded the cooler and placed everything in the refrigerator before hanging your clothes in the closet of the bedroom. This was going to be a good couple of weeks, just the two of you in this beautiful solitude.

[bellasimos]

Praise

You can also read on AO3 !

Warning: p-in-v, smut, female oc, praise kink, eye contact, fingering, explicit content, explicit words.

Words Count:  3,956

The mission on Spain was nothing but a success, rescuing the President Daughter; Ashely Grahams was a success. With several kidnappings, La Plagas, Ada and ex–member of Umbrella along with Leon’s former mentor Krauser. The wounds that needed medical treatment via professionals to save the doctor on other hand was stressful to stop the bleeding. Followed by escaping the factory near death experience; Leon was able to put up good words about the doctor that sacrificed his will to save the daughter and the best agents. Letting Doctor Serra Navarro become a field agent with few others that used to work with S.T.A.R.S.

Leon was not doing it for Luis, but he is. He got along with Luis very well; but he did it for Miyo. His long time best friend that used to date Luis, currently they are after they patch up between them of long history. Although, Miyo owns greatly for Leon, yet Leon brushes it off. He rather sees his friend happier than being sappy over a guy. It is not like saying Leon would rather deal with her own sappy over something that is not about Luis.

Leon will get over it eventually.

Miyo stretches her back, after getting out of her car that was parked in front of new apartment. Choosable from the Government, a nice quiet and private area. Presumably would be in the middle of nowhere at the top of the mountain where the view of the current location that she is staying was nothing but a beautiful sight to see. As she walks inside of her entrance, set the keys in the counter drawer while kicking her shoes off. Relief to be back home after they gave her the green flag to stay.

Making her way to the living room, Miyo casually flopped on the sofa, untied her platinum blonde hair and leaned her head back as she shut her eyes for a couple minutes.

“Mi vida? Are you back?” A Spaniard accent echoed in the hallway of the room to the living room. A male pops his head behind the wall.

Miyo smiled while lifting her head and looking over her shoulder. “I am, babe.”

Luis grinned, walking his way toward the sofa as he sat next to her. He patted his lap while Miyo lifted her both legs on top of it. “Vamós a ver, how was work?” He asks, applying a pressure point to where the stress knot was at her foot.

Miyo was melted by his hand work touch, she breathlessly moaned in relief. “Work was such a pain in the ass, I was surprised that they decided to give me a month off.”

He chuckled. “A month off? Does that mean I have you all by myself then?”

Miyo smiled at him. “Yes, have they given you a green flag?”

Luis nodded. “Yesterday, for a month as well.” He then chuckles and lifts his eyes below from his eyelid.

“That means—Mmm.” Miyo let out another moan.

“Yes, we can finally do stuff together.” Luis mumbles, humming approval of their both vacations.

Miyo sighs heavily. “God, who taught you this babe?”

He smirked, stopping the massage from her foot; he slid his right hand up to her thigh. “What do you mean by that, amór?”

Miyo used her elbow to support the weight of her back. His touch sparkled her sense, trembling slightly under his touch. “That, how did you know where my stress point was? Last time I recall, you knew my weak spot back in Raccoon City.”

Luis chuckles, grazing in a circle pattern on her thighs with his thumb. “Take as in your weak point is where the stress point is, plus.”

Luis pauses, sliding his right hand upward from her thigh to her hip. Gave a gentle squeeze to where he earned a sudden moan from her, Miyo immediately covered her mouth as her eyes grew wider. Old memories flushed all at once, their unique night at Raccoon City in her apartment. Remember his hand claims her skin, weakness spot, marking her.

He chuckles, leans forward but barely brushes his lips against her. “Que paso mi ángel? Remembering our first time?”

She cursed under her thought; she gasped as he squeezed her hip again while carefully, Luis climbed on top of her. His knee forces her leg to spread apart as it contacts her cunt due her fabric pants. He clicked his tongue, observing how her body shivered by his touch, feeling each of her goosebump. Luis chuckles, admiringly from his view, his fingers caressing her hips as he smirked.

“Look at you. So tough yet getting weak by my touch. Eso es linda de ti.” He mumbles, slightly praising her.

“Luis…” she struggled, her voice choking while his hand resumed to squeeze her hip again.

“Hm, qué piensa mi amór? Lo hacemos?”

“Shit…” Miyo whispered, running her hand under his shirt to feel his skin.

Luis shudders, leaning closer to her touch. “I’m waiting.”

“Yes… Please.” She pleaded, her mind was swimming fast on cloud nine.

He gave a wolfish smirk, getting off from her as he cradled her into his arm. Luis didn’t waste any time to bring her to their shared room, position her on her bed. Miyo felt the soft surface on her back but eyes darted at Luis as he slipped his shirt off to reveal his well-toned chest. His shirt was tossed aside on the floor, long forgotten. Her eyes softened with a mix of lust, her hand lifted to touch his chest; ran her finger through his hair. There was a smile on his lip, he gently grabbed her hand, planting each chaste kiss on her knuckles.

“Cariño, allow me to worship you.” Luis mumbles, tugging the bottom of her uniform shirt.

Pleading for him, she obliged as she slipped it off. Accompanied where his shirt was. His eyes froze to see the body of her, swiftly to gentle stare as he drank every small detail on her skin. The beauty mark on her left shoulder, the several on her breast that hang on her bra; aged and recent scars from battle in Raccoon City and Valdelobos village. Subconscious, he guides his left hand to trace her aged scar, almost visible to her beige skin. Her skin twitched by his touch but was soon relaxed by it, he guided his finger to her breast, absorbing her beautiful marks. Luis’s lip twitched into a smile as he leans in to give a loving chaste kiss in her scars.

“Siempre eres sido tan hermosa, cariño.” He compliments, trailed his ghostly kiss up to her neck to earn a small gasp from her. “Solo para mi.”

“Luis.” She said his name breathlessly, arching her back toward him.

He slipped his right hand behind her back, with a quick swift move. Her bra was hook free, falling in her lap as he grabbed it to toss it aside. Her breast is free from the pain holding so much of her chest, Luis chuckled as he then grabbed her chin with his left hand; lift her focus on him.

“May I?”

She shyly nodded, but the expectations were so wrong. Luis went for another kiss, this time, proper passion, guiding her to lay back while he placed his both forearms on either side of her head. She smiled into the kiss, ran her finger into his curly hair to massage his scalp. Luis groaned into the kiss as he bit her bottom lip. Pushing his tongue inside to savor her mouth, he was playing with some of her platinum blond strand hair that rested on her pillow; as he put his hip down to her cunt, making sure her legs stayed open for him. Luis broke the kiss off with a desperate air knocking in their lungs. Yet, he did not waste time to bomb her with his kisses.

He kissed her cheek, jawline before dipping into her neck. Guide his right hand to hold her jaw up for easier access on her neck, to take his time pouring his love and compassion on her sensitive neck. Earning a few mewls, hiss from her as he properly took the time to suck her delicate spot. The beige skin spot was soon marked by purple/reddish, he continued to attack the other side. The desperation to have her neck being marked by him was a need. Miyo moaned his name as he was done leaving a mark in her neck. He then did the same for her collarbone except some had his teeth mark while others had the same bruise mark on her neck.

“Look at you.” He spoke breathlessly. “Eager to submit to me, cariño. Those marks look beautiful on you and all mine.”

Miyo holds his face with her hand as she strokes her thumb on his cheek. “My baby, I’m yours.”

Luis chuckled, his eyes grew soft, loving at her, everything. “I love you, Mi.”

Her heart swelled to hear those three words. Almost a tear could’ve betrayed her. “I love you too, Lu.”

Luis went for another kiss, tender this time, before going down to her breast. Her hand rested next to her head while he took one into his mouth, a breathless moan slipped out from her lip. He took his time to swirl his tongue on her sensitive nipples. She thought that he is a tits man, a blush creep on her cheek as her body shudders. He used his teeth to drag her nipples, building up more pleasure as she felt even wetter in her underwear. Luis smirked into her breast as he could feel the wet fabric in her cunt; a pop sound as he was done with her breast and head over to the other, giving the same treatment. Her vocal was musical to his ear, hearing his name roll under her tongue. It’s all she thinks of, it’s only that she knows.

