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queermtl · 1 year

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QUEER MTL THINGS TO DO: July 2023

July turns up the heat and Montréal’s queers take to the streets! This month, Montréal is stuffed to the brim with events, parties and unique experiences painted in all the colours of the LGBTQ+ rainbow. From drag to community, circuit to underground, here’s some of our picks for the best LGBTQ+ things to do in the city. For further announcements, follow QueerMTL on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr! Got an event coming up? DM it our way!

EVENT OF THE MONTH:

🥳 Sure to be one of the summer’s favourite gathering spots, Ellelui presents Summer Happy Hours—Lesbian, Queer & Trans Oriented Events, every Wednesday from 19:00-22:00 this summer at Ping Pong Club. There’s a 20% BIPOC discount and PWYC tickets are available to those facing financial hardship—contact [email protected] to access either option.

EVENTS

🐕 Queers love dogs, and dog-loving queers will adore the first edition of WOOPAW FEST at Bassin Peel on July 1 and 2, 2023, including a grand parade along the Lachine Canal!

🧺 Make new friends at the July Queer Picnic at Parc La Fontaine on Sunday, July 2, 2023. Find details on Facebook.

✊ Show your love for Montréal’s Village at MANIFESTATION J’AIME MON VILLAGE on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, starting at Parc de l’Espoir at 5:30 PM. Bring your favourite noisemaker and show your love for one of the city’s most historically queer neighbourhoods.

✍️ HommeHomo brings Drink & Draw back to Bar Le Cocktail on Wednesday, July 5 and Wednesday, July 19, 2023, featuring live models and drink specials.

🎶 A Very Toxic Show at Bar Notre Dame des Quilles on Thursday, July 6, 2023, is sure to be an unforgettable night of covers, remixes and mash-ups of Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ and nothing else.

🎥 Wong Kar Wai’s Fallen Angels screens at the notorious old school adult Cinema l’Amour as part of Cinema Erotica 05, featuring post-screening music from Pauli Cakes, Miasalav, Mossy Mugler and Faux Sommets on Friday, July 7, 2023.

🫦 Pay loving tribute to the legendary Missy Elliott at the Missy Elliott Burlesque at Café Cléopatra on Saturday, July 8, 2023!

🥘 The Coalition des familles LGBT+ (CFLGBT+) hosts a Potluck BIPOC LGBTQ2S+ on Saturday, July 8, 2023 in Parc La Fontaine. Grab free tickets and get cooking!

🧘 Grove Campus Yoga Fest ’23: What is Love in Action? offers yoga for all levels, meditation, plant-based food, local vendors and entertainment all day long on Saturday, July 8, 2023. Check Eventbrite for tickets and location information.

🎶 Musical darling Christine and the Queens perform two nights in a row at MTELUS, Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9, 2023.

🎉 Celebrate and commemorate 30 years of Montréal sexual health organization REZO at REZO en spectacle—Soirée d’autofinancement at Cabaret Mado on Monday, July 10, 2023.

🎥 REEL GAY screens the Twilight saga’s New Moon with live commentary featuring the one and only Tranna Wintour on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at The Diving Bell Social Club.

🕺Choreographer Scott Fordham presents Limitless, a showcase of his work with special guest performers at Cabaret Mado on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

🎤 If you’ve ever asked what could possibly make karaoke even better, the popular Bareoke: Strip Karaoke at Café Cléopatra on Saturday, July 15, 2023 is your answer!

🤝 Meet fellow LGBTQ+ professionals at Le Frigo Vert’s Queer Entrepreneur Networking Event on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

🎶 Veruca Salt’s Louise Post brings her solo material to Bar Le Ritz PBD on Monday, July 17, 2023.

🧺 Summer picnic season continues with the Queer Anglo Pride Picnic (Take 2), presented by Fierté Montréal, on Friday, July 21, 2023 at Parc Leduc.

🩲 The Festival Hochelag: Queer et NU.E.S. brings two nights of performance to the Maisonneuve House of Culture on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22, 2023. Night one is a full cabaret with 10 performers, while the second night features the premiere of the Collectif NU.E.S’ Quand la neige fond entre mes cuisses.

🎶 Moira & Claire play alongside Ezra Glatt on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at Ursa.

✊The Archives gaies du Québec hosts The Aesthetic Activism of ACT UP Montréal: a history in photos and posters from June 13-August 13, 2023, spotlighting an important piece of both HIV/AIDS and Montréal’s activist history.

👠 Twice a month on every second Tuesday, Bring It! hosts an OTA night of ballroom and vogue with commentator and DJ. Follow their Instagram for dates and details.

🤔 Every Wednesday, Bar Champs hosts Wednesday Trivia Night at Champs with Quiz Master Brian.

🎾 Throughout the month, Tennis Lambda hosts LIGUE DE DIMANCHE outdoor tennis on the courts at Parc Louis-Riel. Check Eventbrite for full dates and details.

🚲 Montréal Queer Bike Polo meets on Thursdays! Find details and directions on their Instagram.

🏐 Les Ratons-Chasseurs (Montréal’s LGBTA dodgeball group) holds regular events. Keep an eye on their Facebook for upcoming opportunities to join in and play.

🤠 The long-running Club Bolo offers open country music dance classes every Friday evening at the Association sportive et communautaire du Centre-Sud. Find more details at their website.

🕹Montréal Gaymers hosts regular gatherings including board game nights and gaming gatherings. Check their Facebook for what’s next!

🎤 Most Tuesdays, check out Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic at Impro Montréal, focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians.

🏃🏾Join the Out-Run run and workout club for people relating to the queer / sapphic experience. Details on their Instagram!

💃 Tango/Salsa Queer’s continue, with Salsa Queer on Saturdays from 13:30-14:30 and Tango (beginners/intermediate) on Saturdays at 12:00-13:30. Contact [email protected] or call +1 (438) 930-8529 for prices and signup information.

🐦 Bird lovers should keep their eye on Queer Birders' regularly scheduled birdwatching events and excursions. Join the Facebook group and get those binoculars at the ready.

PARTIES

🥳 Guaranteeing an unmissable outdoor day-long dance party, Playground 2023 takes over Entrepôt 77 on Saturday, July 1, 2023, featuring performances from Mantisse, Laroie, Berlam, David Campana, Young Rose and more.

🥳 Paying tribute to dance music of the Arab/SWANA region, Parallel Vol. 2 promises to dance the night away at The Diving Bell Social Club on Saturday, July 1, 2023.

🥳 The sounds of the legendary Berghain comes to Montréal at BERLIN TECHNO 7—Canada Day Edition at Cabaret Berlin on Sunday, July 2, 2023.

🥳 Vinorama hosts a Queer Wine Mixer on Thursday, July 6, 2023, and the first glass comes included with the entry ticket.

🥳 Discoño returns on Friday, July 7, 2023 at Ausgang Plaza with sets from Argentina’s Tayhana, Mexico’s Samia, AYYYBRINO, Jashim and Rico Rica.

🥳 LUVHAUS Soirée LGBTQ made in Hochelaga brings B’ugo and Diskommander to Blockhaus on Saturday, July 8, 2023!

🥳 The Tumblr 2014 Dance Party promises to go back in time to the “edgy blogger era” at Turbo Haüs on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

🥳 Turn back the clock at the With It 60’s Soul Party Montréal on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Bar La Shop, and dance to all of your favourite ‘60s hits.

🥳 The ‘90s are back in style at Saved By the ‘90s…Baby! at Plaza Centre-Ville on Friday, July 14, 2023, self-proclaimed as the biggest ‘90s dance event in town.

🥳 Turn the lights down low at Cirque de Boudoir’s GOTH BEACH 2 at Cabaret Berlin on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Don’t forget the dress code—keep it fetish and keep it on theme!

🥳 Gear ’n’ Dance Montréal takes over Bain Mathieu on Saturday, July 22, 2023, promising a new and welcoming fetish experience for experts and beginners alike.

DRAG

👑 Calling all gaymers: The Gahds (Uma and Selma) host Jackbox Games with The Gahds at Bar Le Cocktail on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Play along or vote for your favourite players!

👑 Misty Waterfalls pulls double duty on Sunday, July 2, 2023 with Le Brunch aux Folles at 13h00 and Le Souper aux Folles at 17:00, both featuring Kiara and Victoire de Rockwell at Bar Social Verdun.

👑 Cabaret Mado hosts the Cabaret Queer on Thursday, July 6, 2023, featuring performances from Tracy Trash, The Lady Josephine, Velma Jones, Miss Butterfly, Kitana Swett and others.

👑 Master of diva impersonation Jimmy Moore presents Jimmy Moore personnifie Lady Gaga to Cabaret Mado on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

👑 If you miss Y2K culture, non-binary performers Heaven Genderfck, Prudence, Val the Freak and Cismon Genderfck want to take you there at ENBY 4.5 presents YouTube 2K on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Bar Le Cocktail.

👑 Legendary queen Mado presents Mado Bitche la France on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at her namesake club Cabaret Mado, featuring Squeegee Nicky on piano.

👑 Jimmy Moore pays spot-on tribute to Céline Dion with Jimmy Moore personnifie Céline Dion on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Cabaret Mado.

👑 Lulu Shade and Lady Monrose host Shade on Vacation on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Bar Le Cocktail, featuring Mike Oxlong, Lily-Rose and Iris DeLys.

👑 A queen of many talents, Tracy Trash pays tribute to the Material Girl with Madonna! on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at Cabaret Mado.

👑 Montréal’s glamour doll Sasha Bags hosts Sashalicious on Thursday, July 20, 2023, featuring appearances from Aizysse Baga, Pétula Claque, Bobépine and Lady Boom Boom.

👑 Pop chameleon Jimmy Moore presents the Jimmy Moore personnifie Adèle supper and show at Complexe Sky on Friday, July 21, 2023.

👑 Does Jimmy Moore ever sleep? Don’t miss Jimmy Moore personnifie Britney Spears at Cabaret Mado on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

👑 Lady Boom Boom hosts Drag Brunch at the Resto du Village on Sunday, July 23, 2023 with guests Zayra Schatzi, Will Charmer and Darling Delight.

👑 Celebrate Crystal Starz’s birthday on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 with Légale et Blonde at Bar Le Cocktail, featuring appearances from Chibouki, Chouchoune and Michel Dorion.

👑 Aizysse Baga presents TRASHILAZ featuring some of Montréal’s most exciting up-and-coming drag talent featuring Lady Boom Boom, Emmötionnal Damage, Pétula Claque, Misty Waterfalls and special guest Prince D-Serious on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

👑 Jimmy Moore continues to work, work, work, work, work it with Jimmy Moore personnifie Rihanna at Cabaret Mado on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

👑 On Friday and Saturday nights, the legendary Mado Lamotte hosts Mado Reçoit at her namesake club, Cabaret Mado. Each week, she shares the stage with a hand-picked roster of queens. Tickets and lineup info here.

👑 Uma Gahd hosts weekly screenings of Drag Race All Stars Season 8 at Bar Le Cocktail on Friday nights. Come early for a good seat and laugh along all season!

👑 Rosa Golde hosts weekly Drag Race All Stars Season 8 viewings with special guest hosts including Marilyn Manhole and August Wind every Friday at Champs Bar, starting at 9:00 PM. Find more information here.

👑 Every Tuesday, Canada’s Drag Race season 3 winner Gisèle Lullaby hosts Full Gisèle at Cabaret Mado. Tickets and schedule at Cabaret Mado’s website.

👑 Bar Le Cocktail’s regular weekly events include Butterfly de nuit with Miss Butterfly every Thursday, Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion on Fridays, Drôles de Drags with a rotating cast of queens on Saturdays and Dimanche Show with Michel Dorion on Sundays. Check listings for specific details, and pick up tickets here.

👑 Every Monday at the Diving Bell Social Club, Bambi Dextrous hosts Trivia Night! Be sure to book your team table in advance.

👑 Every Thursday at Complexe Sky, check out the Jimmy Moore Drag Show at 10 PM, sure to feature eye-popping costume changes and dance moves that don’t quit. Free with club admission.

👑 Sunday nights brings the amazingly hilarious Tracy Trash’s Le Tracy Show to Cabaret Mado. Grab tickets here.

#montreal #lgbtq #lgbttravel #queermtl #mtlmoments #thingstodo

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trandingpost1 · 4 months

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National Best Friend Day: Fun Ideas to Shower Your BFF with Love

Celebrating Side-by-Side: Quality Time Activities

Sometimes, the best way to celebrate is with some good old-fashioned fun. Here are some ideas to get that quality time rolling: - Classic Fun with a Twist: - Movie Marathon: Unleash your inner couch potato with a movie marathon. Pick a genre, create a themed snack spread (think 80s throwbacks or superhero snacks!), and settle in for a night of giggles (or screams, depending on the movie!). Channel your inner child with a throwback movie marathon featuring your favorite childhood films. - Game Night Extravaganza: Dust off those board games or fire up the video console for a night of friendly competition. You can even make it a potluck situation where everyone brings their favorite game or snack. Take it up a notch with a themed game night. Pick a decade (think roaring 20s or 90s nostalgia) and have everyone dress up and play games from that era. - Foodie Frenzy: Brunch, lunch, dinner – the choice is yours! Treat your BFF to a delicious meal at your favorite spot, or whip up a culinary masterpiece together in the kitchen. Level up your lunch date with a progressive meal. Start with appetizers at one spot, head to another for the main course, and finish with dessert at a cozy cafe. - Picture Perfect: Channel your inner photographer with a themed photoshoot. Think goofy poses, recreate iconic movie scenes, or dress up in outrageous outfits. Laughter guaranteed! For a more relaxed vibe, have a picnic in a scenic location and capture some beautiful memories together. - Adventure Awaits: Escape the ordinary with a hike, picnic in the park, or a day trip to a new place. Explore a local museum, visit a farmers market, or try your hand at something new, like rock climbing or pottery painting. Feeling adventurous? Plan a short road trip to a nearby town or explore a hidden gem in your own city. Read Also:Mark Your Calendars! It’s World Malaria Day: Join the Fight to End a Preventable Disease!

Friendship Goals: Unleash Your Creative Spirit

Feeling a little more adventurous? These creative activities will have you bonding over laughter and maybe a little friendly competition: - Cooking Class Capers: Take a cooking class together and learn how to whip up a new dish. Bonus points for themed classes like sushi making or mastering the art of perfect pasta. For a more low-key option, have a potluck challenge where each friend brings a dish inspired by a different cuisine. - DIY Delights: Unleash your inner crafter with a DIY project. Make friendship bracelets, tie-dye shirts, or create a personalized photo album filled with your favorite memories. Feeling nostalgic? Dig out some old photos and turn them into a scrapbook filled with embellishments and funny captions. - Songbirds and Storytellers: Feeling musically inclined? Write a song or poem for each other. Or, channel your inner authors and write a short story about your amazing friendship adventures. If you're not the writing type, create a friendship playlist filled with songs that remind you of each other. - Time Capsule Treasures: Feeling nostalgic? Create a time capsule filled with mementos, photos, and letters to your future selves. Include silly trinkets, inside jokes, and predictions for the future. Open it up in 10 or 20 years and prepare for a major trip down memory lane!

Long-Distance Love: Celebrating Your BFF From Afar

Distance can't dim the light of a true friendship! Here are some ways to show your BFF you care, even when miles apart: - Virtual Hangouts: Schedule a video call or FaceTime date. Catch up on life, share stories, and maybe even watch a movie together virtually using streaming platforms. Level up your virtual hangout by playing an online game together or taking a virtual cooking class where you both follow the same recipe in your own kitchens. - Snail Mail Surprise: In a world of instant messaging, a handwritten letter can be a real treasure. Pour your heart out, share some funny memories, and let your BFF know how much they mean to you. For an extra special touch, include a small gift like a pressed flower or a piece of friendship

National Best Friend Day: Fun Ideas to Shower Your BFF with Love (and Maybe Slime!)

Hey there, friend fanatics! It's National Best Friend Day, a day dedicated to celebrating those incredible humans who make life an adventure. Whether they're your partner-in-crime for epic adventures or your shoulder to cry on during tough times, best friends deserve a day (or two!) of appreciation. But how do you show your BFF just how much they mean to you? Fear not, friend-zoners! This guide is packed with fun ideas, from classic hangouts to creative activities and thoughtful gestures. Celebrating Side-by-Side: Quality Time Activities Sometimes, the best way to celebrate is with some good old-fashioned fun. Here are some ideas to get that quality time rolling: - Classic Fun with a Twist: - Movie Marathon: Unleash your inner couch potato with a movie marathon. Pick a genre, create a themed snack spread (think 80s throwbacks or superhero snacks!), and settle in for a night of giggles (or screams, depending on the movie!). Channel your inner child with a throwback movie marathon featuring your favorite childhood films. - Game Night Extravaganza: Dust off those board games or fire up the video console for a night of friendly competition. You can even make it a potluck situation where everyone brings their favorite game or snack. Take it up a notch with a themed game night. Pick a decade (think roaring 20s or 90s nostalgia) and have everyone dress up and play games from that era. - Foodie Frenzy: Brunch, lunch, dinner – the choice is yours! Treat your BFF to a delicious meal at your favorite spot, or whip up a culinary masterpiece together in the kitchen. Level up your lunch date with a progressive meal. Start with appetizers at one spot, head to another for the main course, and finish with dessert at a cozy cafe. - Picture Perfect: Channel your inner photographer with a themed photoshoot. Think goofy poses, recreate iconic movie scenes, or dress up in outrageous outfits. Laughter guaranteed! For a more relaxed vibe, have a picnic in a scenic location and capture some beautiful memories together. - Adventure Awaits: Escape the ordinary with a hike, picnic in the park, or a day trip to a new place. Explore a local museum, visit a farmers market, or try your hand at something new, like rock climbing or pottery painting. Feeling adventurous? Plan a short road trip to a nearby town or explore a hidden gem in your own city. Friendship Goals: Unleash Your Creative Spirit Feeling a little more adventurous? These creative activities will have you bonding over laughter and maybe a little friendly competition: - Cooking Class Capers: Take a cooking class together and learn how to whip up a new dish. Bonus points for themed classes like sushi making or mastering the art of perfect pasta. For a more low-key option, have a potluck challenge where each friend brings a dish inspired by a different cuisine. - DIY Delights: Unleash your inner crafter with a DIY project. Make friendship bracelets, tie-dye shirts, or create a personalized photo album filled with your favorite memories. Feeling nostalgic? Dig out some old photos and turn them into a scrapbook filled with embellishments and funny captions. - Songbirds and Storytellers: Feeling musically inclined? Write a song or poem for each other. Or, channel your inner authors and write a short story about your amazing friendship adventures. If you're not the writing type, create a friendship playlist filled with songs that remind you of each other. - Time Capsule Treasures: Feeling nostalgic? Create a time capsule filled with mementos, photos, and letters to your future selves. Include silly trinkets, inside jokes, and predictions for the future. Open it up in 10 or 20 years and prepare for a major trip down memory lane! Long-Distance Love: Celebrating Your BFF From Afar Distance can't dim the light of a true friendship! Here are some ways to show your BFF you care, even when miles apart: - Virtual Hangouts: Schedule a video call or FaceTime date. Catch up on life, share stories, and maybe even watch a movie together virtually using streaming platforms. Level up your virtual hangout by playing an online game together or taking a virtual cooking class where you both follow the same recipe in your own kitchens. - Snail Mail Surprise: In a world of instant messaging, a handwritten letter can be a real treasure. Pour your heart out, share some funny memories, and let your BFF know how much they mean to you. For an extra special touch, include a small gift like a pressed flower or a piece of friendship

Thoughtful Touches: Shower Your BFF with Love

It's not all about grand gestures! Sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness can speak volumes. Here are some ways to show your BFF you care through thoughtful gestures: - Pampering Power: Help your BFF unwind with a spa day at home. Light some candles, draw a warm bath with relaxing bath bombs, and give each other massages (with cucumber slices for eyes, of course!). Feeling crafty? Make your own sugar scrubs or bath bombs using natural ingredients. - Presents with Personality: Gifts don't have to be expensive to be meaningful. Create a memory jar filled with notes, ticket stubs, or other mementos of your friendship. For a more creative option, make a friendship bracelet or necklace with their birthstone or initials. If your BFF is passionate about a cause, consider making a donation to their favorite charity in their name. - Framed with Love: Find a special photo that captures a perfect moment in your friendship and get it framed with a heartfelt message on the back. Feeling crafty? Frame a piece of artwork or a funny inside joke that only the two of you understand. - Snack Attack Care Package: Who doesn't love a surprise delivery? Fill a basket with their favorite snacks, drinks, and maybe a funny movie or book for an extra treat. This is a perfect option if your BFF is feeling under the weather or going through a tough time. Beyond the Day: Keeping the Friendship Flame Alive National Best Friend Day is a fantastic excuse to celebrate, but true friendship is a year-round commitment. Here are some ways to keep the flame burning bright: - Schedule Regular Catch-Ups: Life gets busy, but make an effort to schedule regular catch-ups with your BFF, even if it's just a quick phone call or coffee date. - Be There Through Thick and Thin: Friendship isn't always sunshine and rainbows. Be there for your BFF during tough times, offer a listening ear, and be a shoulder to cry on. - Celebrate Milestones (Big and Small): Did your BFF land a new job or finally finish that marathon they've been training for? Celebrate their achievements, big and small. - Embrace the Random Acts of Kindness: Leave a funny note on their car windshield, send them a surprise care package, or offer to help them with a chore. These little gestures show you care and can brighten their day. So, there you have it! From classic movie nights to creative DIY projects, this guide is brimming with ideas to celebrate your amazing BFF on National Best Friend Day (or any day!). Remember, the most important thing is to show your appreciation and let your best friend know how much they mean to you. Now get out there, have some fun, and maybe even make a little slime together (because why not?). Happy National Best Friend Day! Read the full article

#bestfriendgifts #celebratebestfriend #creativeideas #DIYprojects #funactivities #long-distancefriends #NationalBestFriendDay #pen_spark #personalizedgifts #qualitytime #thoughtfulgestures

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vermilionhealth · 10 months

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4 Amazing Ways to Stay in Shape During the Christmas Season!

