#if you're not up by eight and home by five you're lazy

[david-watts]

kinda getting sick of the near daily ‘why don’t you do anything around the place’ argument from a hag who won’t even sneeze in the direction of being patient enough to like. let me do things

[pseudowho]

Resolute

The reader helps Nanami Kento to accept that he has a drinking problem.

Warnings: Angst, fluff, mentions of character death, alcoholism, post traumatic stress

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The day was long; your evening together was too short. You hadn't seen each other all day, carried apart by the tide of work, and had communicated only in staccato bursts of text messages, single sentences back and forth.

Can't wait to see you. Today has been shit! Cheese, milk, bread, laundry detergent. A short video that made him laugh. A short video that made you laugh. A photo of you teaching the First Years. A photo of Ijichi making a shy 'peace' sign to the camera, Kento barely visible in the reflection on his glasses. Nearly finished! Believe me, I'm counting down the seconds. I'll collect the shopping. I love you more than you know.

One.

Finally released from the dull corset of gainful employment, Kento flopped to the sofa beside you, carefully stopping his glass from sloshing over himself. You undid his tie. He untucked his shirt. You snuggled your pyjama'd self under his heavy, strong arm; he groaned in satisfaction, slipping warm fingers under your top to stroke the soft plush of your waist. You basked in the quiet warmth of each others' company, each of you being the home of the other. No need to talk.

Two.

You heard the faint shhhhhk-clink of bottles being closed, and put away. Kento returned this time in check pyjama bottoms, wearing nothing else but a glass of whiskey. He swirled it at you. Ugh, nail polish remover, you teased. Uncultured swine, Kento teased back, all but finishing his glass in one thirsty swallow. You smiled, hesitating only briefly. Come on, you need food more than drink, you joked lightly, the truth leaving a bitter aftertaste. I wouldn't be so sure, he retaliated, too far down the path to see from where he had entered.

Three. Four.

Cheese, bread and charcuterie; the lazy dinner of two people who were too tired to question the expense, washed down far too easily by more whiskey. You had nursed one glass of wine all evening; the whiskey bottle now sat beside the crackers, easier than getting up and down to the kitchen again, and again, and again.

Five. Six. Seven. Eight.

Kento was pliable, made supple and languid by his amber tonic. His kisses grew deep and earthy, lips hot with rising fumes, blessedly relieved as divine relaxation thrummed through his body, revelling in the Dionysian pleasure he had craved all day. God, you're so beautiful, he whispered, mead-sweet and intoxicating against your throat. You squirmed beneath his tongue, your arousal wildly overridden by concern, the words you needed to say stuck to the roof of your mouth. Kento mistook your squirming as the result of his successful advances, and he leaned into you, caging you down against the sofa pillows as he pressed against you, hardening against your leg through the thin fabric of his check pyjamas, hand creeping up to idly squeeze the pebbling peak of your breast. The pleasure darted through you, toxic, unwelcome--

"Stop, Kento-- I-- I can't--" Kento stopped immediately, unfazed by your refusal, but concerned by the anxiety seeping out of you. He kissed you softly on the forehead, carefully releasing you from under his arms, wordlessly reassuring you he loved you no less.

"I'm sorry," he apologised, sincere, affectionate, "we don't have to do any--"

"No, we do," you stuttered, sitting up, determined but twisting inside with the foul taste of approaching confrontation, "I mean, I-- I do. I need to. There's-- something I need to talk to you about," you finished weakly. Kento was all patience, his silence inviting, ready to be your therapist.

"Do you...are you...have you noticed quite how much you drink?"

Half a heartbeat passed with the barest flick of antagonism across Kento's eyes, and he smiled, handsome and disarming.

"I wouldn't say it's all that much," he laughed softly, plaiting his fingers through yours, raising your hand to kiss against his lips, "Far less than--"

"Eight. This evening alone."

Kento flinched, shoulders tensing, body turning slightly away from you as his lips curled in disgust.

"I'm not drunk," he spat, on-the-spot. He swallowed, hand squeezing yours, smiling again to steer the ship another way, any way other than this, and repeated, calmer, "I'm not drunk. I'm...I'm just having a couple, it's been a long day and I--"

"But you should be drunk," you cried, the dam breaking now as tears pricked in your eyes, "eight drinks Kento. And not small drinks. That bottle was full, and now-- now..."

You saw Kento's eyes flick to the bottle, almost empty, shame swirling behind the furious glaze of his usually warm brown eyes, now cold, angry. He had let go of your hand, distancing himself from you as he turned, elbows set heavily on his knees as he leaned away. The lump in your throat thickened, and you moved quickly to him, hands gripping his forearm in desperate reassurance, trying to bring him to you.

"Look I-- it's not your fault," you pressed, sensing him drifting further away as his forearm tensed under your fingers, his eyes still a maelstrom of denial, shame, anger, disgust, "It's easy to let it get on top of you, I can help you--"

Kento stood, throwing your hands off his arm, beginning to tidy the remnants of dinner with shaking hands, trying and failing to remove himself from the conversation as you followed, still impeaching him to listen--

"How about you back off and mind your own business?" Kento spat, spinning and turning on you suddenly, and you felt a flash of fear as you stepped back, involuntarily raising your hands up. Kento stepped back sharply, eyes softening in tearful apology, his shame now rising like bile in his chest. He struggled for words, unable to process the deep exposure of you noticing his failings.

"You're right," you stuttered, tears pouring down your cheeks and raising your hands to placate Kento, who felt his heart breaking, silently listening to you reassure him, "I shouldn't have-- I didn't mean to--"

Kento was trapped, alone on his little island now. He watched his ship drift away as he slowly backed down, walking away to the bathroom. You implored him to come to bed; he took himself to the sofa, overwhelmed in his certainty that you deserved better than some pathetic drunk who frightened her.

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You barely functioned the next day. You and Kento never went to bed on an argument. Kento never raised his voice at you. Kento never shied away from resolving issues between you. You caught yourself performing your chores and tasks on autopilot, the events of the night before flickering across your vision like old film reel left to run, and you burst into quiet tears in soft sobbing patches throughout the day.

Yet, despite your regret for the argument, you could not regret acting in Kento's best interests. You reached the morbid conclusion that his health was more important to you than the sanctity of your relationship.

Curling on the sofa, phone in hand, you began to research, pausing tearfully to make scribbles in a notepad every few minutes.

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Nanami Kento never asked for help. Nanami Kento never offloaded his own issues to someone else. Nanami Kento never outsourced his duties.

He surprised himself, that day, by doing all three.

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When the door clicked open again that evening, you were taut as a coiled spring, adrenaline thumping through you, and you held your notepad like a shield. Kento's voice called, but the noise glossed past your ears that pulsed, hot, with the whoosh of your own heartbeat. Your spit was thick in your mouth as Kento came into the kitchen. Your eyes caught; you opened your mouth wordlessly, your meticulously planned speech snagging on doubt. As Kento opened his mouth to talk, you interrupted in a frantic flurry.

"I know you don't think that your drinking is a problem, and I know you want me to stop, but you're so much more important to me than that, and if you hate me after this then that's fine but--" you approached him, notebook outstretched, all carefully written details of support groups, therapists, specialist doctors--

"You're right."

You faltered, notebook lowering, as Kento stood in front of you, suddenly shrinking, small, exposed. Your heart tugged painfully as his gentle smile tried to reassure you through the thickets.

Kento gulped, forcing down the viscerally angry reaction to his shame, "I...I think it started after-- after Yuu was killed-- or possibly even before that. A few drinks...helped me to sleep. We all self-medicated in one way or another. It was normal, honestly, considering the shit we had to--" Kento stopped, catching himself before he fell into the trap of excuses. His lip curled again, awash in mortification and vulnerability and--

-- and before him, still, there you were. You, who had loved him enough to risk your own happiness for his health. You, who had spent your day, even after his abhorrent behaviour, looking for ways to help him. You, who looked up at him now with so much love and sadness that he felt his grief and stress and shame and desperation rise up in him all at once, and he coughed, gulping as tears slid down his cheeks, staring at the floor, feeling so stranded in these strange woods.

"I'm so sorry I-- I scared you, and I-- I..."

"Oh no, Kento, no, it's okay, it's okay, we'll be okay, we can get you through this--" You pulled him to you, holding him as he wept quietly into your neck, and you stroked the weight of the world off his broad shoulders. We. Kento hiccuped, crying harder as his hands shook against you, holding onto you, his lifeline.

"Please help me," he begged, hiding his face in your neck, "I don't know where to-- I dont know how to--" You nodded against him, already prepared, and sickeningly relieved that he would let you help, and you stroked his hair, shushing him as his tears slowed, his irregular breaths heavy and hot against you.

Pulling away, you swiped your thumbs across his face, wiping away tears, holding his cheeks tenderly as you planted a wet kiss to his lips. Kento chuckled, sniffing and tear-stained, letting you sprinkle kisses over his cheeks.

"I couldn't...I couldn't face work today," Kento sniffed, leading you to the sofa where you made him lay his head on your lap, your fingers still inching tender trails through his hair, "I asked Ino to take my missions." Kento's voice was tight, embarrassed at having asked for a friend to relieve him of his duties.

"Which I'm sure he was delighted to do, Kento," you pressed, "you don't know how loved you are...not only by me." Kento gulped again, grumbling at you as you shushed him.

"Your life can be better than anything you can find at the bottom of a bottle of whiskey, Kento," you promised, to his uncertain frown, "you'll be able to sleep without it, cope without it, and live happily without it."

Kento nodded, sighing, gripped with writhing fear at the journey ahead-- but, you had come to his island, fearless in your little boat, and he climbed aboard with the sweet relief of a castaway finally able to sail for home.

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[esmedelacroix]

Romeo e Giulietta[a mafia love story] pt.1

mafioso!miguel x f!mafioso!reader 🂱

cw: suggestive

first part | miguel masterlist

prev ←→ next

The prevailing belief was that once Antonio Romano was too old, the Romano family's dominion over the Italian Mafia would end. Although he had a daughter, his wife had died during childbirth, so he had no son to take over. His daughter didn't take 'no' for an answer when it came to taking over the Mafia. With extensive training, she finally became the leader of the Mafia after her father's retirement...

—

You're the most powerful woman in all of Italy. Everyone assumed you couldn't be as good of a Mafioso as your father. But, they were so wrong; you are pretty reckless and never have a plan. But your carefree attitude only added more fun to your line of work.

You have a few rules in your familia. Never go out unarmed. Never be transparent about your affiliation. Don't let others read you. Blood is thicker than water. Never trust the O'Haras.

Another rule that could easily be added is: don't ever mention the head of the O'Hara Family Mafia, Miguel O'Hara. You hate each other so much, but anyone would think that, right? Your family feud dates back centuries, it's so old that no one really remembers why you're supposed to hate each other in the first place. But that doesn't matter because you do. Anytime your families have to meet to make a negotiation, you would always get into heated arguments with one another and request privacy.

When you were in private, you would argue even more. Your bodyguards would hear vases and glasses shatter onto the floor. They wondered how fostering so much hate for a single person was possible.

If only they knew what was happening in there...

Miguel would slide everything off the table to place you on it as he trailed wet hot kisses down your neck, leaving marks in areas only the two of you could see. If only they knew how hard you tried to stay quiet when Miguel had your legs spread across the table. You would resort to pulling at tufts of his hair as he feasted between your legs.

No one would ever really know the true nature of the intimate looks you exchanged when no one was looking, and they would most certainly never know that when Miguel claimed to be bringing women home from the club, it was really their biggest competitor in the Italian mafia scene in his room.

But you hate each other so much...

—

You woke up to the sun beaming through the floor-to-ceiling window that gave a beautiful view of the city. You had gotten so used to waking up in Miguel's bed. That morning you had a breakfast with your father that started two hours ago. You had to hurry and sneak out. You slowly got out of bed, trying not to wake him. Your attempts were useless, though, because, in a matter of seconds, you felt his big warm hands wrap around your waist, pulling you back onto the bed with your back flush against his chest.

"Per favore[please], Miguel, I have a hectic morning," she said as she removed his hands from around her waist and got out of bed to change back into her clothes.

His lazy eyes watched you as you walked around the room naked, gathering all your clothes from the night before putting your pants on. He was mesmerized by everything you did, even when you've been together for eight years.

He slowly crept behind you when you were about to put your blouse on and buried his head in the crook of your neck.

"Can you just stay for five more minutes? What are you so busy doing today?" he asked as he rested his head on your shoulder, his voice still raspy; if you had no self-control, you would have folded from his voice alone.

"Well, I'm too busy kicking your ass all day as usual," you replied as you put your earrings on, smiling at him through the mirror. He rolled his eyes playfully, accepting defeat.

"Please, baby, just five minutes," he said lowly in her ear, knowing the effect he had on you. He slowly started to trail kisses down your neck. You leaned into him and hummed in pleasure, tilting your head back into his shoulder to give more access to your neck. You heard your phone buzz snapping you out of the trance he put you in.

"Mio amato[My love], seriously, I have to go, so help me sneak out of here," you said eagerly.

"Yes, ma'am," he sighed as he looked around the hallway to confirm that no one would see you; but he was always armed, just in case.

You successfully snuck to the back door without running into anyone. You draped your arms around the nape of Miguel's neck and kissed him.

"Will I be seeing you at the charity event tonight?" you asked hopefully.