And he is proud of it.

“Such beautiful vocals you have, cariño. Please, moan for me. Sing for me, I want to hear it.” Luis praises, plant his kiss on the valley of her chest down to her stomach.

She squirmed, a mewl slipped as he grinned into her skin. He continues as a pop sound from his lip, he appreciates her skin. He adores her beauty and her scars. Luis’ mouth hover on top of her clit, his warm breath brushes her sensitive area as he studies her leg tremble slightly. He lifts his eyes up to view, to see any second doubt but only to see her eyes fill with love and lust. The same look when they made love for the first time, she was begging him to eat her up like she was his main dinner.

He chuckled, giving a kiss on her clit before beginning to devour her with his tongue. Miyo threw her head back in the pillow, eyes shut tightly as she let out a long moan for him. Her hand twitched as they ran into his hair once again, massaging his scalp. He focused on pleasing her, building her up before he could claim her. He knows how to please her, to be eating her like this, touching her wall inside in such a sinful way. But she can’t help how good it feels again, he must have slept with women before to do this. She then yanks his hair, wanting to bury his face in her cunt.

Luis took the sign, taking one of her legs into his shoulder while he slipped his finger inside of her. A sudden gasp along with soft moan, he couldn’t help to smirk at his triumphant. Luis chuckled, feeling his erected cock throb on his boxer. He groaned into her cunt to send another wave of pleasure as she bucked her hip.

“Ah, no, no.” He clicked his tongue after he pulled away from her cunt to put her hip down.

Miyo whines, lifts her head to try to frown at him.

Luis chuckled, securing her hip to stay where they were. “A good girl wouldn’t buck her hips.”

“Fuck…” she mumbles.

“Are you a good girl, princesa?” Luis tease, plants a kiss on her hip.

She struggled to admit it, a few inaudible were heard but Luis smirked.

“Hablame claro, amór. I can’t hear what mi princesa is saying.”

“I'm a good girl.” She said, groaning in frustration.

Luis hummed. “Are you? Will you behave once I’m done preparing you?”

“Yes, please, please.” She begged breathlessly.

He resumed back, his fingers were back inside as he added another digit. Feeling her wall tightly around his finger; he clicked his tongue of approval. “So eager, cariño. I love how your cunt behaves around my two fingers.”

Miyo's breath hitched as she felt his finger rub against her wall. Struggling to keep her hip down, it felt good, the wet sound that she made as he pumped his finger in and out was nothing but music to his ear. To see her body react to his touch, his voice, the heavyweight eyes stare at her. Luis couldn’t be even more proud each second to see his own lover melt in a pool of pleasure by him. Miyo gasped, breath was struggling in her lung; she threw her head back, mewling and sobbing of how good he is doing. Practically now begging to let her come as she felt the twisted feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Luis lifts his head to see his lover messed up by his own work. Flexing his arm as he picks up the pace, guiding his body to be in level of her as he leans into her ear.

“Good job, mi dulcena. You’re doing such a good job by behaving, would you like to come?”

Miyo opened her mouth, and couldn't find a word to say it as her mind blissed with only one thing. His finger, his hand, making her tremble of need to cum. Listening to how wet her cunt was making, and for what it seemed, she was able to speak through the pleasure.

“Yes, please, I—Ah..! I need to cum…!” She lingered her moan louder, swore she started to see stars, her head felt lighter.

Luis kissed her neck. “Cum for me, amór.”

Her wall tightened around his finger as she felt herself coming down hard on his finger. Miyo's leg trembles for the longest until it falls on the bed. Her chest rose and fell rapidly; Luis kissed her jawline as he pulled his finger away. The juice coated on his finger as he lifted it to his mouth and sucked it delicately.

“My, you taste good cariño.” He teases, smirking down at her.

Miyo whines, opening her eyes to find him.

He chuckled, leans in to give another, reassuring kiss. “Now, are you ready for the main course?”

She gulped as she nodded. “Go slow, okay?” She stuttered, he was able to pick an anxious voice in her voice.

Luis put his hand on her left cheek, gave a gentle stroke while he smiled gently. “Of course, we haven’t done this for so long. That is why I want to prepare for you. After all—”

He leaned in, planting another kiss on her lips.

“I would still picture myself taking your virginity.” Luis whispered, gaze his eyes into hers.

Miyo was flushed with a fluttering feeling. “I still remember how surprised I was when I saw you pure naked in front of me.”

Luis chuckles, he pushes him away to discard his remaining. He removed himself to be able unbuckle his belt and his pants along with the boxer. That shows where his precum was, Miyo shifts her gaze to see him cock. Her face flushed to see the length yet solid with a little curve of his cock. Not thin but surely not thick either, she was excited to see his cock again.

“Happy to see me, pequeña?” He teases, chuckled at her flush face.

Miyo knew she was caught but she tried to clear her throat. “Who said I am happy about it?”

He gave a sly smirk directly at her, as he went back to the bed and captured her kiss with a swift move. She can feel his hard, throbbing cock on her thigh, soon to be touching her labia. She gladly returned the kiss, looped her arm around his shoulder as he carefully teased her labia with the tip of his cock.

“Breath for me, amór.” He said in between kisses.

“Mhm.”

In ease, he put his cock inside of her. Feeling her wall stretching as he let out a groan, how her wall closed around him so tight, the wet helped slip right into fully. His cock was full inside as Miyo slightly hissed into the kiss, adjusting the size of his on her wall since it has been a long time; he had the urge to pound her due how good she felt vividly around his cock. Yet, he controls it, allowing her to adjust it before he can move. Luis opens half of his both eyelids to watch any discomfort on her face; Miyo moans breathless..

“Are you, fuck, okay?” He groaned, holding the weight from not crushing her.

She bucked her hip at him as she nodded. “You-You can move.”

Luis nodded, began to move his hip, watching his cock slip out and back in as her wall once again accepted his cock inside. The tense was dismissed to comfort and pleasure as Miyo moaned for his name, several times as Luis suddenly started to be vocal. It felt good, too good to be inside of her as he picked up the pace; guide her leg around his hip as he practically was pounding her inside. The wet skin contact with skin, the rattling of bed shake and two vocal fills in the warm atmosphere.

He rests his forehead against her while maintaining eye contact. Their gaze grew heavier as their breath grew warmer, Miyo held his face while he held her hips. Digging his nail into her skin, marking her of his with the nail. Luis then thought of a way to bring more pleasure as he grabbed one of the pillows from the bed and put it beneath her waist. To adjust the height for easier for him to slide in, to bring out the pleasure. She gasped in surprise to see this outstanding move coming out from him. Surely, he never fails to amaze her, time and time again. He let out a small growl, calling her name so many times.

“Ah, Dulcena, you feel so good. So, fuck, made well for me.” He groaned, a hint of praise.

There was a burst of need to praise him, Miyo moaned softly as she smiled at him. Her face was full of pleasure but happiness as tears formed in her eyes.

“You’re doing such a good job, amór.” She panted in each thrust he gave.

Luis looks at her with his eyes of lust and love. He thrust slows down the pace as he leans in to listen to her. Something inside of him just broke, this type of her praising him turned him on.

“Fuck, So good Luis. Your cock fits so—ah—well inside of me. Please, more baby, more. Right there, ah!” She moans between his thrust, feeling the tip of his cock kissing her cervix.

“Right here?” He groaned, smirking wolfish as he slammed hard.

She gasped, let out a moan. “Yes! Right there!”

It was music, her squeal, her mewls making him thrust grew sloopier. They were near, so close. Luis groaned, feeling his cock twitched, desperate in need to paint on her walls.

“Mi vida, oh, I’m so close. Where do you, fuck, want it?”

Miyo once again starts to see stars in her eyes. “Inside me, please!”

He locked his jaw tight, he was able to make sentences. “But, oh god, you’ll-“

“-It’s okay, fuck, I’m on pills. Luis, please, please.”