Entering the realm of Carefree Land becomes almost second nature when the Christmas season arrives, doesn't it?

All the discipline meticulously maintained throughout the year, whether it's hitting targets, maintaining a healthy diet, or sticking to a workout routine, seems to yield to the festive spirit of Christmas.

Indulging a little in the season's festivities is perfectly fine, but it's crucial to make sure you take the necessary steps to stay in shape, even if your usual routine experiences some disruptions.

The silver lining is that maintaining your fitness during the Christmas season is still entirely achievable.

Read more: How to Survive the Christmas Holiday Crunch!

Amidst the hustle of planning Christmas dinner, wrapping presents, and sipping on eggnog, why not incorporate these tips to ensure your health and fitness remain a priority?

1. Do Christmas shopping on foot. In this the Information Age, it's pretty easy to just jump on a computer and do all the Christmas shopping online. While it's convenient and efficient, it takes away from the enjoyment of "touch and feel" as well as the physical workout!

Find the biggest mall in your area and stroll on the weekend in search of gifts for family and friends.

Visit multiple locations to find the best deals - and secretly the fitness benefits.

Wear leg shaping sneakers on your expedition so you're getting the added benefit of toned legs and buttocks!

2. Keep healthy snacks around. While watching your favorite Christmas movies or spending the night wrapping presents, it's likely that you'll want to have snacks around. And you can definitely do that, but just ensure they're healthy options and nothing that you'll feel guilty about down the road.

Nuts are always a good idea for snacking.

Remember that if something's around when you get hungry, you'll likely eat it. Keep that in mind when shopping for snacks at the supermarket.

3. Participate in daytime festivities. Instead of throwing a late evening bash for friends and family, why not make it brunch? A daytime celebration works out better than a late evening one because even if your food choices aren’t the healthiest, you'll have more time to burn off the calories before bedtime.

Invite your friends and family to a backyard party with tents, hammocks and sunlight. The warmth and beauty of the daytime is more likely to have you moving around.

Go on a picnic at the local park and take all the necessities like blankets, pillows and fold-up chairs along. The more things you have to pack and unpack, the more of a workout you'll get.

4. Do potluck dinner on Christmas Day. There's nothing as yummy as leftovers after Christmas, right? Unfortunately, leftovers can often lead to overeating. Instead of cooking a whole feast, why not team up with friends and potluck on Christmas Day? Fewer leftovers and less expense!

If you opt to do a rich and creamy macaroni and cheese, bake it in a disposable container instead of your pricey baking dish. That way, you won't feel inclined to take home whatever's left.

While you'll have better luck at staying in shape by staying away from the festivities, that's simply not an option! Christmas comes around for you to enjoy and make the most of.

Just be sure that in the midst of the enjoyment are wise decisions that take your health and fitness into consideration.

Happy holidays, my friends!

If you like today’s tips, please share!

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#christmas messages #christmas #Christmas holiday #gifts #holiday #gift giving

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nityarawal · 1 year

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10/11/2023

Morning Songs

Psyche

What's More Fun

To Be Happy

Or Sad

What's More Fun

Why So Mad

What's More Fun

My Pappa Always

Asks

Let's Have Fun

Make It Dandy

Why Do We Love

The Joy Of Our Gays

Make It Fun

Psyche Yourself

Out

Turn It Around

Take A Hike

Can You Do That

Cry If You Must

Just Don't Fall

In The Dust

Too Long

Cry If You Must

We All Have

We'll Cry For Our Babies

Beloved

Every Mothers Heart

Yearns

You See A Child

Caged

And Think

There Must Be

A Better Way

To Freedom

Children

Write A 3rd Testament

Sing Your Way Out

A Psalm

A Book

Write Out

Of This Quickly

My Daughter

Anjali Begs

Write

Is There A Way

To Free All Our Children

It's Not The Left Or

Right

That Makes

Me A Mom

Attached

To My Spawn

Educating Them

Is There A Way

To Free Babies

Globally

From War Scams

Yeah- I'm Glad

I Had A Plan B

Option

But He Was A Neo

Nazi Friend

Cloaked In 12 Rabbis

For Courts

20 Years Older

Malibu

Convertibles

Hollywood Starlets

Bought Out

We All Know A

David Farley Kaplan

I'm Sure

Mr. Huntley

Wished His Best Bro

Hadn't Chased His

Persian Princess's

Daughter

From 2 Years Old

Or Daniel Smactenberger

With Their Sex Clan

At College

My Daughter

Only 13 Now

Anjali

Prayers

For Prana

6 Years Of Apartheid

Custody

San Diego Marines

So Many Men I Would've

Liked To Save Us

Push A Hand

But They Can't Do It

They Couldn't Do It In Birth

Either

We're Just Lucky

Mammas Have A

Natural Instinct

Super Powers

So Band Together

Our Hearts Are Wide

We Love Your Babies

Of Every Tribe

Love 'Em Agape

Love 'Em Home

With Moms

This Isn't Democracy

In America Or Israel

50/50

When Woman Can't Get

Same Divorce Rights

As Trans

Or Men

It's Not Democracy

Enslaved To Unfaithful

Men

Iran Is Right

Moms Are Captive

Internationally

Screaming

Apartheid

Sunil Said He'd Protect

Us No More

He Took The Kaplan

Bribes Atty Court Package

2016

Got The Dr. Gardner

Services

Dr. Alan Silverman

Then Atty Jeff Fritz

Almost Killed Me

With Dr. Singh

And Violent Bribed

Officer Assistants

King Pimp Ringleader

Of Sandiego Slaves

Traffic Moms

Kids

For Decades

Retired Now

Or Dead

Unaccounted For

Sue Got The Meanest

Nazi Atty

Lori Clark Viviano

She Died

Barracuda Mamma

Sharkbait

Floundering In The Pacific

Yeah We Celebrated

RIPd Hell Out Of It

Families Do

Unfortunately My Atty

Tara Yelman Is No Longer

Standing

We'd Like To Sue Atty's

Estates

Like Michael Jackson's Scammers

His Estate Forever Pays

But Refunds From

Elon

On The Double

Sound Easier

Blissful

Refunds On The

Double

Rewind Lakshmi

Tech

CFO Jonathan Masters

Start Up

Stolen With

Magistrate Judge

Benny Waggoner

Rewind Those Pendants

They Don't Work

We Haven't Gotten

Reparations

From Violent Officers

Wearing Them

Mark Milton

Mark Ritchie

Mark Daughtery

Recorded

In 6 Years

Of History

Close The Defense

Team

PD Jay Curatolo

Is Right

"Courts Are Broken,"

And Pappa

Says

Get Onto Something

Fun

Refunds

Rewind

Do Us All A Favor

Listen To Sacred

Mammas

This Time

And Embrace

Our Baes

Agape Divine

With Peace

And New Homes

Still Wasting

Time

Gaslighting

No More World War 3

Send War La

Home

No More Secrecy

Spies

Looting Our Homes

No More Trust

Issues

Robert F. Kennedy

Could Get Relief

Just Fire Bush

Schmiz

Defense Teams

Their Prides

Not Mine

And We Need Our

Kids Now You See

So Agape Hearts

Please

Mothers Call

Mothers Beg

Mothers Plea

Stop The War On Our

Ovaries

Stop The War On Our

Kids

Wombs

All Sacred

Stop The War On Our

Sisters

Daughters

Mothers

Stop The War On Our

Businesses

Stop The War On

Education

Homes

Teachers

Stop The War On

My Kitchens'

Cooking

'Cuz Picnics

Thanksgiving

American Lore

Originates In Our

Homes Where We

Make Nutritious

Healthy Thanksgiving

Potlucks'

Mothers Call

Mothers Beg

Won't You Potluck

With Me Friends

Kids Happily

United

Instead

Peace,

Nitya Nella Azam Davigo Moezzi Huntley Rawal

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newslobster · 2 years

Text

7 Potluck Ideas For Your Next Outdoor Gatherings

Winter is finally here and so is the time to go for a picnic with friends and family. Since food plays a big part in it, we’re all constantly looking for recipes that are best for outdoor gatherings. Whether you’re going to the park or the beach, the first thing you should do is pack some easy-to-carry foods that don’t require a fridge and can last a few hours outside. To ease your search for…

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love-takes-work · 3 years

Note

Sorry if this has been asked before but, out of the food you’ve made from SU - which one(s) would you say is(are) the most worth it to make?

I'm not really sure what constitutes "worth it"!

Just about everything is worth doing once. Are you talking about what's tasty enough to justify the work, or just which things are the most delicious? Well, if the following doesn't answer your question, feel free to clarify, but here are a few lists:

Stuff I've made that wasn't very good, would not make again

***Cereal to Stop the Foot***

***Moldy Tuna Burrito***

***Colonel Kernel’s Classic Creamed Corn***

***Lars’s Herring Lunch***

***Fire Salt Fries***

***Durian Juice***

***Blowtorch Grilled Cheese***

***Onion Rings*** (I just don't like onions)

***Macaroni Cheese / Macaroni and Nothing***

***Mayo Sandwich***

***Caprese Salad***

***Guacola***

***Pizza Bagel*** (the pepper flakes were too spicy for me)

***Sandwich & Formula***

***Rainwater Macaroni***

***Potluck*** (I didn’t like the fruits, especially durian)

***Drinkable Beans***

***Jungle Moon Alien Carcass*** (didn’t like the sauce)

***Mooncakes***

***Fruit Loops Cereal***

***Everything Bagel Dog***

Stuff I've made that was decent to good, but it's not anything special or the effort outweighs the benefit:

***Giant Bird’s Egg***

***Scary Frybo Fries***

***Sandwich NOT for Cats***

***Amethyst’s Birthday***

***Pearl’s Birthday***

***Suitcase Sam’s Lunch***

***Our Own Snacks***

***Crystal Lizards for Lion***

***The Largest Bowl of Ice Cream***

***Slurpable Fish***

***Chaaaaps***

***Amethyst’s Torta***

***Cliff Picnic***

***Dad Breakfast***

***Cherry Man’s Secret Meal***

***Secret Team Bits***

***Fish Kebabs***

***Big Fish***

***Cheeseball Cake***

***Baby Melon***

***Mama Sadie Lunch***

***No Home Boys Lunch***

***Waffle-Egg Sandwich***

***Breakfast-Only Breakfast Special***

***Rebel Turkey Legs***

***Bodyguard Sandwich***

***Crying Breakfast Friends Frozen Breakfast (and Melted Ice Cream)***

***Three-Way Sub***

***Pizza Steven Universe***

***Tea and Cookies with Uncle Grandpa***

***Amethyst’s Pile of Food***

***Club Sandwiches for Amethyst***

***Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade***

***Best Breakfast in the World***

***Perfectly Timed Afternoon Sandwich***

***Vidalia’s Noodles & Butter***

***Soup When it Rains***

***Marshmallow-Hot Dog Kebab***

***Poutine***

***Amethyst’s Hoagie***

***That was a CAKE??***

***Fresssshhh Donuts***

***Pepe’s Burgers***

***The Finest Steak and Brie***

***Corndogs for Shorties***

***French Toast Breakfast***

***Fantastic Fries***

***Mozzarella Sticks, French Fry Pizza, and Deep Fried Pizza***

***Me-Time Meal***

***Fancy Orange Juice***

***Cereal Dust and Mushed-Up Carrots***

***Protein Bars & Pine Tea***

***Egg Salad***

***Sugar Shock Shut Down***

***BRUNCH!***

***Shield Sautéed Veggies***

***Gem Harvest Cake***

***Gem Harvest Meal***

***Korean Lunch***

***Zoo Fruit***

***Lars’s Pumpkin-Shaped Pumpkin Bread***

***Lars’s Ube Roll Cake*** (I’ve made this 3 times trying to get it right--it’s honestly not one of my favorite flavors, others would disagree)

***Food for Stranded Humans***

***Donut Box for the Suspects***

***Jungle Moon Fruit***

***Party Sub***

***Pink Lars Donuts***

***Pink Diamond Shards***

***Tots & Tot Bits***

***Fish Stew Pizza’s Everything Pizza***

***Battle Rations***

***Bixbite’s Perfect Pizzas***

***Zoo Fruit Drinks***

***Carrot Bean Meal***

***Tomato Soup on the Go***

***Clams, Peanut Butter, and a Side of Fresh-Cut Grass***

***Bluebird’s Cake***

***Amethyst’s Breakfast vs. Steven’s Breakfast***

***Off Colors Graduation Cake***

***Spicy Chili***

***Together Forever Cake***

***Cookie Cat Ice Cream***

***Big Fish***

Stuff I've made that I've made multiple times or would definitely make again--FAVES BOLDED:

***Hot Dogs***

***Cookie Cats***

***Vanilla Cookie Cats***

***Fry Bits***

***Bagel Sandwiches for Crystal Shrimp***

***Together Breakfast***

***Bigger Together Breakfast***

***Popcorn for Onion***

***Strawberry Battlefield Cake***

***Large Pizza, Extra Fishy: Fish Stew Pizza***

***Greg’s Funnel Cake***

***Edible Cloud***

***Hot Dogs & Hamburgers***

***Oyster Crackers***

***Fire Salt Donuts***

***Zucchini with Linguine***

***Fusion Cuisine Dinner***

***Dog-Nut***

***Nut-Dog***

***“Nicey Spicey” Pretzels***

***Garnet’s Chocolate Chip Cookies***

***Marshmallows***

***Biscuits and Jam***

***Smoothie, Orange Slices, Juice***

***Square Pizza***

***Lion Lickers***

***Cookie Cat Cake***

***Burrito Pizza***

***Snack Sushi***

***Korean Street Food (Hotteok & Banana Milk)***

***Salad That’s Mostly Cheese***

***Together Breakfast Wedding Cake***

***Snow Cones***

***Dirt***

***Nighttime Hot Cocoa for Steven***

***Ice Cream a la Pie***

***Steven’s Homemade Cookie Cats***

#food #long post #steven universe #myblog

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violetwolfraven · 4 years

Note

41 for javid would work so perfectly ahfkfjxhsga and/or 34, whichever one u want 🥺🥺🥺

I was scared to come out and ask you out because I didn’t know our entire friend group was gay but I definitely know now???

and

We broke up but I found the letters you wrote me before that and I still love you so wanna get back together? (did I copy this from one specific fic I read? Possibly.)

Ok! Buckle in your seatbelts, y’all! This is gonna be a MASSIVELY LONG THING! Also @61-flaming-sour-cherry-scones I love your url. Just getting that out there. Modern AU, btw. Also does this end in December, 2019, conveniently avoiding COVID? Possibly! :)

...

Jack didn’t mean to find that box, but in his defense, it was not hidden well. Just in the back of his closet, which he hadn’t cleaned out since... damn. Since the breakup.

And Jack was fine with said breakup, by the way. Him and Davey weren’t right together anymore.

And Jack didn’t smile less, or work himself harder as a distraction, or whatever bullshit his brothers, mom, and all his friends said.

If Davey never texted first anymore, or barely even talked when friends asked him to hang out or whatever, that was none of Jack’s business.

Jack had texted Davey exactly once since the breakup, because Elmer had told him that he had an anxiety attack in a bar, which he was only there in the first place because he was designated driver.

Davey had said he was fine, and that meant he was, right?

Davey had not mentioned anything about leaving a shoebox in Jack’s closet. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t mentioned it, ever.

Did it sting that Jack’s ex had kept a secret box of... something? from him? Maybe. Whatever the case, Jack was curious by nature, and he was definitely opening the box.

It was... letters? Sealed letters in envelopes, the earliest one on the very top, in one corner of the box. The only thing written on it was a date; September 7th, 2011.

That would be... 8th grade? Probably the first day of school? Jack was super confused. Still, he opened the letter.

Dear Jack Kelly,

I know this is terrible and corny and I’m probably going to shred this letter with the pocket knife Sarah got for our last birthday, but I had to write it down somewhere.

I think I’m gay. Specifically, gay for you. And I know that’s weird, I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re like the living personification of the moon. (Not the sun. I’ve never understood why people compare their crush to the sun. Nobody likes looking directly at that.) You saw me sitting alone before school and you took me in. I mean it. You brought me over to your friend group and said I was a new kid who was going to be your friend now, and the whole group just adopted me without questioning it. All of you are so nice. At first I thought it was a trick, but then I saw you comforting Blink when he had a panic attack. (Also, I’m still getting used to the nickname thing. That’s still weird and I’m not sure how I feel about the one you gave me.) You were so gentle with him, Jack. You knew exactly how to calm him down and you were so patient with him while you helped Mush drive the fear away. I didn’t think boys our age knew how to be like that. I do now, because of you. Well, and because of Race being, well, Race. I don’t think anyone could mistake him for a bully. Or Crutchie. Or Romeo. Heck, most of your group is just so nice I can barely believe it. I think I’ll bring Saz to meet you tomorrow. She already made a friend, but she said that this girl, Katherine, said she already knows you. Maybe we can all be friends.

I really wish we could be more, but I know that would never work. I can’t tell anyone I’m gay. You’d think I’m a freak. But since you’ll never read this, I can admit it here: I have a massive crush on you, Jack Kelly.

Sincerely, David Davey

Jack was not going to let himself cry about a letter written in 8th fucking grade. He was, however, very confused about why it was in his closet.

A letter from before Davey was out of the closet found in the closet. If Jack wasn’t so goddamn depressed, he would appreciate the irony.

The next letter was dated: September 24th, 2011.

Dear Jack,

We’re all friends now. Gotta say, I already can’t imagine my life without you and the other guys. And maybe I didn’t meet Kath that first day, but she’s probably my best friend, besides you, of course. She’s the only other one with brain cells, besides maybe Specs. Us three had to talk you and the others out of riding a shopping cart Albert stole from Walmart down a hill yesterday. Honestly, would it kill you to be a little smarter? I know for a fact you can be, Jack Kelly. You and the others actually have a fair amount of brain cells each when apart. It’s only when the only group gets together that you all do stupid stuff.

