#it's a tank top trifecta

[yoursinharmony]

YOU DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM | Low Bass Singer Cover | Geoff Castellucci

This song killed me dead 😵 This is just straight up hot. I might have a new obsession. Don't mess around with Jim? Don't mess around with GEOFF.

[lila-rae]

@fsugirl1

We got the trifecta

Slutty chain, tank top, curls.

Where are you????

[splatoongamefiles]

Here's all the gear names in the new update

LONG ass post so under the cut:

HEADGEAR:

Long-Billed Cap, King Flip Mesh, Blowfish Newsie, Pilot Hat, Barrelfish Baseball Hat, Octoleet Goggles, Worker's Head Towel, El Rey Calamar, Zekko Cap, Ink-Guard Goggles, Teal Pinhole Shades, Green Pinhole Shades, Pink Pinhole Shades, Yellow Pinhole Shades, Patched Hat, Fugu Bell Hat, Hothouse Hat, Mountie Hat, Black FishFry Bandana, Squidfin Hook Cans, Matte Bike Helmet, Deca Tackle Visor Helmet, Barrelfish Headgear, Slipstream Helmet Pro, Slipstream Helmet, King Facemask, Motocross Nose Guard, Digi-Camo Forge Mask, Yamagiri Beanie, Sneaky Beanie, Tee Time Visor

CLOTHING:

North-Country Parka, Octoleet Armor, Dev Uniform, Cooler Jacket, Fresh Octo Tee, Chilly Mountain Coat, Takoroka Windcrusher, FA-01 Jacket, FA-01 Reversed, Pullover Coat, Birded Corduroy Jacket, Deep-Octo Satin Jacket, Zekko Redleaf Coat, Lemon Mountain Coat, Zekko Jade Coat, Light Bomber Jacket, Navy Eminence Jacket, Tumeric Zekko Coat, Custom Painted F-3 , White Leather F-3, Chili-Pepper Ski Jacket, Whale-Knit Sweater, Rockin' Leather Jacket, Kung-Fu Zip-Up, Panda Kung-Fu Zip-Up, Shirt with Blue Hoodie, Grape Hoodie, Hothouse Hoodie, Pink Hoodie, Olive Zekko Parka, Black Hoodie, Baby-Jelly Shirt & Tie, Prune Parashooter, Red Hula Punk with Tie, Dots-on-Dots Shirt, Toni K. Baseball Jersey, Barrelfish Baseball Uni, Short Knit Layers, Positive Longcuff Sweater, Annaki Yellow Cuff, Annaki Red Cuff, Octarian Retro, Takoroka Jersey, Octo Jumper Home, Pink Easy-Stripe Shirt, Inkopolis Squaps Jersey, Lime Easy-Stripe Shirt, Annaki Evolution Tee, Zekko Long Carrot Tee, Zekko Long Radish Tee, Black Cuttlegear LS, Takoroka Crazy Baseball LS, Red Cuttlegear LS, Khaki 16-Bit FishFry, Blue 16-Bit FishFry, Sharkfin Raglan, Black V-Neck Tee, White Deca Logo Tee, Half-Sleeve Sweater, King Jersey, Gray 8-Bit FishFry, White Urchin Rock Tee, Black Urchin Rock Tee, Wet Floor Band Tee, Squid Squad Band Tee, Navy Deca Logo Tee, Mister Shrug Tee, Chirpy Chips Band Tee, Hightide Era Band Tee, ω-3 Tee, Missus Shrug Tee, League Tee, Friend Tee, Tentatek Slogan Tee, Octoking HK Jersey, Dakro Nana Tee, Dakro Golden Tee, Black Velour Octoking Tee , Green Velour Octoking Tee, Slate Streetstyle Tee, Red Tentatek Tee, Blue Tentatek Tee, Squid Yellow Layered LS, White King Tank, Slash King Tank, Navy King Tank, Lob-Stars Jersey, Fishing Vest, Front-Zip Vest, Silver Tentatek Vest, Tentatek Slipstream Vest, Teal Body Warmer

SHOES:

Deepsea Leather Boots, Annaki Arachno Boots, New-Leaf Leather Boots, Tea-Green Hunting Boots, Octoleet Boots, Knockout Boots, Cream Basics, Shivery Squidkid III, Fried Squidkid III, Big Squidkid III, Chained DC Toejamz, Jeweled DC Toejamz, Swirled DC Toejamz, Trifecta Duck Boots, Trifecta Hi-Tops, Trifecta Sandals, Smoky Wingtips, Gray Yellow-Soled Wingtips, Inky Kid Clams, Musselforge Flip-Flops, Cyan Dakroniks, Black Dakroniks, Piranha Moccasins, White Norimaki 750s, Black Norimaki 750s, Gray Sea-Slug Hi-Tops, Orca Hi-Tops, Navy Enperrials, Amber Sea Slug Hi-Tops, Yellow Iromaki 750s, Honey & Orange Squidkid V, Sun & Shade Squidkid IV, Orca Woven Hi-Tops, Green Iromaki 750s, Purple Iromaki 750s, Red Iromaki 750s, Blue Iromaki 750s, Orange Iromaki 750s, Red Power Stripes, Blue Power Stripes, Toni Kensa Black Hi-Tops, Sesame Salt 270s, Black & Blue Squidkid V, Orca Passion Hi-Tops, Truffle Canvas Hi-Tops, Crab-Trap Squidkid III, Violet Trainers, Canary Trainers, Yellow-Mesh Sneakers, Orange-Mesh Sneakers, N-Pacer CaO, N-Pacer Ag, N-Pacer Au, Sea Slug Volt 95s, Athletic Arrows, OB Gaiter Waders, Noir Guppies, Birch Climbing Shoes, Green Lace-Ups, White Laceless Dakroniks, Blue Laceless Dakroniks, Suede Gray Lace-Ups, Suede Nation Lace-Ups, Suede Marine Lace-Ups, Toni Kensa Soccer Shoes, Stamina Cycling Shoes, Energy Cycling Shoes, Polka-Dot Slip-Ons, Burden of Floof

[rjhamster]

Spartan Race

You work hard, now get rewarded. For one week only, get 30% off top gear with code LABORDAY30. Save BIG on tees, tanks, shorts, headwear, and more today. SHOP NOW SEASON PASSES NOW ON SALE Next year, we’re leveling up with two Season Pass options — the classic U.S Season Pass and the brand-new Ultra Season Pass for access to both U.S and Canada events. Plus, the classic Trifecta Pass returns,…

[raposarealm]

I do not have the slightest clue what I'm gonna do for Ranked Match, gah For offense, I could run Oops All Blaster, with maybe Nanaka/Kyoko/Asuka, a blast combo would be almost guaranteed with all blast gorillas. But I doubt that'll score well, and I can't guarantee they'd even survive a true magia team, since we can't choose who we fight... On the other hand, I could try to throw together a magia team, probably using Haruka as the tank. I've got a full-ascended Ryuushinryu now, and that along with Transparent Feelings should let her tank the hits, but the charm might become an issue? It's a fairly low chance, and a number of units have anti-charm in their kits, so maybe it'll be fine. I know I'd lose some bonus for having a non-trifecta unit, but being able to, y'know, not die would make that worth the hit to the scoring. Mayu could be good, she can hit skill seal and mp down for a turn on someone, but auto is dumb and will probably just target whoever's in the top right corner. Which will probably be the tank. I could take in Nayumii and Karin maybe as well, for accele gorillas, though again Nayumii's charm on hit chance might be an issue. Karin could use a tanking memo along with a defensive mp up memo, maybe? Or I could slot her towards the front. Hell, the MasaKoko gatcha memo might even be okay for that? If I have nothing else, at least. Dunno who I'd slot into the fourth slot... Anirena would get magia by turn 2 between her active and mp memos even without using disks, but even though I'm sure she's do enough damage to knock out a non-wood unit, her magia's only single target. I do have a 1s Aniholmi, but I don't know if she can get enough mp to magia by t2 with the singular slot, since that means at most 12.5% mp up if I give her Iroha of the Midsummer Beach. I'll have to test it, but giving her SE without knowing if she'll be good to go isn't a pleasant idea... I'll have to crunch the numbers, I guess, thank goodness for the wiki? For defense, I'm guessing just Oops All Tanks would probably be best, just to try and stall long enough to maybe eek out a magia. Haruka again might be good to run there with an agro memo and an defensive mp memo, with enough hits she might get to magia fast enough. Natsuki's accele and defense up might be useful, but her lack of accele disks means she'll be crowding the pool. I'll have to poke through and see which support or magia units have two (or three!) accele disks that can tank, so I'll probably drag poor Karin out again. I have testing to do tonight, bah.

[sugarglider-s]

I am legally obligated to complete the Pokémon au design trifecta with these nerds

[ID: a digital drawing of Jay and Cole standing together confidently. Jay is wearing a orange scarf, black tank top, blue goggles, a blue jumpsuit with black detailing, and blue shoes. He also has a belt with great balls on it. Cole is wearing a orange crop tied at the front, an orange hat, a gray strap bag with dusk balls attached, fingerless gloves, black shorts, and black boots. End ID]

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Adviser to Lula’s party urges overhaul of fiscal rules to raise spending in Brazil

Brazil needs to overhaul its fiscal rules and increase public spending to boost growth, said a top economic adviser to the leftwing Workers’ party, which is favourite to return to power in elections this year.

