#i made them this weekend and remembered to take a pic today

[good-beans]

Didn't draw them myself but thank you @iris-drawing-stuff for reminding me I have cardstock, packing tape, and metallic markers as well :3 The colors and shiny buckles aren't showing up as well im the pic, but they came out nice!

I made sure the art was scaled the same and Yamanaka wasn't lying, Mahiru is surprisingly small :')

[emmyspov]

Prioritise yourself (Thranduil x Reader)

author's note: happy easter to everyone who celebrates it and a happy weekend to all either way🪻this is honestly one of the most scary things i've posted because it's something so personal that i relate to a lot, but i thought maybe someone else might need it, too🥺 please always remember that nothing will ever be more important than your health and well-being 🩷

warnings: symptoms of burnout, lack of sleep, exhaustion, negative self-talk, skipping meals, mentions of food, nudity (for taking a bath together) - please please please let me know if I forgot something! 🩷

word count: 1.9k

edit is mine, all pics are from pinterest :)

It had seemed like a smart idea when you offered Thranduil to help him with all the paperwork.

His days were filled with meetings and more often than not he only returned to your chambers once it was dark already.

So, for the past few months, you had been - more or less secretly - helping him with whatever you could: sending out invitations to other royals, filing away documents, re-writing contracts so all that would be left to do was sign them.

You were the king's partner after all and you wanted to help him as much as possible. This was your kingdom, your home, as much as it was his, as he regularly reminded you.

Thranduil noticed, obviously. The hours in his study were reduced since most things were taken care of in a perfect way already - he could return to your private rooms right after dinner and spend time with you instead which the Elvenking appreciated immensely.

However, over the past few weeks, things have taken a turn. And Thranduil noticed that, too.

How, on some days, you would get up earlier than him, how you would skip lunch and dinner with him - although it was one of your favorite things since you got to spend it with one another during your otherwise busy schedules - and instead eat by yourself, hunched over some papers. He noticed your tired eyes and dull skin and- lack happiness, to cut it short.

Worry didn't even remotely describe what he was feeling. He felt sick to his stomach when he thought about you being unhappy.

Today was no different.

You had gotten up before sunrise, leaving your husband a little love letter, before entering your own study to take care of all official things.

There was a lot to do. Other elves as much as people from Laketown and even dwarves were sending letters, hoping to schedule a meeting with the king himself to talk over whatever was bothering them.

You made it your mission to answer every single one of them, noting down appointments and also sending out excuses if Thranduil wasn't the right one to talk to when it came to certain matters.

By the end of the day, your head was pounding. You let out a yawn and rubbed your eyes, hoping to relieve some of the pressure behind them, but to no use.

Closing them for only a minute wouldn't hurt. You could still look for your husband afterwards.

A line had been crossed for the Elvenking.

It was the second day in a row that you skipped your shared meals and from what he just learned, you weren't eating them at all.

He needed to talk to you. He wouldn’t - and couldn’t - let you destroy yourself over some work. Your happiness and well being came first and he would make you realise that, no matter the cost.

After reaching your study and receiving no answer to his knocks, he let himself in with determined steps, only to stop abruptly as soon as he saw your sleeping figure. His eyes softened immediately.

"Oh, meleth."

With two big steps, he was by your side, crouching down until he was on eye level with you. Even in your sleep, you looked stressed, your eyebrows scrunched up, reminding him of the times you woke up from a bad dream.

"What are you doing to yourself, hm?"

Gentle, as if you would break like glass if he touched you with too much force, he picked you up and carried you out of the room and into your shared bed chamber where he set you down on the soft mattress and covered you with a fluffy blanket.

Thranduil left the room again for only a few moments so he could blow out the candle in your study and put everything where it belonged. He himself hated to work at a messy desk and didn't want you to deal with the same thing once you would return to work, although he didn't want to think about that yet. For now, you needed rest and all the love and care you could get.

He returned to your bedroom after he spoke to some of his subordinates to let them know neither he nor you would be available in the next three days.

You were still fast asleep, curled up into the blanket. The king walked over to you and slowly began to remove all your uncomfortable clothing before he himself put on a night gown.

Only then did he lay down next to you, carefully maneuvering your body into his arms, your head on his chest. Even in your sleep you wrapped your arm around his waist and entangled your legs, letting out a small sigh.

"Sleep, meleth, you've been working too hard", your husband whispered and brought his delicate fingertips up to brush some hair out of your face before letting them trail down to your back, rubbing some calming circles into your shoulder. "I'll watch over you, I promise."

And Thranduil kept his word.

He stayed up to make sure you slept through the night, occasionally pressing a kiss to your temple or the top of your head while his fingers were always touching you in some way.

It was nearly lunch time when you woke up the next day.

After noticing you were still cuddled up with your husband although the sun was already shining into the room, you immediately sat up.

"I- I overslept, oh Varda, there is so much to do. Why didn’t you wake me, my love?"

With a gentle force, Thranduil pressed you back onto the mattress.

"You've been overworking yourself for weeks and your health and happiness are suffering in return. I told everyone we wouldn't be available for the next few days. For the foreseeable future, we'll only take care of you."

You didn't want to cry. And you tried really hard to keep the tears at bay, but when the Elvenking looked at you with so much love in his eyes, you couldn’t stop them.

"I'm sorry for failing you, my king."

The elf wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close. "Oh meleth, no. No, you didn't fail me, you never have. And you never will."

"I can't even take care of myself", you hiccuped, burying your face in the crook of his neck. "It's like the work and the pressure never stop and I'll never be good enough and now I am sitting here, crying to you, a literal king who has way more responsibility than me. I am so sorry to burden you with this."

Thranduil's heart was breaking. He couldn't believe this was how you saw yourself when, to him, you were the most beautiful being in all of Middle Earth.

"You are never a burden to me. Do you hear me? Never. We can fix this. You have to learn how to prioritise yourself. I can teach you. I will teach you. And we will start right now. You must be hungry, what do you want to eat?"

You fumbled around with your hands before looking up at the Elvenking. "Could I have some pancakes?"

Thranduil leaned forward to press a kiss against your nose. "Whatever you want, meleth nîn."

With one swift motion, he got up, put on one of his majestic robes and made his way to the kitchen to order your beloved pancakes and some additional treats as well as some hot and cold beverages.

He returned to your chambers with a first tray of food, watching your face lit up with delight at the sweet smell.

"Here you go, my love. Eat as much as you want and take all the time you need. There are no other things that need to get done today or the next few days."

You nodded and grabbed a plate, happily munching on the food the servants were bringing in over time.

The king was watching you carefully while he himself ate something. It was more than obvious that all the food was good for your mind, body and soul.

You let yourself fall back against the sheets when you were done, letting out a satisfied sigh. "That was good."

"It is about to get better. What do you think of a bath?"

Your eyes lit up. "Right now?"

The elf couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "Is that what you want?"

You sat up, enthusiastically bouncing on the mattress and nodding your head. "Yes, please!"

Thranduil stood up again and walked into the bathroom, filling the tub with hot water and your favourite bath salts and flower petals before coming back to you.

With ease, he wrapped his arms around you and lifted you off the bed, carrying you into the bathroom.

"Arms up", he ordered gently and removed your clothing, doing the same to himself afterwards.

"You're so handsome", you breathed out as you softly pressed your hand against his chest, right above his heart. "I'm so lucky to have you."

Thranduil's heart started to beat faster under your touch and praise and you smiled, feeling butterflies in your stomach at the fact that you still had this effect on him.

He lifted you into the tub, setting you down and lowering himself behind you, pulling your body flush against his chest.

"I'm the lucky one."

You shook your head before letting it fall back against his shoulder. "You take care of me when I can't do it myself."

The king's deft fingers brushed through your hair, letting them trail down your arm. "We take care of each other. You are the one who decreased my work load so I'd have more time."

You intertwined your hands. "Well, of course. I want you to be well."

A kiss was pressed against the top of your head. "Do you see my point?"

You nodded. "I think I do."

Thranduil let his thumb brush over the back of your hand. "Tomorrow, we can take a walk in the garden and look at all the blossoming flowers. Or we can do whatever else will make you happy."

A smile graced your lips. "Just being with you makes me happy."

Gently, the ellon grabbed your chin and turned your head around so he could kiss you. You melted into his embrace, smiling against his lips.

"Gi melin", he whispered after you two had parted for air and you replied with the same sentiment.

Once you two had soaked in the water for a while, the Elvenking grabbed your shampoo and lathered up his hands before bringing them up to your scalp to work in the product.

The more time you spend like this with your husband - in your little bubble of happiness and safety - the lighter your heart felt.

And it only got better when Thranduil's hands wandered down your head to your neck and shoulders, massaging your tense muscles to help you relax even further.

You shuddered and the king grinned to himself. He was just as pleased as you were earlier that his touch could, still, make you weak in the knees.

"Rest, meleth", he whispered as he continued to work on your upper back. "There will be time to talk about long-term adjustments and solutions, but for now, you can let yourself fall. I'll be there to catch you."

Everything-Taglist: @shadowhuntyi @asgardianhobbit98 @fizzyxcustard

-> if you want to be added or removed from my taglist, just shoot me a message or an ask 🩷

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

05/31/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Nathan Foad; Con O Neill; Vico Ortiz; Courtney Andersen/Rigging BTS; Adopt Our Crew - Shareholders Meeting Guide; Adopt Our Crew - Pride Month Prizes; Save OFMD Crew Pride Month Poll Results; Articles; Love Notes; Daily Darby/Today's Taika;

No Fan Spotlight tonight dearies, sorry I ran out of picture space as there's a lot going on, will pick back up tomorrow.

== Rhys Darby ==

Rhys out with Theo playing pickleball!

Source: Rosie's Instagram Stories

== Taika Waititi ==

Taika's out here being a supportive husband <3 The video is available on his Instagram Stories,

Source: Taika Waititi's Instagram Stories

== Nathan Foad ==

Oh no, Nathan 😭

Source: Nathan Foad's Instagram Stories

== Con O Neill ==

Just a short video from Con about Mad Max: Furiosa

Source: Con O'Neill's Instagram

== Vico Ortiz ==

Vico pics from Phoenix Fan Fusion with EnbyBruje <3

And a short Video: Vico dancing with EnbyBruje at Phoenix Fan Fusion

Source: Enby Bruje's Instagram

And finally--Vico Will be at the Dynasty Typewriter on June 25: 7:30! For tickets, visit www.dynastytypewriter.com

== Courtney Andersen ==

One of the lovely folks behind the scenes on OFMD was Courtney Andersen and his team that put together the fantastic rigging for The Revenge that made everything so authentic! Below are some BTS pictures of the rigging!

Source: @ Saphena69's Instagram

== Adopt Our Crew Fuckery Cont'd ==

Our dear friends at @adoptourcrew have put together a guide for the upcoming Shareholder Meeting! Check it out below.

Source: AdoptOurCrew's Instagram

== AOC: Our Flag Mans Pride ==

Starting off Pride Month strong our friends at @adoptourcrew have shared the price catalogue for #OurFlagMeansPride. More details will be added soon, but you can check out the prize list here.

Source: AdoptOurCrew Twitter

== Save OFMD Crew Pride Month Poll Results ==

The SaveOFMD Crew had a poll earlier this month asking for suggestions on how to celebrate pride month! Those poll results are available now on the REPO under the Save OFMD Crew Folder. There will be more information regarding plans coming soon!

Poll Results

Please note: Write-In Answers were not included in the public file due to data privacy reasons.

== Articles ==

== Big Bang Reminder ==

Reminder! The OFMD Big Bang Starts sign ups tomorrow!

For all of you who're seasoned OFMD tumblr folks, you probably have heard of OFMD Big Bang before! For our newer members of the fandom check out the description below by OFMD Big Bang Tumblr.

What is the Our Flag Means Death Big Bang? A big bang is a writing and art challenge pairing authors and artists to complete a long work of fiction. The OFMD Big Bang is centered around stories which take place in the Our Flag Means Death universe with a minimum word count requirement of 10,000. 

Interested in joining? Author and Artist sign-ups open on June 1! Here's the upcoming Schedule. Visit the @ofmdbigbang tumblr for more information!

== Love Notes ==

Hey lovelies. Tomorrow is the start of Pride Month! Happy Pride to everyone :)

I apologize, I know I have a lot of messages I need to catch up on, I've just been so swamped I haven't had the time. I promise I'll get to them and the rest of the things I've been behind on, this weekend sometime. In the mean time, I just want to say I hope you're being kind to yourself today. I know it's really hard to do some days. Outside influences, people's opinions, the state of the world, everyday stressors, brain chemistry, sometimes just about anything can make it hard for you to love yourself the way you deserve. Just remember that you are wonderful. Not everyone is going to see just how amazing you are. They aren't going to see the spark in you that makes such a huge impact on the world tiny minute waves at a time. But you know who can see that spark if you let them? You.

You light up the world with every movement, every gesture, every word. You truly are a marvel. Sure, we all make mistakes, we all struggle, but every day you keep going and even though you can't see it, you are blooming little by little in your own light-- and your light is helping others to bloom too. You are brilliant lovelies, remember to bask in that light a bit for your own sake. Rest well, drink some water, take your meds if you have them, and get some sleep if you can. Tomorrow is another day.

Take care <3

== Daily Darby / Today's Taika ==

Not sure about tonight's theme, mostly just the two of them chatting it up with each other. Gifs Courtesy of the wonderful @mulder-isms and @ofmd-ann

[prestonmonterey]

TLT UPDATE!! BEFORE I GO TO BED

(gods im so tired...)

@vincentaureliuslin @tatsumisheep3

no photos today so heres my cat :P

OPENING NIGHT!!! it went super well!!!!! (i think)

it was PA night so the understudys were percy and annabeth and they killed it!!!!!! :DDDD

also my director gave me a compliment today so im in a good mood (it was somethin along the lines of "you finally did a good job as cerberus" but ill take what i can get...) (i still have beef with him but.. whatever....)

its crazy how fast this show is going and that itll all be over after sunday,, but also i am SO tired bc we literally spend more time at school than at home this week :(

also getting a lotta acne bc im not used to wearing this much make up every day :P

but hey at least ill get to rest a teeny bit on the weekend (just in the morning TwT bc we have matinees)

also my parents and some of my friends are comin tomorrow so they BETTER FUCKIN BUY ME CANDY (i really really really want candygrams... one of the stage managers got like 4 boxes of candy i am so jealous...)

also also also we did the legacy robe last night before preview night and my friend (and mother /ij) got it :DDDD very happy for her

um um um i felt like i had more to say but idk this is already a lot and i cant remember things im kinda tired :P

oh i finally got my camper necklace!!! the beads were missing for like a week but they were just on the table in the costuming room... anyway my friend made it for me during tech class bc shes so so sooo sweet <3 (while i was in math trying to force my friend to study... *stares at neeks* /aff) i got four beads that kinda almost make the ace flag!! (black for tech, silver for the fall play, light blue for this show, and purple for my grade)

idk if i explained it before but all of our necklaces represent how much theater we've done,,, bc its kinda like how long we've been at camp. theres a bead for each grade based on our class colors, and the tlt bead, so everyone gets at least 2. theres also beads for each of the past musicals and plays at school, and a black bead if youve done tech, and a white bead if youve done leadership :D some of the seniors have like most of their necklace filled because of how many shows theyve done

heres another cat pic to keep you engaged and reading this /hj

also also also many many thanks to my wonderful actor and tech friends i would not survive without them (especially thanks to tech bc they have to put up with us actors... /hj) its poseidon's actors first show i think and they have a LOT of quick changes so their section of the rack is,,, kind of a mess. also the lamp for the oracle scene has broken multiple times i think already... and i already left my make up bag out yesterday and my watch in the cubbies today TwT we are a hot mess

my graphic design teacher was acting today :D (the farmer in drive is a teacher role, and they switch out every night) and i love him being so absolutely perplexed by the energy circle before show :333

also i remembered to put setting powder on for the first time,,, and... i forgot that my mom is SO much paler than me TwT (i was very washed out...) so ill probably stick to spray for the rest of the week :P

sorry i really am rambling tonight...

ok i will probably hopefully do at least one more update after strike on sunday!! (depending on how tired i am,, i might just curl up on the floor and sleep after the sunday show actually...) unless something goes horribly wrong,,, then ill probably post about it too

good night!! i need to collapse in bed and try to save up enough energy for tomorrows show :3

have a wonderful day/night and remember to hydrate! (or you'll die straight...)

[theinconveniencing]

hello team I had a Very fun time exploring campus today let me tell you about my adventures.

so I went back to the same place i was on saturday night to check it out in the daylight and I did Not go down the hallway I saw the person in, instead I went down the stairs. one direction led to a locked door and the other led outside (found the alleged emergency exit). and when you kept going down the exit stairs it eventually spit you out at this covered path that leads to a loading dock area

towards the end of the covered path I found this barrel filled with I don't even know what. like what the fuck Is this

i just moved on. at the actual loading dock there were some locked doors that led inside to places I knew. but I was more enticed by these double doors that had like gigantic stop signs and red signs that were like "you need to keep these doors LOCKED do NOT come in here" so I tried them and they were unlocked so I went in. obviously. and it just led to mostly non perishable food storage and some cutlery for the building and where they make the coffee and keep the ice and stuff. I walked through that whole area and went through a door that spit me back out in the main building. but in the storage room there was a creepy stairwell that I wanted to go in so I looped all the way back around to the mysterious barrel from the Outside this time. (and side note there was no signage or indication that I wasn't allowed to be there so I'm sure people accidentally wander into that hallway I saw the person in on tuesday literally all the fucking time so if I ever go back and get caught I can play dumb). but I went back to the storage room and to the stairwell

which was creepy as hell. it actually only went up but I forgot to take a pic at the bottom. those stairs are well loved. up one floor was a pretty standard commercial kitchen that I did a brief walk through (thank god it was the weekend) and up another floor was another commercial kitchen. I wandered through that one aimlessly and next thing I knew I was standing behind the counter at the lil sandwich place on campus like uhhhhh. and if it wasn't the weekend I wouldn't have gotten that far but like uhm. I went through some random back door and slipped away into a lounge area then out those doors!

and there's another building on campus (the oldest one) that's always locked on the weekends But the play is happening in there (I actually talked to two of the guys that were in it on their way out lol) so it was unlocked and I slipped past the green room into the main part of the building and I was home free! I climbed up these fire stairs I was always curious about but they were a dead end and if you saw my post from earlier you know I was Sweating man. for NOTHING. I made my way down then took an elevator up to an Actual floor and took another stairwell all the way to the top to an office I thought surely would be locked but it wasn't. this is where I spent like two hours looking at all the shit on the shelves. and found six bins of condoms. and a pair of giant ceremonial scissors

which was awesome. it was getting late so I bid the office adieu but I got distracted by Another way to a different part of the top floor and I found this like. it's called something really specific but I don't remember it but it's a room where the walls and some of the ceiling are windows and it's surrounded by trees and it's beautiful. but the door was locked and let me tell you I tried for a while to no avail to find a way to get in that room by making one of those hook grabber things to turn the handle on the other side. but after a while gave up and came home and here I am. what a day!