"Of course, sweet stuff; now get out of here," he joked. You rolled your eyes and blew him a kiss. The moment you turned away, he landed a firm smack on your ass, causing you to yelp, turn around and shake your head at him.

"Watch it," she warned playfully before disappearing into the streets.

—

You opened your front door hoping that your father would be off at the range or playing polo with friends despite you missing breakfast plans.

"Giulietta Bianca Romano," you heard your father's stern voice call from the living room couch. you were almost fully up the stairs when he caught you trying to sneak back in. Shit.

. . .

→ next part

taglist: @dei-drei @starrygetou @decentsoupperson

[sugar-softies]

Out of This World Gains

Feeder pov, contains stuffing and extreme weight gain

You should never have been nervous about starting your new job as a interplanetary diplomat.

For starters, you'd studied hard for years, you had degrees in xenolinguistics and extraterrestrial sociology, and if that wasn't enough you had your secret weapon.

See, making sure important alien diplomats, guests, and royalty had a good time on Earth was pretty simple thanks to one simple fact:

No one makes food like Earth makes food.

Most recently you'd been tasked with escorting two neptinites during a six month stay on good ol' terra firma, and already the effects of your hospitality were showing.

You woke Auran and Minxi around three in the afternoon, letting them sleep in the way they so loved to now. You remembered when they first got here and would be up and ready at eight am, their slender frames already dressed in crisp formal attire.

Now, you had to bribe them out of bed, and encourage them to change out of pajamas.

"Noooo, five more minutes..." Minxi whined, trying to hide under her blanket.

You informed her you'd brought doughnuts and she peeked back out from under the blanket with a curious trill. You dangled one above her face and chuckled as she reached for it, encountering trouble when her belly weighed her down.

You'd guess she was weighing in around 270 now, which was nothing compared to most of your guests at this point, but her species didn't gain weight easily and she was clearly thrown by how the added weight had affected her movement.

Auran needed a little more bribing. While Minxi ate doughnuts and tried to squeeze into clothes she'd had resized just last week, you had to roll Auran onto his back and start pressing doughnuts to his lips.

Auran's growth was... well, nothing short of impressive especially considering he came from a more slender species. 530lbs of lazy extraterrestrial flab- the frilled fans on either side of his face were beginning to become swallowed by fat, his tail had gotten so chubby he could no longer lift and wag it as he once could, his belly hung down to his knees even when standing.

It was no wonder he'd gotten this large though, he loved Earth food so much you were able to feed him while he was still waking up.

You were able to feed him two and a half boxes of doughnuts while he was still half asleep, and once his strange purple eyes finally opened you were able to plop the next box on his belly so he could help himself.

"Mmph... mornin'," he mumbled around a mouthful.

You patted his stomach fondly before going to help Minxi with her outfit.

She squeaked and whined and jumped as she tried to yank form fitting jumpsuit up past her shapely hips. "It's so small!" She huffed, trying again and gasping adorably as a ripping sound echoed through the room.

She blushed purple as she examined the large tear in the jumpsuit and then looked to you. "... I need comfort," she pouted dramatically.

You slid up behind her, lifting her belly and giving it a jiggle before reaching up to squeeze her round breasts, and assured her that you'd already placed an order for comfort in the form of burgers and fries, and they'd be here shortly.

She squealed with delight and hugged you. "We'll never fit back on the ship home, you're just going to have to roll us back to your place and feed us forever."

You laughed and told her you wouldn't mind that at all, which made her blush.

She was startled out of her cute expression when Auran belched loud enough to shake the walls. "Hey... little help?" He held up his hands.

You and Minxi went over, rolling him closer to the edge of the bed and then straining to help pull him up to his feet. Auran panted as if he'd done any of the work and then accidentally bumped you with his swaying belly as he went right for the jar of candies you refilled for them everyday and left on the dresser.

Your heart pounded as you watched him open the jar and tilt it towards his open mouth, and were glad you'd thought to remove all the wrappers. He gorged, pouring candy down his gullet, eyes glazed over. You'd heard Earth food could be a bit... addictive to some off planet species before but you'd never seen it like this...

After helping your charges get dressed and then helping them through a hearty fast food breakfast, it was time to get back on schedule.

You were supposed to show them a few historical sights, but after ten minutes of waddling, whining, and gasping for breath, your alien friends got distracted.

"What is that?" Minxi asked, her fans quivering with excitement as she sniffed the air and glanced over at the nearby restaurant.

You explained it was a buffet, and how it worked, and suddenly found yourself knocked on your ass as both of them pushed past you to get inside.

You sighed fondly as you paid for their entry and tried to guide them towards a table.

Minxi was eager to try everything she could, making several trips back and forth. You waited at the table as she did that, and wondered where Auran had gotten off to.

"Nn... helppp... I want more but-" Minxi tried to get up and her stuffed belly bumped the underside of the table. She hiccuped and tried to slide out of the booth but ended up groaning and rubbing her belly. "Too heavy..."

You smiled, heading over to fill up another few plates. When you returned, you sat down next to her and started hand feeding her.

Minxi's eyes glazed over and she trilled with sleepy delight as she ate everything she was offered. Her belly gurgled and groaned, and she had trouble keeping her eyes open as she continued to feast.

"M... more..." she breathed. "More? More..."

You chuckled and told her if she had anymore you wouldn't be able to get her out of the booth much less the door. You rubbed her belly to help her digest, assuring her you'd come back here again tomorrow. Her shirt had ridden up considerably, so you were able to feel her skin warm under your loving hands.

After you felt that Minxi was suitably handled, you decided you really needed to go find Auran. It wasn't too hard to find him, he'd sort of... attracted a crowd.

You gasped as you found the wreckage Auran had left behind: buffet trays emptied and tossed onto the floor, full sections completely emptied out, employees scrambling to clean up and refill.

Then there was Auran himself.

His belly was swollen, hiding his knees from view and squishing up against the counter as he ducked under the sneeze guard and simply grabbed handfuls of whatever food he came across, shoving it into his maw forcibly without stopping. It was clear he'd fallen prey to Earth food addiction, and you knew you had no chance of stopping this now. You'd just have to wait for him to run out of food or get too heavy to move.

You followed him as he waddled and shuffled from counter to counter, eating and eating and eating and eating-

At one point he stopped to catch his breath and burped. His eyes rolled back and he tried desperately to get one last chicken wing to his fat face as he fell completely onto his back with a loud thud that shook the restaurant.

You sighed, wondering how you were going to get him out of there, then noticed he was still trying desperately to feed himself.

Well, in for a penny... in for several hundred pounds.

You grabbed the tray he'd been eating from and, ignoring the onlookers that were being shooed off by the staff, started feeding him.

You couldn't tell if you were forced feeding him or not, because he kept moaning and turning his head as if to escape, but whenever you stopped he groaned for more. You could feel his stomach growing taut even under all the pudge, and his clothes were starting to rip into ribbons.

"So... full..." he gasped for breath, his belly weighing on his lungs.

You shushed him gently, and fed him another slice of cake.

You considered Auran and Minxi's stay on Earth to be successful because they didn't want to leave.

Not that they'd be able to get up and walk to the shuttleport on their own anyway...

"Nnmpf..." Auran chewed greedily as you fed him another slice of pizza. "Faster."

You shook your head fondly at his demands and reminded him that if he hadn't eaten himself into such a huge state then he'd be able to move his arms and hands with enough dexterity to feed himself.

Auran was in bed technically, although you couldn't see the mattress or shattered bed frame under his bulk. He was a melting pile of rolls of fat with a greedy ever open mouth.

Minxi wasn't there yet, but she was close behind.

She whined as she got wedged in the doorway, a popsicle in her mouth and a pair of shorts two sizes too small struggling to cover a growing ass. She braced her hands on either side of the door and tried to force herself through. You watched her attempts for awhile, and were somehow surprised when the doorframe simply... crumbled to accommodate her wide body.

Minxi grinned as she waddled to her own bed, every inch of her swaying side to side and jiggling incredibly as she plopped herself down on her ass. "Oooh you got the kind I like!" She wiggled her fingers before flipping open one of the pizza boxes. She started rolling the pizza into a burrito shape, which was her preferred method of eating them these days. "You're the best!" She giggled, taking a big bite and patting a belly that was only going to grow bigger and bigger...

[nicole-timey-wimey-stuff]

Southern & Slow

Joel Miller x Reader

Shorter Drabble based on Luke Bryan’s song Southern and Slow

Warnings - reader described as female, soft smut, piv, sex, talk of sex, mentions of pregnancy and having a baby, age gap, reader late twenties 28 Joel around 48, feelings, talk of love, no outbreak au, quoting of The Notebook, my terrible writing. No use of y/n in this one.

Word count 1.6K

This song just reminded me soo much of older Joel with his loyal sweet girl.

When you love me slow and southern like a Sunday

Like muddy water rollin' by a riverbank

Like some sleepy little town, down with the moon

Livin' like honey drippin' off a spoon

Like the sun that takes an hour to get behind the water tower

'Bout the speed of watchin' wildflowers grow

Ain't but two ways this old boy's gonna go

Slow and southern, southern and slow, southern and slow

Waking up in the warm Texas sun with your gorgeous cowboy pressed up against you ………. that will never grow old. You're both still naked from last nights activities, and the feeling of his skin against yours is heavenly. You roll over so you can see his face, smiling at the sight, his hair is stuck up in every direction and curls sticking to his forehead in the sweaty Texan heat. His face looks so relaxed, frown lines almost invisible, the weight of the world off his shoulders for a little while. You loved Sunday mornings, they were always lazy, slow and intimate. They usually lead to slow, calm and lazy days, walks by the river, soft kisses, slow dancing in the kitchen, and watching the sunsets from the porch while Joel plays his guitar.

The small town you’d moved too was sleepy on Sundays, no one ever had anywhere to rush too. After you both were married Joel built you both a home, one you’d both spend the rest of your days in. You’d designed it together, you’d said you ‘want a white house with blue shutters and a room overlooking the river so I can paint’ quoting your favourite story. But Joel bless him he took it very seriously, so that’s what you got a beautiful little White House, with gorgeous pale blue shutters and a small room facing the river, where you had space to paint, draw and write.

Life was good, Joel had taken a extra day a week off work, giving more of the reigns to Tommy. Therefore giving himself a longer weekend to rest and spend time with you. You worked for a writing and editing company so you mainly worked from home, only having to go to Austen sometimes. You are also working on writing your own book, slowly but surely.

Looking at your sleeping cowboy once more you gently move a curl from his forehead, stroking down his cheek, watching as his face twitches and his eyebrows furrow. My goodness you loved him, sometimes you worry you love him a little too much, but he loves you equally so you guess it’s ok. How could you not love a man like Joel, a man who loves you so completely, who protects you, makes you laugh, sings songs for you and builds a home for you both.

When you’d first told your parents about Joel, they weren’t too sure, there was an obvious age gap and they felt you had a whole life to live. But the second they met him that all changed, they got it, understood wholeheartedly why you loved this man. Now he’s part of the family, as you are his, Sarah warmed to the idea instantly, surprising you both as you feared she would be the one to object, you were only eight years older than her. But it was Tommy and Maria who took a bit longer to warm up to you, but seeing how happy you made Joel everyone eventually accepted your relationship, five years in now and you both couldn’t be happier.

Joel stirs awake mumbling “Good mornin’ darlin’” nuzzling his face into your neck, “Morning baby” you hum. Bringing your hand to run through his curls, slowly scratching his scalp. He lets out a contented groan, causing you to smirk to yourself. Joel begins tentatively kissing your neck, finding your sweet spot and gently sucking. You moan arching into him, the sheet barely covering you both slipping down around your thighs now, Joel took that as enough of a reason to slowly slide on top of you, his hands stroking and grabbing at any skin he could find.

“I can never get over how soft you feel under me sweetheart” Joel begins, his hand now sliding between your thighs “soo soft and smooth and wet for me huh” he continues bringing his mouth back up to yours, licking slowly into your mouth, his tongue caressing yours. His fingers glide through your slick, bringing it up to rub slow circles around your clit, causing you to gasp into his mouth.

No matter how much time goes by, every time with Joel is like the first, every time makes you erupt with butterflies and quiver under his expert touch. You arch even closer to him, moulding your body to his as you begin rocking your hips into his hand. “Needy this mornin’ aren’t we darlin’ don’t worry I’ve got you” he hums, inserting two fingers into your heat, and using his palm against your clit. He finds your toe curing spot instantly and precisely, using the come hither motion while simultaneously rubbing your bud “Joel fuck! I’m gonna cum” you moan, “That’s it baby let go for me” Joel instructs, and you do you cum hard around his fingers, gasping into his ears.

You’re still coming down when you feel the blunt end of his cock pushing into your core, as he slowly nestles his way home. Grabbing your hand he laces his fingers with yours, kissing your palm before rolling his hips into yours. Your spare arm grabs his back for purchase, fingers running through the hair at the nape of his neck. “God Joel you feel so good” you pant, “Yeah?” He asks “You’re made for me sweetheart, made for me and no one else, this pussy is mine! Only my cock can make you feel this good right baby?” He trails off while punctuating everything with deep hard thrusts. “Yes Joel all yours, I am all yours!” You mumble back then like a mantra you repeat ‘Joel Joel Joel’.

