#high gloss bathroom cabinets

[valerioeliogabalotorrisi]

3/4 Bath - Bathroom

[loujasna]

Orlando Bathroom Example of a small minimalist 3/4 multicolored tile and glass tile porcelain tile alcove shower design with flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink and quartz countertops

[krispeetersvisitingthings]

Bathroom in Orlando An illustration of a small, minimalist alcove shower design with 3/4-size multicolored and glass tiles, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink, and quartz countertops.

[daphranko]

Stone - Beach Style Exterior Huge coastal white three-story stone exterior home idea

[newmas]

Kids Bathroom Bathroom: Small modern kids' bathroom idea with limestone flooring, a wall-mount toilet, and beige walls.

[melaniemcfarlane]

Bathroom in Miami Bathroom - small contemporary 3/4 marble floor bathroom idea with furniture-like cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

[yoncchi]

Powder Room - Contemporary Powder Room Stylish medium-sized powder room with a beige floor and a light wood floor, flat-panel cabinets, colorful walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, and black countertops.

[rafeandonlyrafe]

cocaine in my lipgloss

dedicated to my angel my babygirl my love @rafestar

words: 2.1k

warnings: 18+ only!, smut, drunk use, drinking, partying, male receiving oral, p in v sex, unprotected sex

“hey barry.” you plop down on the couch next to him, glad that you were able to find him amongst the crowd at the party.

“hey princess.” barry smirks at you, eyes skimming over the front of your dress, training in on your clevage.

“how much for a baggie of blow?” you ask.

“for you? or for someone else?” barry raises his eyebrows, surprised that you’re asking for yourself, usually getting whatever you want paid for by guys who want to get you in bed.

“for me, silly.” you giggle, knowing you’re playing into the dumb slut persona that you’re not even ashamed of.

“$100 will be fine for you, princess. $75 if you give me a kiss.” barry smirks at you, not so subtly rubbing at his crotch.

you roll your eyes but grin at barry for the offer, pulling a couple bills from between your breasts and handing over two crisp $50 bills. “maybe next time on the kiss, yeah?”

barry hands you the baggie of cocaine. “next time.”

you take the baggie and head towards the bathroom, peaking in first to make sure no one is fucking in the tub before closing yourself in and locking the door. you pull your lipgloss out and set it on the counter before opening up the medicine cabinet to find a pair of tweezers.

you pull the stopper out of the lipgloss before kneeling down, sticking your tongue out as you concentrate on tapping most of the powder into the lipgloss. you swirl it around before placing the stopper back on, leaving the rest of the baggie on the counter for some lucky person to find.

you head out of the bathroom, moving past the grinding and dancing bodies until your eyes land on rafe. you swipe the lipgloss over your lips before heading over to him.

“hey handsome.” you smirk at him. rafe sets his drink down, instantly ignoring the girl that was desperately trying to flirt with him.

“hey baby, how are you?” rafes voice is soft yet still deep. you’ve hooked up with rafe a couple times, usually after getting way too drunk or high at a party, and you’re ready for more after feeling the jealousy course through you upon seeing him dance with someone else.

“good.” you wrap an arm around his shoulders, able to easily reach him as he sits on a stool, your head already feeling fuzzy from the coke mixed into your lipgloss. “would be better if you kissed me.”

rafe glances quickly to your lips, the shiny material glistening as he leans in, pressing your lips together. rafes eyes roll back in his head, a gentle moan forcing out of his mouth and into yours as you kiss.

“holy fuck.” rafe mumbles, licking your strawberry flavored lipgloss off his own mouth. 

“wanna take me upstairs?” you ask, excited to have rafe while you’re not fully gone yet, for once both of you will be able to remember the hookup.

“hell yes.” rafe places his hand on your lower back, quickly leading you up to one of the guest bedrooms, his head swirling with excitement, the drugs he didn’t even realize he was ingesting through the gloss on your lips. you make sure to reapply before he locks the door.

“hated seeing you dance with that girl.” you pout. “just wanted you to fuck me.”

“aw, come on baby.” rafe laughs as he loops an arm around your waist, pulling your body close to his. “you know i only come to these parties to hook up with you.”

you smile briefly at rafe before it's wiped off your face as rafe leans down and kisses you, mouth easily dominating yours. his hand moves down from your waist to your ass, gripping it in palm, squeezing as he backs you up towards the bed.

“let me see those pretty tits, come on.” rafe grunts as he pulls away, using his free hand to tug the front of your dress down, revealing your bra. you giggle at his impatience, stepping away to pull your dress off over your head.

rafe smirks as you slow the pace down, reaching behind your back with a teasing smile, slowly unhooking your bra. it undoes, but you're still slow to let the straps fall off your shoulders before the rest of the material falls to the floor, baring yourself to rafe.

he doesn't say anything, doesn't need to use his words as he kisses you, hands gripping your chest, thumbs swiping over your nipples as he plays with your tits.

“god.” rafe moans against your lips. “your kiss feels like heaven.”

you can't help your giggle, knowing it's from what you so carefully tapped into your lipgloss. your hands move underneath rafes shirt, feeling his muscles contract as you pull away from the kiss to pull his shirt over his head.

“you gotta suck me off baby, please.” rafe groans, wanting to experience your mouth elsewhere. he's pretty sure this is the first time you've gotten on your knees for him as you reach into your pile of clothing on the floor, swiping on some more lip gloss, giving rafe a wink as your hands begin to work his pants open, tugging at his zipper as rafes impatience gets the best of him again, reaching down to help you undo the button.

you pull his pants down, taking his underwear along with it. your eyes widen as rafes hardened cock is revealed. you can vaguely remember him being big, but this is impressive.

you don't even finish pulling his pants down before you lean forward, leaving the jeans scrunched around his lower thighs as you grip his cock at the base, pressing a kiss to his tip before wrapping your lips around the head of his cock, moaning as you suckle on the head, tongue flicking over his slit.

“oh fuck.” rafe groans, managing to get his pants the rest of the way down, kicking them away. “you're so fucking good.”

“oh, rafe.” you giggle, pulling away with a grin. “i haven't even started yet.” 

you put on a show for rafe, letting the coke in your system wash away all your inhibitions as you begin to bob your head, trying to take rafes cock as deep as possible down your throat every time.

rafe grips at your hair, giving you this time to have control before he takes over. you push forward, nuzzling your nose into rafes skin as you manage to deep throat his length, swallowing around his cock repeatedly to hopefully control your gag reflex.

you only manage for a few seconds before having to pull off, not allowing rafe to go without contact for too long as your hands grip his cock, stroking him as you take deep breaths.

“gonna let me fuck your mouth?” rafe asks, cradling your head as he looks down on you.

“mhm.” you nod, dropping your mouth open, sticking your tongue out as rafe shoos your hands away, taking his cock by the base as he taps his tip against your awaiting tongue.

he moves next to rub his slit against your lips, smearing his precum along with your lipgloss before he plunges forward, suddenly taking up all the space in your mouth. 

he wastes no time setting up a fast pace, one hand gripping your hair while the other is pressed against the back of your head, keeping you from pulling away. tears come to your eyes, no doubt ruining your makeup as he thrusts forward, abusing your throat while you leave your mouth open to take it.

before you can even adjust, rafe pulls away suddenly, taking a small step back.

you wipe at your mouth, smirking up at rafe as he breaths heavily. “get on the bed now, i need to be inside your cunt.”

you pop up onto your heels, kicking off your shoes as you climb onto the bed. you move from your hands and knees to sink down, pressing your chest into the bed, leaving your ass in the air.

rafe presses his thighs against the side of the bed, rubbing his cock over your underwear, moaning when his tip slides against your obvious wet patch.

his hands grip your hips, continuing to grind against you until he can't wait any longer, tugging your underwear to the side to reveal your wet folds. he continues to move, now against your warm, wet skin. with every movement forward, you can't help the moan that pushes free from you as he hits your clit.

“fuck me already, rafe.” you grunt out.

“come give me another kiss first.” rafe leans over your back, his mouth finding yours as you turn your head to the side, kiss a mess of tongue, spit and lipgloss as you make out. 

rafe keeps your lips locked together as he reaches to press his cock against your entrance, slowly sinking forward until you both have to pull away to moan.

“fuck, so big.” you whine. rafe stands back up straight, watching as he sinks forward into your pussy. he keeps his movements slow at first, carefully bringing his cock forward and back out of you, feeling the way your walls start to give way to him, stretching you open.

“faster, it’s okay.” you beg, hands gripping the bedsheets. rafe loops his thumb around your underwear, pulling it even further to the side, straining the fabric as he moves faster and harder, pumping into you in a steady rhythm.

you cry out, not caring that you’re at a party, that others could hear. no doubt theres people roaming the hallways, wondering who is moaning and screaming behind the locked door.

“so tight baby, love this pussy.” rafe praises you, pumping his hips forward, the slap of his skin hitting yours filling the room as his eyes drink in the way your ass jiggles every time he enters you fully.

“yeah?” you smirk, clenching your cunt around his cock. “this pussy loves your big dick.”

“you can get it as much as you want.” rafe says, unable to believe that he was ever too drunk or high to forget this, the way you wrap around him, walls molding to his cock.

rafe pulls out, pushing you over so you’re on your back, hips still sat towards the edge of the bed so he can stay standing. “need you naked.” rafe says, but doesn’t even take the time to pull your underwear down your legs, instead taking it in his hands and ripping the material in two, pulling it away so you’re fully nude.

you let out a moan as he reenters you, leaning forward to kiss you again, now at a much better angle as he rocks forward. one of his hands grips your hip with the other plays with your chest, now having access to pinch and flick at your hard nipples.

you reach between your legs, rubbing your fingers over your clit, feeling overwhelmed with rafe stimulating so much of your body, his tongue flicking out to lick over your lips, not sure why he finds it so addicting. it’s a secret you’ll never tell.

“can i cum in you?” rafe asks.

“yeah.” you nod. you should probably say no. you’re on birth control but admittedly not the best at remembering to swallow that tiny pill every day, but you need to feel rafe fill you up.

“thank god.” rafe mutters. “close.”

he moves somehow impossibly faster, his cock hitting the perfect angle causing your orgasm to suddenly skyrocket through your body, back arching as you cry out, cunt pulsing around his cock, constricting and squeezing until rafe can’t hold back either, cum flooding your insides.

rafe slows his movements but continues to kiss you through both of your highs, hips gently rocking as you milk him.