[7ndipity]

Hey Sara!!! ✨💞 I came back! Hahaha i had a pretty busy weekend 😵‍💫 but that only means I have a lot to catch on your blog <3 but before I forget!

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY 🍰✨🎉!!!! I hope you had an amazing day honey and full of joy and good treats, I hope your new year will be full of happiness, success and health <3 and omggg you’re a scorpio bby!!🤭 what a funny coincidence because my rising sign is Scorpio too hahaha I send you a big hug and many kisses from yoongi too👀💞✨

Now, I’m still have a few updates to catch on but! The kitty one? THAT WAS LOVELY, I read it with a smile on my face because that’s a very real scenario of him with a calico kitty🥹 I love your surprises and ofc you’re right, that was very Jimin coded, and the ending line about the kids???? THAT’S SO HIM, our natural teaser libra boy<3 I saw that someone already ask you for. a Yoongi one ! Oh that’s gonna be chef kiss!😙

Now, going on with our kitty chat omgggg your boy seems to be very special 🥹🥹✨and with those eyes!! I bet he’s beautiful!!! And it’s soo good to hear that your family makes stray kitties life easier <3 and now your dad! Being a Kpop gg man! I love that ❤️‍🔥! Hahaha well he surely did not mention anything about the explicit version to you hahaha he would be like 👁️👄👁️ this man wants to f*ck my daughter seven days a week? In the rightest way?? Jdjsjsjsjs I’m now thinking on a scenario with any member with that plot hahahahhahaa I’m sorry I’m just on a silly mood today 🤭😂 but! If your ever decide to write something like that , I think JK, or anyone of the rap line would be accurate 😂

But , going back to the original point, jsjsjsjsjs yeah!! There’s something with jk and taehyung voices and parents , they always end up getting them!! And for the right reasons!

Love you Sara! I do have a smutty request because girlll, that Yoongi one?? I do have to say that the use of the color system and how you write it… like I think that was my Roman Empire for the week ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥👁️👁️ because …. Of course I’ve seen it on different works BUT, here I could imagine him doing his thing and saying that like … I don’t event want to think about anymore!!!! It was HOT AF, I’m loving this side of you <3 anddddd now I’ll write my request on another box hahahaha 💞💞big message today!!

I legit squealed when I saw your name in my inbox, like I missed you this week, Hon!😚😚Omg, putting the rest of this under the cut bc theres so much to catch up on, lol!

My birthday was good, went shopping with my fam and made lemon bars instead of a cake for myself!(ya girl finally got Tae's & Jk's albums as gifts, so now the Ot7 solo album collection is complete!👏👏) Also yay Scorpio buddies! Now I'm kinda curious what your sun sign is for comparison, lol(my rising sign is Cancer btw)!

I'm so glad you liked the Jimim blurb, I had a lot of fun writing it! I'm looking forward to writing the Yoongi one as well, cause we need more cat dad Yoongi on this site.😊 And yeah, not to brag on my boy, but he is so beautiful I love him sm, even tho he's a chaos noodle! (I might share a pic sometime if anyone wants?)

Also, omg not that Jungkook scenario, I can't breathe!🤣 It would be soo funny but soo awkward, like Jk slipping up and saying smth like "y/n's been a big inspiration for my music" like just trying to be nice, and then remembering what his lyrics are and just😱 NOOO TAKE IT BACK, PLEASE UN-HEAR THAT!!🤣😭I may have write this bc just yes, lol!

Also ROMAN EMPIRE?! Thank you?! I really liked the color system thing too, it just seems like a very Yoongi thing to me, just casually checking in to make sure you're okay, regardless of the scenario.🥺

I've also really been having a lot of fun exploring the smuttier concepts, so by all means send the ideas! I'm gonna respond more on your other message, bc just from a quick glance do I have some thoughts!😳

Love you sm!💜💜💜

[cutedisneygirl]

Love online

Chapter 4

Sorry it has taken me so long to post this. I will get next chapter up soon.

Warning: There are not many, just a little language in this chapter.

The next few days go by slow. Merida and Chris continue to talk through texts on Instagram. Tiffany still won't believe that it is Chris Evans and keeps telling Merida to be careful. Thursday during nap time Merida posts a picture on Instagram.

Disneydoggrl83❤️ I miss my girl! So much!

Captaindork-liked

liked

Captaindork- Hey! I just saw your post. Those are good pics. I wish there was something I could say or do to help you through this.

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️Thanks. I will be okay. Its just still hard. It's hard going home knowing she won't be there. I also hate going to sleep at night and not having her beside me.

Captaindork-I know exactly how you feel. Its hard when I am gone for work and I don't have Dodger beside me. Maybe this pic will help.

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️That's funny :) and true for us.

Captaindork-Yep. So you have plans this weekend?

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️Tiffany is coming over and we are having a girls weekend. She is taking me somewhere tomorrow night.

Captaindork-That sounds fun.

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️Yeah. I don't know what she has planned. With Tiffany who knows. Hope she doesn't embarrass me.

Captaindork-how could she embarrass you?

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️well tomorrow is my birthday and I know she will tell the waitress or waiter.

Captaindork-Oh! Well maybe she won't embarrass you. ☺️

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️Yeah. Well I need to get going. It's time to get my kids up.

Captaindork-Okay. Have fun. Talk to you later.

Merida got her kids up from nap and changed their diapers, gave them snack and played with them in centers for a little while till they went outside. That evening when Merida got home she was tired. She changed into her pjs and after fixing her self a salad she sat on the couch and watched Avengers Endgame. While she was watching she looked at Instagram.

Dodger lying on Dodger

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️liked

Awww ☺️

Captaindork-Hey! How was work today?

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️It was good. I'm tired. My kids wore me out.

Captaindork-Aww well at least tomorrow is Friday!

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️Yes. I am glad. I am ready for the weekend.

Captaindork-What time is Tiffany coming over?

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️She said she was picking me up at 6

Captaindork- :) I'm sure you girls will have fun.

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️As long as she doesn't embarrass me!

Captaindork-maybe she won't. Well hate to cut this short, but I need to get to bed. I have a long day tomorrow. I probably wont' be able to message you until later in the day. I will be on set all day!

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️Okay. I understand. Hope you have a great day!

Captaindork-Thanks. You too. ☺️

Merida finished her movie then cleaned up her dishes and after she brushed her teeth, took her contacts out and washed her face then climbed into bed. She had another wonderful dream about Chris. When her alarm whet off the next morning she groaned. She rolled over and saw she had a message.

Captaindork-Good morning Merida! Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day! Have fun tonight!

Awww, Chris is so sweet. Merida thinks to herself. She saw he had sent it at 4:30 am.

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️Thanks! I love the picture. I will let you know how it goes ☺️

Merida got up and got ready for her day. She got a quick shower, changed and then got herself a bowl of cereal and some coffee. After she finished she quickly washed her dishes and brushed her teeth then left for work. When she got to work she saw someone had decorated her door.

Merida smiled and walked into her classroom. She started her day. She changed diapers and played with her kids in centers. They painted, built towers and read books. The day seemed to drag. At nap time one of her coworkers brought her a piece of cake they had made. She sat and ate her cake and scrolled through Instagram. She didn't see anything from Chris. She remembered him telling her he would busy on set all day. She didn't hear from him at all. She missed talking to him during nap time. When the end of the day came, she cleaned her room and headed home. She got a quick shower and got dressed. She decided to dress up a little.

The star necklace was a gift from her father for her last birthday. By the time she finished applying her make up, she was changing her purse when she heard the knock on the door.

   "Hey girl!"

            "Hey! You like nice. I love that dress! I don't think I have ever seen you wear that before."

            "Yeah I got it a while back but never wore it."

            "It looks good on you. Are you ready to go."

            "Yep. Let me just grab my purse. I was in the process of changing purses when you knocked on the door."

Merida left the room and was back a few minutes carrying her purse.

            "Alright lets go."

The girls headed to Tiffany's blue camero. As Tiffany was pulling out Merida says, "Oh Chris messaged me this morning and wished me happy birthday. He sent me the cutest picture."

Merida shows Tiffany. Tiffany glanced at it then back to the road.

            "Is it all the Disney characters?"

            "Yep. Most of them."

            "That's cute. Are you still thinking it's really him?"

            Merida didn't answer.

            "Merida, I'm telling you. It's a scammer. They are telling you its them, but they are fooling you. They are good! They know what they are doing. Please don't let them get to you. Don't believe everything they tell you alright?"

Merida didn't say anything back she just nodded her head. It was quiet the rest of the way to the restaurant. Merida didn't know where Tiffany was taking her. When Tiffany pulled into Olive Garden Merida got excited. Olive Garden was her favorite restaurant.

            "Tiffany! Olive Garden! Really?"

            "Yep. I know its your favorite."

The girls get out and head in. It is a little crowded. Tiffany goes up the podium and tells the lady how many.

            "It will be about 15 minutes." She hands Tiffany a buzzer.

The girls sit down and wait.

            "Merida."

            "What?"

            "You know I love you right?"

            "Yeah I know."

            "I am only looking out for you. I don't want to see you get hurt."

            "I know."

            "I..."

Before Tiffany can finish what she was going to say the buzzer goes off.

            "Looks like our table is ready," Merida says. Glad the conversation was over. She didn't want to argue with Tiffany and she knew that, that was what was going to happen.

The girls followed the lady to their table.

            "Your waitress will be right with you. Enjoy."

The girls start looking at their menu. Merida knows she wants to order peach tea. She doesn't have tea often, but she always orders it when she comes to Olive Garden. Its her favorite.

            "Get whatever you want. This is on me."

            "Thanks."

A waiter comes to the table.

            "I'm Ryan and I will be your waiter this evening. What I start you ladies off with to drink?"

Tiffany looks at Merida. "I'll have peach tea."

     "Good choice. And you miss?" he says looking at Tiffany.

            "I'll have just regular sweet tea."

            "Alright. Any appetizers?"

            "No thank you." Tiffany says.

            "Alright. I will be back shortly with your drinks."

Ryan left and the girls were alone.

            "So has Chris posted anything on Instagram recently?"

            "No. He's been busy filming all day."

            "Is that what Captaindork told you?" She said giving her a raised eyebrow

            "Yes that is what he said."

            "Mmm, well I'm sure he is busy. He is still working on his new movie. Which I do want to see by the way."

            "I'm still trying to decide if I want to see it. It's not really mind of movie. It looks rough."

            "But its got Chris Evans. I told you we can go and just drool over him."

Merida laughs. "Right. I'll think about it."

            Ryan comes back with their drinks.

            "A peach tea for you," he says setting it down in front of Merida.

            "And a regular sweet tea for you," he says setting it down in front of Tiffany.

            "Have you ladies decided what you want to order?"

            "Yes, I want to the Chicken Alfrado."

            "Do you want that grilled chicken?"

            "Yes please."

            "Salad or soup?"

            "Salad."

            "And you miss?" he asks looking at Tiffany.

            "I want the 5 cheese ziti al forno."

            "Would you like soup or salad?"

            "Salad."

            "Alright. I will have your salad and bread sticks out to you soon."

            Ryan left and the girls were alone once again. Just as Tiffany was fixing to speak Merida's phone went off. She pulled it out of her purse and looked.

Captaindork- ☺️hope your bday dinner is going well. And your welcome for the pic. I saw it and had to send it you. Hopefully Tiffany hasn't embarrassed you.

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️Not yet. But the night is still young ☺️ We are at Olive Garden

Captaindork-Nice! Great place! I'll let you enjoy your dinner. Talk to you later ☺️

Disneydoggrl83 ❤️Okay! And yes its my favorite restaurant. Talk to you later. I will let you know how it turns out. ☺️

Captaindork- ☺️👍

     "Who are you talking to? Him?"

            "Yes. He was saying he hoped my dinner was going well."

            "Oh, so you told him where you were going?"

            "Well this morning, I didn't know. But I just now told him where I was."

            "So he knows your not home!"

            "What? Well ya."

            "Merida! Never, ever tell a stranger your not home!"

            "Tiffany, relax. He doesn't know where I live or anything. We have never gotten that pacific."

            "Good! Don't!"

            "Geez, you think I'm stupid, but I'm not that stupid!"

            "I never said you were stupid. Naive at times maybe but not stupid!"

Merida didn't say anything back. Ryan returned with their bread sticks and Salad.

            "Would you like cheese on your salad?"

            "Yes."

            Ryan spread cheese on the salad then put it on the table.

            "Your food will be out shortly."

Merida put salad in her bowl and after Tiffany got hers, Tiffany said a prayer thanking them for the food. Merida remained quiet and ate her salad.

            "Merida, I'm sorry."

            "Tiff, its okay."

            "I know your mad at me. I know how much you want to believe its him. But it's not. Actors don't message fans."

            "Tiff, I said I'm fine. It's okay. I know your looking out for me. It's okay."

            "Alright. As long as we are cool and your not mad at me. I can't have my bff mad at me."

            "I'm not mad at you," Merida smiled.

            "Good."

The girls finished their salad and talked a little about their day. Merida told her what her coworkers did for her at work and about her kids. Then Ryan returned with their food. He put cheese on both their bowls.

            "Enjoy!"

Ryan leaves and the girls dig in.

            "This looks so good!" Tiffany says.

            "Yes, its been so long since I have had this."

The girls eat and when Ryan comes back to check on them Tiffany says

            "It's her birthday."

            "Oh it is! Well  Happy Birthday! I will bring you a dessert in a few," Ryan says looking at Merida and smiling then leaves.

            "Tiffany!"

            "Hey, you get a free dessert!"

            "Yeah but now they are going to sing to me!"

            "So, you get a dessert!"

By the time the girls finish their meal Ryan is back with the rest of the staff and they sing happy birthday to Merida. The rest of the staff leave. Ryan sets the brownie and ice cream down in front of Merida.

            "Happy Birthday! Enjoy," He smiles                        

"Can I get you anything?" He asks looking at Tiffany.

            "No thanks."

            "Alright. Well enjoy. I'll be back with the check." He smiles once again, then leaves.

            Merida looks up and sees Tiffany smiling at her.

            "What?"

            "That waiter was flirting with you."  

            "He was not!"

            "He was!"

            Merida takes a bite of her brownie. "Would you like a bite? Its good."

            "Sure." Tiffany takes a bite. They end up sharing the dessert. Ryan comes back.

            "Can I get you anything else?"

            "Nope, I think we are good thanks." Tiffany says.

            "Alright. Well here is your check. Just let me know when your ready. You girls have a goodnight," He smiles again looking at Merida then walks off.

            "Girl! He is so into you!"

            "He is not!"

            Tiffany opens up the black book where the check is.

            "OMG!"

            "What! What's wrong?"

            "Look at the bottom of the recit."

            Tiffany shows Merida the check and at the bottom is says.

Have a goodnight ladies. And to the birthday girl! Hope you have a wonderful night. Your beautiful! Call me 828-253-9701

"OMG! He gave me his number!"

            "I told you he was into you."

            "Well I'm not calling him."

            "Why not?"

            "Tiffany!"

            "What?"

            Tiffany pulls out her wallet and takes $50.00.

            "Your leaving him all that! How much was the bill?"

            "He was a good waiter!"

The girls stand up. Merida grabs her purse and they head out. As they leave they see Ryan behind the reister and he smiles at them and waves. They get to the car.

            "I think you should call him."

            "No! I am not calling a guy I met at a restaurant!"

            "But you will talk to someone you met online!"

            Merida glares at Tiffany then looks away out the window and keeps quiet.

As Tiffany pulls out of the parking lot she says, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. That was mean. Forgive me."

            "Sure."

Tiffany arrives at Merida's house and after Merida unlocks her door the girls head inside.

            "Why don't we go ahead and get into our pjs and watch Disney movies?"

            "Okay."

The girls change into their pjs. Merida pops some pop corn while Tiffany finds a movie.

            "Why don't we watch Robin Hood first."

            "Sounds good." Merida says carrying the bowl of popcorn.

Just as the movie starts Merida hears her phone. She looks down and sees it's a video call from Captaindork

            "OMG!"

            "What?"

            "Chris is video calling me. The last time he did it, he said it was an accident."

            "Answer it. I want to see him for myself."

Merida hits accept.

            "Hey!"

            "Shit! I did it again. I'm sorry."

            Merida laughs. "It's okay. I wondered if you did it on purpose this time."

            "No, I was fixing to message you and I hit the video by mistake. I am not use to using Instagram this way."

            "It's okay. Tiffany is right beside me just so you know." Merida says turning the screen a little so Chris can see her.

            "Hey Tiffany. So you're the friend I have heard so much about."