I didn’t shred the first letter. I think maybe I’ll keep these and we can look back someday and laugh about me having a crush on you in middle school. Don’t worry. I’ll find a way to get over it before it ruins our friendship.

I honestly don’t see how I’d survive losing you, Jack. So, please, do me a favor and keep being oblivious to how I really feel about you until I digest those butterflies you give me.

Sincerely, Davey

Damn. Reading that was like a punch to the chest and Jack had to take a deep breath before moving on to the next letter.

The next few were just mundane stuff. Little notes on how Jack laughed or interacted with certain friends or whatever. The way he painted each friend something little for the holidays and how they all had a picnic potluck for Thanksgiving.

Then he got to one that was different: January 22nd, 2012. It was written in a panicked, hurried script.

Oh, damn. Jack remembered what this was about. What happened January of 8th grade.

Dear Jack,

Something’s wrong. You’re on my couch right now, crying. I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re trying to put on a brave face for Les and failing miserably. Medda didn’t have time to say much when she dropped you, Crutchie, Race, and Romeo off, so all I really know is that Blink is in the hospital and she’s gonna pick up Mush before going to see him. Crutchie is trying to comfort you, by the way, but he’s crying nearly as much as you are. Race and Ro are in shock, I think. They haven’t said much. Sarah’s making them hot cocoa. I’m in my room, writing this really quick because I don’t know what I can do. You’re so good at comforting people, but I don’t know how. I wish I knew how you did it. I think I’ll go try one of the things I’ve seen you do with panic attacks. It’s got to be better than nothing.

The rest was calmer, clearly written later.

It turns out Blink is in the hospital because his dad put him there. And he wouldn’t be alive at all if he didn’t call Mush in a panic right when he heard him get home. Mush called the cops and they barely got there in time. Blink was already half-dead when they did, but they managed to keep him alive long enough to get an ambulance. God, I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened if they’d been just a little bit slower.

Medda called you a couple hours ago to let us all know that Blink is in bad shape, but he’s gonna be okay. She’s gonna try to file for custody of him, but Mush’s mom is gonna try, too, just to give him twice as much chance of staying with us. His dad is in jail, but you and me agree that he deserves to die for what he did. In the selfie Blink made Mush send the group chat, there was more bandage visible on his face than skin. It made me so damn angry, but I didn’t show it because you were so angry you almost punched a hole in my wall.

I’ve made a decision, Jack. I can’t be separate from the group anymore. I always hang with Kath off to the side where we can intervene as the voices of reason if needed, but I’m not going to do that anymore, because I. can. not. do this again. I want our friends to trust me like they trust you so maybe if one of them is in a house with a dad that would beat them within an inch of their life, they’ll tell me and I can get them out.

I guess that means I’ll have to get better at lying. I’ve been staying separate mostly to hide my crush. And I think I’m pretty good at that, but being right at the center of things, with you? I’ll have to be careful to make sure no one notices. Especially not you. I hope I can pull it off.

You definitely aren’t making it easy on me, are you? You’re passed out in my bed, for heaven’s sake. But it’s fine. This is fine. I’m fine.

Sincerely, Davey

Jack remembered that night as one of the worst of his life. He’d thought Blink was dead by how Mush sounded when he called. And even though it turned out he wasn’t, he was going to be okay even if he lost an eye, after Jack’s childhood, he’d always hated when he couldn’t protect the people he loved.

Davey had been the one to reach him in that bad place he fell back to, the one where people he loved, kids he considered his little brothers, were getting hurt. Davey had pulled him out of there, and though it would take Jack months to realize it, that was the day he started to fall in love with him.

The next Monday, though, Jack had tried to give him space. Knowing how intimidating it all had to seem, he wasn’t sure if Davey would bail on them.

But he didn’t. Jack had never stopped appreciating how Davey had seen the darkness under the innocent, normal friendship and stayed anyway.

The next few letters were mostly a lot of pining on Davey’s side as he struggled to integrate himself more deeply into the group.

Jack still remembered that shift, how once Davey earned the others’ trust, Jack had gone from being the only one everyone was relying on to half of a pair that a lot of their friends had jokingly called ‘mom and dad.’

It was kind of sad, knowing that for most of them, Jack and Davey gave them more love and attention than their actual parents did, but the two of them would have to do—and they had. For a long time, the two of them were an unstoppable duo of hugs and snacks and homework help.

The letter from June 15th, 2012, had weird spots on it, almost like... almost like tear-marks. It was shorter than the previous ones.

Dear Jack,

Saz just came bouncing into my room to announce that she’s going with you to the Eighth Grade Dance.

I don’t know why I’m sad about it. I knew you and me would never be a thing.

But it still hurts, Jackie. It hurts so much.

I’m going with the rest of the group, just as friends. No one has dates except you, and I think maybe Romeo.

Jack knew for a fact that Blink and Mush had gone together because he remembered accidentally walking in on their first kiss, but apparently, Davey hadn’t known that.

Les is knocking on my door, so I’m gonna have to drop my math textbook on the floor really loudly so I can tell him I’m crying because I fell.

Sincerely, Davey

There wasn’t another letter until 4 months later, Octobe 16th, 2012.

Dear Jack,

So. Something weird just happened. Saz just came into my room and said she’s not going with you to Homecoming because you’re going with Kath. I tried to comfort her, but she didn’t seem sad about it?

She asked me if I wanted to go with anyone and seemed surprised I said I didn’t. (Not like I’m telling her a part of me wishes I could go with you.) Then she mentioned that Blink and Mush are going together, and I don’t see why she cares because if you don’t have a date why not go with a friend, right? Why do girls have to be so confusing?

Sincerely, Davey

Oh. Oh, God.

By the beginning of freshman year, Blink and Mush hadn’t been the only gay couple in their friend group.

Albert and Finch had gotten together over the summer, and so had Smalls and Sniper.

Romeo and Specs were in the ‘flirting terribly’ phase, and though Jack didn’t know it at the time, Race was already sneaking around with Spot by that point.

Ike had asked Hotshot to that Homecoming, though they wouldn’t officially become boyfriends until almost a year later, Buttons and Elmer became official at that dance, and Jojo and Mike had that falling out because of misread signals towards the end of it.

Hell, Jack only went to that dance with Kath because she couldn’t let her parents know she was actually going with Saz.

Homecoming freshman year was... eventful, to say the least.

And Davey had known exactly none of this. That... explained a lot.

Being only freshmen, none of the couples were exactly casual in their relationships. They didn’t kiss in front of people, and a few were too embarrassed to so much as sit next to each other at lunch. With the ones who weren’t embarrassed, it still honestly wasn’t much more than the affection they all already showed among friends.

God, if Jack had known how scared Davey was to come out, as he said in the next few letters, he would have... what? Told him he loved him right then and there? Probably not, but he would have done something differently.

The next really significant letter was dated December 11th 12th, 2012.

Dear Jack,

I have no idea what to think.

I’m in the bathroom right now, and it’s just after midnight on 12/12/12. You and your brothers threw a party in case the world ended with the whole friend group. It was kind of like a New Year’s party, but with a lot more cynical talk about the coming apocalypse and bet placing on what said apocalypse would be. Towards the end, we all got caught up in the drama and sleep-deprivation and started giving speeches about how much we loved each other. It was cringy, but in a good way? I’m sure we’ll laugh about it someday.

Or maybe we won’t. Because I have no idea what to think anymore.

Oh, shit. This was the part Jack was kind of dreading reading.

I’ve been terrified to come out because I thought I’d get kicked out of the group if you guys knew I was gay.

Which was why it was such a shock when the countdown to midnight ended and half my friends kissed friends of the same gender.

Jack remembered yelling at them to break it up. He’d been so busy being exasperated with his kids that he hadn’t even noticed Davey had slipped away until Crutchie pointed it out.

It was quick, so I don’t think I could name all the pairs if I tried, but I definitely saw Sarah kiss Kath, which, honestly, explains a lot.

I can’t help but wonder... Why didn’t anyone tell me? How long has this been going on? Has it been since the beginning and I was just too oblivious to see it?

Oh my God. Now that I’m looking for it, I can’t stop seeing it. The way Blink is defensive and angry all the time and he’s soft for Mush. The way Sarah hates spending time on her hair and she’ll sit for hours letting Kath try out styles on her. The way Buttons and Elmer just do little things for each other every day. None of them are subtle and I am an idiot.

Jack had to laugh at that.

Does this mean I should come out, too? I know now no one would judge me for it, but... I don’t want to mess things up. I love our friends, and I don’t want to lose them. If I lost them, now, it would be because I like you, specifically. Would you be disgusted with me if I told you?

“No,” Jack whispered, before remembering that this was 14-year-old Davey, and he wasn’t here.

I like to think you wouldn’t be, but I can’t risk it. If I lose you, I lose all of them. And if I have doubts about if I could live through losing you, I definitely can’t survive losing everyone. I love them all so much. I love you.

Jack sucked in a breath. As far as he knew, this was the first time Davey had ever said anywhere that he loved Jack.

But I can’t tell you that. So if I come out, it definitely won’t be by saying who I like.

Love, Davey

Jack totally wasn’t crying as he reached for the next letter. It was just current events, random stuff. There were certainly a lot of letters, weren’t there? Davey had documented everything, from Jack attempting to teach him to draw, to the time they both auditioned for the school play, to that time they had to talk Jojo off a ledge when he realized he loved Mike. That one was short but bad. (Honestly, Jack still hated Jojo’s super religious parents for that. Fuck Jojo’s parents.)

Davey did come out in a letter from almost six months later, but it wasn’t until Homecoming sophomore year that things started getting really interesting.

Dear Jack,

I honestly might never talk to you again outside these letters. Sarah’s banging on my door telling me to, and I’m quoting her here, “open the fuck up, David Jacobs.” Mom’s yelling back at her to watch her language. They’re now having a screamed bitching match in the hallway.

Long story short, we were at Homecoming and you asked me to dance. My brain kind of short-circuited, but I said yes right as a slow song came on. Shockingly, you didn’t seem to mind, and you danced with me to Photograph by Ed Sheeran.

Oh, God, Jack remembered that song. It had been their song. He still couldn’t listen to it anymore.

You were singing along to it and smiling at me. It was really sweet, and it was kind of my dream, to be honest, and I guess I lost all control of my body for a second because I kissed you during the last chorus and I didn’t stop kissing you until the end of the song.

Jack remembered that like it was yesterday, because it was their first kiss. It was a million perfect colors exploding across Jack’s brain and feelings he could barely identify swirling into a moment more beautiful than any painting he could ever create.

Then a faster song came on and I don’t know if anyone saw, but I really hope they didn’t because if they did that means they saw what happened next. Which is: I ran away. I ran all the way to my car and drove home and locked myself in my room. Sarah came home not 5 minutes later, so I think she knows, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t know how I can face you after this. In hindsight I think you were kissing me back, and if you were that means I just ran out on you and it probably hurt when I did. If not, that’s even worse because I kissed you and you probably just didn’t pull away out of pity.

Holy shit, I think you’re here, now. I can hear you outside my door with Saz, and maybe Kath, too. She’s trying to calm her down, which, honestly, good luck, Kath. Wait. No. Shit. I guess being her girlfriend has its benefits. It’s just you, now. You’re talking really softly, but I can’t understand you through the door. This is why we enunciate, Jackie.

Jack rolled his eyes on reflex.

I’m still pretty scared, but I think I’m gonna open the door. Scratch that, I’m definitely gonna open it. If you yell at me, I’ll probably yell right back. Funny, isn’t it? How I never would have done that before meeting you? If we have a huge fight, remember that you’re the one who taught me not to censor myself. David never would have even opened that door, but Davey is your monster. Good luck. I’ve out-argued you before, Jackie, so you’ll need it.

I should stop stalling and open the damn door.

If you break my heart, Jack Kelly, I’m going to kill you.

Love, Davey

Reading that last sentance, Jack froze.

If you break my heart, Jack Kelly, I’m going to kill you.

Time was a bitch, because by all accounts, they were both broken-hearted, now.

Jack wiped away his tears and realized there was a little bit more writing.

P.S. I guess you get to live, Jackie, because we had a talk and you kissed me again and now we’re together. Like, boyfriends. I can’t stop smiling. It’s stupid. I’m probably not going to sleep tonight and it’s all your fault because my stomach is full of butterflies and I can’t stop thinking about how much I love you.

Jack didn’t let himself process that, going for the next letter instead.

Oh, shit. November 1st, 2013. This was going to be a bad one. Still, Jack took a deep breath and started reading.

Dear Jack,

Well, today was emotionally draining. (Halloween was fun, but what came after definitely is not.) It’s already past midnight, but it’s okay because I’m sleeping over at your house tonight. After Saz and I explained the situation, Mom and Dad agreed we should. God, said situation it makes me so angry.

Katherine’s parents kicked her out. They found out about her and Sarah, made her pack a bag, and tossed her away like she was nothing.

She’s 16. She’s a goddamn child like the rest of us. How could they do that to her? I guess it’s good she’s out of that environment, where she has to hide who she is and walk on eggshells with every conversation, but she’s on your couch right now, crying so hard she can’t even drink the tea Medda made her. Sarah and you are trying to calm her down, but I hate seeing her like this. Kath always seems kind of unshakable, like nothing anyone says will get to her. I’ve never seen her this broken. Judging by the look you’re giving me from across the room, you haven’t, either.

You think I’m making a grocery list. Medda told me to, seeing as how she’s busy helping clean out your guest room, Saz is on ‘shoulder to cry on’ duty, and I’m the only boy who lives with a girl. Kath didn’t get to pack much more than a couple of outfits and her toothbrush.

You know what? Fuck it. You and me are her parents, now. You’re good with that, right? We’re already stand-in Mom and Dad for several of our friends—what’s one more? Ha ha, you and me have so much practice already that we are going to be great parents for real one day.

Jack sucked in a breath. Real parents? As in, the two of them staying together long enough to have kids?

Wow. That is wildly inappropriate to think about when we’re literally a couple of 15-year-olds. Also, it makes me think about how Kath is technically a few months older, but whatever. I guess I should actually make that grocery list, now, and stop daydreaming about a hypothetical future while one of our kids now is sobbing across the room from me.

Love, Davey

Davey had never even told Jack he wanted kids.

Sure, they were both a little young for that, but in the future..? Jack had always been scared that he wouldn’t be a good dad, after never having a good dad, himself, but sophomore year Davey was right. He had gotten a fair amount of practice with his friends.

That night, when Kath showed up at the Larkin house, crying so hysterically the makeup from her Halloween costume was running and saying she didn’t know where else to go, Davey was the first person Jack called. Him and Sarah had shown up not fifteen minutes later, probably having been lucky not to pick up a speeding ticket (or you know, gotten arrested for underage driving without an adult) on the way.

15-year-old Davey was right. That night was the most broken Jack had ever seen Katherine. Even if it had worked out okay in the end, with Kath staying with them and being their new sister in every way but on paper, Jack still kind of wanted to throat-punch her parents.

It was... oddly comforting, to know that Davey felt the same. He hadn’t shown it back then, knowing Kath needed him calm, but... to be honest, Jack would have feared an angry Davey Jacobs more than an angry Jack Kelly. You’d get punched by an angry Jack, but an angry Davey? He was smart enough to burn down your world. Jack smirked, thinking about how lucky the Pulitzers were that Davey possessed impulse control.

Most of the rest of the letters were just Davey talking about their relationship as it evolved or recounting whatever drama happened to be going on, (with one in the middle of junior year that was basically just ‘wtf Race is secretly dating Spot Conlon???’) because as the only group of out gays in the school, a few of whom happened to be in not-so-good homes, there was always drama.

Then came the stress of senior year, SATs, and college applications. Davey and Jack had a few fights, which were all well documented here. 17-year-old Jack and Davey hadn’t known that those fights were the beginning of the end.

The letter dated June 5th, 2016 was the one that finally made Jack cry for real .

Dear Jack,

We’re fighting again. We have before, but this time, it’s actually serious.

I get that you’re going to school in Santa Fe and I’m staying in New York. What—did you expect me to follow you all the way across the country? I’m not asking you to stay, because that wouldn’t be fair of me. You’ve got dreams and a scholarship to an art school and that is great. I’m happy for you. But I’m not going with you, because why would I? I’ve got dreams, too. Did you think I would put my life on hold for you?

We can’t stay kids forever, Jackie. Growing up means things change. I thought you knew that. Our friends are spreading out across the country and most of the couples aren’t going to be in the same state. Hell, Specs is going to Harvard in Massachusetts and Romeo is moving to Hollywood to go try his luck and they’re not having problems. If your own brother can do the long-distance thing, why can’t you?

I’m scared, too. I don’t want to lose you, either. I know doing a long-distance thing won’t be easy, but when was the last time either of us gave up just because it was hard? Jackie, if I wanted something easy, I would have bailed after we almost lost Blink. My love for you aside, I didn’t because that’s. not. me. I fight for what I love. And I know you do, too, so... so fight for me. I need to know you love me enough to fight for me, Jackie.

I know you. When you want something—really want it, there is not a force in this world that can stop you from fighting for it. I love you, Jack Kelly. I’m not going to stop fighting for you, so please don’t stop fighting for me.

Love, Davey

Jack choked on a sob. He’d failed. Davey had asked him to fight for him and he failed.

Sure, he hadn’t known that Davey wanted him to fight for him, but... God, if he had...

Jack would have fought, would have walked through hell, would have done anything to keep Davey by his side.

He still loved Davey, no matter what he’d been telling himself since the breakup, and... And he needed to read the rest of these letters. Even if Davey started hating him when the fighting got really bad or wrote about what he was feeling during it.

Shit. There weren’t that many more. The remaining letters were spread out somewhere between high school graduation and when Jack and Davey broke up; a year and a half ago, and... and those would probably be the hardest ones to read

Jack waited a bit until the tears had stopped before opening the one from November 20th, 2016.

Dear Jack,

I haven’t wrote one of these in a while. College has been a bitch, but also...

You and me barely talk anymore. We text each other memes about once a week, (don’t worry. you still know exactly how to make me laugh with those dumb little shitposts.) but we don’t really talk. I can’t remember the last time we FaceTimed. I miss you, but I don’t know how to say it anymore.

I’m thinking about this because it’s Thanksgiving break. Of course, it’s good to see everyone. Kath got home this morning. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed her. Elmer texted me a couple minutes ago that he’s an hour away. Of course that dumbass is driving all the way from Michigan. I’m sure we’ll both have more than enough words for him when you get back because you’re flying in tonight.

I don’t know how I feel about that. I should be excited, but... I don’t think I’ve been this nervous about anything involving you since I ran away after our first kiss. I think I preferred it last year, when we were fighting, because even when we were pissed at each other, at least we were communicating.

You remember when we were kids and you always knew exactly what to say exactly when someone needed to hear it? How you helped calm down Kath when she got kicked out, talked Jojo off a roof, and convinced Spot to tell Race he loved him? It was amazing. I never quite mastered that. I usually know what to do, just never how to voice it. But this time, I don’t even know what to do. We’re not on the same page anymore. I don’t think we’re even in the same book.

Jack took a shaky breath. He and Davey hadn’t been on the same page. And Jack definitely hadn’t known what to say to him, either. They weren’t the unstoppable duo they’d been in high school.

But... damn. Those things Davey had mentioned him doing? He couldn’t have done those alone. For all of those, he had needed Davey there, helping him. Maybe that was why it was so hard, being there for anyone since the breakup.

I hate how five years of being an unstoppable duo can be undone in only four months, and it wasn’t even by fighting. If it was a fight, we could solve it, you and me vs. the problem. But there’s no fight, no problem. It’s just you and me and the growing chasm between us.

You know what? It’s probably just the distance messing with us. We’ll be fine. We just need some time together. Thanksgiving will be good for us. And I’m flying out to Santa Fe for the winter holidays to spend it with you, so that’ll be good, too.

I’m gonna text you right now. Your flight probably won’t be leaving for another hour or so, so we can talk. Get back in rhythm.