“that was so good baby, so glad we could do this properly.” rafe chuckles, referring to your past hookups.

“i know.” you giggle, running your hands through rafes hair as he presses another kiss to your lips.

he pulls out slowly, cum sliding out of you in thick dollops. “sorry about your underwear.” rafe shrugs, clearly not actually sorry.

“eh.” you shrug. “you can make it up to me later.”

“yeah?” rafe smiles, handing you your clothes as you both redress. “dont want me to buy you another pair?” “rather you make it up to me by fucking me like that again.” you laugh, adjusting your dress once you’ve got it back on, tugging it lower now that you aren’t wearing any underwear underneath.

rafe helps you put your shoes back on, carefully sliding your toes back into your heels until you can stand. you leave your torn apart underwear on the floor, but make sure to reach down and pick up your pretty pink gloss, reapplying to your bottom lip before smacking them together.

“alright, i gotta kiss you again.” rafe groans, tugging you close to him all over again.

taglist: @drewstarkeyslut @forstarkey @f4ll-for-you @dilvcv @drudyslut @jjmaybankswifes-blog @rafescokenostril @jjsmarijuana @seeingstarks @angelofcigs @cece45450 @babygorewhore @vanessa-rafesgirl @michelleisheres-blog @outerbankspov @drewstarkeyswifehoe @cutielando @kamninaries @buckyswhxre @rafeinterlude @bellbottombaby @deeaardiary @rubixgsworld @wearemadeofstardust0 @leighbronk @starkeysheart @pradabambie @tobesolovelysstuff @alexiskirkland @rafestar @brioffthegrid @juniebugg @magicalyoura @mysticallystilinski @https-luvvia @aerangi @folklorsweet @soilderpoetandking @auryyz

[ronswansonquotes]

Bathroom 3/4 Bath in Miami

[blooniverse]

Contemporary Powder Room

[spookyblackconservative]

Bathroom - 3/4 Bath

[pinkjjunie]

Valentine's Special

Pairing: Choi Yeonjun x Reader

Summary: You prepare a special Valentine's dinner for your husband Yeonjun.

Warnings: A bit suggestive. 13+, pet names (baby, honey, darling.) kissing. VERY fluffy, with a bit of angst. (not much though don't worry. if you blink you'll miss it.)

a/n: this is the gosh darndest sweetest thing I've ever written. I literally got diabetes while writing this. I hope you like it and Happy Valentine's. (Even though it's a day early.)

It’s Valentine's Day. You’re currently running around the kitchen, hurriedly cooking food for you and your husband Yeonjun. He said he was grabbing some things from the store after he got done with work. So while he was away you prepared a surprise. Rushing back to the stove to stir the pot of alfredo. You had introduced Yeonjun to Fettuccine Alfredo by making it from scratch. He had fallen in love instantly. Asking you to make it every day. You were actually good at cooking, having taken a few culinary classes at your high school for fun. You did most of the cooking as you enjoyed the calmness of being in the kitchen. Yeonjun loved cooking with you as well. 

You took the pasta off the stove, dumping it into the strainer in the sink. Some of the water splashed up onto you and you flinched, nearly dropping the noodles into the sink. You managed to pour them all in without any incidents. While the noodles drained you adjusted the temperature of the sauce. Taking a quick glance at the clock you took out the pasta and put it back into the pot. Then you pour the sauce over it. You reached for the plates in the cabinet cursing Yeonjun slightly as he had put the good plates on the top shelf. The con of having a tall husband: he would accidentally put things on the top shelf. It was frustrating even though you were about average height. You had to practically climb on the counter to grab the stupid plates.

Once you had safely grabbed the plate you set it down in front of you. You went back to the Alfredo and started plating the pasta. You grabbed the steak from the stove as well and cut it up into strips to put it into the pasta. You then took them to the dining table. Taking a step back you admired your work; The alfredo pasta plated to perfection, the only thing that was missing were flowers. You sighed. How you wished that you had some pink roses to put in the middle. 

A sudden ding caught your attention. It was Yeonjun, saying that he was coming in ten minutes. Luckily you had already picked out a dress. It was a really cute pink dress. You quickly went to the bathroom to put on your makeup. As you finished up putting on some pink gloss you heard the keys jingle at the door. Slipping the gloss back into your bag, you rushed out to greet your husband who was currently taking off his shoes in the door. He looked up and his eyes widened at you. He slipped off his last shoe and walked over to you, almost in a trance. He wrapped his arms around your waist staring down at you with a look of pure love and admiration.

“Happy Valentine.” You said, looking up at him, he was wearing his suit, that you told him to wear before he came home.

“Happy Valentine's, darling.” He whispered, pressing a kiss to your lips.

He tightened his hold on your waist, pulling you closer. He worked your mouth open with his, and your lips naturally parted allowing his tongue to slip in. You hummed against his mouth, letting him have his way with you. Before it could get any further, you pulled away. You let out a giggle at his pout when you pulled away.

“I made dinner.” You whispered, smiling.

“And I brought you some presents.” He said.

That’s when you noticed the bag lying on the floor. You raised your brow. “And also I brought you some flowers.” He pulled out a bouquet of pink and white roses.

You gasped. “Oh Jjun, this is so perfect!” You squealed, taking the flowers away from him.

You went to where you kept all your vases for the flowers he would often bring home. He loved to bring you flowers for some reason. It didn’t even have to be a special day, he just loved to bring you flowers. It brought up a red flag in you, but then you found out the reason he liked bringing flowers.

“I love that flowers hold meaning. Like roses have different colors and different meanings. I like things that have meaning to them. It’s like silently telling someone something. So when I see a flower I look up the meaning and then try to convey that to you. Plus you can write cute little notes for a bouquet.” He had replied.

It was an adorable reason, and the red flag went away. He didn’t really bring you any other gifts, just flowers. You poured the water inside of the vase then cut the flowers to the perfect angle. Since Yeonjun brought you so many flowers, you were an expert at cutting them to the right angle. You slipped them in and arranged them around to your liking, before carefully placing them down on the table. You stepped back to admire it. Yeonjun walked behind you and wrapped an arm around your waist. You smiled and placed your head on his chest.

“It looks beautiful honey.” He commented.

“Thank you.” You said.

You stood there for awhile, then dragged him to sit. He sniffed the food, then hummed, “Mm, this smells so good, baby.” He said.

“I know, now eat.” You ordered. 

He laughed then took a bite. You looked closely at his reaction. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, “Wow, baby this is so good.” He moaned, taking another big bite.

You laughed and shook your head at his antics. Even after three years of marriage, he still acted extra. You took a bite as well. The flavors of parmesan, butter, and garlic exploded on your tongue. It was a delightful mix of salty, cheesy, and creamy. The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the steak added to the flavor. All in all, it was a delicious experience. The room was soon filled with your quiet chatter and the sound of silverware clinking against the plates. Yeonjun told you about his day at work. He told you that his co-worker, Soobin, had dropped a whole cup of iced coffee on himself. Yeonjun had to clean him up and lend him a change of clothes. You laughed as Yeonjun complained that it was his seventh cup of coffee that Soobin had spilled on himself.

“And it’s only Wednesday!” He whined.

A giggle left your mouth, shaking your head at the unfortunate clumsiness of Soobin. You had met Soobin a few times. He and Yeonjun were close, they had started working for the company at the same time. After a few weeks, they became close friends. Soobin was a super sweet, quiet guy, unlike his counterpart Yeonjun, who was sweet but loud and outgoing. Soobin preferred to stay behind and watch anime. When you two met you had bonded over your love for animal crossing. Often when Yeonjun would bring him home to hang out, you two would play animal crossing while Yeonjun watched. Surprisingly Yeonjun didn’t mind the two of you hanging out. He was a naturally possessive person, so when he said that he didn’t care that you two were bonding over something you were surprised. When you asked him he replied, “Soobinie doesn’t have any friends so, you hanging out with him is a blessing.” Which Soobin took offense to.

After you two had finished, Yeonjun got up to grab the bag from the front door. You both went to the couch and cuddled up. He took the first piece out. It was a small blue box. You looked at him suspiciously “This isn’t another marriage proposal is it?” You asked skeptically. 

He chuckled and shook his head. Carefully you opened it to reveal a silver heart necklace. On the front were engravings that read:

YJ&__20XX

The year you two got married. It was so beautiful, you carefully cradled it in your hand, reading the engraving over and over, with a small smile on your face. “Oh babe. It’s so pretty.” You whispered.

“Thank you. Let me put it on you.” He gently took the necklace from you and gestured for you to turn.

You complied, turning so your back was to him. You put your hair to the side so he could have easier access. A shiver went down your spine when you felt his hands brush against the back of your neck. Noticing this, Yeonjun trailed his fingers across your exposed shoulders, leaving goosebumps in their wake. He stopped at the edge of your sleeve. Your heart was in your throat as you waited for his next move. Softly, you felt his plush lips brush against your shoulder. Another involuntary shiver went through you, and more goosebumps appeared. He trailed gentle butterfly kisses against the skin of your shoulder, leaving a trail of fire at each press of his lips. When he got to the part where your neck met your shoulder you spoke up.

“D-do you have any other presents for me?” You asked, your voice full of shivers.

He hummed, the vibrations going against your skin, making you shiver once again. A soft whine went out of your mouth when he pulled away, already missing the heat of his lips on your skin. You turned back around leaning your back against the cushions of the sofa. He rustled in the bag and pulled out an adorable pink bear. You gasped taking the bear from his hands. You hugged it tightly, while he wrapped an arm around you.

“This is so cute! Thank you baby.” You giggled, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

He laughed and pulled you closer. “Do you have anything for me darling?” He asked.

“Yes I do!” You hopped off the couch and ran to your room. You picked up the bag that was sat on your bed and skipped back out. You set the bag down on his lap. He looked at you then opened it. It was a photobook of your wedding day pictures.

The pictures had gotten lost in the fire you had a year ago. Yeonjun was so sad when the pictures were destroyed. Those pictures were a symbol of the best day of his life, so it was no wonder he was sad. He had cried in your new room for days. His sobs of anguish made your heart break, so you looked up your friend, who had taken the pictures, and asked her if there was still some way to get the pictures back. She said she had it saved just in case. So you asked for them then put them into a book. 

He stared at the picture, fingers gently caressing the cover. Your eyes widened when you noticed that he was starting to cry. Tears were falling down his cheeks. “Jjun.” You said softly, opening your arms.