There’s no rush on these lazy mornings, he never speeds up his thrusts, just keeps the steady rhythm as he makes love to you deep and slow. “Fuck Joel I’m close, come with me” you moan, now meeting his movements with your own. “Ok baby girl shit! Almost there hang on a bit longer for me” he rasps. He kisses you passionately, his kiss matching his thrusts slow and steady, as he pulls you impossibly closer.

“Now baby! Let go for me” he pleads, hand moving between your legs once more to roll over your sensitive pearl, “Joel!!!” You whine as you come undone, pussy clamping down on his cock, Joel reaching his end simultaneously and emptying himself inside you with a low moan.

You run your hands up and down his back, while placing sweet kisses to his shoulder, pulling his head up he looks at you with such a soft and loving expression, “I love you darlin’” “I love you too” giving you a quick peck he pulls out, walking on wobbly legs to the bathroom where he turns on the shower, “Come on sweetheart, let’s clean up” he insists, pulling you up with him and carrying you to the shower.

The morning carried on lazily, your shower was spent carefully washing each other with dopey smiles, all while having long snuggles under the steaming water. You made coffee together and enjoyed drinking it on your porch, watching the river flow, and the wildflowers blow in the breeze. Before an impromptu call to Tommy, inviting him, Maria and their beautiful baby girl, over for lunch.

You stood leaning on the doorframe lovingly watching Tommy and Joel play with the baby, while Maria sat close by engaging in casual conversation with the men. You couldn’t remember when you’d last felt so content, and watching Joel play with the baby did something to you. A new sensation of butterflies coursing through your stomach. Joel looks up at you then, smiling to himself as he stands and makes his way over to you.

Wrapping his arms around you he pulls you in close, stroking a hand down your cheek. Warm pools of chocolate searching your eyes, “What do you think darlin’?” Joel hinted, nudging you and looking over at the new parents, “Huh?” You reply confused. “Should we have one? Been thinking about it a lot recently, you all round carrying my baby” Joel smirks as you gasp “Really” you stutter, shocked he’s really suggesting it. “Yeah really, I think you’d make a wonderful mother, and I’m getting on now. So if we were going to have one it would need to be now, well at least soon” he replies, obviously being completely honest.

You grin so wide your mouth ached, you’d love to have a baby with this man, but with Sarah being all grown up you didn’t think it would be in the cards for Joel, and you had accepted that, Joel would always be enough. “Your sure? Because I mean we don’t have too if you don’t really want an….” Joel cuts you off with a soft kiss “I’m sure darlin’ in fact nothing would make me happier” you grin again “Ok, yeah let’s have one” you reply, “Yeah?” He asks once more, “Yeah I’d love to have your baby Joel” you affirm. He smiles and pulls you in close again, arm over your shoulder, while watching his brother and niece.

Yeah, you loved these slow southern Sundays with your cowboy.

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias x Black Reader - The Bodyguard Part 7/8

Things are heating up😫

⚠️Warning ⚠️

Mentioning of violence

Summary - Reader is a popstars in trouble and Ruben is her new bodyguard, here to protect and help her find out who wants to hurt her. But what happens when the relationship between Reader and Ruben simply gets too personal?

Enjoy!

"So what are you gonna do?"

It was early, but not time to leave for the airport yet. You woke up to Ruben's warm chest against your cheek. He held you close, drawing lazy patterns on the hill of your shoulder.

"Face the music I guess."

"You're gonna confront your sister?"

"Yes and take responasbility for my life."

It felt like the most reasonable thing to do, however, the thought of facing your sister and Tyson again ached your stomach.

"Just know that whatever you choose to do, I'm here."

You tilted you head. Ruben was already looking at you, his eyes big and kind. You lay hand on his cheek, directing his face towards yours. You still had to get used to the feel of kissing another man. But compared to Tyson's, Ruben's kisses spread warmth throughout your chest.

Five hours later you left Brussels and returned home.

"You're early" Your sister said, as you and Ruben stepped through the door. Ironically she was seated on the couch, the same couch she and Tyson were getting freaky on whenever you weren't around.

"Where is Tyson?" You asked, as Ruben brought your bags upstairs.

"He's out. Left for a booking this morning."

"A modeling booking?"

"Exactly."

"Has he been getting alot of those whilst I was gone?"

"A few, why?" You sister mimicked the way you were looking at her with furrowed brows.

"Mom is not well." You muttered.

"Oh Y/N." Your sister stood, walking over to give you a hug. "I told you not to go over there. She never meant for us to see her like that."

Her hug was comforting, you gave in, forgetting the fact that you were supposed to be angry with her, then again, she had no clue that you knew about her and Tyson.

"She will always be our mother." She said, pulling you back to wipe your tears. And just like that you were eight years old again, needing your big sister to wipe your tears.

"I've had some trouble with my credit card." You said. "I should probably go to the bank for that, right?"

"Sure. We'll go tomorrow since I have some meetings tod..."

"There's a rehearsal today."

"For your tour?"

"Yes."

"Yeah, a dance rehearsal for all the back up dancers, why?"

"I should probably go to that shouldn't I. To share my opinions on things, right?"

"Um...sure, but like I said I have some meetings to attend today, so if you...."

"It's okay, I can go by myself."

"By yourself?" You sister frowned. You seldom did anything without checking with her first, perhaps that should stop now.

"Ruben will be with me of course."

"Ruben?" Your sister initially looked to want to protest, but change her mind as he came back down the stairs. "Of course." She nodded. "Ruben will go with you."

"I'll call you if I need anything."

"Yes, please do, call me."

You looked to Ruben. "I'll just hop in the shower then I'm ready to go."

He nodded. "I'll notify Taylor to bring the car around."

"Thanks." You smiled, as well as brush his arm with yours on your way up the stairs.

Rehearsal was great. You had never paid attention to the people working around you. It had always been your sister calling the shots,  giving everybody directions. But without her everyone was forced to listen to you and they really listened.

"So the laser will be pointing from that camera and that camera." Your stage director, Alejandro, said.

"That camera?" You turned in that direction, pretending to hold a microphone to your lips.

"Yes and then you'll turn to the other camera before the lasers shoot down from the sealing."

"Why the lasers?" You frowned.

"For the finally? Isn't that you wanted?"

"Um, I'm not sure."

"Your sister made it clear that its what you wanted." He shrugged. "We can remove them if you like?"

"Um...no it's okay. Keep them."

You left rehearsal not knowing how to feel. The start of your tour was so soon and you needed your sister by your side, but how could you ever trust her when she's been lying to your face for God knew how long.

"Shall we get somthing to eat?" Ruben held the door open for you to climb into the car.

"No, I'm not hungry."

Taylor your chauffeur greeted you with a smile through the rare view mirror. A smile which you returned. Ruben stepped in to sit next to him. His face expressed concern as he turned back to look at you.

"Y/N, you have to eat somthing."

"I will, I just need to go to the bank first."

"The bank?" He frowned.

"Yes the bank. Taylor will you take me there?"

You arrived within ten minutes.

"I won't be long." You said, hoping that Ruben would let you go alone.

He didn't.

He held the door open for you to step out and together you made your way into the bank.

After a short wait, a bank representative named Emily greeted you and led you and Ruben to a private office. "I understand your concern, Y/ N" she said, sympathetically. "Let me pull up your account information and see what might be causing this issue."

As you watched Emily's fingers dance across the keyboard, a knot formed in her stomach. The seconds felt like an eternity until Emily's eyes widened in disbelief.

"I... I think I've found the problem," Emily said, her voice filled with astonishment. "It appears that all your money was recently transferred to a foreign account."

Your heart sank, and you exchanged a worried glance with Ruben. "What? How is that possible? I certainly didn't authorize any transfers like that."

Emily nodded in understanding. "I believe you, Y/N. However a signature was authorized electronically. Do you have your phone with you today?"

"Well yes, but no."

"No?"

"No, my phone, old phone, was stolen a couple of weeks ago."

"Stolen?" Emily's lowered her gaze, her eyes looking at you over her glasses.

"Yes. Oh my god what am I gonna do? This can't be happening."

Ruben reached for your hand underneath the table.

"The best thing I can do is freeze you account and make sure no money gets in or out." Emily said. "But I'm afraid the police will have to help you retrieve the stolen money."

You rushed out of the bank, Ruben at your heels.

"Y/N, everything is gonna be alright, you'll get the money back."

How do you know that Ruben? Everything I've earned throughout my entire career, my savings, my savings that my parents put in there for me. Gone, it's all gone. So don't tell me that everything is going to be alright because it isn't."

He pulled you into his embrace right there in the middle of the street,  for everybody to see. If paparazzi showed up now your life would really be over.

"I have to tell my sister." You said, breaking up the hug. "She'd want to know about this."

Ruben nodded. "Of course,  do you need to come with you?"

You shook your head. "No, Taylor will take me back."

Ruben looked conflicted, not wanting to part from you, however you had sent him to replce your computer. With your phone gone and bank account hacked, everything old had to go and everything knew would have to be fire proof and Ruben assured you that he could fix that.

"You went to the bank without me?"

After telling your sister what the bank lady said, you were suprised that this was her first reaction.

"Yes, well it was urgent."

"Y/N,  I told you that I would have gone with you tomorrow. Why would you do this?"

"Are you serious right now? All of my money is gone and all you care about is the fact that I went to the bank without you?"

Your sister's expression mellowed. "You're right." She stepped forward, bringing you in for another hug. This hug wasn't like the one this morning. It was stiff and cold. "Everything is gonna be alright, you'll get your money back."

"That's what Ruben said." You muttered. Your sister grimaced at the mentioning of his name.

"What?"

"I don't trust him." She said.

You chuckled. "You, of all people don't trust Ruben? You're the one that hired him, rember?"

"I know I did, but..."

"But what?" You frowned, because your sister was really not the one to preach about trust.

"Tyson told me that Ruben keeps giving him these looks, looks as if all he wants to do is bash his face in."

"Right." You muttered. Hearing Tyson's name leave your sisters mouth simply made you nauseous.

"I've noticed it too. He cracks his knuckles every time he sees him, Y/N."

"It doesn't matter because Ruben is not the problem here." You said.

"No? Then who is?" Your sister looked terrified.

"Dickonataor 3000."

Her shoulders rose and fell with your answer. "Y/N, don't you think..."

"I know that nerd has got my phone. He's the one messing with my account. We need to find a way to track him somehow. Ruben will find a way."

Your sister stared at you blankly for a minute, like she couldn't recognize the person standing before her. "Maybe you should go to bed? Today must have really sucked for you."

You nodded. "Yes, yes it did."

You needed sleep. Sleep was your friend.

As the moon cast a soft glow upon your bedroom, you nestled comfortably beneath the covers. However you were abruptly awakened by a gentle touch.

"Ruben?" You groaned.

"No baby, it's me."

Your eyes flung open.

"Tyson?"

His lips were on yours. "I heard you had a bad day, let me make it better."

Confused and half-asleep, you pushed him away, struggling to fully grasp the situation.

"Y/N, relax." he whispered, lust lacing his voice.

Startled and groggy, your sleep-addled brain attempted to process his words. "Tyson stop, I'm not in the mood." You pleaded, never ever would you be in the mood for him. Yet, his eyes burned with an unsettling determination.

Pushing aside your obvious feelings of unease, he continued to make advances, his body betraying the desperation of his desires.

"Tyson, get off!"

He wrestled you against the matress, tracing unwanted kisses up your neck.

"Tyson,  I said stop!"

He chuckled.  "What, don't you want me to fuck you?"

No, now get the fuck off me!" You shouted. The last words to leave your mouth before Ruben barged into your bedroom, his face a mask of fury. His voice thundered through the room, "Get off her! Right now!"

Caught off guard and blinded by his own desires, Tyson froze momentarily. But it was the fierceness in Ruben's eyes that eventually jolted him back to reality. However it was too late Ruben was already pulling him off you, dropping Tyson on the floor.

"Ruben wait, stop!"

There was no stopping him. Ruben's eyes were dark, his expression emotionless whilst he pounded his fists against Tyson face, cracking his nose, breaking his jaw.

"Oh my god,  Tyson!" Your sister emerged in the doorway, dressed in her nightrobe. She saw the two men grappling on the floor beneath your bed and started screaming hysterically.

"Please stop it, you'll kill him! Y/N, do something!"

"Ruben please." You pleaded, however his hands just kept smashing into Tyson's bloody face. There was no stopping him. Never had you seen Ruben so angry, so out of control.

"Ruben, please stop it." You cried and that seemed to do it.

He looked to you and then to his bloody knuckles. A low grunt left Tyson limb body that lay beneath him.

"Y/N, I'm so..."

You shook you head. Not wanting Ruben to come any closer to you. He looked both terrified and hurt by this.

"That's it. I'm calling the fucking police!" You sister said, storming out of the room in a tearful rage.

[offlivne]

─────  👽 ! 𝗨𝗚𝗛 ★ WE LIKE IT ! is the debut single by the nugu boy group, OFF/LIVE, released by HONEYCO ent on SEPTEMBER 22ND 2023. It was first available only digitally but in the next month was released in a physical version. OFF/LIVE promoted the album for five weeks in which they spent a ‘no break’ month and one week, updating and posting almost everyday. 

WE LIKE IT, as explained by skylar, would set their tone for their future releases as a group. The MV of WE LIKE IT was released followed by mini intros to the group's lore. For this single the lyrics of the song expressed a childlike sense of freedom and willingness. This would be a common theme for them for the meantime. Skylar and HONEYCO released an official statement on the lore. Saying that over time as the mind of a child matures so will their senses. Some were confused until Skylar cleared stuff up on live. Saying that this would apply to their music’s lyrics in the future. 