Guilherme Mello, a professor of economics at Unicamp, said Brazil’s trifecta of fiscal laws — long considered anchors of stability for many in financial markets — were at best outdated, and at worst “out of this world”.

“We have to review the rules. The best thing we can do is to sit down and say: ‘Let’s speak seriously. We need a new set of fiscal rules, it can be one rule, two rules, a new set that respects the principles of good fiscal rules,” Mello said. European leaders, such as Emmanuel Macron of France and Mario Draghi of Italy, were also calling for a new approach to fiscal policy, he noted.

Known by its Portuguese initials PT, the Workers’ party is headed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a former trade unionist who was president of Brazil for two terms between 2003 and 2010. He is favourite to beat far-right incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro in elections in October.

“[The new set of rules] must be flexible, it must be countercyclical, it must help stabilise the debts in the long run, it must help the state plan spending. Let’s create fiscal rules that are aligned with the world experience,” said Mello, who co-ordinates the economic policy team at the PT’s official think-tank.

Continue reading.

[creepy-bi-day]

Omg ok so you’re at the zoo with Cody and he’s turning heads cuz he’s got piercings all over the place and he’s in a black tank top so his muscular, tan arms with Celtic ink (I’m throwing all much headcanons in here) are on display and he’s feeding the ducks and hes laughing and he’s got a snort laugh and owbdkdnd my hearts beating really fast now

See it’s ironic af you said the Celtic ink cause I actually have a tattoo of a trifecta on my right shoulder—

[solskinns]

I have an Addiction Pals (not a serious one)

All these people in the city overwhelm me with so much energy; I'm really glad Peater carries me around so I don't have to curl into a ball in fear...anywaaays, we pass by a mall that seems to specialize in retro stuff. Not just video games, but different types of media for each store! There exists cartoons, music, the aforementioned video games, movies, TV shows, comics, signs(?), and it only looks like the beginning. My mind is being shoved into my addiction for old things that existed before me...

"Hey Peater, could we check out that mall?" Asking with some urgency in my voice; unusual of me.

"You mean the retro mall?" He seems to somewhat hesitate like he might regret it if we do...I mean maybe I shouldn't push i- "I don't see why not; it's worth looking at the past" -okay that's kind of a weird way to put it, but good enough for me.

"Awesome, let's go then" I glide myself right inside the mall which luckily had automatic doors to get me in...too bad the secondary door was meant for pulling open. Something I would gladly call it out for offense to my species, but my brain can't think about that at the moment.

So I wait for Peater, who is giggling at my sudden rush and then concern with a smile still on his face "OO! A-hahare you alright?"

I appreciate his kindness in the end, but "Yeah I'm fine- though really can't walk now soooo thanks for the warning" my wobbly, sarcastic self adds.

"Don't worry, I got you...I mean, if you'll LET me" offered with open arms.

"Nahh, I think I'll liiiive" I fall in his hand as my body disagrees however "aright maaaybe a little carrying"

Thus he hoists me up and in we go to my very own 'candy land' of OLLLLD THIIIIIIINGS!

First there's the video games area where I see all the wonderful consoles and games over the years from the two rectangles and a square up to 2000s consoles and games. Really I don't care about now being retro, in fact it means I get to see old stuff AND nostalgia as a way to get my fix. Combining this with my love and passion for certain franchises just brings me the trifecta of heaven; my comfort zone that rarely extends to new things.

So while I enjoy looking at the superheroes and video game icons like the proud nerd I am, Peater...seems to be somewhere else staring at the 8-bit consoles like the grey box and even the low tech, but highly addictive 70s consoles. He didn't really look at any peticular game aside from say space ones and tanks, but just AT the machines themselves...almost like he is reminded of something...serious? Maybe shouldn't press on it.

Next was the comics that stretched from comic to manga to rather adult themed things behind a curtain, but I don't really want to indulge in immature stuff like that...oh man they have the comics BEFORE they changed this guy's name. See now Peater is staring at a major crossover comic and turning to me.

"Can you believe I actually had one of the individual issues while waiting for the next one? Really cool they put it all together though I miss the advertisements" a detail he mentions that I can get behind.

"Yeah, it's a great story too for a crossover" I try relating, but he just smiles and puts it back.

"I just thought they looked cool, but whatever hooks you"

This is getting more concerning "You seem to be off about being here Peater; are you doing alright?"

"Yeah, I just get ahhh nostalgic myself" he gave me a smile of 'please buy it' and I don't push this any further...for now

Now here we are at my true cream of the crop, cartoons! There's my generation of cartoons and other ones far behind my time, but still amazing...whiiich Peater is once again staring at in a deep way once more.

This time it looks like a black and white cartoon featuring a tall and thin cat with a bowtie calling himselfff Jokey McLaughsalot...huh; not creative and yet unique. He is joined with his friends Rose the slightly feminine cat that is clearly a love interest, Scaredy the fat hamster who seemed to be Jokey's best pal, and lastly a love rival to tie it together known at Butch the dog. It seemed like a simple idea that could do anything and entertain just fine...I like it anyway.

"Okay Peater, you seriously need to say it straight; what is going on with you?" I pressure once more.

"I...I can't say it outright, but...sometimes," he takes a VHS and places a hand on top of it "whenever I'm here it usually gives me nostalgia and I...TendToMissMyPastBecauseOfIt" his voice deafens at the end.

"What?"

He seems to calm himself, placing the VHS back on the shelf "I tend miss these things when they were new, you know?"

Not quite sure if that was it and I look at the VHS he put back "Yeahhh, but it's still great that we get to see it still around," I float right over to the VHS and pick it up "you wannaaa get this so we can watch it?" Offering an idea to look past the...past.

He looks at be with a face that brightens up to his cheery self again "sure thing, Sol" and like that, he purchases it immediately... aaalongWithAFewOtherThingsIWanted that he was willing to try in exchange. After that, we left to the bakery where there was a VHS player conveniently sitting on top of a CRT TV. I place in the VHS and I get pulled into a blanket with Peater as he hugs me suddenly! I wanna tell him so badly that he shouldn't do that because I was ready to panic, but from the way he pulled me in, I get the feeling I should hold on that because he seems to need this...so I'll embrace it. Besides, I love hugs!

"Thanks for being my friend, Sol...a best friend and not a passerby that hangs out with you for like 10 minutes"

Oh GEEZ, that's what those other people do to call them friends? No wonder, it was a breath of fresh air to find me out of nowhere "No...no problem, Peater," I enjoy this friendly interaction for now for the time being...

...

...

...wait a second...did he say all this stuff is NOSTALGIC to him...like he CAME FROM that time!??

*CUT*

Will be for this week's story. Not much to say except for my ideas for pre-existing franchises; one for comics and two for video games, but I'll do those in rare amounts. Until next time guys; keep that sun brighter!

[the-real-zhora-salome]

Circling back to the GQ article. I think some of the reaction actually validated some points Taffy made in the article: Comfort in cynicsm/snark. I just posted a trifecta of reactions to some great comments you made. I do want to add that I am a bit concerned about his future career opps b/c I found a sub-tweet from a US casting director I like where she found Tom's GQ article odd. All said, I've lately noticed casting news hit the wire closer to filming. Maybe we'll see new roles next summer!

Yes, some of the reaction very much validated Taffy’s points. That was a great irony about the whole thing for me.

As for that casting director’s reaction........if she were to not suggest Tom to a director because of an “odd” GQ profile, but then were to turn around and suggest someone like Casey Affleck, Mel Gibson or James Franco, then she ought to take a good look in a mirror.

That said......full disclosure, I’ve had the feeling that Hollywood has no idea what to make of Tom (and what to make with him) for a long time. He isn’t an easy fit into any of their categories of “male actor” really. He has leading man good looks*, but he doesn’t have the brawn and required dude bro aura. Who would cast an actor as a hardened, streetwise NYC cop that then speaks with such a voice, even if he had the accent down pat? Likewise as a character actor, I don’t think he is high on the list for a role as a worn down plumber from Ohio on the edge of having to go on food stamps that is struggling with a divorce but then finds new love and hope with a trapeze artist from a travelling circus.

And of course, we know that he would knock both parts out of the park. But first a director or indeed casting director would have to IMAGINE a Tom Hiddleston in such a role.

I mean, look at KSI, his one trip into action hero blockbuster territory. Even there he played a Brit and looked like he was modeling for the catalogue of some mens outfitter, with not a hair out of place. But the movie as a whole was a fun action spectacle with some awesome CGI and helicopter rides, so it didn’t make that much of a difference.

But that’s the thing: at the precise moment when he had his first top billing role in an action blockbuster like KSI and a critically acclaimed role in a slick agent thriller mini series, he dropped off the face of the earth instead of nabbing more quality roles on the back of those two projects. Whether that was by his own doing or because casting directors, too, couldn’t look past a tank top.

And when you say “maybe we’ll see new roles next summer”, you mean summer 2021, right? Otherwise you would have said “this summer”. And I agree, I don’t really expect to see anything announced before then. It will all be Loki series (shooting and promo) and half a dozen cons until then.

And I would love to be proven wrong. I would love nothing better but to be proven wrong.

*Upon further reflection, I guess he rather has what is called matinee idol good looks than leading man good looks...

[hattywatch]

Tyler Seguin - Back Road

Author’s Note: This entire fic is for @hockeyandtaylorswift - I adore her. She has waited 84 years for this and she is a blessing.  Get ready for the long haul, because this is 17 pages and 7k+ words. The only thing I’ve ever written that was longer is my college thesis. This is way better. This is a plus sized fic and will have a smutty part 2. My idea bank is dry, it may take a few weeks.