He pressed his face into your shoulder, sobbing quietly. You could feel his tears start to wet your shoulder. His arms wrapped around your waist tightly. “I’m guessing you like it?” You asked.

He laughed and nodded. “I love it.” He sniffled, voice muffled by your shoulder.

He pulled away to smile at you. Pressing a kiss to your lips. You tasted the saltiness of his tears in your kiss. He pulled back, and smiled again. “This is…so…perfect. Thank you baby.” He wrapped you back in a hug again.

“Your welcome.” You whispered.

Yeonjun pressed his body against you until you were laying against the cushions. He pulled away to take off his blazer, leaving him in his dress shirt and tie. He laid back ontop of you, body weight pressing against you. You adjusted so he was lying between your legs. His face buried into your neck. You gently ran your hands through his silky black hair. The strands slipped easily through your fingers. You breathed in his scent. Linen, with a hint of vanilla, your favorite scent on him. You laid like that awhile. Enjoying each others company. 

While you laid there you thought back to when you and Yeonjun first met. Your friend had introduced you at a party back in college. You two had hit it off almost immediately. You were the quiet, shy girl, but Yeonjun still fell for you. You spent time together alot. Hanging out whenever your schedules allowed it. You were studying photography and graphic design, while he studied music. You had talked for three months before Yeonjunhad asked you to be his girlfriend. You were elated, you finally had your first boyfriend! Dating him was like a dream. He was the perfect boyfriend. Sweet, considerate, supportive and understanding. He listened to all of your problems and you did the same for him. 

When you guys fought, which wasn’t often, you worked out the argument together. He had the ability to see both sides of the argument, which made it easier to solve the root of the problem. He supported your dream of becoming a graphic designer. He had become a producer at a big company, which was where he had met Soobin. You two were practically inseparable. You really felt like he was your other half that you were missing. You couldn’t remember what your life was like before Yeonjun came into it. It was like everything before Yeonjun was mundane and boring. It was soulmate material. You knew he felt the same way. No one could make you feel like Yeonjun could. 

Yeonjun pressed a kiss to your neck then lifted his head to look into your eyes. They were full of love, like they always were when he looked at you.

“I love you.” He whispered. 

You felt your heart beat faster at the words that fell out of his mouth. Even though you two had been together for years, your heart still beat at those three words. You smiled and whispered the same words to him. He smiled then leaned down and gave you a kiss full of love. His weight gently pressed against you as you kissed. It felt good having him ontop of you. You felt safe under him. You felt as though nothing could hurt you as long as you were in each others arms. He tilted his head, slowly deepening the kiss. You felt as though he was trying to convey his love to you through the kiss. After a while of kissing, he pulled away and buried his face back into your neck. He whispered the same words again into your ear.

You laid your head back into the cushions of the couch, resuming your previous position. The quietness of the apartment and the soft sound of his breaths made you feel sleepy. You blinked rapidly, feeling the tendrils of sleep creeping up on you. Before you went under you heard him whisper again.

“I love you so much, darling.”

[letitbefiction]

Swim - chapter 1

A/N: ayyyy finally getting into it! And finally some interactions with spiderman!

Warning- none ^^

Paring- Peter Parker x stark!reader

Type: fluff

Word count: 3.7k

The train wheels shriek loudly, making you cringe at the horrible noice as it was coming to a halt. And as soon as the doors opened many passengers rushed to get out and or in the small cart. Squeezing yourself through them, desperately reaching to the open air and away from the many strange smells of the subway as much as you could.

You stopped just a bit before the exit, it felt like nerves were coming to attack your pitiful mind as you stared through the silver fence at the football field. How you “missed” this place.

Making your way down the metal stairs you glanced at the facility next to you, red bricked prison with white trimming. Honestly you could never figure out how can anyone miss high school, were they living in some derange musical version of it?!

Students walking towards it like sheep, some kids already managing to get pushed around by some assholes. The green grass field was incredible fake, like most people who went here.

The slight noise of steps crossed your music rudely as your y/e/c eyes darted all around, scanning the familiarity of hell.

Many squeals and cheering invaded your private space when a bunch of girls were to meet after a weekend or something.

Rolling your eyes at their exaggerated behavior, you didn’t bother to stop yourself from seeing them as a fake illusions of what they call friendship.

Mostly because you knew exactly what they said about each other, being quiet pays off in gossip sometimes.

You couldn’t help but groan at the sight of the football team, wearing their school spirit shirts and howling in the halls for some reason.

Making your way down the hall to your usual locker, from time to time stealing glances from fellow students who, as usual, didn’t care to smile or wave.

Hey, at least you could appreciate the fact they didn’t try to be fake with you.

But Yes, you had no friends.

You aren’t going to deny it, you were a loner. It started as a choice when you came back to elementary school after a long time off, pushing away people who wanted to care. And now it was forced, people knowing about your abilities to fight and short temper, avoided you by any chance they can.

The hall was well decorated, sort of.

A lot of bright hand made sings hanging from the wall, most of them were for clubs and just a bit were about school spirit.

You passed down one the golden trophy cabinets, filled with pictures of superstars jocks and cheerleaders, a lot of science golden statues. The decathlon team all huddled up into a group picture, the guy you hated grinning with an arrogant smile holding the golden award as if he won a freaking noble prize, you rolled your eyes in annoyance

‘God i hate rich people’

As you fiddled with the lock, desperately trying not to get angry and punch your way in, your surroundings seemed to get packed by the second.

The smell of cheap, over applied aux cologne and sweat roamed down the the hall already.

You felt your heart beat fasten staring ahead into the empty locker. The amount of voices that got through your headphones made you nervous, the screaming reminding you a different night and every clap making your heart thump louder “I hate school..” you muttered and closed the cream colored locker angrily after putting a few books inside and made your way to the bathroom.

You pushed a few people angrily, not saying a word as your eyes darkened and you felt the air escaping your lungs slightly.

‘Happy thoughts. Happy moments. Happy days. Happy—‘ you kept muttering as you entered the bathroom.

“y/n” a voice called and you lifted your eyes from the ground, staring at a shimmering bronzed figure. “Emma.” You muttered, hostility in your voice as she turned to the mirror again, placing gloss over her plumped lips.

“How’s your grandma?” She asked flatly, she didn’t care, she never did.

Emma is a senior year student, you were best friends once, in elementary school to be exact.

Nowadays, to say you hate her guts is being kind.

“How’s your dad?” You smiled knowingly, afterall almost everyone in school knew for years that her dad left.

But you were the only one who knew why. So yeah, you held it over her head.

“That was low. Even for you.” She snarled and darted her blue eyes to you, she tried to intimidate you like every year, your really didn’t understand why people liked her.

“Oh what can you do?” You sang innocently, trying your hardest not to let your creeping anxiety channel you while talking.

“..fuck you” she spat and took a step closer to you, using her hight advantage to try and scare you, but you faced scary, and a preppy high school student ain’t it.

“Damn that forward? Fatherless behavior.” You tsk under your breath, shaking your head. Before walking passed her, bumping shoulders and pretending as if that interaction wasn’t fuel to your anxiety.

“Same goes to you.” She hissed “You never changed. Thats why you have no friends left. Shame.” She faked a pout voice called behind you and you chuckled sarcastically before turning your head with an angry smile “That and the fact you turned everyone against me.” You felt your stomach knot at the words that slipped through your coral colored lips.

“You know I didn’t.” You turned to her lies and crossed your arms with a raised brow “You’re lying to yourself now too?” You smiled tightly, anger rushing to your veins as the memory of middle school years flashed through your mind, how she told everyone to keep their distance because you will ‘bring bad luck and kill them’

“Have a nice school year...wallflower.” Her voice honeyed as she walked out and waved at a couple of other junior students, you couldn’t help but grunt at the pathetic act.

You wanted to punch her, yell at her, scream your thoughts.

You hated her, her perfect looks, perfect grades, perfect life, even when her dad left she remained popular and loved by all, pathetic.

God I hate rich people.

The bell rang loudly but you hung back in the bathroom, trying to reason with your mind, practically wishing it to stop playing the reason why you moved in with your grandmother to being with.

You took a deep breath and cleared your blurry eyes before pushing the yellow door to the hallway, seeing how empty it had become.

“Your late miss y/l/n.” You teacher, not even bothering to look back at you, unlike the rest of the class who scanned you with unapproved looks.

“Luther.” You spoke calmly, marching you way to an empty seat in the far middle of the class room, eyes following your every move like cameras.

“We talked about approaching me with my first name.” He said sternly, continuing to write on the board.

You glanced back at him as you took your seat “So?” “are you looking for trouble on your first day back?” He raised a brow and crossed his arms, but you didn’t care.

“I’m not looking. They just seem to really like me” you snickered with a daring smile “take a seat.” “Already did Luther” you sang and he turned to you with a frown.

Setting down his marker and glanced over the class, doing the whole thing about talking whatever youll learn in this semester going on and on reminding everyone the rules that you are sure to break at some point or another. You gathered information of the average smiles, each telling unimportant detail about their life, idiotic stuff really like colors and the ‘oh so amazing’ summer they had.

“Y/n?” Your teacher called for the hundred time, and no matter how much you tried to ignore his and his persistent voice he didn’t seem to let you go off unnoticed.

Even when you tried your best to hide behind your sketchbook.

You took your hidden headphones off angrily, “yeah. What.” You raised your brows displeased that he called you out “Would you like to introduce yourself?” “Why?” You frowned and in reply he shook his head tired already “Come on..” he pleaded.

“fine. I’m y/n.” You faked a smile and looked back down to continue your small character portrait on you paper.

“And a fact?” He interrupted and you closed your eyes, deciding to freak out your class a bit with unneeded and maybe a bit scary facts “When a person dies their sense of hearing is the last to go.” You said matter of factly and the class spread with gasps and muttering causing you to smile devilishly at the poor teacher.

Something about embracing the ‘scary person’ title they’ve given you, gave you some confidence and entertainment.

“About yourself miss—“ “oh! I like art” you cut with an innocent smile.

“Gee..yes. Next one please?” The adult beg searching for a distraction from your worrying words.

You scanned the room for the weird looks you were given, eyes suddenly landing on a particular Burnett boy who seemed to stare right back at you. his slight smile disappeared when you connected gazes and he turned straight to look back at the teacher. Peter’s cheeks were a bit heated up in your opinion, but maybe it was just the sun the shown through the window he was sitting next to.

The rest of the day was boring, talking back to almost everyone, earning a few amused giggles from students who seemed to like your witty remarks.