─────  👽 ! 𝗨𝗚𝗛 ★ FIND YOUR PHOTOCARD HERE !

─────  ★ TRACKLIST ! 

★ WE LIKE IT  (listen here !)

─────  ★   PHYSICAL ALBUM CONTENTS !

TRICKY HOUSE :: out box & sleeve + photo booklet / 78 pg + 1 bookmark + 1 member disc + 2 random photo cards of 16 + 1 sticker sheet + groups poster (random 1 of 2)

─────  ★   ERA STYLING !

─────  ★  ERA HIGHLIGHTS !

★  possibly their most replayed song yet! They can thank skylar and nine for writing and singing the heavenly shanty,shanty yeah yeah yeahs. The fan favorite of this song. 

★  the song did not chart! Much to honeyco’s and the boy's disappointment. But on the brightside they had a few good music shows, and by this I mean they had a small fanchant at 2 performances. That was it though. 

★  Skylar showed the demo version of We Like It live. The viewers said they preferred the demo. 

★  not a highlight. But in this era both Zhiyan and Shin’s phone numbers were leaked by staff. While doing a blog, Prince showed off his contact names for Zhi and Shin in the process leaking their phone numbers. Fans proceeded to angrily dox the editors of this live show. Demanding they take down the video and edit it out. Honeyco’s producers and editors were criticized for being lazy after the video took three weeks to be taken down. Zhiyan even went as far as to complain about it live. 

★  it's a shame the fandom was bigger because, according to fans, Nine really shined this era. Outlaws look back on this era to compliment him to this day. 

★  a video of Akira building a lego set for 3 hours straight on youtube live went semi viral within the honeyco community. 

★  Skylar relieved what he was working on in his producing studio and fans of off/live and cry babies (a popular girl group under a sub-unit of honeyco) lost their collective minds. The song ‘Your a dead man’ was leaked by the producer himself (skylar). He said he wrote this song for the member Danny solo. Which just made the entire community lose their shit over 1) that Danny was getting a solo 2) that skylar had apparently contributed to the writing and producing of three or more songs on her future album(s).

★  The group released their fandom name after the conclusion of promotion. All eight members gathered for the big announcement. The name Outlaws, as explained by jeonghan and skylar (with some unhelpful commentary from prince) was supposed to speak to the main lore of their group, and the word they had decided to focus all their storyline on, escapism. This explains itself really. “Even if you're an outlaw, an escapee of society's expectations, I hope you can always find your home with us misfits. Let off/live me your new home, even if you've left everything else behind "Jeonghan recited.  

★  The boys also opened a tik tok page. Much to the fandom's glee, they discovered how absolutely clueless Jeonghan was when it came to the app. By this i mean on multiple tiktok the man leaked his private account. Literally linking his account in the description. Now, as nine exposed, zhiyan and nine had been going through all of his draft to make sure this doesn't happen again.

★  now as you'll see in almost every comeback, yijun will literally bribe you to stream. We like it. 

[foggyghostx]

dead on the street

I severely dread grocery shopping. It reminds me of how I am a living being that must take care of itself. Even when my mind is clear as can be (which, frankly, isn't very), grocery shopping generates so many useless thoughts that don't stop bouncing around my skull like pissed off ping pong balls. That's too many calories. That's not enough protein. You can't justify that much money, you'll never even eat it. That expires in less than two weeks, it'll kill you. Those people just watched you stare at sliced cheese for five and a half minutes. Why don't you just get the same thing as always? You're sick of it already? Of course you are. Don't get that, you won't even cook it. You hate cooking. No, you won't cook it, and you know that. You're too lazy. No chips. No chocolate. You can't spend $6 on a gallon of iced coffee, but you can spend $10 a day each morning at Dunkin'. No, you won't eat that. Go ahead, put it in your basket, it'll sit in the fridge for the next eight months. And so on.

I left Target with less money and somehow even less confidence. A wave of utter upset hit me as I sat in my car. But drive I must.

The drive down a smooth road rimmed with foliage and the sound of my current favorite songs wash away the upset for a few minutes. Up ahead on the bend, I see a bird flutter down from the greenery, and swoop under the car about 30 yards ahead of me. The car does not break or swerve, as they probably didn't even see it. But then the car passed, and left behind was the bird. Belly-up. Flapping its wings but getting nowhere. Suddenly, seconds turned to minutes. There were no oncoming cars, so I respectfully drove around the victim. I moved back to the right side of the road, and slowed, looking wide-eyed into my rear-view mirror. There it was, still laying on its back, flapping its wings. I slowed more, and started to pull off the road. But within seconds, I made the decision not to stop.

I continued driving. In just one second, I thought of all my options. If I pull off, it might be dangerous for me. I'm clumsy, and I don't trust other drivers not to hit me. If I picked it up, I couldn't take it home. I'd want to. But there's nothing there for the bird, its late in the evening, and I can't afford a vet bill, and I have no idea how to care for it. I could put it on the side of the road. But it's already got one wing in the grave. The chances of a predator coming for it are higher than ever. If it doesn't die from the complications of the impact, a larger animal is sure to eat it. And I feared I would end up sitting on the side of the road with this bird for the rest of its life. I would, if I could. If I could abandon all reason I'd run off with the bird, heal it, and live in the woods with it. But I'm going 40 miles per hour down a two lane road with no shoulder or side walk. So I keep driving.

And to think, I get so worked up about grocery shopping. If that bird's life was so precious, I would have helped it. If my life weren't so precious, I'd leave it. If we were equals, there would be no hypotheticals. Hours later, I'm still wondering who's life is worth more: a robin that was hit by a car, or a 21-year-old teenager that can't figure out how to take care of herself.

[dotster001]

Enemies to Lovers Part 3 of however many it takes for my coworker to Love Vil

Summary: You're living at Vil's house for the summer, and of course nothing can go as you planned. (Also, you guys are getting this a couple hours earlier than my coworker because I had time to gender neutralize it, so shh don't tell her)

Part One. Part Two. Part Four. Part Five. Part Six. Part Seven. Part Eight. Part Nine. Part Ten. Epilogue.

Despite Vil assuring you that he would provide everything you could need over break, you still decided to get a part time job. Your resume didn't exactly translate well in another world  (apparently the jobs that people in your world had come up with didn't exist here) so you had bullied Crowley for a recommendation letter before you left for break. Despite his lazy nature, it was quite good, so you were able to get a job quickly.

That part time job quickly became a full time job due to lack of staff. At first it was fine. You were saving up money for yourself and Grim, you were getting experience in jobs of this world, and you were able to avoid Vil for the most part due to your chaotic schedules. If you were being completely honest, this was the best part. You weren't ready to look at your conflicting feelings for him yet.

But we don't always get what we want, now do we?

You'd pulled your back at work, and instead of addressing it early, you had continued to work over it until you'd become a mess. Your sleep schedule was off, and you were nauseous which was bad for your eating habits.

You had had to call off work today, things had gotten so bad. You had told Grim to keep it quiet, but he must have blabbed because…

"Come, we are going to the spa." You could tell Vil was trying to give you an out by making it seem like it was a friend offer, but you knew he knew.

"No thanks," you said, hoping he would leave.

Vil frowned at you. "Even on your break, you are overworking yourself. Shriveled potatoes do not flourish."

You were about to pout at him, and say something snarky, but he had already moved to massaging your shoulders.

Apparently, he was really good at this. You felt yourself practically melting at his touch, feeling the stress and pain fade away for a moment. You could get addicted to this feeling if you weren't careful.

You could get addicted to Vil…

After a couple moments of heaven, he pulled back. 

"I assure you, the masseuse we have on retainer is very good. Her first and foremost background is physical therapy. She has worked miracles for me many times." 

You had to stop yourself from asking him to just continue massaging you instead. But you knew he was right. A physical therapist would be better. But it begged the question why he had one in the first place. You'd worry about that later.

He was definitely right, the masseuse worked wonders. After your massage, Vil had had the other employees of their home spa give you the total treatment. You felt more refreshed than you had since you had arrived.

The next day, as you were about to head to work, Vil had pulled you to the side.

"Your dedication is admirable, but if you break yourself you will be of use to no one. Be careful." 

He then handed you a bag he had personally assembled full of snacks, then sent you on your way.

                                       …

At some point during the summer, you couldn't quite remember when, you had taken to having your lunch breaks together. He would come by the shop you worked in, you would sit in comfortable silence, and then you would part ways.

It became so much of a pattern that the day Vil didn't show up, you panicked a little.

Near the end of your break, you got a call.

"Shrimpy!!!!!"

"Floyd?" You questioned. "How did you get my number?" 

"Hee hee."

That wasn't an answer, but you figured it was all you were going to get.

"What's up?"

"Hee hee, where's Betta fish I wonder?"

"Betta fish…" you muttered, trying to remember who belonged to the nickname. "Oh, Vil? I don't know, he's…. Wait."

You heard Floyd guffawing on the other end of the phone call.

"Floyd, what do you know about where Vil is?"

"Azul wants to see you. I'd show up if I were you, or Jade and I will give Betta fish a biiiiiig squeeze!"

Then he hung up.

You looked down at your phone, and saw an address from an unknown number, along with a picture of a tied up, very annoyed looking Vil.

You got permission to leave work early on "family emergency" and raced to the address. 

You arrived at what seemed to just be a beach house. You knocked on the door and Floyd threw it open, squeezing you in a hug so tight you couldn't breathe. 

"Shriiiiiimpyyyyyy you came! I knew you would!" 

You did your best to "tap out" of Floyd embrace, but to no avail, until you heard,

"Fu Fu, you can play with Shrimpy later, Azul wants to see them right now."

"Hi Jade," you said drily. "Where's Vil, and what are you…."

"No need to worry, all will be explained in time. Follow me."

Floyd begrudgingly let you down and stalked off after Jade, you in tow. At length, they arrived in an office. Azul was sitting at his desk looking the very picture of a mob boss, while Vil sat tied to one of the chairs across from Azul's desk, looking the very picture of annoyed.

"Took you long enough, Potato. I was beginning to think you'd leave me to the eels." He groaned.

"Believe me, it was very tempting," you hummed, and took the opportunity you knew you would never get again to muss up Vil's hair. If looks could kill….

"Alright, Azul. What do you want?"

He smiled at you, and gestured to the other chair. Once you sat, he leaned in close.

"I'd like to offer you a job."

....

Tag list: @stygianoir

[babygirldior]

Birthday Kisses

Jude Bellingham x Fem!Reader

Summary: It's your bday and you're Jude's best friend (who he's definitely not in love with or anything like that)

A/N: I wrote this with acrylics on it was really hard

Requested: Yes! a fluff with Jude Bellingham then in which he and her are best friends but he is in love with her and tells her. @hannahsophie0103

.

He knew he was going to fall in love with you the moment he met you. It didn't happen instantly, not even after a couple years, but he knew it would happen, and it did.

.

He's eight, kicking a ball around in the park near his house, and his parents are off somewhere, and Jobe really isn't too much fun because he's five, and no amount of "you were his age once too"'s from his parents can convince him to let him tag along. So Jobe goes with their mum and dad, and Jude plays alone, dribbling through imaginary players.

The grass is green and glittering from the morning dew so brightly it hurts his eyes. He doesn't notice you until you're standing right in front of him, kicking the ball out from underneath his feet.

"Can I play with you?"

All of his friends are at home, and his parents don't know theirs, so he can't just say no and run off to grab someone else to play with.

He kicks the dirt and stuffs his hands into his pockets because he feels so much more grown up when he does that and says "Yeah, alright."

You're not great at football, you pass with your toes and stop the ball with the sole of your foot, but you're fiery. You don't hold back when getting the ball from him, your pushes and shoves where Jude is light feet and taps. You're infuriating to play against.

You play a game you call "dodge", where you take turns with the ball and dribble past the other player. And Jude's good, he's more than good, but you don't know how to play so you run into him and take the ball with all the force of your small body.

Jude loses 2-5. That's when he sits down on the grass and stops playing.

You smile at him and hold out your hand for him to shake. He looks up, and you're illuminated by the sunlight behind you, and Jude is eight years old and he knows he's going to fall in love with you, he feels it in his fragile bones. He shakes your hand and watches your fingers curl around his.

He walks you home and holds your hand the whole way, and you let him. You're eight years old and you don't know that the funny feeling in your stomach means you're in love.

.

"Can you get off your phone, mate?" Sanch hits Jude over the head with a pillow, which is the only thing that's managed to take his eyes off the screen in an hour.

"I can't, I'm trying to buy a gift for Y/N." Sanch groans when Jude smiles at the sound of her name, and Jude continues. "It's her birthday you know."

"Is it really?" He acts like he's surprised, acts like Jude hasn't told all of the boys at least twenty times in the past 24 hours.

"Piss off, you know it is."

"Yeah, so get her a necklace and call it a day."

"I can't do that!"

"I've seen her texts, she doesn't even want a gift, Jude."

"Yeah but it's her birthday, she's going to get a gift."

And Jadon doesn't even try to argue because Jude's attention is already back to his phone with a lazy smile, holding your messages up to his face to giggle at whatever unfunny thing you just sent him, so he trudges up to his room and plays Fortnite on his own, and wonders why he invited Jude over in the first place.