            "That would be me."

            "So how was dinner? Did Tiffany embarrass you?"

            "Yes! She told the waiter it was my birthday and then he and the rest of the staff sang to me."

            "But she got free dessert and the waiter has a crush on her."

            "Oh is that so?"

            "Tiffany!" Merida said elbowing her.

            "Yes, he wrote his number for her at the bottom of reciet."

            "Oh did he now?"

            "Tiffany hush!" Merida said elbowing her again.

Chris laughs.

            "So are you calling him?"

            "No!"

            "Why not? Sounds like he might like you."

            "I'm not calling him."

            "Sounds like I have some competition." Chris smiles.

Merida just smiled. She didn't know what to say. Tiffany just shook her head.

            "So what are you girls up to?"

            "Well we are fixing to watch Robin Hood and eat some popcorn."

            "Sounds fun. I'll let you watch your movie. Have fun. I'll talk to you later. Goodnight Merida."

            "Goodnight Chris."

Chris ends the call. Merida looks over at Tiffany.

            "Do you still think it wasn't him?"

            "It certainly looked and sounded like him but I'm telling you they can fool you. They are good."

            "Okay whatever, lets just watch the movie."

            "I did sense a little bit of jealousy though when we told him about the waiter."

            "What! No."

            "Yes. He did say he had some competition."

            "Well he doesn't have to worry. I'm not calling Ryan."

            "Well maybe he will call you."

            "What! How?"

            "I might have written your number at the bottom of the receipt." Tiffany says smiling.

            "You did not!"

Tiffany smiles and starts the movie. When the movie ends the girls decide to find something on tv. Merida sees the movie The Greatest Show Man on.

            "Oh! I love that movie! Lets watch that! I know its your favorite!"

            "No!"

            "Why? I thought you loved that movie."

            "Not anymore."

            "Why not?"

            Tiffany is quiet for a minute.

            "Tiff. What's wrong? Tell me."

            "I don't like Zac Efron anymore."

            "Why not? You use to love him."

            "Used to!"

            "What happened?"

            Tiffany is quiet again for several minutes. She takes a deep breath then says, "I was scammed by someone pretending to be him."

            "What! When?"

            "A year ago."

            "Why did you never tell me?"

            "I was embarrassed. That's why I have been so hard you. The same thing happened to me that is happing to you. He messged me and made me think it was him. He video called me and it looked just like him, sounded just like him, but it wasn't him."

            "How did you find out it wasn't?"

            "Well at first I didn't think anything about it when he told me to send money to meet him. Said he would help me with what he could, but that I had to send a little."

            "You didn't!"

            "I did!"

             "What happened next?"

            "Well he kept on asking for money!"

            "You didn't give him more did you?"

            "I told him I couldn't send anymore."

            "Then what happened?"

            "He kept on asking. Saying he really wanted to meet him and that it was the only way for me to meet him. That he wished he could just come to NC to see me but he couldn't."

            "What did you do?"

            "I told him I wouldn't send anymore money. Then a few days later his profile on Instagram was gone and then there was a message from Zac Efron on his page about being aware of scammers pretending to be him. That he has not messaged any fans."

            "OMG! Girl I'm sorry. Wish you had told me."

            "Yeah. So now you understand why I am so hard on you."

            "Yes I do."

            "So be careful alright."

            "I will, but Chris has not asked for any personal info or money."

            "Yet! Zac didn't at first. We talked for a month before he started asking for it."

            "Oh. Well thanks for telling me."

            "Your welcome. I care about you girl and want the best for you."

            "I know you do. Thanks."

            "Oh and by the way. I do have a gift for you, but I left it at home. I couldn't bring it with me. I didn't want to leave it in the car while we went to eat. I will get it tomorrow."

            "Oh okay. Well you didn't have to get me anything. The dinner was enough."

            Tiffany smiled. "So what do we watch? Oh how about this?"

She asked clicking on The Last Song.

            "Sure, I like that movie."

The girls watch the movie. The whole time Merida is thinking about what Tiffany told her. If all she said was true, which she knew it was, she knew Tiffany wouldn't lie to her, Chris could be fake. But Merida just knew in her heart that it was really Chris Evans she was talking to, but she knew she needed to be careful after what Tiffany told her.

[sweet-little-iris]

I posted 661 times in 2022

That's 646 more posts than 2021!

112 posts created (17%)

549 posts reblogged (83%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@heavyarms55

@rinlanddess

@lets-talk-panties

@want-to-be-iris

I tagged 637 of my posts in 2022

Only 4% of my posts had no tags

#femininity - 254 posts

#tgcomic - 98 posts

#feminization - 97 posts

#cuteness - 65 posts

#owned sub - 59 posts

#genshin - 38 posts

#female pov - 35 posts

#hypnosis - 21 posts

#youtube - 16 posts

#mind control - 14 posts

Longest Tag: 35 characters

#i just want a normal life as a girl

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I got to take some new pics today!! What do you like better, black or white?

49 notes - Posted May 16, 2022

#4

Me and a lot of the mutuals I've interacted with

54 notes - Posted February 22, 2022

#3

Way back around middle school, I began to realize my deep need to be feminine, and I fought it every day, even wearing oversized clothes to hide my slender frame because i "shouldnt" be feminine. In my first year of high school, a friend left her onepiece swimsuit at camp and it was given to me to deliver it... Of course I tried it on, and it blew my mind! The fight ended that day, femininity won with a single blow. It wasn't a sudden total change, but it was a decisive victory.

True story. I cannot deny the power of the swimsuit!

78 notes - Posted April 7, 2022

#2

Michael was a lazy jobless freeloader. Like many other people, he would stop by the fancy chocolate store for the free samples when he was at the mall each weekend, but he would always take extra, despite being told to stop.

One day the clerk told him he had a new flavor he'd like him to taste test, since he was one of their best customers, if not a paying one. Michael wouldn't turn down free chocolate, so of course he agreed, signed the NDA and stuff without bothering to read it, of course, and was taken to the back room.

He woke up on a bench as the mall was closing, and couldn't even remember going for his free sample, but he had a big box of chocolates from that store, and it had a note attached which read "our FREE gift to you!", So... free stuff, whatever!

He rationed the chocolates out over the week. He'd never had anything quite like them, very tasty! Each one seemed to melt into his very core. Even better, he was losing weight, and nothing else had changed, so it must have been the new chocolates! But when the weekend rolled around he was out, and he wanted more... He needed more!

He went back to the store and was welcomed, and ushered back into the back room, and woke up on the bench again, with no memories, and with another free box. It felt hard to think too hard about it... or about anything, really. It's free and it's amazing! So he stopped thinking too hard and left.

Over the next week his hair started growing faster, but he'd always wanted to try a manly ponytail, right? So he put it up... higher... higher, yes, now that's a manly ponytail that will sway nicely as he walks! Time to go to the mall and snag some more chocolates!

He woke up on the bench, as usual, but he didn't care. Thinking about it was hard. He took the bag of stuff home and went about his week, eating his chocolates every day. By the end of the week his nipples we're getting really sensitive and rubbing against his shirt, and looking for a solution he found that bag of stuff had a cow pattern bikini top. Huh. Well, it would do the job, and no one would notice, and thinking about it was hard, so he just put it on and felt much better. Off to the mall!

He woke up happy and took his bag to go home. Where was his shirt? Everyone could see his bikini! Well, thinking about it was too hard, so he didn't. He'd figure it out later. By the end of the week he had lost so much weight that his pants weren't fitting, they were so baggy and even too long, somehow! Stupid washing machine, it messed up his undies, too! Lucky for him he found some skinny jeans that fit perfectly in the bag from the mall! Yay! They made his ass look really girly, but whatever, thinking about it was too hard. The problem was without undies that fit, his cock was uncomfortable. Digging through the bags he found a cow print thong bikini. He tried to think if it was ok to wear, but thinking was hard, and it did match his top, so whatever. He tucked his little cock back into it, put the jeans back on, and was looking good and manly with a nice flat front! He put his hair up threw on a baggy shirt that hung off one shoulder sometimes, showing his bikini top, and headed out, hips swaying with every step thanks to his narrow manly waist.

He woke up missing his shirt again, but that's ok, it was too baggy anyway, stupid washing machine. By the end of this week he realized he needed new shoes. His were feeling waaay to big! Lucky! He found some that fit super good in his mall bag! They were pink and white sneakers, but at least they fit and were cute so no use in thinking about it. His socks were all too big, though, stupid washing machine. The bag had some that fit, but why were they were sooo long? And cow print... and missing the heel? Weird. Whatever, he threw them on and just bunched them down around his ankles. It was kind of a hot day so he didn't want to wear pants. He had found some shorts in one of the older bags when he was tidying up. They hugged his round ass and were really cute and short, leaving a lot of leg exposed, but that was ok, because he had shaved his legs this morning, so he didn't think about it, thinking was hard. He left, not thinking to put a shirt over his bikini top, which cradled his growing chest nicely.

He woke up again with a new bag and a new batch of free chocolate, yay! His thigh high stockings were pulled all the way up, now, where they belonged, and as he moved he heard a sweet clinking sound from the little cowbell on the cutest little collar fastened around his neck! He noticed some guys looking at him, but they were probably just jealous of all his great gree stuff. This week he pulled his cow print thong up over his cute little pussy, which, he made sure was hairless and smooth, wedged it between his round butt cheeks. His large breasts felt full of milk as he tucked them into his cow print bikini top. He rolled the thigh high cow print stockings up his soft legs, which he shaved like any man should. The collar was still around his neck, it seemed to be locked, so he didn't bother trying to take it off anymore. His hair was bothering him, today, he just couldn't get it right, so he just put it in a kind of double bun twintail style, and threw on a cow ear hairband that he found in a bag along with the cutest cow print gloves! They matched his outfit so well! But as he looked at his petite feminine form in the mirror, a single clear thought finally pierced the fog in his head... ... ... ... He needed makeup! Fortunately he had gotten some for free in his bag, so he applied a light touch with some eyeliner and lip gloss, just the basics any man needs, which completed the look. He slipped on his cute shoes, and headed out to the mall.

He woke up in a stall and his breasts felt really really full! He wobbled sleepily over to the door, cowbell clinking, and called out. Thank goodness, the clerk from the chocolate store was there! He'd help! Before he could even think of anything to say, the clerk led him to a machine, bent him over and strapped him in. Pulling his top down, the clerk hooked up suction pumps to his nipples, and he moaned, sweetly as the milk flowed out from him, not even caring that the clerk was caressing his sweet ass. The clerk said something about his milk making more special chocolates... and girls? It was hard to follow so he didn't really try. Then there was something about a finder's fee, as he felt his thong pulled to the side and something warm and stiff slide into his pussy, making him moan more as the milk flowed out of him, and he lost track of time...

A week later he was sitting dazedly locked in his stall, happily reflecting on his situation. A free place to live, free food, free pampering and milking, and all the free chocolate he could eat! What more could a man want? He always did know how to take advantage of generosity!

Story Source: @sweet-little-iris

Image Source: Pixiv

297 notes - Posted January 8, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

427 notes - Posted April 13, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[flames-memory]

Saturday

Massimo Antonio Fiorentino

It's sounds so fancy heh.

That goes in here first. Massimo.. omg.. My Max. He says Max fits him better.. I agree.

I didn't let anyone see.. but I got an outfit kinda.. a tribute to BC. I took a pic and sent it to her.. show her I was missing her, and thinking about her. It's a bit of me, a bit of her. I'll post a gallery of pics, I think. I keep taking them.

So.. Max was late, work ran late, but it was worth it. I waited for him in the pool at Oasis, and Flannery showed up. I thought I avoided her, but she found me in the pool, waiting. She asked if she should come back after saying her hellos, but I told her Max should be there by then... Bitch had the audacity to say "Who's Max?" Like.. the man what been standing next to me, making sure you know I am not looking for your companionship every single other time you met me.

Do NOT minimize or ignore my boyfriend, bitch. Max is sexier than you are in your dreams.

We chilled in the pool for a while, talked about the things you talk about, learning about each other a bit more. Just what I wanted this weekend.

Later, He introduced me to a friend, Helga - she's fun! Great big german chick, I trailed after on a job, putting my pain management abilities to good use making her tougher, and keeping her alive. I might got muy butt kicked a few times, but I learned a lot.

Max and I went back to the beach house after. We spent some time rebuilding what had fallen down since last time - not so much from exertion on our part as from a general lack of proper building code.

By the time we had it back in proper form, we were both flirting pretty outrageously.. it got very silly, but somehow, that made it even better. Laughing with him while I kissed him.. and other stuff.. wow. It was a very good night.. and the fort is pretty much destroyed.

We spilled m&ms and reece's in the fort. I'll have to make sure I clean them all up.. Max only got a few, kissing them off my back where they got stuck!

Max is a bit like a romantic movie come to life. Things I've done, I thought they'd jaded me, and then BC showed me, I have no idea. Max.. Max showed me I really, really have no idea. There was.. fun, and passion, and it was so intense. Just him and me, the same apparent need to see the other person lost in the moment. There are words, but they don't fit. Not special enough.

Who knew it could be like this, and why wasn't I told until now? Two weeks, with BC and Max, and it's lifetimes compared to all the years before.

While I was sleeping still, Max woke up first. He said I had a pretty good octopus hold going, but he was able to slip out and replace himself with the pillow he'd been sleeping on. He told me I hugged the pillow.. all I remember is kissing him before I fell asleep again. Apparently, I started to kiss the pillow.. it's ridiculous. And adorable. He wasn't letting the pillow have his kiss :P

When I did wake all the way up a little bit later, I was hugging the pillow that still smelled like him, and I could hear whistling.. That man was in the kitchen cooking pancakes. He.. made me food. like, from scratch. I sat at the little counter thing, and he cooked, and we talked, and he was so adorably cute. He kept saying stupid stuff like, "The orange juice tastes so much better today," and omg..

How is he so perfect?

I learned his real name, and about his family. He didn't become a mobster like them. He was like me.. as a kid, kinda. Big family, but still.. just lost and generally getting into trouble. He joined the military, then volunteered for the labs.. I was found by the labs, and in the end, we both got our powers. Different, but also so similar. It's strange, that we found each other at all.

He can't go back to his family - none of them. They let him live, in return for not showing his face and "embarrassing" them. Ridiculous people. Max is amazing.

Oh, and we met the oddest dude called The Night-Star. VERY odd. Hero. Not sure he caught on that we.. aren't. heh heh.

[blonde-n-dirty]

Thanks babe, it's really a joy and boost getting compliments from you. And there's nothing wrong with taking it easy on your bday, I think it becomes normal for some people the older we get. And since I just got home, I'm going to take some shots just for you on your day!!

Also, if you do end up doing something today, be sure to let me know how you celebrate and take plenty of bday selfies 😉 -Lonely

Hehe I had the best birthday I could’ve asked for, I haven’t gone through the pics yet but I think I took a lot through the whole weekend celebration lol I’ll go thru them today & send em😉

I hope you got wasted for me lol I guess 29 is being a lightweight because I had 4 drinks at Applebees, then made 2 at home, & I guess I laughed myself to sleep my husband said😂 I don’t remember taking any pics either but I have a lot so must’ve had a really good time🙈

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

05/03/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Samba Schutt; Nathan Foad; Erroll Shand; AdoptOurCrew Convention Guide; Our Flag Makes A Difference; Fan Spotlight; MerMay; Love Notes; Daily Darby/Tonight's Taika

== Cast & Crew Sightings ==

= Rhys Darby =

Samba did some great impressions of Rhys in his video below, but as much as we love those impressions sometimes there's no replacement for the real thing! So here's some Darby for you today!

Img Src: Samba's Instagram

But wait-- there's more! New Cryptid Factor Episode! Check it out here on Spotify.

= Taika Waititi =

A quick additional photo from the shoot Taika did not too long ago! Photography by @atibaphoto Creative direction by @justinoshea

Img Src: christinecentenara Instagram

In addition, Rita uploaded some quick photos of Taika today from the other TYPEBEA launch at a Sephora in NYC-- they were quickly deleted, so maybe they'll show up later again on her instagram. Thanks to @taikaarchives for catching them!

Img Src: The Taika Archives on Twitter

== Samba Schutte ==

Samba's still raising money for @everymomcounts! You can still get access to his Crew For Life Shirt, as well as his Mother's Day Weekend baking class where he'll be making Rhys' favorite: Rosy Maple Moth Pie! Wanna get it on it? Head on over to: Stands for the shirt/cooking class, or just the cooking class here.

== Erroll Shand ==

Just a quick snapshot with Erroll and his pups <3 Always good to see him pop up on our feeds.

= Nathan Foad =

Nathan's always gotta look cute for the camera doesn't he?

Img Src: Nathan Foad's IG

== Adopt Our Crew ==

Our friends over at Adopt Our Crew have created a Convention Calendar for 2024! First up is Basingstoke Comic Con May 10-12! Remember to tag them on IG and Twitter if you want to share pics, videos, etc!

Source: @adoptourcrew Twitter

== Our Flag Makes A Difference ==

Some of our lovely crew over at Our Flag Makes A Difference have started a new fundraiser, this time for the student protesters across the country who have been wrongfully arrested. If this is a cause you're interested in / have the capacity to hhelp out with, feel free to visit the GiveButter page. They're already at $1245 of their $10000 Goal.

== Articles ==

== Fan Spotlight ==

= Cast Cards =

@melvisik's Cast Cards tonight is for James Barrington! One of the English Soliders that deserved to get slapped by Roach!

Src: @melvisik's Twitter

== OFMD Colouring Pages ==

More title cards from @patchworkpiratebear! Have some free time and need something to relax to? Pull out some crayons or art supplies and get those creative juices flowing!