At lunch you set alone, but no surprise there.

A few more tiring classes and the final ring freed everyone, you always took your time tho, not having a much of a reason to hurry home.

Yes you loved your grandmother but you liked to have your own space where you could just wash away the thoughts of the day without fearing her questioning.

You shouldered your bag as you paid the nice lady at the corner shop for the lemonade and a piece of brownie you chose yourself before you making your way back to your apartment building.

Opening the creaking apartment door you noticed your grandmother sleeping on the cream colored couch, a soft smile rose sweetly on your lips as you approached her quietly, covering her with a blue blanket before you rushed quietly to your bedroom window.

Using the fire escape stairs next to your window to get to the roof, your steps rattling the grey metal stairs while wind creased your features.

From time to time you looked over your shoulder and stared at view you were given from the man made nature, your usual angered music from school changing to a different sweet genre, threading your thoughts with non existing memories.

You sat on the edge of the building wall, your legs floating in the air as you kept staring ahead.

Thoughts clouding your mind as you lit up a cigarette, the noise in the background being used as white noise.

maybe you should have been nicer today, maybe you should have talked to your neighbor when you saw him walking alone to the station, maybe you should jump, maybe you should show your feelings, a lot of thoughts of maybe’s rushed to your mind like every other day.

It was a habit by now, going to the roof, look over the view and let yourself be you, letting your anger shatter on the ground beneath you.

“Don’t!” You heard a voice yell, but you didn’t feel like turning so you swung your lemonade bottle to your lips.

“Chill I’m not gonna kill myself just yet.” You shrugged carelessly, a sarcastic smirk tugging at your lips as a loud horn was heard in the street along with the sound of sirens.

“Oh..uh t-that’s good..” the voice called. silence fell for a second as you stared ahead at the buildings which the sun reflected on.

“so can you just..back off a bit from the edge?” He asked unsurely, a little bit of worry in his voice and you could hear him approaching behind you.

“No.” You replied coldly “Why not?” “Because I like it this way..” you insisted and you could hear his sarcastic voice joke behind you, “ah yes. Who doesn’t love feeling like they might fall off the edge of a wall like Humpty Dumpty” he called and you fought the urge to laugh.

“did you just call me an egg?” You turned back to him with a narrowed eyes suppressing your teasing grin, only to realize that the voice behind you was non other than spiderman.

“S-sorry..didn’t wanted for it to sound mean..just had a bad day and—“ he cut himself with an obvious fake cough “uhm but like..just come on.. back off a bit?”

You thought for a moment, you could just jump off and land on the stairs close by and give him a heart attack but..he sounded nice, like in different way than the superhero you had met.

I mean, your standards were low, and being told not to kill yourself sounded almost..comforting.

“Had a bad day? A superhero? With a bad day?..that’s new” you witted, slowly standing on your feet and smacked taking a few steps closer to him.

“what? What makes you say that?” He huffed and you couldn’t hold the smile that was tugging at your lips “what part?” You “All...of..it?” He scratched the back of his neck with confusion and you swear that you were able to see an awkward smile behind the mask. “Because superheroes are always projected as perfect and bull shit like that, bad days are not included.” You scrunch your nose with a frown before taking a bite from your brownie shrugging and turning your back so you could lean against a wall safely this time.

“Uhm thats..not entirely true haha..” he chuckled dryly and you turned to look at him once again, this time from beneath him. Still holding your cigarette, and your other stuff.

“so spiderman. Want to talk about it or you just want to enjoy the sunset with a loser such as myself?” You joked and he crossed his legs next to you, you didn’t know why, but being noticed by someone new, who hadn’t had the ability to judge you felt freeing.

“I’d take the sunset with the pretty girl please?” He shrugged with a silky voice and you simply shook your head in disbelief even though you felt rather flattered.

“Then you need to find someone else cause it ain’t me” you muttered and continued to look over the shimmering horizon, taking a hit from your cigarette.

the busy street beneath you desperately trying to shut the conversation down.

“what?! Why?!” He said confused to which you simply glanced over to him confused and almost shocked that he seriously complimented you. “S..seriously?” You frowned “Yeah! I mean...you’re..you’re pretty.” He muttered embarrassed, shrugging his shoulders.

Narrowing your eyes suspiciously, you slowly turned to look at the sunset again. “Well at least now I earned my title meaning” “title?” He replied quickly.

“Wallflower.” You forced a smile, taking another hit.

He wanted to ask more about it but restrained himself, letting you both enjoy the quite for a moment.

“You from around here?” He suddenly asked and you raised a witty brow “Obviously.” You said coldly as usual before biting your tongue, not wanting to leave a bad impression on someone who actually tried to give you the time of day.

“This building..” you muttered and he was quick to ask another question “and..why are you up here? If you don’t mind me ask—“ “clearing my mind.” You cut, your mind telling you to stop bothering the busy hero. “From what?” He asked innocently and you shook your head “Does it matter?” Your cold reply made him even more the boy curious even more.

He paused for a moment before tilting his head to look at you “Maybe” he hummed but you disregarded that quickly.

Your y/e/c eyes glancing back at him “not to anyone usually” you shrugged, and without a beat he went “And if I say that I care?”

You paused confused, first he tells you yourself pretty and next that he cares to know about your day? What a weird fucking superhero.

You lowered your head before plastaring a smile on your mouth “You’d be lying and therefore a terrible role model for kids around the world” you emphasized your words with jazz hands and you could clearly hear his laughter crossing to you.

You sighed and glanced back at the sky “you don’t know me. You don’t even know my name..” you stopped yourself, you will not allow yourself to get close to a masked person, especially not a superhero. He’s just doing his job right?

“than tell me..” the spider hero asked politely and you stared at him wide eyed. “yeah ok, y/n” you spoke quickly and his masked eyes widened “huh?” He mumbled missing your first wordings. “My name..my name is y/n” you slowed and smiled kindly “oh..well nice to meet you y/n..” he lifted his hand to yours and you squinted your eyes at him a bit when you reached to shake it.

He paused for a moment before frowning confused “are you going to ask me my name?” He asked. But you simply shrugged, “I think it’ll give away the whole secret identity no?” You joked and circling with your finger the red mask.

“That’s new” he commented, repeating your earlier words “what is?” You wondered, a hint of playful teasing rang in your voice “Not being asked about who I am” he continued and you simply shook your head and turned to the setting in front of you “I don’t mind. I have nothing to do with the information and when you leave I won’t see you again.” You said emptily, quietness cut between the two of you.

“It’s a waste of time getting to know people.” You suddenly mumbled, and he looked at you with Sad eyes, not that you saw them anyways.

He finally broke the long pause saying “But isn’t this how you make friends?” “This is how you get yourself and others hurt.” You whispered with broken words. He wanted to say something, anything, but he didn’t know what, so he stayed with you quietly.

Suddenly the horrible sound of alarms snatched you from your calmness and you simply nodded your head at him, hiding your disappointment with a smirk “Someone’s calling for you superhero..” “seems like it” he said, you swear you hear disappointment in his voice.

The golden sun glinted on his delicate suite details when he stood up slowly, fixing his mask “it was nice watching the sunset with you y/n” he added quickly. stretching his arms behind his back before reaching his helping hand for you, but you managed on your own and smiled confidently, dusting your hands on your pants “likewise spiderman” you hummed.

The semi-known hero shook his head a bit, it was like he was smiling at you before he jumped him off the rooftop, leaving you to watched his animated movements disappearing behind a building.

After finishing the sunset by yourself, staring as the police once again made noise throughout your neighborhood, you decided its time to head back in.

You jumped into your room through the window and rolled on your bed. “Hey gran..? You still up?” You asked loudly.

fixingyour posture quickly and opened the door swiftly, throwing your trash in the kitchen bin before hearing your grandmother heavy feet moving on the floor.

A small voice replied, a tired and a hoarse one “Yes dear..” she murmured as you returned to her spot on the sofa, crouching a bit so you could see eye to eye with her.

“did you remember to take your medicines?” You said worriedly, slowly getting up and opening the medication cabinet above you “Yes y/n/n” “and that weird tea did you—“ “at lunch with cookies I made” she chuckled at your worrisome behavior, then quickly motioned you to come closer to her. She placed a gentle hand on your cheek and smiled concerned “where’ve you been?” She asked. “Roof” you replied matter of factly “again?” “Obviously.” You rolled your eyes with a smile and briefly looked at the glowing screen.

A nice kind of quietness surrounded you, the sound of sharp voices emerging from the screen, “Want to tell me about your first day back in school” she suddenly said and you kept looking at the changing characters, quite words escaping your mind “was given a nickname” “oh..” she whispered, worry in her voice urging you to say the name. “Wallflower” you sighed with a smile, shaking your head. She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again,?searching your eyes “Well..flowers are pretty” she breathed, trying to radiate her positive of way of looking to you. “and insignificant” You replied and turned away “now don’t say that you know it’s not true” “but it is.” You shrugged and went to the fridge.

But even from the couch, she didn’t mind pressing for more information “Anything else?” She asked. But truly, nothing interesting happened at school. “Not really, gave back my assignments and went through events of the first month.” You brushed carelessly “And?” “Didn’t kill a guy that bumped into me” you giggled a bit proud of yourself.

But she kept pressing asking more and more repeated questions as you came to sit closer to her. “and?” She added again “And what?!” You raised your voice a bit but caught yourself in time, a soft apologetic smile crossed your lips “Sorry..” you muttered shyly, she shook her head but kept her loving eyes locked on yours.

She reached her hands to yours, calmness washing over you at her touch forcing you to smile helplessly.

She smiled sweetly “you seemed calmer when you walked in” your grandma mentioned, mirroring your undying twinkle “had a really good sunset I guess” you muttered with a shy smile, shifting your eyes away to the quite TV.

On the news they were just covering the reason why the friendly hero had to leave so abruptly.

You smiled fondly thinking of how bizarre the interaction felt to you. Though you couldn’t explain why, a small hopeful part of you wished for the masked hero and you to meet once more.

[infobuildmyplace]

Freestanding Bathroom Vanity

Discover modern luxury with the Elsa collection. Sleek design, aluminum alloy handles, and high gloss veneer create a minimalist yet versatile balance. The set includes a durable acrylic countertop and European soft-closing hardware for a maintenance-free, high-end experience. Sink, cabinet, installation hardware, and handles are included; faucets, pop drain, and mirror are sold separately.