So Sanch gets away with saying things like, "you're whipped, mate", because Jude couldn't deny it even if he wanted to, and he knows it.

.

The sky is dark and cloudless, and you can see a few stray stars. You've always loved stars, in a way that makes Jude want to forge them in a fiery embrace and hang them in the sky just so he can see the way you look up in wonder and whisper in his ear, look up, Jude, look at the stars.

And Jude's walking nervously down your driveway towards your house, and he's holding a little box with a necklace in it, and the box feels so much heavier than it is because you open the door as if you felt his presence and ran into his arms, and suddenly he wants to give you so much more than a little jewellery.

"Happy birthday, love." He says into the crook of your neck, and the feeling of his stomach flipping is still something he has yet to get used to. You are something he has yet to get used to.

So he doesn't pull away until you do, and the feeling doesn't stop. He squeezes your hand like you're the one that needs comforting.

"Thank you."

"I haven't even given you your gift yet."

"You're a gift to me everyday." You say, and he doesn't kiss you, but he wants to. And he doesn't tell you he loves you, but he does.

You know Jude would never make the first move. Your friendship has always been too strong for either of you to take a risk, and by the time you were old enough to know what being in love was, it was too late. You won't wait any longer.

You stand up on your tippy toes and press a kiss to his mouth that almost misses in its haste, and you pull back to see Jude's raised eyebrows and parted lips. And it's too dark to tell that he's blushing, but he is. He would hold your hand up to his cheek to let you feel the heat but he's already leaning forward, taking your lips in his and that's better, he decides.

He's speaking before he's even aware of it. The words tumble from his lips, lips that will never feel the same again, lips that will always feel empty without yours against them.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

You two must've been standing out there in front of your house for hours, illuminated by the golden glow of light from your open door. If it was up to him, he would stay like this for hours.

He doesn't have the chance to speak because you tug his hand and say, "look up at the stars, Jude, aren't they pretty?"

"Yes," He says, but he's not looking at the stars. He's looking at you. "Very pretty."

[star--anon]

I See The Player You Mean

Ayup, Tumblr. It has been a while, but have tkle fic.

Uh, most of these are actually fics I wanted to write but got too lazy for, so I just shortened them and threw them together

Word Count: 1685

·:*¨༺ ★ ༻¨*:·.

And the universe said I love you.

"Ph-Phihihil," Tommy softly giggled, burying his face in Phil's shoulder. A few tears seeped into his cape, but the avian didn't care. He didn't even notice. He just poked Tommy in the side again, smiling softly as the boy squeaked and snickered quietly.

"Feeling better?" he murmured, poking again.

Tommy nodded, still laughing. "Yeheheheah..."

Another poke made him squeal.

And the universe said you have played the game well.

"C'mon, Toms," teased Wilbur, shuffling away a little so Tommy had no place to hide his smile. "Let's see that big, adorable grin of yours."

"Nohohot adohorable," Tommy protested, covering his face with his hands.

"Of course you're adorable, you've Phil's genes floating around you somewhere," Wilbur replied, twirling a finger on the younger's stomach, fondly watching Tommy's tears dry up and his grin grow larger. "And I've also got Phil's genes floating around somewhere, so if I'm this handsome, you gotta be too, y'know. That's... That's definitely how genetics works."

Phil quietly hummed a small tune to himself downstairs, listening to the two brothers.

And the universe said everything you need is within you.

"Oh no, you don't!" Phil playfully shouted, chasing Wilbur throughout the house. The eight-year-old squealed in excitement, weaving around chairs and underneath tables and other things "tall", old men like Phil couldn't do.

Eventually, however, Phil caught up to the boy and immediately wrapped him up with his wings.

"Hehehey!" yelped Wilbur, the feeling of feathers everywhere making him flinch and giggle. "Wihihings ahare cheheheheating!"

And the universe said you are stronger than you know.

A small whistle of wind alerted him of danger. His ears flicked and he twisted at exactly the time his instincts told him to, dodging the dagger that had been aimed for his throat and easily catching the wrist of his attacker.

Just as Technoblade moved to send his assailant flying, however, he got a good look at their face and... realized she was a young piglin. She was maybe around thirteen years old, with what looked like a homemade knife in her hands and a terrified expression on her face.

Techno began to tremble. He felt a single tear run down his face. Why? he thought. I'm not scared.

But peering into the deep, blue eyes of the piglin shook him to his core. And then, right before his eyes, she and the knife in her hands and her battered home and her even-younger brother cowering behind a broken wall melted down to thick, red, hot blood. And Technoblade found himself drowning, drowning, drowning, in screams that lit up the night in a wretched chorus...

"Technoblade! Technoblade!" Phil shook his friend violently. "Please, you're having a nightmare!"

Frantically, Phil attempted to wake his friend up, shaking him by the shoulders and even flicking his snout (a piglin's nose is a sensitive area). A random idea made its way into Phil's head, and normally, he wouldn't even have considered it.

But this wasn't "normally" anymore.

"AHAHAHAHA!" Technoblade bolted up from his bed. Then he stared at Phil in disbelief. "Did you just t-tick-tickle me out of sleep?"

"You were having a nightmare," mumbled Phil, suddenly feeling very stupid. He was so embarrassed he didn't even notice the stutter on the word "tickle". Defensively, he continued, "I was caught up in the moment of trying to save you from your mind, okay? I- EEP! Nohoho! W-Wahahahait!"

"Revenge, old man!"

And the two ran around their poor excuse of a cabin (made last night in five minutes), Phil babbling excuses while his friend chased him down, Techno's nightmare forgotten.

And the universe said you are the daylight.

"Fr-Friehehehend," tittered Ghostbur, gently pushing on his sheep's head. Friend bleated in annoyance, and the poor ghost screeched in laughter.

So while Friend had fun snuggling against Ghostbur's soft, warm skin, the ghost giggled his head off, trying to explain to Friend, through his laughter, that she was nuzzling his stomach and her wool was very scratchy and fluffy.

And the universe said you are the night.

"PLAY," Fran barked loudly, glaring at his owner. The squirrel-brain glared right back.

"No," Sam repeated. "You stay out of the kitchen and be patient. I'm busy making cookies; it's Puffy's birthday today and she likes cookies."

Fran growled deep in his throat. Making sure his friend-of-mind-and-heart could see, he set one, deliberate paw into the food-territory-he-must-not-enter. Sam gasped.

"No!" he shouted, setting down the tray of cookies. The oven protested shrilly, reminding him about the cookies in the oven. The creeper ignored him, striding over to Fran and attempting to push him away. Sternly, he said, "You do not go in the kitchen, Fran! We've talked about this! You ate everything last time you came in here; don't you dare do it again!"

"PLAY," repeated Fran, barking loudly. He pressed his muzzle against Sam's stomach and pushed back, doing his best to maintain his ground. He didn't expect Sam to squeak and immediately pull back. The dog glanced up in confusion before noticing the exploding-grass's small smile. Fran's tail became a blur of grey. Smiles meant playing!

He did it again, pressing against Sam's stomach and pushing, giving it his lick-kisses (wtf are those called again), happily barking when his friend-of-mind-and-heart laughed and squealed.

"PLAY!"

"Fr-Frahahahahan!"

And the universe said the darkness you fight is within you.

Bad buried his head in his hands."You're really going to make me do this?" he mumbled, peeking out at Skeppy between his fingers.

The diamond smirked. "Yup," he said, popping the 'p'. "You either tell me what you want or I'm not doing shi- anything."

Bad groaned. "You're an unpleasant person, Skeppy."

The other simply leaned closer to his face. "Say it then."

"Just... Wr-Wreck me." Bad blushed. "Please."

And the universe said the light you seek is within you.

"Go on then," Tommy challenged. "Tickle me if you're so sure about it."

Tubbo blinked. "Wh-What?"

"You said you're a ler, right? Prove it, big man."

Tubbo eyed Tommy, sensing a trap. Tommy put his hands up in a surrendering position.

"No loopholes this time," he said. "Honest. All you have to do is AH-!"

Tubbo dived onto Tommy mid-sentence. The two wrestled on the ground for a moment, though it quickly ended when Tubbo slipped a hand up the other's shirt and squeezed his ribcage.

"Whahahat?!" yelled Tommy, falling to the ground. "Thaha-Thahahahat's nohohot fahair!"

"I won!" Tubbo cheered, pinning Tommy's hands above his head and settling down on Tommy's knees. He stuck his tongue out at his friend, still squeezing at his ribs. "Who said I'm not a ler?"

"Youhuhu cheheheheheated!" Tommy protested, squirming underneath him. "Thahat's uhuhnfahair!"

"Didn't seem unfair yesterday~"

And the universe said you are not alone.

"S-Sahahahapnahap, stohohop ihiht," Dream managed to force out. He aimed a blow at Sapnap's shoulder, not hard enough to hurt, just hard enough to move him away. The other chuckled, easily dodging the blow. Dream tried again, but he got thrown off as Sapnap lightly scratched at his navel. The speedrunner squealed, collapsing onto the couch. Sapnap easily followed him. Getting curious, he blew a short raspberry on his navel.

"NOHOHO!" Dream yelped, scrambling away. He put a hand against his navel and looked at his friend with wide, worried eyes. "D-Dohon't do that..."

"You didn't seem bothered about that spot just a second ago," Sapnap responded. "You liked doing it to me. I'm just repaying the favor~"

Sapnap grabbed Dream's hands and raised them above his head. The other squirmed underneath him.

"W-wait wait wait, we can tAHAHAHALK-"

And the universe said you are not separate from every other thing.

"Jealous?"

Quackity nearly screamed. As it was, he simply bit his tongue and started, turning to find Karl cheerfully looking at him.

"J-Jealous of what?"

"Them," replied Karl, nodding towards Dream and George chase each other around, one managing to get the upper hand and tickle the other for only a few seconds before the roles were reversed. "You've been watching them for minutes now and you seem pretty lonely."

"N-No," Quackity quickly asserted, both dismayed he had been found out but also ecstatic someone had finally noticed. "I-I'm not... U-Uh..."

"Oh," Karl said, looking slightly crestfallen. "So... did I drag Sapnap out of bed for nothing, then?" And it was then that Quackity noticed Sapnap standing a little way back, smirking at the two.

"Just admit you're ticklish and let's get it over with," the son of a fire-bitch called. "You've been ogling at the others for an embarrassingly long time."

And the universe said you are the universe tasting itself, talking to itself, reading its own code.

"Gohohod, nohohohoho!"

"You're asking the wrong person, buddy," Ranboo replied, continuing his attack on the backs of Tubbo's knees. He swirled a long finger around one and evilly squeezed the other, sending Tubbo into a laughing fit.

Tubbo's long, droopy ears began to flap crazily, which led them to flick over the back of his neck. The boy's giggles went silent, his knees and neck being two spots that always made him laugh.

"I love your ears so much," teased Ranboo, noticing Tubbo's silent laughter and pausing for a break. "They're like my personal little helpers!"

As soon as air returned to Tubbo's lungs, he burst out with, "YOUHUHU'RE AHAN AHAHAHASSHOLE!"

And the universe said I love you because you are love.

"H-Hehehey!" Wilbur protested, jerking back with a giggle. Niki chuckled at the response.

"What?" she asked, playfully, making her eyes wide with innocence. Then she took the seaweed to Wilbur's nose again, making the boy titter softly. "I don't get it Wil. Why're you laughing? Is it something I said?"

"Qui-Quihihit ihit!" giggled Wilbur. He went to hide his face with his hands before realizing that he couldn't because that would hide his nose as well... N-Not that he wanted to get tickled!

Niki smirked. "What do you call testosterone recommendations a doctor gives to a trans dinosaur? T-Rex!"

And Wilbur couldn't help but laugh, the delicate seaweed tracing small circles on his nose. He did whine, "Thahahat's a hohorrible johohohoke!"

"Then why are you laughing at it?" the other cheekily challenged.

And the game was over and the player woke up from the dream. And the player began a new dream. And the player dreamed again, dreamed better. And the player was the universe. And the player was love.

You are the player.

Wake up.

-🌟

[a-is-for-abel]

"“I’m moving.” He froze, glancing up at his friend. The other boy’s eyes were gleaming with suppressed sobs, breath hitching and jaw clenched. “Mom got a job in another state and we’re moving in a month.”

Inspired by this prompt by @givethispromptatry

Sand and shells crunched under the belly of the kayak as it ran aground. With a wobble and a curse he tumbled into the water, paddle floating away from him and kayak shooting off in the opposite direction.

"Fuck."

He scrambled to collect both, tossing the paddle up onto the beach and grabbing the handle at the bow of the kayak to tow it onto shore.

"You're late."

He rolled his eyes and glanced over his shoulder to see Warren in all his cut-offs and sandals glory. "And you're early."

Warren crossed his arms. "I'm literally the most on time, dude."

"Whatever, just-- Help me grab the stuff."

He popped open the watertight chamber in front of the seat and reached into the belly of the kayak, all while Warren struggled to pull the backpack out from under the cage of bungee cords at the front.

"Just unhook them, dude," he said, his cellphone and two unopened cream sodas finally in hand.

"Don't tell me how to do it."

"It's not going to--"

"Shit!" Warren yelped, recoiling and clutching his hand.

"Told you."

Warren flicked him off, but turned to do what he said anyway.

"Come on, suns gonna start setting soon." He grabbed his backpack from Warren and stuffed the drinks and his phone inside.