“Okay, I have mozzarella sticks,” you look over the table and match the order to its orderee. “These go to Red Beard.” You slide them along the table until they're in front of him.

Grabbing the next plate off of the tray you drop it in front of the man sitting next to him, “Aaanndd a quesadilla for Scruffy here- which makes the grilled cheese with bacon Smiley’s.”

Placing the last plate down in front of the male closest to you, you catch a glimpse of the tattoos peeking out of his sleeve, well that's hot as fuck.

“Who are you calling Smiley?” He looks up and cocks his eyebrow while taking a fry off of his plate and shoving it in his mouth. Its way too hot still, so he tries to subtly do that quick intake of air to cool his mouth down, serves him right. You tip your tray flat so you can hold it against the flare of your hip.

“Apologies, sir, can I get you anything else.” You raise the pitch of your voice to ensure it's sugary sweet and he swallows his fry.

“Your number,” he gives a cheesy smile and you're pretty sure you can see his molars it's so wide.

“Enjoy your dinner.” You walk away with a nod, overly tired of humans on this late Friday night.

You go back to refill their drinks, waiting until the tattooed grilled-cheese aficionado has left for the bathroom. Scruffy, who introduces himself as Jamie, stops you before you can walk away again. “Sorry about Tyler. He drank a bit before we got here. He's a little friendly when he drinks.” He gives you the apologetic smile of a put upon friend and you can't fault him.

“It's not the worst I've heard. No harm no foul, right? Did you need anything else, guys?” Jamie says no, that they're good, but that Tyler said something about dessert, so he asks you to wait before closing out the bill.

With only 30 more minutes left to your shift, they're the last of your tables and the call of your bed is so near and so sweet. You see Tyler, apparently, trying to catch your eye from the booth so you paste your smile back in place and walk over with your pad in hand.

“Anything else, Smiley?” You lay emphasis on the last part, hoping you can at least leverage his drunkenness into a nice tip.

He smiles again and pulls his right sleeve up before gesturing with his hands while he starts talking, “See now, you know my name, but I don't know yours. That's not fair.” His eyes are drooping sleepily and there's no real malice or nasty intent behind his words, so you allow the flirtation.

“Boy, he did drink a bit didn't he?” You point to your name tag which lies on  your chest. Right where it’s been all night. He squints at it, like he's having a hard time getting his eyes to focus, which make sense.

“Did you want dessert, Segs? We can't hang out here all night. It's getting late.” Red beard is talking now, he's got less patience than Jamie it seems.

“Good question, Jordie. Yes. I do. Can I have that brownie thing you guys have with the ice cream?” He keeps gesturing with his hands and it's super distracting because of those damned tattoos. If he catches you staring he's too drunk to notice.

“Yes of course. Three spoons?” You ask, holding up three fingers trying to get Tyler to stop making overwhelmingly direct eye contact.

“You can bring two if you want to share, but I'm not sharing with them,” he motions to Jamie and Jordie sitting across from him, and looks proud of himself for a beat before Jamie heaves a sigh and Jordie covers his eyes with the heels of his palms and groans.

“One spoon, then.” You wink at him, “Got it. I'll be right back.” You flip your pad closed and 180 back to the kitchen. You hear Tyler as you walk away, defending himself, “What? That was smooth? Girls love dessert!”

It's like, not a big deal that he's drunk and flirting. The restaurant is open late, and it's nestled in downtown a few blocks from the strip of bars that attracts the younger crowd on the weekends, so you're used to it.

What you're decidedly not used to is how disgustingly handsome he is. Usually the guys that flirt with you err on the less devastatingly attractive side, pushing more towards awkward and cute. Your round face and curvy frame usually preclude guys that look like they walked out of a Calvin Klein ad from being the ones who come calling.

It's fine, you shake your head and grab the order from the kitchen, trying not the think about his sleepy brown eyes and backwards snapback. He's drunk and you're here, surely he dates supermodels or something with a face like that.

“‘Brownie thing’, one spoon.” You place the plate down in front of Tyler and he says thank you. You finish up their bill and drop it to the table. “No rush, gentlemen. Take your time,” is what comes out, even though there's 4 minutes left in your shift and please rush is what you want to say.

You're completely blissed out when you see them pass you as you're standing and chatting with the hostess. They say thank you again and wave good-bye. Tyler brings up the rear and winks, which makes you roll your eyes. Drunk men.

Going over to pick up the check reveals two things. One: these guys are welcome back anytime, you pocket the $50 tip they left on their barely $50 bill with a smile. Two: Across the back of the check, in a slightly tilted scrawl you can read, “Hey I just met you and this is crazy…” There’s a phone number underneath it and it’s signed with a heart and a smiley face.

You pocket that too, knowing you’re definitely not going to use the number. It’ll just be nice to look at whenever you have a bad body day; you’ll be able to remember how a handsome, tattooed guy tried to pick you up. We all need a little self-esteem boost every now and then.

When you finally get home, you drop a bath bomb in the tub and lie back and relax. If your mind starts to wander to what maybe could have been if you were a little braver and he was a little less drunk… well that’s not really anyone’s business.

_________________

It's not too much later, barely a week, and it's your friend’s birthday. You took off of work the whole weekend in anticipation of drunk shenanigans and brunch and general fun girl times.

There's just a handful of you, some close friends from college and a few from grown-up, adult life. You're all getting ready at the birthday girl’s place, sipping champagne and getting pretty together. It's a blast and it makes you long for when you were a little younger and had nothing but time to hang around with friends and do each other's hair.  

The outfit you decided on is a little outside of your comfort zone, but you like the way you look despite that. The cropped tank top has a sweetheart neckline and it gives the girls a little help, you purchased it despite kind of hating showing your arms. It's summer and it's hot and you want to be comfortable, but it brings you back to high school insecurities for a split second before you scoff at yourself and remember that literally no one cares if you haven't done any tricep extensions in a while… or like, ever.

Because you weren't 100% committed to being bare, you paired it with some high-waisted distressed jeans and  wedges. The jeans are your favorite. They're lived in and the denim is buttery soft. Most importantly they fit comfortably around the waist, butt, AND thighs which is a trifecta that no other denim can ever seem to replicate. Plus, you're pretty pleased at the way the absence of back pockets makes your butt look fantastic.

As you all pile out of the two Ubers you’re taking to the bar, you're getting a little worried about the outfit you chose. It's just that you feel a little out of character. You know the feeling? Like when you try a new shade of lipstick and constantly feel like every stranger on the street can just tell you're trying something new? It's ridiculous. You reach into your purse and feel the check with a cheeky message on the back and remember that you're obviously still banging enough to get a number and decide your midriff showing is A-okay.

You're all excited when you get to the bar and you know a drink or two will loosen you up as will the DJ who is currently settings up to the side of the bar. What is totally not helping you loosen up is the fact that you see the guy who left you his number sitting over on the other side of the bar with his friends. He hasn't looked this way yet and you're not even sure if he'd remember you, but boy do you remember him.

He's got a short sleeved shirt on this time and the sleeves are out in full force with this stupid backwards hat on and as much as you want to hate it, you also want to go down on him in the bathroom of this bar. It's a very tough position to be in. The duality of man.

Sure enough though, girls are dripping off of him. They come and go every few minutes, some taking photos and leaving and some staying for a drink or two before making their exit. You watch for as long as you think you can without getting caught, but decide it's probably best to ignore it all and get your own drink.

To kick off the night you guys do a round of birthday shots. You all whoop and clink a cheers before downing them, but while the rest of the girls continue with heavy liquor, you decide to pace yourself and follow up with a water. The night is young and there's no reason to be the first one to be a mess who tries to leave the bar in favor of finding french fries.

The DJ has finally started up and enough people flood the dance floor that you decide to join, even though you're still sober. It's supposed to be a fun night and it is shaping up to be just that. After a few songs your friends need a refill and leave the dance floor. You're considering grabbing another shot with them but as you get to the edge of the dance floor Tyler is standing there, eyes on you.

He has to speak into your ear to be heard over the music so he's leaning in pretty close when he says, “You never called me.” You're so shocked you actually laugh out loud.

Standing on your tiptoes, even in your wedges, is barely enough to get your mouth to his ear. He's polite enough to drop his head down so you can answer, “Drunk guys leave me their number a lot. How am I supposed to know who's serious?”

He laughs then, before you can even move away from his body. You're up so high on your tiptoes and the music is pulsing through the floor and you haven't had more than that first shot from when you walked in, but you're swaying a bit. Or at least that's the excuse you're going to give when someone asks why in the world would you grab onto his shoulders?

It's not like he minds, because he drops his hands to your waist trying to steady you and is smiling through the whole ordeal. “I have that effect on women. They fall for me all the time.”

You still want to blow him in the bathroom, but you'd really like to slap him first.

“It's good to see you again, I'm just going to go-” you shout up at him while pointing to the bar. You're honestly trying to not get within speaking distance of his ear again; whatever cologne he's wearing is entirely too enticing.

You aren't aware he's followed you back to the bar until you're trying to wave down the bartender and catch a glimpse of his forearm come over your head. He's way taller, so the bartender sees him straight away and comes over. He orders his drink and looks down to you with his eyebrows up, asking you to order yours.