He nodded, slamming her inside. She can feel his balls slapping her ass; Luis let go her hip as he placed both forearms between her head, looking down as he struggled to open his eyes. “Cum together, amór.”

She ran her hand on his back, digging her nail into his skin to withdraw some blood out. Luis know is gonna be there by next day, yet, he doesn’t care. He focuses on hitting the same spot to drive them both to the climax. He groaned, along with growling. He is close, so close; the look she put on her face was a sight that he will never forget.

“Oh fuck!—Miyo!” He curses.

“Luis!” She shut her eyes after felt her orgasm hit hard.

Both rode to their climax, she felt his cock milking every bit inside of her wall. Warm feeling of his seed but it was satisfying to come. Despite Luis coming inside, he still remained on top of her without crushing her. The air was filled with nothing but sweat and sex, giving a few minutes before he can pull out his cock. As he did, some of his sperm leaked out of her cunt, a small moan slipped out from her as Luis fell on her side. The two try to catch their breath but he secures his arm around her to pull him in. Both exchanged bodies heats. His thumb gently rubbed her shoulder as he cleared his throat.

“Did I go a little too hard?” He mumbles, trying to find any discomfort or unsatisfaction from her face.

But he only saw an afterglow from her, a smile spreading on her face as she carelessly stroked his chest. The spot where he was stabbed, the same spot where she risked herself to get him into the lab to save his life. “No, it was wonderful Luis.”

Luis grinned, showered her with his soft kisses. “Good, I don’t know what made you praise me like that. Dios, I thought I was gonna lose it.”

She hummed silently, Miyo tried to move her leg but as soon she realized, she let out a groan. “Luis, I can’t feel my legs!”

Luis laughed as he grabbed her thigh, knowing how overstimulated she is feeling at the moment, tangling with his leg. “That, mi dulcena, was part of the plan.”

She scoffed. “I bet you are proud.”

“Oh I am, I got you to scream my name again? hm?”

Miyo rolled her eyes, couldn’t hold back the smile. “A point for Luis, ladies and gentlemen.”

He chuckled, wrapping his arm on her lower back. Luis immediately planted a soft kiss on her lip. “How about we go take a shower, are you hungry?”

“What are you in the mood for?” She asks, lift her hand to his neck then to his cheek.

“Maybe we can cook together, like a nice, wonderful dinner?”

“I got you, amór.” She gave him a kiss.

He grinned. “I’ll go warm up the bath and come get you, sounds like a date to me.”

“You remember it?”

“Well of course, you saved me, remember? I owe you a date.” He explained, circling his thumb on her skin.

She shudders slightly. “I guess this was also your plan?”

“No, not even. It was more-“ he paused to figure out a correct sentence to complete it. “Well, it was more I wanted you back for the longest.”

Miyo smiles softly. “I love you, Luis.”

He felt his heart swell to hear those words coming out from her. Luis smiled back, leaning to capture her lips once more. “And I love you too, Miyo. Por simpre.”

[sarahjswift]

Lovebite - IWHAIWSA Chapter 3

Heyyyy here's another chapter for you! It's currently Thursday but I think this should be posted on Friday. The day you are seeing this is my last day of school and I'm very excited!

I hope you all are enjoying this series! I'm very proud of myself because these chapters are longer and I have a couple already written and ready to post. I also am keeping up Twin Wounds, so I'm just doing it all XD

Next week is the start of my summer vacation, but it shouldn't affect the upload schedule too much, but there's always that warning.

Thank you all for your support <3

Warnings: Language, Light Smut

Word Count: 1.7k

Tag List <3: @backtobl4ck, @aelinchocolatelover, @renxzs, @blue-bird17, and @autumnbabylon! Thanks for your support <33333

enjoyyyyy!!! :D

__

“You made out with a stranger who is Eve’s best friends’ dad?” Lysandra gasped with delight. 

Aelin glared at her reflection as if it were Lysandra’s face, forcefully massaging her face with sunscreen. “We didn’t make out. It was one kiss.” 

“One very hot kiss, it seems,” her friend giggled. “I mean, he seems amazing. Do you have pics?”

“Uhm, yes,” Aelin confessed. “He sent me a selfie and I may or may not have downloaded it to my phone.” 

“Oh my Gods!” Aelin winced as her friend’s squeal filled the air - loud and proud, even on speakerphone. “Please tell me it was, like, a shirtless selfie. Or no, no, a mirror shot! No - both!” 

“It was a selfie with him and his kids,” Aelin said matter-of-factly. She dotted concealer under her eyes and surveyed herself in the mirror, checking for any blemishes, and-

“Oh my fucking Gods.” 

“What? What is it?” Lysandra squawked, but Aelin was too busy gaping in horror at the purple spot on her neck. 

“I have a damn hickey!” Aelin wailed, then clamped a hand to her mouth. Eve was watching Spongebob, but you could never be too sure with her. 

“Holy shit, this just keeps getting better and better!”

“Not if you’re living it!” Aelin protested, frantically dabbing concealer onto the very obvious love bite on her neck. 

“Can I see? Send a photo!” 

“Uh, no. It’s, like…very obvious.”

“Gods, how much did he kiss you?”

“I have no idea,” Aelin sighed. Luckily, the mark was covered. She sprayed setting spray onto her neck and prayed that her concealer would stick. 

↜↝

Rowan woke up in the morning with two screaming children, a messy kitchen, and a happy heart. 

He replayed the kiss over and over again in his mind, painting it golden. Even when Lilly knocked over her glass of OJ, he just smiled and wiped it up with a wet paper towel. 

The kids wanted to go to the pool and as they reached it, Rowan found himself searching the room for a certain mother. Unfortunately Aelin wasn’t there, and Rowan settled himself into a pool chair with a sigh, watching his children splash around in the shallow end. 

Rowan: Hey

Aelin: Hello good sir

Aelin: how are you 

Rowan: Good, the kids are at the pool today. 

He hesitated before deciding to go for it. 

Rowan: Wish you were here though. 

Aelin: *typing*

Aelin: 💗

__

“Can we hang out with Eve today, Dad? Please?” 

Rowan looked at his children, pleading up at him. Hold your ground, he thought. Hold it, hold it, hold-

“I’ll text her mom.” 

An hour later, Rowan was smiling faintly to himself as Aelin and Eve descended across the parking lot to the playground. Eve ran toward Henri and Lilly and the three immediately skipped to the playground, giggling. Rowan took a deep breath as Aelin walked up to him, reminding himself to calm down. 

She looked amazing as usual in a simple white crop top and a vibrant, flowing green skirt. Stylish sunglasses rested on her head and her golden hair was tucked into a braid. Her top and skirt proudly displayed her muscled shoulders, arms and legs and he enjoyed the view  - of those and other beautiful parts of her - before snapping his eyes up to her. 

“Hello,” she said, a serpine’s smile curving on her lips. She walked up close to him and placed a warm hand on his arm, the only thing separating their skin the thin fabric of his T-shirt. 

“Hey.” Rowan’s voice was lower than usual, and he had eyes only for Aelin as she leaned in to whisper something in his ear. His eyes closed briefly as he felt her hot breath on his skin, wanting it everywhere- 

“You may or may not have given me a hickey.”

With a start, Rowan broke from his reveries and whipped his head around to gape at Aelin. Her eyes were dancing and her grin stretched wider as she tapped a finger against her neck. “I guess you were kissing me a bit too hard.”

“I-Gods, Aelin, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking-”

“It’s fine, it’s fine!” Her clear laughter rang through the air, making Rowan smile. He couldn’t help it. “It’s funny. I did have a bit of a panic attack this morning, though. That’s why we didn’t go to the pool.” 

Rowan laughed. “What did Eve have to say about that?”

She shrugged. “She was great - we went on a little trail. What about you guys?”

“The pool and now this, after they begged all morning. It’s honestly adorable how much the kids love Eve already.” 

Aelin beamed, and he knew as a parent she was proud. “I’m afraid I’m just as bad about a certain father.”