"What? Afraid of some gators?"

"No," he said. "Rather a gator than my dad."

Warren grimaced. "He still got you on that curfew?"

"Yup."

He picked his way through the mangrove thicket that cut the beach off from the rest of the spoil island. The roots of the black mangroves jutted up like fingers through the sand and the stilts of the red mangroves tried their best to snag his feet as he ducked under the sprawling web of an orb weaver hidden in their midst. Thankfully, it cleared out past the initial wall of foliage, becoming more barren with only the occasional thicket.

He remembered when his dad had led them through here the first time and explained that the mangroves kept the spoil islands standing. That when hurricanes and storms threatened to wash them away, their roots would act like a little army, keeping off any barrage and harboring whatever took up shelter under them.

He frowned. His dad and him hadn't come out here since--

"Fuck, fuck, fu--" Warren sputtered behind him, high-pitched.

"Web?" he asked, glancing back to see Warren flinching away from a tree.

"Yeah, fuck--" Warren brushed his arms off frantically and patted at his hair. "Fucking spiders all over the fucking place, man. They call it Mosquito Lagoon, but it really should be spider god damn la-- Fuck!"

"Nice one, ‘spider god damn la-fuck’ really has a special sort of ring to it."

Warren shot him a glare and dusted off his shoulders and the front of his shirt with quick flicks. "You owe me for psychological damages..."

"Come on, we used to come out here all the time."

"When I was like ten! And with your dad!" Warren cowered away from another web that sprawled from a lone tree. "And I didn't have as much free real estate for a spider to like, you know-- Crawl all over me or whatever."

"Free real estate?"

"Yeah, you know the whole--" Warren gestured vaguely. "The meme."

"God, please stop," he groaned. "That shits like, what, twenty-seventeen? That's like ancient history, man."

"It's a classic."

"Sure," he muttered. "A classic."

"Whatever, man, you're just not cultured."

He scoffed. "That's definitely it."

The other end of the island unfolded into a drop-off, all coquina and shells packed tightly together and built up into a mound that cut off abruptly into nothing. It was the highest point of the island-- of most of the spoils out here honestly-- even though it's small cliff had been eaten away and eroded over time, shrinking and shifting as the island shrank with the waves.

Dropping his backpack, he sat and dangled his legs over the edge, shoes knocking back against the coquina with a scratchy rasp. Warren plopped down beside him, keeping his legs folded and away from the plunge. Not that it was much of a sheer cliff. Only about eight feet down at the most, but enough that it felt like a lot. Compared to the average of three feet below sea level for the rest of the mainland; eight feet felt pretty fucking huge.

The tide lapped at the base of the island, the water hissing and coiling, writhing and alive where it squirmed through the holes bored through the coquina face and back out with a soft crackle. Crabs, tiny and mottled, darted in and around the rocks and he could see finger mullet, their scales flashing as they turned and twisted with the waves.

"You tied up your kayak, right?" Warren asked.

"Naw, but it should be fine. I pulled it up pretty far."

"I'm not sharing if you get stuck out here."

He frowned, shooting Warren his best puppy dog eyes. "You'd leave me out here?"

"Yes."

He chuckled. "Fair."

Seagulls drifted in lazy circles far overhead, the occasional cry working its way down to them as the birds banked with the wind, following the gusts up to where they could catch a glimpse of a meal beneath the water. One wheeled down in a sudden arc, wings folded close to its side as it plummeted, beak first, into the water with a snap and then back out with a spray.

"Man, tough luck..." Warren said. "Hate whenever they miss. Makes me feel kinda bad."

"They're just gonna go do what the rest do and steal some fries at the jetty once they realize it's easier than doing this."

"Yeah, but it's like-- I don't know, man. Just wish he'd get a win."

"You don't even know him!"

"I feel like we have a connection." Warren pointed at where the seagull had gone back to patrolling the waters. "Me and seagull number one thousand and three, we're like this--" He crossed his fingers.

"Shut up," he snorted.

They watched the seagull try again and fail.

Warren started up a running commentary after the third attempt, cupping a hand over his mouth to imitate the slight grain of a sports announcer's microphone as he dramatized the whole thing. When the seagull finally managed to snag a fish Warren cheered, arms thrown up in a touchdown motion that he copied with a grin.

"Hell yeah, dude!" Warren high-fived him.

"Where's all that enthusiasm for when you're at my games?" he asked.

"Come on, dude, you know I always cheer the loudest. You're just too far out on the field to hear me."

"I'm sure that's what it is."

"Whatever, man-- What'd you bring anyway?" Warren grabbed his backpack and began rummaging through it. "Oh shit! Gummy bears, dude! And the good kind, hell yeah!"

"Yeah, grabbed them before I came here. That's why I was late, idiot."

Warren tore open the package. "Crimes forgiven, man. This is worth it."

"Give me that--" He pulled his backpack out of Warren's lap. "I also got some soda, but I guess all you care about is your precious little bears."

"Naw, naw-- Hand that over."

"Rude much?"

"What? You want me to kiss you on the lips for it first, bro?"

He laughed. "Now, that would be the polite thing to do."

Warren puckered his lips at him and then snatched the soda. "Fuck off."

"Not even a little kiss?" he teased.

"You dragged me out to spider-fuck-nowhere, while it's ass fucking hot out and where it smells like rotting fish taint-- Just to watch the fucking sunset, when we could have sat on my roof and done the exact same thing-- You expect a kiss for that?"

He shrugged. "Yeah. Bro code."

Warren snorted. "Hand me a bottle opener, dip shit."

He popped open his own bottle and passed it over to Warren, who struggled for a moment before finally getting it with a triumphant 'whoop'. The mixture of saccharine flavored soda and the slight rotting stench of algae, and whatever else the lagoon had to offer, wasn't exactly pleasant, but it wasn't terrible. It was familiar.

It was homely in it's off kilter sort of way.

"So, why'd you bring me out here anyways?" Warren asked.

He sighed and kicked his heel back against the coquina. "I’m moving.”

Warren sucked in sharply and he glanced over at him.

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at the water below his feet. "Dad got a job in another state and we’re moving in a month.”

"Dude…"

"I didn't know how to tell you. I just--"

"Is that why you decided it'd be a good idea to sneak out and go to that dumb party with me?" Warren asked, frowning.

"I figured it would be one of the last chances I had to do something fun, you know. Here. Before I just-- Leave all this shit forever. I mean, we're moving to fucking Ohio, man. Where the fuck am I gonna find a party on an island out there?"

"Right…"

"And look, fuck my dad--"

"Jake--"

"No, fuck him-- He didn't even--" he huffed. "Things were looking up, man. Varsity lacrosse in sophomore year, that's huge, dude. And I wasn't just the fucking loser kid in the back of class anymore and he just--"

"Works rough here, dude..." Warren cut him off, sighing. "Space programs taking a shit. Whole island's taking a shit, really. Plenty of people left the first time NASA tanked, remember? It's just… it happens, man."

"So, you're just fine with it then?" he asked, brows furrowing. "We're never going-- I'm never going to see you again and you're just okay with that?"

"It's not forever!" Warren said, throwing out his hands. "There's planes, man! It's the twenty first fucking century. We got phones, dude. We'll stay in touch."

He grit his teeth and looked down.

"Jake, bro. C'mon-- Look at me."

He met Warren's eyes.

"It's gonna be okay, dude." Warren said, smile wide, and he could see the little falter at the edges, but he didn't call him on it. "Look--" Warren held up his bottle. "We'll cheers on it."

"Cheers on what?"

"To staying in touch, to meeting up in the future. To staying friends and all that, I don't know."

"To you finally getting a boyfriend?"

"Actually, you know what, I'm not going to miss you at all."

"Come on--" he grinned, nudging Warren with his shoulder. "You'll miss me."

"Yeah," Warren chuckled, looking down with a small smile. "I will..."

His fingers tightened around the glass bottle in his hand, bottom lip threatening to worry between his teeth. "Look, let's do your dumb cheers thing before it gets too sentimental or whatever."

Warren sighed, seeming to shake himself off before raising his soda bottle above his head and towards the slowly setting sun. "To us."

"To us?" He wrinkled his nose. "Isn't that kinda cheesy?"

"Just shut up and do it."

"Fine..." he grumbled with a grin, raising his bottle to clink against Warren's. "To us."

--

//photo credit// me and my phone c. 2020 //

[cheelduh]

How to bet your way into someone’s heart. (Highschool AU)

Pairing: Childe x fem!reader

Warnings: Fake weed. Poor Signora smh. Oh yes, lots of swearing. UNEDITED ASF IM LAZY BYE.

Synopsis: Childe is being an infatuated idiot, Lisa has eyes for vending machine chocolate, and Kaeya is desperately in need of a pencil. With all these distractions, there’s no way in hell you’ll be able focus on the task at hand.

This is crack.

I don’t have time.

You think as you race down the hallway, shoes slapping against the floor as you expertly dodge multiple students in your way.

Bullet. You're as fast as a bullet, because everyone around you is a blur and you don't stop, can't stop, not until you meet your target.

It's funny how one can accomplish many challenges and feats they were unable to, merely due to pressure. Pressure is a twisted ugly thing that can gnaw its way into the pit of your stomach and grow like a parasite. Pressure is a parasite that can either bring the best in you, or the worst, but at the cost of one's peace of mind.

"Move it Signora!" You shouted a warning at the senior blocking your way. There wasn't any time for you slow down at that point, and you'd risk bumping into the breakfast club's stall if you swerved to the side, sending juice flying everywhere.

Signora's eyes widened momentarily, getting the gist albeit her anger, and choosing to back up flatly against the locker.

Her lipstick nearly slips from her fingers as you swerve past, a thick gust of wind in your wake.

It messes with the hair she woke up two hours early for.

Signora plots her revenge. You still don't have time.

You nearly kick the door to your home room down, but you can't risk the perfect image your teachers have of you. So you pat down your t-shirt, take five tempting deep breaths, and tentatively knock the door.

The door opens and you're met with a young man, familiar amber pupils welcoming you.

You try not to huff and puff at the cost of your stamina. Thinking back, there's no way in hell you could have physically been that fast.

"Good morning Y/N," Your homeroom teacher gives you a small smile, moving aside to let you in. "Class is just about to start."

You check your watch, then turn to him with an apologetic tone, trying not to crack under the eyes of your classmates. "I'm so sorry Mr.Zhongli, I slept through my alarm."

Your idiot ass forgot to set one because you studied till four in the morning.

"You're like thirty seconds late, cut the shit." Beidou boos from the back, causing your stance to stiffen.

"I don't wanna hear it Beidou. If anything, you're two periods earlier than usual." Ningguang calls her out for you, but you have a feeling it's more so on behalf of a personal vendetta.

Ignoring the two bickering, Mr.Zhongli gives you the handout. "Take a seat. Do not fret over such minuscule things dear."

Relief washes over you. Your impeccable attendance is not on the line.

Childe tries to flag you down next to him but you send him a pointed glare and sit next to Lisa instead.

"You should give him a chance you know." Lisa doesn't even have to open her eyes to know what's going on.

"Please," You scoff, digging through your bags to collect your notes. "As if I have the time to fool around with a shady kid like him."

Your friend sighs in disapproval, and makes no move to take out her own notes as Mr.Zhongli begins the lecture on the Archon war.

"You should really pay attention." It bothers you that she doesn't, but then again it's not your place to tell her what to do or not to do.

"I don't need to." She yawns, blinking an eye open towards you. "I have you after all."

"I'm tired of saving your ass." You groan and pull a pen out of your pocket to get started on the exercises as Mr.Zhongli talks in the background.

The course outline contained all the topic, and you made sure to teach yourself as much as you could before class to stay ahead.

Immersed in the worksheet, you blinked away your sleep and tried to answer as many questions as you could at the moment. You didn't hear the slight shift next to you, and the change of breathing, or the rate of which time went by.

A familiar scent makes its way into your nostrils.

"Lisa. Why do you smell like mango juul juice." You know the scent from when Signora blew a mango flavoured fog in your face yesterday at lunch when you said you were hungry.

A chuckle erupts and you freeze in place. "That's because I'm not Lisa."

You blink. Once, twice, and then crane your head to the side to meet a pair of teasing cerulean eyes.

Fingers loosening in shock, the pen drops on the desk with a short thud.

You whisk your head towards the front of the classroom, and Mr.Zhongli is nowhere to be seen.

"There's no saving you now." Childe's smirk widens, and he scoots closer to you. "Mr.Zhongli had to get something from the staff room. The staff room is near the cafeteria."

"Which is also near the merch stall." You grumbled, bringing both hands to massage your temples as a headache is beginning it's reign.

"Tsk tsk. Smart girl. I'd like to add that he's forgotten his wallet in his office as well, which is in the south wing."

"Son of a..." You mutter underneath your breath, and opt to scoot further back, but your efforts are futile because your desk is in a corner.

Your next beacon of hope is Lisa, so you scan the room full of chattering students, only to find her pestering her crush, Jean.

Shit...there's nothing getting you out of this one.

"What did it take?" Is your only question, the despair starting to brew. How much did it take for your best friend to betray you?

"A dollar and fifty for vending machine chocolate."

You take a moment to breathe, calming your nerves and burying down the urge to screech. "What will it take?"

"For what?" Childe replies back innocently, and you can't believe how fast he can change masks. You almost give in.

"For you to leave me alone."