= Stede & Ed (Calvin & Hobbes Redraw) =

More Stede & Ed comics by our magnificant @blakbonnet! She's given us so many adorable Calvin & Hobbes Redraws! Thank you Meow for giving us something silly and fun to look forward to in these crazy days. Please head over to her blog and send her some love <3

== MerMay ==

= Day 3: "A curse is a curse" =

= @blueberreads =

It's an older model-- but it checks out! Our kind and creative crewmate @blueberreads submitted a gif they made previously for today's MerMay! I'm not complaining! More cursed suit please!

= @snejpowa =

Our glorious and generous crewmate @snejpowa has been participating in the SaveOFMD Crew's MerMay as well! Check out some of their submissions below!

== Love Notes ==

Hey Lovelies, it's been another very long day-- but we made it! We made it to the end of the week! Tomorrow is Saturday (it already is for some of you) so please oh please take some time to relax and get outside for a few minutes if you can.

I am fading fast, but I wanted to still send some love, so here's some notes from some other folks. Love you crew, take care of yourselves and do whatever you need to do to unwind this weekend (cry, draw, write, scream into the void, go outside for a walk, whatever you need).

Stay soft lovelies <3

Art below by @thelatestkate

== Daily Darby / Tonight's Taika ==

This weekend we're going to be watching WWDITS 2014 + Rhys' episode of Wellington Paranormal, and Love birds on the RhysDarbyFaction server, so those movies are the theme tonight! Wanna join us? They start at 1 pm MT / 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET each day.

Tonight's gifs are courtesy of @ deliciousnecks and @ fandomsmeantheworldtome

[keefwho]

October 30 - 2023 Monday

3:06pm

Still thinking about what I want to do with myself to start changing something. I think constantly trying to express myself is a good first direction. Its just barely started helping me get a grip on who I am and made me feel a little free like I used to. First and foremost anything I feel is valid and my wants are appropriate, until I determine they aren't. I guess I'm trying to take a sort of "innocent until proven guilty" kind of approach with myself because I'm too used to shooting myself down right away. This is a sort of extreme opposite response.

Its hard to know when to act on something. I can't constantly keep trying to figure things out because it gets tiring and inefficient. Maybe it's every time I feel stressed/sorrowful which is unfortunately very often because I feel like my problems go deep. Maybe every time I feel like writing or talking about it means I can do something to address my current state. I know I want to do acting more than talking, I've fallen into the talking trap. I know I used Daisy to feel better under the guise that a "talk" will help but it usually doesn't. The occasional emotional support is healthy but I've caught myself wanting to talk basically all the time like she's my therapist. It's not fair to her and not effective for me so I will be cognizant of that moving forward. That being said, there are some things I think I do want to talk with her about as long as I can confirm to myself that it is actually needed and I'm not just overcommunicating. I intend to do this right because I care about whatever is going on between us. Dare I say it's one of my top 3 priorities.

I feel afraid to admit that sometimes because I'm reminded of a previous dynamic where the other party was so interested in me but I wasn't reciprocating in the way they wanted. In my case it made me distance from them even more because I got more and more uncomfortable. But I sorta led them on because I didn't want to let them down and at the same time I was convincing myself that I wanted to be there. But I didn't. So I have unfounded fears that I am that same position but I'm the one caring too much and pushing her away. It's the only experience I have which kinda sucks.

8:17pm

Another evening spent feeling a little forgotten. I don't have any reason to on the surface and I know that. But I feel like this a lot and that's okay. As long as I come to terms with it I can figure out how I want to proceed. I'm just so tired of every day being a fight. Its like nothing can be good. Even if things are, I assume they aren't going to last and catastrophe is just around the corner. I so rarely feel okay anymore.

10:46pm

I don't really wanna talk about my day right now but I'll at least summarize. I have lots of weird feelings right now and way too much on my mind.

Breakfast was a jimmy dean sandwich and rice. I had to go to the store to pick up some water and soda and my weekend drinks but they were out of water. Mom was supposed to pick some up for me when they got more in today but she must have forgot. I'll live as long as I get it tomorrow. Stream went well. I remember doing Inktober well and the commission. I ran out of things to work on though because I needed responses from people but I worked the rayman meme thing I had with Daisy's horse.

Afterwards I did my workout well, I was a monster on the treadmill. Also cleaned up just a bit before showering again. I took care of myself while I was at it which made me late to lunch. Lunch was some more homemade soup I've been making lately. Its a really good meal, especially after a workout. Since there was no way to stick to my usual schedule, I made sure to revise it and stick to the new times all day. I got the request done quickly and finished that rayman pic before moving onto a drawing of Zipp I had on my desktop. Afterwards I played some Cities, some dungeons, and watched Twitch kinda on and off. I took care of myself again because I was stressed out I guess and wanted a distraction. Daisy called at bedtime and we chatted just a little bit before she fell asleep.

I think I want to make this blog only about recounting what happened on a given day and I might make a new one for my deepest darkest feelings. If I do that it might be on a different website and totally anonymous. I should probably just have a physical journal to write in or a notepad file or something but I do want them to be maybe potentially witnessed by strangers. I just want to be seen in a way. But since I'll be dumping some pretty heavy and specific stuff it's gotta stay extra secret.

[lifeprotologism]

I thought I had it all. A person who loved me, my son and a soon to be future together as a family. I felt complete and content with what little I had, I wanted nothing more, nothing less.

It didn’t take minute to shatter all that and when it did, I was broken. I didn’t even know heart break was this painful. I fell apart and it’s taken me years to recover. I felt physically ill everytime I was alone. I survived to during the day and focused on work cos I had bills to pay! I would walk to pick my son up and put on the brightest smile when I hugged him. For that brief moment, I felt calm. I chatted all the way home, holding his tiny hands with mine and made sure he could never see me in pain. But when slept and I found that time to be alone, I howled like it was death!

I didn’t know I could love someone so much that they would become my last. No one matters and I have lost all interest. I hit a new low every week and this went on for years! Years!!! Who griefs for this long without any hope??? I used to lock myself in my room and spend my entire weekend crying …I don’t know when the tears cried or when I dozed off. I was in constant pain and I could not imagine moving on. I didn’t want to and I didn’t need to. I felt I would go crazy cos nothing in this world mattered. So many times, I wanted to end all the pain I was feeling, cos I just could no longer continue. But somehow I pulled through.

I cannot fathom the years it’s taken me. This year, she told me she loved me. I had mixed feelings about it. Somewhere deep down, I couldn’t believe it and maybe I didn’t want to. There was intermittent connection and she didn’t know my struggle. I wasn’t over the first hurt to get involved again. I just cannot do that to my heart.

My heart did break again and I realised at that point that it never healed, not even a fraction of it healed. I had scheduled system to manage the pain. I sadly got used to it that it now became a part of me.

I know you fall in love so many times but when I fell in love with her, I knew I could never again. This was it for me. I’ve broken up with her 7 years this day but my love has remained the same. She doesn’t deserve it. She left me hanging at a time I most needed her. There are stories about me she’s made which disgusts me. And yet, I love her. I expected nothing, I asked for nothing except for her time. There was our entire relationship and it meant nothing to her!

I recently went home and met her friend. She showed me pics of them on holiday and told me that they are happy, they always were together. I felt so cheated.

I have started to recall the reason for our fights. It was always her. I told her I was going to nz to see my mom and what the conditions were. I had the courage to tell her the truth but maybe in the end, I didn’t feel safe and lied again. I remembered her leaving me at the bus stop in india and telling me to go! I remembered how abusive she was that day! And I remembered why we fought - she was texting her. I’ve started to recall why I needed to go see my mom. I needed grounding - I was lost and I accepted her decision. Today, I can still visit my mom, and that’s important.

In hindsight, nothing matters. My heart remains so broken. I don’t think it will ever heal, it’s no longer capable of love and I have started to feel that ending all this is the only solution. This darkness has once again consumed me.

[angry-geese]

ex-husband!gojo on the brain today

Warnings: not sfw/mdni. toxic relationships. slight yandere Gojo (tagging just in case). mention of public sex, mention of nudes (dick picks mostly), thigh fucking, thigh kink, breeding mention (how'd that get in there lol), could be interpreted as sorcerer/non sorcerer au. reader's gender isn't specified

not beta read so apologies in advance for any errors

he still wears his ring. is absolutely insufferable about it too. will ask you constantly where yours is and looks so offended when you tell him you've taken it off

when you move out it takes him a total of three days to track down your new address. even less time if you have kids with him

uses aforementioned kids to spend as much time at your new place as possible

it's under the guise of visitation (you wouldn't want to ruin his relationship with the kids, right? right??) but he spends the entire time pestering you

will say he's too drunk to drive home and asks if he can crash on your couch. if you agree, you'll eventually wake up to him beside you in bed (he says he was only sleepwalking but you both know he did it on purpose)

shows up at your work. usually with gifts. all of your coworkers say how lucky you are to have a husband like him until you tell them you're in the process of a divorce

insists on walking you home after work. will quite literally wait outside your work until your shift ends. if you refuse and tell him to piss off he just follows you anyway

if you continue to refuse his gifts he'll have flowers sent to your work

nothing short of moving across the world is going to get him off your trail. and even then, he has the resources to follow you. (could you really uproot your life like that? not to mention moving all that way would be expensive)

yeah you're not getting away from this guy

nsfw under the cut//

gojo is... touchy no matter what. and that doesn't change just because you're trying to leave him

make up sex is a given (sorry not sorry)

shamelessly sends you dick pics. doesn't matter where either of you are. sometimes they're sandwiched between completely normal pictures of you and your kids or photos of things that remind him of you

best not to open any pictures he sends you while you're at work

sometimes you end up with pictures of yourself- ones you remember him taking, and ones you never knew were taken in the first place

or you end up with videos of him fucking other people. by then he's stopped sleeping around but he still sends them to you to get a reaction

have i mentioned he's shameless? because he will try to make out with you in public. doesn't matter if you're at your work, or if you've "accidentally" bumped into him at the grocery store

not opposed to quickies- will quite literally bend you over the moment you find some privacy, be it a bathroom or a back alley. prefers to take his time with you but is really just content so long as he has you (shameless enough that it doesn't matter if you're practically in public)

moans nearly as loud as you if he's giving oral (the guy may be pretty bad with words but at least he's good with his mouth)

will, whether you like it or not, use his cursed technique to teleport you back to your (his) apartment

at least he makes you breakfast the morning after. good luck walking though

...

It wasn't rare for him to stop by unannounced- usually under the guise of visiting the kids. You didn't want their relationship with their father to suffer after the divorce, so reluctantly you agreed to give him weekends and certain holidays. Sudden visits like this are tolerated, but barely.

You made the mistake of offering him a drink.

Really, by now, you should have known better. You should have known that Satoru would find some way to twist the situation. But a few glasses of wine were necessary when it came to tolerating his antics. It's best to try to get him to leave as soon as he shows up. Getting him to leave gets harder the longer he stays.

You've always known the guy was a lightweight. That's one of the few things that hasn't changed about him. Yet, you didn't stop him as he poured his second, third, or fourth glass.

He deemed himself too drunk to drive. Whether out of pity, or a lapse of judgement, you let him crash on your couch.

He appears sound asleep by the time you're getting ready for bed. Thinking he'll let himself out, you toss a blanket over him and go to bed.

You're so used to waking up in the middle of the night because of the kids, that when it happens again, you think nothing of it. As long as the apartment isn't burning down, or one of them hasn't thrown up, you can go back to sleep with no problem.

Today is different. Neither of them are at the door to your room like you're expecting. But your name was called.

It's Satoru. Sat on his knees in front of you, with only his boxers left on, shamelessly palming himself through the fabric. You groan at him to go away- or at least back to the couch.

He's caging you under his arms, fondling your chest, and hips. Large hands wandering your body, taking in every curve and angle of your form.

It's not his fault. He can't help it when you're laid out before him like a meal. Plush thighs spreading to accompany him. Sleep shirt pushed up past your hips to reveal that you're wearing nothing underneath.

"Look who's finally awake," he says, pressing a wet kiss to your forehead, "hey, Mochi."

"The kids-"

Satoru silences you with a kiss. A quick peck- nothing more. He tastes faintly of wine, and he's flushed bright red from forehead to chest. He's shoving your legs together, boxers shoved down his hips, cock pressed between your slick-coated thighs. The head of his cock is weeping precum all across your thighs and stomach. Its such a mess. You're both a mess. Each thrust only makes his stomach burn with need. A need to cum. A need to fill you full of his seed.

But for now he'll settle on this; grabbing handfuls of your thighs. Those same thighs that have been wrapped around his head so many times.

He's far more sober than he looks. He's gotten quite good at that- pretending to be more sober than he really is. Not that he could handle his alcohol in the first place.

"They're both asleep," he says, with a grunt, "probably won't be up for a while. I'll be quiet, I promise."

You're almost ashamed at the slick that's collected between your thighs. Almost. Anger quickly overtakes any shame felt. He gathers some on his fingers, making a show of licking them.

He gives one last sloppy thrust before shooting hot ropes of his cum across your stomach, effectively ruining your sleep shirt.

"Would ya look at that," he says, leaning back to admire the mess he's made, "gotta say, I missed seeing you like this."

Your hands plant on his chest as you give him a good shove.

"Never again," you say, rolling onto your side.

He rolls onto the bed beside you, facing your back. This time you don't fight him as his arms wrap around you, pulling you flush to his chest. When he leans in for a kiss, you can taste yourself on him.

Gojo's lips find your neck and latch onto it, sucking a dark mark into it. He takes note of how your pulse quickens. His hand wanders down your stomach, only stopping for a moment to admire the mess he's made.

"I think I can change your mind," he says, "will you let me?"

"no."

The chuckle he lets out at this sounds coy, but you can hear the nervousness under it. His head falls into the crook of your neck, taking in the scent of your shampoo. Lavender- god- just like he remembers. Your fingers lace with his.

He's still wearing his ring.

[bratshaws]

goodness gracious 13. brb x oc

a/n: ngl this chapter made tear up just the tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniest bit :,) also! Ref pics of the clothes because idk if i managed to explain them correctly???

Bea's bikini

Rooster's shirt (in my mind the flowers are a deeper red but it is p much like this )

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: suggestive content, Bradley being a sweetheart (and still horny),Bea learning how to be bolder

chapters:

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist!!)

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @shrimping-for-all @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix

@lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

-

“You want me to go where, with you?”

Shells blinked, holding up the pamphlet, the pink paper with the words ‘Pole dancing class’ written in purple, “It’s free to go during the weekends.” Bea’s green eyes turned to the drawn figure of the pole dancer with her legs open wide while holding herself up. She honestly wasn’t expecting to see Shells so early in the morning, already in workout gear with her blonde hair pulled up.

Beatrice rubbed her tired eyes, trying to wipe the sleep away, “But–” she looked at her phone, “It’s eight in the morning.” and she planned to wake up a bit later today.

“Yeah! Her class starts at nine and if we go fast we’ll be able to get the last spots.” Shells grins, but her friend is still confused “Bea, come on! It’s fun! If we get the spots we’ll save up for the next classes!”

“The next classes?”

“Yep! Come first, get it first, that’s the deal.” the blonde explains, “Now change so we can go!” she turned Beatrice around, pushing her inside her house and kicking the door with her foot. Jolene greeted Shells with jumps on her leg, before following the two women up the stairs. Beatrice was still waking up, holding up the piece of paper to read it better as Shells rummaged through her clothes.

“Where did you get this?”

“The lady who teaches, her husband is a regular.” she explains, to which Bea gives her a confused look, “Short stocky guy, has a funny laugh and tips well.” it takes a minute but Beatrice’s face relaxes as she remembered, “He gave some of these to me in hopes I could find anyone in the bar who’d be interested.”

“Oh.” she flips the pamphlet to see if there’s any other information, only to find it blank. She dropped her hands to her lap, yawning quietly as Shells placed the outfit on the bed, “Hm…okay…do I think I should tell Roos?How long do you think we’ll be there?”

“From what I’ve seen her classes don’t last too long, two hours tops. So we’d be out of there at eleven.”

“Oh, okay, good.” she smiles, “We’re having lunch together today.” Beatrice rolled her eyes at Shells teasing ‘wooo’, standing up to grab the lycra pants from her friend’s grasp, then the sports bra and fresh underwear. She changed quickly once she got in the bathroom, slipping on her sneakers and pulling her hair in a ponytail, while Shells’ leg bounced impatiently on the top of the stairs.

“Finally!” the blonde said, grabbing her friend by the wrist, “I just checked her profile, there are only two spots left, we have to go now.”  Beatrice lets out a shout of surprise when Shells takes her down the stairs to the front door, bouncing on the spot as Bea locks it, then leading her to her own car. Bea complained about using her Subaru, but Shells shook her head, “No way we are using that fossil, we need to be quick!”

Beatrice frowns a bit but enters the silver Buick once Shells does the same, widening her eyes when the blonde steps on it, the tires screeching on the asphalt, “Shells!” 

“We’ll be fine!” she smiles, tossing a look to her friend’s shocked face, “Just gotta be there before the others!” Beatrice only nodded mutely, clenching the seatbelt in hopes she could stabilize herself with Shells’ driving. She was always a fast driver, but this was a whole other level compared to the times she took her to work. 

She didn’t even see much of the outside considering how blurry it had become, like a big kaleidoscope in real life. Beatrice’s body jolted forward a bit when Shells parked the car, she blinked while touching her arms, face and legs…okay she was still alive. “Come on!” Shells shouted, walking out of the car only for Bea to hurriedly to the same. Her friend suddenly grabbed her hand with force, speeding up her step.

Right on the opposite side of the sidewalk, were two other women who looked up the moment Shells parked and immediately hurried their steps towards the building they were all going into. Beatrice could hear Shells muttering curses as she practically dragged the brunette inside, “My name is Michelle Regina Benjamin! I was born on March 20th, 1995.” The woman writing down the names for today’s class jumped in surprise, Shells was looking down at her intensely.