[grim-faux]

3 _ 43 _ The Biggest Adventure

First - An Echo Rebounds Through the Silent City

It was dark and stuffy when he snapped back into awareness. Foremost, he listened for the sounds. Anything from a misplaced creak to a thunder of erratic weight, or a stray draft, meant danger lurked. It was never obvious, and he had hard wired himself to be extra perceptive if for pick out disturbances creeping around. A stray sniffle from him was enough to turn heavy steps into an explosion of crashing and shrieking. A bigger concern was the sluggish recognition that he had no idea where he was.

Rags. Not wrapped in them but layered under and onto of him. He listened, but no sound seeped through the fiber. Very carefully, he moved. He searched for an opening and freedom, prodding and sniffing for cold air. It was very warm.

With care, he grabbed for open space beyond the layer of rags. Then he poked his head out.

A room. Nothing unexpected about that. A window in one wall, the glass barred swirling thick fog and clouds from creeping into the already chilled space. The walls up and down carried the usual rot that made the timber dangle in fibrous patches, the wallpaper worn in long strips. Along the walls stood bookshelves and other furniture, the large pieces he would always hide under. Or rest under. That's where he should be.

Jolting up, he gawked down at the floor and the furniture. The floor was so far away, and he was lying among the layers of rags.

Mono sprang out from the cloth and plopped onto the floor. He waisted not a second when he touched down and scooted back up under the mattress, clambering into the shadows where he would be hidden from anything that might’ve heard his faint Thump. With clearer eyes he roved over the tattered carpet, taking tally of all the spaces he might cram himself into. That was important for flee. For escape. For anything unexpected.

Everything was strange. He didn’t know where he was or how he got here. He couldn’t remember what was going on last. He was running, and something else happened? It made his head hurt to think. His head always hurt when strange things happened, or he used his powers too much.

Only after waiting for some time did he have the feel that it was clear to move. Nothing about the room changed, and he heard nothing but the faint crinkling of the walls. Against the window fell the soft spray of rain it glittery dots. It was pretty. Most important, sounds didn't scramble in haste to find him.

On light feet Mono crept along the wall to the only door left wedge within the frame and slipped out into the dim corridor. He remained on high alert as he explored along an upper floor, one side of the grim space of the hall led to a descending stairway – that he would check eventually. He focused on the other rooms, making his usual scout of the furnishing and fixtures inside. The rooms on the upper level didn’t have much to show, the walls fitted with cabinets or dressers, all the stuff he took interest in. In the distance the broken rambling of the television crowed as voices cheered, but he didn't know where that might be and he didn't care. One room was a bathroom. He was accustomed to the same stuff, but it was vital for flee to know which doors opened and what rooms had dark spaces.

He went back to the bathroom, first assuring nothing hid behind the scummy shower curtain and the tub wasn't home to some gilled monster, with ropey appendages. He climbed onto the sink and turned one of the faucets, for the water. Following a refreshing (and metallic) drink, he scrubbed off his coat sleeves and left.

The stairs were bent and some of the railing was missing, but it was faithful and quiet. Light pilfered through the dust of the rooms on the lower floor, there was a lot more dark pockets to hide in and more windows that glimpsed the drizzly skies. It was… something, he didn’t know what. Something about standing by the wall and watching the rain gloss over the glass made something in his chest flutter. The ugly weather was outside, but where Mono stood inside the walls, it smelled like smoke and the air was dry. Even his sleeves began to air quickly with all his wandering and scouting. He felt good.

Through a short but eerie passage – almost too eerie and familiar he nearly retreated from it – Mono sprinted to the end, but stopped beside the walls edge.

This room shed no particulars on his searching mind. The crinkling of paper startled him, but only into freezing and making himself a small blemish on the walls corner. A desk sat on one side of the room, opposite of that was a cabinet he could hide in if the lower doors could open. To one side stood a tall lamp, peering at an open newspaper. The fanned paper hid a recliner and the lithe figure seated there, the only evidence of the presence indicated by the long-long legs. In time, the paper crinkled again.

Mono tucked his arms into his coat and curled down, satisfied to perch and wait. Watching was fun. So was waiting. Inevitably though, it would happen. He only had to be patient.

At last! The newspaper sagged down, and a face peered over the edge. The hat unmistakable, as with the wearied face beneath it, and the flashing eyes.

“Aha. There he is,” rumbled the man in the hat. He folded up the wilting papers and settled them over the armrest. “Finally up, sleepy head.”

Mono tucked his head in close beside the doorframe. He was a bit confused and twice conflicted.

“Are we ready for some food?” The Thin Man stood up and glitched across the floor. “C’mon. Let’s see what the kitchen has.”

The gaze and directness threw Mono off, and he stumbled back when he tried to stand up too fast. The Thin Man stepped beside him and beckoned.

“This is no time for dawdling. A very busy day awaits us.” Then he passed into the corridor glitching and teleporting ever few steps, his shimmering shoulders melting into the gloom.

Once Mono was better orientated, he hurried after the lazy strides and buzzing crackle. The Thin Man departed the short hall and stepped into a smaller room, then with a pop and crackle he arrived into the kitchen. Shortly behind the sputtering outline was Mono, always two steps behind.

Mono always knew kitchens by all the cabinets. If there were no cabinets, then there would be a sink, if no sink, there always had to be a cold box, or a large metal box with a window in the folding door. Usually. This furniture stuff was always in a kitchen. And of course, food boxes.

And a table.

While the Thin Man went to some sort of small contraption on the counter, Mono went to work climbing onto the table. He pulled out a chair to make his leap from the seat to the tables edge easier. By the time he was on the tables surface, the Thin Man was already at the metal box fitted among the lower cabinets. He had one of the heavy pans that monsters sometimes threw at children. Except this time, the Thin Man had it on the stove and was putting stuff on it. Or in it. Nothing was going on the floor. The pans and a few other pots cracked and hummed as the Thin man did some sort of new trick, a good trick. He was so busy.

The Thin Man put a spoon into the pan and stirred it around. He took bottles and things, and tossed dust stuff into the pan. It made the sizzling sounds howl, nearly as loud as the static, but not as great. When the sizzling was done, the Thin Man scooped stuff out of the pans and pots and set it on a plate. He made the busy plates like the Viewers stacked by the couches or recliners. The only difference, he set a plate before Mono. Mono was given a plate of his very own.

“Careful. It’s hot.”

Then set another plate across from Mono. Then the Thin Man did something really bizarre. The Thin Man sat at the table behind the other plate. With one of the forks, the Thin Man scooped some of the stuff off the plate and put it in his mouth. After the second bite he stalled, fork still in his mouth, and blinked at Mono.

“You’re quite right, I nearly forgot.” The chair scuffed the floor as the Thin Man stood. In a glittering flash, he returned to the counter and the odd contraption there. He poured black slug into a mug. Not just black slug, but he got some other stuff from the cabinet and the cold box and put that into the mug. He stirred it, and sipped it.

All of this was blowing Mono’s mind. He looked up from the plate and then to the Thin Man, totally lost.

“I didn’t forget you.” He poured some of the mug into a ‘slightly’ smaller mug, and set it beside Mono. “Now we can enjoy.”

Mono watched the swirling lines in the mug. He went ahead and tasted it. Since it didn’t make him retch so it must be okay. He did peer at the Thin Man suspiciously, as he sipped the thick liquid of his own mug. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t water either. It wasn’t mud either. He liked it though. Mostly because the Thin Man had his own mug.

The entire time the rain splattered the door window on the far side of the kitchen, the fork clinked on the dishware the way it did when Viewers ate, only the Thin Man did softer tinkling noises. It wasn't hushed enough to not make Mono wince every time, and he couldn’t move his eyes off the Thin Man. Mono didn’t know if it was his instincts warning him of danger, or just how strange it was to witness the Thin Man EAT AT LAST! How did Mono manage this? WHEN?

Sharing food was the biggest in kid packs. Share food with friends, and have food shared back. And EATING TOGETHER. THE TOGETHER!

He nearly choked a few times as he shoveled food into his face. He was too transfixed by this mysterious happening to pay attention to his own plate.

“Slow down. It’s not going to run away.” But the Thin Man smiled and chuckled.

It was a lot of food, but Mono was still hungry. So, he snuck over to the Thin Man’s side of the table and tentatively snuck little pieces off the plate. The Thin Man always pretended not to notice. Even though he was cutting pieces off and scooting them Mono’s way.

“Today, we will need to visit the store,” the Thin Man was saying. He gripped his mug, so Mono wouldn’t tip it over as he leaned over the lip to drink the last of his beverage. Whatever it was. Mono liked the one the Thin Man had more than the one he gave Mono. Even though they were from the same cup. “But before that, how about we visit the new park that opened? Boy?”

It wasn’t too surprising the Thin Man didn’t lick his plate. Mono did. It was all juice and crumbs. He looked up at the Thin Man as he licked the stuff off his fingers. Stuff on plates was always the best, but always the riskiest food. The Viewers hated when anything made the plates clink.

“Mmm,” Mono hummed. When the Thin Man plucked him up, he squirmed halfheartedly.

“Mmm,” echoed the Thin Man. He took Mono to the sink and took up a rag. With the water running, he scrubbed away all the goop Mono couldn’t clean off himself. Including from Mono’s coat sleeves and hair – he dipped his face a little too much into the cup. “I’m sure there will be lots of other children there. You’ve been excited to check it out. I am too. It’s so rare we see new things put in.”

That didn’t make a lot of sense, but it probably didn’t mean much. Mono fussed and growled the whole time, until the Thin Man relinquished his mission.

“Go play for a bit while I clean up here.” The Thin Man gave his back a light push, guiding him to the doorway of the kitchen.

The room attached to the kitchen place had a couch and a side table with a lamp, where Mono liked to hide. The side table and couch reminded him of something from another time, he couldn’t remember much aside from how much he did like to hide behind a leg of the table. It made him feel better to have the sheltered spaces for hide, even if the Thin Man was always around checking the rooms for him.

“For safe?” he always asked the Thin Man.

The Thin Man would kneel down and pat him on his head, or set a new hat on his head. “It’s safe. What have you been doing?”

On top of the side table awaited crayons and papers, along with some of his unfinished story work. It was all important to tell the stories of everything he did, and the adventures he had with the Thin Man.

He took a bit of color and finished scrawling lines, and then scratched in some colors. The buildings came into shape like he always knew them, the figures poised on the roof gazed skyward. He tossed aside the page before scribbling in that Tower.