“Vodka seltzer with lemon, please?” You're not above a free drink if he's offering. The bartender grabs him whatever he asked for and you watch him make your drink next. When he places it down Tyler leans in and tells him to put the drinks on his tab. The bartender nods and you grab a few singles from your pocket and leave a tip.

You start walking back to the dance floor after smiling and waving at Tyler in thanks, but he gently grabs your wrist and you turn back to him.  

“Yes?” You try to keep a neutral face, because he's incredibly attractive and buying you drinks which is really all anyone could ever ask for, right? But he's also go the whole fuck-boy vibe going on and you're good on that front, but thanks anyway.

“Can I call you if you don't want to call me?” He's slid his hand down from your wrist into your hand and your heart stutters a little, but you take a deep breath and listen to the voice playing like a siren in your head- fuck boy, fuck boy, fuck boy.

“I'm sure you’ve gotten a lot of numbers tonight. Give a willing participant a call, huh?” He furrows his brows at you, but the smirk never leaves his face.

“Nah, I like a challenge.” You roll your eyes at him, sure that his interest will wane in the face of the willowy blondes that seem to appear out of thin air and onto his side every time you look over at him.

Bless him, it doesn’t though. He keeps making eyes at you all night, but never joins you on the dance floor or approaches you again.

At some point your friends notice and you give them the run down. They're fully committed to trying to get you laid, but you laugh them off and tell them you're all-in on this ladies night. No men allowed.

He does however, pick up yours AND all of your friends tabs that night. You don’t discover it until you all go to pay and the bartender hands you your cards back and says it's closed out already. He asks which one of you is (y/n) and hands you a piece of receipt paper that is inscribed, “Just in case you lost it” with a phone number and a smiley face.

You want to be annoyed, because you all have jobs and there was no reason for that. But, to his advantage, it was a smooth move, since all of your friends are now begging you on the cab ride home:

“Give him a chance,”

“He’s such a nice guy,”

“Have you SEEN his face?”

“Or his body for that matter?!”

You want to slap him a little harder than you did only hours earlier.

As you start peeling off your clothes and taking off your makeup to get into bed, it hits you all at once. This is the first time a guy has purchased you a drink (or all of your drinks) and not expected to end up in your bed or for you to end up in his. He never approached you again after you rebuffed him, and you had to at least give him credit for being a decent human being. It’s a rare find these days.

Laying on your clean sheets and staring up at the ceiling you can be honest, he’s hot and he seems like a nice enough guy. He's not pushy or demanding or intimidating. You’re single and looking, so you’re not really sure why you can’t bring yourself to just text him or allow him to text you. He wasn’t even drunk this time, so your excuse from the first night doesn’t hold water any more.

As you start getting more honest with yourself the closer you get to the cottony-soft feeling of sleep, you decide it probably has something to do with the tiny women that seem to throw themselves at him.

_______________

Here’s the thing: you’re not really self conscious, perse. You’ve spent a lot of your youth being a little upset that you weren’t slim or athletically built, but as anyone can see from a quick scroll through instagram, curvy is in. People are loving some thickness, and even if they didn’t, it’s still helped you embrace the softness in your body instead of poking and pinching at every ounce of fluff.

But, despite all of the acceptance and appreciation you have for your body, you can’t help but be slightly suspicious of Tyler’s motives. Obvious jock, frat-boys have never been your type and the inverse is also true.

You want to write him off as a frat douche, but you are also smart enough to recognize that you're judging him based on his good looks and not his actions- which have been pretty respectful- and realize you're being a little unfair.

__________

You’re going to have to seriously reconsider your thinking though, because as big as Dallas is, this is the third time you’ve run into him in a month and it’s getting a little ridiculous. It's like the universe is pushing you to give into the ruggedly handsome stranger you keep bumping into.

A stupid coffee. You had to stop for a stupid coffee. It’s beautiful out and it’s a day off of work; a walk to the library sounded so nice and then so did a coffee. That’s all you wanted; a nice quiet day off.

But now, arms laden with books and sipping deeply on your straw, you hear your name being called. Recognizing the voice before you see him, he’s already crossing the street by the time your eyes start tracking his movements. He looks like he just came from a run: tanned, flushed, and sweaty. To top it off, he’s got three leashes in his hand and you’re silently promising yourself you are not going to fall for the dogs. Easier said than done, honestly.

You try to keep your eyes on his face, but quickly decide that it’s less dangerous to look at the dogs. Squatting down, you ruffle their heads and chant repetitively “who’s a good boy,” to all three of the labs and do your best to collect yourself.

“I feel like you may be stalking me,” you risk a glance up from your spot around Tyler’s knees, sitting amongst various colored wagging tails. He looks soft and dopey and you’re not sure if it’s his usual face or if it’s glazed over with love for his pups. Probably both.

“I swear I'm not. The boys were just a little cooped up so I took them for a run,” he smiles that dopey smile and it's squeezing your heart, the obvious love he has for his pets.

“All three are yours?” He's squatting down next to you too, nodding and letting them lick kisses all over his face.

You stand, thighs burning from the prolonged squat and he stands back up with you. The air between you is a little charged, and you feel like you need to fill it up.

“I never got to thank you, by the way.” He does a good impression of a dog then, head tilted and eyebrows curious; you're sure one ear would be cocked if he could.

“For paying our tabs that night at the bar? I think my friends are halfway in love with you after that stunt. But, thank you.” You're still holding your books and your coffee and you feel decidedly like you're in high school again, lusting over the star football player.

Tyler smiles big and bright. “Oh, yeah. Well, you could have called me, ya know?” He puts the hand not holding the dogs’ leashes deep in his pocket. “But I'm glad I won your friends over. How about you?”

The charming bastard.

You can barely help yourself from smiling. The attention is so nice and it's emboldening you to say yes, to just give in and go with it. At the very least you have to let him know it isn't unwelcome anymore, lest he decide to stop trying.You don't want this warm, tingly feeling to leave just yet.

“I think you're well on your way,” you have to look down now, glad you're wearing sunglasses that hide a bit of your embarrassed face and block out some of the happiness radiating off of Tyler.

“So, can I maybe get your number now? Maybe run into you somewhere on purpose?”

You can't even help yourself from tapping your number away into his phone. He's got this beatific smile plastered on his face like you just made his whole day and it's been so long since a man made you feel so fizzy inside.

When he says goodbye to you on the sidewalk as the dogs start pulling him, he assures you he'll call soon and begs you, “Just don't change your mind on me, okay? I worked really hard to get to this point.” He takes your hand and kisses the back of it in parting and you laugh before telling him that he's a “huge dweeb.” He laughs too, head back and mouth open.

“I'm just trying to be a gentleman. Let me charm you!” He waves one last time as the dogs get impatient and tug him away. You can hear him talking to them as he walks away, his voice high and spewing baby talk.

You're so fucked.

_______________

He doesn't even wait 24 hours to call you. You get home from your walk and get comfy on the couch with a book and your phone is buzzing with an unknown number.

“Hello?” You prop your feet up on a pillow and lay back, ready to hang up on a pushy salesman.

“Um, hey. It's Tyler. I was just wondering what you were doing this weekend?” Your mouth drops open in shock because you were just so sure he was going to text you to try to make plans or even worse maybe send out a 'You up’ text late Saturday. But he didn't, he called and he's trying to set up a date.

“Tyler. Tyler? Do I know a Tyler?” He can't see you but you tap your finger against your lip anyway, pretending to be confused.

He takes it in stride, “I'm sure you remember me. Devilishly handsome? Tattooed? I have three dogs? Been trying to get you to go out with me for about a month?”

You decided to skip the first two and you fake an intake of breath, “Right! Rightttt! The dogs. Why didn't you say that earlier. I remember you now- I'm working on Saturday but I'm free on Sunday.”

“Okay. Okay. I can work with that.” He stops talking and you sit there waiting.

“That's it? That's all I get?” You thought for sure he'd be floundering a little. Trying to pick a restaurant or activity or something, but no.

“That's all you get.” You can practically hear that fucking smirk through the phone.

“How will I know how to dress? I need something to go on.” Sure that you've snaked him into giving something up, your smile drops when he responds.

“Well, that sundress you were wearing today was pretty great. Something like that will work just fine. I'll call you Sunday morning to tell you what time to be ready.”

You're still sputtering out half formed arguments when he ends the call, “I'll talk to you soon. Don't change your mind on me.”

After you hang up your phone you kick your feet against the couch in a mini tantrum. “Well, now I have to go shopping,” there's no one home with you except the goldfish on the end table. He looks nonplussed about the whole ordeal.

____________

You work the lunch rush Friday, but as soon as you leave you head to the mall, because that maybe was the only sundress you own and you're not about to wear it again.

After about two hours of futility you finally find the dress. 

It's a little fancy, he’s a guy and they don’t always know appropriate attire, but you decide to stick with flat sandals and a denim jacket, in case it needs to be dressed down, but still hoping he'd have the good sense to tell you if you needed to dress up. Overall you're really pleased with the way you look in it and you twirl a little in the mirror when you get home and consider how you're going to wear your hair and makeup.

What you're less than pleased about is that by Saturday he hadn't contacted you at all and you're starting to get a little worried. You haven't heard from him in days and maybe he forgot? You saved him in your phone after that first time he called you… the only time he called you, so you could easily text him to make sure he remembered.

You decide against calling him and do your best to smile and hustle for tips all day Saturday. It takes your mind off of Tyler and leaving your phone in your locker after your break keeps you from obsessively checking to see if he tried to contact you.