↜↝

Rowan was so handsome she couldn’t stand it, and the urges to grab his hand, touch his shoulder, just to be near him, overcame Aelin as their families went to get Hawaiian Ice. The way he was with his kids did nothing but melt her heart, and Eve’s obvious adoration of the Whitethorn kids was the cherry on top. 

Soon the sun was setting, and they walked through the resort admiring the beautiful dusk sky. The children were skipping ahead of Rowan and Aelin while they hung back, talking softly, when Eve rounded and walked back to her mother. 

“Mommy, Lilly and Henri said that we could come over and have a sleepover!” she squeaked, excitement lit up in her blue-gold eyes. Her face was flushed and strands of her hair were poking up from her head. She looked insane, and Aelin had never loved anything more. 

“Did they really? Well unfortunately it’s not up to them,” Aelin reminded her daughter gently, praying this wouldn’t get awkward. To her dismay, Eve’s face crumpled and she slumped, practically dragging her feet as she walked back over to her friends. The two parents watched as her daughter informed the other kids of the incident and they immediately whirled around, protest lining their faces. 

“Please, Dad? C’mon, we want Eve to sleep over!” Lilly cried, hanging onto Rowan’s hand. Henri grabbed his other and looked up at his father pleadingly. 

Aelin cringed and turned to her companion, opening her mouth to apologize, when he said; “If Aelin is okay with it, I’m happy to have them over.” 

The children stared at him for a second and then erupted, cheering. They were so busy celebrating they didn’t notice the word change; them - but Aelin did. 

“Them?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. Rowan looked sheepish and he shrugged. 

“I mean, why not? You could…sleep over.”

__

I have no self-control, she thought to herself as she carried Eve’s sheets and pillows into Rowan’s room. Apparently they were all having a joint sleepover - the kids would sleep in Lilly’s room, and Aelin - well, Aelin didn’t know where she would sleep yet. That hadn’t been decided. 

After Aelin and Eve brought their stuff over to the room, they settled down at the dinner table for a dinner of steaming pasta. Aelin was pleasantly surprised at Rowan’s cooking skill, and she said as much.

“Thanks,” he said, biting down a smile. “I’m sure you are too.”

At his words, Eve let out a laugh. Aelin flushed as her daughter exclaimed; “Mommy is a terrible cook! She once tried to make brownies for my school bake sale an’ they were goopy an’ my friend Marianne got food poisoning! Daddy always did all the cooking-”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Aelin interrupted her daughter before she could ruin her chances forever. As she glanced toward Rowan, she found his amused expression frozen, his eyes like chips of ice. She felt herself frown - what had set him off?

__

At nine the kids disappeared into Lilly’s room to “sleep”, leaving the parents to clean up dinner. Aelin watched Rowan stand at the sink, his powerful arms on display as he scrubbed their plates dry. She couldn’t help imagining that they were a family, he was her husband, and they -

Stop. She scrubbed her face, exhaustion suddenly overwhelming her. There’s no point in imagining anything. It’s done. She sighed and collapsed on their couch, surveying the room. Their hotel space was an exact copy to theirs, so she didn’t feel too bad as she made herself at home. 

“Can I ask you something?” Rowan asked, and Aelin turned to find him leaning against the kitchen counter, watching her with an expression she couldn’t place. At her nod, he took a deep breath. “Is…where is Eve’s dad?” 

Oh. Shit. 

His words were light, but Aelin could tell her response would be important to her. She took a deep breath. “He’s..he’s in the picture.” 

Rowan’s shoulders slumped, and his eyes looked agonized for a half-second before a wall snapped up behind them. “Oh. Alright.” 

“N-not like that,” she blurted - she’d do anything to get him smiling again. “I meant, uhm, well…he has Eve every other week. B-but…we’re divorced. We have been for a year.” 

Rowan’s face melted into a smile she could tell he was trying to tamp down. “Oh. Alright.” Aelin laughed as he repeated his exact words from earlier. At her laughter, Rowan chuckled too, crossing the room to sit next to her on the couch. His weight brought the cushion down, and she slid toward him ever so slightly, close enough she could smell his pine-and-snow scent. 

His eyes darted around the room, checking if the coast was clear, before leaning closer to her. Her breaths came quicker, and she closed her eyes as he brought his hand to cup her neck, rubbing his thumb over the exact spot her lovebite was. She felt him lean in and kiss her jaw, loosing a breath as his other hand stroked her hair. Aelin watched him, heavy lidded, as he kissed his way down to her collarbone, lower. 

“Kiss me,” she breathed. He drew in a sharp breath and obliged her, lips pressing gently against hers. It was a soft kiss, not urgent and sharp like earlier, and she leaned into him, letting his heat envelop her as he hugged her. 

She thought, as she gently made out with this man, she hadn’t felt this safe in years. 

[greytabbydreams]

Modern AU Charles x Arthur fic:

You’re Prefect

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Summary: Set in a modern day era. Arthur waits for Charles to come home from a long day working as a national park ranger. Arthur has body image issues, and Charles comforts him.

Warnings: Mild depiction of fat phobia, and bodies are described.

Tags: Fluff, Dutch is Arthur’s father, Charles and Arthur are married, Cuddling, Body praising.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Arthur sat at the dining room table. Gazing out the window as white flakes of snow fluttered through the pine trees above.

Charles was currently on his way home from work. He had been asked to deal with a fallen tree near the resort area of the national park. Arthur taped his phone to see if Charles had responded to his text message.

“Yes, a warm cup of chamomile would be lovely :)” Said the smooth tone of Charles in Arthurs head.

Arthurs smiles at his phone, scooting off his chair moving to the kitchen. He grabs a white kettle from the cabinet. The kettle had a flower pattern that was vaguely vintage, but was most likely purchased from Target. Arthur began boiling the water, and then added a couple tea bags to the container and turned off the heat.

The sound of the front door unlocking was suddenly heard. Arthur walked over to the door to welcome his husband.

“Welcome home hunny’” Arthur says warmly, before placing a quick kiss on the side of Charles face.

“It’s good to be home,” Charles replied leaning in to kiss Arthur properly on the lips.

“I made you tea,” Arthur murmured, mouth still hovering over Charles’.

“Of course you did.”

Charles walked back into their bedroom, whispered something about setting his stuff down before joining Arthur in the living room. Arthur took this moment to pour the tea into a mug for Charles.

When Charles returned, he was in his comfy sleep attire (a grey sweatshirt and green and blue plaid pajama pants). Arthur beckons Charles to come closer with a little hand gesture and a pat on the sofa cushion beside him. Charles sits down gratefully, breathing out a long sigh.

“I haven’t sat down all day Arthur,” whined a tired yet playful Charles.

“Well why don’t you just relax now,” Arthur replied placing his warm callused hands on his husband’s shoulders.

Charles loved when Arthur would give him shoulder and back massages. His hands were always able to find those tender spots that were bothering him for days.

Has Arthur placed his thumbs in the muscle below Charles’ shoulder blades. Charles responded with a sharp inhale, followed by a moan of relief.

“That’s it, right there,” Charles hummed, sounding like the all the world’s problems were drifting away.

Arthur moved his hands down Charles spine, feeling for knots that seemed to be hiding in every crevice. Charles just closed his eyes, leaning into Arthur’s movements.

“Okay, I think you’ll start feelin’ a little better now,” Arthur said, removing his hands from Charles’ shoulders.

Charles lets out another sigh of relief, then realizing he hadn’t touched his tea, picked up the mug Arthur has left him.

“I think I’m gonna hit the hay now,” Arthur said yawning.

“Be there in a minute darling,” Charles replied taking a sip from the mug.

Arthur smiled and walked away into their bedroom. Charles finished his cup of tea while staring out the window, snow still filtering through the pine trees outside.

Charles finished his tea, taking the used mug to the sink before making his way to their bed. He crawled in beside Arthur, rapping his arms around the bear of a man.

“Howdy,” Arthur whispered, sleep starting to stick to his tongue.

Charles let his hand wander across Arthur’s chest down to the bottom hem of his t-shirt. Charles lifted his shirt, and carefully moved his hand to rest on Arthur’s stomach.