The poor lady looked up at Beatrice, who smiled apologetically, “I-I’m Beatrice Schiavoni, S-c-h-i-a-v-o-n-i. I was born February 12th, 1993.`` She wrote both of their names, congratulating them on taking over the last two spots for the weekend, which made the blonde shout in triumph with her fists up in the air. Both Beatrice and the woman looked at her weirdly, with Bea awkwardly laughing and thanking the lady for her time.

“We fucking did it!” Shells fist pumped yet again, this time walking up a set of stairs with Bea next to her. There was music being played above their heads, which meant the studio was up the stairs.

“While I guess pole dancing is fun, did you have to be so…intense?”

Shells smirked, “Well, that’s because I saw her favored playlist and–” she pulls out her phone, opening the photo app, “Look!! Look!” The first name on the screenshot was no one other than Kylie Minogue, Shells favorite artist. Well, favoritism would be a light usage: Shells would talk about Kylie Minogue as if she was the most important deity in the whole world right now, no one would compare to what Miss Minogue was. Not to Shells at least.

“...ah, I see.” Bea nodded, the music getting louder as they reached the top steps.

“You know that if it has my Lord and Savior Kylie Minogue, I’m in…plus I’ve always wanted to do pole dance.” she hugs Beatrice to her side “aaaaand I’d have my best friend with me! So this will be very fun!”

They stop by a black door where they could hear the music pumping from the inside, Shells opening it up just enough to peek inside then nod towards Bea. It was a huge space with large windows that exposed the San Diego horizon, there was a radio on the corner of the room that vibrated with music, while in the center were eleven poles - two rows of five and one lonely pole in the front of them all - with enough space to be used by the group of people chilling about.

There were different body types and genders in the room, all of them wearing comfortable clothing for working out, some of them looked nervous just like she felt. Shells stood by Bea’s side while leaning on the wall opposite to the windows, waiting for the instructor to come inside.

It took a few minutes, but the lady finally stepped in. Bea and Shells were closer to the door so they saw the woman come in first. She was statuesque, tall and toned with long legs,her skin was tanned from being in the sun and her long black hair was up in a high ponytail. Bea and Shells looked mesmerized at the instructor, who smiled when turning to face them, “Hi! So good to see you girls here!” she dropped her pink duffel bag to the tiled floor, stepping to the middle of the room and clapping her hands once to call everyone’s attention.

Her name was Tiffany, but she wanted to be called Tiff for the time being of her class. She asked everyone’s names with a kind smile, then told them all to separate in duos, which Shells and Bea already were, then choose a pole to stand close by. She waited until everyone was settled, telling them to remove their shoes before stretching along with her.

Since Bea did yoga, some of the stretches were easy enough to do. She sent a quick look to Shells who winced while leaning forward to touch her toes, “You okay?”

“Oof, yeah.” the blonde grimaces, her face souring up “Just…my back feels tight.”

“Because you don’t stretch,” Bea says with a smile, giggling when Shells sends a glare her way, “I always tell you to.”

“Oh shush.” Then a quiet ‘ow’ follows soon after, with the blonde still grimacing when the stretching session is over. Tiff tells them to first and foremost clean their pole with the microfiber rag and alcohol solution she had separated for all of them in the back of the room, expressing that it has to be a sleek surface so their hands can hold without slipping.

When they patted the chalk on their hands, that’s when it began. Tiff said she’d start small since they were all beginners, going for a back arch then a back bend,reminding them all that they could make it sensual even the simplest of movements. It wasn’t bad, it was actually very fun, especially when they started climbing up the pole.

It was their first class so everyone was a bit nervous or stiff when it comes to what to do, but Beatrice couldn’t help but smile when she managed to do a carousel spin - a bit slow but she did it! - making sure to follow Tiff’s directions when it comes to be more sensual, tossing her hair back or bending her back in a certain way.

She’d never…managed to be sensual like Tiff said, but she couldn’t lie she felt really good doing so. This was very fun, more than she thought it’d be. By the time the class was over, she was sweaty and breathing heavily, but she didn’t think she would’ve liked it so much.She turned over to Shells who was leaning her butt against the wall while her hands were on top of her knees, supporting her upper body “That was fun!” the blonde nodded, chugging half of her water bottle, “We should definitely do it again.”

“Sure.” Shells says, swallowing her water down harshly, “Why not?” Funnily enough the blonde didn’t seem as excited as the brunette was. 

Beatrice walked up to Tiff who was fixing up her things for her next class, “Um, excuse me.” Tiff looked over her shoulder to Bea then smiled, “Do you only do classes on the weekends…or?”

“Saturday are free classes, my classes go from Tuesday to Friday,the same time as right now, if you are interested.”

“Well I,” she looked back at Shells who still looked way out of breath, but who pushed herself off the wall to walk closer, placing her hands on her hips, “I’m interested! Shells too right?” the less than attentive ‘yup’ didn’t falter Bea’s enthusiasm.

“Well, I’m so glad!” Tiff smiled, “Kendra can help you guys downstairs if you guys want to be part of the weekly class.” She thanked the two girls again before they went down the staircase, back to the jumpy woman from the beginning - Kendra - to set everything right for their classes.

Now that the worst had passed, Shells seemed just as thrilled as Bea was while giving Kendra the rest of the information needed to make them actively part of the class. Bea’s phone pinged just as Shells was talking to Kendra, so she pulled it out of her lycra pants pockets already knowing who it was.

Roos’ (11:01)

Hey pretty girl. Still up for our lunch?

Bea (11:15)

Yeah! Of course! Sorry for the late reply :<

Roos’ (11:16)

Don’t worry gorgeous, do you want me to pick you up?

Bea (11:17)

Yes, please :3. I’ll just take a shower and I’ll call you, okay?

Roos’ (11:17)

Sounds like a plan ;) see you in a few then.

Beatrice bit her lower lip with a smile, before sliding the phone back inside her pocket. They thanked Kendra before walking out of the building, the sweat was now cooling down their skin thanks to the lack of movement and the wind outside, “That was so fun!” Bea smiles as the two march to Shells’ car, hearing the blonde unlock it by pressing the button on her key.

“It was very fun, I’m so happy you liked Bumblebea!” Shells said, while playfully jabbing her friend’s arm “Maybe you can use some moves on our resident Chanticleer, huh?”

“Wha– Shells!!” she shoved her friend’s shoulder while her cheeks heated up to the point of combustion, but the blonde just cackled in delight, “Don’t say things like that!”

“Whaat? It’s not like guys didn’t do anything yet, right?” she asks, still chuckling but her chuckles diminished when Bea remained silent, looking at her hands, “Right?”

“I-I…well…” Bea just wrung her hands together, feeling herself being analyzed by her friend’s gaze, “It’s just– It’s been a while for me.”

“Girl!” she slaps her hand on the Buick’s roof, the tang sound of the impact making Bea jump in surprise “How the hell are you not banging that man like a door in a hurricane!?” a few passersby looked their way since Shells’ intonation was less than quiet and no matter how much Beatrice tried to shush her, her friend was relentless, “Climbing that tree like a spider monkey? You couldn’t have pined after him for so long just to not rip his clothes off where he stood!”

“Shells!! Sssh!” 

“I’m sorry! I’m very shocked!” she threw her arms up in the air, “Listen, as much as I loathe to say this, my aunt and Mav got it on really quickly.” she grimaces, “Too quickly, don’t ask me how I know.” One of the less known bonuses of babysitting your little cousin was knowing things she never once desired to know and now she does. Unfortunately.

“I…I just feel, I dunno,” Shells arches her eyebrows, watching as Bea stood beside her against the car, “I mean, seeing me clothed is one thing…but-”

“Okay, alright, shush,” she smushed her index finger against Bea’s lips, pressing them down “Ssh shh shush! No more of this. You’ve seen how that man looks at you. Do you really think he wouldn’t be into your body even more?” Bea opened her mouth only for Shells to cup her cheeks and squeeze them, puckering her lips comically, “Nope! No talk back from that, ma’am.”

‘Fut fwhat if yur wrung?”

“I’m not wrong.” she grins, letting go of her friends cheeks, booping the tip of Bea’s nose with a manicured finger, “I mean,” she gestures to Bea’s body, “God made you blessed with all that ass and you think Rooster wouldn’t care about it? Really? Babes, you need to come back to the present and stop worrying!”

Beatrice still had a hard time swallowing the information that there was a possibility the two of them would eventually go to the next base, which she’d love to, a whole lot. She just had to…plan everything, yes, planning would work a lot better in her favor. Then check if he’d want to, which all the signs point to yes but she had to make sure.

“I suggest,” Shells says once they enter the car, “You don’t tell him about the pole dancing class. Just say it’s normal dancing, then you can surprise him.” her blonde eyebrows waggle teasingly and while Bea’s face turns red, she doesn’t scoff or tosses the idea away.

She just keeps it inside her brain with a little smile.

-

“You never told me what you were doing before I messaged you.” Bradley says casually, watching Bea take a sip of her mango juice through her metal straw, her big eyes blinking at him over the glass’ rim. 

Once she swallows it, she licks her red stained lips clean of any drops, “Oh, um,” she taps a napkin over her mouth, “Me and Shells joined a dance class.” he lifts his eyebrows up to his hairline, taking a sip of his own drink, “Yes, it’s very fun.”

“Is it? Tell me about it.”

Tell him about it…okay. She could do that while hiding what it is. “Oh! Uh, it’s just…just casual dancing!” she flaps her hand as if to play it off, “You know, it has… jazz and zumba and yeah. Those things.”

Bradley’s eyes narrow comically, as if he’s trying to see through her and Beatrice swallows nervously, taking a sushi roll into her mouth in hopes it’d stop her from blurting it out to him. He then chuckles, going back to his own plate, “Well, alright. Maybe you can show me what you’ve been learning, when you can.” She looks like a chipmunk with her cheeks stuffed with rice and fish, jaws moving in hopes she could swallow it faster but she nods almost unnoticeably.

She offers him a small smile as the food drops down,finally “Of course, I’m still new to it but I think I’ll get the hang of it soon enough. So I can,” she inhales quietly, “Show you.” She couldn’t help but imagine Shells cheering for her in the distance, going full middle school soccer coach behind her back, pointing her fingers at her in triumph calling her a champ.

“I’ll look forward to it then.” he smiles, almost as if he knows something is off but doesn’t think it’s that worrying to prod about it yet. “I hope you don’t mind we came here to have lunch, by the way. I really like this Sushi place.”

Being inside a mall wasn’t a problem to her, considering she’d come by herself wherever time allowed. This was one of the few Sushi places where the food was good, fresh and had a nice atmosphere. Bradley also suggested they take their time just wandering about window shopping if she wished to “I don’t mind! I like it here. It doesn’t even seem we are inside a mall in the first place.”

Which was true since the restaurant was on the second floor of the mall, where all the fancy places stood, above the traditional food court. Something private yet comfortable for young couples such as themselves. With every booth being separated by Japanese styled dividers, each one had a private window that overlooked the outside.

“By the way,” he begins, “Did I already compliment you today?”

Beatrice laughed softly, gathering some of her hair to put behind her ear, “Well, you did say you thought I looked stunning.” she begins, “Like I just jumped out of a fairy tale book.”

Which, considering she was wearing a white ruffled top with short sleeves, tiny flowers sewn onto the fabric with light pink colored pants and white converse, he wouldn’t be wrong. He smirks at her, leaning on his hand, “Well, you do look like a modern fairy most of the time already.” she smiles at him with her cheeks turning red, “But you are gorgeous, you could literally wear a potato sack, you'd still be the prettiest woman around here.”

“Oh my God, stop.” she giggles bringing the metal straw to her lips, but not drinking it yet, just holding against her lips. His dark gaze flicked from her eyes to her mouth, watching her lips wrap around the straw with raw interest. He ran his hand over the lower part of his face, chuckling quietly then shaking his head with the grin still present, leaning back on his booth. “You keep being a sweet talker.”

“Well, you keep being sweet.” he coos back, smiling even wider when her cheeks turn darker, “I love it when you blush. The first time I saw it I just couldn’t get it out of my head.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh,yeah.” he crosses his arms over his chest, Bea’s eyes moving to his curled biceps immediately, “I have never seen someone really blush, I mean, where I can see your cheeks turning red.” not only her cheeks, now that he paid attention. With the collar being so low on her blouse, he could see some red spreading over her cleavage “So I was just mesmerized when I saw it the first time.”

She looked down at her drink, then back at him, “Mesmerized?” she repeated quietly, still smiling.

“Yep.” he chuckles, his mustache curling over his lips “Didn’t help that you are beautiful too. Shells never gave me much information about you besides your name, I guess she wanted me to go to you first.”

“Sounds like her.” she begins, putting her glass down “Considering she pestered me about going to you too.”

“Oh? Do tell.” she made a face, using her chopsticks to spread some wasabi on her hosomaki before plopping it inside her mouth instead of answering, “Oh, come on. I’m your pilot aren’t I? Can’t I know some girl secrets?”

She almost choked when he called himself her pilot, still getting used to it, but she managed to chew it before she could make a scene in the restaurant, “She pestered me about it every time you showed up,” he ‘hmhmed’ “She even suggested she went with me so she’d get something out of Bob too, but you know I never did. Then you came up to talk to me and well– here we are now.”

“Here we are now.” he looks down at his plate with a grin, “What do you say we finish it up and walk around?” 

They finished their lunch without much hurry, walking out of the restaurant just to wander about the mall, keeping her close to him at all times, walking a bit ahead of her so he could shield her from any distracted mallgoer. Everyone who looked up at him either quickly stepped back or sped up their walking, giving the two of them enough space to walk around. 

The mustache and sunglasses sure held a lot more power for those who wield them. 

Plus being tall helped.

“Ohh, Roos, look!” she tugged him to the left, where a group of mannequins wore different colored Hawaiian shirts, “I like the red one for you.” she mentioned, pointing to the one with the red hibiscus flowers and the dark blue background. He couldn’t help but chuckle, remembering her instagram profile picture with the Hibiscus behind her ear.

“It is pretty nice.”

“Do you want to go inside and try it on?” she questioned, swinging his arm a bit, “I don’t think you have enough Hawaiian shirts.” 

He looks down at her through the lens of his sunglasses, seeing her little smile only widen, “You think you are hilarious, don’t you?” she shrugs innocently, still holding his hand, “Well, pretty girl you wouldn’t be wrong. There’s never enough shirts for me.” not to mention he’d gladly wear it since it reminded him of her. 

She leads the two inside, talking to one of the vendors after asking his size. Then it hits both of them this would probably be the very first gift she’d give him if she considered the Xenomorph plush his very own gift. 

She has the hibiscus shirt on the crook of her arm as she leads him to the changing rooms. The store was very beach themed, with light blues and beiges, there was even a large palm tree lamp above the changing rooms where each leaf illuminated an area. “Here,” she smiles, handing him the shirt, “Try it on and see if it looks good.”

“I won’t take long,” he says, leaning down to peck her lips, “Promise.”

“I’ll be waiting here.” she says against his lips, giggling when he kisses her one last time before closing the door. She looks around a bit, with her hands interlaced before her eyes stop on a rack full of plus sized bikinis. Beatrice blinks, looking at the closed door then to the swimwear, deciding she could take a quick peek before he came out.

She ran her fingers through the bikinis, parting her lips when she saw one with deep green palm leaves on the top and bottom, the halter top seemed to be big enough for her chest but the bottom part was just a normal bikini, as in it wasn’t high waisted and it stopped right below her hip bones.

Bea however, loved it. It was very different from what she was used to wearing while on the beach, but she felt…adventurous. Maybe the thing was that the pole dancing class made her feel a lot more confident than she remembered, looking behind the green leaf bikini to check the others, seeing a lilac one and a black one with tied on bottoms. She bit her lower lip, looking over her shoulder to see the door still closed, only to keep on looking.

“What are you looking at?” the voice in her ear whispered rapidly and she jumped, falling back onto a firm chest, a chest that moved with laughter, a pair of arms wrapping around her waist.

“Oh my God, don’t-” she playfully swatted his arm “Don’t do that!”

“I went out looking for a second opinion and you were too busy checking something else,” he pouts his lower lip, pressing a kiss to her cheek, “Hurt my feelings, pretty girl. What are you looking at, anyway?”

Beatrice’s eyes widened and she pushed the rack of bikinis farther from them, panicked “Nothing!” she said quickly, maybe she wasn’t feeling that confident yet. When she turned around, he was wearing the hibiscus shirt, buttoned just up to the middle of his chest, “Ohhh, it looks so good.” she leans up to fix the collar, smoothing her hands over the fabric, “I love it.”

“Me too,” he says, looking back to where the other vendors were, too busy to pay attention to the two of them, then tugs her closer, pressing their foreheads together “Now answer me what you were looking at, because you seemed very interested.”

She blushed, looking away from him, “It’s nothing.” she murmured, then sighed when he didn’t seem to budge, “Just…swimwear I guess.”

“Swimwear?”

“Yeah, I thought some looked cute.” she shrugs, playing with the buttons of his shirt.

“Show me?” 

She bit the corner of her mouth, hesitated but then turned her body towards the bikini rack, trying to find the one she liked again and then pulled out for him to see. She didn’t hold it in front of her body, instead she held it beside her. Beatrice looked up at Bradley to see him with his hands on his hips, his sunglasses up to his hair and eyebrows up. His lips pursed when he breathed shakily, with his gaze locked on the palm tree bikini.

“Brad?” she questioned, “What’s wrong?”

“That is uh…that’s,” he gestured to the bikini, “That’s very nice. You should definitely get it.”

“You think so? I didn’t even check the price–”

“I’ll get it for you,” he said quickly, “I’ll get it, don’t worry. You got me the shirt and I got–” he clears his throat, his mouth feels incredibly dry, “You got a cute bikini. Matter of fact, why don’t you take these to the cashier,” he hurriedly removes the shirt, folding it and handing it to her alongside the bikini, “I’ll, uh, meet you there in a few.”