"Aww come on girlie," He whines, closing in the distance. "Don't be so cold."

What did your mom tell you that one time? Oh yes. That if you were ever backed against a wall, then just break the damn thing down.

Too bad it's figurative. You're just about ready to sock him in the face if you didn't know he was into that sort of thing.

"I'm serious about you," He says, and it sounds so real, so genuine, nearly makes you sputter. "See? I've even bought school supplies.

He unzips his light backback and spills the contents on the table.

A lone piece of paper flies out, a lighter, and a mechanical pencil with no lead that follows straight after. There's also a pocket knife that you choose to ignore.

You're not the least bit surprised.

"First of all, how the fuck are you passing this class. Second, do you really think I'm into nerds?"

"Well, considering that you are a nerd—"

"You're making things worse."

"My bad, my bad." He rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. "But on a serious note. I'll do anything."

You cross your arms. "I'm not just another one of your conquests Childe. It's not like I have the time. There are better things to do."

"You need to relax." He says so simply, with complete disregard as to what you are trying to say.

"I am relaxed." You reply, picking up your pen to continue your work. If he's going to annoy you, then you might as well get shit done while he's at it.

You're not wasting any more time.

"When was the last time you got a full eight hours of sleep?" His voice is soft, too soft, and it's not at all like the Childe you know.

Your pen stops momentarily, but you will yourself to continue writing. The words look fumbled, but you don't care. The best thing to do is get your work done and ignore the idiot next to you.

"C'mon, Zhongli won't be back for another half an hour at least. Let's go." He kicks the bottom of your chair to urge you.

The pen shakes in your hand, and you narrow your eyes at the paper, digging holes into poor question eight. "I'm trying to work here. Let me work." You'll say anything to get him off your back.

"Fine fine fine..." He raises both hands in mock surrender. "I'll stop bothering you."

Your ears perk up at that, and you turn to him so fast he has to hold in his laugh. "Really?"

"Yeah," Childe nods along, bringing your hopes up. "If you win a bet, that is." And they're back to ocean level.

You roll your eyes. There's always a catch. That doesn't mean you're any less interested.

"What's the bet?" You ask curiously, all your focus now on him. Just as he longed for from the very start.

He flicks a thumb towards the door, leaning closer to whisper next to your ear. "We bet when Zhongli comes back."

"Are you kidding me?" You aren't bothered at all at the close proximity, mainly because you're too tired and only care about the freedom that will come with your win.

Childe, however, is a completely different story. His heart is beating a thousand times a second, but his face doesn't show it. Not one bit.

Kaeya leans in from the seat behind you two, interested in what's going on. "Ooooh secrets."

"Shut up Kaeya." Childe and you monotonously drone in sync, still having your little staring contest.

The captain of the skating team smiles, about to ask—

"No. We don't have an extra pencil. Even if we did we wouldn't give it to you." Childe finally breaks his gaze to scare off Kaeya.

Kaeya raises a smug brow, and leans back in his chair like the jerkwad he is. "Then don't let me keep you two love birds."

That's all it takes for him to earn Childe's unwavering respect and loyalty for as long as he lives.

After the two are done creating an elaborate handshake as a mark of their newfound friendship, you decide to just forget about the handout. It's not like you're getting anything done anyways.

"Anyways, back to the bet." Childe says, resting his cheek on his fist as he stares at you dreamily. You try not to break under his gaze.

"If I win, you have to go on a date with me."

"No way in hell—"

"Then I'll bother you for the rest of highschool."

Highschool is eternity. You don't want to live through an eternity of this.

"Fine." You answer, and for the first time he sees genuine fear in your face, it makes him waver slightly. Not enough for him to pity you.

"If I win..." You trail, thinking loud and clear as you ignore the excited chatter of your classmates. "I want you to pay attention to class."

"What?" He exclaims incredulously, blinking in disbelief. "I thought you'd get me to stop talking to you altogether."

"If you're paying attention in class, you don't bother me as much and your grades go up." You grin smartly, and oh archons it livens his entire day up, and it's only nine in the morning.

"You care about my grades?" Childe bites back a smile.

"Not at all." You lie, and quickly look away. Woah the floor tile looking trippy.

He decides it's better to get on with the bet without causing you any more distress. After all, you've given him such cute facial expressions today. He's feeling quite generous.

Pulling out his cracked-as-shit latest model phone, he unlocks it and tinkers with it a bit before turning the screen towards you.

"We'll be using this to time both of our predictions at the same time. Whoever has the closer time to when he finally swings by is the winner." The rules are simply put, no room for error.

You tilt your head in confusion. "Why am I seeing a slime review?"

"SHIT!" Childe fumbles with his phone, aggressively tapping on the screen. He lowers his head and voice as if he's been through fifty consecutive hits in the face. "It's uh, Teucer's account."

"Yeah...okay." Is all you can say.

"Ok what do you bet?" He changes the topic to unfuck the situation.

Putting a finger in your chin, you think for a minute, calculating the average of all the times Mr.Zhongli has left the classroom for a considerable amount of time.

"Fifteen minutes." You're sure of it. It's like clockwork every day.

"Hmm..." Childe crosses his arms, seemingly in deep thought. "Five minutes." He places his bet, and both timers start simultaneously.

Five minutes?! Is he serious?

You laugh inwardly. This challenge is in the bag.

The sense of victory you feel dulls when your ears pick up the echo of footsteps nearing the classroom.. Both your heads snap up to the doors.

There's something scary about Childe once his competitive side comes out. "Looks like I've won." He turns to you, eyes darkening evilly.

"What? There's no way in hell a ginger is right." Your palms are clammed up, eyebrows furrowed in panic. You calculated every single variable, how could this be?

You race to the front, Childe right on your tail as the entire class clamps up. The footsteps get louder, causing even whispers to become total silence.

Then it hits you. The shitty music about getting bitches and bars playing on the other side.

The door is swung open by Childe, and you're face to face with an idiot sophomore with a speaker in his pocket.

Childe’s grin is long gone, and you sigh in relief.

The false alarm encourages the class to return back to their idle chatter.

"Scaramouche?" Childe spits, narrowing his eyes at the unamused boy. "I thought it was Signora's shift today."

By "shift" he means being a complete dickwad and scamming fake weed to students in return for their souls. It only really works on the freshmen.

The only reason the club still runs is because Signora threatened the principal with some sus pictures she snapped of him and his assistant.

"Apparently she had an emergency." Scaramouche explains, lowering the volume on his outdated beats pill. "Something about a hair appointment because she got ran into by a, and I quote "lecherous imbecile.""

You steer clear of the conversation, finding the whiteboard far more fascinating and worth your while.

A loud cough is heard from behind the kid, and you're met with a crestfallen look on your beloved teacher's face.

You go through a whiplash of emotions, becoming completely numb towards your loss.

"They were out of slow cooked bamboo shoot soup." He sighs, handing a stack of papers to Childe, who is wearing the fattest smirk on his face at his victory. "Please hand these out to your classmates Childe, and we will begin shortly."

You check down at the timer despite knowing who’s won. Five minutes and twenty five seconds. Somehow, you don't feel as dejected as you thought you'd feel.

Maybe the date will be fun. Maybe Childe isn't so bad. Maybe...you do have time to indulge in these sort of things. If he’s so hell bent on getting your attention, perhaps it’s possible that you can make some room in your heart for him.

However, all those thoughts fly out the window when Childe hands you the new worksheet.

“I hope you're ready for our date tomorrow. We'll be sparring till sundown, and after you’ll be feeding me with chopsticks." He winks, and it makes your heart flip even though all you want right now is to go to the bathroom and barf your guts out.

Feelings are complicated.

You smile back at him nauseously, tight lipped and all, then you pull out your phone, go on maps, and search for the closest cliffs to jump off of.

After he's done, Childe slouches back in his original seat with a different kind of enthusiasm, and opens up his messages. He texts Zhongli a "thank you <3".

[acesofspade]

im gonna rant about something that pisses me off: eye exams.

so, im legally blind. ive had glasses since i was nine months old, and am currently 22. i wore an eye patch until i was about five or six to correct a lazy eye, and bifocals until i was about eight. my prescription is pretty strong, and i have astigmatism on top of everything else.

im also dyslexic and partially colourblind. the eye doctor i went to unt i was eight was spectacular, but he retired when i was eight, so all my files were transferred to the eye doctor in my home town that my family went to.

she did Not know how to handle me. for an entire decade, she would disregard me struggling to do the letter charts and reading tests because i'm dyslexic, and would put colour filters over things that made everything harder to read. she would often make me cry in frustration during eye exams because i could tell my vision was getting worse, but because im dyslexic, i struggled with the exams she made me do.

when i was about 18, around the time i graduated high school, she told me to my face she thought i was lying about my vision getting worse because she 'couldn't see a change in my prescription' because im fucking dyslexic and couldn't read the charts she was showing me. i was then sent to a specialist in town who treated me horribly, claimed my only issue was dry eyes, and tried to prescribe me eye drops (which i am allergic to, and they cause me actual physical pain to put in). i also had eye drops forcibly put in during the exam, which screwed up the rest of my exam. nobody would listen to me when i told them i was allergic to eye drops, claiming it was impossible to be allergic to them. im sorry??? it feels like you're dripping hot acid directly onto my corena, and my vision goes blurry for the next three or four hours after one drop

i left that exam crying too, because nobody takes me seriously.

we moved out of town for a while, and i went to an eye doctor out there once in the time we lived there, and they did their best, but we're back in town now and my vision is getting worse again. i absolutely dread having to go back to the eye doctor, because they all treat me like a hysterical fool who doesn't know what they're talking about.

[girlwithshipsshitshow]

Bound together: Part one

April 1st, what an ironic day to hold a funeral, but there wasn't much time to plan it, everything happened so fast, the crash, the planning, and then arguing over what to do with ten year old Misaki. In the end Takahiro had to get a full time job and turn down an acceptance to M university. Thank god the two had Usagi, what would they do without him.

Usagi stood in the rain by the entrance of the church, he lit a cigarette, and sighed. He was waiting for his friend Takahiro and Misaki, his ten year old brother. Usagi had only recently met Takahiro during their last year of high school, but they had become fast friends, Usagi had even developed feelings for him, he would never let Takahiro know that. Usagi wanted to be here for the support, and he was kinda excited to meet Misaki, he was all Takahiro ever talked about. Usagi looked up when he heard a slight commotion in the distance, he saw Takahiro pulling a little kid who he assumed was Misaki.

Takahiro: Misaki, don't pull we have to go!

Misaki: (Sobbing), No this is all my fault.

Takahiro: (Picks up Misaki, who puts his head in Takahiro's shoulder). Come on! (He hurries to the church doors stopping in front of Usagi). Usagi-san, thank you for being here, (holds hand out, Usagi takes his hand shaking it).

Usagi: Anytime man. How are you holding up?

Takahiro: You know, I'm okay. Trying to stay strong for Misaki.

Misaki: (Lifts head up, smiles shyly at Usagi) H-hi.

Usagi: Hi Misaki, i'm Usagi.

Misaki: Hi, Usagi, you're my brothers best friend right?

Usagi: Well, I-

Takahiro: Yeah Misaki, he is.

Misaki: (Jumps out of Takahiro's arms) I want to stand with Usagi.

Takahiro: (Angrily) MISAKI, DON'T JUMP OUT OF MY ARMS LIKE THAT, YOU COULD GET HURT).

Misaki: But, i'm fine, God, you're so overprotective. (Looks up at Usagi, motions for him to come down to his level, Usagi, was a full three feet taller than Usagi, he was basically a giant compared to Misaki). Usagi, I have to tell you a secret.

Usagi: (Bends down) What is it?

Misaki: You shouldn't get to close to me, you might die like me parents.

Usagi: Misaki, what do you mean?

Misaki: My parents died because of me, I told them to hurry home and then they crashed, it's my fault.

Usagi: Mi-

Takahiro: Guys, we need to go in. Misaki take my hand (Reaches hand out for Misaki).

Misaki: No, I don't want to.

Takahiro: Fine, lets go. (Walks in, heading towards the front of the church).

Usagi: Misaki, what do you mean it's your fault, you told them to hurry, but that doesn't mean they did, they got into an accident, and that happens all the time, do you know the real cause?

Misaki: Um, a driver raced through the light and it wasn't their turn it was a head- hea-he-

Usagi: Head on collision?

Misaki: Yeah, that's it. But If I didn't tell th-

Usagi: (Places hands on Misaki's shoulders), Misaki listen to me. It was NOT YOUR FAULT, your parents hand every right to go, the other person didn't they were the ones rushing.

Misaki: It's really not my fault?

Usagi: (Pulls Misaki into a hug), Misaki no, it's not. Come on, we should go in.

Misaki: can I hold your hand?

Usagi: Yeah. (Takes Misaki's hand, the walk into the Church five minutes into the service).

Takahiro: (Angrily whispering), finally, where were you guys, this is important.

Usagi: I know, he was upset, I was calming him down.

Takahiro: (Looks over at Misaki) Are you okay?

Misaki: I'm okay, are funerals always this boring?

Usagi: (Chuckles softly).

Takahiro: (Snaps) Misaki!, and Usagi-san stop laughing, you should know better, don't encourage him.

Usagi: I'm sorry, but he's funny. Misaki, funerals can be boring, even when you love the person.

Misaki: Oh, I still feel sad.

Usagi: I know.