I still don’t know what to say. I guess I’ll just ask about how hot Santa Fe is in winter and we can go from there. Here’s hoping this makes things get less awkward.

Love, Davey

Jack remembered that text conversation with Davey in the airport. He remembered how much hope it had given him, and how after Jack went back to Santa Fe when the holiday was over, how much better Davey and him had been. That Christmas/Hanukkah had been great, especially considering most of Jack’s classmates were at home and they’d had the dorm to themselves.

Of course their friends and families had known that was why Jack didn’t come home that year, and he distinctly remembered getting texts from all three of his brothers on Christmas morning asking if Davey was good in bed, but that was besides the point.

The next several letters were from their second wind, the rest of the school year. And yeah, they were hard to read, but they brought back happy memories. Even only seeing each other over breaks and computer screens, it seemed that Davey was happy, too. For a while, it had seemed that Jack could have his dreams of art school in Santa Fe and the love of his life.

Then, of course, during that summer of staying together at whichever house more often than not, they started fighting again. Over nothing. Over stupid things. Over who loaded the dishwasher wrong and who said he was going to pick Les up from his friend’s house.

Then they started fighting over big things. Over harsh words Jack never meant and judging by these letters, Davey didn’t meant, either.

August 2nd, 2017:

Dear Jack,

I fucked up. We just had a big fight, I said a bunch of things I didn’t mean, and like an idiot, I let you leave for the airport without apologizing. Now, you’re acting like your phone is already on airplane mode even though I know for a fact your flight doesn’t leave for another hour. Also, I can see that you’ve read all of my texts, you moron, so I know you’re just ignoring me.

Aw, hell, I don’t even blame you. I said some really bad things. I said you love your art more than me, and I know that’s not true. I know you’d never prioritize material things over the people you love, because Jackie, you prioritize those people who have earned your loyalty over everything, including your own mental and physical health. I know because it annoys the hell out of me, how you never give yourself a break. They’re all adults now, Jackie. They don’t need us as much anymore and you never stop acting like they do.

I shouldn’t be angry with you for that. I know with your childhood, trying to protect Crutchie, Race, and Romeo and sometimes failing, you still feel like you have to save everyone. It’s how you’re wired and I love that about you. I wouldn’t change it if I could. I just wish you’d stop running yourself into the ground to do it.

Is this it? I already feel like we’re on borrowed time, here. Sarah says she thought we were going to break up last year. Kath says she’s sure it’s not that bad. (they’re talking about it very loudly in the hallway. or maybe they’re arguing. who knows?) Les just said that my mom said nobody marries their high school sweetheart. (thanks, Mom.)

I think even if we never said it, that’s what we were both hoping for. I know you, Jackie. I’ve watched your favorite romcoms and Disney movies. I know you want the perfect fairytale relationship with the whole package of ‘and they get married and have kids and live happily ever after.’ And I want that, too. I really wanted it with you. Ugh! I still want it with you! I can’t imagine any alternate universe where I don’t want that with you!

It’s probably inappropriate to think about all that. We’re nineteen. We’re not even old enough to drink yet and we’re definitely too young for me to be thinking about marrying you.

Jack inhaled sharply. Oh, God. He was going to cry again.

But for the record... I do want to. I want everything with you and I cannot imagine any circumstance, any extreme, any bad breakup where I stop wanting that.

Just to be safe, though, in case something I can’t foresee happens and I never say it again...

I love you, Jack Kelly. I have loved you from the first day I met you and I can’t see anything happening in any version of reality that makes me stop loving you. You’re still like the living personification of the moon to me and no matter how much you piss me off, Jackie, your glow doesn’t fade. You shined a light on the parts of me afraid of judgement and taught me to shine, too, despite them.

I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you and I probably never will. I just need you to know that.

Love, Davey

Jack was already crying, but he panicked as he realized there was only two more letters.

A part of him wanted to wait. These were words Davey hadn’t spoken to him. These were the last pieces of Davey that were still Jack’s.

But he needed to know. Were these letters from before they actually broke up? After? Had Davey been wrong in the previous letter and he’d stoped loving Jack?

There were no dates on the envelopes. Still, Jack had to know. He took a deep breath and opened the second-to-last one, the paper covered in old, dried tear marks.

Dear Jack,

We had another stupid fight and we tried to fix it but that just ended in more yelling. That’s happened a few times before, now, but this time, it was different.

Oh, no. This must be from the big one Spring Break of their sophomore year of college.

Jack had come home for the break, it had been great to see his friends, but then he and Davey had started fighting. Like, really fighting. Worse than they ever had before.

And then there was the big one. It was two days before Jack flew back to Santa Fe. It was the one where they actually broke up.

This time, you told me to leave. And I kind of yelled at you to just go back to Santa Fe as you shoved me out the door. Then you yelled that if I wanted you to fly away so badly, I shouldn’t bother visiting again and you slammed the door in my face.

I think we just broke up. I’d be angry about it if I wasn’t so damn sad.

God, this is messed up. I know you’re alone on your bed with those stupid Star Wars sheets you’ve had since you were twelve and you locked the door because you don’t want anyone to see you cry. Thinking about that makes me want to run right back there and say I’m sorry.

I wanted to do that the second I got back to my parents’ house, but they convinced me not to. Sarah yelled at them for it. She said I had to make my own decision. They said I’m too emotional to think clearly. They’re right, of course, which is why I’m here writing this and not on my way back to your mom’s house already.

Now, Les is the only one outside my door. Are Crutchie, Race, Romeo, or Kath outside yours? Les is trying to guilt me into opening the door by telling me he cancelled a date for me. I’m not weirded out at all by the fact that my baby brother has way more game than I did when I was fourteen.

Are we really done, Jackie? For good? I keep waiting to hear you out in the hallway. And probably Kath, because she’s a better driver than you. I can’t keep thinking about this. I’m just gonna to go to sleep.

Davey

Jack wiped his eyes furiously. There was one more letter and he needed to read it, consequences be damned.

This last letter was probably from when Davey cooled down. Maybe the next morning or something. If he didn’t hate Jack while he was emotional and raw from the initial breakup, he might in this letter. But Jack opened it, anyway.

My Dearest Jack,

We really are broken up. You haven’t called me, but I got a very angry text-rant from Crutchie (for which he apologized 10 minutes later) which basically boiled down to him saying I broke your heart. Romeo called me, said ‘dude, not cool,’ then hung up. Race and Medda seem to be trying to see both sides, and though Kath did tell me that the last few months have been like ‘listening to mom and dad fight downstairs,’ she’s not offering any advice. I think she and Sarah are waiting for me to come to them.

I’m so sorry, Jackie. I know this is mostly my fault. Still, I can’t make the first move. Don’t forget: I know you. You’re more concerned with other people’s feelings than yours, so if I ask you to take me back and you do it, I can’t be sure you didn’t just do it for me. If we ever get back together, it has to be because you want it, too. However, I know you won’t even consider we could get back together unless I give you a sign, which is why I’m leaving you my letters.

You went back to Santa Fe two weeks ago and I’m finally stable enough to come get my stuff from your house and drop off what little you left in my room. While I’m there, I’m gonna hide this somewhere. I guess we’ll both have to pray no one else in your family finds it. That would be awkward.

When you find this, I want you to think long and hard about what you want, Jackie. I want you to make a decision for you. Goddammit, think about yourself first for once.

If you fight for me, I want you to do it because it’s what you really want. That fairytale romcom ending with me is still yours if you play your cards right. (Don’t think I forgot all the hurtful things you said to me, even if I’m 70% sure you didn’t mean them.) It might take... I dunno, therapy or something, but I still think we can fix this. It won’t be easy, but neither is love. Neither is our entire messed-up, broken group of friends.

I used to think I’d lose all of them if I lost you. Maybe I would have, if I’d messed up like this in 8th grade. But now, I know I won’t, because they’re all blowing up my phone as much as I’m sure they’re blowing up yours, asking if I’m okay. I see now that they need me as much as I need them. And they still need you, too, even if you do need to accept a little more that we’re all grown-ups now.

Where was I going with this? I had a point.

I guess all there’s left to say is that if you still want that perfect ending with me—getting married and having kids and having them call all our friends ‘auntie’ and ‘uncle’—fight for it. Loving someone the way I’m in love with you doesn’t happen twice, so I’m not going anywhere. You know where to find me.

You probably won’t find this for a while. Hell, you’re not even coming home again until summer break. But that’s probably a good thing. It gives us both some time to cool off and think.

So think, Jackie. Think long and hard and make a choice. Fight for me or don’t. In case I never get a chance to say it in person again...

I love you, Jack Kelly.

Love, Davey

Oh shit.

Davey left this in Jack’s closet a year and a half ago. He’d probably expected Jack to find it that summer. In fact, he probably thought Jack had found it and just decided not to fight for him.

Jack still wanted to fight for him. He had no doubts about that.

But did his have to discover this box now? When he was leaving for Santa Fe to finish his senior year tomorrow?

Fuck it. Even if it had been almost two years, even if there was a high chance Davey wasn’t waiting for him anymore, he still had to do this

Driving to the Jacobs house right then and there was probably the stupidest thing Jack had ever done, and that was including riding that Walmart shopping cart Albert stole down a hill in 8th grade with Race, Romeo, and Albert when Davey, Kath, and Specs weren’t there to stop them.

Sarah was the one who opened the door, and she... Jack hadn’t talked to Saz since the breakup, since she’d been staying mad at him out of solidarity. Honestly, he was now realizing that he’d missed her nearly as much as he’d missed Davey. They’d been good friends, once upon a time.

Now, she glared at him, “The fuck are you doing here, Kelly?”

“I...” Jack honestly couldn’t think of a good way to explain this, “Is he home?”

Sarah snorted, “What? After a year and a half, you’ve finally come to your senses and realized you’ll never find another one like my brother?”

“I never planned on anyone like him in the first place,” Jack snapped, “Davey was always... even back in middle school... You think I’d ever believe I could find someone else like that? I’m dumb, Saz, but I ain’t stupid. I always knew I was givin’ up on forever when I didn’t try to get him back, but... but I thought he didn’t want me anymore.”

Sarah froze, then leaned against the doorframe, laughing kind of hopelessly, “You are stupid, Jack Kelly, if you think my brother wasn’t totally gone for you and totally broken-hearted when you didn’t try to fight for him.”

Jack definitely had an oh shit moment, “Wait, do you know? About the..?”

“The box of letters he left you? Yeah. He told me last year, after you left for junior year without coming for him.”

Jack took the last letter out of his pocket, “I just found it.”

Saz took a second to process that before motioning for Jack to come in, shouting up the stairs, “Davey! Get your butt down here!”

Les, sitting at the kitchen table, looked up from his sandwich, “Holy shit. Jack?”

“Hi, kid,” Jack said, trying not to be weirded out by how the now-16-year-old was taller than him.

“Davey?” Sarah yelled again, clearly impatient.

“Alright, alright! God, Saz, what couldn’t wait 10 se—“ That was when Davey looked up, seeing Jack in his kitchen.

“That couldn’t wait,” Sarah said pointedly, “Les, let’s go... not be here.”

“If I eat in my room, Mom’ll kill me,” Les said, picking up his sandwich, anyway.

“Eat in my room, then.”

Jack and Davey were silent until the other two Jacobs siblings were upstairs.

“Why are you here, Jack?”

Jack had to take a deep breath before he responded, “When was the last time you went somewhere besides school if somebody didn’t drag you out of the house?”

“What?”

“Do the people who love you say you’ve changed? Do they keep saying they need a designated driver only to try to get you drinking and dancing like it’ll make you smile?”

“What are you—“

“Are there songs you can’t listen to? Movies you can’t watch? Have you so much as called someone back when they gave you their number?”

“Jack,” Davey looked at the ceiling, “What’s this about?”

“You once said you wouldn’t put your life on hold for me,” Jack said, “And you were right not to. I can be overprotective, sometimes. No one should put their dreams on hold because of a lover, but... my dreams are the only thing I haven’t put on hold, Dave. I ain’t been living since I lost you. Not really. And when our friends all said I was smilin’ less, I never let myself think about it, because if I did, I’d have to think about how much I was still hurtin’ over you.”

Davey laughed sady, “Jack, if you really wanted me, you would have fought for me a long time ago, so—“

“You’re talkin’ about the letters?” Jack asked, holding up the one he had on him, “Davey... I just found them. Today.”

Davey was silent, his face completely unreadable. Jack was holding his breath.

“Jack Kelly,” he finally smiled, “I should have known you would take this long to clean out your damn closet.”

“I think you spent enough time in the closet for the both of us.” Jack joked.

Davey rolled his eyes, “Very funny, Jackie. Anyway... I don’t think it’s any secret that we can’t just pick up where we left off.”

“Of course not.”

“So... coffee? If we’re trying again, I’d prefer to take things slow.”

Jack nodded, “Probably a good thing I’m going back to Santa Fe after tomorrow. That ain’t enough time for us to do something we’ll regret.”

“Yeah, I guess mostly just texting is one way to take it slow... speaking of which, one of us should probably text the group chat.”

“Oh yeah,” Jack grinned, “They’re gonna freak.”

#newsies #javid #javey #jack kelly #davey jacobs #jack and davey are the mom and dad friends #sarah jacobs #katherine plumber #background newsbians #background blush #background spromeo #background belmerttons #slight angst #violet’s writing

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fosterbradley28 · 3 years

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25 Fun Things to Do at the Beach

It's always summertime somewhere, and for many people that means hitting up the local beach or visiting a beach town while on vacation. If you think that spending time at the beach is limited to just swimming, there's a lot more that you're missing out on! Here are some of the most fun things that you can do at the beach besides just going swimming.

1. Look for Dolphins

Many beaches all over the world offer the chance to see dolphins right from the shore if you know what you're looking for and when to look. Do a little bit of research to see if your beaches apply and, if so, check the best times to visit. Don't forget your camera.

2. Play on the Boardwalk

A lot of beaches also have accompanying boardwalks where you can play arcade games, ride rollercoasters, eat delicious and unhealthy amusement park food, just walk around, and even enjoy free summer concerts on the sand. Check their respective websites to see what will be featured on the day you'll be there.

3. Play Frisbee

Frisbee is a classic beach game that people never get tired of enjoying together. There's only one prop needed, and it's very easy (and cheap) to get. You can even play with your dogs (if you're on a pet-friendly beach). There are also more advanced versions like Frisbee golf, Ultimate Frisbee, and Aerobie, but the basic version will do just fine.

4. Go Hiking

Many beaches offer nearby trails where you can hike to or from the water. This offers great exercise, and the water is good for cooling down after the hike. On top of that, you get to catch some beautiful views while being immersed in nature.

5. Have a Picnic

There are always a lot of food vendors near popular beaches, but sometimes it's nice to pack yourself a picnic with fancy cheeses and fresh fruits and go indulge at the beach. If you're going with a big group, make it a fun (and delicious) potluck where everyone can contribute an easy dish a variety of foods makes for a great beach picnic.

6. Go Fishing

Fishing is one of the most relaxing things that you can do at the beach and something people have been doing for centuries. It's something that you can focus on or just leave in the backdrop—your choice. The best part is, you might catch your dinner!

7. Read Magazines

A beach vacation is supposed to be completely relaxing. Park yourself under a shady umbrella, enjoy the warm breeze, and read some magazines or indulge in a cheap novel. There may never be enough time during your regular schedule to flip through a magazine, so take advantage of the opportunity you have at the beach.

8. Go Window Shopping at the Little Seaside Shops

The majority of beaches are located in beach towns. A lot of these places are quaint and fun to explore or at least take a stroll through. These towns also typically have a bunch of little stores set up along the beach. Spend some time browsing when you're ready to get out of the sun. Stop and grab a sweet treat too maybe ice cream or salt water taffy.

9. Go Surfing

Surfing is a great water sport. Get out on the water and have an adventure instead of just being lazy. You can also dedicate an hour or two to take a surf lesson and then lounge for the rest of your time on the beach. You could also try any other kind of water sport, such as kayaking, jet-ski racing, waterskiing, or kitesurfing.

10. Have a Bonfire Party

Bonfires are a ton of fun. Make sure that your specific beach allows for fires, though. Many of them don't. For the ones that do, it's a lot of fun to have a nice fire going on a cool night. You can hold a gathering where friends and family come together to play music, have good conversation, dance, roast marshmallows, and just have a great time.

A bonfire is a great way to enjoy the beach at night with some hot chocolate, s'mores, and friends.

11. Go Topless

There's something really brave about getting naked in public. It's an experience that can make you feel courageous and bold it should be tried at least once. Of course, you have to make sure that you're doing this at a nude beach. Otherwise you're going to get into some serious trouble!

12. Hula Hoop

Or play catch. Or jump rope. Or fly a kite. Engage in some sort of child's play, using cheap toys that you can pick up at a nearby store. This will bring back the wonder of what it was like to go to the beach as a kid. It's also just really fun and a great stress reliever.

13. Write Poetry

Bring a notebook with you and get carried away with your words and creativity. The beach has been inspiring poems and songs for centuries now, so you might as well join the tribe of people who like to write when they're by the water. Other creative writing options include starting that novel you've always wanted to write, or simply keeping a diary of your trip.

14. Meet People

Beaches are filled with people, so there's no reason that you can't make new friends. Games on the sand like volleyball make this easy, but there are lots of ways to meet people at the beach. Look online to see if there are any upcoming social gatherings or meet-ups at the beach.

15. Look for Seashells

You can troll the beach looking for seashells and colored glass. Take photos of the best shells so that you can research them when you get home, or make some shell art on the sand and take a photo to remember it by. Please keep in mind that in some places, it's illegal to take shells from the beach, and it's often highly discouraged in places where it's still technically legal.

16. Take Photographs

The beach is a great place for taking some beautiful photos. On top of that, those photos will be great memories to take home after the trip. Wander along with your digital camera, see what there is to see, and snap away.

17. Search for Historic Sites

Many beaches are located near places of historic importance, which are marked with monuments or signs. You can find these in the most unexpected of places. Keep an eye out for military batteries on the water, historic lighthouses, and old battlegrounds. This is another great opportunity for your camera as well.

18. Catch Up on Phone Calls

With cell phones working almost everywhere these days, you should have no problem getting connected to others at the beach. It's a great place to catch up on phone calls while getting a tan and everyone you call will be jealous because of where you are!

Of course, remember to be mindful of not speaking too loudly or obnoxiously. You may be in an outdoor public area, but so are many others—they're looking to relax and not unintentionally eavesdrop. Save the personal, private conversations for another time.

19. Look for Little Critters

Most people who go looking for animals at the beach are looking for whales, seals, or dolphins. Turn your focus to the little critters, like crabs, birds, and jellyfish. Spend the day seeing how many different animals you can count. Make it a goal and snap pictures for each one so you can catalog your findings.

20. Write Messages in the Sand

You can write them big or small. Say anything you want and then take a picture that will last forever. These pictures can be made into unique postcards to send to the folks back home.

21. Watch the Sunset

You could also watch the sunrise if you get there early enough. This activity is a favorite for many at the beach, as it should be, because it's such a breathtaking sight to see—you'll never tire of it. Take in the day (or morning) and reflect on what you've accomplished.

22. Celebrate a Holiday or Special Occasion

People often go to the beach to watch Fourth of July fireworks or to celebrate a honeymoon. There's nothing like the crashing waves and the sand between your toes to ring in a special occasion.

23. Daydream

You're sitting around at the beach with no commitments for the time being (at least, that's how it ideally should be) and nothing demanding your attention. That's a great time to just hang out and daydream a little bit. Envision what you want your life to look like in five or ten years, where you wish you could travel, or what you would do if you won the lottery. Let your mind and fantasies carry you away in the best way possible.

24. Relax

You don't have to daydream or take pictures or do anything really. You can just sit there and relax. Breathe, meditate, take a nap. Just be and relax. You're on vacation, after all!