She furrowed her eyebrows, but leaned up to kiss his lips before he disappeared from her view. “...okay?” on the way over to the cashier, she couldn’t help but wonder what brought on that weird attitude over him. Standing on the line, she looked down at her bikini for a second, before Shells’ words appeared back in her mind:

You’ve seen how that man looks at you. Do you really think he wouldn’t be into your body even more?

Her lips parted in a pleased little gasp, only to roll them into her mouth to hold back her smile, looking at the new swimwear in her arms with his Hawaiian shirt underneath it and she couldn’t help but feel like she was stepping on clouds. His large hand suddenly appeared on her back as he returned, pushing her forward so they could pay, separately, for each article of clothing.

Once out of the store, she couldn’t help the little grin over her lips, squeezing his hand almost without thinking, her thumb rubbing the side of his palm repeatedly. She was so happy she couldn’t help herself, looking back and forth on the mall’s hallway, she tugged him to the side, “What?” he questioned, just following her as she took the two to where the artificial plants decorated a corner, “What’s wrong?”

Beatrice waited until they were partially hidden from the rest of the crowd to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him. He hummed out in surprise but quickly kissed back, wrapping his arms around her waist, thankful of how no one seemed to notice the two of them there. He groaned when one of her hands went up to his hair, nails dragging up his scalp, a stuttery ‘fuck’ leaving his lips into her mouth as she laughed. 

He stepped forward until her back touched a wall, his teeth biting on her lower lip,being followed by his tongue, begging her to open it. She does and he downright growls when it happens, his large hands slide down her back to cup her ass through her jeans, pressing her pelvis against his as they make out in the darkened corner of a crowded mall, hidden by a small artificial palm tree.

When she playfully bites his own lower lip, it takes all the power in him to control himself, breaking the kiss to drag his mouth down her cheek then down her jawline. She sucks in a breath, feeling his teeth pinch just where her tendon began, the wet of his tongue sending shivers up and down her spine. Bea mewls quietly, his teeth finding the weak spot by sucking onto it hard, not even caring if it marked in fact she was more than happy it did. 

Her hand returned to the back of his head and she could feel his whole body shuddering when she wrapped her fingers around the sandy waves, his hold on her tightened even more.

Oh, did Bradley have some sort of weakness when it comes to his hair? She couldn’t help but smile at the new information.

 He pressed his crotch to hers before stopping, stopping everything, to drop his forehead to the curve of her shoulder, “Jesus Christ.” he mutters, out of breath, “Gorgeous we got to stop or else I won’t be able to keep things decent.” but his lips returned to her neck, pressing a trail of kisses until he reached her lips again, humming against the cherry flavored lip balm, “I don’t know what happened, but shit, you won’t see me complaining. Was it the shirt?”

But Bea’s smile only softened, cupping his cheeks with her hands. You want to see me, all of me, you aren’t upset thinking about my body, you want me, you really want me, she thought but only chose to say, “I just felt like kissing you.”

Bradley’s sunglasses are a bit crooked, so she fixes them for him, while he chuckles softly, “Well, hey, don’t mind doing this more often, I like this side of you.” she rolls her lower lip into her mouth the moment he says it, “Babe I’ll have to kiss you again if you keep this up.”

“You won’t see me complaining.” she whispered just as breathily, tugging him down to press their lips together again before they walked out of their little corner. Bradley took a few seconds to come out, rubbing his hands over his face in hopes to appear presentable before he met her outside.

On her neck stood the brightest,reddest hickey. Which on her pale skin, stood out immensely. But she couldn’t bring herself to care, at best she’d use her hair to cover it. Each of them held their own bags, grinning like two adolescents who did something under an adult’s nose and no one would find out.

That is until they both hear a high pitched noise that stood out from the usual crowd chatter, “Did you hear that?” Bradley comments, looking around, only to hear the sound getting louder.

“I do…it seems…familiar?” it gets louder, closer, way closer, until there's a sudden impact on the back of Bea’s legs. She yelps in surprise, looking back down at her legs to see a known blonde haired little girl smiling up at her while hugging her jeans clad leg.

“Hi auntie! Hi Prince Rooster!”

[junghelioseok]

heart-on.

↳ your one-night stand definitely isn’t relationship material, but maybe—just maybe—your manager’s son is.

◇ hoseok x reader ◇ smut | strangers to lovers!au ◇ 10.1k [1/1]

❛❛ my boss is always telling me how perfect her son would be for me and she promises he’s coming to the next holiday party and don’t worry he’s heard all about me too and ALSO there’s this dude i slept with once a couple of months ago and sometimes he still sends me dick pics when i ask him to at 3 in the morning cause seriously dude’s got a good dick ❜❜

notes: welcome to the first installment of the serendipity series! we’re starting with hoseok, because, well, have you met me? 🤣 be warned, however, that this isn’t anywhere near as edited as i’d like so i’ll probably give it another read/edit tomorrow but for now!!! here it is!!!

⇢ series masterlist. | inspired by this post.

warnings: dirty talk bc hoseok’s got a bit of a mouth on him, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it, kids!), sexting. dick pics, obvi. brief mention of a dead pet goldfish :(

You’re refilling your mug when you hear it. Voices filter out from the kitchen, floating past the coffee station where you’re pouring yourself another drink and hanging in the open air of the hallway that leads back to the rest of the office. They’re familiar voices, too—voices that belong to the resident gossips of your workplace. Lottie’s pitchy, nasal tone melds with Hyejin’s higher one, their conversation interrupted every so often by an exaggerated exclamation or gasp from Sandra, the third and final member of their trio.

“Haven’t you heard? Carolyn’s divorce was finalized over the weekend, the poor thing.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine how she’s feeling. I mean, getting back into dating at her age? Goodness!”

“And now she’ll be all alone at the holiday party, too. How sad is that?”

“It’s tragic. Poor thing.”

Rolling your eyes, you grab a packet of sugar and tear it open, upending it over your mug and watching the crystalline granules fall into the dark liquid within. You know for a fact that Sandra and her husband can’t even stand to be in the same room for an extended period of time, considering how they’d spent most of last year’s holiday party talking to entirely different groups of people. You’d sat two tables away from them during dinner, and they hadn’t even made eye contact once. And as for Lottie and Hyejin, well, you’re certain that their relationships aren’t much better. All three of them are miserable people as far as you’re concerned, and you make a mental note to check in on Carolyn—a sweet woman in her thirties who always keeps chocolate bars in her purse—on your way back to your desk.

“Sheesh. Vultures, the lot of them. Don’t you think?”

You whirl at the sound of your manager’s voice. Kyunghee Jung is a dark-haired woman in her late fifties, and she laughs when she sees your startled expression, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Easy! You’ll spill your coffee if you’re not careful.”

“I’ll probably have a heart attack first,” you reply, pressing a hand to your chest. “What was your job before this? Some kind of intelligence operative? Are you a super spy?”

Kyunghee laughs again and joins you at the counter. “Nothing even remotely as exciting as that,” she answers, plopping her mug down beside yours. It’s decorated with what looks like every color of the rainbow, a massive smiling sunflower taking up the majority of the surface, and the only remnant of the ceramic’s original color is on the very edge of the handle where there’s a lopsided little patch of white. The piece is clearly handmade, and a stark contrast to the simple mint green cup that houses your coffee. Looking at it, it’s impossible not to smile.

“I love that,” you remark, inclining your head at her mug. “Was it a present from one of your kids?”

“Hoseok,” she confirms, running a fingertip along the imperfect handle fondly. “I’ve told you about him before—he’s right around your age.”

You chuckle. “Right, I remember. That’s why he’s the perfect match for me, right?”

“Come now, there’s more to it than that,” Kyunghee defends, waving a hand. “But yes, to answer your question. He gave it to me as a birthday present when he was eight.”

“Well, you never told me he was an artist,” you tease. “Does he have an Etsy? Can I buy one of these off him? Does he do custom orders, maybe?”

Normally, your manager is more than happy to play along with your jokes, but today Kyunghee fixes you with an uncharacteristically serious look. “Why don’t you ask him yourself?” she asks. “He’s coming to the holiday party, after all. I figured you could finally meet.”

You blink. Kyunghee has been making offhand remarks about how well you would get on with her son, Hoseok, for over a year now, but you’ve never even come close to broaching the topic of meeting him. You don’t even know anything about the man beyond the fact that his name is Hoseok and that he works somewhere downtown. He also favors tall socks and yellow suspenders if the framed photograph on Kyunghee’s desk is any indication—or at least, he certainly did when he was still in diapers. Whether he still does, is anyone’s guess.

“Wow, I had no idea he was even interested in coming,” you manage when you’ve recovered from your surprise. “Did you bribe him?”

If Kyunghee notices that your voice is a few pitches higher than usual, she doesn’t remark on it. “Oh, you know. I just told him that this would be his last chance to score free booze on the company’s dime.” She laughs. “Three more months and it’s going to be all beaches and sunshine for me. I might even become a cruise person in my retirement.”

You gasp and slap a hand to your heart. “Kyunghee! Think of the environmental impact!”

“I said I might!” she retorts immediately. “Sheesh. Even in my old age, it’s hard to conveniently forget how shitty and unsustainable those damn boats are.”

You pick up your mug and raise it in a salute. “Well, the oceans thank you.”

“My husband doesn’t,” she answers with a sigh. “He’s been dying to book one of those trips that stop all along the Mediterrannean coastline, and I can’t exactly blame him.”

“That is tempting,” you admit. “You’ll have to send photos, if you do end up going.”

“You’ll be sick of me and my photos before the first day is even up,” she promises. Then she pauses, her eyes darting toward the kitchen where silence has fallen in the last few minutes. “Speaking of being sick—you think the vultures are still hovering around in there? I haven’t had lunch yet, and I need the microwave.”

Obligingly, you edge a little closer to the kitchen doorway and poke your head around the frame, scanning for Lottie and her sidekicks. “Coast is clear. Enjoy your lunch, Kyunghee.”

She nods and raises her mug at you, returning your salute. “I always do.”

///

As soon as the work day ends, you fall into your usual routine. Your commute home is easily walkable on nicer days, and though the winter weather is brisker than you’d like, you decide to walk for the sake of stopping at the convenience store on the corner of the block.

Once you arrive back at your apartment, you change into your comfiest sweats and a loose tee. You turn on some music while you throw together some dinner, and settle onto the couch half an hour later with a full plate and Netflix. Television is a welcome distraction from the events of the workday, and you manage to get through three full episodes of your current show before your pesky brain decides to revisit the events of today, replaying the conversations that you’d both had and overheard.

There’s no denying that you’ve been single for quite some time now, and for the most part, it’s been by choice. Ever since graduating from university, you’ve chosen to focus more on your career, and it’s paid off both in terms of the important position you hold in your company and your above average salary. And yet, you can’t help but think back to the gossip you’d overheard earlier—about the supposed tragedy of being single and attending the upcoming holiday party alone. Your mind wanders to Kyunghee’s son, Hoseok, and how he’ll be in attendance this year. You wonder what he’s like, and whether he really is perfect for you, as Kyunghee seems to be so fond of mentioning.

And then your mind goes to Jay.

You met Jay two months ago, on a well-deserved night out after a hellish workweek. The bar was crowded, and the music coming from the neon dancefloor in the back was just loud enough to drown out your inhibitions. That, combined with the alcohol swimming through your system, made you bold. You sashayed your way across the dancefloor, dodging inebriated bodies and swaying limbs as you fixed your attention on the head of pale lavender hair and deliciously broad shoulders that awaits you just behind the bar counter. The bartender is nothing short of gorgeous, and you’ve thrown all caution to the wind. Sure, several other women are eyeing him like he’s their next meal—several men are, too—but you need another drink. And while he prepares it, you plan to flirt.

A lot.

The bar counter is sticky with spilled liquor, but you don’t pay that any mind as you lean across it, the wood digging into the narrow strip of exposed skin left by your cropped top. “Hi!” you call, and the bartender looks up from where he’s just finished pouring a round of shots for a group of raucous young men.

“Hi yourself,” he says, his pillowy lips stretching into an easy smile. “What can I get you?”

You pretend not to notice the way his eyes flicker down to the dip of your cleavage and instead put on the sultriest smile you are capable of mustering. “Vodka soda,” you tell him, injecting a bit of purr into your voice. “A bit of lemon too, if you have it.”

“Trust me, I have it,” he assures, his smile growing as he reaches for a clean glass and a clear bottle. “Name’s Jin, by the way. I’m here all night, if you need anything e—”

A loud clatter and the sound of breaking glass interrupts the rest of his sentence, and all eyes at the bar go to the source of the disturbance. Conversations stutter to a halt, and even the thumping bass of the music seems to dull. Jin darts to the other end of the bar, where you can see that one of several barstools has fallen to the ground. There’s a man on the ground as well, surrounded by shattered glass and spilled dark liquor, and your eyes widen when you realize that you know him.

And arguably, a little too well.

“Fuck,” you mutter under your breath. People are starting to lose interest in the spectacle, turning back to their own conversations and continuing on as if nothing had happened at all. The man is beginning to clamber to his feet, and a few people lend a helping hand as Jin begins barking out orders for everyone to step back so he can sweep up the broken glass. You seize upon the opportunity, latching on to the nearest arm and pulling them close so you can hide behind them. Vaguely, you’re aware of them sputtering in surprise, but you only have eyes for the man who had fallen off his stool, watching him carefully as he brushes himself off and tries to play it cool despite the sizable patch of whiskey soaking his white shirt.

“Hey, uh…” Your human shield is speaking. “Are you okay? You’re squeezing me pretty tight.”

That draws you out of your daze. Abashed, you loosen your grip on his arm and look up into his face, your throat going dry when you realize how handsome he is. His black hair is parted over his forehead, a stray strand falling into warm brown eyes set above a straight nose and an inviting mouth. There’s a freckle above his top lip, just shy of the center, and your inebriated brain wonders just what it would be like to kiss it.

“I, um—” You clear your throat and try again. “Sorry about that. I just didn’t want him to see me.”

Your newfound companion raises an eyebrow and glances over his shoulder at the drunk man, who is now being ushered out of the bar by his buddies. “You know that guy?”

You nod, cringing. “Yeah, his name’s Trent. I… may or may not have dated him for a few months last year.”

The man laughs out loud. “You dated a Trent?”

“What, like you’ve never made a questionable life choice?” you challenge. “Besides, you shouldn’t judge someone based on the sins of their parents. It’s not his fault they gave him a terrible name.”

“Sure, but it is on him for going along with it,” he replies with a shrug. “I would’ve changed my name as soon as I could if my parents had named me Trent. But hey, that’s just one man’s opinion.”

You laugh. “Okay then, Not-Trent.” Relinquishing your grip on his arm, you let your fingers graze his hand before pulling away entirely. “What do you say we continue this conversation over a drink?”

The man, whose name is decidedly not Trent, catches your fingers in his and gives them a gentle squeeze. “Happily.”

One drink turns into two, and then three. By the end of the hour, you are feeling pleasantly warm, the alcohol spreading through your veins like molasses and turning your surroundings into a hazy blur. The music has grown even louder, pounding against your eardrums, and you grab onto Not-Trent’s wrist as he sets his now-empty glass back down onto the counter.

“Do you wanna get out of here?” you ask, raising your voice to be heard over the thumping bassline. “I can’t even hear myself think.”

“The parking lot’s out back,” he suggests. “Why don’t we get some air?”

You nod and stand up on wobbly legs, cursing your decision to wear heels when you stumble into your companion. He steadies you with a gentle but firm hand, and you don’t miss the way his touch lingers on your lower back, his palm warm through the material of your blouse.

Together, the two of you pick your way through the throng of swaying bodies on the dancefloor. The bassline thuds in your ears, dark and hypnotic, and you can feel the reverberations thrumming across the slats of your ribs and echoing in the cavern of your chest like a second heartbeat.

It’s almost a relief, then, when you step out into the cool night air. Your ears continue to ring for a few seconds, but it soon fades and leaves behind only the muted hum of traffic from the street and the faint sound of music from inside. At your side, Not-Trent releases a long breath and leans against the brick wall of the building, and you turn to take in the steep slopes of his side profile as he tilts his head up toward the velvety night sky.

He’s handsome. Dressed in ripped jeans and black leather, he’s a sight to behold, and you’d be lying if you said you hadn’t been craving a bit of intimacy for quite some time now. The alcohol swimming through your system makes you bolder than you normally would be, and you reach out to lay a hand on his arm. He turns toward you with a silent question glimmering in his irises, but you simply step closer, until you’re pinning him against the wall with your body and you’re breathing the same air.

“Hey,” you say, your voice an airy whisper. His eyes are near obsidian in the dimness of the parking lot, illuminated only by the orange glow of the streetlamps on either end, and your gaze flickers down to his mouth before roving to the freckle that sits upon his top lip. “Kiss me?”

Your companion’s eyes widen. His lips part, but no words come out, and you’re about to repeat your question when he finally finds his voice again.

“That’s really… that’s not a good idea.” Awkwardly, he clears his throat, but the hoarseness of his voice and the harsh bob of his Adam’s apple give away his true desires. “Look, you’ve been drinking. We both have, and—”

You cut him off, pushing up to your tiptoes and planting a messy kiss to the soft dip just beneath his bottom lip. “Don’t care,” you mumble against his skin. “I want you.”

Your companion laughs weakly. His hands find their way to your waist and pause there, as if he can’t decide whether to push you away or pull you closer. “You don’t even know me,” he murmurs.

“I don’t have to know you,” you reply. Your fingers drag down his chest, trailing along the delicate silver necklace that rests against the black of his shirt. From the chain hangs a round pendant, the surface engraved with the letter J. Slowly, you trace it with a fingertip, the metal shining even in the dim light, and satisfaction blooms in your heart when your companion’s throat bobs again. “I want you,” you breathe, soft but insistent. “Isn’t that enough?”