By the time you get home you're well and truly pooped; ready to shower, moisturize, and hibernate. With your hand shoved deep in your bag, you search for your keys to unlock your door and you feel your phone buzzing somewhere towards the bottom. Rummaging through, you grab your phone too, but see that it's just a text so it can wait.

When you've stripped down, showered, and put on your pajamas you finally crawl into bed and peek at your phone.

Tyler: I hope you haven't forgotten about me.

Attached: 51218a.jpg

The photo is of his dogs and you're smiling before you even open it all the way and zoom in. They're laying on the bed, all over lumps in the sheets which are probably Tyler's legs.

You breathe a sigh of relief, because as much as you didn't want to give in to the obvious attraction you have for him, you're still excited for the date and happy he's not standing you up.

Pecking away a response, you end up sending:

Right! The labs! Tom is it? Ted? I'm so sorry, I'm just terrible with names.

You think he's going to make you wait for a response, since your message was sent almost a full hour after his original one, but he answers immediately.

Your breath catches in your lungs when you open it.

Tyler: Are you better with faces?

Attached: 51218n.jpg

It's a selfie and he's shirtless.

You're really glad it wasn’t a dick pic, because then you'd be forced to never speak to him again and that would have been a devastating outcome, since you are back to wanting to climb him like a fucking tree at the moment.

It's not even like you can see much, he's obviously in bed, head propped up against the headboard. You can only really see a few inches below his shoulders and up. It's not terribly risque, but his shoulders are all tattooed and tanned and well within frame, not to mention his fucking face just, existing like that. Overall it's just a lot to cope with while you're lying in your bed.

After a few deep breaths (and a quick pep-talk that involves you reminding yourself even if you are a thirsty bitch you will certainly not act like a thirsty bitch) you are ready to reply.

Oh yeah. Much better with faces. Thanks for that. I haven't forgotten. What time should I be ready?

He tells you to be ready around 7, that he'll pick you up at your house and not to eat beforehand. Like a little kid on Christmas, you actually have a hard time falling asleep when you send your final message of the night, “I'll be ready,” followed by your address.

_______

The house has never been so spotless. Of course you wake up an hour before you have your alarm set and can't stop the frenetic energy you have coursing through your body. The anticipation is killing you and it's not even close to 7 yet. So, you start and finish 3 loads of laundry, clean your bathroom, vacuum your floors, and run the dishwasher all before noon.

Deciding that self care is next on the docket, you shower, exfoliate, shave, apply a face mask. It's just barely 4 when you're through, but you start getting ready in earnest anyway.

You've never spent so much time on your hair and makeup, but you know that if you just sit around you'll end up driving yourself insane thinking of all the things that could go wrong tonight.

It's… it's been a while since you've been on a date, if you're being honest. If you're being completely honest, it's been over a year, so you can't help but become a little squirmy at the thought of what lies ahead for this evening.

By 6:30 you've just about worked yourself into a tizzy. You're sat in the kitchen in your robe, sipping a tea you made to calm your nerves when you see the Jeep pull up. It's clearly custom, all black, and you can make out a man sitting in the front seat.

Closer inspection reveals that it is indeed Tyler, aaaaand he's early. Great.

One last sip of tea and then you rush to the bathroom to brush your teeth, for the third time today, and slip into your dress. With one sandal strapped into place you hear three knocks on your door and shout “Just a sec!” in the general direction of your front door. He must not hear you, since the bell chimes about 45 seconds later.

With both sandals buckled up, you race down the hall and stand frozen in front of the door. A few deep breaths do little to calm you down, but you know you don’t have much choice in the matter and you can’t keep him waiting outside forever, no matter how bad you sort of want to crawl under the covers and forget this whole idea.

Opening up the door, you pull it back to find a smiling Tyler, it seems to be his default expression, and it’s really nice for someone so attractive to be so genuinely happy all the time.

He looks incredible, because of fucking course he does. He's got on dark blue jeans with a plain black T-shirt and a backwards hat. Super casual, but somehow still looking like a GQ model. You're glad you didn't choose heels, but are secretly hoping the dress makes you look like a fox, so people don't wonder why there's such a handsome bad boy out with a rumpled potato.

If his reaction can be believed you look fantastic. His eyes do a quick sweep of your body from bottom to top and it's not nearly as stealthy as he thinks it is. When he finally makes full eye contact, he finds your head knocked to the side and a tilted smile, not quite a smirk, but enough to let him know he got caught.

His smile gets impossibly bigger, “Sorry,” he says on a breathy exhale. “Uh, you look… you look really nice.”

It's such a pump to your ego that you can't help but match the smile stretching over his face and you poke a little fun when you reply, “You uhh, look nice too.”

His eyelids drop closed for a second before he looks back over his shoulder, jerking a thumb towards his Jeep, “You ready? I think you're going to like what I have planned.” Nodding, you grab your bag and lock the door behind you.

He’s pulling out all the stops apparently, since he walks next to you the whole way and opens your door before you can get there to do it yourself. Hopping up into the truck you make sure your skirt is free of the door and he gently closes the door for you before walking over to the other side and climbing into his own seat.

He smiles over at you before starting the car. The radio is low and playing a Top 40s station in the background. You can barely contain yourself, you're so nervous.

He must pick up on it because he starts talking. “I was really glad you finally said yes. You were starting to give me a complex.” He looks over at you has he slows his car for a red light.

“I was starting to think you were stalking me,” you say, keeping your tone light.

“I bet it looked that way, but in reality it was just really good luck on my part until I was able to wear you down.”

The light turns green and he accelerates. “Well, the dogs helped.” He does that open mouthed laugh, you watch his eyes crinkle and decide that this was a good idea.

“So, it’s Tyler, right?” He scrunches his nose in your direction, “Where are you taking me?”

He boldly grabs your hand off of the center console and holds it softly before taking the entrance for I-45 and shrugs a shoulder.

“It'll take about half an hour to get where we're going. Tell me about yourself.” He has dropped your hand to the console but is resting his in yours still.

“Ugh, I feel like I'm back in college and the professor is making us talk about ourselves on the first day of class. What do you want to know?” You don't move to pull your hand from his, though.

“Start there, what did you go to college for? I didn't graduate, did you graduate?” His hands are damp and it's sweet that he might be a little nervous, since you're pretty sure you might puke at the continued exposure to him and his entire existence.

“I went to college for human resources. I thought I liked it, but as you know, I waitress now, so I didn't love it as much as I thought I did. I did graduate though.” He asks some follow ups: why didn't you like it, do you like waitressing, where did you go to school, where are you from. He's like a two year old with the barrage of questions that he hits you with.

After the 6th or 7th one you squeeze his hand, and tell him to slow down. “It's your turn. I'm in your car, you could kill me and dump me in the woods and I don’t know more than your first name.”

“You barely know that!” He jokes and you laugh but assure him, “It would be hard to forget your name…” he preens so you knock him back down, “you won't let me!”

He tells you he has two sisters and three dogs, but you already knew that part. He's from Canada and he's here for work. He's been down in Dallas for about 5 years. You ask what he does for work but it makes him look a little squirmy, so you drop off your questioning and instead ask about his childhood up north.

It's the right question; you can tell he's lighting up and you get a beautifully nostalgic recount of boats and fishing on the lake, the stories painted yellow and warm by the bright summer sun.

He slips into talking about hockey and winter, skating around a homemade rink in his backyard with his sisters in the cold after school.

Deciding that this man is deceptively sweet for how fratty he looks, you're getting more blushy by the minute when he pulls into Galaxy Drive-In Movie Theater.

You're officially gone for him.

__________

You haven't been to a drive-in before, but a friend at work mentioned this a few months ago and you've been itching to go ever since.

He finds a open spot and parks his car.  It's in the middle, far enough from the screen that you're not on top of it, but close enough that you're not squinting. He turns his car off and jogs around to let you out, which is nice. The Jeep is pretty high and you have to literally hop out of it.

“You didn't eat yet, right?” He hasn't dropped your hand from when he grabbed it to help you down out of your seat but you're cool with it, even if his hand is still a little clammy.

“I didn't. You told me not to. I follow directions.” He looks down at you and does this waggling thing with his eyebrows and you groan, tugging him over to concession.

The inside of concession is painted bright colors and it just looks so retro and fun that you can't help but look up at Tyler and smile.

“I did good, right? This is cool?” He looks down at you, but you're too busy deciding on what you want to play into him fishing for compliments.

“It'd be a lot cooler if you brought your dogs. Maybe next time,” you shrug before you realize what you said, but he catches it and is posturing worse than before.

“Next time, huh? Good to know.” Ignoring him, you order a cheeseburger while he grabs two slices of pizza. Moving to the table to wait for it, he continues his interrogation from earlier.

“Favorite movie food?”

“Popcorn. What about you?”

He tells you he likes cookie dough bites and asks the first movie you ever saw in theaters.

“I saw The Little Mermaid with my parents. It was amazing. I felt like such a grown up; they even let me hold the popcorn.”

He gets all smiley at your memory and starts to open his mouth, but the food is called and he gets up to get it and bring it over to your table.

Starting in on your cheeseburger, he tells you he saw Hercules in theaters when he was 5 years old with his grandparents. He smiles as he tells you, but gets that squirmy look again when you start to ask questions so you stop and instead let a companionable silence fall over you as you eat.

When you're both finished he's instantly fidgety. “There's mini-golf here too, but I don't really think we have enough time. We can go across the street though and visit the horses, they're pretty friendly. Then we can grab you some popcorn and hop back in the Jeep before the movie?” He shrugs and looks so unsure of himself that you can't possibly say no to him.