A lot of pictures had the city landscape, but he never finished the Tower in the distance. He didn’t know why he kept thinking about the Tower. He didn’t want to. It was second nature just like sneak and hide. The Tower stayed somewhere in his head and he thought about it, even when he felt happy. And if he didn’t have enough to do, the Tower would emerge in his thoughts as something terrible.

'It calls to me.'

“Are you ready?”

Bolting away from among the crumpled pages, Mono looked up to the Thin Man leaning over to look at him. “Hey.”

“What have you been working on?” The Thin Man prodded at the sheets Mono was crouched on.

“No.” Mono slipped off the table and hurried closer to the Thin Man’s leg. He tugged on his pant leg. Don’t look at that. He didn’t want the Thin Man making speek and asking his questions. “No. Mono. Go?”

Sighing, the man in the hat detached his interest from the tabletop and shifted his shining eyes to Mono. “No time to dawdle, eh?” he rumbled and chuckled. “Then let’s get a move on. I’m eager to get out for a while. Go for a stroll?”

Mono bounced on his toes. “Yeh. Go. Am ready.” The Thin Man walked, and Mono partook in his favorite activity of chase the Thin Man.

They departed through the entry door, checking first the scenery and the mood of the storm. The rain drizzled ongoing the way it always did, the open streets and sidewalks hovered in the mist vacant and oppressive. The city was usually a quiet place. The building the Thin Man keeps was folded in among the other buildings, and faced one of the city streets. A set of stairs sagged to the sidewalk, which the Thin Man did his usual glittering and teleport to bypass the cumbersome obstacle. It never ceased to impress Mono how effortless he always did that. Somehow, with a lot of work and busy, Mono would get to be as great.

For now, Mono stumbled down the steps and joined the Thin Man on the sidewalk. The Thin Man glitched over beside a small alcove by the stairs and made a flash with his hand. This compelled the wagon out of hiding. Mono grabbed the wall and hoisted himself up, but the Thin Man gently set his fingers beneath his heels and lifted him the remained of the way. In an awkward somersault, Mono tumbled into the carriage of the wagon with his legs spiraling above his head.

“Oof. You alright?”

Mono launched up with his arms high. “Mmm. Go.”

A soft snicker escaped the Thin Man. “Very well. Sit down.”

Mono followed the suggestion and sat in the wagons back. The rain swirled around his knees as he drew them up. He dug around in his coat and pulled out one of his hats. It was the same as the Thin Man’s, but smaller. It always felt comfy and warm on his head.

Turning away, the man in the hat began to walk. He lifted one hand casually behind the low of his back and beckoned with his fingers. The faithful wagon lurched a bit on its corroded wheels but followed all the same, as the Thin Man walked along the sidewalk, the comforting click of his steps clattered over the soft strikes of rainfall.

Sometimes when they went for a stroll, the Thin Man liked to play games or he did speek for Mono. The speek was always questions or he asked for Mono to tell him stories, or he wanted Mono to make speek about where they would go. How about, what Mono wanted to find at store.

“Food.”

“That’s what you always say.” He looked back and smiled at Mono.

“Go store for.”

The Thin Man nodded. “The store will have other items and trinkets. How about a new hat?”

Mono plucked at a hangnail on his toe. “Mm.” He wasn’t excited about new hats. He had a collection back in his room. Why he didn’t keep them in his coat they way he usually did, that was strange. Everything was strange. The strange made Mono go quiet. The creaking of the wagon became suffocating, like waking up between lays of rags. He couldn’t remember getting tucked into the rags, but it was important for hide.

“Here we are,” the man in the hat announced. “Take a look.”

The walls of the wagon were high when Mono was seated, he couldn’t see much unless he leaned up a bit from his seat. Peering just above the edge, he was meat with the drab landscape and one of the obstacle things built with metal and stuff to climb. Some large tunnels snaked from the floor and leaned onto high platforms, or pipes bent from the floor and ended at the platforms. Some of the platforms had a pyramid shaped roof, shielding the obstacle construction from the rain. Despite the thickness of the relentless drizzle, he could make out all the children climbing and running around the shapes. There were so many kids scampering around, some faces he recognized, some he’s not sure about. Maybe children he met for a brief time, but they ran away. They always ran away.

If he went over there, they would run away. Just like the girl standing beside a tunnel curving downward to a patch of gravel. The clever coat was unmistakable, it contrasted the gray of everything. She was watching him. Mono couldn't see Her face within the dark hood, but he knew it to be so. She would never trust him.

He would never avert his gaze, even when careful hands reached into the wagon and lifted him out. His focus was unbreakable, it was important he never look away.

“There you are. Go find someone to jump on.”

Mono backed away from the open field and gripped the side of the Thin Man’s pant leg. Clutching the dry fabric, he gave his shadowed eyes to the Thin Man and shook his head. For a lone and tense moment, the man and his hat said nothing. The shadowed face watched him, much the same way he stared up at him – the Thin Man was disappointed. He was always disappointed when Mono couldn’t do things.

“We’re not in a hurry,” the voice crackled. “Go see if you can find some familiar faces.”

The droplets pattered against Mono’s hat. His lip quivered, and he smushed his face against the Thin Man’s shin. “Mm-uh. Mhh.” He couldn’t hide the sniffling. He would not. The Thin Man always had children, he liked to go and see them all. Mono didn’t want to share his Thin Man. He just wanted company for a little longer.

“No,” was his muffled verdict. He winced at the fingers wrapping around his shoulders, and he tried to cling tighter to the Thin Man’s shin when he was pried away. “No!” he rasped, as quietly as he could without alerting danger. “No.”

But his fears were unfounded. His runny nose was pressed to the crisp white collar of the Thin Man’s dress shirt. “Oh child. Shh. There-there.” The voice rustled through his ears, drowning out the terrible and chilly rain. The grasp was warm, it blotted out the breeze. “If you’re not ready to cause chaos around the other children, then that is fine. Settle down. No more tears. Maybe when we come back, you’ll feel ready.”

Mono didn’t settle down. He didn’t know why. The Thin Man always made wonderful speek, and his grip kept his body from shaking into fitful ravels. The dry collar soaked up his tears and he liked that smokey smell that he knew was his Thin Man. It was always dry and warm. And then when his silly whimpering faded enough, he was lowered back into the wagon where the four walls blotted the world out. But not the rain.

While the wagon rolled on following the tall-tall silhouette guiding it, Mono laid in the base and watched the rain clouds swirl and churn above.

Not too longer later, or it didn’t seem that long, the Thin Man titled out of sight. The wagon bumped somewhat as it dragged across the threshold and passed under into a scenery different from the constant rain and dreary canopy.

Feeling somewhat uneased, Mono rolled over and quietly sat up on his knees to peek from the wagon. The Thin Man kept the small carriage close as he wandered along the aisles, checking the shelves and mark speek. The man and his hat always paid close attention to the panels with the marks – Mono recognized the shapes, though he knew nothing of their meaning.

Beyond the aisles and cross sections of the floor, Mono watched the Viewers mingle around. None of them came around where the Thin Man was, which always confused Mono. The Viewers only pushed the metal carts around, and they put boxes or other things into the metal baskets. He saw them do this before, but not this often, and he didn’t usually see so many meandering around. It reminded him of something he saw somewhere, but he couldn’t place where. It might've been a book he read about something. It wasn't as important as observing all the different creatures.

The Thin Man didn’t use a cart. He had no need for those things. Instead, he put boxes and stuff into the wagon with Mono.

“Keep an eye on them.”

Mono nodded. “Mm-hmm.” He would not let any monster touch the stuff the Thin Man collected. However, he did poke at one of the bags.

A hand nudged Mono away. “Ah-ah. Not until we get ǝɯoɥ.”

The speek the Thin Man used was strange. He didn’t know the sound of it. He did relent from his curiosity, and left the package be. He stayed crouched by the back wall of the wagon and set his chin on the edge, so he could watch the creatures wander around. Oblivious to him and the Thin Man. He missed having space to lay down, but he didn’t mind all the stuff the Thin Man collected or it encroaching on his space. His work was important, he needed to keep the boxes safe!

One of the last things the Thin Man handed down was a plush toy with a bow on its neck and a hat. Mono very nearly crushed the stuffing out of it.

“You are very mighty, child.”

After wandering the rows of aisles one last time, the Thin Man departed the store and out into the drizzling rain they wandered. The light mist sprayed the boxes, but neither the man or his hat and not even Mono cared. Mono was busy clutching his new gift, and wondering if the Thin Man was thinking of leaving him.

Inevitably though, the wagon did stop as before.

“Look. The park is not so crowded now.”

Mono constricted his plush thing as the Thin Man lifted him from the wagon and set him on the edge of the sidewalk. He wanted Mono to leave. He needed Mono to be anywhere, but near him.

“Go look for someone important.” As ever when the Thin Man greatly desired Mono to do something, he used his hand to push him away.

‘Go use your powers.’

‘Make that wall move.’

‘Channel energy into that lightbulb.’

A gravelly sigh. ‘What did I even expect?’

Mono chucked the plush away and dived past the Thin Man’s outstretched hand. He rushed to the wagon and hid beside the wheel. “No. No. Mono not.” The Thin Man’s steps clicked across the sidewalk to find him.

“There is nothing to fear. You need to run around and make friends.” The Thin Man pulled him away from the wheel and set him before the edge of the drab field. “It looks like everyone is having fun.” He tried to push the toy back into Mono’s hands, but Mono kept his arms locked at his side. Rigid. “Show them your new friend. He has a hat, very much like you. Boy?”

Mono wrenched away and looped his arms around the Thin Man’s wrist. “Leave.”

Another disapproving sigh. “You cannot just cling to me forever, boy. You need friends your own age. Don’t you think?”

He would not leave his Thin Man. He needed Mono! “Y’leave. No. Frr'Mono.” He could feel the Thin Man’s shining eyes stare right into him. Out of desperation, he tightened his grip around the cufflink. And bit. He only let go, when the Thin Man simply pinched his elbow and pulled him away. He lifted Mono on his palm and set him into the wagon.

“One day I will have to leave you.” And he settled the plush toy next to Mono.

Same as before, the wagon began plowing along as it followed the invisible tether to the Thin Man. Mono sat in the wagon with his arms coiled around the neck of his toy, he crushed it so tightly that the head was barely tethered by a few threads.

With his mysterious power, the Thin Man relocated the wagon into the kitchen. The Thin Man could do anything. A spray of rain followed the wagon and man in the hat and misted the linoleum floor. Sweeping his arm above the mess, the Thin Man did away with the dampness on the floor and cabinet fronts.