Arthur stiffened, at this movement. Charles knew Arthur felt self conscious about his body. Especially with the areas Dutch used to tease him for.

When Arthur was a kid, he was a little overweight comparatively to other kids, and especially John. Dutch used to make strange ‘jokes’ about his body.

Dutch used to poke him in the side and say,

“Lookin’ a little chunky there kiddo.”

Or sometimes just a funny out of nowhere comment like,

“Now that’s why you’re the big brother.”

Or just “You’re such a big boy.”

Comments that were always playful at the time. However they had a lasting effect on Arthur’s body image.

Arthur had this mentioned to Charles off handedly; and Charles hadn’t forgotten.

“It’s okay, you’re prefect,” Charles hummed into the crook of Arthur’s neck. Arthur seems to let his body soften with this.

Arthur was in shape now. When he stood flexing, he had abs, and his arms and legs were toned and muscular.

Unfortunately, Arthur’s feelings of insecurity towards his body never faded.

“Mind if I have a better look at you?” Charles asked tugging on Arthur’s shirt, in order to remove it.

“That’s alright I suppose,” Arthur replied, anxiety creeping into his tone.

“You know I love you Arthur. Every part of you.”

Arthur exhaled, calming himself. He wanted to let himself be loved by Charles instead of being stuck in his head.

“I know, I love you too.”

Charles rose slightly, so that he could free Arthur from his shirt. He flung the piece of fabric onto to the floor, and gazed down at his husband. Charles bent down, and kissed Arthur on his chest.

“I love you,” Charles murmured, as he peppered kisses down the rest of Arthur’s body.

Arthur blushed violently, as Charles kissed him. He never realized how badly he wanted this praise.

Charles let his eyes wander to Arthur’s abdomen, where a few tiger striped scars were visible. He pressed a kiss there, knowing Arthur hated these stretch marks. A reminder of his past.

“You’re body is incredible Arthur, you have no idea how stunning I think you are.” Charles praised once again.

Arthur could only sigh in response, becoming almost overwhelmed by his words of affection.

“You’re so sweet and lovable Arthur…You’re what brightens my days…You’re so strong, and handsome too…”

The voice of Charles complimenting Arthur was endless. Soon Arthur was completely relaxed under his touch.

The couple entangled themselves together, letting the heaviness of sleep creep over them.

“G’night darlin’,” Arthur said drifting into sleep.

“Good night hun,” Charles pressed a final kiss onto Arthur’s lips before they both fell asleep in each others arms.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[pegsontheregs]

Riddler x reader - Minors DNI

uhhhhh giving oral while the blorbo's driving :)

cw: oral, while driving, orgasm delay i guess, not beta read and written in like 30 minutes dont expect quality

~600 words, its short

“Babe whoa what’re doing!” The Riddler, or as you called him, Eddie, exclaimed. And that was a good question, what were you doing? Acting on inspiration is what it was. Unbuckling your seat belt and leaning over the console to suck him off sounded fun so that's exactly what you were going to do. If he wanted you to.

“I’m driving!” He hissed at you, both hands white knuckling the wheel. Despite his objections he opened his thighs a little wider for you, letting you settle on his lap.

“Do you actually want me to stop?”

“No, this is hot as fuck, but if I cum while driving I will crash the car.”

“Then I’ll make sure you don’t.” You patted his thigh reassuringly. A whine erupted from him in response.

You got to work, unzipping his fly and fishing out his half hard dick, leaving sloppy kisses up the shaft. Kitten licking at the tip, you swallowed any precum leaking out then slid half of him down your throat.

He groaned and jerked forward. His hand grabbed the back of your head to steady himself. When you started to move, the car filled with the sound of Eddie’s heavy breathing and whining.

“Fuck, fuck.” He breathed. You felt the car slow to a stop. He pushes you head down slightly when you try to raise it to look at him.

“Stoplight. Keep going.” You try not to grin as you continue your ministrations. Reaching your hand into his pants, you massage his balls. A few more seconds and the light was green, and he reluctantly started driving again. You were sure the other people in cars at the light probably saw you. The thrill sent a shiver down your spine.

“Fuck babe, I-“ You pinch at the base of his dick, and pause. Keeping him in your mouth as you hold off his orgasm. Just sitting, waiting, listening to him whine and beg.

“Please! Come on!” He’s pushing at your head again. But you pull off, sliding your fist up his dick agonizingly slow as you talk.

“You said if you cum we crash. So no.”

“Fuck this shit. I’m pulling over.”

“If you pull over, I’m stopping. If you want to finish you better get us home safely.” He stared at you, flicking his eyes to the road occasionally. His brain debating whether it’s worth sitting through this torture or better to pull over and just jerk himself off.

“Fine.” He said decisively, gripping the wheel tightly again. He’s not one to back down from a challenge, he tells himself, only a couple blocks to go this will be easy.

His resolve though was quick to crumble when you took him in your mouth again. He tried hard not to buck into you or let his eyes wander, fearful that he might cum on the spot if he looked. You could tell he was trying his hardest to stare out the window and drive without incident. A few more minutes and another botched orgasm later, he finally pulled into the parking for his safe house.

And no sooner did he grab your hair and fuck into you, moaning all the while. You tried to relax your throat for him and it didn’t take too much of his rutting before he was cumming down your throat with a loud groan. He let you up and you wiped your mouth with the back of your hand.

“Here I thought I was going to have to hold you off at least one more time before we got here. Good job Eddie!” You grinned, kissing his cheek then turning his head to kiss warmly at his lips.

“Fuck you.” He breathed heavily, still trying to catch his breath.

“If you want. You deserve it.”

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The Bezzle excerpt (Part V)

I'm on tour with my new novel The Bezzle! Catch me TONIGHT in SAN DIEGO (Feb 22, Mysterious Galaxy). After that, it's LA (Saturday night, with Adam Conover), Seattle (Monday, with Neal Stephenson), then Portland, Phoenix and more!

I'm out on tour with my new novel, The Bezzle, a cyberpunk revenge thriller about Marty Hench, a two-fisted forensic accountant, and a guerrilla war he wages on a prison-tech provider that treats incarcerated people as assets to be strip-mined:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/16/narrative-capitalism/#bezzle-tour

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/22/self-censorship/#acab

As part of the promotion for the book, I've been serializing an excerpt: Chapter 14, in which Marty takes on a side-quest to recover the stolen royalties of one-time funk star Stephon Magner (AKA Steve Soul) which were stolen by his scumbag manager and then sold on to an even scummier sample-licensing clearinghouse.

Today, I bring you part five, in which Marty's simple cross-referencing project is violently altered by an encounter with the criminal gangs of the LA Sheriffs Deputy departments, a real crime-syndicate whose reign of terror continues to this day:

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-17/dozens-of-lasd-deputies-ordered-to-show-suspected-gang-tattoos-reveal-others-who-have-them

I'm posting this installment en route to San Diego, where I'll be appearing tonight at Mysterious Galaxy

https://www.mystgalaxy.com/22224Doctorow

From there, it's back to LA, where I'm appearing on Saturday evening with Adam Conover at Vromans:

https://www.vromansbookstore.com/Cory-Doctorow-discusses-The-Bezzle

And then on Monday I'll be at Third Place Books with Neal Stephenson:

https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/cory-doctorow

From there, I'm off to Portland, Phoenix, Tucson and points further:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/16/narrative-capitalism/#bezzle-tour

Here's part one of the serial:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/17/the-steve-soul-caper/#lead-singer-disease

Part two:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/19/crad-kilodney-was-an-outlier/#copyright-termination

Part three:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/20/fore/#lawyer-up

Part four:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/21/im-feeling-unlucky/#poacher-turned-keeper

And now, part five!

The storefront had an old break room with a first-­aid kit, and a bathroom with a sink. I sponged myself clean in the mirror, ate two expired Aleves and three 200 mg expired Tylenols out of the kit. The ass was ripped most of the way out of my pants, so I moved my wallet to my front pocket, which my massage therapist had been nagging at me to do for years.