25. Build a Sandcastle

This is a classic beach activity for kids and adults alike. From the simplest design to the most elaborate, sandcastles help you pass the time at the beach while doing something really creative and fun. Try Googling sandcastles for some inspiring ideas.

Don’t become too much of a beach bum. Instead of buying, rent it from the best boat rental at Indian Rocks Beach, FL.

#sea beach #beach activities

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ask-fantasy-sanders-sides · 5 years

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random question, but how do the boys celebrate their birthdays? do they even celebrate birthdays in the underdark or yuan-ti? did remus and roman ever get each other gifts? give me all the details!

Elves celebrate birthdays like humans do -- it being a private affair between family and friends -- But they call it Namedays, specifically because they have two very important Namedays: the day they are given their Child Name, a day the day they chose their Adult Name. Elves are biologically adults after their 100th birthday, but they aren't considered adults until they CHOSE their Adult Nameday. An elf gets to decide for themselves when they feel, mentally and emotionally, that they are Adults. They chose a new name (or decide to keep their old one), and their next birthday is celebrated as them coming into adulthood. After this point, the only people really allowed to call you by your child name is your family.

Half-elves work the same way, but instead of your first Adult Nameday being at 100 or older, it's 20 or older. Logan celebrated his with his family, just a small affair with cake and presents.

In Lolthian Colonies, Namedays are only for the Priestesses, and you can only celebrate your Adult Nameday after completing Lolth's Trial. Lower-born drow don't even know when they were born, and if they DO know, they probably don't celebrate. And, while surface elves celebrate with music and merriment, drow celebrate with bloodshed and hedonism.

Halfling birthdays are a community event, a small festival is thrown by the entire village! Friends, family, neighbors, strangers, everyone is invited! It's a potluck, so everyone brings food and drinks and games. There is usually dancing, heavy drinking, and party games like dart throwing competitions and pinatas! You can wander into a halflings birthday party and not even know that's what you're celebrating, until the birthday person stands up to thank everyone for coming to celebrate. This is what Patton's birthdays are like!

Growing up, Roman and Remus celebrated their birthday together like humans do. There would be song and dance with the other Suneites for the first half of the day, and then Amaryllis and Nicodemus would take them out to the garden for a smaller party. They would get a gift from their mother and from Nico, and they would get gifts for each other, and they would have a little picnic and play games!

Yuan-Ti don't celebrate birthdays, because it's never been important in their culture. None of them know exactly when they were hatched. They don't even raise their own young -- they have creatures called Broodguards, captured humanoids that have been turned reptilian and subservient through an occult ritual -- to protect the young for them. The young hatchlings eat each other to survive, and the strongest fighters and best hiders make it to adulthood.

When Remus was travelling with Dee and Virgil, he just decided their birthdays would be the days they met him, and he showed them how to celebrate and gave them gifts. Virgil never really liked celebrating his own birthday, but he liked celebrating theirs. Dee basks in the attention he very clearly deserves.

"Remus, you celebrate... Being hatched?"

"Yep! I mean, the world should be celebrating the fact it's been graced with my existence, honestly."

"...This I can get behind."

#lets roll #game lore

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malnatihq · 4 years

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CHICAGO’S FALL FESTIVAL: a week long autumn celebration !! — 🎃

throw your hands up if you love the autumn season as much as we do ?? if you raised your hand, you’re in luck !! the city of chicago is bringing a full week of fun && festive autumn themed activities to the malnati, with a 5-day celebration filled with rides, games, food, and so much more !! we’re all about welcoming in the new season, so the malnati has allowed the city to block off a nearby street for a fall festival. throughout the week, you’ll be able to experience things like apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, corn mazes, hay rides, firepits && s’mores, face painting, arts && crafts, farm animals, plus a whole lot more !! we’ll be having a few contests throughout the week, too, so be prepared to put your game faces on as well. don’t miss out on the rides, carousels, rollercoasters, and the big ferris wheel !! and there’ll be food galore, from cooks all over the city, who’ll offer their products && goods from their restaurants for you to try out. we’ll also have junk food alley, where you’ll be able to dish out on all of your guilty pleasures. there will also be plenty of games to play such as haystack scavenger hunts, cake walks, and tractor races. like all good fall festivals, we’ll also be having a small petting zoo !! the workers of the pet daycare at the malnati will be looking over various farm animals, so be sure to visit their area at the festival !! this week is bound to be tons of fun, so be sure come out && celebrate the new season with us !!

this event is brought to you by the one and only ashley @safiya-hensen !!

please like this once you’ve seen it!

EXTENDED INFORMATION:

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:

monday 5th: fall parade && suite decorating -- we’ll be kicking off the week with some fall-tastic goodness !! the guests && staff of the malnati will be participating in the city’s fall parade !! show up in your best fall outfit to represent the malnati && show the city how we do the fall season. be sure to wear your best scarves, hats, and flannels. pets are permitted to come along for the parade, so deck them out as well in their best costumes && attire for the fall !! along with that, we’ll be starting the fall && spoopy season with a bang at the malnati !! this means that we’ll be holding a suite decorating contest !! if you live with other people, talk to your roommates about how you’d like to decorate your suite !! and if you live alone, come up with ideas yourself for how you’d like to decorate your suite for the season. there’s no right or wrong way to decorate your suites, but we’ll be picking three winners based on three things: best on theme with halloween (spookiness, fake blood, etc.), best movie related theme (beetlejuice, hocus pocus, etc.), best general fall theme (leaves, pumpkins, etc.) !! remember: the more, the better !! we can’t wait to see what you guys come up with !!

muses can post a moodboard of their suites that they have decorated to enter into a raffle to win an additional 25 points ( tag malnatism ) !!

tuesday 6th: food lovers unite -- we’ve got such a good range of things happening around the festival, and there’s something super fun going on this day. we’re all about food here at the malnati, so when you’re tired out from riding all the rides or playing the games, grab yourself a bite to eat with junk food alley or make something using ingredients from the farmer’s market !! the kitchen at the malnati will be offering classes to cook some of your favorite fall related meals such as mac && cheese or butternut squash soup !! many food trucks will be offering a wide variety of pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon everything -- muffins, cookies, breads, as well as pretty much every hot beverage you could imagine. wine tasting && a beer tent will be set up by a local winery && brewery, as well. along with that, we’ll be hosting our annual pie eating contest which means that you’ll be able to participate in shoving your face in a various pies for charity. winner gets their a donation in their name to a charity of their choice, which means it’s a win-win for everyone !! if a pie eating contest isn’t your thing, don’t worry !! they’ll also be hosting a bake sale where you’ll be able to buy or sell tasty treats for charity.

wednesday 7th: a fall 5k -- looking to burn off all that you ate yesterday ?? we’ve got you covered !! whether you’re a super avid runner or someone who just wants to get active, come join us for a 5k around the city !! the course will primarily happen at one of the city’s parks, where you’ll be able to enjoy the fallen leaves && all the colors of the autumn season as you run or walk. as you follow the course, you’ll be able to enjoy some pumpkin bread && some apple cider to keep you moving. make sure you have your best running shoes && most lightweight clothes for the long haul !! when we’re all finished with 5k, we’ll gather on the lush greens of the park for a picnic. after doing a long course with everyone in town, it’s kind of nice to just spend an afternoon relaxing. the malnati will be providing some food such as pumpkin pasta && loaded chili, and we’ll be spreading out picnic blankets && making a buffet-style arrangement of foods && drinks that are brought along.

thursday 8th (discord event): malnati meets farm -- chicago is finally welcoming autumn with both hands && it’ll be warm enough for us to spend a great, cozy day outside, with homemade food, warm drinks, and great company. to keep with the spirit of community, we’ll be traveling outside of the city to a little farm kept up by betty jo && james smith. their farm offers a variety of things to do, which means you’ll be able to do plenty of fall things while you’re there !! you can go apple picking in their orchard or pick a pumpkin to carve in their patch. you’re more than welcome to take a regular hay ride… or get a little spooky with one of their haunted options after dark. jump into the corn maze && see if you can find your way out, or hang out in the pumpkin carving station to see what you can make. betty jo herself will also be offering some baking lessons, so you’ll be able to use what you’ve picked. we’ll be spending the night at their little farm, so make sure to take advantage of everything their farm has to offer !!

friday 9th: flannel fling -- and since we stayed the night at the farm, we’ll be closing out our fall celebration with a flannel fling !! with all of the locally grown food from the farm && the farmer’s market featured at the festival, how better to celebrate than to have a fall themed potluck dinner ?? the smith’s have allowed us to use their kitchen yet again to create an assortment of dishes that’ll make any thanksgiving dinner jealous. whether it’s scarfing down a pot roast, snacking on some sandwiches, or nibbling on fresh vegetables as you spend time with friends or family, it’s the perfect way to wind down from a busy week && welcome in the season where everything changes colors. join the smith’s in their barn where they’ll be hosting the flannel fling. all that we ask is you bring along a dish (maybe some drinks??) && a smile. after you eat && drink, you’ll dance to your heart’s content, take in the music, and watch the night sky light up with a good ol’ bonfire at the end of the evening. the attire is flannels && boots, so be sure to stay on theme with the night && show up in your best get-up for the night.

muses can post the outfits that they plan on wearing to the flannel fling to enter into a raffle to win an additional 25 points ( tag malnatism ) !!

WHAT’S AT THE FESTIVAL ALL WEEK:

we’ve got plenty of autumn related activities for everyone to do at the fall festival && we’re excited to share what’ll be around the fair all five days. enjoy the upcoming week by spending time with friends, family, co-workers, strangers, pets... whatever you would like to do for five solid days of just enjoying the hell out of our autumn season !! starting on monday the 5th && running through friday the 9th, join us for this year's fall festival !!

to eat and drink: junk food alley will have all your favorite such as elephant ears, spiral spuds, fried desserts, and so much more !! you’ll also be able to grab fall favorites such as soup, mac && cheese, and more around the festival at certain vendors. there’ll be lots of meals involving apples && pumpkins, too !! you’ll also find a lot of drinks involving the flavor of apples, cinnamon, and pumpkin. even though alcohol beverages aren’t allowed throughout the grounds of the festival, you can take home an apple sangria to go && a cinnamon flavored beer to try out !! and don’t forget to grab some baked goods from the vendors that offer them !!

to see and do: petting zoo, craft fair, niche shop vendors, face painting, farmer’s market, pumpkin painting, scarecrow stuffing, apple bedazzling, candle making, pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, photobooths, flower arrangements, cooking && baking classes, bounce houses.

to ride: tractor races, bumper cars, ferris wheel, carousel, the zipper, 1001 notches, wipeout, fun slide, bumper cars, the carousel, fireball, gravitron, the round up, the swings, etc.

to play: mini golf, haystack scavenger hunt, dunk tank, cake walk, balloon games, ping pong games, duck pond, ring toss, obstacle courses, corn pit, horseshoes, musical chairs, etc.

where: this event is going to be held on the dash and you can write starters for any of the locations / days at any points in time !! you don’t have to follow the festival schedule when it comes to writing starters, it’s just for general logistics of the festival !! and there will be a discord event that’ll be on thursday the 8th, at 6 pm EST. please post any open starters, text messages, snapchats, etc. in the starter tag ( malnatistarters ) !!

when: monday, october 5th until friday, october 9th !! this is a week long event irl and in rp time !!

discord event: THURSDAY the 8th @ 6PM EST : malnati meets farm !! : this event will take place on a separate discord server that we will be sending out the link to starting on thursday @ 5:30 pm EST for those who would like to join !! the malnati has decided on a spontaneous road trip to a very fun location that’s settled right outside the city, smith’s farm, a little apple orchard && pumpkin patch, with a farm that offers up plenty of activities to get your fall on. the house the couple stays in also serves as a bed && breakfast, which will allow us to stay the night so we can fully enjoy everything the farm has to offer. they’ve allowed us to rent out the farm for two entire days, which leaves us free reign of the entire property. below’s a little list of what their farm has to offer && what you’ll be able to do while you’re there !!

apple picking: it’s the time of the year again, where you’re able to make all the apple related dishes you want && you won’t be judged. the smith’s have open their doors to let us into their apple orchards to enjoy a wonderful day && learn all about this amazing fruit you can do so much with. you’ll also be able to try && taste juice, cider, different dishes && pies -- all made with apples, and all homemade by betty jo herself !! visit the orchard side of the farm for a day of fun picking apples, trying apple-flavored everything, and just helping to get things ready for the season. there will be apple bobbing, apple foods, apple drinks, apple carving, apple related games, and of course... pick your own apples !!

pumpkin picking: everybody loves pumpkins, right ?? they’re just a truly incredible, reminiscent scent that takes everyone back to their childhood, when pumpkin carving was a family event !! you’ll be able to take a wagon ride around the pumpkin patch to pick your favorite pumpkins to carve && take home. pre-picked pumpkins are also an option if you don’t feel like going out to the field. they’ve got mums, winter squashes, indian corn, corn stocks, and gourds available, too !! betty jo && james have set up an arts && crafts station where you’ll be able to take the pumpkin of your choosing && carve it any way you want. you’ll also be able to decorate apples, create your own halloween decorations, or paint your face && pumpkin with the paint they’ve allowed us to use. you can cut flowers && build your own flower bouquet, too !! find your inner child again with this activity !!

muses can post their pumpkins that they carved or painted to enter into a raffle to win an additional 25 points ( tag malnatism ) !!

corn maze: there’s nothing better than a corn maze to find your way out of, is there ?? betty jo && james have hooked us up with their charlie brown corn maze, where you’ll be able to find your way out of. it’s not just any corn maze, though, there’s some twists to it !! there’s three check points located throughout the maze where you’re able to check in with the workers && know if you’re on the right track. the first check point is a candy station where you’ll be able to stock up on a bag of candy while you roam through the maze. the second check point is a hidden bar where you’re able to take a break && try out some fall themed wines && beers. you’ll be able to take a sample of whatever you liked with you out of the maze, so be sure to try out something while you’re there !! the last checkpoint is a photobooth to prove that you made it out of the maze... alive. kidding, kidding. this maze is mostly innocent !! however, once the sun goes down, it starts to get a bit more spooky. be sure to bring a flashlight with you just in case you don’t get done before the moon arrives !!

hayrides: led by james himself, you’ll be able to go through the farm on a tractor drawn hayride. if you are up for a relaxing evening under the stars in the country, then this is the attraction for you !! the tractor will take you on an hour hayride through the farm. it is extremely peaceful && the night lit sky will make the experience worthwhile. but beware, once the sun says goodnight, lurkers from nearby come out to play. some will follow you, others will try to take you back to the woods with them, but rest assured, all of them will make sure you scream like a child.

bonfire: as always, there’s nothing better on a fall night than a bonfire !! the smith’s have a world class firepit that’s able to grow tall once it’s sparked. once the sun goes down, they’ll be bringing you the first campfire of the fall season !! you’ll be able to make corn on the cob, hot dogs, homemade donuts, and of course, s’mores !! exchange ghost stories by the fire or sing some halloween songs while you sit under the flames. end the night with memories you won’t forget !!

activities to do: apple orchard, pumpkin patch, hay rides (haunted or not) around the farm led by james, farm tours, milk the cow, pumpkin carving && painting, scarecrow stuffing, cooking or baking classes taught by betty jo, barrel rolling, straw mountain, pumpkin checkers, corn hole, pumpkin bowling, apple toss, zombie paintball, tube slide, giant corn box, petting zoo, photo props, apple canon, hay forts, and more !!

to eat and drink: if you find yourself getting hungry during the day or night, their barn has a small restaurant && bakery located within it where you’ll able to grab something to eat. the burgers are hot && juicy -- pile on the condiments && take a big bite !! try a grilled hot dog or a pulled pork bbq sandwich. they’ve also got plenty of veggie options, too !! more refreshments include cider, fresh farm-made warm donuts (coated in cinnamon sugar, sprinkles, or glaze), chocolate covered rice kripsie treats, pumpkin cookies, soda, cotton candy, apple cider slushies, popcorn, caramel corn, and other snacks !! they’ve also got a farmer’s market with fresh produce available if you’d like to make your own food.

ooc: threads can be posted starting at midnight EST monday into friday and we will end them on 11:59 pm EST on friday 9th. event threads can be continued to finish them up after the 9th, but no new threads should be started. as always, you can do non-event threads during the week if you would like !! and you never have to participate in events or any au weeks that we do in the future ( not that this is an au event, but you know !! ) if you would prefer not to !!

etc: anything related to the event such as social media posts, ootd, playlists, moodboards can be posted !! if you want to further your plots and character development, this will be the time to do so !! if anyone has any q’s, please direct them our way !!

#malnatievents #happy fall y'all!!

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thecandywrites · 5 years

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Orctober- Fall Formal

Ok so this was originally meant to be part of orctober. But then I found out about the OKCryptid and I JUST HAD to do that instead but this has been sitting in my drafts and I know it’s two months late but I’m on break for school and I’m catching up with everything and god damn it, this story is so cute and still more or less based on my own life and how I wish I would have had the courage to ask my crush out but I never got the chance so this is my own wish fulfillment and fantasy but with an orc twist and the headcanon that orc culture would take to beads like it’s it’s own subculture and how each bead has LAYERS AND LAYERS of meaning and TRADITIONS on how they’re given and recieved and how they have various styles to suit the recipient and that’s a discourse I will gladly discuss with anyone who will listen to me. Thanks for reading.

Orctober- Fall Formal.

Your name was Brianna Wright and you sat at your lunch table, by yourself, eating and doing homework so you didn’t have to do it at home, listening to the music on your phone through your headphones and drowning out the roar of the other students, most of which were sitting with their partners discussing details of the fall formal and since you were painfully single, you did your best to drown them out while trying to not let it get on your nerves before you took a break and snuck a peek at where your crush usually sat at his table not too far away but he wasn’t sitting there, he must still be going through the lunch line you supposed before you turned back to your homework. It was your first week back to school in your senior year and you noticed how everyone seemed to settle in. Couples had split and come together over summer break and made new friends and lost old ones. Things changed and yet stayed the same.

Your crush was none other than Kihro Soche, an orc who actually worked for your dad along with Kihro’s dad Kidron who was a partner with your Dad’s business and operated his own sister branch downtown, the first to do so several years ago. Hell everyone at Kihro’s table worked for your dad because their dad’s worked for your dad and they were their own father’s apprentices. It’s not that they were mean to you or picked on you, no, far from, they were always polite, both on the job site and in school but that was as far as it went because while all of you were friendly, you just weren’t...friends, or at least you felt they weren’t. Despite your dad’s success and your own younger sister’s popularity, you were surprisingly a loner. You were all business while you were in school and on the job site and you took your own education seriously, which meant you were dream for the teachers who often got you to tutor the jocks, most of which were orcs- to make sure they stayed on their athletic teams, while your teaches handled the trouble makers. Because of this you were neither bullied- nor popular because the only time anyone joined you at your table was when they wanted something from you, usually academic help. You lost count of how many “I owe you one’s” you had with half of all the teams in the school but you were never going to be one to call in those favors.

But despite all this Kihro was special. He wasn’t on any teams and he never asked you for help with anything because he was not only very intelligent himself but he was also more or less the leader of his group. You liked to suppose that if this was a few hundred years ago that Kidron would be an orc cheiftan and Kihro would be the next cheif after his dad stepped down. You had known him for several years as well and he had been to your house when your dad made Kidron a partner in the business and it was your first big “official” meal that you had cooked. Kihro had been with you when you collapsed on a job site this past spring, Kihro was the first one to get to you and actually picked you up and had woken you up and held you as your dad called 911 and he had carried you to the ambulance and his family had visited you in the hospital after that. That’s when your crush on him started, at the tender age of 16 and now that you were 17, it didn’t show any sign of letting up, it just got worse. But while he was always friendly with you and when you had been on the job site together you two worked really really well together but that’s where it appeared to stop and every day you just accepted that you two were just too different and that as much as you fantasized about you two getting together, it was never going to happen. He just wasn’t interested.