Mono threw the toy out of the wagon before he climbed out himself. When he found the plush on the floor, he discovered that all the clinginess it suffered tore the head from the body.

“I will fix that for you later.” The Thin Man collected up the bits and scraps of the sad creature, then set them high on the countertop. As before, he pushed Mono towards the doorway of the kitchen. “Go find something for you to do, and I will bring you a treat.”

And same as before, Mono rushed back to his leg and clung to his shin. “Am keep’oo.”

“You can keep me later,” the voice rumbled. “I have to be busy for a while. The sǝᴉɹǝɔoɹƃ will not put themselves away.”

Thwarted once more, Mono departed from the kitchen and went through the other room. He thought about adding to his stories, but he was not in the mood. Scouting was a task of urgency, thus he began roaming through the rooms carefully searching for anything amiss.

In the background chimed the usual sing-tunes of a televisions, but he never figured where it was. Aside from the creaking walls and the occasional lash of rain on the windows, no other noises alerted Mono to skulking hazards. He always entered each room with a light step and a perceptive ear, in case he missed the rancid draft of a breath.

This was the most important job for Mono. While the Thin Man worked downstairs doing his busy, Mono wandered up the stairs and searched through the other rooms there. It was danger to be careless. He went to the room where he spent his time, then he went to the room where the Thin Man sometimes had alone and quiet. It was all as he had left it, everything the way it should be. Furniture in its places beside the walls, plenty of shadow patches to curl up into. Sometimes he needed breaks from the scout, and he would bundle himself up in the gloom and listen for a while, for if something was missed but all the same waiting for a careless child to blunder into a snare. Resting was almost as important as search and see. Mono always wanted a clear mind and break to soothe his muscles from too much everything doing.

After all that wandering around, he made sure the Thin Man was safe. The tol man in the hat was still in the kitchen being his busy, so Mono didn’t bother him with a whisper. He was angry the Thin Man wanted to leave him.

He went down the short corridor into the spare room, where the Thin Man liked to hide away. The lamp always was on, so Mono climbed onto the recliners seat and curled up in the corner beside the arm rest. He shut his eyes and before he knew it, he was in the quiet black and the sounds faded far away. He shouldn’t sleep so deep in the empty nothing, even if he felt secure with his scout. He couldn’t help it.

The next when he awoke, it was to that sound of crinkling pages. He was blanketed in the gloom cast by the very tol man and his hat. The Thin Man held a book up and starred at the marks across the pages. The pages crinkled gently with each flick of his thumb, and the hum of static bristled through Mono’s skin. Mono wanted to stay tucked into his warm cocoon, but his shoulder was crammed into the arm of the chair and buzzed uncomfortably.

He rolled over and stretched out the kinks in his legs. Sitting up, he searched the book for what in the marks the Thin Man was fascinated by, but he remained groggy from his nap.

“At last, he is awake.”

“Hmm. Mono.” He set his chin on the Thin Man’s leg and yawned. “Safe?” He winced when the Thin Man touched his back.

“Yes. I looked around just for you.”

He probably lied. Nothing frightened the Thin Man. He didn’t care about dangers that might steal him or eat Mono. Mono had to do everything.

A sappy gurgle slipped out of him as the Thin Man rubbed the spot between his shoulder blades. That made his angry thoughts fade. The Thin Man was doing company with him and making speek, it was all the stuff Mono enjoyed. He did not like getting plucked up and set down on the cold floor.

“Your food should be ready.” He gave Mono’s back a gentle pat, before straightening up and walking.

Along the way to the kitchen, Mono played another great game of pounce at the Thin Man’s heels. If Mono was able to snag the back of his shoe, he usually got knocked off when the Thin Man took a step. He preferred to chase the Thin Man anyway. This was fun, since the challenge was so big. And tol.

When the reached the kitchen doorway, the Thin Man looked down at Mono between his shoes. “Haven’t we done some speek about being underfoot?”

Mono tugged on his pant leg. “Catch you. Keep.” He put his arms up when the Thin Man bowed forward.

“You can catch me later.” The man in the hat set him on the table. “After you have eaten.” And then he poked Mono on the nose.

On the stove sat a pot with a steaming lid. It’s appearance made Mono nervous, and he watched it cautiously as the Thin Man went to the cupboards. The Thin Man took out a bowl and cup, before returning to the pot. A plume of steam swept from the pot when the lid was moved aside, and a large spoon plunged in. To Mono’s relief, it wasn’t anything but slop spooned into the bowl.

The Thin Man set the steaming bowl before Mono. “Careful. It might be a little hot still.”

When the Thin Man turned away, Mono plunged his arms into the mush and searched for anything suspicious. It was all paste meal, like bread goop. He liked bread goop, it was the best after a long time without food stuff. It was warm, so he scooped out a handful and slurped it.

“Is it that good?”

Mono swallowed a few mouthfuls before lifting his head and nodding. “S’food.”

The Thin Man set his own bowl down at his usual place and reached across the table. “I’m sure it is.” He set a cup down for beside Mono's bowl. “Don’t go swimming in it.”

Mono was too busy working on the meal. He only paused to sip from the cup and then went back to scraping out the bowl. When he got everything out of the bottom, he followed with the usual routine and went across the table to sip out of the Thin Man’s bowl.

“Done already?”

It looked the same as Mono’s, but he did stick his arm in to make sure. The Thin Man never complained when he messed with his plate or bowls or cups. “Same?”

“Hmm,” the static buzzed. “Very same.” He scooped up a spoonful and let Mono try. “And we will play a game after we finish up. What game would you like to play?”

He didn’t care about games right now. Or anything, but having his Thin Man. It suited Mono to be near him and make sure he was safe. That was important.

“Are happy?”

The Thin Man sighed, and gave him another spoonful. “Very happy. Are you happy?”

Mono smiled. This was the best speek. “Have you.” Another smile was his.

“Of course you do.” The Thin Man ruffled his hair, then collected the spare bowl and cup.

This time, the Thin Man let him help clean up the bowls. He didn’t know why the Thin Man cleaned bowls when they were supposed to be crusted with food. Maybe it was in one of the books the Thin Man liked to look at.

To clean the bowls and cups, water went into the sink. Mono mostly leaned over the side and slapped at the water streaming from the faucet. The Thin Man didn’t have too much stuff to do, and soon the plates went into the cupboards. That was the boring part, so Mono did a racing game while he waited. on one of his passes across the countertop, his wet feet slipped and he went skiing toward the edge.

The Thin Man barred his sudden plunge with his arm. “That would’ve been a nasty fall. You need to be careful.”

“Uh-huh.” The Thin Man set him on the floor after that. He looked up, as the Thin Man bent low to look down at him.

“How about this? A seek game?” He gestured to the kitchen doorway. “I will hide away, and you will come find me? You’re good at puzzles.”

Mono titled his head. “Y’flee?”

“I will hide. And you can catch me.” He extended his long arm and gave Mono a poke on the nose. “Give me a head start. Got it?”

A buzzing tickled Mono’s nose. He gave his face a rub, and when he looked back, the man and his hat were gone!

Not under the table, or in the dark corner of the room. Where did his Thin Man go? Mono searched all through the kitchen, and then hurried into the next room.

“Psst?” he cooed. “Hey.” The lamp on the table beside the couch flashed, but he saw no other indication that the man or his hat might be here. “Hey. Am Mono. You… ya’wait.”

Not through the corridor or in the room with the recliner. He thought for certain the man and his hat would come here and be waiting. Mono did search some of the other rooms on the lower floor, but he could not sense anywhere the soft humming that he knew was his Thin Man. So, then he scrambled up the steps, to the upper floor. He called for the Thin Man.

“Hey. Where? Mono here.”

“Very close.” A distant and scratchy voice called.

Mono raced into the room with the furniture and shelves, but there was no sign of the Thin Man. The bulb in the ceiling did flicker. He must have been here. And gone!

“No.” Mono spun around, searching the corners in case he missed the towering shadow.

“You are very close, boy.”

Mono charged from the room and again, he spun around in an effort to determine where the voice came from. It was crackling, the way when the man and his hat sniggered. He had to be somewhere up here. Mono wasn’t fast enough!

The room where the Thin Man went for quiet and alone was open, but it was dim and Mono couldn’t sense the buzzing. He charged up and down the corridor a few times, before sneaking into the room where he woke up in earlier. No Thin Man. Of course.

What if Mono wasn’t thorough with his scout? What if some creature snuck into the rooms and snagged his Thin Man? What if he crawled into the television and got trapped? What if… what if… he always did this! Him Gone!

Mono went into the room with the lamp and desk and searched that one. He climbed onto the chair, poked the corners. He was breathing hard from all the running back and forth, all of it finding nothing. His effort was not enough. He was never enough for the Thin Man. The fear that the man and his hat got lost was growing. He got lost on purpose, and Mono was to be in alone. Mono didn’t want to think he was doing what he always did when he worried about his Thin Man, all while the Thin Man was somewhere else. Not even in the rooms Mono decided he should be in. The man and his hat always found places Mono couldn't follow.

Then! When he slipped out of a closet, he caught sight of the tallest silhouette at the end of the corridor.

“Got. Am got.” He rushed at the flickering figure. Until the lights doused, and when the bulbs flashed back with brilliant light… the man and his hat had vanished.

“So close boy.”

Mono padding footfalls slowed until he was alone, standing in the tingling presence of where the shadow once stood. He spun around, tilting his head back in case he missed anything. “Where?”

“Close.”

No. The man and his hat went nowhere. He had to look for his children and see them all. It was hard for Mono to keep his Thin Man. He always ran away and hid from Mono. Sometimes, Mono was too much.

He wandered back to the room where the Thin Man had alone and quiet, knowing good and well why the Thin Man would never come here. This room was important.

It had the chair Mono always dreamed about. Just the chair. It stood in the center of the room, waiting. Nothing else, and the room was such a contrast to the other rooms. No places to hide, dark and grim. The chair was always waiting. It was nice to think that somewhere out there, someone was waiting for him.

Without warning, a pair of hands scooped him up. Mono thrashed and bit, but with practiced ease the grasp settled him against a crisp and blinding white collar.

“Not for you,” the Thin Man rumbled. He lowered one hand to draw the door and shut it. “Not yet.”

Mono knotted his fingers into the fiber of the shirt collar. “Caught. Am have.”