I opened the door more carefully this time and limped out into the parking lot. My rental—­a little red Civic—­was the only car left in the parking lot, except for a rusted junker with no tires that was the perennial sentry of its farthest corner.

I bipped the doors open with my fob, checked the back seat, then slid inside. I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror and winced, which pulled at my bruises and set blood oozing from my lip and cheekbone again, which made me wince harder. I was already halfway to Quasimodo and I tried to remember if there was a 7-­Eleven on the route home where I could buy a couple of bags of frozen peas for the swelling.

I reset the mirror and backed out of my spot. The pain was increasing. They’d have Advil at the 7-­Eleven, and I’d remembered where there was one on the way back to my Airbnb.

As I waited for a red light at Eagle Rock and Colorado Boulevard, I watched as a homeless man labored across the road with his shopping cart. I was still watching him when I realized the light had been green for some time and had just toggled yellow. I made the turn and headed up Colorado, but I was barely a hundred yards down the road when I heard a siren blat and saw the police lights. I checked my mirrors and saw the LASD cruiser directly behind me, racing right up to my bumper, slowing only at the very last moment. The cruiser’s high beams blinked insistently and the siren whooped.

I pulled over.

I waited while the officer slowly got out of his car and walked to my driver’s-­side window. I kept my hands at ten and two. The officer tapped my window and made a roll-­down motion, so I hit the button, moving slowly, putting my hand back.

I got a light in my face, squinting and thus reopening my cheekbone and lip.

“Everything all right, sir?”

“Yes,” I said, feeling the blood ooze down my chin. “I was beaten up,” I said, stating the obvious.

“That is unfortunate,” the officer said. “License and registration.”

I got my driver’s license out of my wallet and found the rental papers in the glove box and handed them over. He crunched back to his cruiser and I watched him in the side mirror. He’d left his cruiser’s headlights on and in the glare it was hard to tell, but it looked like there was another cop in the car whom he was conferring with. After a long delay, he came back.

“Step out of the car, please.”

I did. He turned me around and had me plant my hands on the hood, kicked my feet apart, and roughly frisked me, getting his hand inside the rent in the seat of my pants and patting my boxer shorts and giving my balls a hard squeeze.

“Sir, do you know why I stopped you?”

“I don’t,” I said.

“You proceeded unsafely through a traffic signal. Have you been drinking, sir?”

“I haven’t.”

“Have you consumed any cannabis or other drugs?”

“I haven’t.”

He turned me around and shone his light in my eyes. “If I search your car, am I gonna find any drugs?”

“No, sir.”

“Because I am gonna search that car and if I do find drugs and you’ve been lying to me, this is gonna be a lot worse than it needs to be.”

I didn’t dignify that with a response. My head hurt. My face hurt. My back hurt. This was a bullshit stop.

I expected the deputy’s partner to get out of the cruiser while my tormentor tossed the rental car, but he stayed put. I did, too. Obviously. I wasn’t going to take off on foot. I’m a forensic accountant, not a gang kid getting fifteen minutes of fame on Cops.

He spent long enough on the rental that I started to worry. Who knew what some previous driver might have shoved between the seats? But after pulling out the floor mats and tossing them onto the grassy verge beside the car, he finally stood up.

“All right, sir. I’m going to go and get a breathalyzer test. You can refuse it and I will then suspend your license for twenty-­ four hours. I will arrest you for a suspected DUI and bring you in for a blood test. If you fail that test, you will be subject to additional criminal penalties. Do you understand me?”

He had old coffee on his breath. My face hurt. “I’ll take a test.”

Back to the cruiser. It had been half an hour at least. Once the breathalyzer was done—­fifteen minutes, if memory served—­I could go to the 7-­Eleven for painkillers and frozen peas. I decided I’d add a six-­pack, I was so tired. My face hurt. I knew that mouthing off to this cop wouldn’t make things go faster, quite the opposite, but as he took his leisurely time coming back to me, I was hard-­pressed not to.

I blew. “May I sit down?” I asked. “My face hurts.”

He didn’t bother to look up from his phone. “Stay where you are, sir.”

I stood. My face hurt. Time crawled. Finally, the breathalyzer beeped. He held it up and squinted at it, then used his phone to light up its face.

When he did, his sleeve rode up and revealed the “998” tattoo on his forearm. Suddenly, I didn’t care so much about the pain in my face.

The cop looked at me. He was an older guy, but quite a silver fox, in a Clooneyoid sort of way. Had the same smile lines at the corners of his lips and eyes. But on him, they looked mean. Dangerous. A man who would smile at you while he beat your face in.

“All right, sir,” he said. “I’m going to write you a citation for reckless driving and you will be free to go.” He smiled. “Thank you for your cooperation.” It sounded like “fuck you.”

Back to the cruiser again. When he was done writing, he switched off his headlights, and the bubble light inside the car lit up his partner. Heavyset. Smiling. Excellent teeth. He gave me the same look as he had just before kicking me in the ribs. I gasped involuntarily and my ribs burned. His smile got bigger.

The Clooneyoid deputy returned with my ticket. I looked at it and then I realized he’d said “reckless driving”—­not “dangerous driving.” This was a summons, not a citation. For a misdemeanor. Two points off my license and I’d have to go to court. Depending on the judge, I could be in for fines or even a jail sentence.

Clooneyoid saw me figuring this out and he smiled, too. Everyone was having a great time tonight except for poor old Marty Hench.

“See you in court, sir,” he said.

I exercised extreme care on the drive to the 7-­Eleven, even backing out of my parking spot and reparking so that I was perfectly centered between the white lines. The clerk didn’t bat an eye at my hamburger face. I gave myself five minutes to bury my bruises in the frozen peas before I backed out and drove the rest of the way to my Airbnb.

I drove five under the limit the whole way, and when I got out of my rental, I looked long and hard up and down the street for an LA Sheriff’s Department cruiser.

ETA: Here's part six!

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/22/self-censorship/#acab

[korgbelmont]

Male MC (Nick Taylor) x Stacy Green

As the winter months come to Westchester, Stacy finds out about a winter festival happening and talks Nick into going, where he will do something that he never dared to in the past.

Written in the present tense.

Tagging: @choicesficwriterscreations, @jerzwriter

Warnings: None

Word Count: 838

Notes: I don’t own these characters, they are the property of Pixelberry Studios.

Ice created on cooltext.com

This story was inspired by this ask from @jerzwriter, so I guess this is kind of my first requested fic!

Pulling up into a parking spot, Stacy kills the engine to her car and reaches behind to grab her coat as Nick does his jacket up.

Stacy - Ready?

Nick - Yeah.

The two get out an make their way into the festival where all manner of stalls and activities are set up. Making their first stop at a hot drinks van, Nick pays for a couple of steaming drinks and they begin their way along the different stalls. Stopping at a ring toss, Stacy gives Nick a knowing look, the competitive smile.

Nick - The deal?

Stacy - Winner gets a massage.

Nick - Alright.

They hand over some bills and the vendor hands the couple three rings. Nick goes first, only landing one of his rings.

Nick - Crap.

Stacy - I have a good feeling about that massage.

Nick chuckles as Stacy takes her turn, landing all three of her rings. She shoots her arms in the air victoriously, turning to Nick, who can only smile.

Vendor - Take your pick of prize.

Looking them over, her eyes settle on one in particular.

Stacy - The penguin, please.

The vendor grabs the penguin and hands it to her.

Stacy - Thanks.

They continue along the festival and Stacy looks at her winning Penguin.

Nick - Guess Pinguino P. Piddlefluff now has a friend.

Stacy - Looks like it.

Nick - So where to next?

Stacy points at the ice skating rink and they head over. Going up to the vendor, Stacy hands the vendor some money.

Stacy - Two sets please.

Nick - Wait, what?

The vendor hands them their skates and they go over to the bench. Stacy notices the hesitance in Nick.

Stacy - You okay?

Nick - I, uh... I've never actually done this before. I'll be happy to watch!

Stacy stands and takes his hands in hers.

Stacy - I'll be with you the whole time and never let go.