Your dad was a plumber by trade, a master plumber at that and he co-owned Wright Plumbing with your Papa, your mom’s dad- Larry Franks and together they ran the biggest- and in your opinion, the best- plumbing business for the west side of the Great Lakes Region. Your dad employed about 75 other plumbers, almost all of them journeymen in their own right and allowed them to bring their own children- the vast majority of them being sons- along with friends and family into the business too as their apprentices. Your dad had hired about a dozen orcs and a half dozen dwarves and other halflings at first, all of them remained and were now running their own branches of the business in the different communities and in the decade since then, the business grew and expanded almost exponentially. Your dad didn’t care what clan these orcs came from either, he employed everyone who was competent and because of this, he was able to hire from all the clans in the area and they all got along for the sake of the business and wore their uniforms with pride and because of the physical nature of the business, orcs, dwarves and halflings also had the intelligence, intuition and strength and stamina needed for the work and they always gave the best results while having high ethics and morals while doing so. Your dad made sure all of them were protected by the union, had very generous wages, large enough to solely and very comfortably- support large families on. The business also had the best health, vision, dental and life insurances the company could get, they got sick leave, maternity leave and even their apprentices made good money- often double minimum wage just to start out and then going to triple with experience, skill and expertise and a lot of these apprentices got headstarts on their own journeyman’s license requirements, many of them getting their liscences once they graduated high school.

To celebrate the business’ success, your dad often hosted company picnics every summer, they had been potluck at first but as the company grew and became successful, the more he could afford to put into them and make them the blow out events they were- that were the highlight of the year for his employees. Your dad had competition BBQ joints come in and cater to the event, roasting hundreds of whole hogs and a couple hundred chickens that got fried and barbequed and got dozens of kegs of different kinds of beer too in addition to it still being a potluck. You had wanted to work up the courage of asking Kihro to dance with you at the company picnic but your dad had you working the grill for most of it, grilling your body weight in steaks over a dozen times over all day, which you actually enjoyed doing because you loved to cook and worked wonders with meat but you just never got the chance to get away long enough to ask Kihro to dance with you and you knew there was no way he was going to ask you to a school dance and at the end of the night you just accepted that it was your fate to be forever alone and so close but so far from what you wanted. And with your health being as bad and as fragile as it was now, you knew there was no way you were going to go into plumbing as a career yourself so the only times you saw Kihro was either at school- which you were going to be graduating early from in a few short months, or at the company picnics or home shows. That was it, so you accepted the fact that eventually you’d drift apart and be strangers at some point and grow out of this silly crush. And you were scared of asking him and him rejecting you or asking in front of his friends and all of them telling their dads who would then report it to your dad. You were stuck and there was little to nothing you could do about it other than accept the situation as what it was.

What you didn’t know is Kihro had been crushing on you hard for the last 5 years. There was a reason he was the first one to you when you collapsed on the work site, because he had been watching you for a long time and knew that something was wrong for months and when you had dropped to the ground, he had dropped what he had been holding and ran like the wind to get to you and he picked you up and cradled you to his chest and would not let you go and it wasn’t until the paramedics came that he finally gave up his hold on you and he had been the one to really push his family to visit you at the hospital and to see you so sick and practically skin and bones and so close to death, had nearly broken him and he had never prayed so much in his life for you to pull through. Swearing to any god that would listen that if you could pull through, he would do whatever it took to take care of you and never have you this close to death or danger again. But his dad forbade him from doing anything about his attraction to you and he made good money and was able to save a small fortune as an apprentice but it wasn’t nearly what he expected your father to demand for a guy like him to be interested in his daughter. Because while your dad was relaxed and easy going at work, he was especially protective of you and your sisters.

Kihro had wanted to ask you to dance at the company picnics for years now too but his dad had shut him down every time and he knew your dad’s rules of not dating while in school but to hear that you were going to be graduating early after first semester, before winter formal- since your dad had casually mentioned it to his dad, he knew his window of opportunity was going to shut forever and if he didn’t ask you to at least one school dance- he felt like he was going to die, hell- he’d dance with you in the middle of this lunchroom if he thought you wouldn’t die of embarrassment. He tried to get as close to you as he could, when in class, he tried to pair up with you when you were in the same classes together and tried to be as friendly and nice to you as he could be without being creepy or causing any suspicion on your part and he just ADORED you. To him, you were already perfect and already the girl of his dreams because you were humble, sweet, kind, intelligent and had a great sense of humor and you could cook like nobody’s business and you were great with your little sisters and fantastic with his younger siblings and you just oozed ‘mom’ vibes which he was really into. One of his teachers had said that with women there were a couple of types- the fun kind that you dated and the marrying kind and to him, you were both. He had questioned his attraction at first, thinking it was only because you were the “boss’ daughter” and “off limits”, things he couldn’t have- according to his father and everyone else who worked for your dad and he had thought that he only wanted you because he couldn’t have you. But the longer this attraction lasted and the more he thought about it and pondered it, the more he realized that he really didn’t care if you were the boss’ daughter or not. Wright Plumbing could go down and out of business tomorrow and that wouldn’t change how he felt about you because you were an amazing person all on your own and it was your own personality’s merits that attracted him so strongly.

But he and the others were just...scared, scared of rejection, scared of your dad, scared of their own dads and any retaliation they might experience if they even tried to ask you out. But Kihro was done being scared and yesterday had been his journeyman’s license exam and he had passed it with flying colors and he was ready and prepared just in case this blew up in his face. Because as a journeyman there were other plumbing companies that would hire him, granted not for as much as your dad offered his journeyman’s plumbers that had been with him for a few years but it would still be a living that he could support himself in case this went south. So here he stood, kind of frozen in fear after getting through the lunch line and so nauseated from his anxiety he couldn’t even look at his food as he looked from his friends who were giving him the thumbs up and nodding over to the table you were sitting on before he forced his feet to move forward, mentally counting down the steps as he mentally rehearsed what he was going to say to you over and over in his head. He really didn’t want to screw this up.

It wasn’t until you noticed movement in your peripheral vision that you looked up and nearly let the food in your mouth fall out as your jaw practically dropped as you realized he was walking towards you before he sat down across from you.

“Hi,” he greeted you and you could tell he was nervous and you started to worry that maybe you were about to be the victim of a prank and he could see the fear in your eyes and it made his anxiety whirl in chest even more.

“Hi…” You answered slowly after you swallowed before you just subconsciously held your breath, waiting for the floor to drop.

“Um, look, I just...I wanted to ask you if you’d like to be my date for the fall formal.” He blurted out so quickly you didn’t really catch it.

“What?” You asked as you leaned forward and tried to focus harder on him over the roar of the other students.

“I wanted to ask you to be my date for the fall formal.” He repeated as you frowned in confusion.

“Uh...is this...some kind of trick or a joke or a dare or did you lose a bet or…?” You asked as you were more confused than anything and looked from him to the other table he usually sat at and saw them all staring before they tried to look away and act casual which for you was a red flag as panic gripped your own chest as you looked from them back to Kihro worriedly.

“No! No, I didn’t lose any bets, this isn’t a dare or a joke or a prank or anything like that, I swear. I would never dream of doing any of that, especially to you. No uh. I just....look, it’s senior year and my dad said that he had overheard your dad say that you were graduating early and so you won’t be in school for the winter formal or prom, otherwise I would be asking you to go with me to that, but um, I know you usually don’t go to the school dances and I know your dad is really strict with you about the whole dating thing but it’s senior year and I’ve chickened out the last few years and if I don’t at least ask you to one dance before you’re gone for good- I’m always going to wonder what might have happened if I just asked or hate myself for never having the guts to ask out the one girl who deserves to have fun the most because you work just as much and just as hard as I do. And please, don’t think I’m asking this, thinking that you’ll put in a good word for me with your dad either and this has nothing to do with the plumbing side of your life, I just...I just wanted to ask you to the dance.” He confessed and you wanted to cry tears of relief and happiness because holy shit, you had to be dreaming, you must have passed out again and hit your head, this had to be a fantasy, there is no way this was real. Any moment now you’re gonna shake your head out of your haze and see that you were indeed still alone at your table and had imagined all of this.

“Really?” You asked, almost afraid you were dreaming as you finally exhaled and took a few deep breaths to catch your breath again.

“Yeah,” He nodded. “So...what do you say?” He asked, both hope and fear clearly on his face as he in turn held his breath.

“Yes.” You agreed.

“Really?” He lit up with the brightest, most excited smile you had ever seen him wear.

“Yes really.” You laughed.

“Ok, thank you, thank you so so so much, oh gods, I was about ready to have a stroke and pass out, that was harder than the journeyman’s license test.” He breathed in relief and held his stomach and put his other hand over his racing heart that had been pounding so hard in his chest he feared it was going to break his ribs as he caught his own breath and finally relaxed.

“And did you pass?” You asked curiously.

“I did, with a 98.” He answered proudly which made you clap in excitement.

“That’s awesome, I’m really happy for you.” You offered.

“Thanks.” He smiled bashfully before he dug into his meal, finally getting his appetite back as did you too before you tried to figure out matching outfits, of course now that you were having this conversation yourself, this kind of thing stopped annoying you as you exchanged phone numbers to stay in touch.

“So if you’ve been wanting to ask me to the school dances for a few years, why is it just now that you’re coming over here and actually talking to me?” You asked as his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“Because I’ve been a scared and gutless piece of shit being too scared of your dad and what he could do to me if it didn’t go well.” He answered honestly as you frowned.

“My dad separates his home life and his business life pretty well, besides, I have absolutely no say in anything to do with Wright Plumbing, I think the worst you’d ever have to face is him giving you the “rules for taking my daughter out” talk. Like that’s it. Now I would worry for you from your clan’s side because if you fuck up bad enough, I know the clan self polices themselves. But from my dad’s side, no, I don’t think you have that much to worry about, not really. I mean, I do, because he’s the head of my family and I live under his roof and he has always tried to control every aspect of my life so please don’t do anything that I would catch grief over but we��re both practically adults, I think we can trust ourselves and each other to behave as such.” You reassured him as he had a look on his face you couldn’t really read.

“Well, then let me reassure you that I would never dream of ever stepping out of line and do anything inappropriate with you so you don’t have anything to worry about from me but you’re not wrong about the clan thing, they would bury my ass in a hill if I ever did anything to jeopardize their position with the plumbing business.” He confessed.

“Well, considering all of that, you’re risking a lot just to ask me to a dance. If our positions were reversed, I don’t know if I would have the guts to do what you just did. I mean it took me nearly dying for my dad to realize that plumbing was not for me and I worry about all the apprentices that work under their fathers because granted plumbing is a good skill and a good trade and something that you can make a really good living off of but I worry that it’s been forced onto you guys like it was forced onto me and how many would leave if they woke up one morning and realized it wasn’t what they wanted to do with their lives but they’re afraid they won’t find anything else that will pay as much as my dad does or maybe if they wanted to be artists or clothing designers or restaurateurs or just..any other profession than their dad’s profession that they won’t get the same support.” You reasoned and Kihro was dumbstruck by how profound your statement was because that was very much an issue a lot of them dealt with, granted he personally didn't, but still. He realized that they were wrong to not socialize with you for fear you'd expose that to either your father or theirs.

“So..what are you going to be doing then?” He asked curiously as he leaned forward to really listen to what you had to say as you mirrored him and leaned forward to and now you felt like you were in kissing distance. But he probably wouldn’t be down for that.

“Medical massage therapy. I’m going to White Heron. That’s just off of Westnidge.” You answered proudly as Kihro’s eyebrows shot up in surprise but a smile bloomed on his face.

“Wow, that’s...not anything like plumbing.” He chuckled.

“I know right? Kind of the point. It was either that or engineering school to design roller coasters.” You shrugged as Kihro barked an amused laugh.

“Well both seem like a lot of work but a lot of fun, would you be comfortable enough to practice your massage on me though?” He asked boldly but hopefully because the thought of having you massage him sounded like heaven, although how he wasn’t going to pop a boner while you did so was going to be the hardest part unless you just needed private homework practice, he’d be all about that.

“Yeah I would, White Heron has a spa so the students can get their required practice hours in, it’ll be a few months before I’m allowed to give massages but they’re only $35 for 50 minutes. But again, both of us will have to be professional during the treatment.” You nodded as your cheeks stained rose while your own smile turned a bit bashful.

“Yeah, I think we can do that.” He grinned with a nod as your grin mirrored his before his grin turned mischievous and he gave you a quick peck on the lips right before the bell rang, blanking your mind of all rational thought and reason.

“Huh…?” You swooned breathelessly as your eyes fluttered back open and Kihro was both smug but also biting his lip because he was kicking himself for not doing that sooner, especially for you to have that reaction to him before he leaned forward and kissed you again, this time, you took a firm hold of his shirt and really kissed him back. Not believing that Kihro was the one to give you your first kiss and what a kiss it was. Unfortunately you don’t have any more classes with him for the rest of the day.

You felt like you floated the rest of the day and got home and started dinner and couldn’t stop smiling.

“Hey Brie, how was school?” Your dad asked when he came home and peeked into what you were cooking.

“It was good, Kihro told me he passed his journeyman’s license yesterday with a 98.” You reported proudly.

“Yeah I know, I put together a sign on package for him that he should be signing this weekend.” He answered.

“Oh good, he’s been a really good employee for how long now?” You tried to ask casually.

“Oh a good five years, now that he’s a journeyman, he’ll probably be Kidron’s second in command of the downtown branch.” Your father predicted.

“Good. So if he asked me to the fall formal, you’d be ok with it then?” You presumed before your father did a complete 180 and nearly snapped his neck whipping his head to the side to look at you incredulously

“He did what?” He asked.

“Kihro, the guy you’ve employed for the last 5 years, who’s father has been working for you for 12, who you’ve known since he was 5, who’s father is one of your most trusted OG’s, from one of the few families who came and visited me in the hospital and it was Kihro who got to me first when I collapsed and it was Kihro who knew something was wrong with me before anyone else did and it was Kihro who carried me to the ambulance himself, asked me to a school dance, I can go with him right?” You repeated.

“You’re too young to date.” Came your father’s reply as his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“I am aware of that rule of no dating while I'm in high school. And this is a dance for one night, there will be chaperones, I’m sure you’ll be demanding that Grace come with me which I’m cool with. You already track where I am on my phone constantly, have I not done enough to earn your trust so that I can use my own judgement on something like this? Hasn’t it been you who has taught me how to read and deal with people and how to be perceptive and use my own concience and insticts. Besides, don’t you think I know that not only would you kill him if he tried anything, but his father and his clan would too if he dared step out of line because I’m “the boss’ daughter” and he actually made a point to say that him asking me to the dance had nothing to do with you or his job or his father’s job or anything like that. It’s just a case of a boy asking a girl to a dance. This shouldn’t be this complicated Dad. Most fathers around here don’t get the luxury of really knowing who is asking their daughters to the dance, you do though and if Kihro has earned your trust and respect enough that you want him working for you and being the second in command at your downtown branch, that should be more than enough. He should have earned enough trust and enough respect that you can trust him with me, for one night at a school dance. That’s all this is right now.” You defended.

“But what if he wants more than that from you? I don’t think you’re aware how different orc culture is compared to our own.” Your father posed and you wanted to scream but today, you were ready to fight.

“You’re right, I don’t know everything about orc culture because all I know is what I’ve witnessed myself. But I’m sure there are others who could teach me about it if Kihro and I started dating. But if you want to play Devil’s advocate, let’s go. Worst case scenerio if you say yes, is I go, he get’s handsy because he manages to smuggle in a whole fifth of tequila or vodka or whatever and he gets hammered drunk and looses all his senses, he wants to be a two pump chump and I say no and he forces me to have sex anyway and rapes me because he’s twice my size and probably ten times my strength, he could do it if he really wanted to. Would that be fair in saying that is the worst case scenario?” You posed as your dad crossed his arms over his chest and didn’t say anything but you could tell that you hit the nail on the head with that one.

“Now, if that were to happen, yes that would be horrible and unforgivable but thankfully they make something called the morning after pill and they make birth control I can get on but just for the sake of argument, if he knocked me up, I have a choice, get an abortion or keep the baby and become a teenage mother. Both are options in that horrible circumstance but that’s the risk any girl takes in having sex. But back to Kihro- you know as well as I do that orcs tend to self police themselves within their respective clans. Do you really think his father would let him continue breathing if that happened or hell his whole clan would hunt him down because in cases like that clans get together and there would be an orc hunt of a scale I can only imagine and there wouldn’t be anywhere Kihro could run and hide that he wouldn’t be found and then they would all let you take the first shot with your shotgun because not only did he just dishonor his family line but he dishonored his clan and he just put the clan’s honor into jeopardy by literally screwing the daughter of one of the few humans who employs a good number of the clan members and gives them more opportunities than most do and is an invaluable ally to every clan around here, and it would put tension on the relationship the Stormbreaker Clan has with all the other clans and would make the clan itself a target. Now, would you say that’s a fair assessment?” You proposed and waited until your father nodded his agreement.

“Now, let’s flip the coin and look at the best case scenario. Best case scenario, he comes, picks me up, drives me there, keeps his hands to himself, doesn’t drink, doesn’t do drugs doesn’t do anything dishonorable in any way. And we still manage to have a good time. And he drops me off at home before curfew and that’s that and we just remain friends and he’s still gainfully employed by the end of the night and you separate church and state or in this case personal life from business life and allow me to have a life usually enjoyed by most girls my age in our society. Now let's take this one step further, he asks me out and he wants to have a romantic relationship with me which I am open to, he asks me to be his girlfriend and again, for the sake of argument, I say yes to that but only after I get an education from multiple verified sources about how different you say their culture is from ours because if I was going to enter into a romantic relationship with him, I would want to go into it with my eyes wide open and know what I was getting into, so let’s just say for the sake of this argument, that all that happens and, we date for a while. And either it doesn’t work out and we aren’t a good fit for the other and we part- or if, and I mean if, it does work out, we fall in love and want to get married. Then it’s still up to me if I want to marry him or not. And let’s just say I do marry him. You would then- have a son in law who is in your business and you get to keep the business in the family, not that that would ever be my motivation for saying yes to him because ultimately the business may thrive or die with the seasons but marriage is for life but it would be a perk and you get to have human-orc halflings for grandchildren if my Crohn’s goes into remission and stays in remission long enough for me to pump out a few kids and you just get to deal with my decisions and the consequences of those decisions whether they be positive or negative.” You paused to take a breath as your father listened closely.

“Kihro obviously took a very great risk and leap of faith to even take the chance in asking me to the dance and he has had an interest in me for, apparently, the last few years but his own father has shut that down because of our situation and then when he heard that I'm graduating early he realized that his own window of opportunity to ask me to a dance was closing and that if he didn't ask, he was going to lose the opportunity for good and he would have always wondered "what if" and been upset with himself that he didn't just bite the bullet and ask instead of letting his fear of you and what you could retaliate with or the fear of his own father and what he could retaliate with- stop him. So since he took a great risk, I want to reward that by letting him have the pleasure of taking me to a dance. That's all we're asking for right now. I realize that it’s your job to take care of me and keep me safe and you’ve done an amazing job, just, give me enough rope to hang myself on with this. Please.” You requested.

“Fine, one dance.” Your father begrudgingly agreed.

“Thank you, now if and when you want to invite them over for dinner this weekend so you can lay down the rules and the law, but only if you will assure and reassure Mr. Soche that he gets to keep his job and all the other orcs from the Stormbreaker clan get to keep theirs too because this should never endanger all of that.” You specified. “Does that sound fair to you?” You offered.

“That’s fair.” Your dad decided before he stepped away to make a phone call and you used that opportunity to give Kihro a heads up that he and his dad might possibly be getting a call from your dad to invite them over for dinner to have that “talk” you warned him about as you mentally prepared what you were going to do and what you needed to do to prepare yourself and the house for company. You listened attentively as your dad talked with Kidron and smiled in relief when your father assured and reassured that it was ok with him that Kihro asked you to the dance and that everything would be ok before you got an idea and texted all the orc girls you knew and were friends with and swore them all to secrecy and asked for advice on what to do and how to best please and impress Kidron and his wife Rhiox, all of them were surprised if not excited about the development before they clued you in on more of the orc traditions and customs and the expectations that would be put on you if you and Kihro ever got serious which you found yourself biting your lip to keep your smile from splitting your face in half but you wanted to walk into this with your eyes wide open before you asked for a huge favor that had all your friends squealing in delight before they all eagerly agreed to it.