“And I have you,” the Thin Man’s voice rattled through him. “You were spectacular Mono.”

“Mono. Can keep.”

“If you speek so.” The sharp click of his steps fell into their comforting rhythmic stride. “I had a fantastic game. You were so clever.”

Mono snuggled into his collar. His Thin Man came back. He left Mono for such a long time, but he came back. Someday, he would leave Mono and that will be it. But he liked to have the Thin Man right now.

There were a few other things the Thin Man liked to do with Mono in the room. The man in the hat brought out the blocks with symbols on them, and he showed Mono how to build walls or a building. With a little window. The building had a small space, where Mono could fit inside. He liked to poke his head up, and look at his Thin Man. There was another puzzle kit Mono could put together, and this time, he showed the Thin Man how the pieces fit and what they made. He built a plane. It went tol. And after that, the Thin Man showed him how to fix the soft toy by sewing the head back on. Mono had no idea plush creatures could be put back together. Nonetheless, he ripped the eyes out, and the Thin Man smiled at that.

Eventually, Mono began to yawn more and more. The Thin Man began collecting all the things they were looking at, then divided them across the shelves of the bookcase.

“It appears to be someone’s pǝqǝɯᴉʇ.”

Mono didn’t understand the sound, but he didn’t agree with the Thin Man either. He didn’t flail when the hands swooped under him and carried him over to the bed. “No…” he murmured.

“How about we have some company?” The Thin Man crossed the room to select a book from a stack on the floor, then came back to the bed. He reclined partially against the wall beside Mono, with his long gangly legs dangling off the side. “You wanted me to read this one, hmm?”

Mono didn’t know what any of the marks meant on the cover meant, but he nodded anyway. He clambered up onto the Thin Man's chest and settled his head on a pocket, to incline his gaze enough to see the book. The Thin Man pulled up a rag and draped it over Mono, then opened the book. None of the symbols put onto the pages meant anything to Mono, but there was picture speek as well. He didn’t understand the noises the Thin Man made, but he liked that they could have company. The book was mysterious, it was full of marks pieces and the pictures. Usually, the Thin Man didn’t like picture speek. But he did different things when it made Mono happy.

“Am happy,” he reminded his Thin Man.

“And I am happy too.” The Thin Man smiled down at him. “Now listen.” And the Thin Man resumed, his voice soft and scratchy. It rustled through Mono’s head.

Another yawn found its way out of Mono, and he nestled in closer to his Thin Man. They had so many things to do, later, Mono would do his scout. He would remind the Thin Man how important he was, and the Thin Man would tuck him close and tell Mono how great he was.

“Am keep,” he burbled.

“Yes Mono.” A gentle hand settled on his head and smoothed his hair down. “You can keep me.” The slow and steady crackle of the Thin Man’s speek carried, the silky warbling thrummed through his body. Even if it was all lost on him, the company with his Thin Man was the best. Warmth. Keep. Pack. Everything. The wonderful hum followed him into the dark emptiness of his thoughts, where no dream haunts or angry thumping would traipse the wonderful sensations of all the important. He drifted, reminding himself how to keep his Thin Man and make him happy.

And next time when he woke up, he would go downstairs and find his Thin Man. Waiting, like always. The man and his hat was always up somewhere to greet Mono, and ask how he slept. Or what they might do next. They had many adventures together, and the Thin Man always smiled.

Very slowly, Mono pried his eyes open.

__

The pale light slipped through the base boards, mixed with the lazy dust molts swirling. Out there, the distant chatter of tunes spun from a television. He didn’t know where it was, only that it was not where he was. He listened carefully under the choppy ramble of the broken noises, none of the scratchy rambling he could make sense of. The cacophony was not enough to drown out the steady creak of the walls, or the steady prattle of rain on a window. Somewhere. The storms always raged and threw their disembodied might against the looming buildings.

No tromping boots and no horrible shrieking above, in the airless space. Just a stale and empty room, which he pulled most of his nest materials from. He even found a dead bird that came from somewhere and ransacked that of feathers. The soft down made the perfect lining for his nest, once he had the rags and other stuff matted down. It kept him so warm since he dragged himself out of the rain. This nest was so good, it fooled him into strange dreams. That was so funny.

Mono rolled over and drew his knees up into the wonderful coat. His shoulder tingled after he had laid on it too long, but that would go away. He chanced a large yawn, and turned his face away from the glaring haze above. More rest was needed. He lost so much energy from the things he did.

As the dream melted away, he recollected what happened and where he was now. The dismal fog still swirled heavy in his battered mind, but crystalline fragments surfaced of the recent events. Most of which he thought about, but didn't explore too much into. It all made his head ache.

Gone. Her. Nowhere when he awoke, his face a bloody mess (he must've looked stopped) and body haggard to threads. Everything in his head was such a confusing mess, he didn’t care where She was. Her. It was a struggle to get his head in order, gather enough of his senses that he could get his balance and at the minimum, crawl across the dusty floor. And where was he? That was furthest from his thoughts. He didn’t have anything to really go on from, except that She was there at one point. He barely remembered he was Mono.

He followed a trail of footprints in the sandy floor, and beneath the dim glow of a high window lingered one of the glitchy children. At first, he thought it was Her, he hoped it was Six, but it wasn’t. Just the shadowy glimmer of a child shape.

Touching it made him feel better. Not when he reached it, but afterwards he could get up onto his feet. After a long amount of searching and being very lost, at his wits with his wretched memories betraying and mocking, he did find his way out of that dark pit. A ladder built by travelers before him led to a broken window, and he was able to get back out and onto the street. Then, he found his way into another building, which he was sure he could get out of again easily enough if something plundered the stale space. He didn’t know if there was any food, but he was in no condition to sneak around or hide. All he could do was rest. Lay down and be still, until he recovered.

So he made a nice nest under the floorboards, and tucked it full of rags and feathers. It was everything he needed right now. Just rest. After he found some food and stuffed his pockets, he would go find his Thin Man. He was always so busy. A little smirk touched Mono’s face.

If the Thin Man knew what he was dreaming about, it would make him so grumpy. Mono would make a story out of it. Maybe. Soft dreams always slipped away. They didn’t help. The dust made hiss eyes water, so he rubbed off the flaking blood and buried down into his nest. He needed to get as much rest as he was allowed now, otherwise, he might not catch it later.

Next

[plywood-timbers]

MDF Board Applications: Versatility and Practicality in Modern Construction and Design

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) has emerged as a versatile and widely used material across multiple industries, from furniture manufacturing to construction and interior design. Known for its smooth surface, uniform density, and affordability, MDF offers several advantages over traditional wood and other engineered wood products. Its applications are numerous, driven by its ability to be easily shaped, painted, and finished, making it a staple material in both residential and commercial settings.

1. Furniture Manufacturing

One of the most common applications of MDF is in furniture production. MDF is preferred by manufacturers for making flat-pack and modular furniture due to its consistency in thickness, which results in fewer manufacturing defects. The smooth surface of MDF can be easily veneered, laminated, or painted, allowing furniture designers to achieve a wide range of finishes from high-gloss to wood grain.

From cabinets and shelving units to wardrobes and dressers, MDF’s ability to hold screws and fittings securely makes it a popular choice in creating sturdy, affordable furniture pieces. The material can also be easily machined and customized, allowing for intricate designs and moldings that would be difficult and costly to achieve with solid wood.

2. Cabinetry and Shelving

MDF is extensively used in the creation of cabinetry and shelving for both residential and commercial applications. Its smooth surface is ideal for painting or veneering, giving it a polished finish that can fit into any interior décor. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets, in particular, benefit from MDF’s cost-effectiveness and adaptability. MDF is also highly stable, meaning it won't warp or crack as easily as natural wood when exposed to moisture, making it suitable for environments like kitchens and bathrooms.

Moreover, its density provides structural integrity for shelves, allowing them to bear weight without bowing. Many retail outlets and offices use MDF shelving due to its reliability and sleek, professional appearance when painted or laminated.

3. Interior Paneling and Wall Features

MDF is a popular choice for wall paneling and creating feature walls. Its smooth surface can be easily painted to match any design theme, while its workability allows for intricate molding and detailing. MDF paneling is often used in offices, homes, hotels, and other commercial spaces where a modern and clean aesthetic is required.

In addition to flat paneling, MDF can be used to create raised panels or beadboard effects, adding texture and visual interest to walls. It's also ideal for wainscoting and other decorative wall treatments. Many designers and architects choose MDF because it’s easy to install and more cost-effective than solid wood options.

4. Doors and Moldings

Another significant application of MDF is in the manufacturing of interior doors and moldings. MDF doors are favored for their smooth finish, which makes them ideal for painting and finishing. These doors are also resistant to warping and expansion, which is a common issue with solid wood doors, especially in environments with fluctuating humidity levels.

MDF is also used to produce crown moldings, baseboards, and window casings. Since MDF can be easily routed and shaped, it allows for detailed profiles that would be expensive to achieve with solid wood. The material’s consistency ensures a smooth finish, making it easy to paint and integrate into existing decor.

5. Acoustic Panels

In recent years, MDF has found increasing use in acoustic paneling due to its sound-absorbing properties. MDF panels are commonly used in theaters, recording studios, and conference rooms where sound control is crucial. The density of MDF helps reduce sound transmission, making it an excellent material for soundproofing applications. It can also be perforated or grooved to enhance its acoustic properties, making it an essential material for designing modern acoustic solutions.

6. Exhibition Stands and Displays

MDF is a popular choice for creating temporary structures like exhibition stands, retail displays, and kiosks. Its affordability, combined with its ability to be easily machined into different shapes, makes it ideal for creating custom displays. The smooth surface allows for easy branding, as MDF can be painted or laminated with graphics to meet specific marketing requirements. Furthermore, its durability ensures that the displays can be reused multiple times, making it a sustainable option for businesses looking to minimize waste.

7. Crafts and DIY Projects

Hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts often turn to MDF for various craft projects. Its ease of cutting, shaping, and painting makes it a favorite for creating everything from home décor items to custom furniture pieces. MDF is available in different thicknesses, allowing for flexibility in design. It is also relatively lightweight, making it easy to handle for home projects.

Conclusion

MDF’s widespread applications in furniture, cabinetry, interior design, and even soundproofing are a testament to its versatility and practicality. Its affordability, workability, and adaptability have made it a favorite material among manufacturers, designers, and builders alike. As industries continue to seek cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to solid wood, MDF remains a key player in modern construction and design.