The warmth of her hands also gives him a reassurance.

Nick - I'll give it a go. For you.

Smiling she gives him a quick kiss before sitting and changing into her skates. Nick sits next to her and does the same. Once in their new footwear, Stacy stands and holds her hand out to Nick. He takes it, using the bench with his free hand to keep his balance. Once standing, he takes her other hand, feeling a bit wobbly beneath him. They head onto the ice, and Nick takes hold of the edge.

Stacy - I've got you.

She takes hold of his hand from the edge and they slowly begin gliding rather than stepping on the ice.

Nick - Okay...

He raises an eyebrow at her as she stakes backwards.

Stacy - Don't worry, I won't try and get you to do this.

They pick up the speed a bit more, and Nick loses his balance. Before he can fall, Stacy catches him and they come to a stop at the edge.

Stacy - You okay?

Nick - Yeah.

They take a moment before Nick nods and they begin moving again, keeping at comfortable speed for Nick. Stacy moves round to skate next to him instead of in front of him, never letting go.

After a while, they take their leave of the ice and change back into their normal footwear. Being able to feel the ground beneath him, Nick breathes in slight relief.

Stacy - How'd you find it?

Nick - It wasn't as bad as I'd made it out in my mind.

She rests her head on his shoulder.

Stacy - You had a go.

She kisses his cheek before standing and return to the festival, trying out some of the games. But as the evening hours turn to late night, the festival begins winding down, they head back to the car. However, as they do, Nick's foot lands on a piece of ice covered by shadow and slips, falling. Stacy kneels down as he moves up to sit.

Stacy - Are you alright?!

Nick - I think so. I think mostly embarrassed. Not exactly my finest moment

Stacy - At least there's no one around filming it.

The two laugh and soon stand. Continuing back to the car as Nick wipes everything of his backside.

Nick - Definitely changing when we get back though.

Stacy can't help but laugh a bit and he responds by jokingly flashing his middle finger at her.

Stacy - Love you too.

On the drive, Stacy reaches across to take Nick's hand in hers, stroking with her thumb.

Nick - You okay?

Stacy - Thank you for coming with me.

He smiles, raising her hand to his lips.

Nick - I'm willing to try things for you.

Stacy - Right back at you.

Nick gives her hand a squeeze and leans across to kiss her cheek.

Stacy - I'd return it, but I'm driving.

The two laugh and Nick undoes his jacket as the inside of the car warms up.

[lgcseojin]

✱  BSIDE 003

— DATED 10.06.2023 Helios Boxing Gym

Sometimes, life was a daydream — droning on endless with a subtle hint of sweetness. Like a long sip of lukewarm green tea or a spoonful of peanut butter.

The other times felt vaguely like a lucid state of being entrenched in fantasy. Anything you could have ever wanted. Saccharine flakes let behind on your lips for another reminder later on. It tugs on the ankles, lithe fingers circled around in a grip not too tight, but enough to entice to take another step forward.

But Seojin had never quite been fond of sweets. His tongue searched for something sour — sometimes, bitter. Life would give him what he asks for.

It is then that the image of a nightmare overtakes his mind. A voice scratches in the back of it, a permanent mark left with fangs and claws. The overflowing tastes blend together and make him sick, make his throat stick together so tightly that he cannot even expel the toxic bile that climbs its way out. And so, he swallows it down. Each time is a false triumph he takes over it to bottle it away in the pit of his stomach.

But it brews and brews, not content to settle. A fire in its infancy. The sparks ricochet off the inside, and burrows into the visceral fabric of his insides until it is time to take true form. It burns so violently, and he ignores it again to spite the pain.

Park Seojin is a hypocrite. He knows and he doesn't.

He speaks words of caution so many times — to not end up like him. Only he can handle such a heavy burden he puts himself through. Without suppression, without his role as a pillar, those around him would surely fall ... and yet, they do anyway. He watches, helpless, as those he holds dear slip away into the depths. No matter how he reaches out with strength, their grip on his fingertips is weak.

Failure, fucking failure. You failed them and you can't even help yourself.

The voice reappears. It speaks coupled with a laugh that mocks him while it chews at his organs with teeth that inject a decaying poison that he can no longer ignore.

He calls out to a guiding light, only to reject it when it tells him all the things that he wants to hear — all the things that he wants to badly not to be true. No, not that his life is extraordinary, nor that he is supposed to be strong all the time. That it is okay to feel like he is floundering, that he must accept the feelings to overcome them.

Leave me the fuck alone.

His hand rubs at the core of his chest, fingers digging into his sternum to massage away the tightness. They press down so hard that it leaves his skin sore and red. He pays no mind, not even as he stares himself down in the mirror. He sighs. His reflection glowers.

"What are you looking at?" Who is he, anyway? What is he even saying? This isn't a movie scene, nor is it real life.

Seojin backs away from the sink to step back into the main area of the boxing gym he often haunted. The frequency of his visits increased in accordance to his mood — something he had not quite realized, but the man at the check in certainly did. It becomes obvious with how intensely he swats at the bags with his fists; even more so when he abandons the hand wraps. ( Just to feel something. )

The crests of his knuckles sting after he washes his hands, each of them rubbed raw until red. He does not notice the crimson liquid that appears from some. Even as he approaches the horribly abused bag he had been attending to that entire evening. ( It helps him forget the soreness in his legs and the throbbing behind his ribcage. ) He grabs for his hand wraps, coiling them around his hands until he feels the edges dig into his skin.

Your temper is too short. Calm down. You can’t just take out your feelings this way. There’s a healthier way to let out your emotions, Seojin.

It's familiar, the phrases that flow into his ears from a voice over the shoulder his brain barely registers. Not until burly, callused fingers wrap around his own to cease his attempts at pummeling the bag once again. He turns his head toward the man, settling on the familiar face looking back at him with eyes that hold empathy.

He knew him from back then — the period of drills during his service in the marines done with the American soldiers. In those few months, Seojin took quite the liking to the older man's warm nature, initially drawn to his grandiose stories of his own service and tendency to show off. ( Indeed, the same man he spoke of to this day who caught fish with his bare hands. ) He contacted Seojin when he was discharged for a life-changing injury, urging him to come see him when his own service ended at his father's boxing gym.

"Don't look at me like that, Andy." Seojin snaps, teeth bared as they press into his lips. "Like what?" The man forces his hands to lower. "You're cut off for the day, kid. Go home." "Cut off," he scoffs. "What is this, a bar?" "No, but you're going too far. Can't have you start bleeding all over the bags." "It's not that bad. I've had worse." "I'm sure you have," Andreas easily puts himself in between Seojin and the bag, hands gripping his shoulders. His tone is calm and steady against the younger's need to bite. "You can come back later. It's getting late, anyway. Go home, okay?"

Seojin's face is painted with a scowl as he backs away and stumbles toward the exit, bag draped over his back. Fortunately, the little thing that lurks inside him is content to drift back down. The aim is to self-destruct — at least for now.

The nightmare has only just begun.

[e-carlease]

One of the best things about electric cars in 2023 is that we are now seeing 1st generation models from the “early years” being improved, revised and facelifted. For the early-adopters in the UK’s EV market, we are grateful for those consumers and businesses for having the foresight and courage to invest into all-electric technology in 2018 / 2019 / 2020, when little was known on how good this form of transport would be (and when public charging infrastructure was still in its early inception). And VW’s electric Golf replacement, the ID.3, was first shown to the world in 2016 before being pushed into production in 2019 with deliveries taking place around 2020 around Europe (including the UK). As one would expect, the ID3 was fairly popular, amassing some 11,032 registrations in 2021 (it was the 3rd best-selling EV in the UK) followed by becoming the 4th best-selling UK EV with 9,178 registrations in 2022! (see SMMT for more details - https://media.smmt.co.uk/). Launching with a Pure battery (45 kWh), Pro battery (58 kWh) and Pro S configuration (77 kWh), VW’s all-electric hatchback filled a necessary hole in the UK’s automotive market, which was historically dominated by SUVs and luxury / prestige options. Winning awards, like the Which? Best Buy of 2023 (https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/new-and-used-cars/volkswagen-id-3-2020), does prove that this is very much the zero-emission Golf equivalent.   