“And what did they say?” You asked your dad when he got off the phone.

“They’ll be over Saturday at 5.” Your father answered.

“Good, I’ll need to go shopping Thursday then, I’ll have a list and a proposed budget by Wednesday.” You offered.

The next day Kihro had you sit at his table and kept his arm around you possessively but you were happy you were received so well into their fold and then after school your other friends from the other school districts met up with you after school to give you what you asked for. A catalog to show you the different beads and what they meant in the Stormbreaker clan as you quickly looked it over and were amazed at how such a simple thing was entrenched in tradition and had layers and layers of meaning and how there were traditions and rules for the giving and receiving of beads before you had them bring you to an orc bead store. The best one in the area where you tracked down and bought the bead of your choice. And you didn’t get any bead, you got one that had a lot of meaning for you as well. Because if you were only going to get one chance to give something to him, you wanted him to have this, it would just be hard to not give this to him until the time was right and you both hinted at dating but for right now, you just both had to survive the dance and see how that turned out but rumors had already sprung up and suddenly guys seemed to come out of the woodwork to express interest to which you had to albeit, a little regretfully inform them that you weren’t dating him, that he just asked you to the fall formal and that was it and if they had any other questions to ask Kihro which most of them chickened out because Kihro was himself- very intimidating.

By Saturday you were amped up. You were cooking a feast with all the necessary components and Kihro's bead was burning a hole in your pocket. You were nervous but excited and hoped you were getting all of this right.

They arrived and one look at Kihro and he was just as nervous as you were but just having him there, looking at you like you were the moon and had hung up the stars in the heavens was enough for you. You went ahead and poured two beers, one for each of his parents and handed those to them with a warm greeting and welcomed them into your home which both surprised and impressed them before you got to get Kihro a beer too, happy to have the chance and opportunity to touch hands as you passed it over before you all sat down to dinner, Kidron and Rhiox very impressed not just by the portion size but what you cooked. You must have had over a dozen beef femurs split and roasted so that the marrow was easy to get to and Rhiox just kept grinning at you and her husband and Kihro and you could tell she was just tickled by all of this and genuinely happy and excited. Kidron however, you could tell he was biting his tongue and you could just see that he thought all of this was a bad idea and you didn’t know what you could possibly say or do to help assure him that it was actually a good idea.

“Ok, I’d like to address the elephant in the room. I realize that Kihro took a risk in asking me to the dance, which I’m honored that he did and I’m happy to go with him. Is there anything I can do to earn your respect and trust or assure you or even reassure you that by allowing us to do this is the right choice?” You asked and Rhiox damn near started crying and the smile she gave you told you that she was already so happy and moved that you would ask such a thing in such a respectful way and was very impressed as Kidron simply sat there and blinked at you a couple of times as the ghost of a smile almost started to spread on his face.

“We already respect and trust you so don’t worry about that.” Kidron answered with a small but gentle smile.

“Good, I only hope to continue to gain your respect and trust and if there is anything in particular I can do- please tell me.” You nodded and that seemed to be the magic words because after that, all the tension coming from Kidron completely melted.

“Likewise George. If there is anything I can do to continue to earn your respect and trust, just let me know.” Kihro added as he made sure to look your father in the eye saying that as everyone then looked to your father to see what his answer would be.

“Well, I know you are risking quite a bit. And I don’t think I need to explain what the stakes are…”

“No because that would be unnecessary, it’s a dance, there will be chaperones, we will behave, I don’t know what else I can say without beating this dead horse to a pulp here.” You interjected as Kihro smiled appreciatively at you.

“Ok, so, that being said, I still want to make sure we all come to an understanding of what the expectations are, you’ll have her home by ten. Grace is coming with you as a chaperone, no drinking, no drugs, keep your hands to yourself except for dancing and even then, hands at her waist. Understood?” Your father insisted.

“Understood.” Kihro shook your father’s hand as you just wanted to die, you were practically an adult and they were just complicating things. But at the end of the night you got what you wanted- a chance to dance with your crush. As cheesy as that sounded.

Your mother, despite hating to go shopping, did take you out and got a dress that was both beautiful yet modest, tasteful and becoming.

But you never got to wear it.

The night of the fall formal you found yourself in the hospital again, another flare, another near death. But you weren’t alone. Kihro was right there by your side as your family and his went and got something to eat, Kihro not leaving your side though and keeping you company.

“You should be at the dance.” You murmured softly.

“Nope, I’m where I’m supposed to be tonight.” He shook his head as he just squeezed your hand that he was holding a little tighter for a moment as he gave you the softest, most adoring smile.

“I wanted a night with you, that’s exactly what I’m getting.” He added.

“I thought you wanted a dance?” You gently contended, a half smirk at the corner of your mouth, your voice hoarse from vomiting so much.

“Do you think you could stand?” He asked which made you frown.

“I guess?” You answered before he got up and gently helped you get out of bed, your hospital gown hanging off your frame as your robe made sure you were modest from behind too. Kihro was careful to make sure you stayed connected to everything before he got your favorite song to play on his phone and set it down on the bed and wrapped his thick and well muscled arm around your waist to hold you up so that your toes rested on his boots as his arm held you fast to him so that you didn’t have too much weight on your feet as he simply stood by the bed and just swayed to the music with you which you thought was beyond romantic.

“This isn’t the gown I thought I would wear for my first dance with you.” You chuckled as you just let your head rest on his chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart and just relaxed in his arms and happily let him hold you up because your strength and stamina had been wiped out.

“Nah, the gown doesn’t really matter, it’s the girl in the gown that does though.” He whispered before kissing the top of your head affectionately as you smiled gratefully.

“When you make it through this, would you want to be my girlfriend?” He asked before you lifted your head.

“Absolutely.” You agreed before he bent down to kiss you softly, his swaying slowing down as your arms wrapped around his neck before his other hand that wasn’t around your waist came up to hold the back of your head as he kissed you earnestly, pouring his soul into it which was sweeter than honey and purer than gold and he still stole your breath away.

The song ended and he helped you get back into bed before you had him get you your purse in one of cupboards before you got a special beaded coinpurse out, one that you got just to house the bead you had gotten him.

“I had wanted to give this to you tonight at the end of the night if it had gone well and if we had both worked up the courage to ask the other out.” You said as you handed it to him and he smiled so brightly and proudly as tears came to his eyes as he realized what bead it was before he was on his knees next to the bed and kissing you again and hugging you tight.

“Thank you Bri, you have no idea how much this means to me.” Kihro thanked you earnestly before he had you put it into the braid in his hair before he presented you with not just one bead- but three because he couldn’t decide on one at the bead store before you had him put it into your hair which he happily brushed and braided exquisitely and just about the time he was done and you settled back into bed, your families came back with food for Kihro and some bone broth for you.

“Hey dad, we’re dating.” You announced weakly but happily as you pointed to your hair and in particular the beads in your hair with a weak but proud smile as Riox practically burst the windows with how loud her cheer was as she enveloped you into a hug and welcomed you into their family and their clan and told you all about it as she urged you to get better as soon as you could as Kidron and your Dad both smirked at each other, figuring this was gonna happen sooner or later.

So it wasn’t the fall formal you wanted, but it was the outcome you had always hoped for. Besides- there was always winter formal...

#Orcs #Modern Orcs #modern orc love story #orc boyfriend #orctober #late orctober #Fall formal #Better late than never #exophilia #monster boyfriend #monster romance #orc romance

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fayegracexo · 5 years

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How to Celebrate Lughnasadh

Somehow we are already to our first of three harvest festivals in the wheel of 2019! This year is flying by crazy quick! I can’t believe July is already over and it’s time for Lughnasadh on August 1st! (Fun Fact: The Gaelic word for August is ‘Lunasa’ - Lughnasadh is pronounced Loo-Na-Sah!)

If you happened to catch my last post (if you didn’t, click here! ‘Lughnasadh vs. Lammas’) then you already know the difference between ‘Lughnasadh’ and ‘Lammas’, and some of the history, which means it’s time to get into the fun part...how to celebrate it!

To keep this post simple I’ll put it in list form, and I apologize in advance for mentioning some things more than once, there’s some things that end up being good crossover ideas, so sorry if it sounds repetitive at all! (Just your typical chronically apologizing Libra over here!)

I’ll start with some traditional ways to celebrate, then list the correspondences, THEN go into a longer list of celebration ideas! I’ll try to keep this short but there’s lots of info and I wanted to give plenty of options, so if you don’t see what you're looking for, just keep scrolling it’s probably there! ;) (It’s long, i’m sorry oh geez)

If not, I’m always available for messages and questions, and i’ll be posting craft ideas, recipes, and more ways to celebrate on my Instagram account that’s connected to this blog. Check the ‘Lughnasadh’ highlight and my story on August 1st for more! @selfcarewitchxo

Now let’s jump in!

How To Celebrate Traditionally

To start, I wanted to suggest some basic ways to celebrate in a more traditional way, and then go into a list with lots more options and details! Some of these might repeat in the list below so sorry in advance! (Libra problems again, I tried to organize the best I could...I’m so OCD)

Lughnasadh is about giving thanks for what has grown in summer, and for the abundance in our lives. We gather what has grown and begin to prep for winter and the darker, colder months, but not before celebrating a successful harvest season!

In the old days, it was tradition to climb a hill and bury or leave an offering of the first and best of your harvest to Lugh, usually the first loaf of bread you've baked. Offerings are left in exchange for blessings, gratitude, abundance, strength, protection, and growth. You can do the same hill idea, or leave your first loaf or other offering on your altar, or another special place.

Lughs’ original festival, was also focused on feasting, games, and athletic competition. Try recreating the same and have some friends over for a BBQ and some friendly competition!

Gods, Goddesses, Animals and Other Deities

The Celtic God Lugh is the patron deity for this festival, but if you’re not from a Celtic background, don’t use Lugh in your practice, or are from a Dianic tradition, there are many other Gods, Goddesses, animals and deities to choose from to incorporate into your Lughnasadh holiday.

Tailtiu (Lughs’ adoptive Mother who passed away, the festival is held in her honor) is a traditional female option, but any grain/agricultural/Mother Goddess/Father God figures make great picks.

For Goddesses, Rhiannon, Annona, Persephone, Cerridwen, Ceres, Demeter, and Isis are all options, and Odin, John Barley Corn, Dagon, Taranis, Vulcan, Mercury, Loki, Tammuz and Adonis are suggestions for the males! This is just to name a few of course!

As for animals, agricultural animals such as roosters, lambs, sheep, calves, and pigs are associated with the holiday, you can also use the majestic stag! For more mythological options, the centaur, phoenix and griffin are also associated.

Try adding statues, figurines, feathers, bones or other things associated with these Gods/Goddesses/deities/animals as altar decorations!

Decorations

How can you have a holiday without some festive decorations? Take some time to redo your altar space, room, or even your whole house if you want, to get into the holiday spirit! Being a harvest, nature based holiday, there are many cheap, easy, decorating ideas, that include many things we already have at home!

To start, use some seasonally scented candles, wax burners, or essential oils to make your sacred space smell like Lughnasadh vibes!

Candles in holiday colors, or tied with holiday colored ribbon, make a good altar addition! (See below for list of color correspondences)

Dried corn, rice, wheat, corn dollies, fallen twigs, dried straw, herbs, crystals, corn stalks, pumpkins, squash, dried oats, dried beans, a cornucopia, sunflower seeds, flowers, a scythe, a sickle, or a cauldron are quite seasonal options! (Keep reading for suggestions for crystals, scents and herbs!)

Crystals

These crystals are associated with Lughnasadh. Try using them as altar decorations, in your spellwork, or to meditate with during the holiday!

Amber, aventurine, carnelian, citrine, moss agate, topaz, golden topaz, obsidian, tigers eye, brown agate, clear quartz, cats eye, lodestones, peridot.

Plants/Herbs/Flowers/Scent Associations

Lumping this one a little since these have dual uses!

Wheat, Basil, Mint, Queen Anne’s Lace, Calendula, Yarrow, Sunflowers, Marigolds, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Rose, Rosemary, Rose hips, Blackthorn, Vervain, Peonies, Poppies, Ginseng, All Spice and Chamomile all have associations with Lughnasadh. Use these to decorate, make tea, cook or bake with, scent your home or altar space, or to leave as an offering! (Keep reading for suggestions on how to use these)

Colors

Try candles and ribbons in shades of green, brown, bronze, orange, yellow and gold. Personally, I always choose a yellow, brown, gold, and green candle for my Lughnasadh altar space.

Yellow represents solar energies, happiness, and transformation.

Brown represents earth energies, strength, protection, and animals.

Gold is to illuminate, for success, divine power, and the harvest.

Green represents abundance, prosperity, fertility, growth, wealth, life, and vegetation.

Food & Drink Ideas

As Lughnasadh is a feasting holiday to give thanks, consider having some friends and loved ones over for a BBQ or potluck! both are great traditional ideas. Try these food and drink suggestions to indulge in holiday flavors!

Foods: BBQ, breads, roasted lamb, pot luck, berries - like blueberries and blackberries, potatoes, pies, nuts, pumpkin, mushrooms, garlic, honey, acorn squash, summer squash, apples, oats, rice, beans, fried chicken, berry pancakes

Drinks: Since wheat is a big thing, beer is a staple drink, but if you’re more of a wine person try elderberry, blackberry or blueberry wine. For alcohol free options, cherry or apple ciders are great, or plain apple juice.

Mint and chamomile are associated herbs, they make a great tea suggestion! Sweet mint, peppermint or spearmint make lovely iced teas. Blueberry or blackberry teas are also delicious!

I’m also personally adding mojitos to this list as a modern update. Since mint is associated, adding some from your garden in a refreshing mojito sounds like a good way to incorporate it to me!

Try some oats or blueberry pancakes in the morning with a seasonal juice or herbal tea, then do a bigger feast for dinner of lamb or chicken, with a beer, then pie for dessert!

More Ways to Celebrate

Bake Bread

There’s lots of recipes online for you to bake your very own loaf. Try adding herbs, or twisting the dough into Celtic knots for extra flair. You can also ‘paint’ the bread! Try Pinterest for some great recipe ideas. Bake extra to give away to a loved one or leave as an offering!

Have a Popcorn Party

Since Lughnasadh is associated with corn, try having a movie night wit friends and making different varieties of popcorn! Do you like spicy, or sweet kinds? This is a great idea to try with kids!

Have a Beer

As a grain holiday, relaxing with a cold brew is a good way to relax this Lughnasadh. Safely and responsibly of course.

Create a Besom

A besom is a witches broom. This is a good time of year to use dried straw, fallen twigs, ribbons and charms to create your own. Personally I love to see lavender in them, gorgeous!

Make Candles

If you have the supplies (even cooler if you have you own bees and wax!) try making candles. Bonus points for seasonal colors and scents, triple points for recycling old wax and bringing life back to old candles!

Harvest/Canning

Harvest your fruits, veggies, and herbs you’ve grown to use them in thanks in teas, tinctures, salves, your cooking, spellwork, and to hang up to dry. Make salsas, or preserves or jams to try on your Lughnasadh bread, or try canning to have a treat in the cold months!

Spend Time Outdoors

Take a walk, hike up a hill, have a picnic, visit a Farmer’s Market or produce stand for local goodies, or go pick fruits, like apples, berries or peaches at a local orchard! Find a way to soak up the last of the season’s warmth.

Have a Fire/Light a Candle

Have a bonfire solo or with friends, and consider burning away some things that need to be released. Throw things that don’t serve you (that are fire safe of course!) into the flames and let them be released. Let the fire ‘reap’ the bad from your life, and ‘sow’ positivity back into it.

If you can’t have a fire, choose a seasonally colored candle, or a few, and give thanks by it’s light! You can carve runes into them if you’d like also!

Spellwork

Lughnasadh works with themes of success and abundance, so it’s a great time of year to do spellwork involving your career, health or love life. If you or someone you know is trying for a new job, or hoping for a new relationship, or maybe buying a house, or moving to a new location, try a little spell to help you manifest your (or theirs!) goals.

Scrying/Divination

Break out your tarot, oracle cards and scrying/divination tools! This is a good time to try new methods you haven’t worked with before, such as bones or runes. If you’ve never tried fire scrying, use your Lughnasadh bonfire or candle as a first attempt!

Cooking/Baking/Drink Making

Feasting with friends or loved ones is a good way to celebrate! (Try the menu ideas above!) Try using herbs you’ve grown or purchased from a local stand in the recipes!

Make a Corn Dolly

Traditionally the least sheaf that was ceremonially cut was used to make a ‘corn dolly’, and carried to the village. The corn dolly would be made into a corn maiden (or corn mother) if the harvest was good, or a ‘cailleach’ (Celtic word for witch, hag) after a bad harvest. These dollies could be clothed, or dressed with ribbon. If you make a doll at Lughnasadh, she can be used again in six months for Imbolc, and can be dressed in spring colors. The harvest Mother, becomes the Spring bride! (Some traditions don’t believe in reusing the doll, but that depends on your practice!)

Smudge/Cleanse/Bless Your Space

Smudge away that negativity that’s been lingering, clear the air, and your life, so that you may grow bountiful! Buy a smudge stick or make your own with sage and added herbs if you’d like. Mugwort, rosemary, lavender and juniper are good additives. Open the windows, let the light and breeze in! Start fresh and clean this holiday, and reap those bad energy places!

Make a Gift

Acts of service and selflessness are important on Lughnasadh. We’re in a place of abundance, and it’s time to share the bounty and love with others. Make a gift for a friend, loved one or neighbor to share the holiday spirit. Try flowers you’ve picked, breads or foods you’ve made, jams or jellies you preserved, or another homemade craft item. Make it with love! They’ll be sure to feel the positive vibes. They’ll see this act of kindness, and pass it on...the world needs more love!

Acts of Service

Lughnasadh is centered around themes of prosperity, generosity, continued success, and giving thanks; which makes it a great time to help those around us, and share the blessings of our abundance with others.

Consider volunteering your time, organizing a community cleanup, picking up trash at the beach, having a friend, neighbor, or loved one over for a hot meal, or offering to help a neighbor with something they need. Devote your time, and watch the blessings come back to you.

Make a Gratitude List

What has ‘grown’ in you life this year that you’re thankful for? Have some seasonal tea, sit by a candle, and make a gratitude list of everything you’re blessed with in life.

Make a reap/ sow list

On that note, you can also try a reap/sow list. Write down what you’re proud to have “planted” in your life, and watched grow, and also what your’re not proud of. What needs to be ‘reaped’ from you life? What weeds are strangling you, that need to be pulled for a bountiful harvest next year? Use this time as personal reflection, and choose what to reap and sow to live your best life in alignment with your true self. Think in ‘Regrets’, ‘Farewells’, ‘Harvest’ and ‘Preserves’

Regrets: Think about things you meant to do this summer that did not come to fruition. Project your regrets onto fire safe objects, like pine cones, and throw them into your fire. You can also write on dried corn husks or paper.

Farewells: What’s passing from your life? What is over? Say goodbye. You can use visuals or writing for this, and also throw into the fire to release, or a lake or ocean. You could also use a flower bulb and plant it, to watch it grow back next year.

Harvest: What have you already harvested this year? What is sprouting? Find a way to represent those things and create a visual reminder to hang in your home.

Preserves: Think about the fruits you have gathered this year and how you can hold onto the sweet memories. Make a remembrance box, or box altar, to help remember special things, times and people.

Make a Craft

Lugh is the God of craftsmanship, so try making something festive to decorate your home or altar! Wheat can be used for wreaths and door decorations, apples can be turned into seasonal candle holders, or try making your own corn dolly or besom. Search Pinterest for these great ideas or check my Instagram account for the how-to’s! (@selfcarewitchxo)

Go to a Craft Fair

And again, on that note! Since Lugh is the God of this, see if there’s any local craft fairs in your area and buy some local goodies!