“I—” He clears his throat and tries again, and you wonder if he realizes that his hands have slid down to your hips, or that there’s a growing hardness against your lower stomach that’s becoming increasingly harder to ignore. “Look, I’m flattered—really, I am. And you’re… I mean, fuck, you’re gorgeous. But I don’t think we should do anything when you’re clearly not in the right frame of mind to be making this kind of decision, and—”

“And, nothing.” You wind your arms around his neck, pressing close and grinding subtly against the bulge in his pants. You smirk when he releases a low hiss from between his teeth, and hide it by laying a trail of kisses along the stretch of bare skin exposed by the dip of his collar. “Stop being such a gentleman,” you whisper. Your fingers trail down his chest, past the silver of his pendant and down to the faded denim of his jeans, teasing at the cool metal of his belt buckle. “I want this. But if you’re not interested, I can always go back in there and—”

The rest of your sentence dies in your throat. Your companion has tugged you flush against him in one smooth motion, and your gasp is cut off by the firm press of his mouth against yours. Immediately, you melt into the kiss, and a moan tears from your lips when he spins you around and pins you against the brick wall of the building.

“You’re a spoiled little thing, huh?” His breath fans hot against your cheeks, and you shiver when you meet his eyes and see the dark promise reflected there. “Used to getting what you want, huh, princess?”

Your breath hitches at the endearment—something your companion doesn’t miss. “Oh, you like that?” He chuckles hoarsely, and when he speaks again it’s in a rasp that sends heat straight to your core. “What else do you like, hmm? You want me to be rough with you, princess? Or should I be gentle and treat you like a queen?”

You reach up, raking your fingers through his hair and skimming across the soft strands of his undercut before finding purchase at his nape. “You talk too much,” you whisper.

And then you’re crushing your mouth back against his, whining when he immediately takes back control of the kiss. His grip slides downward, his fingertips digging into the skin just above the curve of your ass, and you squeak when he grabs the back of your thigh and hooks your leg around his waist.

“You feel that?” he rasps into your ear, nipping at the delicate shell and chortling when you keen. Your skirt has ridden up dangerously high on your spread thighs, and you let out a soft whimper when he grinds harshly against your center. The lace of your panties and the denim of his jeans are the last barricades between you, and you wonder, vaguely, whether your companion has a bit of an exhibitionist streak when he slides one of your sleeves down your shoulder and begins kissing a trail down to the swell of your cleavage. “You feel how hard you’ve gotten me?”

You lean down, kissing the soft spot where his jaw meets his ear before letting your teeth graze against his skin. “Why don’t you do something about it then?”

He hisses out a sharp breath, his hands tightening their hold on your hips. “You’ve got quite the mouth on you, huh? I can’t wait to make you eat your words.”

Any retort you may have had is interrupted by a sudden swell of music and the sound of a slamming door. Whirling to face the source of the noise, you immediately spot a familiar head of lavender hair atop broad shoulders encapsulated in the black uniform of the bar. Jin hasn’t noticed the two of you yet, his attention fixated on his cell phone screen, but he looks up when you let out a little squeak of surprise and shove your companion’s chest in an attempt to create some distance between you.

“Hey.” Jin raises a hand in greeting, a knowing smirk curling his lips. “This phone call shouldn’t be too long, so please. Don’t stop the party on my behalf.”

Heat floods to your cheeks. There isn’t much use protesting against his insinuation, considering the rather compromising position you’re in. Much to your relief, though, your companion simply huffs out a chuckle and waves Jin off. “Thanks, man, but we’ll get out of your hair.” Lowering his voice, he turns back to you. “Coming, princess?”

You nod. He offers you his hand, and you take it gratefully, adjusting your skirt so that it drapes properly over your hips and thighs again.

“Have a good night!” Jin calls after you, amusement lacing every word. You can’t work up the nerve to respond, and luckily, you don’t have to. Your companion leads you around the corner of the building, where several rows of cars are parked beneath an orange streetlamp. On this side, the exterior brick wall is painted with a mural, and you admire the colorful galaxies and nebulae swirling amidst silvery white stars and the word serendipity spray-painted in pale blue.

The last car in the row is parked just beneath the letter Y, and it’s here that your companion stops. The sleek black vehicle has an almost vintage feel to it, and you glance up when you hear the jingle of metal.

“I’m guessing this is yours?”

He nods, pulling a set of keys from the pocket of his leather jacket and inserting one into the lock. “Yeah. You like it?”

“It’s beautiful,” you tell him, tracing the edge of the passenger window “Makes my car look like a total piece of shit by comparison.”

Your companion chuckles, pulling open the driver’s side door, and you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the window as he presses a button to unlock the rest of the doors. Your hair’s a bit of a mess and your mascara has smudged beneath your right eye, and you hurriedly swipe at it as your companion turns his attention back to you.

“So,” he says. “Now what? I can give you a ride home, if you want.”

Deliberately, you let your gaze drop down to his crotch, where his bulge—albeit waning—is still visible. “Seriously? I thought you were going to… what was it again? Make me eat my words?”

And just like that, it’s as if a switch has flipped. His eyes darken to obsidian, his lips settling into a stern line, and you barely have time to draw in a breath before he’s caging you against the side of his car and molding his mouth to yours. Your lips part beneath the onslaught, and he wastes no time in dipping inside to explore, licking into you until you’re both breathless.

“Inside,” he breathes once you’ve broken apart, and you instantly obey. You wrench the door open and all but tumble into the backseat, and he isn’t far behind as he slots himself between your spread thighs. Your hands fly to his shoulders where you help him shuck off his leather jacket, tossing it carelessly to the front where it lands in a heap on the dashboard before focusing your attention on the hem of his black t-shirt. Your companion obliges you as you push it upward to expose his toned abdomen, grabbing it by the collar and pulling it off the rest of the way when your reach falls a little short in the cramped interior of the backseat.

“Your turn,” he whispers when you try to reach for his belt, his hands settling around your wrists. “It’s only fair, princess.”

Pouting, you let your hands fall limp in his grasp, and he chuckles as he leans down to pacify you with a kiss. Deft fingers find the hem of your blouse, pushing it up until you can twist out of the material. You throw it aside with no regard for where it lands on the ground, and lay back as your companion drinks you in, his dark gaze raking across the lacy black lingerie that decorates your curves and skims you like a second skin. “Fuck,” he breathes, his voice hoarse with a combination of amazement and disbelief. “You’re stunning.”

You smile, trailing a fingertip from the dip of his collarbone down to the silver necklace that sits prettily against his bare chest. “You’re not so bad yourself,” you tell him, tracing the letter engraved into his pendant. “Jay.”

Your companion—newly dubbed Jay—smiles back. “You’re something else, princess,” he murmurs, before leaning down to kiss you again. He explores your mouth thoroughly—languidly—before moving down to nip at your neck, and already, you can feel the beginnings of marks beginning to form, blossoming across your skin as irrefutable proof of your tryst.

It isn’t long before Jay frees you from your bra, watching with carnal fascination as your breasts spill out of the lacy material. You whine when he reaches out to cup one, his palm hot against your bare skin, and he smirks crookedly when a pinch to your nipple makes your back arch off the leather of the seat. “So pretty,” he rasps. “I can’t wait to see how you look stretched around my cock.”

“Stop waiting, then,” you tell him, trying again for his belt buckle. This time, he lets you fumble it open, leaning back to watch you work with hooded eyes and a lazy little smile. Emboldened, you push aside the denim of his jeans and free his cock from the confines of his underwear. He’s hard and hot and heavy in your palm, and your tongue darts out instinctively at the sight of the pearlescent precum beading the tip.

“Jay,” you murmur, thumbing across the head of his erection and smirking when he hisses in pleasure. “Fuck me.”

Jay seems to consider your demand, mischief flitting across his features before he manages to school his expression into something more neutral. “Where are your manners, princess?” he asks, pushing your hand away and giving himself a few long, slow strokes. “Say please, if you want it so bad.”

For a moment, you consider refusing. Jay seems to be the type of man who enjoys a good game, but between the state of his cock and the earlier interruption, you’re pretty sure he’s nearing his limit. And even if he isn’t, you are. And so, you shelve your pride for the time being, and trail a hand down the length of your bared body as you bat your lashes up at him. “Fuck me, Jay,” you repeat. “Please. Want your cock so bad.”

His answering smile is equal parts amusement and satisfaction, and altogether sinful. “That’s my girl,” he rasps, before shoving your panties aside. Lining the head of his cock up, he enters you in one smooth thrust, and you moan as your walls stretch to accommodate his girth. You’re more than wet enough to take him in his entirety, your eyes fluttering shut when he bottoms out, and he groans hoarsely as he takes a second to relish the feeling of your walls gripping him so tightly.

“Fuck. You’re so wet, princess.” Jay dips a thumb into your slick, spreading it across your clit and rubbing a few experimental circles around the sensitive nub. He groans when you clench around him, his hips stuttering, and you squeeze around him again just to hear him grit out another curse. “Shit. I’m not going to last long at this rate.”

“Don’t care,” you murmur, rocking against him and sighing when the motion sends him a little deeper into your core. “Just fuck me, Jay. Please.”

Jay leans in, a dark lock of hair falling across his forehead as he plants an indulgent kiss on your waiting mouth. “Anything for you, princess,” he breathes. Slowly, he pulls back until only the tip of his cock remains inside you. Then he’s slamming forward, and you can’t even find it in yourself to care about the obscene sound of skin slapping against skin or the way the car rocks. Jay’s thumbing across your clit in tight circles that he times perfectly with the rock of his hips, and you wonder whether the rapidly building pleasure in your belly is due to your dry spell or if he’s just that good. You can feel every inch of him as he fills you up repeatedly, his brows furrowed in concentration and his dark hair flopping as he drives deeper in search of the spot that will have you seeing stars.

You know he’s found it when the pleasure in your belly spikes, your back arching off the backseat. Your skin is sticky against the dark leather and you’re certain the sweat gathering at your temples has destroyed the last of your makeup, but Jay alleviates your concerns with a particularly well-timed thrust and a harsh nip to the soft spot at your clavicle. You keen out something unintelligible, and his lips stretch into a smirk against your skin.

“That’s it,” he encourages. “Cum for me, princess.”

That’s all it takes for the mounting pressure to snap. Your body collapses into a searing orgasm, the pleasure flaring out like a supernova and spreading through your veins like wildfire. “F-fuck, Jay—” you gasp, your fingers scrabbling at his back for purchase and no doubt leaving scratches in their wake. “Fuck, you feel so—”

The remainder of your words trail off into garbled nonsense, and Jay huffs out a strained chuckle as he begins chasing after his own orgasm, rutting against you in a way that both prolongs your pleasure and sustains his own. “Shit,” he groans, his eyes fluttering shut. “Fuck, that’s it. Look at you—taking my cock so well. So pretty and perfect and—”

Whatever he was going to say dissolves into a groan as he gives a few more erratic thrusts before his release overwhelms him. Creamy warmth floods through you, and you rub his back tiredly as his head drops onto your shoulder, his breath flaring hot against your skin as he rides out his orgasm.

It takes several long seconds for the pleasure to recede. Your legs are still shaky when Jay pulls away, straightening up and tucking himself back into his jeans. There’s an empty ache in your core now that you are no longer stuffed full of his cock, and already, you are missing the feeling. Still, you push that aside as you sit up, adjusting your panties and wincing at the wetness that soaks the material and sticks to your skin.

“So,” Jay says after a moment’s silence, and you glance over at him when he huffs out a short chuckle. “That was fun.”

“Not bad at all,” you agree weakly, an irrepressible smile tugging at your lips.

Jay grins. It’s a bright, infectious grin—and it’s one that you’ve already grown rather fond of in the short period of time you’ve known him. It’s a grin that showcases his perfect teeth and crinkles his eyes into crescents, and one that all but forces you to grin back.

“Here, give me your phone,” he says, and you watch as he punches in his number once you hand it over. “Just in case you ever wanna do this again,” he tells you, handing it back. “Don’t be a stranger, princess.”

You glance down at his contact information, saved under the moniker you’d given him and affixed with a short string of emojis. “I won’t,” you tell him, chuckling. “In fact, I just might take you up on the offer.”

-

The screen of your laptop has long since gone dark, and you stretch your arms overhead before waking it again. Rolling your shoulders, you navigate back to the main Netflix menu, hovering over the resume button and watching the trailer loop in the background.

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t think about Jay often. You’ve texted each other quite often since that night in his car—usually when you’re bored and alone and have had a few too many glasses of wine in the evenings. You’ve found yourself tapping on his name instinctively during those odd, ambiguous hours—when late night and early morning meld together and you’re aching for a bit of relief.

And as if he knows you’re thinking about him, your phone buzzes against the coffee table, the screen lighting up with a familiar name.

[11:22pm] Jay 😘🍆💦: thinkin about u, pretty girl 😘

It’s followed by an image, and your heart rate picks up, thudding loudly against your ribs as you open it.

Fuck.

Your memories of Jay’s face—made all the more hazy by the alcohol and the amount of time elapsed since your first and only meeting—truly don’t do him justice. Though the photograph cuts off just above his nose, you can still admire the sharp angle of his jaw and the fullness of his puckered lips. His skin is golden against the white of his t-shirt, and you lick your lips before thumbing across your screen to respond.

[11:23pm] You: yeah? what else are you thinking about, hmm?

His response is instantaneous.

[11:23pm] Jay 😘🍆💦: thinking about that pretty little pussy of yours

[11:23pm] Jay 😘🍆💦: how good it looked in that pic u sent me tuesday 👅

You barely even notice the way your hand begins trailing down your body, pushing aside the elastic waistband of your sweats. It’s as if you’re on autopilot, as your fingers find their way to the damp spot growing on your panties.

Yeah? you write back with your free hand, already teasing at your clothed folds with the other. Tell me more.

///

It’s an uncharacteristically warm Friday morning when you find yourself in the elevator with Jimin, a good friend of yours who works on one of the lower levels of your office building. “Morning,” he says as he steps in, a large iced coffee in hand despite the fact that it’s still very much the middle of winter. Then he squints, leaning a little closer. “Oh my god. You got laid!”

“Oh my god, not so loud!” you hiss, whacking him on the shoulder and jabbing the button to close the elevator doors. “And no, not exactly. I’ve just been texting Jay.”

“Texting, sure.” Jimin mimes air quotes around the word and rolls his eyes. “You’re sexting him, and we all know it. How many pictures of his dick do you have saved on your phone now?”

“Oh my—” You sigh, trailing off. “Can we not talk about this right now?”

“Right, of course.” Jimin takes a sip of his coffee and pretends to check his watch. “When would you like to talk about it then? Do you need to check your calendar? Can I book an appointment for later this afternoon?”

You stick your tongue out at him. “Shut up.”

Jimin just grins, his lips puckered around his straw. “So, how’s Jay? Have you asked for his real name yet?”

You shrug. “What’s the point? It’s not like we’re friends or anything. We’ve literally only met the one time.”

“Yeah, but that’s just because you’re a coward,” Jimin points out. “What’s stopping you from meeting up with him again? You have his number. You have at least one photo of his dick. Ask him out already!”

“It’s not that easy, though,” you sigh. The elevator doors open to let a few more people in, and you move to the side and lower your voice so that only Jimin can hear. “Jay—he’s not exactly boyfriend material. I mean, we fucked in his car the first night we met.”

“So?” Jimin frowns and takes another sip of his iced coffee. “You talk about things besides sex, don’t you? You definitely told him about your goldfish dying, at least. I mean, you told him before you even told me!”

“Yes I did, and he was appropriately sympathetic about Mustache’s passing, unlike some people,” you sniff. “Get over it already, won’t you?”

“Never,” Jimin replies, ignoring your pointed jab. “I’m sure you only told him because you knew you could get a sympathy sext out of it. How many dick pics did you get out of that night, anyway?”

“You’re gross,” you tell him, punching him in the arm. “Not to mention that’s exactly why Jay’s not boyfriend material. He’s perfectly happy with—whatever it is we’re doing. I can’t just ruin that by asking him to get dinner.” You frown, gnawing on your bottom lip. “I don’t want to make this into something that it’s not.”

Jimin hesitates. “Fine, okay. I guess I can understand that.”

“Yeah.”

There’s a pause, as the elevator makes a few more stops. You watch the numbers crawl higher, and know that you’ll soon have to part ways with your friend..

“Hey.” You nudge Jimin with your shoulder, just as the elevator doors close and you begin the ascent to his floor. “Wanna know something interesting?”

Jimin looks up from his phone, where he’s scrolling through Twitter. “Always.”

“My boss’ son is coming to the party tomorrow.”

Jimin’s eyebrows disappear into his ashy blond hair at your revelation. “Kyunghee’s son? Hoseok, or whatever?”

You chuckle. “The one and only. She’s found about a million ways to bring him up in conversation this past week. She thinks we’re a match made in heaven.”

“Wow.” Jimin releases a long breath. “I wonder what he’s like, then.”

You shrug, adjusting the strap of your work tote over your shoulder. “I guess we’ll find out, won’t we?”

///

The morning of the party, you wake up to an empty refrigerator. Half stale cereal and the last dregs of milk from the carton become your breakfast, and you munch on that as you mull over the contents of your closet. You’re still in your pajamas, but you pull out your comfiest jeans and a sweater to change into after you finish eating. Then you turn to your collection of dresses, rifling through them and mentally debating the merits of each material and color.

You could go in one of two directions tonight. On the one hand, this is still a work party, and as such your attire should probably maintain a certain level of decorum. But on the other, you’re meeting Hoseok Jung for the first time tonight. You aren’t necessarily looking to start anything with the man, of course, but you do want to look good. With that in mind, you eventually settle on a deep red number that you pull out of the very back of your closet, made of a silky material that skims your curves and accentuates your best assets. Laying it on the bed, you begin your hunt for a pair of matching shoes. Twenty minutes of searching and another five of agonizing later, you step into the bathroom, intent on showering and getting on with the rest of your day.