“Yeah, I love horses. Let's do that.”

It's probably a bad idea, because you’re wearing sandals and the dirt surrounding their stable is making your feet dusty, but the horses are beautiful and he was right about them being friendly. They walk right up to you and let you pet them through the fence.

“You know, I've been living in Texas for three years and I haven't ridden a horse yet,” you muse while you stroke the nose of the paint that is leaning against the fence looking for love.

“Me either,” Tyler's attention is focused on a small palomino that has taken a shine to him. “Maybe that can be our next date.”

The way he's scratching into the horses mane like he would a puppy is making your heart flip in your chest, so he's hardly being presumptuous assuming you'll say yes to him again.

Honestly, you'd say yes to a lot of things if he asked right now, looking all rugged and farm-hand chic.

_____

He does grab you popcorn and an assortment of candy for himself before you settle into the Jeep and get cozy watching some thriller you would never have chosen if asked. He was super prepared though, the back seats are missing and he turned the Jeep around so you could pop open the trunk and watch the movie while lounging in a nest of blankets.

You're glad he had the foresight to bring blankets, since you have them pulled up over your eyes during the scary parts as he laughs openly at how wimpy you are.

_______

You're surprised to say the least when the movie is over and he hasn't tried anything at all during it- not even the fake yawn and reach! You're worth a fake yawn and reach!

One would assume he picked something scary so you'd cuddle up to him seeking protection, but he never did more than nudge you with his elbow to get you to drop the blanket from over your eyes.

On the drive back to your house you're mulling it over and considering if maybe he decided he isn't as into you as you thought. The chase was over the second you say yes and he would be moving on to the next.

You're sure you made your attraction to him obvious enough with how you mooned over him as the credits rolled and assured him that even if scary movies weren't your thing, you had a really great time and it was a really good idea for a first date. You even made the move to hold his hand on the ride home.

Now that you're approaching your block you're frantically nervous that you may have let your guard down against your better judgement and will have to nurse your bruised ego after he moves on.

He has to sense how withdrawn you've become, and when he stops the car in front of your house he turns the car off and glances at you. This, right here, is why you haven't been on a date in months. You don't want to play the games.

______

He walks you up to the door and says goodnight and starting to back up a little, but it seems you're feeling brave because you blurt out what you're thinking. “I had a really good time, did you not have a good time?”

He looks taken aback for a split second before he shakes his head, “No, I had a really great time too. Did I give you the impression that I didn't?”

“Oh, well-” no backing out now. You shift from foot to foot uncomfortably, “-you uh, you… you didn't like-” you scrunch your eyes closed because looking at him is zapping you of all of your courage, “-try to kiss me or anything?”

As s soon as the words leave your lips you regret it. You open your eyes because you need to see his reaction and smug doesn't even describe the face he's making.

“Oh, did you want me to kiss you? I didn't want to impose.” As much as you're feeling feisty because he's being a butthead, you're a little calmer because he didn't balk at the idea of kissing you, so he's clearly not averse to it.

You decide he's had enough of the upper hand tonight and even if you can't stand the stupid gleam in his eye that says he won, you step forward and grab the collar of his t-shirt to pull him down to your height.  

He's stunned enough by how quickly you decide you're going for it, so his mouth is gaped open when your lips meet his. You keep it pg and kiss him chastely. It's all too quick, by the time you're biting and tugging on his bottom lip before pulling away, he's just managed to get his hands onto your hips to pull you forward.

You back away. That's all he's getting tonight. His eyes open only halfway, and he's got some seductive bedroom eyes going on, but you're strong in your resolve.

Keys in hand, you look up at him innocently, “I had a really nice time tonight, maybe we can go out again soon, Terry.”

You're inside your house with the door shut behind you, holding in a laugh as you hear him shout through the door, “What the hell was th- IT’S TYLER?!”

[thisdiscontentedwinter]

Baby Daddy - Chapter 24

You can read it here on AO3 or find the Tumblr Chapter Index here. 

It’s late—almost midnight—when Dad finally gets dropped home by Parrish, but Stiles is still awake. He’s showered, and changed into his pajamas, and he’s been lying on his bed wondering if he’ll ever get to sleep. When he hears Parrish’s cruiser pulling up, he pushes his comforter off him, wincing at his stinging hands, and trails downstairs in time to meet Dad at the front door.

“Come here, kid,” Dad says, his face drawn, and Stiles steps forward into his hug. It’s awkward with the crutches, but they make it work. “How are your hands?”

Stiles steps back and shows him the patchwork of Bandaids. “Okay. Nothing that needs stiches.”

Dad sags with relief.

“Are you okay?” Stiles asks.

“Getting there.”

“How about Parrish?” Stiles swallows. “You guys are good?”

“We’re on the same page,” Dad says, and Stiles thinks from his tone that he’s drawing a line in the sand here, and nothing is ever going to be said about what happened in that motel room ever again. Stiles can get behind that. He never would have thought his dad would be the kind of cop who would help cover up a murder, but, also, he’s having a hard time feeling morally conflicted about it. Kate Argent was a killer, and she deserved everything she got as far as Stiles is concerned. Then again, Stiles has never sworn an oath to uphold the law, has he?

Stiles hugs him again, and hopes that says more than his words could. “I can smell cigarettes on you, by the way. Don’t think I don’t know just because you’ve tried to drown yourself in air freshener.”

Dad gives a guilty start.

“You’re quitting.”

“It’s really not an everyday thing.”

“You’re quitting,” Stiles repeats. “I want you around for a lot more years yet, okay?”

“Yeah.” Dad rubs his back awkwardly. “Okay, kid. That sounds like a plan.”

“Good.” Stiles closes his eyes for a moment, and draws in a deep breath. “About Laura and the baby. I—”

“Kid,” Dad says. He leans back so he can look Stiles in the eye. “I’m sorry. I was hurt, and I took it out on you. I was hurt you felt you had to make that arrangement in the first place, that I’d failed you by putting you in that position, and I was hurt that I wouldn’t get a chance to know the baby. But whatever relationship you and Laura end up with, and you and the baby, that’s for you guys to figure out.”

“It is?” Stiles wrinkles his nose.

“Yeah.” Dad smiles. “Turns out I’ll get to be an honorary grandpa anyway. I don’t think we’re getting rid of the Hales any time soon, kid.”

Stiles feels warmth flood through him.

“You’re not,” Peter says, appearing from out of nowhere. For a guy who only a few hours ago got a bullet dug out of him with nothing but a pair of tweezers by Laura as Stiles watched, equally fascinated and grossed out, he looks incredibly chipper. “Now come and sit down so you don’t strain your knee. I’ve made you grilled cheese.”

Dad looks pleased. “I love grilled cheese.”

Peter rolls his eyes. “Of course you do.”

Grilled cheese. Stiles has fallen into some alternate dimension where his dad gives a werewolf the okay to kill someone—but only if he makes it look like suicide—and apparently they’re discussing grilled cheese. What the fuck? Like, Stiles has always been an overthinker, and it’s got him in a lot of shit in the past, but this is totally underthinking, right? What he’s seeing here? If anything should be overthought, isn’t it murder and police cover-ups?

And also babies and contracts and parental shit?

And also also what Derek said back at the motel? A mate bond? Stiles is pretty sure it saved his life today, but what the fuck is  it? Whatever it is, it feels big.

Stiles has way too much to think about, and he is totally off kilter right now.

But he’s alive, right? So he’s got that going for him.

Yeah.

He heads through to the kitchen to get himself a soda.

He’s got that going for him.

***

Stiles takes his soda upstairs. There’s no light coming from underneath the door of Laura and Derek’s room, but Stiles can hear the low murmur of their voices, so he leans on the door and knocks softly. “You guys awake still?”

“Come in, Stiles,” Laura says.

Stiles shuffles inside, and sets his soda down on the chest of drawers.

The room is in darkness, but there’s enough moonlight filtering through the window that he can still see well enough. Laura and Derek are in bed, and Laura is hogging all the blankets, leaving Derek stretched out beside her in his sweatpants and a tank top.

“Hey,” Stiles says, and the word has never felt so stupidly inadequate.

“Get in here,” Laura says, flinging her blankets back.

Well, fuck it, right?

Stiles climbs into bed between them, and wrestles for control of Laura’s pillow. She lets him win.

“I have questions,” he says at last.

Laura elbows him. “Of course you do.”

Stiles darts a glance at Derek, and catches him watching him back. “What’s a mate bond?”

“Do you want me to answer that, or is it something you want to talk to Derek about?” Laura asks.

“I mean, I guess you can give me the low down?” Stiles’s arm is pressed up against Derek. It feels nice. He shifts, looking for Derek’s hand and finding it. He laces their fingers together. Derek’s palm feels weird against all his Bandaids. “Then maybe me and Derek can figure out what we need to figure out from there.”

“Okay,” Laura says. “A mate bond is a type of pack bond that happens between mated pairs. It means that you’re very in tune with the other person, and that you can feel what they’re feeling, and they can feel what you’re feeling. It’s like any other bond though. If you nurture it, it gets stronger. If you reject it, it can break.”

“Okay, but I don’t even know what a pack bond is,” Stiles says. “Explain it like I’m five.”

“Pack bonds are like…” Laura is silent for a moment. “They’re like what holds us together and tells us we belong. They’re like…”

“They’re love,” Derek says softly. “Like how you and your dad love another. With a side order of low-grade empath ability.”