 But the “future of driving” is not a completed model and the German group have now confirmed a series of external, integral and technological improvements to this popular EV (see VW - https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/electric-and-hybrid/electric-cars/the-new-id3.html). As the “evolution of electric mobility” continues, the brand have confirmed some truly existing updates including:

  Exterior - new colours such as Dark Olivine Green,     sharper profile at the front together with new tail light clusters and     dynamic turn signals plus IQ.Light LED matrix headlights set to be     offered. New alloy options including the 19” Wellington and 20” Sanya     alloys, a new Exterior Package will allow drivers to add LED matrix     headlights with automatic lighting control, LED tail lights, illuminated     strip between headlights and tinted rear windows. An Exterior Packages     PLUS includes a panoramic roof and sun blind;   

  Interior - increased options on the dash and door trim,     together with higher quality finish. Ability to upgrade to the optional     electric seats with massage function and high-quality fabric. New     panoramic glass roof with “heavenly views” and sunblind; and

   Technology and safety - 8-colour ambient lighting,     Travel Assist with adaptive lane guidance and predictive cruise control,     Emergency Assist, Area View with 4 cameras, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane     Keeping Assist and Park Assist Plus can all be added to your new ID3.       

 Not unlike many other brands, the ID.3 will be utilising over-the-air updates for continual improvements coupled with the We Connect ID app for synergising your vehicle to your mobile device. Many EV customers enjoy the facility to start and stop charging, or warm their vehicle, from the comfort of the app.  

[zenith56]

The Room – A Luxurious Concept of Studio Apartments

Redefining the concept of studio apartments, The Room by Central Park offers a luxurious lifestyle that most can only imagine. Located in Sector 48, Gurugram, The Room is designed for those who desire opulence in their everyday life. Packed with top-notch amenities, this luxurious studio apartment provides residents with an experience where each day feels better than the last.

The Room offers an impressive array of facilities, including a Yoga and Zumba Centre, Sauna and Massage Room, Gym, Swimming Pool, and a Luxurious Spa, ensuring a life of relaxation and tranquility. The attentive staff is dedicated to providing a comfortable living experience with services like concierge, food on call, and more. Living at The Room is like stepping into a world where dreams meet reality, surrounded by green lawns that provide a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Unparalleled 5-Star Living at The Room

The Room brings to life the concept of a world-class lifestyle with its 5-star living amenities. From a multi-cuisine restaurant to a grand lobby, party room, and bar, residents enjoy an extraordinary experience. Safety is never a concern, as highly trained personnel provide 24/7 security. Additionally, there is a 24-hour doctor and ambulance on call, ensuring peace of mind at all times.

Experience the best in comfort, luxury, and calm, all wrapped in the beautiful surroundings of The Room.

A Preferred Choice for Corporate Leasing and Expats

The unique concept of The Room quickly became a hit, attracting a high number of rentals. It is now a popular choice for young professionals, corporate tenants, and couples. Monthly rentals range from ₹1.2 to ₹1.4 lacs, making it a desirable investment. Moreover, The Room has attracted expats from nations such as Japan, the USA, China, the UK, and Canada. These residents work with leading corporations like Suzuki, Japan Railway, Denso, and Honda, making The Room a hub of like-minded professionals.

The Room is home to over 500 expats representing more than 30 nationalities and is associated with over 70 global corporations. This community provides residents with a neighborhood that blends luxury, comfort, and international appeal.

Prime Location for Easy Connectivity

Strategically located in Gurugram’s Sector 48, The Room offers easy access to major city hubs. More than 50 multinational companies are located within a 10 km radius, making it a convenient choice for corporate professionals. Renowned schools like GD Goenka and DPS are also nearby, and Golf Course Road is just a 12-minute drive away. Additionally, The Room is close to the IT and ITES SEZ, allowing residents to spend less time commuting and more time with their loved ones.

For those seeking a blend of luxury, convenience, and an ideal living environment, Central Park 'The Room' is the ultimate destination. Enjoy the grandeur of a luxurious lifestyle with unmatched comfort in one of the best properties to invest in Gurgaon.

[theloniousbach]

RETIREMENT CHRONICLES 1.4

When I retired from my 9-5 job on Sept 1 last year, I found it useful to continue to apply the semester framework to my life. Since I was still teaching and school had formally defined the tempo of my life for over 50 years and informally for almost all of the others, that was an easy move. But the point was that a semester was a good unit of time to set goals, long enough to measure accomplishments but short enough to make those goals concrete.

I wrote the first of these chronicles in December and the second, as 2.0, in January as the Spring semester was starting. The winter break was far from a semester but it was a full month without anything more to do for school than get ready to teach. I had my first taste of fully organizing my own time around the goals I continue to set for myself: health/self-care; fiction, reading but also writing; and music, watching and writing about it, but also playing. In May, I wrote about my progress on those fronts (and my Galapagos trip and my sister’s death) as 3.0.

But, on the notion that I will continue to give myself grades for what I have down during these slots for at least another round or two, let’s call this installment for Summer, 1.4, expecting December’s entry to be 2.1.

This time around is rather like 2.0 in that it was up to me to dictate my time with just a little of school (some collaboration on my Gleich Honors College project (most amusingly, an aborted phone meeting from Peninsula State Park which was delayed a half hour as I got out of the park and back to Fish Creek, WI), getting a Spring 2025 Short Term Study Abroad class approved, and some general planning for the semester ahead). If I am retired with an asterisk during the school year, the asterisk fades away during the month of winter break and the three of Summer.

What doesn’t change are my three basic goals which frankly flourished.

HEALTH/SELF CARE was, I suppose a bit of a question mark, as we were away from our regular gym and the amenities that have made working out sustainable as I just don’t hurt the next day. We got an at home version of the mats that was our main resource and we found massage therapists in Door County. But, thanks to Medicare’s Silver Sneakers, we were regulars at the two Y’s there, going even more frequently, and using a wider variety of machines. I got stronger. This has been my biggest success over the past year and I am glad to sustain it over our long time out of town.

But that too was a form of self-care in that we were away from St Louis heat, able to take a sustained look at a place we had visited for a week or two every few years, and, best of all, regularly able to look at Lake Michigan or Green Bay and the pelicans that swim/fly around them. I was able to go to five Door County Baseball League games, seeing five of the eight teams and four of the fields rather than maybe a game in other years. While I won’t need to go back to the museums for agriculture, shipping, and general history, I did finally go on the days that I had to myself and have a more grounded sense of Door County. There are a couple of nature preserves and a Native gallery as well as a Door Shakespeare play to catch, but I have checked off many of the remaining boxes.

MUSIC thankfully continues as I tracked that I wrote 39 of my musical souvenirs. While they were mostly jazz, we did go to three MidSummer Music concerts of chamber music and I have begun looking forward to Phil Lesh’s weekly streams from Terrapin Clubhouse as he continues to find a way to mine the legacy of the Grateful Dead canon. We overpacked going north, but that made it possible for me to bring the bass as well as the guitar. I made some initial progress on understanding that instrument while continuing to enjoy the guitar, albeit probably not as systematically as I could. I would like to be more systematic to polish and expand repertoire and technique. I hope to have a report for 2.1 in this series.

FICTION received the lion share of the time and attention that I wasn’t devoting to school. I wrote regularly, finishing a novella, let’s call it, and starting a new one, a total of over 20,000 words. While partially living in a fictional world of my own creation, I read 17 novels (completing one mystery series, pausing 200 pages before the end of another, and getting to the halfway point of Patrick O’Brian’s monumental Aubrey/Maturin Master and Commander series). I also read a memoir on Dutch art.

So I head into the Fall semester hoping to continue to make progress on all these fronts. The challenges will be to make realistic progress with my own fiction even as teaching will draw on my creative brain and to find a way to be systematic about my playing. Watching music and writing about it, walking and working out, and reading are givens and will happen naturally.

Still, things are not on auto-pilot. I am curious what will be new.