Upon exiting the bathroom, you decide that tackling the state of your refrigerator takes top priority over your other weekend errands. Sitting down at the dining table, you take stock of what you have in your pantry, planning out your meals for the upcoming week and making a list of what you need to purchase in order to make them a reality. It’s just after one in the afternoon when you exit your apartment with a completed grocery list and your purse stuffed full of reusable canvas bags. The store is a short walk from where you live, and you decide to put in your earbuds as your feet navigate the familiar route. The temperature is surprisingly mild for winter, and the sun shines bright from its perch in the cloudless blue sky. It’s perfect weather for a walk, and the fresh air clears your mind and eases your heart.

At the grocery store, you forego the stack of baskets and instead grab a shopping cart. Weaving your way up and down the aisles, you check items off the list on your phone one by one. Eventually, you find yourself in the cereal section, grabbing a box of granola before turning to where your favorite cereal normally sits. It isn’t there, and you turn in a full circle, confused, until your gaze finally lands on the familiar box on the top shelf.

Great.

Sighing, you push up to your tiptoes, stretching your arm as far as it can reach. Your fingertips graze the shelf, but you can’t quite get a grip on the box itself. Glancing down, you scan the bottommost shelf and wonder if you can step on it to give yourself a boost.

“Need a hand?”

The voice comes from behind you, and a vague sense of familiarity sparks in your brain. Slowly, you turn around, and your entire body freezes when your gaze slides up to the speaker’s face.

“Jay.” The syllable escapes you in a near whisper. “H-hi.”

“Hey.”

Jay stands before you, looking like sin incarnate in a faded denim jacket, black sweatpants slung low on his hips, and not much else. At his throat, his silver necklace sparkles, the silver J pendant glinting beneath the fluorescent lights of the store, and you’re suddenly beyond grateful that you decided to put on a decent sweater before leaving.

“Here,” he says, stepping forward until he’s close enough that you can smell his cologne—sandalwood tinged with sweet citrus. “Let me help you with that.”

The sudden proximity has your breath hitching in your throat. Your heart thuds erratically against your ribs as he reaches around you, the denim flaps of his jacket gaping in a way that exposes even more of his bare chest. By the time he pulls back with your cereal box in hand, you feel almost faint, belatedly realizing that you’d been holding your breath.

“You wanted this, right?” Jay asks, and you aren’t sure if you’re imagining the innuendo underlying his words or the teasing inflection of the syllables.

“Y-yeah, that’s the one,” you manage, fighting to quell the uneven tempo of your heartbeat as you accept the box. “Thanks.”

“Happy to help,” he replies. Then he leans in, close enough that you can feel his warm breath fanning your cheek as he murmurs his next sentence into your ear. “Anything for you, princess. You know that.”

Heat floods across your cheeks. Your heart skips two full beats before taking off into a sprint, and it’s impossible to ignore the way your core begins to thrum, as if anticipating a repeat of that night you first met all those weeks ago. Almost instinctively, your eyes dart up to the ceiling where the security cameras are, and Jay follows the trajectory of your gaze with a low chuckle and a soft brush of your cheek with the pad of his thumb.

“Sorry, princess. As much as I’d love to get my hands on you, I’m kind of on a time crunch today.”

You can’t stop the wave of disappointment that washes over you, even if you’re in the exact same boat. “Rain check, then?”

“Rain check,” he agrees. Slowly, you reach up to touch the engraved silver pendant resting against his chest, rubbing it between your fingertips before tracing the curve of the J, and he catches your wandering fingers between his and presses a gentle kiss to your knuckles.

“You know how to reach me,” he murmurs with a mischievous wink. His gaze lingers even after he’s released your hand, and you clear your throat awkwardly before turning to deposit your cereal box into your shopping cart.

The two of you go your separate ways then, exchanging goodbyes. You finish the rest of your grocery shopping in a daze, idly going through the motions at checkout and letting muscle memory guide you back home. Your arms are aching by the time you step past the threshold of your apartment, and you heave your shopping bags up onto the kitchen counter with a relieved sigh before returning to the entryway to toe off your shoes. You throw together a sandwich as you unpack your groceries, taking a big bite as you walk back to your bedroom to look at the dress you’ve picked out. Pacing over to the closet, you double-check your shoe choice. Briefly, you debate whether or not to wear flats instead of heels.

There are still a few hours left before you have to start getting ready, so you take the last of your sandwich back to the kitchen and whip up a smoothie to go with it. You scroll through your phone as you eat, browsing through the latest news headlines and scrolling through your social media accounts. Just before six o’clock, as the sun starts setting beyond the horizon and casting long shadows across your living room, you start getting changed. You snap a photo in the mirror once you’re dressed, pulling up Jimin’s name in your phone and sending it to him.

[6:13pm] You: last chance to come tonight

Your phone buzzes with a response almost immediately.

[6:14pm] Jimin: nah. i’d hate to step on hoseok’s toes.

You laugh. Not so fast, you text back. We don’t even know anything about the guy yet. What if he’s boring? Or sexist?

[6:15pm] Jimin: if u think kyunghee raised a sexist you’re seriously deranged

[6:16pm] Jimin: now stop taking selfies and get your ass out the door! you’re gonna be late!!!!

///

Each year, the holiday party tends to be a little over the top, and this year is no exception. The company has bought out the entirety of a restaurant for the evening, and you glance around in amazement at the twinkling lights and lush evergreen boughs decorating the walls and strung up along the ceiling. An assortment of sparkling ornaments hangs from the massive tree in the far corner, interspersed between silver tinsel and more lights. Grabbing a champagne flute off a passing server’s tray, you head farther into the restaurant, skirting around tables draped in creamy linen and greeting your colleagues and friends.

“Is she alone?”

“Figures.”

The voices come from the direction of the open bar, and somehow, you just know that they’re talking about you. Lottie, Hyejin, and Sandra are clustered in the corner with glasses of wine in hand, casting glances around the restaurant and gossiping about anything and everything with a pulse. You’re sorely tempted to grab the nearest pitcher of water off a table and pour it over their heads, but you suppress the urge and instead head over with a saccharine smile. “So lovely to see you, {Name},” Lottie says as you approach.

“I love your dress,” Sandra adds. “Very slimming.”

“Thanks,” you reply, putting on your brightest, fakest smile. “Yours is great too. How are you and your husband enjoying the party so far?”

Sandra’s face sours, and you hide your smirk in your champagne flute. Maybe it’s petty to bring up her rocky relationship, but you’ve been subject to snide comments from Sandra and her friends for years now and it’s become increasingly hard for you to bite your tongue. A few tables away, you spot Sandra’s husband, Rodney, take an enormous gulp of his whiskey and wince as it burns down his throat.

“We’re all having a wonderful time, aren’t we, ladies?” Lottie cuts in when Sandra takes too long to answer. “Hyejin’s date is over there with Rodney, and my boyfriend is fetching himself a drink. You remember Dev, don’t you?”

You nod, even though it’s a lie. “Sure. Say hi to him for me.”

Lottie’s lips curve up into a smile, her head tilting to the side, and you’re suddenly reminded of a snake rearing its head back for the kill. “So, what about you? Have you brought someone tonight, or—?”

“Hi ladies!” Kyunghee materializes at your side, her lips painted a festive red shade to match her dress. She’s wearing the disingenuous smile that she reserves for the resident gossips of your office, and you try not to let your relief show on your face when Lottie’s attention refocuses on your manager.

“So good to see you, Kyunghee,” she simpers. “Have you been here long?”

“Not as long as you,” your manager replies, nodding at the near-empty wineglass in her hand. “I see we’re already making a dent in the wine supply, and you’re falling behind, {Name}. Why don’t we go remedy that, hmm?”

She doesn’t give you a chance to respond, grabbing your arm and leading you away. Kyunghee is surprisingly spry for a woman her age, and you follow after her with some difficulty as she marches through the throngs of conversing people, all the way to the line at the open bar.

“I’d like you to meet someone,” she says, gesturing at the man standing at the end of the line with his back to you. “{Name}, this is my son, Hoseok.”

The man turns around at the sound of his name, a warm, affable smile stretched across his face. “Hi, I’m H—” he begins, but he’s cut off by your sharp intake of breath. His eyes go wide, his smile fading as his mouth falls open, and you’re certain you’re wearing an even more dumbfounded expression. “It’s you,” he says, his voice hoarse.

“Wh-what… how…” You trail off, speechless. The words flounder and die in your throat as your brain struggles to process this development, and you practically feel the way the gears in your head churn to a stuttering halt.

Because this man standing before you, the one that Kyunghee has just introduced as her son, is none other than Jay. He looks completely and utterly devastating in a navy waistcoat and matching slacks, a green tie shaped like a Christmas tree knotted loosely around the white collar of his shirt. His dark hair is parted, his undercut exposed, and you can’t tear your gaze away from the loose strand that has fallen across his forehead.

“H-hi.”

Jay—Hoseok—swallows. “Hi.”

Kyunghee glances between the two of you, her brows furrowing. “I take it you two already know each other?”

Hoseok’s ears begin taking on a scarlet tinge, the color spreading to his cheeks as he struggles to find his vocabulary again. “I—yeah. Yeah, we’ve met.”

“Right. Do I even want to know how?” she asks dubiously, before shaking her head and huffing out a sigh. “No, forget I asked. I don’t want to know. I’ll just leave you two to… catch up.”

Waving goodbye, Kyunghee disappears back into the crowd of partygoers milling around. Hoseok turns back to you, sucking in a deep breath, and you fight the urge to stare down at your toes as his gaze roves across your face.

“I can’t believe this,” he says, breaking the silence that’s fallen between you at last. “My mom’s been talking about you for months, but I never imagined that it’d be you.”

“You’re telling me,” you reply, finally having recovered your voice. “Kyunghee brings you up all the time, but I never thought… I mean, we didn’t even know each other’s names, and now…” You shrug. “Here we both are.”

“It’s a pretty crazy coincidence, huh?”

“Definitely.”

A beat passes, and then two. You’re fully aware that you’re staring, but you don’t dare blink, afraid that he’ll disappear if you close your eyes. Of all the things that you thought might happen tonight, this particular meeting wasn’t even close to making the list. Never would you have thought that the man you only knew as Jay would turn out to be Kyunghee’s son. Never would you have connected Jay to the photographed little boy in yellow suspenders on Kyunghee’s desk, or realized that they were one and the same.

From behind you, someone loudly clears their throat. Another voice calls for you to get a move on, already, and both you and Hoseok belatedly realize that you are still standing in line for the open bar. Hoseok’s eyes go wide again, and you nearly tread on his toes when you both try to move forward. “After you,” he says with a chuckle, gesturing for you to go in front of him, and that’s enough to break the tension. You step ahead of him with a laugh, catching up to the line, and Hoseok doesn’t stray far as he follows your lead.

“So, what are you drinking?” he asks, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. “Vodka soda with a twist?”

“Actually, I think I’m going to stick with wine tonight,” you reply, peering at the bottles lined up on the counter. “What about you?”

“Hmm. Jack and coke, I think. Nothing else is really calling my name right now.”

Grabbing your drinks, the two of you begin searching for a place to sit. You spot Kyunghee at a table near the front, and she smiles knowingly and offers you a thumbs-up when she catches your eye. Eventually, you settle on a table near the Christmas tree, the lights glimmering off the glasses and reflecting off your knife as you pick it up to butter a slice of crusty bread from the basket in the center. Hoseok follows your lead, grabbing a piece for himself, and the two of you munch in silence for a few seconds before Hoseok breaks it.

“You know, my mom says you’re the perfect girl for me” he says with a dry little chuckle. “Think she’s right?”

“I don’t know,” you answer. “It’s funny, though—Kyunghee’s been telling me the same thing. She sings your praises all the time.”

Hoseok laughs and scratches the back of his neck. “Oh, jeez, that’s kind of embarrassing. I’m glad she’s saying good things, at least.”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” you tell him, grinning. “She’s only shown us one photo album from your childhood.”

His face crumples. “Was it the Disneyland one?”

You nod, fighting back laughter, and watch as Hoseok groans and lets his forehead meet the linen-covered tabletop with a dull thunk.

“I don’t like rollercoasters,” he mumbles into the tablecloth, his voice muffled by the material. “They make me queasy.”

“Even now?” you ask, and he nods.

“Yep.”

The clinking of a fork against a wineglass—amplified and broadcast through an array of invisible speakers built into the restaurant’s walls—interrupts any further conversation. You twist in your seat to watch your company’s leadership give their opening remarks, listening as they congratulate everyone for a great year and wish you a happy holiday season. The servers begin going out with plates of food, and you thank them as they set yours down. Hoseok does the same before raising his glass in your direction, clearing his throat and offering you a crooked little smile.

“Here’s to second meetings.”

“Third, if you count the store earlier,” you correct, and he chuckles and nods in agreement before clinking his drink against yours.

You spend the entirety of dinner chatting with Hoseok, getting to know him beyond the few facts Kyunghee has mentioned and what little you’ve gleaned from texting him the last two months. He tells you all about his dance studio, Hope World, where he teaches both contemporary dance and the occasional Pilates class. You find out that in addition to rollercoasters, he also dislikes sour foods and raisins, but he loves mint chocolate and sweet and sour pork. He also has a very low tolerance for alcohol—something he tells you as he tilts the rest of his drink into his mouth. “Should I be worried?” you ask as he sets his glass back down, and he chuckles and shakes his head, sending the loose tendril of hair flopping across his forehead.

Dessert is served, and subsequently eaten. The music is turned up, and people slowly begin finding their way to the open space that serves as an impromptu dancefloor. Hoseok rises to his feet and extends a hand toward you, and you only hesitate for the briefest of seconds before accepting it. He leads you out amongst the other swaying couples, his hand finding its way to the curve of your waist, and you rest your hand on his shoulder as he begins guiding you in a slow, simple waltz.

“So?” Hoseok’s voice is a low murmur, soft and gentle against the shell of your ear. “What’s the verdict?”

You blink. “The verdict?”

Even without looking, you can tell that he’s smiling. You can hear it in the lilt of his voice, and imagine it in the curve of his lips. “About me,” he clarifies, carefully pulling back so you can spin in a circle beneath his outstretched arm. “About us. My mom will never let me hear the end of it if she turns out to be right, but I still wanna know. So what are you thinking?”

“Are you asking if I think we’re perfect for each other?” you ask, giggling. “I don’t know if I believe in all that, to be quite honest. Destiny and soulmates—I mean, doesn’t it seem a little too good to be true?”

Hoseok hums. “Maybe. But considering all that’s happened to us in the last couple of months, don’t you think there’s a chance that it's all more than simple coincidence?”

“Maybe,” you concede. “Still, I don’t know if I can give you a verdict just yet. We haven’t even gone on a date.”

“We did do things a little backwards,” Hoseok admits, tugging you close and winding his arm around your waist. “Let me make it up to you, then. Are you free tomorrow?”

“What if I am?” you challenge.

“Then, I’d like to take you out for breakfast,” he replies without missing a beat.

The prospect of a proper meal with Hoseok Jung does something funny to your insides. Still, something makes you hesitate, and you avert your gaze as you search for your next words. “I wasn’t expecting to end tonight with a date,” you admit slowly. “I honestly didn’t even think you were interested in… well, anything beyond sex, to be honest.”

Hoseok’s face creases into a frown, and you look up again when he murmurs your name. “I understand why you would think that,” he says. “Really, I do. But honestly? I had every intention of texting you and asking you out properly. I was going to play it cool and wait a few days, which was stupid in retrospect. And then you texted me first.”

“I texted y—” You trail off. “Oh, god.”

“It seemed like you’d been drinking,” Hoseok says with a shrug, and you press a finger to his lips before he can say anything more. You remember the night in question, and you remember the bottle of wine you’d consumed. And you definitely remember the photographs you’d sent of yourself, and the ones Hoseok had been kind enough to send in return.

“Wait, so you were going to ask me out? And then I… I sexted you?”

Hoseok nods, and you groan and bury your face into his chest.

“I can’t believe this,” you mutter, and you feel laughter rumble through his chest before a hand comes up to stroke along your back.

“Believe me, I’m not complaining,” he assures you. “But I’d still really like to take you out, so what do you say?”

His gaze doesn’t leave yours for a second as he awaits your answer, and your heart skips a beat when you look up to see the earnestness in his eyes and the hesitant smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Breakfast sounds wonderful,” you whisper, and the smile that blossoms on your companion’s face is nothing short of radiant.

“Good,” he says. “Great. Breakfast tomorrow, then. Now, can I kiss you?”

You’re already pushing up to your tiptoes, your fingers fisting in the soft hair at his nape. “God, yes.”

///

“Hey, you made it!”

You beam. “Hi.”

You and Hoseok are about to commence your first date, having just sat down at a cozy little café for breakfast. Hoseok has pulled your chair out in true gentlemanly fashion, and you can’t help but smile over your menu at the few lingering snowflakes that have yet to melt into his dark hair.

“So, here we are,” you remark. “Our fourth meeting.”

Hoseok’s lips stretch into his signature grin, breathtakingly bright and infectious. “And hopefully many more.”

You grin at him. “Yeah? Too bad this is breakfast, because I’d drink to that.”

He leans forward, his grin widening. “Next time,” he says as his hand finds its way around yours, his fingers slotting comfortably into the spaces between your own. “We can do dinner, maybe. Or I can cook for you. But for now, I’m just happy that we’re finally doing this.”

You give his hand a soft squeeze. “Me too.”

“Just promise me one thing?”

The sudden seriousness of his tone has your brow furrowing in concern. “Sure, of course,” you reassure. “What is it?”

He winces. “Please don’t tell my mom about all the dick pics.”