“There it is,” Stiles says. “This guy knows how to explain it like I’m five! Thank you, Derek.”

Laura snorts.

“And a mate bond is stronger than a pack bond?” Stiles asks curiously. “Because Derek used it to ask me where I was in a freaking dream!”

“It’s not stronger,” Laura says. “Not exactly. But Derek was able to use your mate bond, and your pack bond, and the baby’s blood bond. You’re the trifecta of bonds, Stiles, even if you’re not a werewolf.”

“Huh.” Stiles exhales slowly while he turns it all over in his brain, and no. No, none of it makes sense yet. But maybe it will, in the future, when Stiles has had a chance to work through what happened today first. “Thanks, by the way, for telling my dad he could still be a grandpa. I guess you’ve figuratively ripped that contract up, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks. I’m still not ready to be a dad though, just so you know.”

Laura nudges him. “That’s totally fine, Stiles. I can see you as more of the cool uncle anyway.”

“Right?” Stiles laughs, his heart fluttering as he imagines it.

The cool uncle. Stiles will be the guy who turns up with the most obnoxious noise-making toys that he can find. He’ll be the guy who gets to take the kid to see all the fun movies, and do all the fun things. The mall Santa! Stiles is going to have a legitimate reason to line up to see the mall Santa! He’s going to be Uncle Stiles.

And a part of him can’t help imagining himself not just as Uncle Stiles because of his own connection to the baby, but also Uncle Stiles because he and Uncle Derek have a mate bond. Is a mate bond like being werewolf married?

Stiles reels that thought in before it leads him crazy places. He’s only known Derek for two days. He should go for at least a week before he’s writing their initials in a love heart on the inside cover of his school diary, right?

He clears his throat. “I think I can manage cool uncle status. Hey, does that make you my sister? I always kind of wanted a sister, so that’s cool.”

“It is cool,” Laura agrees.

“I never wanted to impregnate my sister though,” Stiles says. “That totally came out of left field.”

“Yep. Gross.” Laura throws the comforter back and climbs out of bed. “On that weird incestuous note, I’m going to sleep in your bed, Stiles. You can stay here. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight!”

Beside him, Derek shakes as he tries not to laugh.

***

The night draws on, and Stiles’s soda slowly turns warm and flat where he left it. He thinks of it once, regretfully, but he’s too comfortable to move. Well, to move far. Because somehow while he’s been lying here, he’s rolled towards Derek, and they’re sharing a pillow and their legs are tangled together, and it should feel incredibly awkward…but it doesn’t. Of all the crazy shit that’s happened in the last few days, this is the one thing that feels like it makes sense.

The moonlight gleams in Derek’s eyes, and he blinks.

Stiles resists the urge to raise his hand and trace Derek’s stubbly jaw—and then rethinks resisting the urge at all. Because why the hell shouldn’t he do it?

So he does it, drawing his fingertips along that surprisingly soft scruff, and is rewarded with a shy smile from Derek.

“I don’t really know what it means to be mates,” Stiles says at last. “I don’t know what sort of relationship you want, or even if you’re attracted to me physically—”

“I am,” Derek says.

Stiles feels the heat rise in his face. “Um, awesome. Because totally reciprocated here, no question. But I also think there’s a lot of stuff we need to work out, so what I’m saying is that I want to take this slow, you know? I don’t want to mess things up.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“See?” Stiles rubs his thumb along Derek’s jaw. “That just proves you don’t know a thing about me yet.”

Derek’s smile grows.

“Are you okay with taking it slow?”

“Yes.” Derek nods. “I’m okay with that.”

And Stiles thinks of Kate, and what she said back in the hotel, and how Derek was only sixteen, and he knows that Derek is dealing with a deeper pain than Stiles can even imagine. Stiles never wants to hurt him like he’s been hurt before. Stiles can be reckless and brash and thoughtless of other people’s feelings as he streamrolls right over them, but for Derek he can also be patient and careful and slow. Because whatever this thing is between them, it’s a warm glow inside of Stiles, and he wants to nurture it, and tend to it as gently as he can. Because there’s one thing he knows for certain, as sure as breathing, and it’s written in his heart now: Derek Hale is worth waiting for.

There will be lots of nights like this in the future, and there will be lots of days too, and Derek will have room in every single one of them. There will be school, and Dad, and pack, and a baby he gets to be an uncle to, and at the heart of it all there will be Derek.

And Stiles will mess up sometimes, and Derek will too, but those will just be stupid bumps on the road that won’t even matter, because it’s the journey that counts in the end. And the journey, Stiles thinks, will be beautiful.

He smiles as he traces his fingertips along the line of Derek’s jaw, and gently leans in to brush their mouths together.

It’s brief and soft, and barely a touch at all.

It’s their first kiss of thousands more to come.

It’s their first step on the road that is their lives together, and that warm glow inside Stiles’s chest burns bright and golden.

He leans back again. “Was that okay?”

“Yes, Stiles,” Derek whispers back to him. “That was perfect.”

Perfect.

Stiles likes the sound of that.

[swaggsaucesales-blog]

JAM MONSTER VAPE JUICE REVIEW

Jam Monster is pretty much one of the best and well-known vape juice companies out there. With their ever so delicious flavors that they provide for their customers, they have made a name for themselves in the vape industry. Each bottle that they craft and package comes with a gush of just fantastic flavor that can never get old or tiresome to vape off.

Their fruit-based flavors have gotten nothing but positive feedback to tasting like what the vape juice claims to be. The selection we have to offer from this company is their jam, butter and toast combinations meaning that not only will you get a fruity taste but with that, you get a nice rich, creamy feel of butter that's melted onto a fresh piece of toast. Also included to the mix we have their newest vape juice that they've released called Jam Monster PB and Jam, we might as well considering who doesn't love jam and peanut butter?

Jam Monster not only has the most exuberant amount of flavor in their juices but considering their 75/25 vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol ratio they have the thickest clouds that most vapors are looking for when getting that smoking satisfaction they want to achieve with every hit. That doesn't apply to smaller mods on lower settings and things but anything on an RDA or a tank that's on a high wattage setting to purposely get thick clouds, these juices were made for you.

Take time and look at our variety of their beautifully blended batch of Jam Monster Vape Juice flavors and prepare to be drooling by the end of the page. This company has been out and going strong for a reason, anything to encourage those who are serious about leaning off of cigarettes.

JAM MONSTER VAPE JUICE FLAVORS REVIEW

JAM MONSTER APPLE

Apple by Jam Monster has a very bold and outgoing flavor. It has a perfect amount of sweet and tart just like a green apple would with a slight hint of the creamy butter and a vague taste of toast. Altogether this juice tastes just like a piece of toast with green apple jam slathered on top of it. Full of delicious flavor I can hardly see anybody going flavor blind to it if you love green apple flavors with an excellent breakfast taste to it than this juice would be on the top of my list to give a try I doubt you’d be disappointed. It’s not an overwhelming taste it has just the right amount of flavor that also has an appealing scent to it as well as a nice thick cloud of vapor to add to the excitement.

JAM MONSTER BLACKBERRY

Blackberry by Jam Monster labeled as a limited edition meaning that it only has a limited supply each time of the month or year. It’s specially crafted mix of flavors was set out as a taste tester to see how their consumers would react to this product. And so far it’s brought them nothing but even more positive feedback. There aren’t a lot of blackberry flavor lovers out there due to the earthy tartness it has that people don’t want to have in there tanks. The difference in this juice though, it’s not a harsh flavor it’s quite exquisite with its slightly sweet and tart taste with that combination of melted butter and a perfect piece of crisp toast so it’s not straight blackberry. It’s very even in flavor so it’s not light in flavor where you can't taste anything. You definitely will get the flavor but just not a harsh bold taste that blackberry tends to give out. This juice has actually made it be one of their top sellers that they have so far and sell out very quickly once people notice they’re in stock.

JAM MONSTER BLUEBERRY

Blueberry by Jam Monster is also another one of their top sellers that they have to offer due to its exact resemblance to having a nice fresh batch of juicy blueberries. This juice is probably the most flavorful that they’ve crafted and it’s not to the point where it’s too much to handle. It just sends chills down your spin with the sweet-savory lush taste of blueberries and of course that hint of cream is still there to make things twice as better while vaping. The smell is also super delicious especially when you are indoors in or in your cars, just being surrounded by it has my mouth drooling. It’s a satisfying flavor especially for those who aren’t too crazy about the texture of an actual blueberry but enjoy the savory blueberry flavor it delivers.

JAM MONSTER GRAPE

Grape by Jam Monster, you guessed it. A top seller, but the only difference it has compared to the other juices is that it is a number one seller. A good grape flavor is so hard to find, a lot of them are extremely weak in quality and taste nothing like grape at all. But this juice tastes too much like a jar of grape jam. That thick and sweet, lush jam coated a buttered piece of toast is what you’ll get in your foggy dense vape cloud of vapor with every single hit. It’s just true mouthwatering and is precisely the type of vape juice that anyone who craves grape is looking for. It’s a classic in the food industry it’s earned its title to be a classic in the vape industry.

JAM MONSTER PB AND JAM

PB & Jam by Jam Monster, I can’t say that it’s a top seller just yet because it’s one of their newest flavors that they’ve made. Although many have said, including me, of course, have said that this juice taste just like biting into peanut butter and grape jam sandwich. And I guess that they used the exact batch of ingredients for the Grape by Jam Monster and just combined it with a delicious peanut butter extract that makes it super amazing to vape. Top selling juice added with a nice taste of peanut butter was probably the most genius thing that has ever been made by Jam Monster, and it’s an automatic thumbs up from me.