PHEW!

That’s it folks! Your complete guide to celebrate Lughnasadh! Thank you for being patient with me as I got this posted. If you hear from me on other sites you know I already typed this whole thing once and it got deleted! Ahh! I’m glad to have this up finally!

Connect with me on Instagram to see what i’ll be doing for the day, and send me the ideas you’ve decided to try out! I’d love to see your crafts or anything you’ve baked! Also if you have any ideas to add, let me know and I’ll post them!

HAPPY CELEBRATING!

Blessed Lughnasadh Witches!

~ Faye ~

@selfcarewitchxo

#lughnasadh #witch #witchcraft #witches #lammas #lughnasadh 2019 #lammas 2019 #pagan #pagans #witchcraft blog #beginner witch #beginners witchcraft #pagan holiday #celtic holiday #lugh #celtic

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ficsandpieces · 5 years

Note

Not only is it almost father's day but it's summer!! Could I please get family beach/pool trip scenarios? Ahhh just imagining it is so cute. Individual family outings or maybe a whole group version just to see everyone's kids interact?? Whichever is best for you. Thanks so much in advance :D

(I’m sorry prompt fills are taking so long, real life keeps getting in the way OTL)

***

It’s Daddy’s day out! \o/

They go to Camus’ private beach because it was either that or a public one and Camus figured with great reluctance if he and his precious angel were going to be exposed to peasants it might as well be those he’s familiar with at least, much as it pains him to say it

Reiji rented a family van to pick everyone up and drove them over

Carpool karaoke happened and it was magnificent

They pull up to the beach and to the sight of Camus standing like a Greek god on the sand

His hair is up

His chest gleaming in the sun

His shins exposed

He’s possibly exposed more skin in public today than he had in over a year

It was only his opened shirt printed all over with cartoon heads of Alexander (a Father’s Day gift from his daughter via his S/O) that kept everyone present from being blinded

The deadly glare he shot anyone who even thought of commenting on his fashion sense today was enough to turn even the sun cold

Preparations before playtime see Camus and Ai diligently spraying their children down with sunblock, having brought with them metal canisters of it with spray nozzles attached for even coverage

Ranmaru’s barking at his kids to put it on while slapping it on himself

His son and daughter squeezing it on each other’s backs from a large economy tube of sunblock

When it comes to helping their father, they have fun drawing faces with the cream on Ranmaru’s back, quickly smearing the drawings away when he complains they’re taking too long

Reiji and his twins have completely forgotten that sun protection exists and are already running into the sea, yelling and whooping, pool floats hooked under one arm and beach balls under the other

(His kids survive the day without sunburn

Unfortunately enough, the same cannot be said for Reiji

He returns to work red as a lobster with new patches of skin showing where his children helpfully assisted Daddy in peeling whatever was coming off

Manager-san banned Reiji from going under the sun for next month, swaddling him in long-sleeves, face-mask, a giant hat and pants, leading to Reiji almost being hospitalized for heat-stroke later)

Reiji and Ranmaru join their kids in the water

Ai and Camus prudently keeping to the shade

Ai’s son tugging on his hand for him to go play in the sea with him

Ai shaking his head

“You know that I’m no good with water. Go play with the others, I’ll be fine by myself here.”

His little boy is super disappointed

Halfheartedly joins the other kiddies in the water

(The disappointed look on his son’s face from that time stuck with him for months after that

The next beach trip sees Ai liberally dousing himself with sealant and wading grimly into the sea with his son and a steely determination not to let the water get in the way of quality father-son time)

Camus, horrified at how rowdy the other children are, at first stands like a stern sentinel between his daughter and the commoners, arms folded and face stern as thunder

But one small tug at his tailored capri trousers, his little girl looking up at him with forlorn eyes and he very literally melts

Compromises by shadowing her closely until he’s dragged off by Reiji to give the poor girl some breathing space

Ranmaru gleefully assisting by putting Camus in a loose chokehold and literally towing him through the sand because as long as it causes the seaweed head distress he’s in

Ranmaru’s son, being the oldest of the lot, ends up keeping an eye on the other kids, to the silent approval of his father

Camus’ daughter is very excited to see other children her age because much like Camus she’s grown up surrounded by adults, although in very different circumstances

(Camus is adamant on having his little angel home-schooled, since the alternative would be sending her to a boarding school in the mountains but he can’t uproot himself to join her there just yet due to work

His S/O is equally adamant she at the very least goes to a normal school and make friends with other children because their daughter is going to grow up in a literal ivory tower isolated from the rest of humanity over her dead body)

But she’s a little shy and doesn’t know how to approach them

Ranmaru’s daughter tends to stick to her big brother

Then she spots Camus’ daughter fidgeting at the edge of the water, looking like she really wants to play with everyone else but is hesitant to do so

The Kurosaki siblings go over and take her hands, drawing her in to join them

Ranmaru’s son was the first boy to ever hold her hand

Little girl has her first crush when she looked up at him and he smiled back

(Camus, feeling a chill go down his body, fights tooth and nail to untangle himself from Reiji and Ranmaru and fly to his daughter’s side)

Ai’s son runs over when he sees them, excited that the little girl he’s always seen standing by the sidelines is finally here

Camus’ daughter’s heart melts when Ai’s son takes her hand and beams up at her

She’s never seen a boy younger than her, and so much smaller too!

Ai’s little son is normally shy and has a tendency to hide behind his parents’ legs when in public, but he’s very different with the other QN children whom he’s practically grown up with

He looks up to and sticks to Ranmaru’s son too, so he’s got two ducklings following him around everywhere he goes

Now with the addition of Camus’ daughter the duckling count has gone up to three

Both Kotobuki twins inherited their father’s boundless energy and appetite for fun

His son tends to be more on the serious side but enjoys a good prank like his sister

He and Ranmaru’s son are the ‘responsible’ ones who will pick up the younger kids and run like bats out of hell anytime a prank or joke goes wrong

The twins are the ones who come up with new games for everyone to play most of the time

Both of them have taken to calling Ranmaru’s son ‘Oniichan’, to his mild annoyance

Afternoon rolls around and both big and small stomachs are rumbling

Each papa brought their own homemade picnic lunch from home for potluck

Ai greatly approves of this

He’s a big believer in his boy getting as many experiences as possible, food included

Reiji’s karaage is naturally one of the more popular items on the menu, with Ran’s meatballs coming in a close second

Ai’s fruit and vitamin punch was left largely unfinished because it had more vitamins than fruit and tasted like it

(Both Ai and his son are puzzled by everyone’s reaction to the drink which was both healthy and absolutely fine to them, reminding all present that Ai’s little boy had inherited his father’s analytical taste buds)

Camus’ dessert tables (filled with nothing but cake and ice-cream and carried in by a crew) saved the day and everyone’s tongues

One table was graciously provided for the potluck

The other was reserved for him and his daughter, who to his dismay keeps trying to share her dessert with the Kurosaki spawn

The Kotobuki twins may be picky eaters but the sand and sea’s sharpened their appetites, making their father weep with joy when he saw empty plates and little hands holding them up, asking for seconds

Ranmaru’s drummed the principle of “clean your plate or starve” into his kids heads ever since they were old enough to eat solid food, so picky eating isn’t much of a problem for him

Except he isn’t exempted from every parent’s enemy of vegetables, which is a high hurdle for him to clear considering he’s not a fan of the green either

Apparently his children got around the ‘starving’ part of their father’s dining discipline by feeding their vegetables to the cats, technically still leaving their plates clean

Camus daughter has never eaten anything that wasn’t prepared by either her father or a professional chef, which should tell you enough about her upbringing

As mentioned, Ai’s son shares the same taste buds as his sire, hence he’ll eat anything and think it tastes alright

After lunch and a half-hour rest in the shade (with Ranmaru being awakened from his nap by his papa!radar going off and cracking open an eye to glare at any child who tries to sneak back on to the beach earlier than they’re supposed to), it’s back to the sun and waves and more fun

Ranmaru’s got his son hoisted up on his shoulders and his daughter hanging gleefully off one bicep, proudly showing off that he’s still got the muscles despite fatherhood

Reiji’s and his two-man army came armed with water soakers and are currently running for their lives from Camus, who is soaked and breathing frost and fury and advancing menacingly on the Kotobukis, his steps turning the surrounding water and sand to ice with his daughter perched on one arm, only slightly damp due to her father shielding her

Later on watermelons are brought out for an afternoon snack

The age-old game of watermelon smashing commences

When it’s Ranmaru’s turn to hit the watermelon he takes aim, spins and strikes alarmingly close to Camus, sending sand flying in all directions

“Eh, thought I sensed something soft headed around here. Guess my gut was right on the mark.”

He grins, taking off the blindfold and cracking his neck with an added smirk

Highly unamused, Camus feels around for the nearest thing at him to bash Ranmaru’s head in with, which turns out to be a plastic toy bucket still half-full with wet sand

Equally unamused and seeing red now, Ranmaru grabs another toy bucket, chooses an area of beach abundant with seashells and tiny crabs, fills it to the brim and dumps it down the back of Camus’ shirt

Their kids watching the sand, seashells and seaweed fly with the battle raging on

(Good thing their wives had the foresight to pack more than one change of clothes for both the men and their kids)

Everyone eventually settles down to finish off the smashed watermelons

Ranmaru teaching the children how to spit out the seeds and unknowingly initiating a competition to see who can spit them the furthest

Camus has long carried away his daughter, mortified at her having to watch such a crass activity

Reiji’s been furiously taking photographs throughout the entire day and sending constant updates to his wifey at home

(He spams the Quartet Night group chat with the same photos and commentary later

Camus leaves the chat group in a fit of ire, only to be added back almost immediately by Reiji

“Myu-chan, you’re so careless! What’re you doing accidentally exiting the group chat like that? Think of all the news you’d have missed out on if I hadn’t noticed!”)

Closer to evening Ai’s son is worn out from playing and starts getting clingy with his father

“Hm? What’s the matter?” he asks him, rubbing his back with one hand. “Tired already?”

He presses his head against Ai’s shirt and pouts

“Want Mommy.”

“We still have three hours and forty-seven minutes left to go before we can see your mother. Do you want to take a nap in the shade first?”

“No. Want Mommy now!”

Off Ai goes, carrying away his cranky three-year-old to some place quiet where he can calmly explain to him how throwing a tantrum does not make time go by any faster

He returns an hour later, his toddler in his arms, now completely exhausted from his father’s lecture which turned out to be as hypnotic as a lullaby

Hearing Ai’s son whining for his mother makes the other children realise that they’ve gone an entire day without Mommy too

The mood’s going downhill fast, with all the adults frantically trying to stop their children from bursting into tears from suddenly missing their mothers

Reiji saves the day with a brilliant idea

“No summer night is complete without fireworks!”

Good thing he brought along enough to make Ai and Camus seriously worry about being caught by the police for possession of an abnormally large amount of explosives

Firecrackers, whizzlers, fountains, spinners, you name it, Reiji’s probably got more than ten of it

All papas present breath a sigh of relief when their children are distracted from thoughts of their mothers by the possibility of playing with something bright, shiny and noisy

Ai has his boy in his lap, placidly holding on to a sparkler

Baby boy wanted to do nothing but snuggle in his chest at first, but the bright lights and the noise the other children were making woke him up

Camus hovering anxiously behind his little girl, a globe of water ready to materialize in his hand any second for fear that a stray firework might have the audacity to approach his angel

Ranmaru and Reiji’s children having the time of their lives running up and down the beach, setting off bottle rockets in the air

Ranmaru running after his kids when they gang up with the Kotobuki twins to chase Reiji down the length of the beach with roman candles at ready

At the end of the night, after cleaning up after themselves (junior chipping in to help), each papa carries their exhausted but happy child home in their arms, piling into the rented van

Camus is both stunned and aghast when his little girl tugs on the arm of Ran’s son, her head still resting against her father’s chest, and tells him to come and play again sometime

Ranmaru is just as mortified when the little boy yawns and nods

The two fathers share a mutual look of “WE SHALL NEVER SPEAK OF THIS AGAIN” before urgently bundling their children back home

Ran gives his confused son the “You can pick anyone you like, just not that one” talk

The poor man has never felt so threatened in his life before

Camus bathes his little girl in the Permafrost equivalent of holy water to exorcise whatever black magic that Kurosaki spawn must have cast on his precious angel

Reiji sends everyone home safe and sound

Bathes and carries both his children to bed and tucks them in

Pulls his wife down to sit next to him on the couch as he recounts the day and adds on even more commentary to the sea of photographs he had texted her throughout their day out

All of Quartet Night’s wives say the same thing to their exhausted husbands when they return home with sleeping children in their arms

“Welcome back. That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

And they had to agree that it wasn’t

(Although whether they would do it again was still up for debate lol)

#utapri #uta no prince sama #Quartet Night #papa!QN #Reiji Kotobuki #ranmaru kurosaki #camus #ai mikaze #papa!Ranmaru #papa!Reiji #papa!Camus #papa!Ai #papa!qn prompt fest #headcanons #Answering asks

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jamiebluewind · 5 years

Text

A Story On Life and Death and Funerals

Yall ever have the conversation with someone? The one when you admit outloud what you would want done when you die? I did. More than once to a variety of people. The reason I'm bringing it up is that I had a bit of a reminder today as to why it's important.

Today I was in therapy. This was only my second visit with her since I moved here, so we are still covering a lot of the basics. The subject got on my mamaw (southen word for grandmother). The woman who I had thought of as a mother and often introduced me as her youngest daughter or her baby. She live next door to me most of my childhood and I practically lived at her house. I loved her. So very much. The only person who liked me as I was. She put aside time every day to work on spelling and reading with me. In fact, all her hard work and patience with me is part of the reason it took so long for anyone to realize that the girl with some of the highest grades in class had dyslexia and minor dyscalcula (near perfect scores every test and assessment, but flunked pop quizes)! It turned out she had it herself, recognized it in me, and knew that getting frustrated and giving up would only make things harder when what I truly needed was to read every day. She taught me how to bake tea cakes and play with recipes. To always be kind to others, unless they gave you a reason not to and then you give um hell! To be myself (as long as it doesn't hurt you or anybody else), even if other people think it's weird. She was a white Christian woman from the deep south who played basketball with boys back in the 1930s and 1940s, got an education, built bombs during the war, was the first woman in her (very large) family to get a driver's license and own her own car, made more money than her husband (they were far from rich, but they worked hard, managed their money, and used their skills to make their lives better than people with twice as much) and would shut him down when he tried to control the house or what she did, built a picnic table in her own yard to feed the hobos (homeless people who road the trains) when she could afford it, had black friends who she would invite over to share a homecooked meal while segregation was still in full swing, made sure that their dogs always ate and were cared for, sewed simple shorts and tank tops using fabric scraps to give to neighborhood kids to play in, would skip church if someone was sick or just needed her help, ripped her brother-in-law a new one in the late 70s/early 80s when he tried to disown her nephew for coming out as gay (it didn't matter who he loved, he was still his son) and then stormed off to go comfort the boy, sang in a quartet and played piano and guitar, gardened most of her life (a huge vegetable garden with her family and a plot of various flowers, despite people calling them pointless), and on and on. A thousand things big and small that got her called weird (and worse). This woman who taught me so much through words and actions and never forgot my birthday (she made me a strawberry cake every year and when she got to old to bake she bought one and when she couldn't get out to do that, she got me a strawberry snackcake somehow) even when everybody else did... she was the best thing in my life for a long long time.

But I was "just" a grandkid. Despite all our history. Just a grandkid. Despite the fact that when she had a stroke when I was a teenager (15 or 16 I think?), I was the one who fought to keep her out of a nursing home and stayed with her 24/6 with no help for two months (caring for her, doing physical therapy with her, and crashing and sleeping the whole day somebody took over for me) and 3 to 4 days a week for months after that (she got an aid that came by a few hours in the mornings during the week to help out and two of her kids started taking one to three days a week each) until she recovered enough to live in her own home for years, dying in a retirement home 12 or 13 years later. Despite her and I having a long conversation about what we both wanted to happen after we died. Just. A. Grandkid. She got the funeral they wanted. I wasn't included in the talks or even allowed to tell them what she told to me. They didn't even let me give them her favorite socks (knee high fuzzy striped socks that made her laugh because she thought they made her look like the wicked witch) to put in her casket.

The funeral has lots of cut flowers instead a few simple ones. It lasted nearly 3 hours (Southern Baptist and the time does not count the viewing) with an introduction, a group that sang hymns at multiple intervals (including one longer set), multiple group prayers, a group hymn, two in church sermons, the church presenting a gift to the family, and a graveside sermon (no drive as the grave was beside the church) instead of something that was under an hour (because some people have bad backs, some people are old, kids get figity, and it's already hard enough on the family). They focused heavily on religion and how godly she was (even saying she put god first and family second which would have made her roll over in her grave) and gave the family a Bible with her name on it (as the family suggested despite her skipping church as much as her daugher would let her the last 3 years because it exhausted her too much). Her grandson-in-law gave the second sermon and after more talk of how religious she was and how closely she followed the Bible (the same woman that was proud of me for arguing with the preacher on bible logic when I was little, supported her gay nephew, and said it was fine for a couple who made each other happy to live together because there were more important things in life than a piece of paper), he inserted the only story told about her life which was bits and pieces about when she built the table for the homeless men (a story he heard from me) as an example of what a godly woman she was, with added embelishments, alterations, omitions, and a big part about her being called to do it by god (she did it in part because her husband was a hobo for a short time years before they met, part because nobody else would do it, and part out of pure spit for saying she couldn't). She wanted something that focused on her life and her family with a prayer and a couple songs mixed in and a few words from the preacher to comfort those left and hurting. A big potluck before or after the funeral for people to just talk and laugh and comfort each other.

But the truth is, I don't know everything she would have wanted. I don't know what might have changed in the ~5 years since we had talked about it, how well the memory aged for me, or if my memory was clouded by my own biases. I know she picked out a dress and told her daughter, but not me. I know there is probably more.

Then I started thinking about what I had said to her that night on the couch when we talked about what we would want to happen after we died. That me from just a decade ago is not the me today. Some of the things I wanted are the same. Some have changed. Some are things I would actually NOT want to happen at all! So maybe, just maybe, a version of my mamaw wanted that funeral at some point. Perhaps she told her kids years ago, before her stroke (which took the dexterity in her dominant hand and gave her a strong slur, making it hard for people to understanding her words or have the patience to wait for them). Maybe that's the real reason why it all played out like it did. But they don't know. And I don't know. And everybody has hurt feelings over it.

So, tonight I mentioned what I wanted when I died to my best friend because it was on my mind. I went about my day and my evening, but as I was getting ready for bed, I realized something. I had made the same mistake. I have people who know what past me wanted, know what current me wants, and think they know what current me would want, but none of them are exactly right or completely wrong or even know all the information. It's not all in one place and memories can fade with time.

So think about what you want to happen instead of placing it all on your grieving family and the mourner's version of a used car saleman. Open up a dialogue. And most importantly, create a living will (so family won't have to guess for end of life care) and share copies of it with your doctor and family (updating as needed such as if you move to a different state or your wishes change) and have your wishes (for what you want to happen after you die) in writing on a seperate thing from your will (which is often not located and read until most of the decisions have already been made), share copies with relevant people (or look into services that will give it to them after your death or email copies to a list of people), keep a copy in a folder with other important documents (like your living will, last will and testameny, titles, mortgage papers, and such), and make sure to check it (a reminder can help) every so often (once a year or once ever ten years, as long as you do it) to make sure nothing has changed, needs to be added, or no longer applies. An expression of funeral wishes is not legally binding (like a relative I knew that wanted one that would have left two well stocked small flower shops practically empty), but they are better than having nothing and your grieving family fighting over guesswork.

So... yeah. Don't be afraid to do it or worried about what it means or feel like it's too depressing to think about. Better you than them.

#bluewind talks #death #funerals #storytime #please

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