Misaki: (Punches Usagi's arm) soft, can I rest my heads here?

Usagi: Sure kid.

Misaki: (Smirks, lays head against Usagi's head).

Takahiro: Don't let him do that!

Usagi: He's fine, plus shouldn't you be up there speaking?

Takahiro: In a minute, don't let him fall asleep, (stands up, walks over to podium, Clears throat) Thank you all for coming- (His voice fades out).

Usagi: Hey kid, so are you okay?

Misaki: I guess, I don't know why I thought their death was my fault.

Usagi: You told them to hurry home, they got into an accident, then this happened so automatically you assumed.

Misaki: My brother tried to tell me it wasn't my fault, but hearing it from someone who isn't him made it make more sense.

Usagi: So you feel better?

Misaki: I'll get there. Thank you.

Usagi: (Ruffles Misaki's hair), You're Welcome.

Misaki: (Smiles), You're a cool guy, I wish we could hang out more.

Usagi: Yeah, well you're a cool little dude Misaki, we can hang out if you want, I heard you might need help with school at some point.

Misaki: Yeah, I'm not great at school. What about you?

Usagi: Not to brag, but I'm really smart, I got accepted into the top law school, not that I need it, I'm also a writer, but I'm not big enough yet, so in case that doesn't work out, being a lawyer is kinda a backup.

Misaki: WOW! (his eyes grew big, he was extremely impressed by this guy, Misaki wanted to get to know him a lot more, truth be told, he kinda had a little crush on him, not that it mattered he was eight years older and he was sure it wouldn't last).

Takahiro: Usagi, (He sits down blowing out angry air). How could the two of you talk the entire time, it's extremely disrespectful.

Misaki: Takahiro, Usagi was being nice. (Smiles)

Takahiro: (Grins, he had never seen Misaki smile like that ever).

Usagi stands against the back wall of the church, watching Misaki and Takahiro talk to relatives, Misaki looked back at Usagi giving him a bored expression causing Usagi to return a small grin. A smaller group of relatives form around Misaki and Takahiro, Misaki ducks under the group and walks to the back towards Usagi.

Usagi: Misaki, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your relatives?

Misaki: (Leans against the wall Beside Usagi), Why? I don't know them. I don't even want to be here, I just wanted to say goodbye to my parents, and I got to do that. And now Takahiro says we have to go to some relatives house for food or whatever? why do we have to do that? We already had the wake.

Usagi: Maybe your brother wants you to get to know your family?

Misaki: (Chuckles, kicks the floor), They all live two hours away at least, I never see them, I don't want to get to know them.

Usagi: So are you excited for school?

Misaki: Nope, I hate school, I'm no good at it. Do you like school?

Usagi: I guess? I mean I like learning, but I get lazy when it comes to putting in the work. I don't always turn it my work on time, but I always get really good grades.

Misaki: DO YOUR WORK!!

Usagi: (Chuckles), I do, but I lazy.

Misaki: I just don't understand it.

Usagi: Doesn't Your brother help?

Misaki: He's smart, but he doesn't understand what I'm always doing, he wants to get me a tutor.

Usagi: Um. you know I can help you.

Misaki: Wait really? I mean don't you already have a lot on your plate, with school and being a writer?

Usagi: Yeah, but I can carve time out to help you.

Misaki: (Throws arms around Usagi) THANK YOU!

Usagi: (hugs him back) Sure kid. So what do you like to do?

Misaki: (Pulls away, grins): Cook, I love to cook, I've been cooking since i was like three.

Usagi: Wow, three! that's impressive, I can't cook.

Misaki: At all?

Usagi: I burnt water...

Misaki: No, you didn't

Usagi: (Pulls out Phone, shows Misaki a picture of water on fire).

Misaki: How does that happen?

Usagi: I didn't think it could, so I order a lot of takeout.

Misaki: Huh. I need to cook you some food, How have you been alive this long, I guess your family?

Usagi: No, I am not close with my family, I moved out and got a penthouse at sixteen, I've been living on my own since then.

Misaki: How are you alive?

Usagi: Takeout mostly.

Misaki: I want to laugh, but I feel like you aren't joking.

Takahiro: Misaki, there you are I was looking all over, I was scared.

Misaki: You clearly weren't looking hard enough, I was here the whole time.

Takahiro: (Pulls Misaki's arm) Come on we have to go to Aunt Yua's, she's making dinner for the whole family.

Misaki: (Pulls away) The whole family, the family that you know and I don't, the family that will leave our lives again after today? Aunt Yua lives three hours away? I don't want to go there.

Takahiro: We'll be there for a week, you'll get to know them.

Misaki: And then what? Will we see them again?

Takahiro: Well, probably not.

Misaki: So what's the point?

Takahiro: Because they are My- Our family and I miss them.

Misaki: Yeah, YOUR family and YOU miss them, I don't know them.

Takahiro: (Runs hands over face), Misaki, what do you want me to do, you can't stay here alone.

Usagi: I can watch him.

Takahiro: Usagi, I can't ask you to do that, you just met the kid, and Misaki can be a handful.

Usagi: No, it's fine, Misaki is cool.

Takahiro: Are you sure about this? Misaki is this okay with you?

Misaki: YES!

Takahiro: Okay well, I'll give you Misaki's bag, and then we'll see each other in a week.

Usagi: Sounds good.

(The three of them walk to Takahiro's car, he opens the back door, reaches in a pulls out Misaki's bag handing it to Usagi).

Takahiro: Misaki, be good for Usagi, he's a busy man.

Misaki: I know.

Takahiro: Call me if he causes any trouble and I'll come and get him right away.

Usagi: (Puts his arm around Misaki), Ah I'm sure we'll be fine.

Takahiro: Okay, I'll miss you Misaki. (Gives Misaki a kiss on the cheek).

Misaki: Ew not in front of Usagi, don't embarrass me. But I'll miss you too, be safe.

Takahiro: I'll call when we get there.

Misaki: Okay bye. (To Usagi) Can I have a piggy back ride?

Usagi: Sure kid hop on.

Misaki: (Climbs on Usagi's back, the two wave goodbye, heading to Usagi's car).

[thedaveandkimmershow]

We left our story yesterday on our way back to our suite for some peace and rest… which we got. Even the kids were seriously down for a nap. In fact, we woke up before they did.

Now, one of the items on Kimmer's and Rachel's To-Do lists is to hit a Disney outlet store 'cause 1) Kimmer's quite taken by the idea of scoring a t-shirt or something from cruises that actually didn't happen. That would be merchandise manufactured for cruises that we're to take place in 2020 but didn't since all cruise ships were grounded. And 2) Rachel's on the hunt for other and less expensive Disney gifts for friends and family.

In the end, I think none of us were really drawn to anything we saw at that store. I think Kimmer walked away with a very sweet Mulan pin and exactly half of what Rachel found was for herself.

We were in a mall, though, so we poked around for a bit. Kimmer found me a black Hurley t-shirt because yup.

I've gotta sunburn.

I think this t-shirt's called a rash guard in surfing circles. Whatever it is, it's comfy, it fits, and I'll be wearing it with my swim trunks tomorrow at Blizzard Beach 'cause I really don't need any more burn than I've already got.

New shirt in hand, we jump a Lyft to Epcot where we pick up our day in The Land pavilion. Soarin' first, wonders of the world. Then that boat ride, Living With The Land, where you learn a little about ecosystem, farming, and some pretty impressive, better sustainable,.used in the park methods for growing food.

After that, the girls head off to the Magic Kingdom where they wanna end the night whilst we head off to the food & wine festival happening around the lake. Our plan's to explore around the UK side but we immediately fall for the temptation of Canada's menus of fillet mignon and cheddar soup with pretzel bread.

Seriously, it was the first stand we passed. But it.

Was.

Yummy.

😁

After, we continued walking in the direction of France… but nothing spoke to us and all the lines in France were too long. So we head back down the lake, out if the park, to the monorail station where we meet a.lovely family of four from Georgia. They're a little anxious on behalf of their kids 'cause the Disney Magic Kingdom fireworks show could start any minute now and they won't get a shot at seeing this particular version of that show.

Unfortunately, by the time we walk through the front gates of the Magic Kingdom, the show's in full swing.

☹️

We had no such expectations, fortunately, no plans to see the fireworks or the imagery projected onto Sleeping Beauty's Castle. That was all lovely and spectacular, of course…

But we were there for dessert.

We purposefully, then, make our way along Main Street to the Ice Cream parlor, last establishment on the right before the park's hub.

Now here's the thing. Kimmer has a nut allergy that encompasses all nuts except coconuts. So desserts… are always a challenge.

Always.

So Kimmer asks the question about nuts and exposure… and it's a pretty noisy environment just then and I think I see the cashier shake her head and mouth "no". Which I take to mean that everything's been exposed to nuts

But.

Turns out the opposite's true as the manager even offers to make Kimmer's Coke Float in a separate area with newly cleaned utensils.

And yes. That absolutely sealed the deal. And it's how, for the second time this trip, Disney's managed to provide her with a delicious, no risk dessert.

You have no idea what a gift that is

Me, I ordered an ice cream sundae with warm brownie and we walked our desserts across the way.

Quick Disney Tip: these tables clear out almost immediately once the fireworks are done. So if you don't care as much about endings, you can order your ice cream and score a table right away.

Also:

If you're looking to score ice cream on your way out the park at closing, the parlour on your right, walking from the direction of Sleeping Beauty's Castle will be closed whilst the one on the left, the one we landed on, stays open. In fact a long, packed line of people forms just as soon as the show's over and everyone starts streaming to the front gates.

By the way, one of the employees there, bless her heart, was super into the music outside. She sang along with her eyes open. She sang with her eyes closed. She sang with all her heart. And when she was done, she rushed to the window to see if Tinker Bell was flying.

Which.

She.

Was.

It's important, by the way, because she always has a good night when that happens.

🙂

The four of us finished out our night with desserts and stories around a table for four right there across from Sleeping Beauty's Castle before heading home for the night.

We weren't quite done with our day, though. There was laundry to do 'cause there's a washer/dryer in our suite and it's super easy to handle.

Also, the day turned into quite a time for losing things: my water bottle that I actually left on the ride. I got it back when I was sent through the exit to the platform where they'd already found it and cheerfully handed it over

Linzy lost her water bottle too, although pretty much she simply forgot that she left it on the counter when we left for the evening.

Rachel, though, the bag in which she stashed gifts for family and friends was legitimately gone. Most likely on the Disney shuttle that took us from the Magic Kingdom to the Transportation.

We don't know what's gonna happen but Disney personnel will go through the bus at end of shift and relay anything they find with Disney City Hall. Rachel's already contacted them and we'll just have to hope for a touch of luck

We've definitely got a routine that gets us out the door by eight… so we do that again and begin our fourth day in the Animal Kingdom with a return engagement of the Na'vi River Journey, an experience that's even better the second time around because there's so much depth to what Imagineers have created.

After that, Kimmer and Rachel make their way to the Tough To Be A Bug 3D performance whilst Linzy 'n I head over to Expedition Everest 'cause we're just straight up gluttons for punishment.

On the way, we're distracted by a live presentation of Macaws, a type of New World parrots that are long-tailed and colorful.

They were magnificent. At the end, one flew straight at and over me. And then a few beats later a bunch of them followed suit.

It was all amazing and terrifying at the same time

After the roller coaster and a few photo ops, Linzy and I met up with Kimmer and Rachel. We did a quick partner swap that sent the girls out for more shopping whilst the missus 'n I shared a breakfast sandwich over the river.

We rejoined the girls I'm Dino Land where Linzy's identified a ride that was built over the Indiana Jones ride track design but with a dino narrative. The girls enjoyed it first, we followed a few minutes later, then we all took a moment at a table in the main part of Dino Land for some photo reviewing and popcorn.

Afterward, the girls head off for Africa looking for a gift for Rachel's sister whilst we hop a bus (a wonderfully empty bus) for our second visit to Blizzard Beach.

Once we had our swimwear on, we walked a little until we notice inflatable chairs floating invitingly in the Lazy River. So we race down and situate ourselves in them and they.

We're.

Wonderful.

Good grief. They're super easy to get into. There's like zero chance of flipping over when you do. And, for me at least, they also seem to facilitate naps.

About three quarters of the way around our lap, we changed to clear ones with green handles 'cause Kimmer loves green and, you know, what the heck.

About three quarters of the way around our second lap, the girls ran into is, having slipped into the river a half hour before.

After that, the four of us in the warm waters of the wave pool followed by a tuna sandwich and chips lunch whilst air drying under an intense sun while then girls, I'm thinking, scored some donuts.

The girls caught up again when we were indulging our new tradition of grape fruit hefeweizen at Freddy's Shack.

Okay one last thing:

The ride back to our condo was helmed by another charming gentleman from Venezuela. We actually got into a pretty involved conversation that ranged from working as a bank executive to being forced to leave his country to trying to starting new in this country to facing employment language and age barriers to teaching in a Spanish teaching school to transportation management to Uber to Lyft to real estate.

Then we talked family. A pair of kids. Five grandkids that he and his wife help with during the day.

But his kids?

A teacher. A NASA engineer. And then the spouse of one of his kids who's also a NASA engineer. And then the fact that he's gotten to watch four shuttle launches. Two during the day. Two at night. And those nighttime launches absolutely turn the darkness of night into the brightness of day.

And so on.

It really is something when you talk stories with people you don't know.

🙂🙂🙂