JAM MONSTER RASPBERRY

Jam Monster delivery again and again with this limited edition Raspberry juice with the toothsome sweet and tart undertone which isn’t shy with its flavor as you vape it. It’s incredibly delicious and has a slight floral scent to it which isn’t bothersome it’s Raspberry by Jam Monster has the essence of distinct flavor and only makes the flavor more realistic. It has that slight hint of cream from the butter extract which adds a trifecta blend of flavor that you can’t be mad at. I’ve personally never tried raspberry jam but if the actual jam tasted like this vape juice I’d be excited to make my first purchase.

JAM MONSTER STRAWBERRY

Strawberry by Jam Monster is another one of their top sellers of course because of another classic flavor that Jam Monster crafted. Strawberry Jam is one of my favorite flavored jams to add to my toast most mornings and this juice seriously imitates that exact satisfaction I get when I bite into my favorite quick breakfast. It’s got the quality of succulent strawberries that’s been mashed and smeared onto a buttered piece of toast which is mouth watering and one of my favorite vape juice to vape on a regular basis.

CONCLUSION

Jam Monster Vape Juice is the perfect brand for those who desire the taste of fruits that don't lack or disappoint when it's time to bring on the flavor and clouds.

[saniwriter]

The Evolution of Athleisure

This group's winning trifecta of comfort, fashion and functionality fits today's active lifestyles-- and also beyond.<br> Nowadays, athleisure is far more than a garments buzzword. It's a phenomenon that has actually changed where and how consumers put on apparel like slogan T-shirts, leggings, joggers, hoodies and also caps.<br> " Athleisure is a power mix of convenience satisfies design, as well as style meets capability," claims Eric Simsolo, supervisor of organization development, Next Level Apparel.<br> Actually, Americans spent $80.1 billion on athleisure and activewear in 2018, according to Euromonitor Intl.<br> " The term 'work-life equilibrium' has actually taken hold in vogue due to the fact that consumers want garments that allow them to stabilize brand-new wellness top priorities with remote or at-home job needs in life, without requiring to outfit themselves independently for each," claims Summer Scott-Samuel, elderly retailing supervisor, Gildan Activewear.<br> Comfort is a growing asset, she claims, and also end users want to pay more for style clothing with CUSTOM MADE PATCHES fundamentals that use adaptability and hid functions. Apparel suppliers have actually reacted to this way of life shift-- largely spearheaded by Millennials-- that focuses on experiential living as well as wellness with healthy habits as well as sports activity, with athleisure designs that can be worn at the workplace, the fitness center and on the go.<br> The Athleisure Revolution<br> Athleisure overtook American style virtually 20 years earlier when yoga-inspired athletic clothing company Lululemon showed up on the scene. "This surge in athleisure came at a time when way of livings were altering-- eating healthier, exercising even more and being even more health-conscious-- leading athleisure to fit consumers' practical as well as stylistic requirements," says Jeanene Edwards, vice head of state of retailing as well as advertising, Fruit of the Loom/JERZEES Activewear. "Since athleisure has actually mainstreamed throughout every ages and demographics, that's mosting likely to ensure its staying power."<br> Just recently, more typical apparel merchants have gotten in the sports apparel group, including H&M as well as Forever 21, which introduced activewear collections in 2015. Additionally, Topshop has collaborated on an athleisure collection with Beyoncé, while J.Crew has actually partnered with New Balance. In addition, haute-couture brands like Gucci, Dior, Fendi and Balenciaga have imitated the success of athletic performance wear brands such as adidas, Champion, Nike as well as Under Armour.<br> " They've added an elevated-couture feel and look to sports apparel," states Christina Marcantelli, account executive, S&S Activewear. "We see influencers, celebrities and also athletes tackling this garments group that fits multidimensional way of lives."<br> A rebirth of 1980s as well as 1990s garments brand names and also styles traditionally rooted in cotton-rich items likewise contributed to athleisure's power rise. "Consumers wanted these items, yet really did not wish to abandon the convenience of even more modern materials or performance features of their poly-rich athletic garments," claims Marcus Davis, product development supervisor for HanesBrands. "Combining these comfort and also efficiency features on prominent retro brands and layouts helped the athleisure pattern take off even faster."<br> Davis claims once consumers recognized they might have both casual convenience as well as performance attributes like UV defense, flexible wicking and smell control in their garments, they began to anticipate them in products varying from tees to outerwear. Thankfully, garments suppliers prepared to satisfy that demand, accelerating material advancement and technical advancements in garment style as well as building and construction.<br> " This made garment production faster, simpler as well as much more capable of delivering a broader array of designs, fabrics and also shades," Edwards claims. "Many activewear textiles are especially designed to enhance all-day comfort with residential properties like wetness wicking, stretch and smell control."<br> The Health Factor<br> Many individuals explain their way of lives as "insane active," as they juggle household activities, occupations and healthy way of lives. "We've started to use the term 'lifewear' because consumers want clothes they can use anytime and also anywhere during their daily tasks," Davis says.<br> This pattern has actually added to the consistent decline of procedure in the means Americans dress; athleisure blurs the line between activewear and also office clothing, supplying cross-functional styles. In the past 10-15 years, retail and also market clothing distributors have evolved the athleisure concept to adjust to extensive way of life changes. Generally, people-- particularly Millennials-- live even more health-conscious lives, however still want to look classy.<br> " [Millennials are] exceptionally trend-conscious and wish to share their individuality through their style," Edwards says. "Athleisure is the best electrical outlet for Millennials to display their active, healthy way of livings, both on social networks as well as in their lives."<br> By expansion, social networks has aided speed up an extra fit way of living across the board. "Many influencers and also health and fitness buffs train for marathons as well as tournaments in athleisure," Marcantelli says. "Even traveling, racecar, biking and also boating fanatics wear athleisure as they influence others to obtain energetic."<br> The Uber-Casual Workplace<br> Edwards points out that leaders like Steve Jobs, with his signature black turtleneck, as well as Mark Zuckerberg, with his hoodie, rapidly transformed the concept of appropriate office attire. Currently, more than one-third of consumers (34%) state they put on casual garments to work, according to the Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor Survey. And also, 71% of customers state their office has at the very least one informal day.<br> " Changing job cultures as well as increasingly informal dress codes mean that 'power clothing' does not resonate with Millennial and also Gen-Z customers," Scott-Samuel says. "Casual garments basics worn as exercise gear are now the brand-new as well as acceptable 'uniform' at work."<br> She also states that as an expanding number of Millennials function from another location or in freelance capabilities, they produce their very own guidelines for everyday styles that accommodate versatile wellness, work and also traveling way of lives. These brand-new "life policies" also include a shift far from traditional job hours toward a focus on experiencing life outside the workplace.<br> " That's not to say Millennials aren't focused on their occupations, but they're more likely to go from the gym to the office, or from the office to the bike path," Davis says. "Not having to change clothing between the day's different activities has actually come to be extremely attracting this generation."<br> Additionally, as older Millennials come close to age 40, they're often the major choice makers for marketing garments in their organizations. "Their preference for athleisure as well as brand names that mirror their worths show in lots of new product launches," Edwards states.<br> On top of that, when a company gives its workers retail-branded merchandise from, claim, adidas or Columbia, it sends the message that they're valued. "The more functional the garment, such as a quarter-zip or fleece hoodie, the more probable workers will certainly use them outside the office, boosting the quantity of impressions," Marcantelli says.<br> Athleisure's Lasting Look<br> Thanks to the Kardashians, Edwards claims, jogging suit, leggings as well as tennis shoes can go just about anywhere. That equates into split tees or French terry pieces as the basis of many athleisure wardrobes, in addition to joggers or yoga exercise pants.<br> " From a garment point of view, fit is still vital," she says. "Athleisure isn't sloppy, so just any type of set of sweat pants will not function."<br> Sports fabrics likewise have come a long way in the past few years. "From the stretch and healing, to colorways, heathering and also fiber material, everything has changed," Simsolo says. "Without that technology and advancement, you wouldn't have the modern-day yoga exercise pant, the quarter-zip that does not resemble a trash bag, or perhaps the breathable, one-piece woven running footwear. A great athleisure top will certainly really feel and fit as comfortable with yoga exercise pants as they will certainly under a bombing plane coat, or perhaps a smart sports jacket."<br> Marcantelli notes that due to the selection of athleisure garments, the items can be infinitely styled and also embellished. For instance, she sees monogrammed weekend sets of sweat shirts as well as matching lounge shorts growing in popularity as influencers wear them throughout their day-to-day routines.<br> " We additionally see diverse shapes with keyhole cutouts; crisscross open backs; one-of-a-kind hemlines; open shoulders; and plant tops in tees, storage tanks, hoodies as well as crewnecks," she states. "The large variation of seasonal colors and patterns and materials, such as Sherpa, sponge [and] teddy fleece, along with large inlays in tights, yoga exercise pants, tops and tanks giving a hint of feminineness, are all classified as athleisure."<br> Inevitably, Davis claims, athleisure is versatile. "When brands integrate elements of fashion, convenience and also performance right into their clothing, it's a winning combo for end users," he says.

[harryfeatgaga]

Another day another concert without him showing us his tank top make it a gay trifecta henroldo

:(